2025 Minutes

MINUTES FROM THE SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2025 AT 6PM IN SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL

1) PRESENT - C. Councillor Chris Reeve, Cllr R Walker (Chair), Cllr S Walker (Clerk and RFO), Cllr Y Huddleston, Cllr H Alexander

2) CHAIRS OPENING REMARKS - Cllr R Walker opened the meeting at 6pm

3) PUBLIC - No members of the public present

4) APOLOGIES - Cllr K Ibbeson

5) COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS - C. Cllr Reeve raised the following points.

a) Regarding the potential reorganisation of Lincolnshire councils, it was noted that WLDC have not submitted any suggestions, but LCC have stated that they wish to remain in their current form.

b) A “Highways Sub-Committee” has been formed to address the sub-standard level of road repairs as well as clearer information in the event of road closures. It was stated that detours put in place are often unnecessary and are costing motorists both time and money.

c) Regarding the footpath between Scotter and Scotton no further action has been taken due to a backlog of work.

6) DECLARATION OF INTEREST/S - Remains unchanged.

7) MINUTES FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 4TH NOVEMBER 2025 - The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate report of the proceedings.

8) AGAR TRAINING - Both Cllr S Walker and Cllr R Walker took part in a zoom meeting held on 2nd December which was organised by NALC. This confirmed that the steps taken regarding the domain, email addresses etc. was correct. The IT policy needs updating. To be carried out by Cllr R Walker.

9) FINANCE -  

a) After a discussion it was decided to leave the possible cutting of the hedges on Beck Lane till March/April 2026. 

b) It was agreed to pay £221 to Scotton Village Hall for the 2025 meetings.

c) LCC have paid for grass cutting (sub-contracted to the PC). £798.85 received.

d) Regarding the PC bank account, it was agreed to transfer £5,000 from the current account into savings.

10) Cllr S Walker stated that the application for a grant for playground refurbishment submitted to WLDC had been successful. Total grant awarded £16,000. It was agreed that a further grant for the playground may be available from the Parish Council. Total to be agreed.

11) PENFOLD UPDATE - The conifers in the planters will be relocated when time and weather allow. Planters to be replanted with spring flowers as appropriate.

12) ORCHARD UPDATE - 50 saplings and 50 stakes have been collected from The Woodland Trust by Cllrs R Walker and Alexander. They are to be planted at the appropriate time in either the orchard or used as infilling within the recreation ground. Cllr Alexander stated they will need potting from March if planting has proved impossible.

13) EMERGENCY PLAN UPDATES - Deferred till January meeting.

14) PRECEPT AND BUDGET - To be confirmed at the January meeting.

15) SIGNS AT THE ENTRANCES TO THE VILLAGE - Cllr Huddleston put forward the idea of new signs at each entrance to the village (4 in total). These can be in the region of £3,000 each plus installation which would mean a total spend of around £15,000. Since the budget has already been agreed for 2026/27 this would be impossible to implement this year, and the general opinion of the councillors was that they were too expensive and not necessary. It was also pointed out that parishioners wishing to discuss any matter with the Parish Council should do so via the clerk or by attending, in person, any PC meeting and not via casual conversations.

16) SPEED LIMIT SIGNS - Several of the entrances to the village have been monitored regarding possible speeding. Statistics show that generally most motorists are keeping below the speed limit with only a few exceeding it. It was therefore decided not to purchase any signs as it was felt that they would serve very little purpose.

17) COUNCILLORS REPORTS - Nothing to report.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING THURSDAY 1ST JANUARY 2026 6PM SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL.