2026 Minutes

8th September 2026

DRAFT MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday 8th September 2026 at 7.00pm at Nocton Hub, Main Street, Nocton.

 

MEMBERSHIP:

Chair:​​ Councillor Andy Hone

Vice-chair: ​Councillor Richard Robinson

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

Clerk: ​​John Money RFO: Gordon Roe

 

ATTENDANCE

Councillors Andy Hone, Richard Robinson, Lesley Routh-Jones, Andrew Davy

County Councillor Ian Carrington, District Councillor Dave Parry plus 3 members of the public

The Chair explained that The Clerk had suffered an injury and wasn’t able to attend the meeting - everyone wished The Clerk well.  Everyone thanked Cllr Routh-Jones for attending despite her problematic ankle. 

Public forum

  • The accuracy of signage for the start point of Main Street and postcode was questioned by a resident who stated that many deliveries had gone astray.  Details to be provided to Cllrs Carrington and Parry by the resident.

 

County Councillors' report (Cllr Carrington)

  • The “pause” to local government reorganisation due to questions over the process followed.  May 2027 elections will still go ahead but whether these will be for the shadow council is uncertain.  Current advice is to carry on as normal for now. 

  • Main Street is still planned for full resurfacing in 2027/28 financial year.

  • Navenby substation plans are still undecided though recent planning changes may make the plans more likely to succeed.


 

District Councillors' report (Cllr Parry)

  • Additional Police funding has been obtained meaning increased personnel and more visibility of officers locally

  • The Lincsalert app is proving useful and is recommended for all residents

  • The outstanding planning enforcement action is still to be progressed.

 

Agenda Items:

1. Apologies for absence were noted from Cllr Marshall and The Clerk.

2. Declarations of Interest: None declared.

3. Draft minutes  of the Full Council Meeting held on 21 July 2026 were approved.

4. Chair’s Report: The Chair reported that the external audit had now been completed confirming the (positive) findings of the internal audit, details to be made available before the end of September.  Hub event hall extractor fan has now been installed. A request has been received for a volunteer to take on responsibility for maintaining one of the (splendid) flower boxes that decorate the entrance to the village.  The Chair thanked Carolyn Cunningham for her support in providing payroll services to the PC.

5. Hub Manager’s Report: The Hub Manager reported that bookings are healthy, that the Annual Produce Show was a great success and that the organisers should be congratulated.  Hub T&C’s and user guide are in the process of being updated.  Hall redecoration, table storage and a HUG meeting are now overdue.

6. Parish Clerk’s Report: The Clerk reported that the reorganisation of local government had been paused (see above); that whilst pockets of land in Nocton had been identified in the HELAA, this does not automatically confer planning permission and nor does it exclude other plots of land being subject to planning applications. The Nocton and Potterhanworth Neighbourhood Plan is still “live” and useful for planning considerations but should be considered for update in the future to reflect changes in the planning arena.

7. With one amendment (to be provided by Cllr Davy), the Charity Hub Hire policy was approved and adopted.  To be updated and circulated (action AH).

8. Cllr Robinson updated the meeting regarding correspondence with Dyson stating that the initial contact had received a reply and that further details of site history and ownership had been provided.  Dyson has also been kept informed about recent planning changes (HELAA).

9. The situation regarding lamp post work in the village and funding to carry it out is still that we await confirmation of whether this work is suitable for a PWLB loan.  If not, then a loan from NKDC will be considered (action Clerk and RFO).

10. The request for funds from the Nocton 200 Club by the organisers of the annual Carols on the Green event was supported to a maximum of £250. (proposed LRJ and seconded RR)

11. The changes to Hub Hire Terms and Conditions (document circulated 8th Aug) were agreed with one amendment to the late cancellation charge policy.  The amended T&Cs to be used once published (action AH and Hub Manager).

12. Hub decorating costs of £250 were approved - redecoration date to be circulated once materials have been obtained.  (Action AH)

13. It was agreed to implement increases to staff pay in line with local government pay scales (proposed LRJ and seconded AD).  (Action AH)

14. Planning Matters: None to consider.

15. Financial Matters:  (Documents previously circulated by the RFO).

(a) To note the current bank balances - noted

(b) To ratify payments for the month of July and August 2026 and to approve the list of upcoming payments - ratified.

16. Date of Next Meeting: To confirm that the next meeting will take place on 13 10 26.

Public forum (10mins)

  • A maximum value should be agreed for item 10 above (£250).

  • Garden Club was suggested for help with maintaining the flower box (see Chair’s report above).

  • Improved table storage is required.

  • One resident offered their services to be a conduit between the parish and Lincolnshire Police which was gratefully accepted.

  • One resident identified that NKDC offer “Heritage Grants” for work carried out by village residents.

  • The Hub alarm system should be programmed to identify when the front door is opened whilst events are ongoing (action AH and Hub Manager). 

 

The meeting finished at 8:20 and the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance.