January 2026 Agenda
Members of the public are invited and welcome to attend the whole meeting, except for items where their presence is prejudicial to the public interest, and are permitted to make representations to the Council, answer questions and give evidence (up to 3 mins per person/subject) in respect of any item of public business listed on the agenda during the public session, which is normally 15 minutes before the start of the meeting. The meeting may only consider the business on the agenda; the Agenda and Minutes for the Parish Council Meetings are available from the Clerk, or on the website, together with the schedule of future dates and the Public Participation in Meetings Procedure - see http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/NorthSomercotes. Meetings of the Council may be recorded.
Public Session
a. Comments/Updates from members of the public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda:
i. TPO trees in A12 on Jubilee Rd – complaint of TPO trees being felled 28 December 2025
ii. Static caravan on land at Marsh Lane – queried with Enforcement
iii. Use of mobility scooters on public roads – query on law/vehicle/insurance requirements
iv. Request for signage at both ends of Sandy Lane – to assist delivery drivers etc
b. Comments/Updates from Lincs County Cllr Bayleigh Robinson
c. Comments/Updates from East Lindsey District Councillors Danny McNally/Paul Rickett
Closure of public session and commencement of formal meeting (no further public participation permitted)
19/1/26-1 a. Present:
b. Apologies for Absence – to RESOLVE whether or not to accept councillor absence/reasons
19/1/26-2 To receive any declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest on any item on the agenda in accordance with the Localism Act and the Council’s Code of Conduct and Standing Orders
19/1/26-3 Minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2025 – to RESOLVE to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes.
19/1/26-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Cemetery Chapel Doors – work on first door nearly complete b. Cemetery Statutory Records digitisation and mapping – ongoing – NB issue with memorials database c. Cemetery historic records – Leddger repair to be rescheduled d. Cemetery Unsafe Memorials – identified repairs completed, one new for repair plus location of those against chapel walls to be determined and costed e. Cemetery Trees safety works – awaiting/chased f. Quinquennial Inspection -to be arranged once doors done g. Cemetery - reminder letters re temp grave markers to be done,
h. Cemetery electric safety check/PAT test – awaited/chased, i. Cemetery Hedge removal to recover spaces – note put in Communication and works to be done Feb 26 j. Cemetery Biodiversity Audit/Action Plan – see item 5f below
k. Cemetery bulbs – planted by ELDC Pride Team l. St Mary’s Bell Ringers – Rope ordered/awaited m. Defib Maps for each location in the village – checking map n. Orchard area – replacement trees ordered/awaited o. Policies and Procedures – schedule of updates, see item 5 below p. Records Management/archiving – ongoing q. Defib Training – dates to be organised Feb half term or summer holiday time r. Chapel Field Future Use/Disposal – see 12 below
s. South Road Planning Applications: 03284/03285 – awaiting outcome, 01916 - Industrial Units – attention drawn to building regs issue re new boundary proximity t. Privet hedge on Conisholme Rd and hedge at Loxley Way – outstanding u. Charity Bank Easy Access Savings Account – opened as agreed v. 26/27 Budget – to be confirmed to ELDC by 30 January – see item 9 below w. Static caravans on land at Common Lane - see item 6e below
x. Sycamores Development Keeling St – historic information provided to enquiries y. New Renters Rights – see item 12 below
19/1/26-5 Policies and Procedures – to discuss the draft schedule and updated policies/RESOLVE the way forward
a. Schedule of Policies and Procedures – to note current draft list and status
b. Freedom of information Publication Scheme Jan 2026 – to discuss and RESOLVE to adopt the updated Scheme
c. Investment Strategy update Jan 2026 - to discuss and RESOLVE to adopt the updated Strategy
d. Standing Orders Jan 2026 - to discuss and RESOLVE to adopt the updated Standing Orders
e. Financial Regulations Jan 2026 - to discuss and RESOLVE to adopt the updated Regulations
f. Information and Communication technology Policy - to discuss and RESOLVE to adopt the new policy
g. Biodiversity Policy April 2024 – to receive the Lincs Wildlife Trust Report on the Cemetery and land south of the Playing Field and RESOLVE the way forward to inform the Biodiversity Action Plan and agree donation amount
19/1/26-6 To consider Planning applications received/RESOLVE the way forward on these/other Planning matters
a. Planning applications received for consideration:
b. To note any planning applications approved:
c. To note any planning applications refused:
d. Planning Applications appealed:
e. Enforcement Issues/Actions: Any update on reported issues/new issues:
i. Two Static Caravans on land/stables on Common Lane – to receive an update
ii. Land at South Road – N132/01916/20 Five Industrial Units to receive an update
f. Any other urgent planning matters/applications:
i. Static Caravan on land at Marsh Lane – query raised with enforcement
19/1/26-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting: To consider outstanding/new issues and RESOLVE the way forward
a. verbal update on problem log/outstanding issues which have been raised with LCC Highways, including:
i. Warren Rd drainage - Oasis side – continues to be a problem, date for works still awaited
ii. 2025/26 Footpath Reviews - underway
ii. Request for Double yellow lines at School Lane/Warren Rd/Keeling St junction and extension of 30mph around Church Lane/End – response awaited
iii. Speed Indicator Device and Poles – SID purchased, poles for School Lane, Keeling St-Village Hall awaited
19/1/26-8 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk d. Village Hall Committee – Cllr Plater
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk f. Youth Club – Cllr David Wallis
19/1/26-9 Finance and 26/27 Budget – to discuss and RESOLVE the way forward on the following:
a. to receive and note the bank reconciliations for December 2025 and January 2026
b. to receive and RESOLVE to approve the schedule of receipts and payments for Dec 25/Jan 26
c. Investment of Reserves – to confirm £20k placed in savings account with Charity Bank.
d. Request for signage for Sandy Lane – both ends – to discuss and RESOLVE the way forward
e. To confirm budget and precept requirements for 26/27 following receipt of the updated Band D data and RESOLVE the way forward as required
f. Forecast outturn versus budget for 25/26 and notional reserves
g. Any other/urgent financial matters – donation to Lincs Wildlife Trust as noted in 5 above
19/1/26-10 To receive/note general Correspondence for January 2026 - Website Updates and Communication, County Council budget proposals/consultation,
19/1/26-11 Agenda items for the next meeting to be held on Monday 23rd February 2026 in St Mary’s Church Hall
Chapel Field disposal, Internal Audit, Asset List, Annual Village meeting, Risk Management/Insurance Review
19/1/26-12 Confidential Property and other Matters - to RESOLVE on whether the Council will move into closed session by reason of the confidential property and other matters to be transacted – if this resolution is passed any members of the public/press present will be required to leave the meeting at this point.
a. to discuss confidential property matters, including i. disposal of the residual land at Chapel Field ii. Woolpack Meadows condition report and iii. Impact of the new Renters Rights on management fees for Woolpack Meadows and RESOLVE the way forward
b. To discuss confidential 26/27 budget items
c. To discuss Clerk’s Appraisal and outcome
Sheila Pearce
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
12 January 2026