Draft Parish Council Meeting Minutes 10th March 2026
Present: Parish Councillors: Mrs P Cranfield (Chairman), Mr A Wilson, Mrs A Treacy, Mr D Hawes (Vice Chair), Mrs M Avis and Mrs E Unwin.
In Attendance: Mrs Carole Sands (Parish Clerk)
Public Open Forum : As there were no members of the public present at the meeting, the Chairman closed the open forum.
National & District Council Updates: Not in attendance therefore no update at this meeting.
2526/7/96 Apologies for Absence: None required.
2526/7/97 Approval of the Minutes: It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting 13th January 2026 as a true and accurate record. Proposed by Councillor Mrs A Tracey and seconded by Councillor Mr A Wilson.
2526/7/98 Request for Dispensation: None requested
2526/7/99 Declaration of Interest: Councillor Mr A Wilson Agenda item 2526/7/103
2526/7/100 Parish Clerk & Councillors Update from Previous meeting:
7/100/1 Councillor Co-option: The Parish Clerk reported that there has been no interest to date, in the co-option councillor position. This will continue to be advertised on the website, parish notice boards and in the Three Towers magazine. South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) have advised that due to the fact that the deadline for the calling of an election has passed they are not involved in the co-option process they are therefore unable to advise further. SKDC would become involved again if the parish council was no longer quorate.
7/100/2 Mid-Year Internal Audit Report: The parish clerk is continuing to work through the action plan; it was noted by the council members that several actions have already been progressed.
7/100/3 Speed Monitor: Parish clerk has not had time to contact the service provider for additional help in trying to resolve the issue. Council members noted this and agreed that this should be reviewed at the next meeting in May 2026.
7/100/4 Footpath Condition: Countryside Services, Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) has confirmed that the footpath which passes through the Anglian Water construction site known as Edenham PF6 to Park Road, Swinstead - Swinstead PF4 has been closed under an emergency closure with a temporary closure to run straight after until the 1st of May 2026. They also confirmed that Anglian Water have agreed to return, to harrow and reseed the area. The reopening of this route is dependent on weather conditions and how the ground recovers. Parish clerk asked to contact Countryside services to ask if additional signage can be placed on the route, this is because people are still using this footpath, which is still very muddy resulting in walkers getting stuck.
Lincolnshire County Council confirmed that they received a total of three complaints relating to this footpath.
The parish council have not received a reply from LCC in relation to the condition of the pavement which runs between Edenham and Grimsthorpe along the A151. Parish clerk asked to follow this up with LCC.
2526/7/101 New Parish Council Matters:
7/101/1 LALC Councillor Training: Councillors reported that the training is worthwhile especially for new councillors and a good refresher for existing members. Councillor Mrs A Treacy expressed an interest in the play area inspection course which is available on LALC training schedule.
7/101/2 Community Street Cleaning Vacancy: The Council members RESOLVED that the parish clerk advertise the position using the updated role profile via the website, parish notices board and the Three Towers magazine.
2526/7/102 Play Area:
7/102/1 Internal Inspection & Maintenance: Councillor Mrs A Treacy noted no further deterioration; the report will be circulated after the meeting. The parish clerk stated that recent bad weather caused flooding on the trim trail, with photos to be shared with members.
7/102/2 Play Area Next Steps: The ground near the trim trail remains too wet for removal, so members agreed to delay it until conditions improve, as the ROSPA report did not identify any high-risk safety issues.
2526/7/103 Village Hall: The village hall committee has confirmed that they have not yet received the lease document.
2526/7/104 Planning Matters: There are no new planning applications to discuss.
2526/7/105 Financial Matters Income: There was no income expected and this is confirmed by the bank account statements.
The parish clerk is currently in the process of completing the VAT claim for FY 2025/2026, this was noted by the members.
2526/7/106 Financial Matters Expenditure: The Parish Council members RESOLVED to accept the items detailed below
7/106/1 Salaries and HMRC payments (Qtr4) FY £597.54 (estimated)
7/106/2 Lloyds Bank Account Fees £4.25 (10/01 to 09/02)
7/106/3 Lloyds Bank Account Fees £4.25 (10/02 to 09/03)
The following items are due for payment in April 2026 (FY 2026/2027)
LALC Membership £113.86 Council members RESOLVED to accept this for payment on 1st of April 2026.
2526/7/107 Financial Matters Bank Reconciliation: The members RESOLVED to accept the details provided in the accounts and bank statements. The accounts were then signed by Councillor Mr A Wilson during the meeting.
7/107/1 Community Bank Account: £3453.74
7/107/2 Business Bank Account: £501.54 this includes the interest up to 9th March 2026.
2526/7/108 Parish Council Policies & Procedures: The members RESOLVED to accept the updated documents detailed below. It was agreed that the Parish Clerk publish these on the website.
7/108/1 IT Policy: Approved, Parish Clerk to upload to the website
7/108/2 Transparency Code: Approved, Parish Clerk to upload to the website
7/108/3 Data Protection: Approved, Parish Clerk to upload to the website
2526/7/109 Correspondence: Various items have been received which have been forwarded to the Parish Councillors prior to this meeting. Those worthy of note are detailed below:
Temporary traffic restriction: Edenham Reason for restriction: Work on water mains by Anglian water. Nature and location of restriction: Road Closure Order - Church Lane (Between School Lane & a point 40m Southeast) Period of restriction: 26/03/2026 - 30/03/2026.
Work is currently ongoing on Scottlethorpe Road relating to the UK Government’s Project Gigabit for the installation of fibre optic cables to provide the village with fact and reliable broadband network.
2526/7/110 Next Meeting Date: Tuesday 5th May 2026. This will be the annual Parish (7pm) and the annual Parish Council meeting (7.30pm).
