2025-26 Minutes (Full Council)

Hogsthorpe Parish Council Meeting

Minutes of meeting held at 18:00 on Thursday 8th January 2026

Present: Cllrs F Wilson (Chair), D Hanson (Vice Chair), R Murray and B Hornby.

In attendance: Annie Maynard (Clerk/RFO), Cllr R Dawson (ELDC) and Mr M West.

Public Forum

No residents attended the meeting.

1. Apologies

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs E Smith, P Perry and M Banks.

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

None

3. Approval of minutes of meeting 4 December 2025

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of 4 December 2025 be approved and signed, with a minor amendment to item 10.

4. To receive reports from outside bodies and other meetings

It was NOTED that the paths by the allotments and village pavements are a mess with dog faeces.

Cllr R Dawson arrived at 6:20 pm. Nothing to report from ELDC.

5. Email migration to .gov email to update

The Clerk reported that this will be done next week, and that all councillors will be emailed with login details when the addresses have been set up.

6. 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 £ 17256.79

It was RESOLVED to pay LALC £473.86 which comprises the subscription for 26/27 @ £299.86 and the Annual Training Scheme (ATS) 26/37 @ £174.

7. Churchyard/cemetery maintenance update

1. Church Path

It was NOTED that the Chair and councilors are to inspect the path to ascertain whether patching or resurfacing the whole path would be the best solution.

2. Fence repairs

It was NOTED that the repairs will be undertaken by the maintenance operative when the weather has improved.

3. Disposal of the 2025 Christmas tree and plans for the 2026 tree

It was NOTED that Mr M West will remove the 2025 Christmas tree from the plant pot by 15 January, and Looney Bins will then dispose of it.

There were many complaints about the battery lights on the Christmas tree, however the Council had no choice other than to use battery powered lights as the extension lead was unsafe. Solar lighting would not recharge the batteries as the tree is on the North of the church and does not receive sufficient sunlight. It was suggested that for Christmas 2026, the tree be delivered at a later date (20 December) and for it to be a living tree with roots. The tree should be planted in a large container within the church grounds. It was further suggested that we use our Facebook account to ascertain what the public want with regard to lighting on the tree.

8. Budget and Precept 2026/27

It was RESOLVED that the budget and proposed increase of 6% be accepted for the precept demand for 2026/27.

9. Highways and Village maintenance updates:

1. Update on S106 spending

It was NOTED that there is £600 remaining, but we still have to pay for the two planters that we have committed to purchasing.

2. The siting and erection of the new Little Library

It was NOTED that the Little Library needs to be placed on slabs, and raised on legs as it would otherwise be too low down and could be fouled by dogs. The school caretaker has offered to help with this matter, and Mr Ainsworth will also consult with colleagues about helping.

3. Silver birch trees overhanging the Heritage Garden

It was NOTED that the Clerk will speak to the owner of the trees and ask if he would be willing to trim the tree branches so that birds are not roosting above the benches and causing a mess.

10. Speeding data

Cllr R Murray reported that the speeding data was identical to last month with 87% abiding by the rules on High Street and 93% abiding by the rules on South End. There was a speeding vehicle on High Street registered at 81mph, and at South End a speeding vehicle at 47mph. The limit at both locations is 30mph. It had been noted that there were many vehicles that had been seen speeding on Thames Street and Mill Lane. It was asked if further speed registering devices could be installed.

It was RESOLVED that the Clerk would make enquires with the relevant agencies.

11. Planning

1. 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. To object on relevant environmental grounds.

2. Planning Application 03805/25/FUL - Rosebay Maiden Lane Hogsthorpe Lincolnshire PE24 5QH - Planning Permission - Erection of 3no. dwellings and alterations to vehicular accesses. Existing static caravans and associated outbuildings to be removed. To object with the same reasons as previously recorded.

3. Planning Application 03787/25/ABT - Telecommunications Mast At Sewage Works Mill Lane Hogsthorpe Lincolnshire - Determination of whether or not Prior Approval is required for the siting and appearance of 1no. proposed 20m monopole and associated ancillary works. No objections.

12. Date of next meeting

It was RESOLVED that the next meeting will be on Thursday 5 February 2026 at 18:00.

13. AOB

A newsletter has been proposed by the Chair of the Playpark Committee. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

It was NOTED that the Councillor Community Grants applications open on 1 February 2006.

14. To resolve to move into closed session

It was RESOLVED to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed.

15. Staffing matters

This item was deferred until the next meeting as more information was requested by the Councillors.

The meeting closed at 7:12 pm.