2026 Meetings

North Scarle Parish Council

Minutes of the ordinary meeting of North Scarle Parish Council held at North Scarle Village Hall, South Scarle Lane on Thursday 23rd April 2026

Present:

Cllr R Cobb (Chair)

Cllr S Connole

Cllr D Houghton

Cllr J Houghton

Cllr M Illiff

Cllr P Munnelly

Also present:

Cllr C Goldson & Cllr R Johnston (NKDC).  Cllr A Woodruff (LCC)

6 members of the public

Clerk: Mrs. Y Colverson

AGENDA

04/26/01 Apologies - To receive, and consider for approval, apologies for absence and reasons given.

None received

04/26/02 Declarations of Interest - Members to declare any interest they may have in agenda items that accord with the Council’s Code of Conduct and Standing Orders. (NB this does not preclude any later declarations)

None received

04/26/03 – Minutes of the last meeting – To receive, approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19th March 2026

RESOLVED That this is approved as a true record of the meeting and is signed by the Chair

04/26/04 – Reports and updates – To receive reports and updates from the following:

• County & District Councillors                                                                                   

Cllr R Johnston (NKDC).  Reported that the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is still taking district councillor’s time.  It is expected that the new unitary council will be in place by April 2028 however the position of the current district councillors within the new council has not yet been made clear

Cllr Goldston (NKDC) requested that any incidents of anti-social behaviour are reported to the police.

Cllr Woodruff (LCC) reported that people should continue to use ‘fix my street’ to report potholes and other highway issues. 

County council plans for next year will include a full re-surface of Blacksmith Lane, Church Lane, High Street, South Scarl Lane and Eagle Lane

Cllr Woodruff will have a fund of £3,000 to share between the parishes he represents, this is not yet live however the Parish Council might consider if there are any projects this could support

RESOLVED That this information is received

• Clerk’s report

The Clerk reported that a majority of her time had been spent producing a cash book and year end accounts, this has now been completed and ready to go to the internal auditor.

The Clerk has met with David Doherty, grounds maintenance, who had shown her around the cemetery and churchyard areas.  The Clerk commented on how well the areas look and thanked Mr Doherty for his hard work.

RESOLVED That this information is received

• Councillor reports   
  • North Scarle Newsletter

Cllr Illiff and Mrs Cobb reported that they had been in contact with local businesses who are keen to advertise in the newsletter.  They have also spoken to the school and other local groups who are happy to contribute to the content as it was felt more local interest stories need to be included.

Cllr J Houghton had looked into the cost of printing and suggested cost of advertising has been calculated.  To be approved by council. 

It is proposed that the new newsletter will be called North Scarle News

• Insurance claim update

Cllr Cobb reported that the insurance provider has refused to pay out for the damage to the shelter as they assessed that it was due to lack of maintenance and care. 

• Green bins

Cllr Connole reported that three brown bins have been ordered and will be used for the collection of green waste at the Cemetery.  

• Commercial Sector Engagement

Cllr Connole will be meeting with a representative from Noble Foods on 24th April to discuss how they might support the maintenance of the Jubilee gardens.

• Streetlights

Cllr J Houghton reported that he is still obtaining quotations for the work and will report back to the next meeting

RESOLVED That these reports have been received

04/26/05 – Public Forum

Cllr Cobb reported that a number of complaints had been raised regarding bonfires in the village.  Although the Parish Council has no power to act regarding this, Cllr Cobb asked than people be considerate to their neighbours when having bonfires and ensure they do not cause a nuisance or inconvenience. 

Cllr Cobb thanked Cllr Connole, Mr Connole and Sam Booth for the work they had carried out at the Jubilee Gardens.  This has made a very big difference and Cllr Cobb acknowledged that this must have been hard work.

Cllr Cobb congratulated Mrs Colverson, the clerk, on gained a Master’s Degree in Public Leadership and presented her with flowers and a card on behalf of the council.

Future events discussed:

Summer Fair will take place on 18th July

Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Friday 29th May

04/26/06 – Items for consideration and resolution

• IT support – Council was asked to consider contracting IT support to resolve issues with mails and data storage.

Cllr Cobb reported that there are several issues with IT including councillors unable to access emails and lack of storage and back up, in addition the council currently has the wrong Microsoft licence.  A quotation for annual support had been received at a cost of £3,000.

RESOLVED That further quotations should be sought and presented at the next meeting

• Council is asked to consider moving banks from NatWest to Unity Trust Bank.

It has been very problematic changing signatories and access to NatWest bank which does not allow for dual signatories.  Although there is a charge of £7 per month for Unity Trust Bank it does cater for parish councils and does allow for dual signatories online. 

Cllr Cobb moved to change banks to Unity Trust

All in favour

RESOLVED That the bank will be transferred to Unity Trust Bank with Cllr Cobb and Cllr Connole will be signatories

• Cemetery fees – Council is asked to consider proposed increases to cemetery fees.

Cllr Cobb had done some comparisons with local cemeteries and North Scarle is currently the lowest price by some margin. 

Cllr Cobb moved that the cemetery charges be increased to align with a similar local cemetery, charges for residents of North Scarle to be increased on 1st July 2026, those for people living outside the village to be increased immediately.

All in favour

RESOLVED That new cemetery fees as above are implemented. 

• Value of land – Council are asked to investigate the current value of two parcels agricultural land to determine correct future rental agreements.

All in favour

RESOLVED That the Parish Council will have the two pieces of land independently valued. 

• Poppies for remembrance – Council are asked to consider the purchase of lamppost poppies at a cost of £5 each.

All in favour

RESOLVED That the council will purchase 20 lamppost poppies. 

• North Scarle News – Council is asked to agree advertisement rates of North Scarle News

It is proposed that the cost of advertising for the year, to include 4 editions, will be

£60 for a full page

£30 for a half page

£20 for a quarter page

£20 ne off full page  

£15 one off half page

All favour

RESOLVED That the costs listed above are approved.

• Council is asked to consider a contribution of £100 towards the Annual Duck Race

Cllr Cobb moved that this grant be given

All in favour

RESOLVED That a donation of £100 will be given to the local duck race organisers.

• Council is asked to resolve to agree which tools will be purchased for grounds maintenance.

Cllr Cobb reported that he will donate a leaf blower and moved that other necessary tools should be purchased at the best price to a maximum of £300.

RESOLVED That necessary garden tools will be purchased

03/26/10 – Finance

• Account balances – To receive bank balances to 31st March 2026

Current account = £1,686.76

Deposit account = £16,438.50

RESOLVED That this information is received

• Bank reconciliation – To receive and approve bank reconciliation to 31st March 2026

The Clerk presented a bank reconciliation for the financial year 2025/26,

RESOLVED That this is approved and signed by the Chair and Vice-Chair

• Payments since last meeting – To approve payments since 19th February 2026

RESOLVED That these payments are approved

03/26/11 – Planning – Council is asked to consider planning policies, applications and appeals received and resolve to submit comments where appropriate.

Planning Application Reference: 26/0337/FUL

Resolved – No Objections.

03/26/14 – 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:

• Contract of employment for Grounds Maintenance operative, including terms and salary

Cllr Cobb reported that the contract had not yet been produced and asked that this item be discussed at the next meeting.

RESOLVED That this item will be included on the next agenda

Meeting closed at 8.45pm

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