2026 Parish Council Meetings

Notes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale on Tuesday 21st July 2026 at 7.30 pm.

Present: Cllrs S Poulton, S Jenkins, J Stapleton, NKDC Cllr C Collard, LCC Cllr D East, four members of the public and Mrs D Scott (Clerk).

Before the meeting members of the public raised their concerns about the volume of HGV traffic through the village and down the fen, currently accessing the Solar Farm site using that route instead of the haul road as agreed in the Planning Permission. The contractors had stated at first that they were accessing the haul road to work on the bridge, although it was clear that they were delivering to the solar farm site itself. Later they said that they had been granted an exemption (Section 7?) as the haul road was not yet finished due to extra work needed on the bridge. In addition, they were not following the advisory one-way system, increasing the risk of collisions and road blockages. Cllrs Tarry and Collard had reported the matter to NKDC and the Enforcement Officer had become involved. An email from Cllr Tarry was read by the Clerk. The consensus was that the contractors should have stuck to the agreed haul road even if this meant a delay to the work on the solar farm, because of the risk of the extra HGV traffic though the village, endangering life and property, and damaging the road infrastructure. Photographs and CCTV footage were offered by farmers.

Cllr Jenkins thanked the members of the public for the information and assured them that it would be followed up.

61/26 Welcome – Cllr Jenkins welcomed all to the meeting. It was noted that this meeting replaced the scheduled date of 7th July, the Council being inquorate on that occasion. It was noted that the casual vacancy created by Cllr Hill’s resignation had been advertised with a closing date of 4th August.

62/26 Apologies for absence – Cllr P Ireland, Cllr Tarry (NKDC)

63/26 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – none

64/26 Notes of the previous meeting, the Annual Meeting 5th May 2026 – approved and signed. The notes of the Annual Parish meeting that evening were noted for approval at the next APM.

65/26 Finance 2025-26 - AGAR

1. Exemption Certificate 2026-27 – it was noted that this had been accepted by the Auditors.
2. Public Rights as required – Mrs Scott confirmed that the period for the exercise of Public Rights ended on 14th July. No electors had requested access to the accounts.

66/26 Finance 2026-27

1. Mrs Scott shared the financial statement. It was noted that the payments to Zurich Insurance of £550.07 and the Clerk’s Salary, expenses etc., for May, of £259.07 (inc £47.34 the Cemetery) and HMRC £54.60 (inc £11.81 Cemetery) had been made in June, and on 15th July, the Clerk’s Salary, expenses etc., for June, of £180.35 (inc £30.44 Cemetery) and HMRC £41.00 (inc £7.59 Cemetery) had been made. The total balance was £29,159.13 (after the July payday for work in June) payments and including Cemetery Funds). Mrs Scott explained that, of that, £24,867.18 was restricted to specific projects. Councillors checked the report against the bank statement.
2. Payments – Payments due – none. The Clerk’s salary for July would be calculated for payment on 15th August.

67/26 Clerk’s Report and Correspondence, previously shared by email.

1. Mrs Scott reported that she had notified everyone of the new email address but some messages were still coming through on the old one.
2. Newsletters from LALC, LCC, NKDC, EA - noted
3. LALC AGM 9th July – noted
4. Updates from Cllrs Tarry and Collard – Cllr Collard shared details of the recent announcement about the new Unitary Authorities for Lincolnshire, explaining that a large number of parishes currently in NKDC (and in West Lindsey) would be moving to the new Lincoln City Authority under the Government’s plan. The rest of NK would be joining with to the other districts to form a new Unitary Authority in April 2028. Elections for the shadow Unitary Authorities would be held in May 2028, alongside the Town/Parish elections. In the meantime, all District services would be continuing as before.
5. Updates from Cllr East – Cllr East confirmed that County services would also continue until transferred to the new Unitary Authority. He reminded the meeting about the Councillor grants available, which now included a larger pot which could possibly be used to match the CIL funding for the Village Gates project. Mrs Scott was asked to check the grant application process. He also shared updates on Flooding, Helpringham Road and speeding issues (see below). He asked everyone to look out for an LCC survey about bus services.
6. Updates from HealthWatch Lincs - noted
7. Local Government Reorganisation – as above. Councillors were concerned that the larger authority may mean less contact with the ward councillors, e.g., attending Parish Council meetings.
8. Correspondence with a resident concerning Anti-Social Behaviour – it was noted that a complaint had been received and the NKDC ASB Team was dealing with it.
9. Lloyds Bank Statements and any other correspondence received – noted.

68/26 Cemetery

1. The June Transactions report - noted
2. 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, expected to be approximately £50 – approved
3. Mrs Scott had shared LALC’s recommendation and explanations suggesting that both Parish Councils resolve

1. that the Cemetery Land ownership should be registered with the Land Registry as ‘Tenants in Common in equal shares’
2. that a Form A restriction (Under rule 94 of the Land Registration Rules 2003, where land is held on trust (which co-ownership always is under s.34 LPA 1925), a Form A restriction should be entered: "No disposition by a sole proprietor of the registered estate (except a trust corporation) under which capital money arises is to be registered unless authorised by an order of the court."
3. that a Declaration of Trust be drawn up to sever any possible joint tenancy by the execution of a Declaration of Trust before or simultaneous with first registration, crystallising the tenancy in common position permanently, and
4. that the class of title be Absolute Freehold.

It was noted that Great Hale Parish Council had passed the resolution at its meeting on 6th July.

The above resolution was agreed unanimously. Mrs Scott to report back to Chattertons.

69/26 Policing Update – None

70/26 Highways Matters

1. Update on Dyke clearance work 31st May – Cllr Jenkins thanked everyone involved for making this such a successful practical event.
2. Publicity regarding current roadworks - residents had been very concerned about the prolonged and extensive road closures in the area. Helpringham Parish Council had obtained clarification from Highway and this had been shared.
3. Condition of pavements in the village – it was noted that there had been no reports on FixMyStreet
4. Community Speed Watch – Concerns had been expressed about alleged speeding on Fen Road in the village. The driver’s identity was known. Additional signage such as ‘slow down - children in road’ or ‘no access to Solar Farm’ be requested.  Mrs Scott to contact highways, and CSW to request additional 30 mph passive signs
5. Public Rights of Way – the permanent closure of Little Hale 5/1 and the diversion of the same made with effect from 1st July 2026 – noted.
6. Helpringham Road – it was noted that Helpringham Parish Council’s Highway Liaison Officer had written to Highways, with engineering reports, etc.   
7. Chapel Lane – AW works to repair old main drain – Mrs Scott to follow up with Highways.
8. Access routes to AGR Solar Farm, Little Hale Fen – as discussed above. It was suggested that all residents affected should contact NKDC Planning Enforcement expressing their concerns and that Mrs Scott write to Highways and Planning Enforcement on behalf of the Parish Council, sharing photographs shared by residents.

71/26 Planning Matters

1. Travellers on Little Hale Fen – update on Court proceedings – it was noted that the Court had found in favour of NKDC. Details on further action awaited.
2. 26/0293/HOUS Land Adjacent To 2 Fen Road NG34 9BD Erection of proposed outbuilding/garage – approved by NKDC 30th April - noted
3. 26/0282/RESM Land Adjacent 21 Chapel Lane NG34 9BE Reserved matters application for the erection of 1no dwelling with access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale to be considered pursuant to planning application 23/0587/OUT as amended by 25/1334/VARCON – approved by NKDC 20th May - noted
4. 26/0446/HOUS Walmley House 25 Fen Road NG34 9BD Erection of front porch – approved by NKDC 4th June - noted

72/26 Planning Inspectorate Matters - NSIPs

1. Anglian Water – proposed Reservoir – Further consultation planned for Autumn 2026 - noted
2. Beacon Fen Solar Farm – Examination complete, report due by 23rd May - noted

73/26 CIL Funded Projects – Gateway signs – As discussed earlier, Mrs Scott to investigate the possibility of a grant from LCC for the gates, utility survey and installation, and a SID.

74/26 Pump Lane – It was noted that the Parish Council’s claim dated back to 2019. Mrs Scott confirmed that 12 years uninterrupted occupation would be required for the claim for adverse possession.  

75/26 Bus Shelter Working Party – deferred to the next meeting.

76/26 Parish Council Communications - Website – noted.

77/26 Matters for the next meeting – usual annual standing items

78/26 The Dates of Meetings for 2026-27 – 25th August, 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 8.45 pm.