2026 Parish Council Meetings

Notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale on Tuesday 25th August 2026 at 7.30 pm.

Present: Cllrs S Jenkins, P Ireland, J Stapleton, LCC Cllr D East, one member of the public and Mrs D Scott (Clerk).

79/26 Welcome – Cllr Jenkins welcomed all to the meeting. It was noted that this meeting replaced the scheduled date of 1st September to ensure quoracy.

80/26 Apologies for absence – Cllr S Poulton, Cllrs C Collard and S Tarry (NKDC)

81/26 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – none.

82/26 Casual Vacancy – It was noted that the statutory advertising had brought no formal requests for an election so NKDC had confirmed that the Parish Council could co-opt.  A few residents had expressed an interest but outside of the meeting agreed to step aside to allow Mr Curley to be co-opted. Mr Curley confirmed that he was willing to be co-opted. It was agreed unanimously that he be Co-opted and he signed the declaration of acceptance of office. (post meeting note, a technical issue meant that Mr Curley’s co-option could not be finalised at this time and would be deferred until the next meeting)

83/26 Notes of the previous meeting, the Meeting 21st July 2026 – approved and signed.

84/26 Finance 2026-27

1. Mrs Scott shared the financial statement. It was noted that the payment of the Clerk’s Salary, expenses etc., for July, of £306.26 (inc £13.52 Cemetery) and HMRC £76.40 (inc £3.38 Cemetery) had been made on 15th August. The total balance was £28,851.75 (including Cemetery Funds). Mrs Scott explained that, of that, £24,924.45 was restricted to specific projects. Councillors checked the report against the bank statement.
2. Payments due – none. The Clerk’s salary for August would be calculated for payment on 15th August, plus reimbursement of £20 for the extra CSW sign. See below. Payment was agreed in principle. It was also noted that the 2026 NJC pay increase had just been announced, of 3.3%. It was agreed that this be considered at the next meeting.

85/26 Clerk’s Report and Correspondence, previously shared by email.

1. Newsletters from LALC, LCC, NKDC, EA - noted
2. Updates from Cllrs Tarry and Collard – None
3. Updates from Cllr East – Cllr East updated Councillors on the Flood Risk plans shared earlier that day, explaining that it was a golden opportunity for the village to resolve the water management issues.

He reminded the meeting of the grant funding available and plans were discussed for SIDs and Gateway signs. The Clerk to send him details of the Council’s wishes.

Cllr East agreed to chase LCC officers about the road surface dressing which had been delayed by the recent hot weather conditions, the AW work on Chapel Lane and Helpringham Road which was still being monitored. It was noted that the latest patching work had now cracked, indicating serious movement of the road towards the Beck.

(Cllr East left the meeting)

4. Lloyds Bank Statements and any other correspondence received – noted.

86/26 Cemetery

1. The Transactions report to date – noted, including payment to reimburse the Clerk of Great Hale Parish Council for paint, etc., purchased for the LCC Councillor Volunteer Scheme’s work on the fencing and gates of £32.60 had been made, and income from a memorial (additional inscription) in respect of Mrs Blanshard had been received. A further invoice had been raised for a memorial (additional inscription) in respect of Mrs King.
2. Land Registry – Mrs Scott explained that Chattertons had accepted the recommendations agreed at the July meeting and had drafted a letter declaring the Parish Councils’ intention to sever any previous  arrangement to share the land ownership as joint tenants and confirm that the ownership would be as ‘Tenants in Common in equal shares’. This would replace the ‘Declaration of Trust’ recommended by LALC and agreed at the last meeting. It was agreed that Cllr Jenkins as Chairman sign the document. Mrs Scott to pass to Great Hale Parish Council for its Chairman to sign accepting the tenancy arrangement, prior to submission to Chattertons. It was also noted that Cllr Jenkins’ ID had been checked by Chattertons, at an additional cost of £30, to be added to Chattertons’ fees.

87/26 Policing Update – None

88/26 Highways Matters

1. Community Speed Watch – as above, Mrs Scott had collected the extra 30 mph sign from LRSP. Mr Curley kindly agreed to fasten it to a post on his property facing traffic travelling east on Fen Road.
2. Helpringham Road – as above, Cllr East to check and report back to LCC Officers   
3. Chapel Lane – AW works to repair old main drain – as above, Cllr East to follow up with Highways.
4. Access routes to AGR Solar Farm, Little Hale Fen – it was noted that fewer HGV movements had been seen recently, apart from some thought to be visiting the Seed Company on the Fen. Disappointment was expressed about the lack of action from the NK Enforcement Team.
5. Village Gates - Cllr Jenkins reminded the meeting about the offer from the haulage company to do the installation work for the village gates. It was agreed that funding be sought from LCC alongside the SID funding, for the new gates and the survey work.
6. Winter Grit supply – Mrs Scott had requested a supply to be delivered to Cllr Ireland.

89/26 Planning Matters

1. Travellers on Little Hale Fen – it was noted that the Enforcement Officer had now left and local rumour was that the matter seemed to have reverted to the landowner. Mrs Scott to contact the Enforcement Team for an update.
2. 26/0023/DISCON (and others) Land South of Little Hale Drove Little Hale Fen

Application to discharge condition 15 (soil management plan) and others attached to

planning permission 23/1021/FUL - allowed post appeal ref APP/R2520/W/25/3363027 - Proposed Development of a Photovoltaic Solar Array, Grid Connection, Access Improvements and Ancillary Development - noted

90/26 Planning Inspectorate Matters - NSIPs

1. Anglian Water – proposed Reservoir – Further consultation planned for Autumn 2026 - noted
2. Beacon Fen Solar Farm – it was noted that the project had been approved on 21st August.

91/26 CIL Funded Projects – Gateway signs – as discussed earlier.

92/26 Pump Lane – Mrs Scott reported that a resident had asked the Parish Council to consider establishing a play area for children. It was noted that Pump Lane could be a suitable place, once the ownership was established. In the meantime, other sites were suggested such as the grounds of Parva House or the Trust land in the centre of the village, but it was noted that these were both in private (charitable) ownership and unlikely to be available.

93/26 Bus Shelter Working Party – deferred to the next meeting.

94/26 Parish Council Communications - Website – noted.

95/26 Matters for the next meeting – usual annual standing items, Co-option, NJC pay agreement, first draft budget for 2027-28

96/26 The Dates of Meetings for 2026-27 – 3rd November, 5th January 2027, 1st March, all at 7.30 pm, 11th May (later than usual because of the Elections) at 7.45 pm, with Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30 pm

The meeting closed at 8.39 pm.