August 2026 Draft Minutes
MINUTES OF OLD SOMERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY 10 AUGUST, 2026 7pm at THE ROPSLEY VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllrs: Vicky Lowndes (Chairman), Nigel Percy (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Vron Stephens, Cllr Peter Burrows and Parish Clerk David Holmes. Also present 2 members of the public.
1. WELCOME by the Chairman: Cllr Lowndes welcomed those present.
PUBLIC FORUM: a) One member of the public raised issues concerning the 6 Bungalow Site on School Lane, Old Somerby in particular the previous flooding in his property which he considers came from the six bungalow site. The issue revolved around the supposed Soakaway in Plot 4 and the Manhole situated at the entrance to the nearby paddock that feeds the Soakaway. The Soakaway in Plot 4 (assuming there is a Soakaway on those premises) is up hill from the Manhole. Hence following heavy rain the water is being released from the manhole due to the pressure and ends up in his back garden. He has video evidence which he will forward to the Parish Council. He is looking for evidence that there is actually a Soakaway installed in Plot 4. He considers the issue of flooding needs addressing.
The Clerk reported he had corresponded with the resident and had also been into touch several times with a Senior Enforcement Officer at SKDC. They are aware of the above issues. He said they are awaiting ‘evidence of harm. The Resident was advised to send the video evidence to the Planners at SKDC.
The Clerk noted that the footpath on this site has still not been finished. Cllr Sarah Trotter also agreed to make enquires regarding both issues and report back. She requested a copy of the video evidence.
b) At this stage Cllr Trotter gave her report referred to in item 8.
Cllr Trotter mentioned i) the Government Re-organisation of Local Councils in Lincolnshire. (This item was also listed at item 9 c ); ii) The introduction of a Booking System coming into force later this year at Household Waste Centres in Lincolnshire; iii) that SKDC Funding is available for some projects iv). Cllr Trotter offered to report the Fly Tipping referred to in item 5g to the appropriate officer at the SKDC. Cllr Trotter was thanked for her report.
2. APOLOGIES: Cllr Betty North had given her apologies due to illness: Her explanation was noted and accepted.
3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS/APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS:
Cllr Vron Stephens declared a Pecuniary Interest in item 7 c) - Noted.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: i) The Minutes of the meeting held 2 February, 2026 had been circulated. Their acceptance had been adjourned from the last meeting as a member of the public had then indicated that an item was missing from those minutes.
It was clear the alleged missing Item in question had in fact been properly recorded in those Minutes as published. The Minutes were accordingly approved and signed by the Deputy Chairman who had acted as Chairman for the above meeting. II) The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 May were also approved and signed by the Deputy Chairman. ACTION:The Clerk.
.
5. CLERK AND COUNCILLORS’ ACTIONS AND UPDATES LATEST:
a) The Purchase of the Piece of Land in Middle Path. The Clerk had been into touch with SKDC Cllr Trotter during the day. Enquiries had been made as to the excessive delay in bringing this issue to a conclusion. The result was that the LCC Solicitor has finally, that day, forwarded the necessary document to the Solicitors acting for the Land Owner. This should now lead to a conclusion of the issue. Cllr Trotter was thanked for her assistance.
b) Community Emergency Plan: The Clerk had a meeting with the LCC Officer leading this issue. There is to be a Table Top meeting on 9 September 2026. Cllr Percy agreed to attend and report back. Issues remaining included a second safe venue if the Fox and Hounds remains closed. Enquiries by the Clerk as to including Rospley Village Hall had proved positive. ACTION: Cllr Percy to report back at the next Parish Council Meeting.
c) Fox and Hounds latest: The Clerk had approached the Surveyors acting for the Lease Holders. Subsequently, action had been taken to stop the constant ringing of the Alarm on the premises and also in respect of other issues. It seems there is an Interested Party in taking over the lease but no firm details are available;
d) Part of School Lane needing repair: The Clerk had reported this issue to the LCC Highways. He had been informed it is currently included in the 2028/2029 Resurfacing Programme. The Clerk had asked for it to be undertaken sooner if possible;
e) Replacement of 30 mph signs. The Clerk had assisted a local Resident to replace all the signs recently. The Clerk was asked to express the thanks of the Parish Council to the Resident for his efforts. ACTION: The Clerk;
f) LALC Annual Conference. The Clerk had attended and gave a report. It had been very informative and very well organised;
g) Alleged “Fly Tipping” in Middle Path: The Clerk had made enquiries some weeks ago and had been assured the rubbish would be removed by the resident concerned. It had not yet been removed; (Cllr Trotter had already offered to follow up this issue – see earlier note.)
h) Issue relating to the Six Bungalow Site: This item had been dealt with in the Public Forum;
i) Councillors emails: The issue is in hand.
6. LOCAL COUNCILLORS UPDATES: Cllr Sarah Trotter had given her report at item 2 above.
Cllr Vernon had given her apologies to the Clerk. Her report was to follow;
7. FINANCE: To Consider:
a) FINANCIAL STATEMENT: The Clerk circulated a copy of the latest Financial Statement. Cllr Burrows, the Lead Councillor Finance, the Internal Auditor and the Clerk had all signed off that report. It was accepted by the Councillors. ACTION: The Clerk - Copy Attached.
b) Health and Safety Audit of Parish Councils Assets latest: The Clerk reported that the Notice Board had now been repaired and restored. It had for many decades been affixed to the Old Post Office. However, the owners did now not want it re-fixed to their property. A discussion ensued. The matter was adjourned to the next meeting. Various alternative sites were considered.
ACTION: The Clerk and Councillors.
The Clerk reported that the other Notice Board and Seat on School Lane had been renovated by a Resident. The Clerk was asked to offer the Resident the sincere thanks of the Parish Councillors for his voluntary work. ACTION: The Clerk.
c) Funding application by Parish Church Warden: Adjourned until the next meeting for more up-to-date information. ACTION: The Clerk
At this point in the meeting 3 invoices were considered and the cheques signed by Councillors. A discussion ensued as to consideration of future payments of invoices by on-line payments. ACTION: The Clerk.
8 PLANNING: SYSARA School Lane, Old Somerby. The Clerk had visited the premises at the request of the Councillors and had reported back. The Councillors had no objections to the proposal. The Retrospective Application had been subsequently granted by the Planners.
9. CORRESPONDENCE INCLUDING ITEMS FOR INF0RMATION ONLY: a) The Clerk referred to funding available from the SKDC;
b) The Clerk had reported to the Ropsley Parish Clerk the issue of the roadside growth of the trees from Ropsley Rise Wood extending into the roadway. The Wood was in the Parish of Ropsley. Their Clerk had said he would report it to the appropriate Company concerned.
c) Review of Local Government Re-Organisation: The Clerk had attended an SKDC Briefing and outlined HM Government’s final decision. The result was there would now be 2 Unitary Authorities – 1) A City of Lincoln Council with 178,000 residents and 65 Councillors and 2) a new Lincolnshire Council consisting of the rest of the County with 100 Councillors and some 580,00 residents. Vesting Day would be 1 April 2028. Full Details should be available on the SKDC website. Parish and Town Councils will continue.
d) Changes to Household Waste Recycling (see 2 a) above.)
e). SKDC Outline Planning permission for up to 3,400 dwellings near Somerby Hill (See SKDC website for fuller details)
f) LCC grass cutting of the one Public Right of Way in Old Somerby –to be cut 3 times p.a.
g) Anglian Water had reported some temporary closure of The Pastures with ongoing work.
h) SKDC had reported on a new Local Plan System expected to be adopted in 2029.
i) Lincs Fire and Rescue Service had circulated details of a Review Engagement.
10. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING: The next Parish Council meeting was fixed for Monday 12 OCTOBER, 2026 7pm. Venue to be announced.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 20.26.