2025 - Parish Council Meeting Documents

Present: The Chairman G Mahoney, The Vice Chair C Warby, Cllr C Wood, Cllr J Denton, Cllr Rachael Yates, Cllr Alec McNulty, County Councillor Richard Litchfield, District Councillor Pam Bosworth, Mrs J Bratton (Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer).

1  Chairman’s Remarks – the Chairman welcomed our new Councillors, Rachael Yates and Alec McNulty.  It was Councillor Clive Wood’s last meeting as a Councillor and formerly as the Chairman – his knowledge and eloquence has been second to none and he will be greatly missed.  Clive was thanked for the past ten years he has been on the Parish Council and was presented with leaving gifts.

2  Apologies for absence and reasons given – Councillor Chris Warby and District Councillor Rob Leadenham.

3 To receive declarations of interest on any item on the Agenda under The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 of the Localism Act 2011 – none.

3.1 Cllr Alec McNulty had brought in his completed Disclosable Pecuniary Interests form together with his GDPR Compliance List. Clerk Action: to send to SKDC.

4    Notes of the last meetings 

The notes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on the 22 May 2025 and the Extraordinary Meeting, held on 27 June 2025, were approved as being a true record and were signed and dated by the Chairman.

5   Correspondence

5.1 HSBC had sent details of a reduction in interest rates from 1.56% gross to 1.44% gross with effect from 29 July 2025.

5.2 National Highways had sent details of overnight A52 road closures from the 9 to the 13 June 2025.

5.3  The Clerk had sent the Repeat Order Form to Play Inspection for the inspection of the play equipment which is due in February 2026. This was followed up with an Order Acknowledgement.

5.4 SKDC had send the Monthly Update reports for the Electoral Register.

5.5 SKDC reported that SPF (Prosperity Funding) Parish and Community Funding is now open for 2025-26. A reminder had also been sent. As the Expression of Interest needed to be sent by the 20 June, it was too late to arrange any funding; there will be further opportunities for funding in the future.

5.6 District Councillor Rob Leadenham sent information on the Great Big Green Week in Barrowby from the 7 to 15 June. 

5.7 DC Rob Leadenham sent details of the Food Waste Collections starting in April 2026.

5.8 SKDC sent an email encouraging biodiversity in South Kesteven. Cllr Yates suggested funding could be applied for in the future for a sensory area or a wildflower area in the park.

5.9 Cllr R Yates sent a completed Disclosable Pecuniary Interests form to the Clerk which had been forwarded to SKDC.

5.10 June/July’s issue of Allington News – 18 July is the next issue’s deadline.

5.11 Clear Councils sent a copy of the renewal documentation for the Parish Council Insurance. The Certificate of Employer’s Liability Insurance was received which was uploaded to the website.

5.12 SKDC sent details of improved wheelie bin collection which will take effect from September.

5.13 From Central Connect regarding the route 93 bus service – more people are required to keep the service at its current level.

5.14 A parishioner informed the Parish Council of the memorial church clock which is chiming 46 minutes early.  Following investigation, the jackdaws sit on the hands and try to get into the back of the clock (there are nests behind the clock face).  The clock was reset when it was rewound on Sunday 15 June and the clock is now to time.

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5.15 Details of three Autism workshops to be held later in June 2025 - £25 per ticket.

5.16 LALC have a stand at the Lincolnshire Show and invited Clerks and Parish Councillors to have a look at their displays and have a chat.

5.17 The Chair had forwarded information on the opposition to the Haworth Development on Gonerby Lane, Allington.

5.18 National Highways sent details of LED Survey Works being undertaken overnight between 30 June 2025 to mid-October 2025 between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am.

5.19 HSBC are no longer going to charge their £5 monthly fee for charitable organisations.  This will take effect from on or after the 1 July.

5.20 The Clerk had written to the parishioner who requested repairs to be completed at the side of the dog training field enclosing LCC’s reply via FixMyStreet “whilst it has deteriorated it does not yet require further action.”  The Chairman had reported the issue on behalf of the parishioner.

5.21 Letter of resignation from the Clerk/RFO with effect from the 30 September 2025.

5.22 Lincolnshire Police & Parish Council briefing session invitation to be held on 16 September 2025.

5.23 SKDC Planning Policy Consultations – drop-in sessions Grantham Market – Saturday 2 August 2025 10 am to 1 pm.

5.24 District Councillor Rob Leadenham had forwarded a notice from the Environment Agency relating to Prolonged Dry Weather declared in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

5.25 From parishioners requesting a memorial bench with a plaque to be installed in the Recreation Field to be dedicated their dog who passed away recently.  The parishioners would like it to be a shared memorial for other villagers so they may add a plaque for their pets. They would be happy to cover the cost of the bench and plaque. Following discussion, it was unanimously agreed the Parish Council would order the bench and it would go onto our Asset List.  The parishioners would pay for the bench and the plaque. Eco Plastic benches have a lifespan of 50 years so there will be no maintenance issues.  The bench could not be installed at the side of the houses but at the top or the other side of the recreation field.  Clerk Action: to email Eco Plastic to see if a plaque can be put on their benches and to email the parishioners to say we are in agreement and are looking into it.

5.26 SKDC sent “Feedback sought on plans to locate additional housing in South Kesteven” together with a poster.

5.27 Following the Chairman’s conversation with Kiki, who had recently checked the defibrillator, the Clerk confirmed with The Circuit (The National Defibrillator Network) the battery is working, the pads are in date and the disposable items (drying cloth, razor etc) are present.

5.28 LCC have requested contact email addresses for facilities in Sedgebrook which could potentially be used as rest centres in the event of an emergency.  Permission is required to use the facilities.  LCC had sent copies to the Chair of the Social Club and Abbey Farm.  The Chair of the Social Club had replied to LCC asking for further information to see if the Social Club will be suitable. Clerk Action: to suggest the Social Club to LCC.

5.29 Councillor Clive Wood sent his letter of resignation as of the 10 July 2025.  The Chairman sent her reply.

6 Public Forum – No members of the public present.

6a Report from the County Councillor

6.a.1 Richard Fenwick, Head of Highways Asset and Local Management Services has now left.

6.a.2 Cllr Litchfield had spoken to Rowan Smith, Local Highways Manager, and has asked him if he will attend our next PC Meeting.

6.a.3 A parishioner had brought up flooding on School Lane outside his property at the Annual Parish Meeting.  Photographs had been sent to Cllr Litchfield.  When we get a heavy downpour, we will have to see what happens – after the rain has stopped, and the standing water has not cleared within 2 hours, then there is a problem which will require investigating.

6.a.4 Viking Way – update – in recent years Sewstern Lane and the Drift have been heavily used by motorised vehicles, in particular by 4x4s and motorcycles which had led the Viking Way to be

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deteriorated to an unacceptable level with deep ruts making this section impassable for pedestrians and other non-motorised users.  Lincolnshire County Council had made an Order (under their powers contained in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) which prohibits driving on parts of Sewstern Lane and The Drift. The Transport Regulatory Order was put in place in September 2024 to restrict motor vehicular access.  Access for essential maintenance, agricultural and emergency vehicles would be maintained.  Objections to the order had been received and LCC had been to court today and a judicial report is awaited on the validity of the TRO with the hearing in November.  In the meantime, the concrete blocks will be removed in the next week or so when the harvest starts.  It was noted, since the barriers had been put up, there have been virtually no trail riders and when the correct access goes in, it will be under control.  As a by-way it should be open to pedestrians, horse traffic and non-motorised vehicles ie bicycles.  If there are any areas of limited access to pedestrians, horse riders or non-motorised cyclists, let the County Councillor know.

6.b District Councillor’s Report – Cllr Bosworth reported on the issues experienced with a children’s care home in Barrowby.  District Councillor Leadenham is currently dealing with the issues with five or six in Woolsthrope.  Children are being brought here from Manchester and Birmingham. There have been instances of them escaping and going back to their original area.

7 Roles of Parish Councillors to be decided – it was unanimously agreed that the Councillors would continue/takeover the following roles:-

Recreation Field - Chairman Gill Mahoney

Footpaths - Vice Chair Chris Warby

Highways - Chairman Gill Mahoney

Planning - Councillor Alec McNulty

The Green - Councillor Jane Denton

Finance - Councillor Jane Denton

Flooding - Councillor Rachael Yates

Clerk Action: to update the PC website.

8 SKDC Local Government Reorganisation briefings held on 17 and 23 March – report from Chairman Gill Mahoney:-

The County and District Councils will be abolished and replaced by a principal Unitary, Greater Lincolnshire with a Mayor. It will be split into three areas with each area having approximately 500,000 people. Probably 400 Councillors! SKDC is putting forward joining with North Kesteven, Rutland, and South Holland. Parish Councils totalling 28,000 residents are expected to work together. A full proposal has to be submitted by 28 November 2025. The County Council stated they are trying to cut the bureaucracy, and it will be a long while before anything is finalised and actioned.

9 Highways 

9.1 A52 Safety Meeting – any update? Rowan Smith will be able to give an update when he attends our next meeting.

9.2 S19 investigations – drainage system maps – update from the County Councilllor – still investigating. The Chairman had looked at the digdat online utilities system to see how much a survey of the underground system of the village would cost.  The County Councillor said that more focus will be given to flooding and not less.

10  Planning Applications – none received.

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10.1 Steering Committee Meeting held 30 May 2025 – regarding the Haworth Development – a report had been circulated to Parishioners via the Allington News.  The Chairman gave a report detailing the following points to consider should Parishioners wish to object:-

• It is an unsustainable site with no footpaths, no cycleways and no public transport
• Flooding
• 7.5 tonnes weight limit
• Speed of Vehicles through Village. This affects Sedgebrook residents, especially those living on Village Street/ Allington Road, used as “short cut’ / “rat run”
• The main roads through Allington to access the development are narrow with sharp bends and limited visibility.
• Allington school’s access is via the road to the development site - parking for parents is restricted and often leads to major holdups
• Condition of Gonerby Lane - undulating, falling away at the road edges, dog leg bend with a dyke, 60mph speed limit, notorious accident black spot.
• Hours of operation - 24 hour - extra vehicles through Allington and through Sedgebrook all day night- shift change over
• Access to the site via existing highways are adjacent to the conservation area
• General amenity of a rural Lincolnshire village

Allington Parish Council will be working with Gonerby and Sedgebrook Parish Councils through the steering group.  It was noted the Haworth Development was industrial and not housing.

10.2 Preferred residential land east of School Lane and land South oof Abbey Lane – this would be potential “in fill” building for the future.

11 Footpaths – Cllr Denton reported that nothing had been done to the overhanging hedge by the new owners of the property in Abbey Lane.  Clerk Action: to put on the agenda for the next meeting.

12 The Green

12.1 The Planters – they are looking lovely.  After watering the flowers, the Chair had noticed that one of the planters is starting to expand which may require attention when the flowers had finished.

12.2 Tree on The Green – Cllr Denton reported the leaves of the tree were starting to yellow – this is what happened the previous year and the Chair will arrange for the tree to be watered.

12.3 The phone kiosk – repainting – Cllrs Alec McNulty and Rachael Yates – Cllr Denton had sent information on the phone kiosk.  Clerk Action: to send a copy of the K Series information pack to Councillors McNulty and Yates which details the correct paint reference numbers and other useful details.

12.4 Notice Board - Councillor McNulty had noticed the deterioration of the wooden struts at the bottom of the Notice Board on The Green.  Councillor Action:  Councillor McNulty to paint over them with a wood stain preservative to save the sun-bleached wooden struts any further deterioration.

13 Recreation Field

13.1 Repair of the seesaw and installation of matting at the pedestrian gate to the children’s play area – update – the repair had been completed and the matting installed.

13.2 Cllr McNulty reported that some metal cans had been left in the area – these had been tidied up by those responsible.  Cllr Yates brought up the possibility of installing a bin – a dog waste bin had been organised previously, with volunteers emptying it; when this was no longer possible, quotations were obtained and it was found to be too expensive to get a firm to empty the bin on a regular basis.  The waste bin had then been removed.

14 Review of Policies

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14.1 SPC Code of Conduct – to review and adopt – following the review, it was unanimously agreed to adopt the Code of Conduct.  Clerk Action: to update the document on the website.

14.2 SPC Publication Scheme – for review and adopt – this was reviewed, and it was unanimously agreed to adopt the Publication Scheme. Clerk Action: to update the document on the website.

14.3 SPC Grant Awarding Policy & Procedure – for review and adopt – this was reviewed and unanimously agreed to adopt.  Clerk Action: to update the document on the website.

14.4 Complaints Procedure and Handling Method – for review and adopt.  Following the review, it was unanimously agreed to adopt.  Clerk Action: to update the document to the website.

14.5 SPC Training and Development Policy – for review and adopt.  Following the review, it was unanimously agreed to adopt the policy.  Clerk Action: to update the policy to the website.

14.6 SPC Child and Vulnerable Adult Welfare and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures – for review and adopt – following review a further two paragraphs had been included following Cllr Denton’s suggestions.  The policy was then unanimously adopted. Clerk Action: to update the policy on the website.

14.7 SPC Communications Policy – for review and adopt – following the review the policy was unanimously adopted.  Clerk Action: to update the policy on the website.

14.8 SPC Social Media Policy – for review and adopt – following the review it was unanimously agreed to adopt the policy.  Clerk Action: to update the policy on the website.

14.9 SPC Grievance Policy – for review and adopt – following the review the policy it was unanimously agreed to adopt the Grievance Policy.  Clerk Action: to update the policy on the website.

14.10 SPC Dignity at Work Policy – for review and adopt - following the review the policy it was unanimously agreed to adopt the policy.  Clerk Action: to update the policy on the website.

14.11 SPC Abusive, Persistent or Vexatious Complaints Policy – for review and adopt - following the review the policy it was unanimously agreed to adopt the policy.  Clerk Action: to update the policy on the website.

15 Finance (The Clerk)

15.1 Details of income and outgoings since the last meeting as per the bank statements as at 5 July 2025 – Bank Account as of 5 July – the balance on the current account stands at £7115.08 – following the first quarter 30 June the balance brought forward of £7239.14, payments to HMRC for PAYE of £281.69 and £1963.63 to KOMPAN were made.  The net figure of £1636.36 had been transferred from the Deposit Account and the Clerk had claimed the VAT Refund which had been promptly paid into the account -£484.90. 

The balance brought forward on the deposit account on the 30 June 2025 was £29570.04 – the transfer of the net figure of £1636.36 was made to the current account to cover the repair to the seesaw to KOMPAN.  A balance to c/f is £27933.68. 

The Clerk reported on the following payments are due to be made:

Clerk £383.20, Community Cleaner £108.60, P E Hempsteads £282.48, Refund to Cllr Denton £32 for plants/peat, Social Club £96 totalling £902.28.

15.2 Verification of Bank Statements/Bank Reconciliations – the documentation which had been circulated to the Parish Councillors prior to the meeting, was verified by Cllr Jane Denton.

15.3 Quarter end 30 June 2025 Accounts – the Clerk had circulated copies of the Accounts, Bank Reconciliations, bank statements together with Aggregate Receipts and Payments, Summary of Receipts and Payments for the first quarter ending 30 June 2025.  The balance of the current account at the quarter end (30 June 2025) was £7239.14.  Transfers of £3000 to be ring-fenced for the replacement play equipment had been made on the 23 May and the b/f balance from YE 31 March 2025 of £733.33 (General Reserves) had also been made. The Parish Council Insurance premium of £630.12 was paid.  The Deposit Account as at the 30 June was £29570.04.  Interest of £112.01 had been received on the 6 June.  Clerk Action: to upload bank reconciliations and receipts and payments to the website.

15.4 Vat Return – the claim had been submitted for a refund and £484.90 had been received promptly.

15.5 Payments List for Authorisation

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All the payments were unanimously approved and signed by all Councillors present. 

16 Appointment of New Clerk – update

16.1 Advertisement for Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer on Jane Bratton’s retirement on the 30 September 2025 – a few amendments were made to the draft Vacancy Notice which had been circulated to the Parish Councillors.  The closing date to be the 13 August with interviews taking place from Tuesday 26 August onwards. Clerk Action: to upload the Job Description for Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer, Personal Specification for the Role of Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer to the website and to link these to the Vacancy Notice. To organise a “Right to Work” form for completion.  To send the details to two possible candidates. To display the Vacancy Notice on both of the Village Notice Boards and to send details via the Village Email.  Chairman Action: to advertise the position on the village WhatsApp and also on the Chairman’s personal Facebook Page.

17 Items for the next meeting –

17.1 Bank Mandate to update and add new signatories

18 Dates of meetings:

The following dates were arranged for 2026. 

8 January 2026

12 March 2026

14 May 2026 - Annual Parish Meeting

21 May 2026 - Annual Parish Council Meeting

9 July 2026

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10 September 2026

12 November 2026

Clerk Action: to arrange the booking of the Social Club Hall.

The date of the next meeting:

11 September 2025

Date published Clerk's Notes: 17 July 2025

Date published as Minutes:  

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