Draft Minutes
Draft Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 3rd March 2026.
Public Forum
There were no members of the public present.
Councillors: E. O’Neill (Chair), C. Hainsworth (Vice Chair), D. Bellamy, M. Childs, T. O’Regan, C. Russell.
In Attendance
Eleanor Parfitt, Clerk to the Parish Council.
SKDC Cllr D. Bellamy.
Agenda Item No
2025.161 Apologies for absence.
L. McShane, R. Chatterton, R. Brocklebank, S. Jordan-Bird, D. Heath-French,
valid reasons given.
2025.162 Chair’s remarks.
Cllr E O’Neill (Chair) thanked everyone for attending the meeting saying it was a relatively light agenda with no members of the public present.
2025.163 Declarations of interest in accordance with the LGA 2000
None.
2025.164 Approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting.
Cllr C. Russell abstained as they were not present at the previous meeting. All others present agreed that the official minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 3rd February 2026 be approved as a correct record and duly signed and dated by the Chair.
2025.165 County/District Cllr Report.
SKDC Cllr D. Bellamy reported: -
• SKDC have confirmed a council tax increase of 2.99% at their previous council meeting. The 1.99% amendment failed to pass.
• Cllr has contacted SKDC’s Principal Planning Officer to request details of the consultation relating to Planning Appeal APP/E2530/W/25/3370866 be sent to the Parish Council as residents have already received letters.
• A property on School Lane with permission to become a Children’s Home has now been rented out to a private resident. Planning permission remains in place.
SKDC Cllr B. Green sent their apologies.
LCC Cllr C. Vernon sent their apologies.
2025.166 Resolve to agree to removal of ivy at Ingle Court as detailed in MCS Ground Care & Garden Services quote for £180.00.
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved
Unanimously agreed.
2025.167 Resolve to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on Tuesday 21st April 2026 at The Colsterworth Methodist Church Hall, Back Lane, Colsterworth.
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved
Unanimously agreed.
2025.168 Risk Exception Report
Received with the following comments:
Cllrs discussed ash die back on the Nature Trail after an offer was received from KWR Logs via the Nature Trail Ranger to remove diseased ash trees free of charge. Work to be agreed.
Cllrs agreed to schedule a review of the Risk Exception Report at the next F&A meeting to update and retire outdated items.
2025.171 Clerks Report Action
1. Further to February Agenda Item 2025.159, existing Fix My Street report identified for unusable grit inside bin near Little Legs Nursery. FMS Report Ref 2873586. Clerk
2. Further to February Agenda Item 2025.159, message sent to Little Legs Nursery requesting a reminder be sent to any parents who may have parked on the grass not to do so in future. Clerk
3. Pension scheme set up with Nest and details sent to Finance & Administration Committee and all staff eligible for enrolment. Clerk/Cllrs
4. Further to February Agenda Item 2025.157, message sent to the Ingle Trust to update regarding the Nature Trail Interpretation Board (Phase 2). Clerk
5. Messages sent to Woolsthorpe Manor, the church and the school regarding ideas for Newton 300 events in 2027. Clerk
6. Request sent to LCC for information on volunteer training for the Community Speed Watch scheme. Advised that volunteers choose either face to face or Zoom-based training following which a suitable trainer will arrange a date. Clerk
7. 2026 – 2027 Allotment Renewal invoices sent to all current holders. Due date for payment 1st April 2026.
Update: Clerk to check that the Woolsthorpe Road permanently vacant allotment is mown twice a year. Clerk
8. Identified slippery services on the wooden climbing frame at the Old Post Lane playground which has now been treated with Algae-Off. Risk Exception Report updated. Clerk
2025.172 Correspondence
1. Email from LCC regarding the launch of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) consultation. All proposals can be viewed here: www.GreaterLincolnshireLGRhub.org. All four proposals are out for consultation at the same time and people can take part on the government's consultation website before 26 March.
Clerk/Cllrs
2. Allotment holder reports broken concrete road at the entrance to the Woolsthorpe Road allotments plus severely churned up ground to the side making access very difficult. Clerk visited 06.02.26 to take photos and will investigate possible solutions. Clerk/Cllrs
3. Bridge End, Colsterworth resident reports vehicle activated signs not working when cars going particularly fast. Clerk to report to Fix My Street: FMS Report Ref 8853098. Clerk
4. Colsterworth Sports & Social Club secretary reports receiving complaints regarding state of footpath leading from School Lane to the club. Clerk visited 06/02/2026 to take photos for Fix My Street. FMS Report Ref 8853165. Clerk
5. Annual Inspection of Woolsthorpe Road Play Area received from Wicksteed (inspection completed 19/01/2026). Overall Risk Assessment: Low Risk. Clerk/Cllrs
6. Email from SKDC inviting applications to run a walk as part of the South Kesteven Walking Festival which runs from the 11th to the 26th April 2026. Application deadline is the 9th March 2026. Current festival programme can be viewed here: South Kesteven Walking Festival
Clerk/Cllrs
7. Email from National Trust Woolsthorpe Manor in reply to enquiry about Newton 300 plans for 2027. Plans for the Woolsthorpe Learning team to visit schools tied to securing funding. They would also like to offer the site to other involved organisations. Clerk/Cllrs
8. Email from resident letting the Parish Council know they have made a planning breach complaint to LCC in relation to quarry HGVs using Woolsthorpe Road. Further update: LCC have opened two planning enforcement cases to investigate (INV/0008/2026 and INV/0009/2026). Clerk/Cllrs
9. Request from parishioner to purchase Exclusive Right of Burial for Plot Z4 at the Old Post Lane cemetery. Invoice to be issued once details confirmed. Clerk/Cllrs
10. Notification from LCC of an End Date Amendment to the Temporary traffic restriction at Colsterworth/Woodnook. Reason for restriction: Carriageway resurfacing. Nature and location of restriction:
Road closure Order –
B6403 High Dyke (Between A1 & a point 350m North of Planting Road) B6403 High Dyke (Between Bridge End & main section of High Dyke) B6403 High Dyke (Between Ponton Road & A52/B1176 Roundabout) Period of restriction: 16/03/2026 – new end date of 31/05/2026 Clerk/Cllrs
11. Notification from LCC of a Temporary traffic restriction at Lobthorpe. Reason for restriction: Carriageway repairs. Nature and location of restriction: Road closure Order - Woolleys Lane (Between A1 & Honey Pot Lane). Period of restriction: 25/03/2026 - 26/03/2026 20:00 - 06:00. Clerk/Cllrs
12. Colsterworth Youth Club Annual Statement of Accounts Year ending 31st March 2025 received and filed for the Parish Council records. Clerk
13. Email from local business owner enquiring about placing posters in the Parish noticeboards. Signposted to the In Touch advertising rates instead. Clerk
14. Minutes received from SKDC from Newton 300 Stakeholder meeting held on the 2nd February 2026. Details of next meeting included. Forwarded to councillors. Clerk/Cllrs
15. Email from St John the Baptist Church in reply to enquiry about Newton 300 plans for 2027. Church is in early planning stages. Clerk
16. Email from Applewood Developments regarding the A1 NB SB Foston to Harlaxton Pavement Scheme (National Highways Reference 621792). Forwarded to councillors.
Clerk/Cllrs
17. Email from LCC about the B6403 High Dike, Easton - Advance Notice of Proposed Carriageway Resurfacing with a road closure commencing on or around 16th March 2026 for overnight between the hours of 8pm and 6.00am for approximately 4 weeks with a signed diversion route in place. The main contractor, Balfour Beatty will be carrying out a letter drop to all affected properties within the working area. Forwarded to councillors. Clerk/Cllrs
18. Letter from E.ON Next asking to upgrade current meter to a Smart meter. Replied to say that the meter was removed a few years ago. E.ON Next confirmed and will remove PC from Smart meter communications in future. Clerk
19. Notification from Cllr R. Chatterton that Gunby and Stainby residents (as well as those in Sewstern) have received letters from SKDC to notify them of the newly submitted Environmental Assessment by the appellant in planning appeal APP/E2530/W/25/3370866 with a deadline of 3rd April 2026 to make representations to the Planning Inspectorate.
Update: The Parish Council reiterates its objections as the traffic plan has not been updated and the size and scale of the development is not suitable for the site. Cllr R. Chatterton has volunteered to draft a comment (copying in Cllrs D. Bellamy and C. Hainsworth) to be submitted which is also to highlight questions over process – lack of communication to statutory consultees re. the consultation. Cllr Bellamy reminds the PC that the comment is to go directly to the Planning Inspectorate. Clerk to resend original objection to Cllrs to assist in the drafting of the comment. Clerk/Cllrs
20. LCC 2026-2027 Parish Grass Cutting agreement received. Will be added to agenda for discussion at the Parish Council meeting on 7th April 2026. Clerk/Cllrs
21. Call from the Nature Trail Ranger with an update from KWR Logs on the removal of trees suffering from ash die back on the Nature Trail. Clerk/Cllrs
22. Notification from LCC of a Temporary Traffic Restriction at North Witham. Reason for restriction: Installing duct for telecoms by Lincs Comms Ltd. Road closure Order –
Rectory Lane
Church Street (between Rectory Lane and Ford Lane)
Bull Lane/AKA Water Lane (between Church Street and a point 300m South)
Period of restriction: 13/04/2026 – 03/05/2026 Clerk/Cllrs
2025.173 SKDC Planning Applications
S25/2432 Submission of details reserved by conditions 5 (Surface and foul water drainage), 6 (Materials), 7 (Levels) and 12 (Landscape Management Plan) of planning permission S25/0455 - Construction of 3no. dwellings with associated car parking and external landscaping. Location: Land Between 16-18 Bourne Road Colsterworth NG33 5JE None
S26/0315 Erection of greenhouse in rear garden
Location: 38 Bourne Road, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, NG33 5JE
Consultation deadline of 20th March 2026 Discussed. No comment.
SKDC Planning Permission
S25/2264 First floor extension over the existing garage and two storey extension to the rear of garage. 6 Turnor Close, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, NG335JH None
S26/0005 Submission of details reserved by condition 4 (Written Scheme of Investigation) of planning permission S25/1312 - Change of use of site for workshop and plant hire, erection of workshop building, two site offices and associated hard standing.
Location: Land East Of A1 And North Of A151 Colsterworth None
SKDC Planning Application Disposed
S23/1447 Replacement windows to dwelling. Site Address: Glebe Farm Cottage Main Street Gunby None
Planning Consultation from Avison Young
CS
11271123 Consultation period for the Telecoms Site at the A1 TRUCK STOP. Deadline for comment 3rd March 2026 – on request, they will consider any comment from the PC after the meeting. Discussed. No comment.
Permitted Development – Prior Approval of Details Descision
S26/0168 Erection of Agricultural Building for storage of farming operations of Woodbine Farm
Location: Woodbine Farm , Great North Road, South Witham, Lincolnshire, NG33 5LR
Decision/Date Details not required - 27th February 2026 None
2025.174 Finance and Administration (F & A) Committee Report (Cllrs C Hainsworth, E O’Neill, M Childs, C Russell). Next meeting tbc.
1. Resolve to renew the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils Membership subscription of £507.76 net.
2. Resolve to renew the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC) annual training scheme membership at £170.00 net.
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved
Points 1-2 unanimously agreed.
Resolve to renew the following Policies at their annual renewal: -
3. CAD Marking the Death of a Senior National Figure
4. CAD Working Group Terms of Reference
5. CAD Finance & Administration Committee Terms of Reference
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved
Points 3-5 unanimously agreed with amendment to be made to the CAD Finance & Administration Committee Terms of Reference after Chair identified a typo.
6. Update on the Community Car Park.
F&A Committee to review current situation at their next meeting.
7. Net Position by Cost Centre and Code 23/02/2026
Received with comments on budget errors displayed by SCRIBE. Clerk and Cllr C. Hainsworth to investigate.
2025.175 Planning Committee Report
1. Neighbourhood Plan Review. On Hold.
Update from SKDC via Cllr D. Bellamy: “Both the NPPF and Neighbourhood Plan guidance do not have a requirement to review plans unlike Local Plans. However, conformity with the NPPF, which in recent years has been reviewed annually, does impact on the weight of the policies within the Neighbourhood Plan.”
Group Reports
2025.176 Highways & Footpaths Working Group.
No report.
All Fix My Street (FMS) Reports can be found at
https://fixmystreet.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
2025.177
Environment & Amenities Working Group Report.
Update from Cemetery Extension Working Group. –
Site visit to be scheduled when the weather improves and a suitable time can be identified for all volunteers. Terms and Conditions for the cemetery to be reviewed. Clerk to chase up SKDC on pending planning permission for the site extension.
Update from Nature Trail Interpretation Board (Phase 2) Working Group. –
Clerk to ask the Ingle Trust to update on their progress with the PC to facilitate installation with necessary funds and grants.
2025.178 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT FEBRUARY 2026
Unanimously approved see Appendix A.
2025.179 Matters requiring attention such as potholes and faulty streetlights.
Clerk to include an advertisement for volunteers for the Community Speed Watch in the next issue of In Touch.
Update from Cllr D. Bellamy on the faulty streetlights on Steeles Lane which are not receiving a supply of electricity. The National Grid is being contacted.
Cllr T. O’Regan reported illegally parked cars outside Little Legs nursery parking half on/half off the pavement. Clerk to report to the relevant authority for parking enforcement officers to investigate.
Chair reported a pothole near the White Lion pub. Clerk to take photos and report to FMS.
At the suggestion of the National Trust Woolsthorpe Manor, Clerk to visit to discuss fostering closer ties with the Parish Council such as the possibility of linking up the manor and the church via a new tourist walk and re-opening the café to members of the public providing a much-needed amenity to the community.
2025.180 The date of the next Parish Council meeting is Tuesday 7th April 2026. There being no other business, the Chair, Cllr E. O’Neill closed the meeting at 8:49 pm.