February 2026 Minutes
MINUTES OF OLD SOMERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD MONDAY 2 FEBRUARY, 2026 7pm at THE ROPSLEY VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllrs: Vicky Lowndes (Chairman) Nigel Percy (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Vron Stephens, Parish Clerk David Holmes. Also present SKDC Councillor Sarah Trotter, and 4 members of the public.
PUBLIC FORUM.
During the Public Forum the following item was raised as to when The Fox and Hounds might re-open. The response from Cllr Percy was that it was difficult to get any news from the current Tenants at this time.
1. The Chairman then welcomed everyone present to the Parish Council Meeting.
2. APOLOGIES: Cllr Betty North had given her apologies due to illness: Her explanation was noted and accepted. Cllr Peter Burrows had also reported he was ill and unable to attend. His explanation was also noted and accepted. The Internal Auditor had sent his apologies.
3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS/APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS:
Cllr Vron Stephens declared a Pecuniary Interest in item 7 d).
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the meeting held 17 November, 2025 had been circulated. They were unanimously accepted as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. ACTION: Clerk.
5. CLERK AND COUNCILLORS’ ACTIONS AND UPDATES/LATEST.
a) i) The Purchase of a Piece of Land. The Clerk had received from the Parish Council’s Solicitor a copy of the TP1 (Transfer of Part) in relation to this piece of land. After a discussion suggested amendments were made which the Clerk was asked to pass to the Solicitor;
b) Litter Picking: A new volunteer had offered his services which had been gratefully accepted. The Clerk had prepared a Safety Memorandum for all Litter Picker Volunteers used by the Parish Council. After a discussion it was accepted. ACTION: The Clerk. Copy attached.
c) Draft Community Emergency Plan; The Clerk reported that there was to be a Table-Top conference with other Parishes organised by the LCC to move to completion. ACTION: Clerk.
d) Cold Harbour Traveller Site: Notice of an application had been received relating to approval for a roadway leading from the site. Application Ref: S26/0043. Cllr Percy explained it was a retrospective application and there was no objections that he was aware of. ACTION: The Clerk to respond to the Planners that the Parish Council had no objections.
e) Flooding on Grantham Road: The Clerk had reported the matter again to the authorities.
f) Drainage issues on School Lane: Following a call from a resident that there was an issue around the second drain on School Lane opposite the 6 Bungalow Site the Clerk had become involved. The fear was that the hole and cracks that had appeared could lead to a Sink Hole. The issue had been reported to the LCC Highways as urgent. He had since been assured it was in hand by Highways; ACTION: The Clerk.
g) The Six Bungalow Site: The Clerk had been informed by a Senior Planning Officer that various issues which could require intervention were being investigated. The Clerk had noticed a small area where trees could be planted to replace those removed. ACTION: Clerk
6. LOCAL COUNCILLORS UPDATES: Cllr Sarah Trotter was present and gave her report. She mentioned a) the forthcoming Waste Bins that will be distributed shortly b) the SKDC were implementing a Tree Planting action plan in the district; c) the new Skate Park was now open in Wyndham Park; d) It appeared that the Police will be reducing the Neighbourhood Policing Teams in a cost cutting exercise. However, more Government Funding for the Police generally was a positive sign; e) Submissions had now been submitted relating to the new Council Format for Lincolnshire; f) The new Monitoring Officer for SKDC was now in post.
7. FINANCE:
a) The Clerk has circulated a copy of the latest Financial Statement to the Councillors prior to the meeting. Cllr Burrows, the Lead Councillors Finance had signed off that report. It was accepted by the Councillors. Copy attached to these minutes. The deposit of funds in an interest bearing account was discussed: ACTION: The Clerk to report back.
b) Budget 2026/2027. Cllr Lowndes produced a copy of the proposed Budget for 2026/2027 and also the proposed Precept both of which had been considered at an informal meeting on 8 January 2026. The proposed Precept for 2026/2027 was set at £4115 (last year’s Precept was £3950). Cllr Lowndes proposed the approval of The Budget and the Precept in those terms; both proposals seconded by The Deputy Chairman Cllr Percy. The proposal was approved. A copy of the Budget is attached. ACTION: The Clerk.
c) Health and Safety Audit of Assets: The report had been circulated before the meeting. It was considered and necessary action was noted. ACTION: The Clerk to secure appropriate quotations for future consideration. It maybe local volunteers could assist particularly in respect of the repairs needed to the Notice Boards and seat.
d) Funding application from Parochial Church Council. Deferred as not quorate.
e) To move to a .gov.uk email. AGREED: To research the free option with one mailbox.
8. PLANNING:
a) The Conifers School Lane; An application to remove a condition had been refused by
The SKDC Planning Committee. The Clerk had been informed that the Applicant had now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. The Parish Council written objections would be forwarded to the Inspector by the SKDC Planners along with any other objections.
b) Sysara, 20 School Lane, Old Somerby: application for minor amendments to porch, replacement UPVC conservatory with single storey extension. Approved by the Planners.
9. CORRESPONDENCE INCLUDNG ITEMS FOR INF0RMATION ONLY:
The Clerk inter alia referred to: National Highways & Transport Survey; Food Waste Caddies; a recent SKDC Funding Seminar which he had attended and found most useful.
10. REVIEWS: Awaiting response from acting Officer at SKDC. Adjourned to next Meeting. ACTION: The Clerk.
11. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING: The next Parish Council meeting was fixed for Monday 11 May 2026 7pm. Venue to be announced. THE MEETING CLOSED AT 20.18.