February 2026 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2026 AT 6PM SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL
1) PRESENT - Cllr R Walker (Chair), Cllr S Walker (Clerk and RFO), Cllr H Alexander, Cllr Y Huddleston & Cllr K Ibbeson
2) ALSO PRESENT - County Cllr C Reeve, District Cllr K Carless & anonymous parishioner
3) APOLOGIES - Cllr S Siddall
4) CHAIRS OPENING REMARKS – Cllr R Walker opened the meeting at 6pm
5) PUBLIC SESSION – The parishioner stated that no further contact had been made either by themselves or the developer of the proposed site off Westgate. Cllr Carless stated that the situation would remain unchanged until such time as one of the plots was purchased. This would then trigger WLDC enforcement to possibly become involved regarding the access road. Cllr C Reeve stated that it would be building control who should be involved with the situation regarding the access.
6) COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Cllr Reeve urged that all highway pothole problems be reported/re-reported to the relevant authorities via Fix My Street. This follows considering recent work carried out by the Highways authority but has not been completed satisfactorily.
Cllr Reeve stated that council tax would rise by 2.9% in the next financial year which is below inflation.
Cllr Reeve asked if the Council had received communication from M Head (Lincolnshire Police) regarding both the re-launched Lincs Alert service and the possible provision of “bleed kits” to be stored alongside the defibrillator. Lincolnshire Police are providing the kits free of charge to high-risk areas such as city and town centres, and it would be unlikely a rural area such as ours would fall into this category.
PAGE 30
The kits can be purchased from WLDC should the Parish Council decide to go ahead with this. To be discussed at the March meeting.
Cllr S Walker stated that the Lincs Alert details were posted onto social media for any household wishing to register for this service.
Cllr S Walker requested feedback from the meeting attended by Cllr Reeve which was to discuss the ongoing potential flooding by the River Eau at Scotter and Scotton. The points raised and discussed were: -
1) The Environment Agency are intending to walk the River Eau at both high and low tides to see the situation first hand.
2) Several attendees believed the River Eau requires dredging from Scotter through to Susworth.
Cllr R Walker asked if the sewage works situated between Scotter and Scotton were discharging excessive amounts into the River Eau. The Environment Agency are of the opinion that this is not so.
Cllr K Carless stated that WLDC are working closely with Scampton Holdings to purchase the site for development. The former RAF Scampton has recently gone onto the open market.
Also, WLDC are hoping to encourage the regeneration of shop fronts in Gainsborough.
Regarding the reorganisation of the council/s a request has been made that Parish Councils are updated regularly.
7) DECLARATION OF INTEREST/S – Remain unchanged
8) MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 1ST JANUARY 2026 – The minutes were accepted a true and accurate account of the proceedings.
9) FINANCE - A payment to LALC of £260.12 was agreed.
A transfer of £5000 was agreed to the VHMC towards the proposed playground refurbishment.
PAGE 31
10) WESTGATE DEVELOPMEN T – See public session
11) VILLAGE HALL UPDATE – Cllr S Walker stated that the order had been placed for new playground equipment and the commencement date would be April 13th.
12) PENFOLD UPDATE - Bulbs including snowdrops and daffodils are now evident but inclement weather has stopped any further involvement.
13) ORCHARD UPDATE – New plum tree ordered by Cllr R Walker. Awaiting delivery. Inclement weather has stopped any further involvement. Plum tree to be potted on arrival.
14) RIVER EAU – See C Councillor Session.
15) VILLAGE EMERGENCY PLAN – The flyers have gone out to all parishioners and the meeting for interested parties will go ahead as planned on 19th February 2026 at 7pm in the village hall. Cllr S Siddall to present the Parish Council case.
The outcome of the meeting to be determined by number of attendees.
16) COUNCILLORS REPORTS – Cllr R Walker stated that the footpath between Scotter and Scotton had been cleared of encroaching grass on the footpath but unfortunately this been left at the side of the path and has made clear the need for repair of the footpath at the edges.
To be re-reported on Fix My Street to see if anything can be done.
17) GREEN LANE/COFFIN LANE – As a result of a motorist driving a 4 x 4 from the A159 entrance onto this route extensive damage has been caused. This is despite clear notices at both sides saying NO MOTOR VEHICLES. The PC have evidence of this damage via photographs taken by a Parish Councillor. It has been reported to LCC who say, budget allowing, they will carry out repairs where possible PAGE 32
Cllr Huddleston asked if it would be possible for the Parish Council to send a letter to the motorist concerned asking them to refrain from driving that route. Cllr Huddleston to seek an address to make this possible
Cllr Reeve stated that if the access is not hindered the state of the route underfoot may not be taken into consideration.
Cllr Reeve suggested contacting the Highways Department to ask if anything could be done to prevent this happening again. He will supply the contact details necessary for this to go ahead.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – THURSDAY 5TH MARCH 6PM SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL
PAGE 33