2025-26 Minutes

Open Forum

P Vine was present, having been invited by Cllr Redfern,  as he wanted to address the council about the problem of there not being a footpath in front of his house on the eastern side of the A15 at Northorpe. He was a wheelchair user and if he wanted to catch the bus to Peterborough, he would have to cross the A15 in front of his house, then cross Northorpe and then back across the A15 at the traffic lights. He had approached LCC about a footpath who said that they wanted to hear from the Parish Council. It was thought this was Highways who should be dealing with this matter. Mr Vine explained that his wife  was now a wheelchair user as well.

The meeting was formally opened at 19.30

160

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

160.1

Apologies were received from S Broadbent, (personal) Resolved: that the apologies be accepted.  

161

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

161.1

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

162

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on the 4 February 2026 (Min25-08)

162.1

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on the 4 February 2026 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

163

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

163.1

County Cllr K Redfern was able to report the following:

1. He was going to report that nothing had been done to repair the pothole on the A15 by McDonalds, but he noticed that repairs had been carried out this morning.
2. He was asked if there was any news about the double yellow lines in Northorpe. He said that he did not but would chase this matter.
3. Cllr Daines informed Cllr Redfern that she had approached the Housing Association about the removal of the barriers at the Beck Way end of the footpath from Northorpe. They first said they thought it was not their responsibility and asked for the exact location to be highlighted on a map. Cllr Haines had done this but had heard nothing further so she would chase them up.

163.2

District Cllr Dobson had sent a report as follows:

1. Existing trees of any kind provide contribute to our ecosystem services such as climate change, carbon sequestration, filtering of pollution and even flood prevention. As a county, Lincolnshire has one of the lowest levels of tree cover in England, at 5.67% compared to an average for England of around 10%. The lower than national average tree cover is driven by land use in the county, particularly due to the high proportion of agricultural land with low tree canopy cover. Features such as hedges and shrubby plants may be more appropriate to provide an effective ecosystem in some areas. This is important when we, not only SKDC, but also parish councils do not overlook the benefits to improve tree planting and deliver improvements for biodiversity on a landscape scale. I would urge the Parish Council to comment on any proposal for large scale housing planning proposals in future. Not, of course, to forget the issue of traffic, especially following accidents on the A15.
2. Devolution continues to be discussed, but SKDC have joined with South Holland and North Kesteven to form a Unitary Authority.
3. He was pleased to announce that we should be receiving the food waste bins when the black bins are next emptied. The first collection would start on 13 April 2026
4. Cllr Dobson was asked it there was any news about the Youth Hostel and the development in Obthorpe Lane. Regarding the Youth Hostel he had no new news others than the sale had fallen through. As for the development he had heard nothing further.

164

Clerk’s Report and correspondence received

164.1

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. After the agenda was posted several other emails were received as follows:

1. Notice has been received that planning reference number: S23/1978 LCC reference:  PL/0070/23 - development: for sand and gravel extraction with restoration to agriculture, recreation and nature conservation, the creation of new public footpaths, the erection of associated plant and infrastructure and a new/altered access from the A15 at  Thetford House Farm, Baston will be reported to the Planning and Regulation Committee on Monday 9 March 2026. .  The audio and video of the meeting will be streamed live via the Council's website and a link to this stream will be available on the dedicated meeting page for this meeting which is Agenda for Planning and Regulation Committee on Monday, 9th March, 2026, 10.30 am
2. Notice that another Save a Life session has been organised by Julian Withrington this Spring Dates are available between 12 March and 21 May 2026. Cllr Daines has advertised this on Facebook to see what the public response was like. It was agreed we would hot another session and ask for 19 May 2026
3. Bourne Skip Hire had sent a letter saying the following. To ensure we maintain these high standards and continue to provide the level of service you expect, we are writing to inform you of a 7.5% price increase across our services, effective from 1st April 2026. The Clerk was asked to see if he could arrange a reduction in the increase.
4. An email from SKDC stating that their budget for 2026-27 had been set. The council also agreed a 2.99% increase to its share of Council Tax equivalent to an extra 11p per week, which is annual average increase of £5.66 for Band D properties. They increase the average amount a household would pay for services provided by SKDC from £189.37 to £195.03 in 2026/27.
5. An email from LCC stating “Are you aware of the Bus Shelter Grant Scheme, which offers up to £3,000 per shelter for new bus infrastructure or for repairs and refurbishment of existing shelters?” It was suggested that we try and get repairs carried out to the bus shelter on the eastern side of the A15 at Northorpe as the polycarbonate panes are in a bad state. The Clerk would see if we can get a grant for this
6. The Clerk was asked to see if he could order stickers for residents to place on their front door saying “Do not knock” to try and stop cold callers attending at their property.

165

Planning applications: 

165.1

To consider any Planning Applications received – there were no planning applications to consider.

165.2

To note Planning Applications approved:

S25/1939 -  Section 73 application to vary Condition 13 (operating times) of S23/0168 which granted planning permission for use of land for dog exercising/training/activities and associated parking areas and fencing/landscaping at Park Wood Road Thurlby

165.3

To note any Planning Applications refused or withdrawn: - Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Planning Appeal: 22 The Green Thurlby Lincolnshire 2nd March 2026 6005222 S25/2178 - Mrs Catherine Charlton has appealed to the Secretary of State against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for: New single storey dwelling with integral garage and parking

165.4

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

166

To confirm Expenditure

£40.00 – B M Champness (use of home as Office February)

£574.20 – B M Champness (Salary February)

£51.20 – Elaine Reynolds (salary February)

£40.00 – B M Champness (use of home as Office March)

£574.26 – B M Champness (Salary March)

£51.20 – Elaine Reynolds (salary March)

£463.20 – HMRC (PAYE)

£180.00 – D Thornburn (Payroll services half year)
£114.50 – Thurlby PCC (insert in Village Link Feb)

£114.50 – Thurlby PCC (insert in Village Link March)

£244.80 – Bourne Skip Hire (Feb bin collection 4 weeks)
£306.00 – Bourne Skip Hire (March bin collection 5 weeks)

£216.00 – Scribe (Fee for Cemetery software payable April 2026)

£446.40 – Scribe (accounts software payable April 2026)

[] 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

166.1

Resolved: that the payments be approved

167

To discuss the bank accounts for February 2026 and for the bank reconciliations to be signed as a correct record

167.1

The Clerk has prepared a bank reconciliation for  February 2026  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. Resolved: that the bank reconciliation be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

168

To discuss amending the Cemetery Regulations to make clear of any increase in fees for non-residents in the Cremated Remains area

168.1

This matter had been placed on the agenda as a recent request for a plot in the cremated remains area for a non- resident showed in the Regulations that the increase was only applying for a burial. After considering the matter it was resolved that there would be an increase for a plot in the cremated remains, for the interment and for the erection of a memorial would be increased to

It was resolved that the new wording would be as such:

The foregoing fees and charges apply to the burial of Parishioners who at the date of death were resident within the boundaries of the civic and/or the ecclesiastical Parish of Thurlby. The foregoing fees will be £300.00 for an interment or an exclusive right of burial and £150 for the right to erect a memorial in the case of any person who is not an inhabitant of the parish of Thurlby. In relation to the Cremated remains area the increase for a non-resident be £100 each  for an Exclusive Rights and Interment and £100 for the right to erect a memorial, Such an increase shall not apply in the case of a former inhabitant of the said parish who was ceased to be such an inhabitant for a period not exceeding 20 years

169

To further discuss future requirements of the Reactive Sign

169.1

There was nothing further to be discussed and the Clerk was asked to remove this item from future agendas. The Clerk apologised for not removing this from the agenda as agreed last month

170

To consider the data received from the reactive sign

170.1

Cllr Bill had submitted a report regarding the Reactive Sign

During February the unit was in Obthorpe Lane recording inbound traffic however, 'unrealist' data was recorded at certain times and there was insufficient data to draw comparison with previous years. We have asked Unipart Dorman the unit’s original supplier for their advice.

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

171

To discuss the public consultation on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for Greater Lincolnshire ending on 26 March

171.1

 It was suggested that this matter be placed on the agenda but having reconsidered the information sent to us there was nothing that we should comment on..

172

To discuss a resident’s request for a footway in front of his property.

172.1

The Council had received a request from a resident asking if they could help him with his request for a footpath to be installed on the eastern side of the A15. Please see Open Forum for the discussion about this matter. It was agreed we would write to Highways and Cllr Redfern said we should write to Cllr D East at LCC. When writing we should mention possible Sec 106 money from the Soar Farm which could be used towards the footpath. In addition, in view of the solar farm this resident would have more difficulties crossing the various roads to get to the bus stop because of the increase in vehicles moving to and from the solar farm. We should also mention that his wife would now also be using a mobility scooter.  

173

To agree the dates of the council meetings in 2026-27

173.1

The Clerk wanted the dates to be agreed so that we could hire the room for the meetings and place these dates onto the website. Subject to the meetings continuing to be held on the first Wednesday of each month excluding August and January the meetings dates would be as follows.

6  May 2026 (Annual Meeting of the Parish Council)

3 June 2026

1 July 2026

2 September 2026

7 October 2026

4 November 2026

2 December 2026

3 February 2027

3 March 2027

7 April 2027

Resolved that these dates be agreed

174

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

174.1

Cllr Thomas was able to report that all is in order .

175

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

175.1

Cllrs Thomas and Lowe attended a recent meeting of Lawrance Park. Martyn’s Law was approved and in place . The meeting point in the case of a fire etc was the car park at the Methodist Chapel. Work had been carried out in the Social Room and Main Hall . There was no further news regarding the loud play equipment in the park.

176

To consider what information should be placed in the Village Link

176.1

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. It was also agreed that this item would be removed from the agenda.

177

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

177.1

The Clerk pointed out that the next meeting would be on the 1 April which was 2 days before Good Friday and the Easter break. He wondered if some Councillors would not be able to attend due to being away and if so whether the meeting should be held after Easter. It was agreed that the meeting would continue won the 1 April 2026.

177.2

Although not a question the Clerk explained that he and Cllr Thomas would be checking the councils’ filing cabinet and removing old files and papers and replacing them with documents held in the Clerks house. Cllr Day the paperwork could be incinerated by her husband and the Clerk should let her know when he would be bringing the sealed sacks around.

177.3

There being no other business the meeting was duly closed at 20.33

178

The date of the next meeting – to be held on Wednesday 1 April  2026 at 7.30 p.m. in the Lawrance Park Social Room, Thurlby