2026-27 Minutes

Open Forum

D Simpson was present and wished to address the council in relation to the planning application being dealt with under Item 93.1 item 2. He explained that he was having problems with the horse chestnut tree in his neighbour’s garden. Every year there was a problem of leaves and conkers falling onto his garden and driveway. This becomes a slip and trip hazard for a member of his household who was disabled. In the past he had removed branches that were overhanging his garden but recently the tree had a tree preservation order placed on it and he was not allowed to prune it back. He had tried speaking to his neighbour, but their relationship was not a good one. He had also spoken to the Tree Officer who was saying that he would only allow certain branches to be pruned but he was against all the branches overhanging the garden being removed. He just wanted to let the Council know his views before they decided on the planning application.

The meeting was formally opened at 19.35

87. 

Apologies for absence, acceptance of Apologies

87.1

Apologies were received from, L Lowe (work) A Thomas (personal) H Daines (personal)   L Day (personal) Resolved that the apologies be accepted.  

88.

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

88.1

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

89.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on the 2 September 2026 (Min26-06)

89.1

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on the 2 September 2026 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

90.

To Co-opt a Councillor

90.1

Andrew Spencer had applied to become a Councillor and had also completed an application form which had been circulated. He was asked to address the Council for a short period by way of introducing himself and why he wanted to become a Councillor. The Clerk asked him 2 questions, was he an undischarged bankrupt and did he have a criminal record. He was able to answer both with a No. Questions were asked of by Councillors, and he was asked to leave the room whilst his application was discussed. When he came back into the room, he was told that he was successful and should take his place at the table, The Clerk asked him to sign an acceptance of office form which he did and the Clerk witnessed his signature and also signed the form. The Clerk then handed him The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 which he should complete and return within 14 days. He was handed a copy of the Standing Orders, the financial regulations and a copy of the code of conduct.

91.

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

91.1

County Cllr Redfern said that there was little to report but he was chasing the position of the drains being cleared before the winter at the Thurlby crossroad due to the flooding in that area. He had not heard back but was still chasing them.

He had tried to get double yellow lines along Crown Lane, but Highways would not agree to that but had instead started a consultation on having no waiting lines being places in appropriate places along Crown Lane. He had noticed this evening that SLOW had been paint

Cllr Bill explained that in 2022 Highways had agreed to reconstruct High Street, but they had only completed the work from the A15 to the Youth Hostel. They said the remainder of the work would be done but 4 years later nothing had happened . He wanted to know if Cllr Redfern knew when this might be completed. Cllr Redfern said that he was unaware of this matter but asked if Cllr Bill could send him all the details and he would take this matter up for us.

As for the work at the crossroads in Thurlby he wanted to know if the road closures next month anything had to do with this. Again, Cllr Redfern asked for more details, and he would look into the matter.

91.2

District Cllr Barry Dobson had sent a report as follows:

1. Only recently have we been told that devolution was going ahead, but now it has been postponed, or possibly stopped. It has cost so much time and effort with meeting upon meeting. Unfortunately, we have lost several good employees who have left after finding secure jobs elsewhere. It is quite disappointing, but SKDC has managed to employ some of the necessary replacements. You will perhaps remember the plan I showed you at the last meeting – currently, this has been withdrawn.

2. Unfortunately, I was unable to take part in the meeting of the outline possibility of building on the area to the north of our existing building line. This would indicate access to and from the A15. I believe that this will not be approved by SKDC when or if it becomes an application. I will fight against this for reasons of traffic, close to ancient woodlands, and foul water drainage. However, this is currently not an application. I was still at SKDC at the time of the meeting.

3.  It would be interesting to hear from our parish council what additional safety precautions we should request for this junction which diverts (as recently shown) along Obthorpe Lane and, depending on the severity and place of any incident, along Northorpe Lane and Northorpe.

4.  In future, councillors are no longer be allowed to call planning applications in to be assessed by the planning committee. Basically, we are going to have to abide by the decision by the professional planners of the authorities. I believe that if an application should be brought to committee, that attendance would be allowed. He was asked if the Council could request a site visit and he explained that we could do that.

5. It seemed that the new waste collection service was working well and if there was anyone who had damage  green bins, they should let him know and he would arrange for the bin to be replaced.

6. He was asked how we could dispose of batteries as Cllr Bradley had in the past placed then in a bag and tied the bag to the waste bin, recently she was told that she could no longer do this as that practice was no longer taking place. Cllr Dobson said that he was unaware of this but would look into it for us.

92.

Clerk’s report and correspondence received.

92.1

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. Since the agenda was posted further correspondence had been received as follows:

1. An email had been received from Cllr Lowe regarding an email she had received from a resident who was concerned about a farmer spraying his field so close to their back garden. The Clerk had already advised that farmers who causes or permits others to use pesticides have a legal obligation to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken to protect human health and the environment. He wanted to know if the Council had a view. It was agreed that there was little they could do but the resident could discuss this matter with the farmer or report it to the Health and Safety Executive

2. The Clerk was asked if there was any update on why the applicant who had applied for change of use to the Youth Hostel had withdrawn the application. The Clerk said that he had been unable to find an email address or address who he could write to. It was suggested that Cllr Thomas might have this information.

3. A resident had also written about the amount of dog poo along the footpath from Woodside Wast to the woods. As this was on private land it was considered that there was nothing we could do.

93.

Planning applications: 

93.1

To consider any Planning Applications received –

1. S26/1451 - Demolition of existing dilapidated agricultural buildings and erection of one detached three-bedroom single-storey dwelling (bungalow) with integral garage, associated parking, landscaping and boundary treatment, and retention of the two existing vehicular accesses. Land Off Northorpe Lane , Thurlby’ Response: by 13 October 2026, Resolved:  no objection.

2. Following the agenda being posted another application had arrived. S26/1649 Prune all branches of large Horse Chestnut tree. (T26/0009) at 29 Swallow Hill, Thurlby, Works to TPO Tree(s). Response: by 16 October 2026. The Clerk explained that we could deal with the application tonight if no one considered the application contentious. If just one Councillor felt that it was, we would have to call a special meeting. If this was not considered contentious then they would have to give the Clerk delegated authority to respond on their behalf. It was resolved  that this planning application was not contentious, and they would grant the Clerk delegated authority to respond to the application. After considering the plan and the matters raised in the open forum it was resolved  that we would have no objections subject to the  works being approved by the Tree Officer.

93.2

To note Planning Applications approved:

S26/1212 - Proposal: Construct porch extension to front elevation at 63 Northorpe Lane Thurlby

93.3

To note any Planning Applications refused or withdrawn:

93.4

To note any Application appealed or any decision made regarding an appeal: 

94. 

To confirm Expenditure

£40.00 – B M Champness (use of home as office)
£688.64– B M Champness (salary)

£43.80 – Elaine Reynolds (salary)

£519.80 – HMRC (PAYE)

£52.74 – BT (broadband charges) (DD)

£39.09 – Bluecom Services (monthly charges)

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

£114.50 – Thurlby PCC (insert in Village Link)
[  ] 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

94.1

Resolved: that the payments be approved.

94.2

The Clerk explained that he had received notice of other payments which needed to be made. These were as follows:

£18.27 – B M Champness (ink cartridge)
£140.00 – C S Harris (cemetery maintenance)

£2000.00 – Lawrance Park (final grant instalment)

£850.00 – St Firmin’s PCC (final grant instalment

Resolved that these be paid as well. The Clerk explained that we had received the second instalment of the precept from SKDC. We had also received the second instalment of the funds for the litter picker. A claim had been made for a refund of the VAT for July, August and September and we had already been paid £261.22

94.3

The Clerk explained that Mr Flynn had been in touch about the plants over winter in the planters. He has been to three different nurseries, and it would seem that the plants will cost in the region of £100. He wanted to know if the council would approve this payment. Resolved: that we approve the expenditure.  

95.

To discuss the accounts for August and September and for the bank reconciliations to be signed as a correct record

95.1

The Clerk has prepared a bank reconciliation for August and September 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. It was resolved that both bank reconciliations be signed by the Chair.

96. 

To agree the pay increase for the Clerk and for this to be backdated to 1 April 2026

96.1

The National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC) has agreed the new pay scales for 2026-27 to be implemented from 1 April 2026. Employers are encouraged to implement this pay award as swiftly as possible. The increase for the Clerk shows that the hourly rate of £15.06 has increased to £15.56 and to be back dated to 1 April 2026. Resolved: that the salary increase be approved and back dated to 1 April 2026

97. 

To agree when to approve the Precept for 2027/28 and a date for the December meeting.

97.1

The Clerk explained that he would not be able to attend the December meeting set for 2 December 2026. As a result, he wanted to know how the Council wanted to get around this problem. They could continue with the meeting on that date, and someone would have to take the minutes. The alternative was to postpone the meeting until 9 December 2026 but because the December meeting was usually the month when the Precept was discussed that matter should be dealt with in the November meeting. A final decision could be made, or a suggested figure be made and finalised at the December meeting. The Clerk had already placed on the website the 2027-28 grant application form and sent copies to the Churchyard and Lawrance Park advising them that we might consider the precept a month earlier. Both had indicated that they could deal with the request for the November meeting. Resolved:  that the precept be discussed at the November meeting but a final decision to be made in the December meeting which would now take place on the 9 December 2026

98. 

To discuss the public meeting on 24 September 2026 and to agree any action we might need to take.

98.1

The Clerk felt that this should be on the agenda as a number of suggestions had been made by the public at the Public Meeting as to what the Council should be doing. One of the suggestions was that we should contact Bourne Town Council to see if they would support our objections and explain in more detail the possible water shortage for the Bourne residents. It was agreed that we should not get in touch with anyone until we receive the planning application. Once received we would contact Bourne Town Council and our MP

99. 

To receive an update on the proposed amendments to the Neighbourhood Plan

99.1

The Clerk explained that he had placed this on the agenda as he anticipated there might be news from Mr Holland. Nothing has been received so the matter should be adjourned to November.

100.

To consider the data received from the reactive sign

100.1

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

During August /September the radar unit was positioned on High Street recording eastbound traffic.

Results would indicate a slight reduction in overall traffic compared to previous with a bigger reduction at weekends. The peak times also reflect this with the PM peak time moving to 16.00 -17.00hrs.The average speed has remained very similar to last year at 24.30mph and the average speed for those travelling above the limit the same at 32mph. However, those travelling above the speed limit has increased on average by 28% with the bigger increase at the weekend. The maximum speed of 60mph recorded at 14.40hrs. although down from previous is of concern but whether it was an emergency vehicle is unknown.

Further details can be found on the Parish Council Website. Cllr Bill explained that the third reactive sign had now been given to a colleague of Cllr Gunner to see if he could get it to work.

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

101.

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

101.1

Cllr Thomas had not sent a report regarding the cemetery. However, the Clerk said that he had written to Scribe about the possibility of them no longer providing the cemetery software and asking what we would happen as we had stopped using the books to record details ever since we had the software. Scribe had replied which had been circulated and advised as follows:

“You can absolutely download any of your documents at any point and can work however you wish (keeping physical and digital copies). However, if Scribe did cease to exist (there are no plans and we certainly hope not!), we would help you to move over to another software or be able to provide you with all your documents and data.

Also, Scribe is hosted in Amazon's ISO27001 certified data centre in London. We run multiple auto scaling web servers and use RDS for our database server. Data is automatically backed up at 4am each morning and we retain a rolling 30 days of backups. The database can only be accessed from local machines within our Virtual Private Cloud. Remote access to the VPC is restricted by IP address. All data is encrypted during transit. Remote access and administrative passwords are high strength, restricted to key personnel and centrally managed and secured with PBKDF2.”

It was agreed that we download a copy of each report once a year at the Annual Meeting and for them to be placed ion the existing books that we have retained.

102.

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

102.1

Cllrs. Pace and Bill attended a meeting of the Thurlby Causeway Estate Charity on Tuesday 22nd September following an inspection of the properties in Church Street. Items discussed included the inspections and resulting actions, rents, the Charity's financial position and future expenditure

103.

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

103.1

There being no other business the meeting was duly closed at 20.46

104.

The date of the next meeting – to be held on Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 7.30 p.m. in the Lawrance Park Social Room, Thurlby