2026 Parish Council Meetings

Notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale on Tuesday 6th January 2026 at 7.30 pm.

Present: Parish Cllrs S Poulton, J Stapleton, P Ireland, E Hill and S Jenkins and Mrs D Scott (Clerk).

01/26 Welcome – Cllr Poulton welcomed everyone to the meeting.

02/26 Apologies for absence – Cllr D East (LCC), Cllrs S Tarry and C Collard (NKDC)

03/26 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – Cllr Jenkins reported that he had been appointed as a Trustee of the Little Hale Charities. He would be updating his Declaration on Interests at NKDC.

04/26 Notes of the Meeting held on 4th November 2025 – approved and signed.  

05/26 Finance 2025-26

1. Mrs Scott had shared the updated financial statements bank charges and receipts of interest on the IA account. The balance in the current account was £237.00 (before January charges of £4.25) and Savings Account £4714.50.
2. Payments including Clerk £350.91 (November and December, including expenses (reimbursement of travel, stationery etc), HMRC £84.80 (mth 10 due 19/2/25) were approved. It was noted that the Little Hale Chapel invoice for £60.00 had not yet been received. The Clerk had confirmed with ParishOnline and had now received the .gov.uk email. This would be brought into use this month.

06/26 Finance 2026-27 – Budget – Mrs Scott shared the draft budget calculation showing an expected expenditure of £3,643, together with precept calculations showing the impacts of the increase in the Tax Base and increasing the precept. Cllrs debated the options of keeping the precept at £3,300 (Band D reduction of 44p, or -1.07%), keeping the Band D Council Tax as 2025-26 (precept increase to £3,335.72), increasing Precept to £3,500 (Band D Increase of £2.01 or 4.92%) and increasing the precept to £3,700 (Band D Increase of £4.46 or 10.92%).

It was agreed that a precept of £3,700 be set to ensure costs were covered. Mrs Scott to submit the forms.

07/26 Clerk’s Report and Correspondence, previously shared by email.

1. Newsletters from LALC, LCC, NKDC, EA - noted
2. Updates from Cllrs Tarry and Collard – Cllr Tarry had shared information prior to the meeting, on digital hubs, LGR, NKDC opening times, CLLP review.
3. Updates from Cllr East – None
4. Updates from HealthWatch Lincs – noted.
5. Local Government Re-organisation – noted that the NK/SK proposal had been submitted and was awaiting the Government  response.
6. Lloyds Bank Statements - noted.

8/26 Policy Reviews

1. Social Media
2. Publication Scheme
3. GDPR
4. Public Participation
5. IT, with insertion of ‘Clerk’ as designated person.

The above Policies were agreed, with minor amendments, for publication.

6. Equal Opportunities
7. Civility and Respect Pledge

It was noted that the above policies referred to a ‘Dignity at Work Policy’ – defer to next meeting

8. Standing Orders – defer to next meeting
9. Financial Regulations – defer to next meeting

9/26 Policing Update – None, but it was noted that a former resident of Little Hale Fen had recently received a custodial sentence for burglary.

10/26 Highways Matters

1. Flooding – it was noted that the system had coped with a recent period of heavy rain and credit was given to the works over the last year including the new underground pipe installed from the dyke by the phone box. Further work to check and clean the gulley had been carried out by Cllrs Ireland and Stapleton.
2. Highways – It was noted that the condition of footpaths had deteriorated in several places. Each section to be reported on FixMyStreet. Mrs Scott to ask Cllr East whether the slurry re-surfacing works recently carried out in Heckington could be extended to Little Hale.
3. Fen Road fencing – it was understood that an enforcement notice had been issued but no action taken. It was understood that the neighbours’ issues had been resolved.
4. Speeding – Mrs Scott had received the new signs and delivered 6x 30 mph passive signs, with cable-ties and a pack of bin stickers to Cllr Jenkins, who brought samples to show the meeting. It was agreed the two of the large signs be fixed back to back on the telegraph post by the Phone Box, one on Fen Road, one on Chapel Lane and one on the post facing traffic entering the village from the Fen. Cllr Poulton agreed to deliver bin stickers to residents on Main Road for fixing to the black bins as a priority then assess the take-up before delivering elsewhere in the village.
5. Archer Survey October/November 2025 – the results had been shared. It was noted that average speed was 28.8 mph and the majority of vehicles traveling in either direction were within the speed limit but  a considerable number were up to 10 mph faster than the limit. The report concluded that, ‘The results of the survey together with an analysis of the collision data show that the criteria required for either fixed or mobile speed camera enforcement is not met.’
6. Public Rights of Way – Cllr Poulton reported that Mr and Mrs Bailey had submitted their report but had received no acknowledgement. Mrs Scott to chase.
7. Streetlights – light at Pump Lane was not working – to be reported on FixMyStreet

11/26 Planning Matters

1. Travellers on Little Hale Fen – ref Enforcement Notice issued by NKDC 19th January, to take effect from 20th February 2024, compliance with conditions within 13 months maximum – it was noted that Boston Magistrates Court administratively adjourned the hearing until 23rd February 2026, however there appeared to have been some movement of vehicles from the site.
2. Planning Application 25/0914/BGS To establish Biodiversity Gain Site (without Planning permission) to create orchard and other neutral grassland. Land To The North Of Little Hale Drove NG34 9BG – awaiting decision by NKDC – noted.
3. 25/1572/DISCON, 25/1570/DISCON, 25/1541/DISCON,  25/1400/DISCON, 25/1390/DISCON, 25/1370/DISCON, applications to discharge various conditions, attached to planning permission 23/1021/FUL - allowed following appeal ref: APP/R2520/W/25/3363027 - Proposed Development of a Photovoltaic Solar Array, Grid Connection, Access Improvements and Ancillary Development  Land South Of Little Hale Drove Little Hale Fen Sleaford Lincs – noted
4. 25/1334/VARCON 21 Chapel Lane NG34 9BE Application to remove Conditions 3 (1.5 storey) and 4 (site layout) re planning permission 23/0587/OUT (Outline application for a proposed dwelling with landscaping for consideration). Change from a 1.5 to a 2 storey – approved by NKDC 23rd December

12/26 Planning Inspectorate

1. Anglian Water – proposed Reservoir – Cllr Ireland reported back on the CLG meeting on 27th November at Scredington. He explained that there had been discussion on reducing the amenity land and local concerns about the impact of new green energy infrastructure to power the reservoir, especially for local landowners.
2. Beacon Fen Solar Farm – Development Consent application ongoing https://www.beaconfenenergypark.co.uk/the-project/ - noted

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010151 - noted.

13/26 CIL Funded Projects  - Gateway signs – Cllr Poulton shared information from a supplier. It was noted that costs could well exceed the CIL funding available, so gates at the Great Hale end of the village should be prioritised. Installation – Mrs Scott agreed to contact Cllr East about the volunteer group he had mentioned and whether they would do the utility surveys in the area as well

14/26 Defibrillator – Training – Saturday 10th January 10.00. Cllr Poulton had shared information on the village facebook page but so far no responses.  He confirmed that attendance was not restricted to Little Hale residents, anyone would be welcome.

15/26 Pump Lane - Cllr Poulton would be putting up new signage the following day.

16/26 Bus Shelter Working Party – to be combined with the Spring litter Pick, date to be agreed at the next meeting.

17/26 Parish Council Communications - Website – statistics noted

18/26 Burial Board – Mrs Scott explained that, at the November Burial Board meeting, Mr Bennett had been appointed to represent Little Hale in place of Mr Needham. A further LH vacancy had been created by Mr Rooke’s resignation. The draft Terms of Reference for the proposed Joint Burial Committee, based on LALC’s extensive advice, had been presented to Great Hale Parish Council the previous evening and agreed in principle with minor amendments, subject to final legal advice through LALC’s solicitors. Councillors raised questions on the draft ToRs, in particular the wording  about the presence of Parish Councillors. Mrs Scott explained the reasoning behind the designation of Little Hale Parish Council as the Lead Parish Council and Councillors were content to take on that role in principle.  Mrs Scott and Mr Broom would be incorporating both Parish Councils’ suggestions, before submitting the document to LALC’s solicitors. Mrs Scott added that a valuation had been commissioned to determine the Cemetery land value for the purposes of registering the Parish Councils’ ownership with the Land Registry. Registration was now in hand with Chattertons Solicitors. Great Hale Parish Council had agreed to pay the costs of the valuation but the Burial Board would be making a donation. It was noted that under the ToRs, appointments to the Committee were the responsibility of the respective Parish Council. Councillors were keen that at least one of the LH Parish Councillors should serve on the Committee and would be content to appoint Cllr Jenkins to the role, when the Committee came into being. Subject to the amendments discussed, and further legal advice, the draft ToRs were agreed in principle.

19/26 Matters for the next meeting – usual annual standing items, Policies for approval, Burial Board, Gateway Signs, Litter Pick date

20/26 The Dates of Meetings for 2025-26, as agreed, 3rd March, 5th May at 7.45 pm, with Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30 pm                                              

The meeting closed at 9.25 pm.