13th January 2026
NOCTON PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday 13th January 2026 at 7.00pm
MEMBERSHIP:
Chair: Councillor Andy Hone
Vice-chair: Councillor George McDonnell
Councillors: Richard Marshall, Richard Robinson, Lesley Routh Jones, Andrew Davy (1 vacancy)
Clerk: John Money RFO: Gordon Roe
ATTENDANCE:
Chair: Councillor Andy Hone; Vice-chair: Councillor George McDonnell; Councillors: Richard Marshall, Richard Robinson, Lesley Routh Jones, Andrew Davy; Clerk: John Money; plus 4 members of the public
The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and wished all a happy new year.
County and District report: Councillor Ian Carrington reported in detail on the impending local government reorganisation; the Lincolnshire County Council proposed budget - with a reduction of £1.3 million in the budget for highways and a prospective council tax rise of 4.99%, which is the maximum a council can charge without a referendum. The Lincoln southern bypass will continue with a completion date of 2028. Locally he was also hopeful that the Nocton Main Street roadworks would be carried out in the coming financial year together with action relating to the restricted by-way that exits from Main Street heading towards Dunston Village.
From a district point of view, he informed that a new waste collection is being rolled out in March with caddies being delivered for use in May; he also went on to speak about the large solar farm applications in the district/county that will influence food security.
Public forum: Two members of the public expressed concern about the proposed dado rail because it was made of an oil-based substance rather than timber. The Clerk reminded the gathering that the proposed dado was very practical and economic to fit; another member of the public said we should look at what Digby had done to their Village Hall*.
Councillor George McDonnell took this opportunity to inform the Members and members of the public that regretfully he could not commit himself any longer to being a Member of the Parish Council, the Chair, all Members and members of the public present thanked George for his sterling service as both a Member and Vice Chair.
Agenda Items:
1. Apologies for Absence: Cllr D Parry.
2. Declarations of Interest: Counsellor Andrew Davy declared a pecuniary interest regarding a tree works planning application 25/1573/TCA.
3. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on the 9th of December 2025 were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting and signed accordingly.
4. Chair’s Report: he stated the need to elect a Vice Chair of the Council at the February meeting and that council now has two vacancies. The solar panel saving for the year was £1,160 just short of the 10% of the capital cost we had to fund towards the installation cost of £1,250. Latest budget report showed a good position. Action Chair/Clerk.
5. Hub Manager’s Report: The Chair read the Hub managers’ report; he reported the locked WC paper dispensers have now been fitted. The heating has not been working properly but has it now under better control; the Chair took the opportunity to thank the Hub manager’s husband for reorganising the key safe.
6. Parish Clerk’s Report: The Clerk reported relating to action items contained in the last draft minutes: AWS tankerage had now ceased. He informed members that the reason for the tankerage was groundwater ingressing into the main sewer system. The Christmas tree on the Green - he informed this is work in progress and he will keep Members updated; the ‘bing-bong’ alarm on the entrance door had been researched and the most practical solution would be fitted; he had also contacted officers and Members of LCC regarding the restricted by way. Action Clerk.
7. To receive an update on progress in the plan to update the NPC risk register: Cllrs A Davy and L Routh-Jones reported regarding the draft risk register, after a short debate the Chair and Members thanked the two Councillors for the comprehensive report which they had produced; it was resolved to review the document during the next month and it be presented at the February meeting for acceptance by resolution. Action Cllrs A Davy and L Routh-Jones/Clerk
8. To receive an update on progress in obtaining quotes for replacing the garage door: the Chair had distributed an analysis of the quotes relating to the replacement garage door. After a short debate, it was resolved to accept the quotation from LGDR for £975 plus VAT. Action Chair.
9. To receive an update on the situation regarding lamp post replacements and the arrangement of a loan to facilitate it: The Clerk reported that National Grid had inspected all the wooden poles and had reported favourably regarding their continued use; the Chair of the Council had requested National Grid supply us with a plan or a schedule of exactly the lamp posts that had been surveyed so we can communicate that information to Mrs Gillian Corner at Eon who are our partnered provider. Action Chair/Clerk.
10. To receive an update on progress towards installing ventilation into the event hall at The Hub: The Clerk reported that he had only one quotation to date regarding this air handling proposal. It was resolved to defer this item until the next meeting, when hopefully we will be receipt of the other two quotations. Action Chair/Clerk.
11. To receive an update on progress regarding repairing the cellar floor: the Chair of the Council reported that he had again met David Millard a director of the main contracting company who executed the defective works during the building of the Hub; he came back with an estimated cost of £1,450 to carry out the remedial works and suggested that due to a change in the original design and specification by the Parish Council which in turn he believed was likely to be a contributory cause for this failure, he requested the Council pay 50% of the estimated cost. After a lengthy debate it was resolved that the Chair go back to the contractor and state that we would only pay £500 net of VAT towards the remedial work. This being the maximum of amount the Chair and Clerk can authorise between meetings. Action Chair/Clerk/RFO.
12. Nocton Parish Council policy review: During a monthly pre-meeting between the Chair and the Clerk it was noted that quite a few of our policies require reviewing to bring them up to a standard where they include all current legislation. It was resolved that the Chair will divide the policies equally between Members so they can execute a draft review using the LALC templates that are on their portal. The Clerk to review the draft documents prior to them being presented to a future meeting for resolution. Action, all Members/Clerk.
13. Planning Matters: Cllr A Davy left the meeting; it was resolved the Clerk contact the LPA the register the Councils support for tree works planning applications 25/1573/TCA and 25/1556/TCA. The Clerk updated Members on application 25/1350/FUL Steamer Point Road still to be determined.
14. Financial Matters:
(a) To note the current bank balances: Noted.
(b) To ratify payments for the month of December 2024 and to approve the list of upcoming payments: it was ratified and resolved the Chair sign authorisation to pay all outstanding accounts listed. Action the Chair/RFO.
15. Date of Next Meeting: it was resolved the date of the next meeting of the Council - 10/02/26. Action Chair/Clerk/RFO.
Public forum: It was noted that some remedial work was required to ferrules at the bottom of the chair legs. The Steamer Point Road application process was questioned, the Clerk explained planning applications may be made by persons other than the title owner. The proposed Parish Council promotional document was applauded as a useful document.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8:20 pm and wished all present a safe journey home.