2025 Minutes

Great Hale Parish Council

Notes taken at Parish Council Meeting held on

Monday, 3rd November 2025 at 7pm at Hale Magna Village Hall

Present:        Councillor N Turner    (Chairman)
Councillor G Cooke MBE (Vice-Chairman)
            Councillor M Barnatt        
Councillor A Broom
Councillor N Dady
Councillor L Mountain

County Councillor D East (Lincolnshire County Council)
District Councillor S Tarry (North Kesteven District Council)
District Councillor C Collard (North Kesteven District Council)            

In attendance:    Mrs Tracy Cooke – (Parish Clerk & RFO)
            
Public Forum

The Public Forum Opened at 7.01pm

There was 1 member of the public present.

The member of the public said that we seem to be in a never-ending cycle where no one is taking responsibility for the drainage in Orchard Close. He said that Anglian Water were going to try to break the chain.  NKDC signed off the drains, but this was actually by a 3rd party. He said that he finds this unacceptable for an organisation who grants planning permission and then cannot guarantee the work at the end. Next week he is seeking legal advice to try to further this.

He continued regarding The Copse as he doesn’t believe that their drains have been connected properly.

The Chairman closed the Public open forum at 7.04pm

The Chairman opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.04pm

Official Business of the Council

1.    Chairman’s Welcome (25/123)  

On behalf of Great Hale Parish Council, flowers and a card have been delivered to John Cope’s widow today.  The Chairman thanked everyone for attending tonight’s meeting.

2.    Apologies (25/124)

No apologies received.

3    Previous meeting held on Monday 6th October 2025 (25/125)

It was unanimously agreed that the draft minutes from the meeting held on 6th October 2025 were a true record. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.

4    Clerk’s Report (25/126)

Donated £25 to the RBL
One quote so far for park fencing
Letter of thanks to resident
Cost of 2 x litter bins and call with NKDC re collections
New policies onto website
Rubbish caddy posters on 2 x PC noticeboards, Village Hall and Church
Communication with Churchwarden re churchyard hedge
Email and chase to Black Sluice re flapper valves
Trim trail installed – Phone calls / onsite
National Lottery survey completed
Sign designed for the park

5.    To receive declarations of interests (25/127)
    
Cllr Cooke declared Item 8

6.    To receive reports from County and District councillors (25/128)
    
DC Collard said that they had refused permission for a planned solar array which would affect land on either side of Mareham Lane, bordering Heckington Rural Ward (23/14419/FUL).  The company ‘Mareham Lane Solar Ltd’ have appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.

An enquiry will be held into the appeal (3rd February 2026) and a 4 day sitting is anticipated.  This will be held in Meeting Room 2 at the NKDC Council offices, Sleaford.  If you wish to speak at the enquiry you must make yourself known to the Inspector on the day.  The planning inspectorate do not respond to requests in advance.  To register your attendance email or telephone NKDC to planning@n-kesteven.gov.uk or telephone 01529 414155 or in writing marked ‘For the Attention of Planning’ with your name / contact details / status within the context of the appeal.

Comments have already been sent to the Planning Inspectorate but additional comments can still be made by accessing the Planning Inspectorate portal https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk where all the details can be found, and by quoting the appeal reference number by 18th November 2025.  APP/R2520/W/25/3373351 with planning reference number 23/1419/FUL.

DC Tarry thanked everyone who had completed and submitted the NKDC survey.
The Council tax support scheme consultation will come round, and a link will be sent to the Clerk.

Cllr Turner asked about the streetlights on the Gables.  If it is an unadopted road, then who pays for this?  
Cllr Broom asked about rubbish bin emptying.  The bin lorry drives to the end of the cul-de-sac of the Gables, whereas with other roads in Great Hale, residents must bring their bins to the end of the road.  The District Councillors said they would enquire and let us know.

CC East said that the Government has approved the Lincoln relief road, which should hopefully bring more investment into the area.

He continued to say The Beck remains a priority with regards to Orchard Close.

Leas Road – he said that there is more to come. He said that he hoped that there would be a development there. 
Cllr Turner said that footpath repairs have been done in Heckington on paths that are in better condition than some in Great Hale.  
Cllr Broom has been in touch with Highways and fix my street.  There is a streetlight on Leas Road / Hall Road corner that is out of order, and this has not been repaired.  CC East asked if the fix my street was still open.  He said he would chase it.
    
7    Planning Applications (25/129)    

(7.1)    Planning Application Reference: 

Planning Act 2008 and The Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010 – rule 9 and 13
Application by Beacon Fen Energy Park Limited for an order granting development consent for the Beacon Fen Energy Park project.
The Barn Hotel, Toll Bar Road, Marston, Grantham, NE32 2HT and virtually via Microsoft Teams:
•    Tuesday 11 November 2025, 10:00am – Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH1)
•    Tuesday 11 November 2025, 3:00pm – Open Floor Hearing 2 (OFH2)
•    Wednesday 12 November 2025, 10:00am – Issue Specific Hearing 2 (ISH2)
•    Thursday 13 November 2025, 10:00 am – Issue Specific Hearing 3 (ISH3)

CC East said that LCC has a lawyer involved and they will be making representation against it.  They are looking at Battery Storage, which appears to be dangerous.  He said that Solar Energy should not be installed on farmland, but on roofs etc.

8    Finance matters 

(8.1)    To approve the October 2025 bank reconciliation and spend to date. (25/130)
    
Council approved the October 2025 bank reconciliations and acknowledged the spend to date.

(8.2)    To approve accounts for payment (25/131)
    
It was unanimously resolved to approve all accounts for payment.
     
9    Highway matters for discussion and resolution 

(9.1)    Highways – any other issues (25/132)

    Cllr Dady said that she has walked along Bedlam Lane. Following a Fix my Street regarding the dykes on both sides becoming shallower and flooding, LCC have dug out one side.  It is quite deep on one side and is a hazard to pedestrians, especially as it is poorly lit. The path has been left in a dangerous state with a big drop.

    
(9.2)    Update on Leas Road footpath (25/133)

    CC East says this is an ongoing issue.  He said that he had spoken to Rowan Smith and it is an open project.
    Cllr Broom said that we need a pavement as it’s a dark and badly lit area on the corner of a single-track road. 

10    Orchard Green for discussion and resolution

(10.1)    To receive an update on Orchard Green Inspections (25/134)

    Cllr Dady undertook this month’s park inspections.  She said that the park looks good with minimal litter. Fence posts appear to be getting thinner at the bottom due to strimmer damage.

    Action:  Next month – Cllr Turner
    
11    Other matters 

(11.1)    The Gables Drainage (25/135)

    Following last month’s discussion regarding the flapper valves, the Clerk contacted Black Sluice.  They have said that they are not responsible for the valves and have directed the Clerk to LCC.  CC East said that we must break this cycle of no responsibility.  Lisa Gilbert at LCC has received a letter back from Anglian and states that the Gables is not under a section 104.  The problem remains with the developer. 

    Cllr Broom said he thinks it is simpler.  NKDC gave the planning permission and yet are taking no responsibility for the poor installation.
    Cllr Turner asked if the Developer had paid a bond? And if yes, could this be used to rectify the issue?

Cllr Mountain didn’t feel that it should be difficult to re-dig the pipe and re-route.

Action:  Clerk to contact NKDC enforcement officer to find out if the terms of the planning had been adhered to?  

(11.2) Motorbikes (25/136)

    Cllr Mountain said that teenagers on trail bikes had once again been going over their land.  Her son had confronted the teenagers and had taken video footage of their behaviour.  The Police had been informed.  
    Following the previous meeting, Cllr Cooke contacted NKDC ASBO team.  They would be very interested to receive the footage or any further information and footage.

(11.3) Grass seed and park (25/137)

    The Trim Trail has now been installed at the park.  The workmen filled a number of holes and worn areas in the park, including near to the goals.  The Clerk and Cllr Broom met the workmen on site.  Cllr Broom said that some of the soil placed by the workmen to fill gaps have been moved by children.

    Cllr Turner had looked at the goal areas and thinks that it needs to be raked first to remove stones and then seeded in Spring.

    Cllr Cooke has purchased a bag of grass seed for the park.  Cllr Dady proposed reimbursing Cllr Cooke for the seed.  The proposal was seconded and it was agreed to pay Cllr Cooke for the grass seed.

    Back Fence: The Clerk has contacted a local builder to quote for fencing at the back of Orchard Close.  The builder has provided 3 options.  It was agreed that Option 2 would be the one that the Clerk would use to gain further quotes.

Action: Clerk to seek further quotes.

(11.4)     Hedges in the Churchyard (25/138)

The Clerk has been in contact with the Churchwarden, who has been very helpful in obtaining information from the Diocese. The plans show the boundary lines to belong to the resident.  However, foliage from the churchyard is encroaching and needs tidying. 

Action:  Clerk to contact the resident to arrange a meeting.  Clerk to ask a Contractor to quote for clearing the Churchyard side..

    
(11.5)     Litter Bins (25/139)

The Clerk has been sourcing litter bins for the 2 areas identified. These are £130.78 each.  NKDC are installing the bins but we need to check whether the concrete bases are being laid by them before ordering.

Action:  Clerk to contact NKDC to find out if they would lay the concrete base.

(11.6)    Grass cutting tender (25/140)

The Clerk has received the grass cutter’s tender for the following year.  It shows an increase, which was agreed to be reasonable.  

Action:  Inform the grass cutter that the tender is accepted.  To ensure that the verges are cut more regularly.

(11.7) Councillor Resignation (25/141)

The election period for a new councillor has expired and the Parish Council can now co-opt a new Councillor. 

    Action:  Clerk to advertise for co-opting a new Parish Councillor.

12    Future agenda items (25/142)
 
(12.1) Budget
(12.2) Grass cutting costs
(12.3) HAVCS – AGM & Grant application
(12.4) Emergency planning – working with neighbouring Parishes
 
     
13    Date and place of next meeting (25/143)

Monday 1st December 2025 @ 7.00pm in Hale Magna Village Hall.

The Chairman thanked all for attending and closed the Parish Council meeting at 8.24pm