January 2026 Minutes
MINUTES FROM THE SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 1ST of JANUARY 2026 6PM AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL
1) PRESENT - Cllr S Walker (Clerk and RFO), Cllr R Walker (Chair), Cllr S Siddall, Cllr K Ibbeson, Cllr H Alexander & Cllr Y Huddleston
ALSO PRESENT - District Cllr K Carless & An anonymous parishioner
2) OPENING REMARKS – Cllr R Walker opened the meeting at 6pm
3) PUBLIC SESSION – The parishioner stated that they were not happy with the intended access to the proposed development off Westgate because, in their opinion, it was not wide enough and did not comply with the application submitted to WLDC planning.
After a discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would engage the help of District Councillor Carless with this matter.
4) APOLOGIES – None
5) DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCILLORS – Cllr Carless stated that, regarding the proposed changes to be made to council structuring, no firm decision had been made, and the matter is still ongoing.
Cllr Carless also stated that she would be visiting Sutton Bridge to investigate the incentives offered by solar farms.
6) DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – Remain unchanged
7) MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 4TH DECEMBER 2025 – The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
8) AGAR TRAINING – Discussed at end of meeting.
9) FINANCE - The precept for 2026/27 was agreed at £14,000 and final forms to be submitted to WLDC.
After a discussion it was agreed that a budget of £35 would be allocated for the purchase of a new plum tree to replace a failed one in the orchard
10) VILLAGE HALL UPDATE – Cllr S Walker stated that, following the successful application to WLDC for a grant of £16,000 for the playground, £8,000 had already been received into the VH bank account. The remaining £8,000 is payable on completion.
PAGE 28
11) PINFOLD UPDATE – Cllr Alexander stated that daffodils are emerging already and the conifers will be relocated when the weather allows.
12) ORCHARD UPDATES – Cllr Walker stated that Mr Williams will be cutting the area between then two orchard entrances during the gardening season to allow some infilling with new saplings received from the Woodland Trust. The recreation area and the orchard will also be considered for this.
13) EMERGENCY PLAN UPDATES – A budget of £50 was agreed for printing of the letterbox flyers (260). A date for the meeting was agreed – THURSDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2026 7PM VILLAGE HALL
14) WESTGATE DEVELOPMENT – See public session
15) NEW SIGNS AT VILLAGE ENTRANCES – Once again this was dismissed due to cost of manufacture and installation.
16) COUNCILLORS REPORTS – No reports
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – THURSDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2026 6PM VILLAGE HALL