2026 Minutes

THESE ARE DRAFT NOTES OF THE MEETING AND WILL BE RATIFIED AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

DRAFT Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 6 July 2026 at 7.00pm

at North Thoresby Village Hall, The Square, North Thoresby, DN36 5QL

Present:                              Chair                                Cllr Colin Goodwin

                                             Vice-Chair                      Cllr Keith Butters

                                                                                      Cllr Emily Bakes

                                                                                      Cllr Tony Townsend

Also Present:                    Acting Clerk                   Mrs Binal Sawjani (via Zoom)

                                             Members of Public      7

                                            District/County             Cllr Alex McGonigle

                                                                                      Cllr Terry Aldridge

                                             Apologises:                    Cllr Paul Rickett (accepted)

Item 0726/29 Welcome to the meeting: Chair opened meeting at 18.59 and welcomed councillors, public and district councillor.

Meeting opened to the public:

• Potholes that have been mentioned earlier in the year have not been filled in and has been referred to Cllr McGonigle who will follow up
• Request by parishioner to plant Wild flowers on High street
• Resident raised concern nettles at the edge of play park

Chair invited Cllr McGonigle to speak:

• Update on the Local government reorganisation (LGR) in England details should be with us by end of the month otherwise it is likely to be next year
• Councillor grant forms available on Thursday – can help with the toilet signs. Cllr will forward to the clerk.

Chair invited Cllr Alridge to speak:

• Planning policy circulated no decisions will be made until the new prime minister in in situ.
• Regeneration of area within business classes as sea defences need to be looked at as roads could erode away

Parishioner leaves 19.18

Item 0726/30 To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensations: None

Item 0726/31 Coopt new councillors: Application to coopt Cllr Paul Rickett onto council, Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED.

Council is actively seeking for more of the community to come forward as we have five vacancies. For more information regarding the role please contact the clerk or chair.

Item 0726/32 Apologies for absence: Cllr Paul Rickett

Item 0726/33 To approve the draft notes as minutes of the last meeting held on the 19 May 2026: RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes. They were dated and signed by the Chair.

Item 0726/34 Chair’s Report:

• Dickinson’s Lane Mirror – projected installed and completed
• As part of the history society project Ian Wright would like parishioners to know that the website should live shortly and interpretation boards and planters are part of the project
• Horticultural show on 19 September 2026 would like use of the village hall. Propose village hall be used free of charge seconded and RESOLVED
• North Thoresby conservation area meeting on 22 July 2026 councillors to attend information to be on website.

Item 0726/35 Training:  Training available to all Staff and elected Members and clerk recommends councillors to view training schedule. Training scheduled for Cllr Townsend – new councillor online 20 July. Clerk to attend AGM on behalf on council 9 July 2026 and LALC conference 14 July 2026

Item 0726/36 Parish Matters To receive updates from in respect of:

1. Village Hall –
   1. Kitchen – proposed kitchen alterations – would the group consider donating the fund to the council and the work can be carried out on behalf to the group. Propose to approach that group, seconded and RESOLVED to be followed up by speaking to the groups that use the kitchen
   2. Memorial gardens – proposal that Cllr Townsend looks after the area seconded and RESOLVED
2. Public toilets – Council has been approached by the WI to revisit the opening of the public toilets in the village. Initial costing and findings showed an estimate of £10k which would not be viable for the council. Chair is proposing a solution that we open radar toilet. After much discussion the proposal is to open radar toilet the door needs a radar keys to access the toilet and proposal is that we have a key at Go Local, Morrisons and Hardware store. Key is taken with a £1 returnable deposit. Trial this on a three month basis Keep the Ladies and gents toilets closed with the roller shutters open. This seem to be the best outcome of having a public toilet and community being safe. A budget of £300 to undertake this project seconded and RESOLVED. Six keys will be purchased, the locks changed and lighting needs attention. Ask the WI for help setting up the project. Check that this is covered under our policy – report back next meeting
3. Notice boards – there is one noticeboard and backing board and after much discussion proposed Grainsby and Waithe have their own noticeboards. Location in Waithe is the first noticeboard will go there and once we find a home for one in Grainsby propose £300 can go towards a second noticeboard, site to be confirmed seconded and RESOLVED.
4. Portable defib – much discussion lead to two proposals. First, the council would like to have a fix wall solution for the portable defib – source a box. Also two places have been identified and so council could purchase another defib and Eppie pen or source a grant. Defer to next meeting. Second proposal is to let the New Inn borrow the portable defib for a village event on 11 July 2026, seconded and RESOLVED
5. Bridge Update – no update from the landowner. Culverting the bridge would be a quicker and cheaper way. Need to apply to the drainage board and add guard rails brings discussion to do we need permission from the landowner – defer to next meeting.
6. Youth Club – Have the contract with YMCA for £4,300 we have £1,200 and can have a trial starting from 24 September 2026 Employ someone to run the club and with subs and tuck shop should make budget required. Propose 3 month trial and review in December seconded and RESOLVED. Clerk to check covered by the insurance.
7. Grant application updates – VAR google proposal was denied. Council to investigate further grants.
8. Community Neighbourhood scheme and emergency plan – need to have a lead and make clear that this is two different initiatives that could sit side by side. Clerk to do poster
9. North Ray Solar Farm update – Council has objected and 400 other objection have been logged
10. Grass cutting contract  - to include area in Waithe opposite the church proposed, seconded and RESOLVED
11. 2023/24 and 2024/25 AGAR – we have had our closure notice for last two years. All details have been posted on noticeboard and website. Invoices total £4,598.40
12. Bank authorisation – 3 Signatories. Clerk has access to the bank account, Cllr Butters as access to account and can input but cannot authorise. Cllr Goodwin can only authorise.
13. Cyden homes - update on website
14. Named beneficiary will – Recap details. Parish council are names in the Will of Tom Stone who passed away in 2021. He named eight beneficiaries in his will which qualifies us for 12.5% of his estate. Council approved that Chair continue to liaise Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED.

Parishioner left 20.32

• Highways – covered in public session. Cllr McGonigle is happy to have a dialogue with parishioners regarding road conditions and potholes email with details include pictures and fixmystreet.com reference. cllra.mcgonigle@lincolnshire.gov.uk Clerk to make a poster for the noticeboard

Item 0726/37 Planning Applications: all comments will be public

00629/26/FUL Planning Permission - Installation of 3no. air source heat pump units and removal of existing oil tank and storage room. North Thoresby Primary School High Street North Thoresby Lincolnshire DN36 5PL - Support

Item 0726/38 Correspondence: To receive and dispose of correspondence received since the last meeting:

• Request for tree topping for two residence
• 27 July residents should start to receive their food caddies ahead of the food waste collection which commences in October 2026
• LALC annual report has been published and clerk attend the AGM 9 July 2026
• Ria Taylor has written to councils to give a talk on Making and updating Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and how they work and Planning for care costs and the "new partner" situation in later life. Propose for October meeting. Clerk to liaise.
• PKF Littlejohn AGAR correspondence covered in parish matters
• National Grid update – published on website
• Cyden Homes update is on website
• Letter from the WI regarding public toilets

Item 0726/39 Dates of next meeting: To note the date of the next meeting: 6 August 2026

Item 0726/40 Financial matters:

1. To note bank balances on bank statements as of July 2026 £32,422.35
2. To note income – Village Hall Hire £255
3. To authorise the signing of orders for payment for previous months

Meeting ended 20.56