2025 Parish Council Minutes of meetings

Minutes are in DRAFT FORM until approved at the following meeting.        

SCOTHERN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the June Meeting of Scothern Parish Council

Present:  Cllr J Atkins, D Canton, R Creaser, J Johnson (Chair), B Patchett, M Unwin, S Watt Jones

In attendance: L Brooks-Sleight (clerk), LCC Cllr J Smith (left at 161/2025)

148/2025 Apologies for Absence

All present

149/2025 Representatives Report

Lincoln County Councillor J Smith – continuing to chase up the issues/concerns for the village

150/2025 Public Participation

None present

151/2025 Declarations of Interest

None received

152/2025 Co-option

Only one application for co-option was received from Sian Watt Jones and her application was circulated prior and it was proposed, seconded and voted to accept. S Watt Jones signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Clerk to send Register of Interest form and SPC Code of Conduct to be returned within 28 days. Resolved.

153/2025 Minutes of last Meeting

The notes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting and the May Council Meeting held on 14th May 2025 were approved as a true & correct record. Proposed & seconded. Resolved

154/2025 Clerks Report

• Website Analytics -the links to an external source which collects data about the number of visits on the website. LCC are no longer using this external source, and the stats are incorrect, this will be removed from all websites. LCC will be looking at alternative options.
• War Memorial – no updates to report, the PCC are still waiting for a site meeting. The new vicar, Revd Lynne asked for all the war memorial information as she didn’t know any of the past details.
• Ajet – have scheduled the investigation work on Grange Park for the end of June/beginning of July
• The public footpath from Sudbrooke Rd – Orchard Close has been requested to resurface this with Lincolnshire Countryside Access but has been passed to Highways who are now investigating
• The new play equipment will be installed on 14th & 15th July
• Cllr Johnson has been added and confirmed as a new signature for authorisation with Lloyd’s bank
• Grange Park working group – will mark the trees at their next meeting on the 16th June and will also know what areas to cut. They were unable to remove the mud ramp
• Hammer & Nails have said the nest swing shackles will be turned around

155/2025 Budget and Reserves 2025/26

The Budget report with expenditure up to 31st May 25 and Reserves approved Dec 2024 were circulated. A revised Budget and Reserves was circulated for all Councillors to take and review for discussion on the July meeting agenda.

156/2025 Assets Register

The updated assets register was approved. Proposed and seconded. Resolved

157/2025 Internal Auditors Report 2024/25

a. The Internal auditor’s report and checklist – 21st May 2025 with comments was received and noted.

b. The AGAR Annual Internal Auditors Report 2024/25 for the External Auditors was received and noted.

158/2025 AGAR 2024/25

a. Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement 2024/25 –was completed and approved. Proposed & seconded. Resolved

b. Section 2 – Accounting Statements 2024/25 – was approved. Proposed and seconded, and signed. Resolved.

c. Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return – Tuesday 17 June 2025 -Monday 28 July 2025 was noted.

159/2025 Social Media & Electronic Communications Policy

An updated policy was approved and will be updated as & when required. Proposed & seconded. Resolved

160/2025 Play Area

a. A few different grant funding options available for Stage 2 of the play area, it was decided to update/tweak proposed quote with contractor for the July meeting

b. Cllr Atkins circulated the monthly play area report with no urgent issues but to observe.

161/2025 Scothern News

The current costs of £32.75 for 19 issues with Pelican Trust. Advertising fees were discussed for businesses, local groups and notices of information as well as a new format and possibility of delivering a copy to each household as discussed within the Communication Strategy.  The clerk to obtain quotes for the July meeting.

162/2025 Community Speed Watch

Cllr Creaser circulated the recent speed data.

163/2025 Police

Cllr Canton read the April crime report with zero reports from within Scothern.

164/2025 Highways

Cllr Jane Smith LCC was sent a list of the current issues/concerns of the village which her predecessor had raised, and will chase these up with Highways, to help to resolve them.

2 Traffic regulation orders received –

Ref: TTRO/TTR011479,  Road closure - Church Street (Closed Eastbound only, between property number 14 & Sudbrooke Road) 23/06/2025 - 15/08/2025

Reference: TTRO/TTR011194, Road closure AW - Craypool Lane (Between 30 m and 70 m South of Main Street) 02/07/2025 - 02/07/2025

165/2025 Planning

Nothing received to date

166/2025 Dunholme Rd Solar Farm

Information received and circulated on the proposed Solar Farm consultation event last Friday, 6th June. Alpaca Communications to be invited for a meeting to discuss the feedback received from the consultation event and full information on the proposal.

167/2025 Flooding

Cllr Jane Smith LCC, is chasing Highways for the report on the works on Church St, Vicarage Lane and Sudbrooke Rd-Main St which hasn’t been received. Ajet will be jetting/investigating the pipe across Grange Park before the July PC meeting.

168/2025 Finance

The monthly accounts for payment; the corresponding bank statements up to 29/05/25 were approved as a true & correct record, bank balance £102,193.98.  Cllrs Johnson & Creaser were nominated to authorise the online bank payments. Proposed & seconded. Resolved

169/2025 Village maintenance

a. No current issues

b. A quote to fix, repaint white fence & supply the paint near the pub, received from Hammer & Nails for £90 was approved. Proposed & seconded. Resolved

c. Notice boards – the village boards were discussed and decided to obtain quotes to 1.fix the Perspex seal on the board near the village hall; 2. To replace the inside backing board on Grange Park board near The Alders; 3. To strip & replace the header -Scothern Parish Council, near the bus stop on Church St

170/2025 Communication Strategy

Councillors discussed and are looking into new ways to communicate with residents; how to inform residents of meetings/events; notice boards & the Scothern News. An informal working group meeting to be arranged to discuss this further and to be added to the July agenda.

171/2025 LALC Training Scheme

Cllr Johnson and the clerk requested approval to attend the LALC Conference at a cost of £45 each, this was approved. Proposed & seconded. Resolved

172/2025 Spring clean  

Date to be arrange in July and advertise for volunteers. Contact WLDC for litter picking equipment.

173/2025 Lindum Homes meeting

The prior meeting format went well; pre-questions was a good idea, questions on parking, different phases, BDG, flooding, surrounding vegetation and ditches. Mark Foster to check the position on tree removal/ditch clearance with West Lindsey and the Council's ecologist as not wanting anything to compromise their BNG position. Information and answers to be requested to circulate with residents not able to attend.

174/2025 Scothern Garden Comp 2025

Cllr Johnson reported on last years, very successful competition and it was approved to have the same prizes as last year, totalling £185.  Best small garden - prize 1x £35.00, 1x £25, 1x£15 . Best medium-large garden - prize 1x £35.00, 1x £25, 1x£15. Best ‘free choice’ category 1x£35.00   Clerk to ask for sponsorship from local businesses and the council to pay the surplus. It was suggested to asked Scothern Nurseries if they would judge this year, and to purchase the prize vouchers and the winners presented with their prizes at the Flower & Produce Show.

175/2025 Correspondence for information (sent prior)

• SCR Agenda & mins 19/5/25
• LALC –  E-news 23/5/25 & 6/6/25 
• LALC Summer Conference 31/5/2025
• LCC Town & Parish March Newsletter 29/5/25
• NALC Bulletin 31/5/25 & 6/6/25
• WLDC Parish News Newsletter 23/5/25
• LALC Training bulletin 23/5/25
• Mickleholme woodland - Consultation report and response to issues raised 6/6/25

176/2025 Agenda items for next meeting (to be received by 2nd  July) and any updates/points from members 

Quotes for Annual Play Area inspection

Updated play equipment quote  

Scothern News quotes

178/2025 To consider the exclusion of the public and press in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to

meetings) Act 1960 s1 (2) due to the confidential nature of the items to be Discussed   The internal communication comments were received with the clerks response and suggestions                

The date & time of the next Meeting of the Council  – 9th  July 2025 at 7.30pm

The Chair closed the meeting at 9.27pm.