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 August 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      5                                         

                                             District/County             Cllr Alex McGonigle

                                                                                      Cllr Terry Aldridge

                                             Apologises:                    Cllr Paul Rickett (accepted)

Item 0726/41 Welcome to the meeting: Chair opened meeting at 18.59 and welcomed councillors, public and district councillor.

Meeting opened to the public:

• Member of WI asked council to reconsider the radar toilet solution that the council are proposing to put in place. Parishioner said that the solution was inadequate.
• Grass around the playpark has nettles and they are cut once a month and this is not a enough as we have the rest of the summer holidays
• Signpost missing down Station Road  – needs to be refurbished and refitted – discussion about having a traditional one. Refer to Highways

Two parishioners left

Chair invited Cllr McGonigle to speak:

• Update on the Local government reorganisation (LGR) explaining that Lincolnshire has been split into a donut shape City of Lincoln Unitary Council: This will cover the city of Lincoln and an expanded area including some wards from West Lindsey and North Kesteven districts and Lincolnshire Unitary Council: This will cover the remainder of West Lindsey and North Kesteven districts, along with the other four district council areas (Boston, East Lindsey, South Holland, South Kesteven) the names of the new councils are yet to be finalised. The transition will be gradual, with shadow authorities elected in 2027 and the new councils expected to go live in April 2028
• Community grant opened  - forms to be sent to the clerk

Cllr left the meeting

Chair invited Cllr Alridge to speak:

• Cllr mentioned that the parish council may be offered more responsibilities and we need to see what plans come out of the reorganisation

• Planning – nothing in this area
• Recycling centre – new system in place need to book before using – more details to follow

Item 0726/41 To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensations: None

Item 0726/42 Apologies for absence: Cllr Paul Rickett – accepted

Item 0726/43 To approve the draft notes as minutes of the last meeting held on the 6 July 2026: RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes. They were dated and signed by the Chair.

Item 0726/44 Chair’s Report:

• Chair has been asked why the meeting dates are moving around a lot – as we have four councillors and we need all councillors to attend to be quorate – if we coopt more councillors we can set out the meetings for the year
• Chair wanted to extend a thank you to the North Thoresby Community Events Association for website, the hub and the planters

Item 0726/44 Clerk’s Report

• Clerk reported back that the application for Co-option of Cllr Rickett could not be taken any further as he does now not meet the criteria. Cllr had an business interest in the village which he now does not have so the application cannot be carried out

Item 0726/45 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 which Cllr found very useful.

Item 0726/46 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 – nothing further on this defer to next meeting
2. Wild flowers – council has looked at this and not possible as the flowers would get mowed over. Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED
3. Policies
   1. GDPR/Data Protection – Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to adopt the model policy
   2. IT Policy – Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to adopt the model policy
   3. Discretionary Policy - Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to adopt the model policy
4. Football goal post – have been ordered and purchased by the councillor community fund. District Councillor has asked for a photo
5. Public toilets – much discussion on this topic and the proposed resolution remains as the safeguarding side is councils main concern. The toilet will be opened with a radar key – news story on website. Locks have been changed and WI was approached to help clean the toilet which they declined. WI feel that the council solution is not adequate. Toilets are covered in the insurance as part of the village hall.
6. Noticeboard – Waithe location is ready and Grainsby location still to be sourced and report back at the next meeting.
7. Portable defib – the defib will need pads replaced Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED
8. Bridge Update – no update from the landowner. Discussion about Culverting the bridge or simply putting it back would need to apply to the drainage board and who owns the footpath and do we need permission from the landowner – defer to next meeting
9. Youth Club – Due to start in September 24 September and this is covered in our insurance
10. Grant application updates – nothing to report
11. Community Neighbourhood scheme and emergency plan –two different initiatives that could sit side by side. Clerk to do poster and contact the three volunteers
12. North Ray Solar Farm update – objections have been circulated
13. Cyden homes – in summer recess no update this month
14. Named beneficiary will – deferred to close session
15.  Highways – potholes have been reported on fixmystreet and referred to Cllr McGonigle

Item 0726/47 Planning Applications: all comments will be public

01055/26/FUL Planning Permission - Extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation. Langdyke Station Road North Thoresby Lincolnshire DN36 5QS - Support

01146/26/DPC Discharge of condition 5 (Schedule of materials) imposed on 02567/25/RVC Land North Of High Street North Thoresby Lincolnshire - - Support

Item 0726/48 Correspondence: To receive and dispose of correspondence received since the last meeting:

• County councillor has sent grant application details
• UKSPF Grassroot final inspection report has been requested and submitted
• Live and Local have sent their event dates
• Fire and Recuse engagement review  -
• NALC have sent in guidance on Neighbourhood plan
• PKF – have sent in correspondence to make the whole AGAR process digital by 2029.
• Clerk from Utterby has requested a joint council meeting regarding North Ray Solar
• The green doctor has sent in details for opportunity to meet parishioners and offer free impartial advice to help you save money on energy bills – arrange to come to parish meeting
• Household waste – details of new caddy and items that we can put into the bin – clerk to do a news story
• Embroidery club have asked for amendment on the website which has been completed
• Play ground inspection has been booked £83 for August

Item 0726/49 Dates of next meeting: To note the date of the next meeting: 3 September 2026

Item 0726/50 Financial matters:

1. To note bank balances on bank statements as of July 2026 £30,000.99
2. To note income – Village Hall Hire £420
3. To authorise the signing of orders for payment for previous months

Meeting suspended 20.35 resumed 20.38

Closed 20.55