Draft Minutes for July 2026

Download a PDF copy of the minutes here

Minutes of the meeting held on Wed 8^th July 2026 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen.

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

In attendance: 14 residents, Cllr M Hill, Mrs S Woodman (Parish Clerk)

Open Forum:

Trees: A resident reported epicormic growth around the base of the lime tree on The Green. Cllr Shepperson advised that he would cut it back over the weekend.

Planning Application S26/0979 Muller Developments (144 houses): Many residents from across the village are very concerned about this application, and an “action group’ has been formed. Their representative expressed the views on their behalf; the group is planning a leaflet drop to all homes in the village to raise awareness and is involving local journalists where appropriate.

The concerns expressed by residents are summarised below:

• This site is not allocated for housing on the current or the emerging SKDC Local Plan nor on the current or emerging Neighbourhood Plan
• Permission has already been refused for 10 houses on this site. It is believed that there have been no significant changes which mitigate the reasons for refusal. Although it is maintained that the reasons for refusal have been addressed, this is not believed to be so
• The land has already been deemed unsuitable for building by the District Council
• The village has recently had 3 new developments, and more are included in the emerging local plan; the village needs time to absorb these new developments
• The history of the site and its surroundings was outlined by a resident
• There is insufficient capacity in local schools to accommodate more children; children from the village are already having to attend primary schools in nearby villages because of insufficient capacity
• Health care resources are already overstretched
• The churchyard is nearing capacity
• Adverse impact on the aspect of the village on approaching from Colsterworth
• Adverse impact on the flooding of the West Glen (already a problem), both as a result of building on agricultural land which currently absorbs rainfall, and additional hard surfacing run-off from a steeply sloping site
• The access onto the A151 is considered problematic; additionally, extra pedestrian traffic crossing the A151 to access village facilities, especially school children, could pose a further hazard
• Additional traffic on the A151 (potentially 288 cars), which is already a busy road
• Impact on the Danelaw Way, a long-distance footpath, which borders/crosses the site
• It is important that all residents take the opportunity to express their views individually as the number of comments is significant. Assistance can be provided to residents with limited technical experience to submit their views via the SKDC planning portal
• Cllr Hill will speak to SKDC regarding this application; Cllr Shepperson will notify Cllr Robins likewise.

1. Apologies for absence: Cllr Walsingham
2. District and County Councillors’ Reports:
   Cllr Hill reported that the problem of queuing at local Recycling Centres is under consideration, and a return to a booking system is being brought back in. Work on the Grantham bypass is progressing, with the bridge soon to be installed over the East Coast mainline. LCC is sponsoring a national cycle race. Local government reorganisation is ongoing. Housing continues to be an issue.
3. The draft minutes of the meetings of the Council held on Wednesday 13^th May 2026 & Wednesday 10^th June 2026 were approved unanimously as the minutes.
4. Councillors’ Declarations of Interest: Cllr Harty’s property backs onto the proposed new development. Noted.
5. Review of Action Log:

26/01/30         Beacon: 2 quotes obtained; no response from 3^rd supplier. 2 quotes considered adequate in this instance

26/06/10.12     Poo bags: purchased

6. Clerk’s and Chair’s Reports on Matters Outstanding

01        Neighbourhood Planning, Local Plan and Conservation Area: No progress – meeting planned for later this month. Revised plan will constitute a ‘material change’. Neighbourhood Planning group to comment on S26/0979 application

02        S106: New noticeboard. SKDC have reimbursed the cost of the noticeboard and installation.

            Replacement Defib: In progress

03        New Housing Estates – Sewerage Issues:  Cllr Ellam to report to Environmental Health that NCHA pump has made no noticeable difference. Another Cllr needs to take this over from ex-Cllr Waumsley. The planning application still before SKDC from the developer for the routing of the sewerage is considered by the Parish Council to constitute a ‘material’ rather than a ‘non-material’ amendment.

04        Highways: Cllr Walsingham not present – deferred. Flooding under the railway bridge – Cllr Hill reported ongoing discussions with Network Rail.

05        Co-option of new Cllr: 2 candidates applied. To be interviewed at an EGM in August. Following Cllr Waumsley’s resignation, there are now 2 vacancies. No election has been requested. Any new candidates will be interviewed at the EGM and the preferred candidates agreed.

06        Resignation of clerk/appointment of new clerk: The current clerk will retire on July 31^st 2026. The chairman thanked her for her hard work. A conditional offer has been made to and accepted by a new clerk who will start on September 1^st 2026, subject to receiving satisfactory references. Cllrs will share the duties in the interim.

7. Matters for Resolution

07        Laxtons Lane: Cllr Mardling has had conversations with the developer. They will attempt to avoid closing Laxton’s Lane during school start/end times (LCC Highways has no objection to a temporary closure). No deliveries are permitted before 9.00 am.

08        Consider the need to maintain the Beacon: Cllr Baker has 2 quotes; the 3^rd did not materialise. 2 quotes considered adequate. Cllr Baker to report costs of 2 quotes obtained to next meeting.

8. Reports from:

Planning:

S26/0979 Muller Development: The council voted unanimously to object to the application and to request an extension until September 17^th 2026. Cllr Ellam to draft the objection; clerk to submit on the council’s behalf and request Cllr Robins to call the application in. Cllr Ellam to liaise with the representative of the “action group” in his capacity as chairing the Neighbourhood Planning committee.

The council further voted unanimously to fund the action group up to £250 to raise awareness within the community. The council also discussed assisting residents with limited technical expertise in expressing their views via the SKDC planning portal, perhaps with a ‘surgery’ with laptops in Hattie’s / Lily’s / and/or the Fighting Cocks. Cllr Shepperson to discuss with the businesses.

Cllr Baker suggested all residents communicate their views by post directly to SKDC.

S26/0903 – Mr Flatters – 5 Station Rd – Greenhouse/new windows/replacement fence: No objection
S24/0568 – Anaerobic Digestion Facility, Sewstern Road, Gunby – Appeal against planning refusal: It was agreed unanimously that the council should object to the appeal against the refusal of this application (as it had objected to the original application) Cllr Shepperson to provide wording.

09        Assets update

         08.1 Approve purchase of new toddler swing: New part received. To be installed asap.

08.2 Matting under rocking horse: Options being considered. Replacing like with like preferred. But not until after school holidays.

9. Payments and Accounts

• Bank balances: Monthly update set out below. The figure for total funds (Current + Reserve Account) is now included. A late invoice for grass cutting was added as no meeting in August.
• Invoices for payment: Councillors approved and signed payments as set out in the schedule below.

10. Matters to be further discussed at the meeting:

10 Consider legal position re access across The Green:Ongoing.

11 Consider delegation of planning / NP liaison within PC in lieu of Chair.No volunteers. Remove from future agendas. Cllr Ellam already chairing the group.

12 Agree recording of vehicular Green Access via a log: It was agreed to communicate any sightings with as much information as possible to the clerk, who will maintain the log.

13 Consider whether to add trees to asset list: Trees belonging to the council already identified on Tree Inspection report. New trees to be added. Cllr Walsingham to identify.

14 Consider need for interim survey of trees not currently included on inspection list: Agreed to wait for regular inspection in the autumn.

15 Approve expenses policy (circulated): Approved unanimously.

11. Next meeting:

The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, 10^th September 2026 at 7.30 pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery.

Meeting closed at 9.01 pm.                                                                  

Mrs. Sue Woodman – Parish Clerk

Action Log 8^th July 2026 – TO BE UPDATED PRIOR TO NEXT MEETING going forward.