Draft Minutes for Feb 2026

Download a PDF copy of the minutes here

Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 11 February 2026 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen.

Present: Cllrs Shepperson (Chair), Baker, Harty & Mardling.

In attendance: 4 residents, Cllr Robins, Mrs S Woodman (Parish Clerk)

Open Forum:

A resident advised that they had submitted an enquiry via the Parish Council website regarding litter within the village, particularly along the A151 beyond the 30mph speed limit signs in both directions but had received no response. The Clerk apologised and confirmed that the Council had not received the enquiry. The matter was discussed. Councillors acknowledged ongoing concerns regarding litter along the A151, particularly outside the 30mph zone. It was agreed that the Council would first approach community groups and local organisations within the village to gauge interest in supporting a coordinated litter-picking initiative before issuing a wider public appeal. The resident advised that they had spoken with the David Wilson Homes sales team and understood that funding support may be available to assist with the purchase of litter-picking equipment should this be required. The Clerk was asked to contact Lincolnshire County Council Highways to clarify the process, permissions and any safety requirements relating to litter picking outside the 30mph zone.

A resident raised concerns regarding repeated flooding beneath the railway bridge on the A151, which has resulted in the road being closed for a total of six days so far this year. The resident advised that the most recent incident had been reported via FixMyStreet but no response had been received. Councillors discussed the disruption caused to residents, local businesses and school transport during periods of closure. It was agreed that the Council would contact Lincolnshire County Council Highways directly to request an update on investigations and any planned remedial works.

Concern was raised regarding access to the village defibrillator following an incident earlier in the month. The resident queried whether the Council held the correct access code for the defibrillator cabinet and whether this had been updated on The Circuit (the national defibrillator network database). The resident advised that he had been in email correspondence with Cllr Ellam regarding the matter. Councillors present were not aware of the correspondence and the Chair noted that Cllr Ellam was not present to provide clarification. The Chair advised that enquiries were currently being made and as the matter was under review, no further comment would be made at this stage.

An update was requested on an earlier enquiry regarding wider flooding issues within the village. The Chair read aloud correspondence received from Lincolnshire County Council Highways and the Environment Agency, outlining their respective responsibilities and the actions currently being taken.

1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs Ellam, Green, Harwood, Walsingham & Waumsley. Reasons given were accepted.
2. District and County Councillors’ Reports: The latest update for food bins in SKDC is that they are being rolled out very soon as part of a national recycling change.

Separate household food waste collections are being introduced across SKDC in April 2026. The planned start date locally is Monday 13 April 2026. This is due to new government “simpler Recyling” rules requiring all councils in England to collect food waste separately. Before every collections begin, every household should be given:

• A small indoor caddy
• A larger outdoor food waste bin/caddy
• An initial supply of liners
• Instructions and collection schedule

These will be delivered to homes in the run-up to the launch (some information says deliveries start around February.

Latest price for Green Bins – (2026 – 27)

• . £55 per year for the first green bin
• . £45 per year for each additional bins

The increase is up by £2 a year for the main green bin and £1 per year for extra green bins.

SKDCs part of the council tax is going up roughly £5-£6 a year (about 2.99%) for 2026/27

The full bill may rise differently depending on the other authorities and your property band.

SKDC is proposing a 4.8% increase in council housing rents for 2026/27 – SKDC housing say it’s needed to meet new legal standards and repair requirements (e.g. damp and mould rules etc)

Government consultation expected in 2026, with any major changes possibly starting around 2028. May 26: the local elections will go ahead. As it is a last minute u turn, many Councils will struggle to be ready for it.

3. The Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 14 January 2026 were approved unanimously.

4. Councillors’ Declarations of Interest: The proximity of Cllr Mardling’s property to the development adjacent The Green, and Cllr Harty’s involvement with the Primary School, were noted. No further interests were declared.

5. Review of Action Log:

25/02/18 – Bin for Swinstead Road ordered.

25/09/20 – Flag policy & Risk Assessment published.

25/05/14 – Toddler swing removed

6. Clerk’s and Chair’s Reports on Matters Outstanding
   • Neighbourhood Planning, Local Plan and Conservation Area: No update.
   • S106: Cllr Harwood has offered to host a meeting to discuss options. Clerk to liaise.
     Cllr Baker to provide updated quotations for the noticeboard and installation to enable submission of a S106 application.
   • New Housing Estates – Sewerage Issues: Councillors met with SKDC Planning representatives to discuss sewerage concerns. SKDC agreed to review the non-material amendment submission. It was noted that Anglian Water has granted a Section 104 agreement to connect to the public sewer. Further updates will be provided via Cllr Robins. Environmental Health escalation remains a possible option.
   • Highways: Matters largely covered during Open Forum. LCC Highways’ response regarding verges was noted. Telecoms works are scheduled on The Green later this month.

7. Matters for Resolution
   • Email Migration Costs: The Council previously approved £80 for revised email arrangements. Migration costs had been omitted. A revised total of £217.20 was approved unanimously.
   • New Audit Regulations – Assertion 10: Current councillor email addresses are considered compliant and will be retained. Clerk to contact LALC to clarify any training requirements.
   • Laxton Lane: Carried forward pending update.
   • S106 Working Group Membership: See Item 7.2.
   • Verge Damage Opposite Church Street Rooms: Following discussion, signage was considered unlikely to resolve the issue and no budget was allocated. As the land belongs to LCC, a longer-term solution will be explored with LCC.
   • Beacon Maintenance: It was agreed that the Beacon requires maintenance. High-level access options to be investigated by Cllr Baker.
   • Shared Community Communication: Noted that the Ron Dawson Memorial Village Hall had placed a notice in The Link magazine. No further action required at this time.
   • Website – The Green, Trees and Hedges: Councillors reported difficulty locating relevant pages. The Chair will circulate direct links.

8. Reports from:
   • Planning: Application for the Primary School to retain the temporary classroom for a further 3 years: No objections.
   • Greens Working Group: It was agreed that the working group will be re-labelled “Assets” to reflect broader responsibilities.

The Union Jack was damaged during recent high winds. Resolved unanimously: Allocate £25 for the purchase of a replacement flag. Cllr Shepperson to arrange purchase.

9. Cllr Payments and Accounts
   • Bank balances: Monthly update set out below.
   • Invoices for payment: Councillors signed payments as set out in schedule below.

10. Matters to be further discussed at the meeting:
    • No Parking / Access Notices for The Green: Deferred
    • Community Speed Watch: Training arranged. Scheme to recommence in Spring. Resolved unanimously: £25 allocated for CSR hire for training. Cllr Mardling to progress.
    • Grass Cutting Arrangements: Resolvedunanimously: to continue 12 equal monthly payments.
      Clerk to obtain quote to include verge outside 1 Bourne Road, subject to Cllr Harwood’s agreement to cover additional cost.
    • Parish Council Trees: Deferred

11. Next meeting: The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday 11 March 2026 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery.

Meeting closed at 8.11pm.                                                                                                  

 Mrs. Sue Woodman – Parish Clerk

Action Log 11^th Feb 2026 – TO BE UPDATED PRIOR TO NEXT MEETING going forward.