2026 Minutes

MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 7TH MAY AT 6.10PM IN SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL

PRESENT – Cllr H Alexander, Cllr S Walker (Clerk and RFO), Cllr R Walker (Chair), Cllr Y Huddleston, & Cllr K Ibbeson

ALSO PRESENT – District Cllr K Carless & Mr J Deville

APOLOGIES – County Cllr C Reeve

1) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR

a) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR – Following a discussion Cllr R Walker was proposed by Cllr H Alexander and seconded by Cllr Y Huddleston

b) APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR - None proposed

c) SIGNING DECLARATION OF OFFICE/S - Cllr R Walker accepted the position of chair for 2026/27 and signed the Declaration of Office 

d) CO-OPTION OF NEW COUNCILLOR – Mr J Deville having completed the relevant paperwork and having met the necessary criteria was unanimously voted in as a councillor.

2) CODE OF CONDUCT FORMS - All councillors signed a Code of Conduct form and these are held by the Clerk Cllr S Walker

3) PUBLIC SESSION - No public present

4) REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS – District Cllr K Carless made the following points

a) The Go Festival for 2026 will be taking place in Market Rasen on the 5th of June from 4/8pm and in Gainsborough on the 6th of June from 10/4pm

b) The two-hour free parking at present in some Gainsborough carparks is to be reviewed and a decision to be made whether to retain the 2 hours or to reduce to 1 hour.

c) The WLDC open church weekend will take place on two weekends – The 9/10th May and the 16/17th May

d) The Evergreen Group which meets in Blyton are, contrary to popular belief, open to all ages and new members are welcome. 

e) District Cllr Carless stated that she was no longer on the planning committee for WLDC.

f) Regarding the Evergreen group Cllr Carless asked if anyone knew any speakers who would attend the meetings free or for a reasonable rate. Cllr Ibbeson said she may be able to get some information on this from Scotton WI

5) DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – After a discussion the councillors agreed that Cllr S Walker could speak on any matters relating to Scotton Village Hall but could not vote. It was decided that Cllr K Ibbeson could both speak and vote on these matters

6) MINUTES FROM THE PC MEETING HELD ON THE 2ND APRIL 2026- The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record of the proceedings

7) FINANCE – The following payments were agreed – 

a) Mr C Williams – Grass cutting                 £160

b) WLDC – Defibrillator Maintenance       £114

c) Mr B Brooks- Audit                                        £350

A VAT refund of £503.96 had been received from HMRC

8) BANKING – Due to another fault whilst trying to make a payment through the TSB banking site they issued a payment of £25.00 for the inconvenience. It was suggested that councillors look at Unity Bank with a view to either changing accounts altogether or, transferring some money to an account there. Decision to be made at the June meeting

9) AUDIT UPDATE – Mr B Brooks has completed the annual audit. The Annual Governance Statement was completed , examined by the councillors, and the relevant paperwork will now be forwarded to Johnsons for their perusal.

10) VILLAGE HALL UPDATE – Due to a delay in the delivery of some equipment the work is now schedules to be completed on May 16th with the fencing removed by the 19th of May. The playground will then be re-opened complete with all the new equipment

11) PENFOLD UPDATE – Cllr H Alexander stated that all the daffodils had been dead headed. It was discussed where the two conifers should be placed once they are removed from the planters. Agreement was reached to place one at each side of both planters. The planters will be plated up for summer at the end of May.

12) ORCHARD UPDATE – Cllr H Alexander had visited the orchard and noted that one plum tree was dead. Saplings are still to be planted but agreement was reached that this should not be in the main orchard. Cllr Y Huddleston stated that some long grass could be impeding passage through the site. Cllr H Alexander to cut this when time and weather allow.

13) PARISH COUNCIL NOTICE BOARD WESTFIELD – Following a discussion it was agreed that the notice board would be removed due to its poor condition.

14) HIMALAYAN BALSAM – Two patches of this are evident along Green Lane. Mr Williams is unable to deal with it as it is covered in a bramble overgrowth, and he does not have the necessary equipment. Cllr S Walker to write to LCC and enquire whether they would be able to deal with this when they cut down there.

15) COUNCILLORS REPORTS – Cllr H Alexander asked if there was any update on the signpost which has been reported to highways. No update has been received.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING THURSDAY 4TH JUNE 2026 6PM SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL