2025 Meetings

DRAFT – NOT YET APPROVED

North Scarle Parish Council

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of North Scarle Parish Council held at the North Scarle Village Hall, South Scarle Lane on Monday 17 November 2025 at 7:00pm.

Present:  Cllr Robert Cobb, Cllr John Houghton, Cllr Paul Munnelly, Cllr Kate Ward and Cllr Ben Wray

Cty Cllr Alan Woodruff, D/Cllr Chris Johnson and D/Cllr Richard Goldson

Also Present:     Eddie Findlay (Locum Clerk)

24 members of the public were in attendance.

Public Forum

As Members of the Public were initially reticent in speaking Cllr Houghton raised a point that was being discussed earlier over tea and coffee.  With the Public Forum being at the start of the meeting, MOP felt they were at a disadvantage as they did not know what was to be discussed and felt it might be better placed later in the meeting.  Whilst this had its benefits, items may have already been resolved by Council, making further discussion too late to be considered.  The Chair of a meeting does have authority (Standing Orders 3.e.) to suspend Standing Orders to allow MOP to make representations, answer questions and give evidence at a meeting which they are entitled to attend in respect of the business on the agenda, but this should be used sparingly.  Council agreed to review the placement of the Public Participation.

On behalf of a MOP that had had to leave prior to the meeting starting, Cllr Cobb raised a concern that the whilst the Cemetery Shelter was currently out of bounds, they felt it was not being used for the original intended purpose.  Once the shelter was back in a safe condition, this would be reviewed at a later time.

MOP 1, as a representative of the Village Hall, they had had concerns raised about the condition of some of the trees with the Villag Hall grounds.  They had had a tree report and were wondering on what their next steps might be.  A District Councillor advised that they firstly check the NKDC website to ensure none of the trees had Protection Orders against them.

As the trees (and 3 streetlights fell to the Village Hall) they may approach the Parish Council for a grant.

MOP 2 – A cricket Club representative informed the Council that they were looking at getting a mains electrical supply installed, but as Land Owner, they required Council approval.  The latter would be placed on the next agenda.

The meeting opening with the first item at 7:12 pm.

914.  Election of a Chair for the remainder of the Civic Year.  Signing of Acceptance of Office.
Cllr Munnelly proposed Cllr Ward to act as Chair for the remainder of the Civic Year.
Seconded by Cllr Houghton.  Cllr Ward was willing to act as Chair for the remainder of the Civic Year.
There were no other nominations.
Cllr Ward had previously signed an Acceptance of Office, as Chair at the October meeting.

915.  Apologies for Absence.
To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting, in accordance with Local Gov. Act 1972, Sch 12, para 40.
All Cllr were present.

916.  Declarations of Interests.
To receive declarations of interest and to consider dispensation applications in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
Cllr Cobb declared an interest in minute ref: 921.b. page 212, due to being a payment recipient.
Cllr Ward declared an interest in minute ref: 922.b. page 213, due to her family’s property being adjacent.

917.  Notes of the meetings to be approved as Minutes.
a.  Ordinary Meeting of North Scarle Parish Council held on Monday 20 October 2025.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the notes as Minutes.
Proposed by Cllr Cobb, seconded by Cllr Wray and approved unanimously.

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918.  Consider any applications received for Co-Option as a Parish Councillor.
No further applications had been received for the two remaining vacancies at this time.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the Councillor Vacancy poster be displayed in the village notice boards.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Wray and approved unanimously.

919.  Receive reports from District and County Councillors.
D/Cllr Johnston opened by praising the Council for the welcome refreshments prior to the meeting.  It had led to a pleasant environment, allowing some members of the public to speak more openly about concerns.
He then spoke briefly on the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation project.  NKDC was due to finalise their proposal 26-Nov-2025.
D/Cllr Goldson congratulated the Council on the start to their tenure as Councillors and just advised that it was “a marathon and not a sprint”.  Whilst it appears at the start there is so much to do, take a breath and priorities rather than trying to do everything at once.
Whilst he welcomed public participation, it should be structured rather than a free for all and reiterated that the Chair can suspend Standing Orders if felt to be appropriate.
Cty Cllr Woodruff also spoke of LGR from a County perspective.
He was planning a Ward Walk Round, when he would be joined by a Highways Officer and Infrastructure Officer.  He would advise when this was to be and Councillors and residents would be welcomed to attend.
Highways wise, they were being inundated with weight restrictions requests so they were looking to implement a new Local Weight Restriction Policy.

920. Receive a report from the Clerk with regard to Correspondence received and other matters.
Correspondence had been received from npower, who managed the 24 streetlights on behalf of the Parish Council to inform them that the 24w & 36w PL lamps are no longer manufactured so the Parish Council should consider a programme to replace your 17-remaining old/converted 24w PL lanterns and your 1 remaining 36w PL lantern.  Each lamp cost in the region of £350.00 plus VAT.  A programme would need to be considered when setting the budget for the next Financial Year and beyond.

As covered under Public Forum from the Village Hall representative, the Council had also received an email about a sycamore tree near the entrance to the Village Hall.

The Clerk had been reminded that a Parish Council representative was required as a Trustee of the Banks Charity.  The charitable objective was for the benefit of the poor of North Scarle at Christmas and mid Summer.  An appointment item would be added to the next agenda.

921.  Financial Matters.
a.  To consider and approve the payments made since the last meeting.
No payments had been made between meetings.

b.  To consider and approve the payments set out on the Accounts for Payment Sheet.

Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the list of payments set out on the Accounts for Payment sheet.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Houghton and approved by a vote of 4 for and 1 abstention.

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c.  To consider and approve the bank reconciliation for end of September 2025.
When taking over the Locum Clerk was informed that the HMRC element had not been actioned for September salaries.  The Clerk had calculated the amount and made the required payment.  He had done the same for the October salaries.  He has subsequently found out that HMRC PAYE is taken by Direct Debit.  The two payments the Clerk had made (£56.00and £59.80) equalled £115.80 and HMRC have already taken one additional payment of for £56.00.  These overpayments should be recognised when the next DD payment is taken by HMRC.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation for end of September 2025.

Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Wray and approved unanimously.

d.  Consider the cost to replace the stolen solar panel for the Speed Indicator Device.
It was felt that the current height of the SID and solar panel might have allowed for the previous theft to take place.  A post extender had been requested and an inspection of the SID was to be carried out as it looked like the wires had just been cut, so re-wiring might be required also.
Action:  Council RESOLVED defer this smatter to allow for further investigation.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Wray and approved unanimously.

e.  Consider joining the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC) Annual Training Scheme for the remainder of the Financial Year.
Action:  Council RESOLVED approve joining the LALC Annual Training Scheme for the remainder of the Financial Year for £50.00, starting 01-Dec-2025.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Munnelly and approved unanimously.

f.  Consider a secure storage container for Parish Handyman tools and Equipment and garden waste removal.
Various prices had been received for actual containers but transportation costs would need to be considered, as would laying a suitable base before the container could be installed.  Cllr Munnelly would investigate costs.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to grant delegated authority for the Clerk and Chair to deal with any quotes received up to a value of £2,000.00, and to look to purchase 3 brown bins for use by the Handyman.
Proposed by Cllr Wray, seconded by Cllr Munnelly and approved unanimously

922.  Planning Matters.
a.  25/0995/HOUS – Erection of two storey side extension to existing detached agricultural workers dwelling at Aubourn Farm, Wigsley Road, North Scarle.  Approved by NKDC 12-Nov-2025.
b.  25/1301/VARCON - Application to remove Condition 3 at Plots Farm Spalford Road North Scarle.  Comments required by 07-Dec-2025.
Council had no comments or objections to this application.

923.  Cemetery Shelter.  Receive an update on the Cemetery Shelter and consider a course of action.
Concerns had been raised with NKDC re the Cemetery Shelter, under The Building Act 1984 (as amended): Section 78 the condition constituted an imminent danger to the public.  The area had been fenced off to protect the public.  A structural report had been received and one quote to repair the shelter.
Action:  Council RESOLVED defer the matter to allow for further quotes and to seek additional assistance from local businesses.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Cobb and approved unanimously.

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924.  Heritage Room.  Receive an update with regard to the Lease between NKDC and North Scarle Parish Council.
A Lease had just been received from NKDC and Cllr Cobb would contact NKDC, for them to clarify a couple of points before the Parish Council could offer the Post Office the one between them and the Parish Council.

925.  Emergency Planning update.  As per minute ref: 886, 10-Sep-2025.
The Clerk had contacted the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum and they had confirmed that North Scarle did have an Emergency Plan registered with them and they had supplied an electronic copy for Council records.  This did however need a review, as a number of the contacts listed where no longer resident in North Scarle.
Cllr Cobb volunteered to take this forward.
The bulk sand and sand bags will possibly need re-housing to allow easier access, along with the weather station and other equipment.
It was suggested that a further table top exercise be carried out to re-educate people of the process.  Cty Cllr Woodruff put forward a contact from the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum to arrange.

926.  Jubilee Gardens update.  As per minute ref: 887, 10-Sep-2025.
The Clerk had contacted Noble Foods and they had confirmed that they had visited the area, which looked completely overgrown and was felt to be a much bigger project than they had anticipated and thought it might need professional gardening equipment to bring the site to a more manageable standard, which was not something they would be able to offer.  They would be willing to assist going forward though.  Volunteers came forward to see what they could do beforehand, clearing overgrown vegetation and possibly mowing a path, at least to the bench.

927.  Playing field bridge.  Receive a report on the condition of the bridge and consider a course of action.
A report had been received following concerns of the condition of the bridge from Swinderby Road to the sports field.  It was believed to be Parish Council responsibility, although as it crossed a main river, another school of thought was it could possibly be Environment Agency.
Weight restriction signs had been attached to the bridge.
A re-think of the use of the bridge could also be considered, i.e. taking it out of use.

928.  Future Council Meetings.
a.  Resolve to agree a date for the next ordinary meeting.
Action:  Council RESOLVED approve Thursday 18 December 2025 as the date for the next Ordinary Council Meeting, starting at 7:00 pm.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Munnelly and approved unanimously.

b.  Consider new format to include tea/coffee etc.
Action:  Council RESOLVED that following the success of the trail event at this evening’s meeting it was approved to continue with pre-meeting tea/coffee get together, starting at 6:30 pm.
Proposed by Cllr Cobb, seconded by Cllr Houghton and approved unanimously.

c.  Consider Council meeting dates for 2026.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to defer this item until the December meeting.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Wray and approved unanimously.d.  Consider whether to hold Social Surgeries, 2 weeks prior to upcoming Parish Council meetings.

Action:  Council RESOLVED not to hold Social Surgeries, 2 weeks prior to Parish Council meetings but would look to attend the Community Cuppa events held weekly on a Monday morning at the Village Hall.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Wray and approved unanimously.

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929.  To resolve to move into closed session in accordance with the public bodies (admission to meetings) act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed in relation to the following matters:
a.  Heritage Room – Tenancy Agreement with the Post Office update.
b.  Staffing Matters – consider the Interview Panel nomination for the vacant Clerk/RFO position.
c.  Staffing Matters – review the current working conditions of the Handyman and consider changes.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED to go into Closed Session to consider the items above.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Cobb and approved unanimously.

This part of the meeting closed 8:20 pm.

The meeting continued in the absence of press and public at 8:30 pm.

(Not for publication by virtue of section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the items being of a confidential nature.)

Confidential Minutes.

a.  Heritage Room – Tenancy Agreement with the Post Office update.
In amongst the discussion, it was suggested that the Post Office be approached to act as recipient for the Parish Council post, rather than the ongoing expense of using a PO Box.  The expiry of the current PO Box agreement would be investigated.
Action:  Council RESOLVED that subject to any additional changes imposed by NKDC, they would look to offer a ‘like for like’ lease between the Post Office and the Parish Council.
Proposed by Cllr Cobb, seconded by Cllr Ward and approved unanimously.

At 8:55 pm, it was unanimously resolved to suspend Standing Orders, 3.x. to go beyond 2 hours, to allow time to complete the remaining business.

b.  Staffing Matters – Consider the Interview Panel nomination for the vacant Clerk/RFO position.
An Interview Panel of Cllr Ward and Cllr Wray carried out 3 interviews with Mr Eddie Findlay (Locum Clerk) as observer.
Each candidate was scored against a matrix, with Anna McArthur scoring highest and presented best at interview.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the Panel’s recommendation of Anna McArthur and would look to offer 8 hours, starting at SCP 12, during the 3 month probation period, moving to SCP 14 after successfully completing probation.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Munnelly and approved unanimously

c.  Staffing Matters – Review the current working conditions of the Handyman and consider changes.
Action:  Council RESOLVED increase the Handyman hours to 8 per week and a salary increase in line with Local Government Services SCP 8.
Proposed by Cllr Ward, seconded by Cllr Wray and approved unanimously.

The meeting closed at 10:00 pm.

Signature: 

Printed Name: 

Date:  18 December 2025

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