March 2026 Minutes
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 19th March 2026
Present:
Cllr R Cobb (Chair)
Cllr S Connole
Cllr D Houghton
Cllr J Houghton
Cllr P Munnelly
Also present:
Cllr C Goldson & Cllr R Johnston (NKDC). Cllr A Woodruff (LCC)
10 members of the public
Locum Clerk: Mrs. Y Colverson
AGENDA
03/26/01 Apologies - To receive, and consider for approval, apologies for absence and reasons given.
None received
03/26/02 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
03/26/03 – Minutes of the last meeting – To receive, approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 11th February 2026
RESOLVED That this is approved as a true record of the meeting and is signed by the Chair
03/26/04 – Applications for Co-Option - Consider any applications received for Co-Option as a Parish Councillor.
One application for Co-Option was received from Mareen Iliff
Cllr J Houghton moved to co-opt Mrs Iliff
All in favour
RESOLVED That Mrs Maureen Iliff is co-opted onto North Scarle Parish Council and signed her Acceptance of Office, witnessed by the Locum Clerk.
03/26/05 – Appointment of Vice Chairman
Cllr Cobb moved that Cllr J Houghton be appointed Vice-Chair
All in favour
RESOLVED That Cllr J Houghton is appointed Vice-Chair to North Scarle Parish Council
03/26/06 – Reports and updates – To receive reports and updates from the following:
County & District Councillors
Cllr C Goldson & Cllr R Johnston (NKDC). Reported that the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) consultation is now underway with approximately 5,500 comments from members of the public have been received to date. At this stage it is unclear what the impact on Parish Councils will be however there will be up to 60% reduction in representation of local communities.
Cllr Johnston reported that nominations for North Kestevan District Council Community Champion Awards are now open and stressed that it would be nice to have someone from North Scarle nominated.
Cllr Goldson thanked those who attended the quiz night and reported that over £1,000 for charity had been raised on the night.
RESOLVED That this information is received
Cllr A Woodruff (LCC) also mentioned the LGR as an ongoing concern.
Cllr Woodruff reported that highways were the most contentious issue at this time however the Highways department are working hard to resolve current issues with approximately 3,000 potholes being reported, and 5,000 repairs, each week, they are slowly catching up.
Cllr Woodruff advised to continue using ‘fix my street’ to report potholes, flooding etc.
RESOLVED That this information is received.
a) Purchase and placement of storage container
Cllr Munnelly reported that the storage container has now been purchased and has been sited in the cemetery grounds. It is planned that a hedge will be planted around it.
b) Shelter update – project finished
Cllr Munnelly reported that the shelter has now been repaired and it is looking fantastic. A working party of councillors will oil the new wood which will enhance the look and help protect it.
c) Street lighting update
Cllr J Houghton reported that 18 streetlights still need to be converted and the most cost-effective way of doing this is still being researched. Cllr J Houghton will give a further update at a future meeting.
d) Engagement with Nobles and commercial sector
Cllr Connole reported that she had spoken to a representative at Nobles Foods who has suggested some employees carry out voluntary work to improve Jubilee Gardens. Cllr Connole will make contact again and report back at a future meeting.
e) Salt bin – private purchase
Cllr D Houghton reported that she had requested a further grit bin, as requested by residents, however the Highway’s department had refused. Cllr D Houghton reported that Global Turbocharge Solutions had purchased a grit bin and donated to the Parish Council to be sited as requested. Rock salt will be purchased in the autumn.
f) Emergency plan update
Cllr Cobb reported that he had not had time to make any progress on the emergency plan, in addition the County Council have made some changes to the documentation needed. Cllr Cobb that he will work on this through the summer so it is ready for any bad weather that may cause disruption in the winter.
g) Audit update (Sabrina Doherty from Office Elite)
Cllr Cobb reported that the internal auditor suggested by LALC was not appropriate as there was a conflict of interest identified. Office Elite have provided a quotation to carry out the internal audit as smaller cost that LALC, and as they are completely independent it would be preferable to use them.
h) Insurance claims update
Cllr D Houghton reported that she now has the details of a number of insurance providers and, once the current claims are fully settled, she will be seeking quotations. The current insurance cover finishes at the end of May 2026.
i) Parking on South Scarl Lane
Cllr Cobb reported that the Parish Council has done all it can at this point however will support residents wherever possible. The issue of disabled parking bays can only be resolved by the Highways department of Lincolnshire County Council and suggests the residents contact them directly.
RESOLVED That these reports have been received
03/26/07 – Public Forum
General discussion and no resolutions can be made by the Parish Councillors, but items can be considered for the next agenda.
Issues raised by members of the public.
The village hall charity has a lot of upcoming expense however they are working hard at fundraising, and a number of grants have been applied for.
Cllr J Houghton commented on the work that has been carried out in the cemetery and that it is now looking very good. Cllr J Houghton and Cllr Cobb expressed thanks to David Doherty for all his hard work.
03/26/08 – Items for consideration and resolution
a) Siting of benches – Council is asked to resolve the siting of two new benches
Cllr Cobb moved that one bench be placed at the cemetery and the other at the playing field.
All in favour
RESOLVED That one bench will be placed at the cemetery, the second will be given to the Village Hall to place at the playing field.
b) Hedging and screening for Cemetery – Council is asked to consider the generous offer by D Walker Building Services to donate hedging and tree saplings to form a hedge and screening for the container at the Cemetery.
RESOLVED That the council thank Mr Walker for his very kind offer and ask that he continues with this work.
c) Sale of Heras fencing – Council is asked to consider selling the Heras fencing, no longer required
Cllr Cobb reported that the Heras fencing was purchased to make the shelter safe while it was being repaired, the cost being £350. Cllr Cobb has received an offer of £300 for the fencing and ask Council for their agreement to sell it.
All in favour
RESOLVED That the Heras fencing will be sold for £300
d) Office space costs – Council are asked to consider and approve the use of an office in the Village Hall and associated costs
Cllr Cobb reported that the Village Hall management require 10% match funding for a grant that has been applied for. Cllr Cobb moved that the council provide the 10%, up to £2,000, in exchange for the use of office space in the Village Hall for the following financial year.
All in favour
RESOLVED That the Parish Council will match fund grants, up to a maximum of £2,000. If the grant application is not successful further discussions will take place with the Village Hall management.
e) Scarlefest. – Council are asked to consider and approve a grant of £500 to event organiser
A representative and Scarlefest reported that the planned event has now changed and it is unsure what form this will take.
RESOLVED That this item is deferred until more details are known.
f) Banking-
i. Council is asked to appoint a member as a Banks Charity Trustee
Cllr Iliff volunteered to be a trustee on the Banks Charity.
All favour
RESOLVED That Cllr Iliff will be the Parish Council Trustee on the Banks Charity
ii. Council is asked to consider an additional debit card in order to allow for urgent operational purchases.
Cllr Cobb requested that this item is deferred as the banking arrangements are not yet in place
RESOLVED Item deferred
03/26/09 – Items for Investigation
RESOLVED That follow working parties will investigate the following:
g) Insurance Policy – Council is asked to consider renewal quotation, and other options, for the provision of the necessary insurance and resolve actions
Cllr D Houghton
h) Green Waste – Council is asked to consider how green waste can be removed from the Cemetery and resolve actions
Cllr Conole and Cllr Munnelly
i) Grants - Council is asked to consider - How the council can ensure awareness of all potential grant schemes in future and resolve actions
To be agreed at a later date
j) Post Office – Council is asked to consider remedial work needed on the Post Office and resolve actions
Cllr Connole and Cllr J Houghton
k) Future events – Council are asked to consider how the following events can be supported and resolve actions
i. Remembrance Day
ii. Christmas (tree)
Cllr Cobb
a) NSM Magazine – Council is asked to consider how this could be produced in future, including possible collaborations and resolve actions. (Local business request to advertise in NSM x 2)
Cllr Iliff and Mrs J Cobb
l) Pavements in the parish – Council are asked to consider what actions, if any, the Parish Council can take to improve pavements around the village and resolve actions
Item resolved under reports from County Councillor
03/26/10 – Finance
a) Account balances – To receive bank balances to 28th February 2026
Current account = £1,687.26
Deposit account = £17,133.21
RESOLVED That this information is received
b) Bank reconciliation – To receive and approve bank reconciliation to 28th February 2026
Cllr Cobb reported that he has been unable to produce a bank reconciliation due to the lack of any account information handed over from the previous administration. It is expected that the new Clerk, when appointed, will be able to produce a full set of accounts and a bank reconciliation.
RESOLVED That this information is received
c) Payments since last meeting – To approve payments since 8th January 2026
T Mobile – mobile phone contract = £8.00
E-On Ltd - street lighting = £235.19
RESOLVED That these payments are approved
d) Invoices for payment – To approve invoices for payment
D Walker - Cemetery shelter repair = £4,320.00
E-On ltd - Street lighting maintenance = £135.00
E-On ltd - Late payment fee = £40.00
Harmony - Payroll services, onboarding fee = £70.00
Harmony - Payroll services, monthly fee = £20.00
LALC - Provision of locum clerk = £259.20
NKDC - Heritage room rent, Jan 26 = £104.16
NKDC - Heritage room rent, Feb 26 = £104.16
PK Pest - Moles in cemetery = £120.00
Elancity - Transport of SID = £235.20
Elancity - SID repair = £611.29
Tuxford Mowers Mower service = £148.33
Total = £6,592.49
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.
a) 26/0277/FUL APPLICATION Land To the Rear of Green Oaks Farm Spalford Lane
Erection of a building Class E(g) use including proposed external alterations (part retrospective)
RESOLVED No objections
b) 26/0212/HSC APPLICATION North Scarle Farm Spalford Road
Storage of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) in 33 no. tanks.
RESOLVED No objections
c) 26/0031/HOUS APPLICATION Sueander Eagle Road North Scarle
Erection of garage with additional accommodation.
RESOLVED No objection
d) 26/0030/HOUS APPLICATION Red House Farm Cottage Red House Farm Spalford Lane North Scarle- Conversion of attached single storey barn used as domestic store to form residential extension to existing single storey
RESOLVED No objections
e) 25/1049/FUL AMENDMENT Cranswick Pet Products - Proposal: Construction of a new site entrance and gatehouse
RESOLVED No objections
f) 25/1544/FUL – AMENDMENT Cranswick Pet Products -
Proposal: Demolition of existing weighbridge, offices, mill and bin block and construction of new silos/intake building.
RESOLVED No objections
g) 25/1301/VARCON - WITHDRAWN
Proposal: Application to remove condition 3 (The occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly employed or last employed. Previously approve planning N/46/0039/87
RESOLVED Noted
h) 24/1398/FUL DECISION APPROVED Equestrian land Chapel Lane –
Erection of stable block.
RESOLVED Noted
I) 25/1423/VAR DECISION APPROVED Four Ways School Lane North Scarle Application to remove condition 4 (occupancy) and variation of condition 5 (use) of planning permission 93/0677/FUL - Extend dwelling and erect storage building.
RESOLVED Noted
03/26/12 – Correspondence – To note any correspondence received.
Fosse Green Energy – Local Solar Farm plans
RESOLVED That this information is received
03/26/13 – Future meetings – Council is asked to consider and agree:
a) Date of the next ordinary meeting
RESOLVED – Thursday 23rd April
b) Date of the annual parish council meeting
RESOLVED – Thursday 21st May
c) Date of the annual meeting of the parish
RESOLVED To be agreed with the Village Hall
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:
a) Contract of employment for Grounds Maintenance operative, including terms and salary
RESOLVED That a salary be set and a contract of employment be produced
b) Sign Contract of employment of Clerk following recruitment process.
Cllr Cobb moved that the Council employ Mrs Yvonne Colverson to the role of Clerk and Finance Officer to the Parish Council
All in favour
RESOLVED That Mrs Yvonne Colverson is employed by the Council as the Clerk, Responsible finance officer and proper officer to the Council
c) Letter from Member of the public regarding Field access.
Item deferred until more information is available
Meeting closed at 9.20pm