2025-26 Minutes

Open Forum

 There was no open forum and the meeting was formally opened at 19.35

Apologies for absence, acceptance of Apologies & noting of resignations received

45.1

Apologies were received from L Day (personal) S Broadbent (personal) I Pace (personal) Resolved that the apologies be accepted.  

Declaration of Interest – To receive Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests, as set out in Chapter 7 of the Localism Act 2011 and the nature of those interests relating to any Agenda item

46.1

No one declared any Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests on any matter on the agenda.  

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on the 4 June 2025 (Min25-02)

47.1

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on the 4 June 2025 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To receive a report from the County and District Councillors on matters relating to Thurlby

48.1

An invitation had been sent to County Cllr K Redfern to attend our meetings or send a written report on matters relating to Thurlby; He was also sent a copy of the agenda, but he has not replied and has not sent a report.

48.2

District Cllr Dobson had sent a report as follows

1. It is a year since our new Customer Service Centre opened in Grantham. The centre has private rooms for consultations and also standard meetings 1:1 in the main hall. There is a comfortable waiting area for customers to sit if service is not immediately available. It has received good feedback from customers – that’s all of us.
2. Consultations took place from 10 March to 7 April to discuss:
   1. How various stakeholders found and wish for interaction with the Council
   2. Ensure that SKDC processes are fit for the 21st Century
   3. Consider technological advances have improved customer interaction
      1. How customers contact with SKDC?
      2. What is important when contacting SKDC?
      3. What is most in need of improvement?
3. The objectives of the consultation:
   1. Inform the content, approach and direction of SKDC’s customer experience strategy
   2. Underpin an action plan
   3. Identify the means of contact
   4. Find why people contact SKDC and which services
   5. What is most important for people contacting SKDC
   6. Measure of satisfaction with experience
   7. Highlight improvements needed
   8. Establish expectations of customers
   9. Collate and study information and improve standards
   10. Measure degree of support for proposed vision, ambitions and outcomes
4. Results from Consultation:
   1. 64.6% of respondents satisfied
   2. 38.1% said it wasn’t the first time they’d contacted about the same issue
   3. 80.2% agreed with ambitions & 90.8% satisfied with outcomes.
5. Contact by: Telephone 35.8%; Email 24.1%; Website button 23.7%; Website portals 10.2%; Other 2.7%; Visit Grantham Service Centre 2.8%; Visit Bourne SC 0.7%
6. Satisfaction: Very satisfied 31.6%; satisfied 32.8%; acceptable 18.27%; dissatisfied 17.33%. Around 60% said response time was acceptable.
7. Following are Customer Experience Strategies, i.e. Ambitions:
   1. Improve digital access to services
   2. Ensure digital offer is easy to use and up-to-date
   3. Investigate AI and Virtual Technology
   4. Assist customers with more online help
   5. Deal with enquiries efficiently and effectively
   6. Ensure people are aware of the next steps in the process if unable to progress immediately
   7. Monitor performance across all communication channels
8. Following Customer Charter – What SKDC will do:
   1. Provide clear and measurable service standards
   2. Customers access to multiple service channels
   3. Services accessible and inclusive for everyone
   4. Advise when enquiry is passed to another member or service
   5. Staff receive regular training with updates
   6. Review provision of technology to improve services.
9. The water leaks in Northorpe and The Green have been dealt with finally.
10. I have received several phone calls from residents about the Local Plan revision where an area of land on the eastern side of Obthorpe Lane. I had already had conversations with planning and all they have done is move it from A to B, ie from the middle of the open area to one alongside current housing. I will continue to challenge this. Unfortunately, the government is pressing for this irrespective or where, why and what.
11. Following my request for comprehensive bin collections in Thurlby, this is now going to happen. Thurlby bin collections will be on the same day unlike they are with the green bins. Strangely but obvious, the waste collection department has made significant savings in doing so. New collection dates will be sent out soon. It is hoped the new service will start in September.
12. He explained that he had undertaken many safeguarding sessions and was keen to help anyone who needed help
13. He was asked about the grant which we discussed last month and he had no news as he had been unable to take the matter further due to work.

Clerk’s Report and correspondence received

49.1

The Clerks Report had been circulated and explained that he had received various emails from NALC, ICCM and various playground equipment providers but if anyone wished to see copies, they can be forwarded on. He had received the additional correspondence as follows:

1. The Annual Report from LALC
2.  RSN Weekly News - Free Edition (2 July 2025)
3. An email from Allison Homes who are currently looking at developing a site in Thurlby. They would like to come and present their proposal to the Parish Council on the 20th of August 2025 if there is space in our meeting. The Clerk had acknowledged the email and said he would bring this to the council’s attention tonight. He had asked if they could provide details of the development as if they were able to attend the meeting they would only be given a 15-minute slot. They had replied to explain the development was for 95 houses on the land behind Obthorpe Lane. It was agreed that they could attend the meeting on 20 August
4. LALC Training Bulletin - July 2025. It was agreed this would be circulated as someone might want to attend a training event.
5. An email from SKDC regarding the Local Plan Review – Regulation 18 Proposed Housing and Mixed-Use Site Allocations Consultation (Thursday 3rd July to Thursday 28th August 2025) Workshops with the parish councils are being held during the consultation period. This is the opportunity for you to share your views and concerns on the Proposed Housing and Mixed-Use Site Allocations and speak to planning officers. The following workshops are taking place in Bourne (Bourne Corn Exchange, 3 Abbey Rd, Bourne, PE10 9EF) – Wednesday 30th July 6pm – 8pm. It was agreed that the Clerk would circulate this to all.

Planning applications: 

50.1

To consider any Planning Applications received – none to note

50.2

To note Planning Applications approved: S25/0385 - Proposal: Construction of an outdoor (uncovered) equestrian arena 40 metres by 20 metres in size at Pond House 5A Swallow Hill Thurlby

50.3

To note any Planning Applications refused or withdrawn: none to note

50.4

To note any Application appealed or any decision made regarding an appeal:  none to note

To confirm Expenditure

£40.00 – B M Champness (use of home as office)
£556.73– B M Champness (salary)

£51.20 – Elaine Reynolds (salary)
£449.60 – HMRC (PAYE & NI for April May & June)

£45.78 – BT (broadband charges) (DD)
£39.09 – BlueCom Services (monthly support subscription) (DD)

£244.80 – Bourne Skip Hire (weekly bin collection charges x 4)

£100.00 – Bourne Computer Store (new monitor and mouse)

£3.15 – B M Champness (postage of Audit papers)

£1.70 – B M Champness (postage of Green form)
£841.17 – Greenbarnes Ltd - (new noticeboard)
£63.54 – Greenbarnes Ltd - (Postage for noticeboard)
£30.00 – D Collins (remove and replace old with new noticeboard)
£3.15 – B M Champness (postage for VAT reclaim)
£39.90 – B M Champness (black bin liners for BSH)
£105.22 – B M Champness (Ink for printer)

[  ] denotes those payments paid between meetings, which have been approved by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Parish Council or at a previous meeting but not listed

51.1

Resolved: that the payments be approved.

51.2

Since the agenda was posted two more invoices had been received which were

£114.50 – St Firmin’s PCC (insert in Village Link

£65.00 - C S Harris (cemetery maintenance)

Resolved: that these payments be approved as well

To discuss the accounts for June and for the bank reconciliation to be signed as a correct record

52.1

The Clerk has prepared a bank reconciliation for June 2025 which had been circulated in advance. He also sent reports from Scribe showing what money had been spent or received as well as a budget report. He pointed out that he had been able to include in the programme the budget that we set in the December meeting when we decided on a figure for the Precept. Resolved: that the bank reconciliation be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To discuss whether to replace the legs on the noticeboard in High Street,

53.1

The new noticeboard had been erected in High Street and Dave Collins explained to the Clerk that the legs will soon need replacing. He said they should be okay for about a year, but the Clerk wondered if the work should be carried out now. Mr Collins said the cost would be in the region of £45.00. Resolved:  that we instruct Dave Collins to do the work now.

To approve the shredding of sacks of council papers.

54.1

The Clerk explained that he had almost 4 sacks of council paper that needed shredding. He also wanted to know if any Councillor wished to take advantage of this and if so, they should bring the paper round to his house to place in a sack. It was Resolved:  that the paper is shredded. The Clerk would inform the council once he knew the cost.

To receive an update on the recent Open Gardens event.

55.1

The Chair and Vice Chair wanted this matter to be on the agenda as we had made a financial contribution and wanted a report on how the money was spent and how the weekend went. As no one form the Council was on the committee the Clerk asked the organisers for a written report which is below.

The weekend of 7th and 8th June saw our village buzzing with activity as residents and visitors came en masse to join us for the Open Gardens weekend. Despite the forecast of rain, the weather was kind and over 300 adults bought passports and enjoyed looking round the gardens.

The total of £3369.96 was raised for St Firmin’s Church, The Methodist Church and the Lincolnshire Air Ambulance, an amazing result which indicates the success of the event. However, success can be measured in other ways and there were many positive consequences from bringing our community together for such a social and entertaining occasion.

The overall response from visitors was very positive. Many people commented on the wider range of gardens on show. We were pleased that we had four new participants this year, along with several old favourites. The addition of more arts and crafts in some of the gardens also proved very popular as did the musicians who performed during the weekend. 

The plant stall was a huge highlight and was extremely busy on both days, raising the great sum of £632.16 for the Air Ambulance.  Outside, Lincolnshire Plant Supports did a roaring trade and kindly made a donation to our cause.  In the hall, tea and homemade cakes provided a welcome rest and a chance for people to meet up and chat with neighbours and friends.

Some generous donations from many local businesses, local artists, gardeners and residents encouraged the sale of raffle tickets and over two days this raised £331.00 towards the total and produced some very happy winners.

The contribution from the Parish Council was invaluable in enabling the success of the Open Gardens event and we would like to thank you for your support with the following;

•           The purchase of new timber and boards to create bold and effective signage on the A15 and Swallow Hill proved beneficial in promoting the event and resulted in many visitors coming from Bourne and Deeping as well as further afield. Having built these, they can continue to be used for future events.

•           The large vinyl posters to go on these boards were weather-proof and this meant that they could be displayed for over two weeks prior to the weekend. Having posters and passports professionally printed also raised the profile of the event.

•           The felt fabric bought to cover the display boards allowed us to present more information in the hall which was much appreciated by visitors when planning their route around the gardens. These too will be useful in future and are already earmarked to be lent out for other events in the village.

•           The time and effort involved in preparing a garden to be exhibited and dealing with so many visitors cannot be underestimated. Thanks to your contribution we were able to present all of the participating gardeners with a thank you card and the gift of a jar of local honey

The Open Gardens Weekend would not have been possible without the amazing volunteers who opened their gardens, grew plants for the plant stall, donated raffle prizes, served teas, made cakes, put up displays, played their music, created art and craft items, sold raffle tickets, distributed passports, set up the hall and put up bunting. We have been bowled over by the support given for this event by so many members of our community.

To consider the data received from the reactive sign

54.1

Cllr Bill had submitted before the meeting the data he had obtained from the Reactive Sign

During June the radar unit was positioned on High Street recording traffic in a westbound direction.

Compared to last year the results would indicate a slight increase in the daily traffic of 5 & 3% for 5- & 7-day periods with an increase of 23 & 19% in the peak AM count, PM remains similar. Both peak times remain the same, AM 08.00 - 09.00 & PM 17.00 -18.00hrs. The average speed is slightly down at 25.8mph. with the average speed for those above the limit down marginally at 32.50 & 32.45mph. Those travelling above the speed limit is significantly down (30%) to 14.58 & 14.27%. A maximum speed of 81mph recorded at 23.05hrs is up on last year.

Further details can be found on the Thurlby Parish website.

Thanks to be recorded to Cllr Bill for undertaking this task every month.

The Clerk was asked to write to the Clerk at Baston Parish Council to see where they purchased the reactive signs and did, they receive any financial help towards their purchase. He was also to ask if all signs were run by solar

To receive an update on the Cemetery to include grass cutting, maintenance and burial fees

55.1

Cllr Thomas was able to report that the grass had recently cut, and the paths swept. He had asked the groundsman to see if he would be prepared to level up some of the slabs in the cremated area as some had sunk especially on the front row by the bench.

The Clerk also reported that he had visited the cemetery on 3 separate occasions since the last meeting as people were wanting to purchase a plot in the cremated remains area. Plots had been purchased, and services would be taking place soon.

For any Councillor to produce a written report of any meeting that he/she has attended as a representative of the Parish Council

56.1

Cllr Thomas reported that he had attended a meeting run by SKDC on the proposed Local Government Reorganisation held in Bourne. He had asked for the presentation to be sent to the Clerk but as, yet they had not been received. Once they were received the Clerk would circulate them.

To consider what information should be placed in the Village Link

57.1

It was agreed that the Clerk would draft a report for the Village Link. This would be sent to all for approval before going to print.

Members Questions - reminder only questions given to the clerk a week in advance will be answered.

58.1

Cllr Thomas said that the defibrillator at the Horseshoe was faulty as the floor plate at the bottom of the unit was getting very hot and the lights were not working. He reported this to the supplier and was told we needed a new floor plate. No price was given so he asked what the cost would be. The defibrillator was still working but the repairs were needed. Once the price was obtained then the new plate could be ordered. The Clerk was asked to include on the August meeting agenda an item about the purchase of a new battery and pads for the same defibrillator.

58.2

There being no other business the meeting was duly closed at 20.34

The date of the next meeting – to be held on Wednesday 20 Augst 2025 at 7.30 p.m. in the Lawrance Park Social Room, Thurlby after first meeting at the Cemetery at 7 p.m.