Draft Parish Council Meeting Minutes 13th January 2026.
Present: Parish Councillors: Mrs P Cranfield (Chairman), Mr A Wilson, Mrs A Treacy, 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.
Commencement of the Parish Council Meeting
2526/6/80Apologies for Absence: Councillor Mrs M Avis and Mr D Hawes (Vice Chair)
2526/6/81Approval of the Minutes: It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting 11th November 2025 as a true and accurate record. Proposed by Councillor P Cranfield and seconded by Councillor A Treacy.
2526/6/82Request for Dispensation: None requested.
2526/6/83Declaration of Interest: Councillor A Wilson agenda item 2526/6/87
2526/6/84 Parish Clerk & Councillors Update from Previous meeting:
6/84/1 Councillor Vacancy: Currently there has been no interest in the vacant position, Parish Clerk asked to continue to advertise the position locally on Parish Council notice boards, website and in the Three Towers magazine. Parish Clerk to contact SKDC to ask for further advise relating to the vacancy.
6/84/2 Carol Singing Event 2025: The event was well attended, with refreshments of mince pies and mulled wine being served. The Parish Council would like to thank Father Ed for leading the carol singing, Grimsthorpe Estate for the donation of the Christmas tree, Heath Cranfield for use of the field, Steam Action for supplying the carol sheets and Councillor A Wilson for supplying the batteries for the tree lights. The collections made in support of Steam Action, raising just over £21.
6/84/3Mid-Year Internal Audit Report: Work is ongoing to close out points raised, it was agreed that this will be reviewed again at the March meeting.
2526/6/85New Parish Council Matters:
6/85/1 Speed Monitor Issue: The Parish Clerk is trying to resolve the issue relating to the downloading of data with the supplier. Parish Clerk to report back at the March meeting.
6/85/2 Asset Maintenance Review: The bus shelter has been added to the register, however, this was donated to Parish Council in the 11950's and therefore the value is unknown.
6/85/3 Road Footpath and Public Footpath Conditions: Residents have raised concerns with Councillor Wilson about the condition of the footpath along the main A151 between Grimsthorpe to Edenham. Parish Clerk asked to raise this with Councillor Hill of Lincolnshire County Council to see what can be done with regards to the breaking up of the surface of this path.
The public footpath leading from Main Street Edenham (near the river bridge/Five Bells) across the fields into Grimsthorpe Estate is impassable due to the works carried out by Anglian Water for the pipeline. This work has left deep mud which has resulted in difficulties moving livestock and walkers getting stuck in the mud who have needed rescuing to get to safety. Parish Clerk asked to send an email on behalf of the Parish Council to the Countryside Access Officer in Lincolnshire County Council to try to resolve the issue.
2526/6/86Play Area:
6/86/1 Internal Inspection & maintenance: Nothing new to report at this meeting.
6/86/2 Play Area Future: It was RESOLVED by the Council members that the trim trial be removed in late spring or early summer when weather permit, after removal the ground areas will be made good. It was RESOLVED that the swings will remain in place.
2526/6/87Village Hall: The village hall committee received the engrossed document which has been signed and returned to Grimsthorpe Estate. The committee are now awaiting a copy for holding on file.
2526/6/88Planning Matters: There are no new planning applications to discuss.
2526/6/89Financial Matters: The Parish Council members noted that there had been no income, this was confirmed by the bank statements.
2526/6/90 Financial Matters: Expenditure: The Parish Council Members RESOLVED to accept the expenditure detailed below:
6/90/1 Microsoft 365 software £58.17 (inc VAT)
6/90/2 McFee Protection Software £11.82 (inc VAT)
6/90/3 Refreshments (Carol event) £29.05
6/90/4 Lloyds bank account fees (ongoing monthly fee) £4.25
The Parish Clerk confirmed the total expenditure for salaries and HMRC payment for December 2025 as £597.54 The Council members noted the confirmed salary amounts.
The Parish Clerk highlighted to the Council members that the monthly bank account charges had been missed off the minutes recently. The Council members noted this and confirmed that they were aware of these fees from the accounts and bank statements. It was also noted that the accounts are shared as part of the Parish Council meeting minutes which are also displayed on notice boards and the website for transparency.
2526/6/91Financial Matters Bank Reconciliation: The Parish Council members RESOLVED to accept the bank reconciliation as detailed below, these figures were also checked against the bank account statements and the accounts by Councillor A Wilson
6/91/1 Community Bank Account (05/01/2026) £3561.28
6/91/2 Business Bank Account (05/01/2026) £500.86
2526/6/92Budget Finalise & Precept Requirements for 2026/27: The Council members RESOLVED to accept the proposed budget and precept figure. Full details and discussions relating to each budgeted item are available on the Parish Council website and notice boards. Parish Clerk asked to confirm precept figure to SKDC, prior to the deadline on 16th January 2026.
2526/6/93Parish 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.
6/93/1 Risk Management: Approved, Parish Clerk to upload to the website
6/93/2 Communications: Approved, Parish Clerk to upload to the website
6/93/3 Complaints: Approved, Parish Clerk to upload to the website
6/93/4 Asset Register: Approved, Parish Clerk to upload to the website
2526/6/94Correspondence: Various items have been received which have been forwarded to the Parish Councillors prior to this meeting. Those worthy of note are detailed below:
SKDC Food Waste collections, the caddies will be delivered in February 2026, and the service will commence in April 2026.
Temporary traffic restrictions Scottlethorpe Rd, starting in February for 18 days for telecom ducting.
2526/6/95Next Meeting Date: 10th March 2026 starting at 7:30pm
Meeting dates for the new financial year (2026/2027) are as follows:
Tuesday 5th May 2026 Annual Parish meeting (7pm) and Annual Parish Council meeting (7:30pm)
