2026 Parish Council Meetings

Notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 at 7.30 pm.

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

21/26 Welcome – Cllr Poulton welcomed everyone to the meeting.

22/26 Apologies for absence – Cllr E Hill, Cllr D East (LCC), Cllrs S Tarry and C Collard (NKDC),

23/26 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – none

24/26 Notes of the Meeting held on 6th January 2026 – approved and signed.  

25/26 Governance – Cemetery Management. Mrs Scott explained that the Terms of Reference for the Joint Burial Committee, developed with the help of LALC, had been submitted to Wilkins, Chapman and Rollitt under LALC’s 45 minutes of free advice scheme. WCR’s solicitor had suggested a few clarifications which had been incorporated into the draft shared before the meeting. If agreed, the new JBC would be created with Little Hale Parish Council listed as the Lead Authority for accounting and employment purposes but any costs such as maintenance would still be funded by the two Parish Councils proportionately (1:4) as before. The ownership of the Cemetery was shared 50:50 between the two parishes so any liabilities arising from the land would be shared 50:50. Both Parish Councils would have to inform their insurers. The Registered Charity would continue separately, with three Trustees, and income generated from interest on the Benjamin Ward Legacy annually would be donated to the Cemetery account held by Little Hale PC.

After discussion, the Terms of Reference for the Joint Burial Committee were adopted, to take effect from 1st April 2026.

26/26 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 £102.79 and IA Account £4,318.88.
2. Payments including Clerk (January and February) £242.92, including expenses (reimbursement of travel, stationery etc), HMRC £56.60 (mth 11 due 19/3/25) and LALC Annual Subscription 2026-27 £100.78 were approved.
3. VAT claim – Mrs Scott to submit before the end of March.

27/26 Finance 2026-27 – Mrs Scott confirmed that the Precept forms had been submitted and receipt acknowledged by NKDC

28/26 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 Council Tax and LGR, Cllr Collard had shared information on NKDC’s Flourishing Communities Committee and its ongoing work with IDB and Anglian Water re flooding problems as a high priority.
3. Updates from Cllr East – Cllr East had sent further information on the LCC Councillor Volunteer Scheme (see CIL item) and the Helpringham Road problems (see Highways item)
4. Updates from HealthWatch Lincs – noted.
5. Local Government Re-organisation – consultation closing on 26th March. Councillors were encouraged to add their comments as residents.
6. Lloyds Bank Statements - noted.

29/26 Policy Reviews

1. Standing Orders
2. Financial Regulations
3. Equal Opportunities
4. Civility and Respect Pledge
5. Dignity at Work Policy

The above Policies were agreed. Mrs Scott to update and add to the website.

30/26 Policing Update – None

31/26 Highways Matters

1. Flooding – Although the recent rain had been persistent, there had been few deluges and the system seemed to be coping. It was noted that the dykes, culverts and gullies would need to be monitored to ensure no blockages built up again.
2. Highways – It was not clear whether the slurry work carried out in Heckington could be extended to Little Hale footpaths but deteriorations should be reported on FixMyStreet as usual.
3. Community Speed Watch – Cllr Jenkins and Cllr Poulton were thanked for their work on the signage erected as agreed and delivering bin stickers to residents along Main Road. There was now no mistaking the 30 mph limit, especially on bin days.
4. Public Rights of Way – Mrs Scott had followed up and Debby Braund (LCC) had now sent Mr and Mrs Bailey the forms to complete.
5. Sinkhole near the Phone Box – Reported on FixMyStreet, Highways team had visited, but not yet resolved.
6. Helpringham Road – Helpringham Parish Council had asked that Little Hale support the request to Highways to deal with the subsidence towards the Beck, as the road was within Little Hale Parish. Councillors were already aware of the issue and thanked the Helpringham Parish Council for their concern. Cllr East had forwarded his correspondence with Rowan Smith and it was noted that Highways were monitoring the situation. It was agreed that any further movement should be reported on FixMyStreet. Councillors were disappointed that the Environment Agency could not be persuaded to contribute to the work.
7. Underground pipes on Chapel Lane. It was noted that the work by Anglian Water had not been completed to repair the damage caused when they did the foul water works for 11 Chapel Lane. Mrs Scott to chase.

32/26 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 the defendant had requested more documents at the hearing on 23rd February 2026. This had been allowed by the court, with deadlines for the supply and the defendants’ response but NKDC’s offer to drop the proceedings if the site was vacated by 15th March still stood.
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 (tbc), 25/1570/DISCON (tbc), 25/1541/DISCON(tbc),  25/1400/DISCON (discharged), 25/1390/DISCON (discharged), 25/1370/DISCON (discharged), 26/0023/DISCON (new) 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. 26/0068/OHL Land Between Little Hale Fen Solar Scheme And Bicker Fen Substation - Application pursuant to Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 (Section 37) for consent to construct three sections of overhead power lines which will form part of the grid connection from the approved Little Hale Fen solar scheme to National Grids Bicker Fen substation off Vicarage Drove, Boston Lincolnshire – noted NKDC raised no objections
5. 26/0160/FUL Land To The South East Of Sleaford Retention of 45 monitoring Boreholes and their associated headworks - closing date 15th March – no objections.

33/26 Planning Inspectorate

1. Anglian Water – proposed Reservoir – no update
2. Beacon Fen Solar Farm – no update.

34/26 CIL Funded Projects  - Gateway signs – Cllr East’s information on the Volunteer Scheme  was noted. Mrs Scott to draft an application to cover the installation of the gateway signs.

35/26 Defibrillator – Training – Saturday 10th January - Cllr Poulton reported that several people had attended.

36/26 Pump Lane - Cllr Poulton shared an example of the new signage.

37/26 Bus Shelter Working Party and Spring Litter Pick - agreed for Sunday 23rd March, but it was noted that work on the growth around the shelter would be limited by the nesting season.

38/26 Parish Council Communications - Website – statistics noted

39/26 Matters for the next meeting – usual annual standing items, Gateway Signs, election of Chair and Vice-Chair, approval of AGAR, update on the Cemetery account.

40/26 The Dates of Meetings for 2025-26, as agreed, 5th May at 7.45 pm, with Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30 pm. Mrs Scott to invite representatives from the Charities and the former Burial Board to the APM.                                 

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm.