4th March 2026 minutes
Minutes are in DRAFT FORM until approved at the following meeting.
SCOTHERN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the March Meeting of Scothern Parish Council
Held in the Methodist Church, Wednesday 4th March 2026 at 7.30pm
Present: Cllrs Jane Johnson (Chair), Jackie Atkins, Robert Creaser, Barnaby Patchett,
Not Present: Cllrs Derek Canton & Mark Unwin, Sian Watt Jones
In attendance: Lisa Brooks-Sleight (clerk), LCC Cllr Jane Smith (up to 41/2026) and a resident (up to 24/2026)
21/2026 Apologies for absence -apologies received from Cllrs Canton, Unwin & Watt Jones with reasons accepted. Proposed & seconded, Resolved
22/2026 Representatives Report -To receive reports from the District & County Councillors.
WLDC B Velan sent his apologies. LCC Cllr Jane Smith reported receiving an email from a resident re: the condition of Main St; planned surface dressing on some roads in the village due to showing signs of failure and on Craypool Lane – joint works with Highways & AW, planned to install a soak away but no date yet. Still chasing a joint meeting with Highways and AW.
23/2026 Public Participation – The Chair suspended the meeting to allow for a period of public participation. Members of the public may raise subjects, which they wish to bring to the attention of the Parish Council. Items relating to matters on the agenda will be taken first, and any decisions will be made when the meeting is declared opened.
A resident spoke to the council regarding Craypool Lane flooding issues and the poor condition of the dykes behind Craypool Lane and asking who owns these dykes?
The Chair reopened the meeting
24/2026 Declarations of Interest - To record declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensation for any listed agenda items. None received.
25/2026 Minutes of last Meeting - The minutes of the Council Meeting held on 7th January 2026 were approved as a true & correct record. Proposed & seconded. Resolved
26/2026 Clerks Report - to receive
• VAT reclaimed from HMRC - £4995.63
• Litter picking – a resident on Nettleham Rd has requested equipment (litter picker/hoop & bags) and they have confirmed their agreement with the PC’s Litter picking risk assessment.
• CPR Defib training session – a resident has requested another CPR First aid session as the previous one organised by the PC was very informative and helpful
• Multidata price increase from April 2026 by 8%
• LALC have been informed that no further hours for the Webmaster are currently required and will be requested if required in the future
• Defibrillator update – the cabinet was jammed on the last inspection by WLDC so this has been replaced - Feb 2026
• WLDC requested an update of details for Scothern members for the Electoral Registration
• A resident emailed regarding the gate post to the entrance of the PROW from Sudbrooke Rd – Orchard Close. This was reported but Lincolnshire Countryside access, their reply - not their property or responsibility but have laid it down to prevent it falling on anyone
• Lindsey u3a would like to say Thank you for “Scothern News” online. Clearly there’s a lot going on in Scothern, presented in an interesting and colourful way by you and your team. Much appreciated.
27/2026 Project Groundwater Greater Lincolnshire (PGGL) - To receive email & discuss future actions for a local flood alarm system and positions along the watercourse through the village.
After a discussion, 3 locations along Scothern Beck were approved, where flooding had occurred in the past and at the lowest points. Locations to be submitted and will discuss more locations at a future date if required.
28/2026 Sudbrooke Neighbourhood Plan Review - Regulation 16 Submission Consultation – WLDC is requesting comments as a consultee on the submitted plan.
Approved comments to be submitted to WLDC - Sudbrooke is an adjacent village to Scothern and has a good working relationship in terms of amenities and facilities.
Scothern Parish Council fully supports the Sudbrooke Neighbourhood Plan but shares concerns regarding the impact of any further increased housing developments on local facilities such as Schooling, GP Surgeries and transport. The impact of flooding, drainage and sewage facilities is also a concern. Proposed & seconded, Resolved
29/2026 Assets Register -to approve.
The updated assets register was approved with a total value of £60782.46. Proposed & seconded, Resolved
30/2026 a. LALC 2026/27 Annual Subscription -to approve.
It was approved to pay the annual subscription on the 1st April 2026. Proposed & seconded, Resolved
b. LALC Training Scheme –to consider & approve joining the annual scheme.
It was approved to join the annual training scheme. Proposed & seconded, Resolved
31/2026 Play Area
a. To receive the monthly inspection report and decide any future actions. Received with no actions required.
b. To receive an update on Stage 2 & 3 of the play area improvements and 2nd deposit payment. The play area equipment has been installed, apart from the swing seats. The ground needs to settle before opening due to recent wet weather. The payment of the 2nd deposit have been sent with the final payment to be paid once fully completed with handover.
c. To discuss & confirm the official opening date of the new play area and approve any future actions. The opening date was agreed as Saturday, 14th March 10 – 11.30am with invites for WLDC Communities Team & Baptiste Velan. Posters & leaflets advertising the event. Approved to purchase refreshments, bunting, balloons, ribbon etc for the event, with the PC debit card -using the Chairs Allowance. Proposed & seconded, Resolved
32/2026 Environmental weight restriction -to receive & discuss a request to pursue environmental weight restriction with County Council and consider future actions.
The council discuss the information and requested Cllr Jane Smith raise this with LCC on behalf of the PC.
33/2026 Great British Spring Clean – to receive information and consider future actions.
The PC have a litter picking session planned for April, date to be confirmed.
34/2026 LCC Grass Cutting Agreement 2026 -to receive information. The information was received and approved. The clerk to sign and submit the agreement to LCC. Proposed & seconded, Resolved
35/2026 Grange Park main gate & fence – to consider & discuss the condition and approve future actions.
The fence & gate posts have deteriorated, and it is difficult to close the main gate due to a rotten, wobbly post. Quotes to replace the rotten posts and replace the fence either side with Lincolnshire post & rail, to be obtained for a future meeting.
36/2026 Highways - To discuss and receive any issues/updates and decide future actions.
Notifications of roadworks/closures circulated prior, posted on Facebook and inserted in the monthly Scothern News.
Email from a resident -Main St road surface condition –Cllr J Smith to raise with Highways and reply to resident
Email from resident –concerns over safety, a hole dug on the corner Sudbrooke Rd/Juniper Drive, Cllr J Smith to raise with Highways, and the clerk to contact AW.
37/2026 Finance – To approve & sign the monthly accounts for March payments, the February payments made between meetings: the corresponding bank statements up to 28/2/26 with the bank balance of £63,036.56, and to nominate 2 councillors to authorise the online bank payments. Proposed & seconded to approve all the above and Cllr Johnson & Creaser were nominated to authorise the bank payments. Resolved
Outdoor Play UK Play equipment 2nd deposit 10528.80
Pelican Trust SN Feb 253.50
Tesco Monthly DD mobile 7.50
Lloyds Banks Monthly account fee 4.25
Employee Salary/expenses 997.70
Multidata VH Broadband Feb invoice 50.34
Springbok Monthly IT invoice 54.92
Nettleham Methodist Meeting room hire January & March 54.00
Tesco Monthly DD mobile 7.50
Lloyds Bank Monthly account fee 4.25
Springbok Monthly IT invoice 54.92
Multidata VH Broadband March invoice 54.36
Employee Salary/expenses 995.65
Pelican Trust SN printing March 253.50
38/2026 To receive reports/updates
a. Community Speed Watch – Cllr Creaser sent the monthly report prior to meeting
b. Police – NC07 report 15/2/26 & 27/2/26 – received & noted
c. Village flooding – Craypool Lane discussed earlier in meeting
d. Lindum Homes – West Thorne Grange – update sent prior to meeting on the development with drainage updates
e. War Memorial – due to the recent wet weather, the refurbishment is delayed and will now be planned for April.
f. SRC – Cllr Johnson updated the council on the grass cutting at the playing field -the SCR needing grass cutting all year
g. Emergency plan – date to have a cluster table-top exercise at the Lincoln Centre on 31st March 1-3pm. 4 places booked, any member wishing to attend please let the clerk know.
39/2026 Planning - To receive any decisions and discuss any applications received from WLDC
WL/2026/00057 application for erection of a single storey double garage. 36 St Germains Way – no objections
WL/2026/00128 application for a flat roof, timber clad outbuilding to rear of property. 15 St Germains Way - no objections
WL/2026/00106 application for extensions and alterations to dwelling, 15 Heath Rd - no objections
WL/2026/00017 re-consultation application for garage with storage room above Southdene, 1 Saxon Fields - no objections
WL/2026/00170 for single storey extension to the rear of the dwelling. Bergholt House, Dunholme Rd - no objections
40/2026 Grange Park working group -to receive the notes from Cllr Unwin, 23/2/2026 and decide any future actions. The notes were received – fruit trees; boarding hedge & fence; boarding ditch; muddy area near gate. After a discussion the clerk to reply with comments to each item.
41/2026 Internal Auditors Report Recommendations -to update on recommendations reviewed & updated and consider & approve. Recommendations followed and website currently being updated; cloud/online storage training booked.
42/2026 Website Accessible Statement -to review, update & test website. The statement was reviewed, updated and tested on the 25th March 2026, WAVE tool with no errors; 3 very contact errors; redundant link to be correct by 31/12/26. Proposed & seconded, Resolved
43/2026 LALC Training Scheme - To approve any training requests by members. No current requests
44/2026 Correspondence for information (sent prior)
• LCC Town & Parish Newsletter 3/2/26 & 26/2/26
• EA Maintenance Taking Place in Your Parish 18/1/26
• LALC – E-news & Training bulletin 23/1/26 & 6/2/26
• NALC Bulletin 5/2/26 & 19/2/26 & 26/2/26
• Local Government Re-organisation (LGR) Statutory Consultation 6/2/26
• Launch of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) consultation 7/2/26
• Lincolnshire Resilience Form 26/02/26
45/2026 Agenda items for next meeting (by 25th March) and any updates/points from members
• Cllr Patchett spoke to the resident re: the one-way system on Church St with the survey results obtained. These to be forwarded to Cllr Jane Smith to raise with Highways.
• To purchase a drain/pipe guard for the pipe leading from the ditch across Grange Park, marked as urgent to prevent blockages
Confirmed date & time of the next Meeting of the Council as 1st April 2026 at 8pm
And, also on the 1st April 2026, 7pm – Meet the councillors and 7.30pm – Annual Parish Meeting
The Chair closed the meeting at 9pm