2026 Minutes

There was one member of the public present. District Cllr Paul Rickett and County Cllr Bayleigh Robinson were present for part of the meeting.

The Chairman introduced the new Clerk – Geraldine McCarthy and welcomed her to the council.  He thanked everyone for attending and opened the meeting at 7 pm

Public Session

a.  District Cllrs Rickett updated on the Local Government Review and the May 2027 elections.  There is a home energy advice session at Louth Library on the 31st July, and the food waste caddy delivery will start shortly.  There are various car park closures in Louth for resurfacing.

b. County Cllr Robinson noted the availability of a grant of £5k for horticulture/gardening purposes via the Rural Services Network, closing date 15th August. He noted that the sink hole on the footpath to Evison Way is scheduled for repair.  He also updated on the change of date for the A1031 Thoresby Bridge roadworks which will now start on the 6th of August 26 until the 4th September. Access to North Cotes throughout the project will be available except 31st August until the 4th September when it will be closed from 9.30am until 3.30pm each day.

c.  Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda:

A member of the public has queried why it had taken 4 people to change a street sign on Squires Meadows, and this has been raised with ELDC.

The Chairman closed the public session and started the formal meeting at 7.29pm

Monthly Meeting

27/7/26-1 a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks, Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Lynda Plater, Cllr David Wallis, Cllr Paul Walmsley, Geraldine McCarthy - Parish Clerk, Sheila Pearce – Responsible Financial Officer.

b. Apologies for Absence - It was RESOLVED to accept Cllrs Arundel and McNally’s apologies for absence for the reasons given.

27/7/26-2 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

Cllr Walmsley declared a pecuniary interest in planning item no 6aii at 7pm.

27/7/26-3 Minutes of 22nd June 2026 Monthly Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt the notes as accurate minutes, with the addition of Cllr Newman’s name as an attendee of the meeting, and they were signed and dated by the Chairman.

27/7/26-4  Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only

a. Cemetery Chapel Doors – second door to be replaced shortly b. Cemetery Statutory Records digitisation and mapping – ongoing c. Cemetery old, damaged Memorials - need to identify location for those currently against chapel walls and get quote for repair/reinstatement once all plots mapped d. Quinquennial Inspection - arranged for end July/Aug.  e. Cemetery Wildflower area – Fencing to be obtained/erected to designate different area

f. Cemetery Biodiversity Audit/Action Plan – to be updated with input from LWT and Waste Management Plan – in draft g. Orchard area – grass has be mown, clerk to check if trees need watering.  h. Policies and Procedures updates - ongoing i. Records Management - archiving and retention or shredding – ongoing j. Defib Training – dates to be organised in summer holiday, note put in Communication k. Chapel Field Future Use/Disposal – see 13 below l. Static caravans on land at Common Lane – see 6 below m. Static caravan on Marsh Lane – see 6 below n. Bleed Control Kit – comparing/selecting kit

o. Insurance Renewal – Cyber-attack insurance cover being researched.  p. £300 fuel Grant – reminder put on Facebook q. Cemetery Rules and fees for under 18s – pending r. School Project – no details of what is required/involved were provided s. Crime Prevention/ Detection – see 13 below t. Councillor vacancy – no applicants to date u. Dogs on leads – info to be done for next Communication

27/7/26-5  Bunting Trail – 1-2 August 2026 – the request for a row of union flag or poppy emblem bunting on the railings in front of the war memorial was discussed at length however, it was RESOLVED not to support this request.

27/7/26-6  To consider any Planning applications received and RESOLVE the way forward on these and other Planning/Enforcement matters

a.  Planning applications for consideration:

i. 01078/26/FUL - Melrose Jubilee Road - Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation and a detached garden room. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to support this application.

ii. 01140/26/FUL - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation.

The Bramblings Jubilee Road. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to support this application.

iii. 00854/26/FUL - Crowsfoot Farm, Common Lane - Change of use of domestic equestrian land to form a commercial holiday and lodge site, Including the erection of a fence, ancillary hard standing bases, a solar battery power unit and the installation of a toilet and shower (works commenced) – objection has been submitted

iv. 00685/26/FUL Pinewood (Lakeside), Warren Road- Change of use of land to form an extension to existing caravan park to site 18no. residential static caravans and construction of an internal access road – objection has been submitted.

v. Land RO Sycamores, Keeling St - To note application to amend the description to simply refer to the ‘erection of 17 no. dwellings’ rather than including specific numbers for bungalows and houses – comments on negative impact on privacy and overlooking of the proposed change to property type has been submitted.

b. To note planning applications approved:

03285/25/OUT – South Rd - Outline erection of 1no. dwelling (for 'Vulnerable Persons').  Dwelling has been approved and now waiting enforcement order to be issued for removal of caravans from the land and lowering of the fence on the highway frontage.

c. To note planning applications refused: none – The Chantry has been deferred – see e below.

d. Planning Applications appealed: none

e. Planning applications not yet determined

00555/26/Ful – The Chantry, Jubilee Rd – Deferred at Committee Meeting owing to EA 2100 report regarding future flood risk if sea defences not maintained, which has been challenged by architect as does not appear to cover North Somercotes, instead relating to the coast from Saltfleet to Skegness.

 f. Enforcement Issues/Actions: Any update on reported issues:

i. Static Caravans on land/stables on Common Lane – on hold pending outcome of application 00854/26/FUL

ii. Static Caravan on Marsh Lane – breach of planning established, awaiting response to Enforcement letter

iii. Caravans on South Rd – awaiting further update from Enforcement on planning conditions for the site and enforcement details for removal of caravans.

iv. South Rd -Burning of Commercial Waste – awaiting update from Environmental Protection, still burning 21/6

v. South Rd - Removal of veteran hedging, contrary to planning permission, creation of additional entrance contrary to Highways requirements and planning permission – awaiting update from Enforcement/Highways

g. Any other urgent planning matters/applications: none

27/7/26-7  Highways, Paths and Lighting:

a. verbal update on problem log/outstanding issues which have been queried with LCC Highways, including:

i. Nirvana – flooding from the road – contractors will be going back at their own cost to resolve the drainage problem whereby in heavy rain it is running down the drive to the back door of the bungalow.

ii. 30mph round Church Lane and South Rd – the issue of housing density is under that required to trigger an automatic 30mph on some sections although it was noted that there are streetlamps and no footway, with public rights of way along and across it, which would meet the national guidelines for 30mph.  Cllr Robinson is still looking into this.

iii. Warren Road Drainage – Oasis Lakes/The Bungalow – the gullies will be jetted again in July and the larger drainage scheme in front of Oasis Lakes is now scheduled for summer 2027.

iv. Double Yellow Lines for School Lane/Warren Rd – still need to send photos of poor parking for evidence

v. Footpath from Church End across the field to Keeling St – difficulty walking on the PROW along the conifer hedge owing to uneven ground along the dyke being looked into, as the suggestion of rerouting the path not felt to be an option.

vi. A1031 – North Thoresby/Tetney/North Cotes –  As discussed in the public session, Cllr Robinson noted the change of date and the arrangements for access to North Cotes.

vii. Cloddy Gate – dates awaited, though it looks as if some works have been undertaken in the last two weeks.

b. any additional issues/other urgent matters to be reported

i. Sink hole outside Fire Station – reported on fixmystreet and village Facebook page, and as noted in the public session this is awaiting repair.

ii. Shillingbury – a query was raised about the hedge and TPO status – owners to contact Clerk if required.

27/7/26-8  To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees                

a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley noted the Bunting Trail taking place over the first and second weekend of August and Party in the Park with live music from 4.30pm onwards on 22 August.  More issues have been experienced with vandalism, eg damaged roof slates on the Pavilion. The Clerk will contact Steve Smith to ensure the system is viewable remotely from the laptop and playing fields to notify the Clerk of any issues so that these can be checked as a matter of priority to identify the culprits and take action.                    

b.  Police Panel – Cllr Newman. Noted that two meetings of the IAG have been held – recruitment of 120 officers has taken place, and these will now be in training.

c.  Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman noted the increased fire risk along the whole of the Nature reserve due to the tinder dry condition.  Campers at Howdens Pullover is a particular concern owing to this.  

d.  Village Hall Committee – Cllr Plater – July meeting has been held, and agreed no charge for the Bunting Trail hire, and the Christmas Fayre will be held on 5 December.

e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman - Awaiting dates for the seal season meeting (wardens meet September).                        

f. Youth Club – Cllr Wallis noted that he will be on call if required.

27/7/26-9 Finance - RFO

a. The bank reconciliation for July 2026 was checked and signed by the Chairman.

b. It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of receipts of £650.00 and payments of £5394.28 for July 2026

c. the request for financial support from the North Somercotes Tigers Football Club was discussed and it was RESOLVED to approve up to £400 for the requested items.

d. It was RESOLVED to donate £100.00 For CAB and £150 For the Louth and Lindsey Blind Society as per previous discussions.

e. Any other/urgent financial matters

The Clerk confirmed satisfactory completion of the 25/26 External Audit, which has been circulated and published on the website together with the Notice of Conclusion of Audit as required.

27/7/26-10 Cemetery Meeting – the notes from the Cemetery meeting are being typed up and will be circulated. The loose tile was put back in place on the chapel roof and the plastic wreaths & flowers removed, including all perished plastic being removed from the chapel grounds and grass where possible. A reminder about the use of plastic and removal of perished and unsightly floral tributes will be put in the next Communication, which will refer to the website for more details and photographs.

27/7/26-11 General Correspondence for July, Website Updates and Communication

These have been circulated.

27/7/26-12 Agenda items for the meeting to be held on 21 September 2026 in the Village Hall –

Information on Martyn’s Law, Chapel Fields, tender documentation for cemetery, paths, and verges maintenance

27/7/26-13 - Confidential Property and Personnel Matters – it was RESOLVED to move into closed session by reason of the confidential property matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press present in the meeting at this point.

a. Chapel Field Retained Land – The Clerk noted the current position, which it is hoped will be concluded shortly.

b. Crime Prevention and Detection – The Clerk updated on the current status of the proposal.

c. Clerk Recruitment – the Chairman presented details of the proposed duration of handover and associated costs for the new Clerk and development of the RFO role, as well as finishing off the cemetery digitisation and mapping.  The proposals were supported and it was unanimously RESOLVED to proceed as discussed.

Geraldine McCarthy

Parish Clerk