2025-26 Minutes (Full Council)

Hogsthorpe Parish Council Meeting

Minutes of meeting held at 18:00 on Thursday 4th December 2025

Present: Cllrs F Wilson (Chair), D Hanson (Vice Chair), E Smith, P Perry, M Banks, B Hornby and R Murray.

In attendance: Annie Maynard (Clerk/RFO), Mr G Ainsworth

Public Forum

Residents expressed concern regarding the proposed dairy farm, that they had heard talked about in the village. The concern was traffic increase, carbon footprint, smell, bovine tuberculosis and other diseases associated with high intensity cattle farming. They were assured that this would be discussed later in the meeting.

Concern was also expressed regarding a footpath and extensions to Hill View, Mill Lane. This would be discussed further at the planning section of this meeting. It was also asked if Charity Farm was going to buy more land, and at this point this could not be confirmed either way.

1. Apologies

No apologies were received.

2. To receive Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011

None

3. Approval of minutes of meeting 6 November 2025

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of 6 November 2025 be approved.

4. To receive reports from outside bodies and other meetings

Cllr Mary Banks reported the main concern was that the Parish Council meetings were taking place at the Church Hall and it was felt that they should be at the Village Hall. It was discussed that Thursday was the only evening that could be attended by all Council members but that the Village Hall had already been booked for a year in advance by someone else.

RESOLVED that the Parish Council meetings will take place at Hogsthorpe Church Hall.

5. Email migration to .gov email to update

The Clerk reported that this will be done as soon as possible.

6. General Correspondence

An email from ELDC Planning Department had been sent to the Chair outlining plans for a dairy farm. The planning consultation period fell between our two Parish Council meetings and therefore the Chair has secured an extension until 9 January 2026 for any objections to be recorded from us.

7. Financial Matters

1. Payment of accounts

Payment of accounts - It was RESOLVED to pay the following:

2. Balance of accounts

Balance at 30/11/2025 £18,521.07

It was RESOLVED to purchase three-seater benches from the S106 spend rather that the two-seater benches that had previously been budgeted for.

8. Churchyard/cemetery maintenance update

1. Moving of Oak Tree – update from Chair – Not completed yet due to inclement weather.

2. Church Path – There are pot-holes and the path is in an awful state in one area. It was discussed that a new path or the tarmac be redone. Councillors have been requested to inspect and discuss at the meeting next year.

3. Hedge cutting – left side of the church. It was NOTED that Mr R Aldridge will complete this work next year.

4. Uneven ground notice. It was RESOLVED to accept the notice that will be laminated and displayed around the church yard.

5. Memorial edging and railings – It was NOTED that we are waiting for a quote from Mr K Waters.

6. Cremation plot – All Councillors agreed that this could be moved, but that this needs to be discussed with the Parochial Council. The Chair will look at other cremation plots at other churches and will discuss further next year.

7. Fence repairs - It was NOTED Mr K Waters will complete this work next year.

8. Christmas tree/lights to update. It was NOTED that the tree has been delivered and erected. The lights are powered by batteries as the wall socket was dangerous.

9. Highways and Village maintenance updates:

1. Public footpaths in and around the village are atrocious, with holes making it dangerous for all, particularly the elderly and infirm. The Clerk will contact ELDC.

2. Update on S106 spending. This was completed at 7. ii) above.

3. School and the proposed purchase of a portion of the playing field. It was NOTED that the Chair and Clerk had met with the Principal of the school, and their finance team on 20 November 2025. The school does not want to buy the playing field, they would prefer to rent a portion for outdoor play and sports days as their space is so limited and going off-site is not ideal. The idea would be to fence off the area from 09:00 to 15:30 during school term time. The school will contact us in the new year when they have discussed exactly what they want and then it can be presented to the full council for initial approval. This would be a good opportunity for inter-school matches and raining community spirit.

10. Speeding data

It was NOTED that Cllr R Murray now has the lap top that monitors two cameras (High Street and South End). Overall 87% of drivers abide by the speed limit. There have been a couple of incidents of drivers in excess of 70 mph in the village.

11. Planning

1. Planning Application 02356/25/FUL Hill View – 43 static caravans plus 3 wildlife ponds (update) APPROVED

2. Planning Application WIG C-P1539-7 CHAPEL ST LEONARDS TPS, MILL LANE, CHAPEL ST LEONARDS, LINCOLNSHIRE, PE24 5RZ (Radiomast) NO OBJECTIONS

3. Planning Application 03569/25/FUL - Land At Howlett House South Ings Lane Slackholme End Hogsthorpe Lincolnshire PE24 5NS - Planning Permission - Erection of 2 no. livestock buildings for cattle and associated infrastructure and construction of an attenuation basin.

This was previously discussed at item 6 above (Correspondence). The application is for two buildings, but is has been reported that the company starts out in this way and then gradually increases to build a high intensity dairy farm. There was much discussion about this and any objections need to be submitted at the next Parish Council meeting, as the extended deadline is 9 January 2026.

12. Date of next meeting

It was noted that the next meeting will be on Thursday 8 January 2026 at 18:00.

13. AOB for note only or next agenda

There were none