2026 Minutes

DRAFT MINUTES - PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 7.00pm

MEMBERSHIP:

Chair:​​ Councillor Andy Hone

Vice-chair: ​Richard Robinson

Councillors:​ Richard Marshall,  Lesley Routh Jones, Andrew Davy (2 vacancies) 

Clerk: ​​John Money RFO: Gordon Roe

In attendance:

Cllrs Hone, Robinson, Routh-Jones, Marshall, Davy

County Councillor Carrington, District Councillor Parry and 5 members of the public                                                            

Public forum

Cllr Carrington was questioned about the next steps in the enforcement process for the completion of Wegberg Road and bridge - he stated that as it had been combined with an application for plot 72a it was a little more complicated but felt that it would be resolved soon.

County and District Councillors' reports

Cllr Carrington reported on the successful launch of the food waste collection service; the poor pot hole filling rates despite additional funding; the fact that some services are being reduced in County Councils; the fact that Neighbourhood Plans will be less “heard” in planning matters; that Springwell Solar Farm had been approved.  In response to a question about the A15 Metheringham traffic lights, Cllr Carrington felt that they would be installed within the next 6 months.

Cllr Parry reported that additional police resources were being recruited for but that locally low crime rates would mean that little of this additional resource would be seen locally; also he encouraged the public to utilise the Lincs Alert Scheme app for local policing alerts.

Agenda Items:

1. Apologies for Absence: Received from Parish Council Clerk.

2. Declarations of Interest: Cllr Robinson declared an interest in a planning matter and withdrew from the meeting during that discussion..

3. Minutes: The notes of the Full Council Meeting held on 10th March 2026 were approved with one amendment which was agreed by Council.

4. Chair’s Report: The Chair reported that village trees had been trimmed as planned; that the internal audit had been completed satisfactorily; that we were still to receive news about the property transfer with AG Properties; that a dedicated electricity meter is to be installed to measure RA usage; that the RFO is preparing an updated asset register for review at a future meeting; that all fire safety report recommendations had been complied with and that the Clerk has recommended that NKDC carry out any required beck clearance on Wellhead Lane.

5. Hub Manager’s Report: The Hub Manager reported that the number of regular users was growing; that numerous maintenance and repair jobs are underway (for which Pete Strange was thanked); and that future works are planned for 17th and 20th April.

6. Parish Clerk’s Report: The Clerk reported that details of the heating oil grant are now available from NKDC; that we were awaiting costs of streetlamp repairs; that we are awaiting confirmation of when event hall ventilation will take place; that the Clerk no longer works as Clerk at another local PC; and that the “Queen Mary” railway carriage, previously in use at Nocton, is now restored and in use at the East Coast Narrow Gauge Railway.

7. The updated NPC risk register was proposed, seconded and adopted.  Thanks were given to Cllrs Davy and Routh-Jones for their efforts.

8. It was proposed, seconded and agreed to  join the LALC Annual Training Scheme.

9.  No update on the situation regarding lamp post replacements.

10. No confirmed date of installation of ventilation into the event hall.

11. It was agreed that no event hall charge would be made for The Church’s charity event but that normal kitchen hire charges would apply.  For future such requests a policy is to be developed - first proposal by Cllr Routh-Jones.

12. Nocton Parish Council policy review - the following policies were adopted in the last month (to be uploaded to the PC website):

• Communications Policy

• Death of a Significant Figure

• Events Policy along with application form

• Lone Worker Policy

• Hub Digital Privacy Policy

The following policies are still to be reviewed and agreed:

• Bullying and Harassment/Dignity at work - LRJ

• Co-option procedure - Clerk

• Disciplinary, dismissal and grievance - Clerk to check for consistency

• Equal Opportunity and Diversity - LRJ

• Hub safeguarding Policy - LRJ

• Standing Orders - Clerk

• Personnel Committee terms of reference - to be reviewed by Personnel Committee

13. Audit outcomes overview.  The Chair informed the meeting that the audit report by the LALC auditor was pleasing with a “Sound system of financial control” having been found.  The Chair thanked the Clerk and RFO for their diligence.  It was agreed to accept the findings of the report and its recommendations.

14. It was agreed to accept the  Water charges proposal made by the RFO.

15. It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting (May 12th) would be to encourage villagers to have their say on what would be an acceptable amount of development at the Nocton Hall and Hospital site.  Ben Wills has agreed to present the current situation from LEDA properties viewpoint.  The event will be publicised in local publications - action Chair.

16. It was agreed to establish costs for installing signage to deter vehicles from using the bridleway towards the dog walking field and cricket club.  Action Chair to establish costs and to discuss with Dyson possibilities for installation of the sign.  Wording agreed to be “Bridleway - authorised vehicular access only”

17. The application for use of 200 Club funds by the Village Welcome Pack team was agreed.

18. Planning Matters: 26/0357/TCA and 26/0345/hous both to be supported - action Clerk

It was also commented that the recent application for tree works around Nocton Hall should include replacement trees where any are removed - this to be raised with LEDA..

19. Financial Matters: 

Current bank balances were noted and payments for the month of March 2026 and upcoming payments were ratified and approved.

20. Date of Next Meeting: Annual Parish Council Meeting 12/05/26 along with the Annual Parish Meeting.

Public forum

• The work of Parish Council members and employees was praised by those in attendance as being valued by all.

•  The Chair asked for all to publicise the need for two additional Parish Councillors and thanked all for their attendance.

Meeting ended at 8.30pm