2026-27 Minutes

Open Forum

Mr Vine was present to give an update on what has happened since the last meeting. He explained that Cllr Redfern had been looking into matters, and it seems that the County Council say they do not own the land. They then put in a quote in for the works but because of the cost they would not do the work. He was advised to go to SKDC Adult Social Care. They said that that they could not help as they could only act on what happened in the house not outside the house. Cllr Dobson said that he would come and visit to see if there was anything that he could do to help.

The meeting was formally opened at 19.37

179

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

179.1

Apologies were received from B Gunner (personal) A Thomas (personal) L Day (personal)  Resolved: that the apologies be accepted.  

180

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

180.1

Cllr Pace declared a non-pecuniary interest in the planning application being dealt with under Item 184.1.1 as the property was almost opposite his property. Cllr Bill declared an interest as well in that he knew the owner.

181

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on the 4 March 2026 (Min25-09)

181.1

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

182

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

182.1

County Cllr K Redfern was able to report the following:

1.  He understood the pothole by McDonalds was going to be repaired by the end of the month. He said the work would be done overnight with road closures.
2. Cllr Haley asked if any repairs would be undertaken to the broken gully on the roundabout by McDonalds. He was unaware of this but would investigate it and report it for repairs.

182.2

District Cllr Dobson had sent a report as follows:

1. The consulting offices which were fitted out just 2 years ago for residents to call in and discuss issues with officers regarding a whole variety of Council issues was severely damaged on Sunday evening. Coincidentally, the Stamford Art Centre where SKDC also provides the opportunity to visit art displays, classes in various genres as well as having a coffee and refreshments was also vandalised. All the windows along the front of the building were damaged. Although this is not directly related to Thurlby, it was significant enough to report this to the Council. A man has been arrested for causing the damage.
2. Nationwide, it seems that only half of the approved housing developments have not been built.
3. I just would like to mention that our village clean lady has been exceptional in maintaining the tidiness of our area. I often see her walking along the footpath from Raymond Mays roundabout towards Northorpe. It has made a difference to the appearance along the A15.
4. Most of the meetings have been quiet this month as Easter draws closer. So, all that remains is the wish you all a relaxing long weekend.
5. He explained at the meeting that devolution was continuing, and it appeared that there were differences in the preferences of the District and County Councils. The County wanted one authority, but SKDC wanted to join North Kesteven and South Holland. The final decision was with the Government. Cllr Redfern said that the rumour was that Lincoln City wanted to be a separate authority and the remaining county would be another, but this was rumour not fact.

183

Clerk’s Report and correspondence received

183.1

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. The Clerk wanted to mention the following emails for consideration by the Council.

1. An email regarding obtaining knowledge of their ancestors who lived in the Village. The email stated : I am writing to introduce myself as a descendant of the Thurlby family of Lincolnshire. My name is Mark Vincent Thurlby, and I live in Kirkland, Illinois, a community that became a home for many Thurlby family members after they migrated from England in the 19th century. I am planning a trip to England soon and intend to spend time in Thurlby by Bourne to connect with my family’s roots. As our surname is a habitational one derived from the village itself, this visit is very significant for me and my sons, David and Jonathon. I am interested in learning more about the history of the village and the original farmstead boundaries. If there are any local historians or long-time residents who might be interested in meeting a "cousin" from across the Atlantic, I would be thrilled to connect with them. Cllr Pace said that he knew someone in the village who was very interested in village history and he would be very interested in helping if he could. The Clerk suggested that the email received could be given to the resident so he could make direct contact himself.
2. An email from LCC regarding the request for a footpath being installed on the eastern side of the A15 at Northorpe. This said the following: Section 106 funding can only be secured at the planning stage and only where Highways identifies that major off‑site highway improvements are necessary to make a proposed development acceptable in terms of safety or capacity. In the case of the Solar Farm, no such mitigation was required and therefore the S106 agreement does not include any provision for pedestrian or footway works. As a result, the County Council cannot legally use S106 contributions to fund the requested new footway.

Any proposal for a new footway would instead need to be considered through our standard capital footway improvement programme. Unfortunately, there is currently no funding available to support this request. However, I can raise a Forward Planning Brief (FPB) so that the scheme is formally logged and can be considered should appropriate funding become available in the future. There was a further discussion on this matter but as suggested in the open forum the matter would be dealt with at present with Cllr Dobson meeting at the resident home to see if he or SKDC could help in any way.

3. An email from SKDC regarding the South Kesteven District Council – Planning Policy Notification – Consultations and Local Plan Timetable. We are seeking your comments on the Draft Statement of Community Involvement and Draft Design Code, along with supporting documents. Please could you also inform your Parish Councillors of these consultations.

Draft Statement of Community Involvement Consultation - Friday 13 March to Friday 24th April 2026

4. Notice of Draft Design Code Engagement - Online Workshop Parish / Town Council and Neighbourhood Plan Group Workshop - Online - Monday 23rd March – 6pm – 8pm.
5. Notice from the External Auditor regarding the timetable for the Audit of the Accounts for 2025-26. Advertising would start with the notices being placed on the website and in the noticeboards by 1 June with the actual inspection period by residents starting on 3 June until 14 July 2026The Auditor had been given all the paperwork early March and had been sent the various bank reports. He would be given a copy of these minutes and the vouchers as well as the bank statements for March.
6. Notice had been received from the Pension Regulator stating that the re-enrolment and re-declaration would need to be completed by 19 November 2026
7. An email had been received from Bourne Skip Hire saying that their fees would remain the same in this financial year.
8. An email had been received from a resident in Crown Lane complaining about cars blocking his driveway when the football was being played . He wanted things doing which the Parish Council had no authority to do but we would write to the School and Thurlby Tigers to see if they could get messages out to stop this from happening.

184

Planning applications: 

184.1

To consider any Planning Applications received – S26/0427 - Protected by TPO 22, Ash (A1) and Ash (A2) - reduce limbs house side buy 2-3 metres and deadwood at Ash Cottage , 22 Obthorpe Lane, Thurlby Response by 8 April 2026. Resolved: no comment

184.1.1

After the agenda was posted another planning application was received as follows: S26/0472 - Siting of single-unit mobile home at Swallow Hill House 41 Swallow Hill Thurlby. Resolved: that we would object to this application for the following reasons:

1. The static van is extremely large and will be sited in the front garden which will be an eyesore. .
2. It is not in keeping with the surrounding area or ambience of the other properties in Swallow Hill,
3. The application is not in line with the Thurlby and Northorpe Neighbourhood Plan
4. It would seem the static van will be a permanent feature rather than temporary which reinforces our objections above.

184.2

To note Planning Applications approved: S26/0183 - Submission of details reserved by condition 3 (details of the materials) of planning permission S25/2161 - Change of use of camping/event field to dog day care centre. Location: Park Wood Lodge Park Wood Road

184.2.1

After the agenda was posted another planning application was approved: S26/0198  - Proposal: Demolition of single-storey rear extension and out-building and erection of two storey side extension, single-storey rear extension, new side porch and associated external works to the front and rear of the property at 100 Northorpe Thurlby

184.3

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

184.4

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

185

To confirm Expenditure

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

£574.20 – B M Champness (Salary)

£51.20 – Elaine Reynolds (salary)

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

£306.00 – Bourne Skip Hire (March bin collection 5 weeks)
[£8.49 – B M Champness (bags for litter picker) ]

[£65.00 – C S Harris (cut grass and sweep path in cemetery)]
[] 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

185.1

Resolved: that the payments be approved

185.1.1

Following the agenda being posted another invoice has been received :

£80.00 – Mr T Hill (cleaning bus shelters)

£20.80- St Firmin’s PCC (share of Naturehood Website fee payable after 1/4/26)

£50.00 – St Firmin’s PCC (green bin collection charges payable after 1/4/26)

Resolved: that the payment be made

The Clerk said that we needed to pay the grant to Lawrance Park and St Firmin Churchyard when we received the Precept. As it would be only half of the Precept request, he wanted to know if we should ask both parties to accept half now and the balance in October. It was resolved that the Clerk do this, and if agreed then the payment of £2000.00 to Lawrance Park and £850.00 to St Firmin’s Churchyard be made when we receive the Precept from SKDC.

186

To discuss the bank accounts for March 2026 and for the bank reconciliation to be signed as a correct record

186.1

The Clerk has prepared a bank reconciliation for  March 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.

187

To discuss a resident’s concerns of vehicles speeding on Swallow Hill and Crown Lane/The Green and what can be done about it.

187.1

A resident on Swallow Hill had written complaining about excessive speed of vehicles on Swallow Hill and wanted to know what the Parish Council could do about it. In the emails the following was asked:

I would therefore like to formally request that the council investigates this matter and considers implementing appropriate road safety measures, such as:

• Speed monitoring or enforcement
• Traffic calming measures (for example speed humps or chicanes)
• Vehicle-activated speed signs
• Road markings or additional signage

This road is used daily by residents, school children,  pedestrians and pets, and we are increasingly concerned that without intervention a serious accident may occur.

I would greatly appreciate it if this issue could be reviewed by the relevant highways or road safety team. I would also welcome any information on whether a traffic survey or speed assessment could be carried out.

After discussing the matter, it was agreed that we as a Parish Council had no authority to do as was being asked. The resident should contact Highways and the Police. However, the Clerk would write to Cllr Redfern asking him to speak to Highways to ask them what would, Highways, suggest being done to stop the speeding.

187.1.1

Two residents had written about speeding in Crown Lane and on The Green. Regarding Crown Lane the resident wrote:

I read on the parish council minutes a few months ago that the mobile speed camera was going to be set up on Chapel Lane and Crown Lane to assess these roads. Whilst I have seen it, and the subsequent report, on Chapel Lane. I have not seen it on Crown Lane at all. Parents still speed down Crown Lane and The Green, past a row of parent’s cars parked already. This row of Chapel Lane makes the road one way as these are narrow roads. This has caused several accidents and arguments between drivers

Cllr Bill said that there was not a post on which the sign could be placed so we could not go forward with our original suggestion. We would however write to the school to see if they could get a message to parents about this problem.

The request about the Green was as follows:

Having just been at the sharp end of yet another speeding parent on the school run, is there any possibility of siting the speed checker in this vicinity at all ? 

Just on my little bit of The Green, they go by at frightening speeds and very often ignore the junction by the shop. I've just waved down a driver who was speeding , only to have him reverse and give me a mouthful. I have two witnesses. Someone WILL get hurt one day

It was agreed we would write To Cllr Redfern asking what Highways would suggest being done to stop the speeding. Likewise, we could suggest that a 20-mph speed limit be imposed in Crown Lane and The Green

188

To nominate a recipient for the Lawrance Cup 2026

188.1

Notice had been received for the Parish Council to make a nomination for a recipient of the Lawrance Cup. They would like our reply by the 2 April 2026. Three suggestions were put forward, and it was resolved that our nomination be Yvonne Scott for the work she has done on the Thurlby Hub using the old telephone kiosk on The Green

189

To consider the data received from the reactive sign

189.1

Cllr Bill had submitted a report regarding the Reactive Sign

During March the Radar unit was positioned on Northorpe recording traffic in a westbound direction.

Compared to the previous result, February 2024, there has been a slight increase in traffic 3.13% in the 5-day count and 1.12% the 7-day period. The peak counts show a similar marginal increase and peak times remain as before 08.00 - 09.00 & 15.00 -16.00hrs. The average speed is slightly increased to 26.7mph from 26.5mph with the average speed for those above the limit very similar at 32.98 & 33.01 mph with 24.06 and 24.10% for the 5 & 7day periods travelling at these speeds.  A maximum speed of 60 mph was recorded at 19.20 hrs. which is slightly down from 63mph.

Further details can be found on the Parish Council Website.

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

190

To discuss whether the Parish Council would be interested in attending Refresh Cafe in the church 2pm-4pm on 10 May 2026

190.1

The Parish Council had received a request to see if a representative from the Parish Council would like to attend the Refresh Café and answer any questions residents may ask about the work we do. Both Cllr Daines and Broadbent agreed to attend on behalf of the Parish Council

191

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

191.1

The Clerk also explained that the regulations had been updated and placed on the website. All that he needed to do now was to place them in the cemetery noticeboard.

192

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

192.1

Cllr Bill attended the Annual Meeting of the Thurlby Causeway Estate Charity on the 17 March and give a brief report summery for the TPC meeting and minutes as below-

On the 17 March Cllr Bill attended the Annual Meeting of the Thurlby Causeway Estate Charity, Cllr Day had sent her apologies. The main items of discussion were the approval of the previous meeting minutes and action from the same, to approve the audited accounts for the previous year and the appointment of Chairman and Vice Chairman for the coming year. Mrs. Nicholson who had been a Trustee for over 25years was retiring and Stephen Knipe the Charity’s Clerk for 31 years retired 31.12.25, the trust thanked them for their dedication and valuable help they had given during their time representing the Charity.

193

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

193.1

Cllr Bill asked if it was now time to review and update, if necessary, the Neighbourhood Plan.  The Clerk would ask Stephen Holland

193.3

There being no other business the meeting was duly closed at 20.55

194

The date of the next meeting – to be held on Wednesday 6 May  2026, being the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council  at 8.30 p.m. in the Lawrance Park Social Room, Thurlby