June Minutes
Great Hale Parish Council
Notes taken at Parish Council Meeting held on
Monday, 2nd June 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 J Cope
Councillor L Mountain
County Councillor D East (Lincolnshire County Co8uncil)
District Councillor C Collard (North Kesteven District Council)
District Councillor S Tarry (North Kesteven District Council)
Apologies: Councillor N Dady
In attendance: Mrs Tracy Cooke – (Parish Clerk & RFO)
Public Forum
The Public Forum Opened at 7.00pm
There were 4 members of the public present.
One member of the public wished to discuss the flooding issues in Orchard Close. He said that he had been on the BBC talking about it. He has been told the residents can get the beck cleared out themselves. He asked that the Parish Council support them in getting the beck cleared through the County Council. He continued to say that he had submitted a freedom of information request and feels that the 2 drains, at the top of Orchard Close, are connected to the Gables.
He asked about the grass cutting on the verges and wondered when they would next be cut.
A further resident brought some photographs of flooding in the area, which she wished to show the County Councillor.
Another resident wanted to ask where the Trim Trail would be sited in the park. The Chairman explained roughly which part of the park it would be. She continued to say that footballs are being shot at the Climbing Wall. She suggested placing the Trim Trail in front of the wall to stop the wall being used as a football wall and balls constantly landing in residents’ front gardens.
The Chairman closed the Public open forum at 7.09pm
The Chairman opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.09pm
Official Business of the Council
1. Chairman’s Welcome (25/45)
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending. He said that he has spoken to Highways regarding the road closures / traffic light system in Great Hale. The chaos today was exacerbated by emergency works on the railway line at Great Hale Fen.
2. Apologies (25/46)
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor N Dady
3 Previous meeting held on Monday 12th May 2024 (25/47)
It was unanimously agreed that the draft minutes from the meeting held on 12th May 2025 were a true record. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
4 Clerk’s Report (25/48)
Updated dates on policies. Changed on website
AGAR uploaded to website
AGAR scanned, redacted and put on boards
Churchyard clear up date confirmed
Village green bench inspected with Cllr Cooke
AGAR submitted to external Auditors
5. To receive declarations of interests (25/49)
Cllr Cooke made a declaration of interests on Item 8
6. To receive reports from County and District councillors (25/50)
CC East thanked everyone for inviting him. He said he was honoured to be elected and was enthusiastic to deliver for the village.
DC Collard gave an update on the Beacon Fen Energy Park. It will be a 400 megawatt Solar with Battery Energy Storage Capacity (BESS) of up to 600MWQ and the Development Consent Order (DCO) has been accepted for examination by the planning inspectorate. Subject to consent, work could begin in 2027.
The planned development is 2.5km north off Heckington with cable routes crossing Star Fen and Great Hale Fen and further to Bicker Fen. To view the DCO application see www.beaconfenenergypark.co.uk
Any interested party who wishes to take part in the examination process can submit ‘Relevant Representation’ until the closing date of 2nd July 2025 and a form for completion is available on the website: - https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010151
DC Tarry alerted us to Scam messages involving a text message alert about a 'penalty charge notice' for parking. The scammers are relying on making the recipient panic and follow the fake link included in the text message.
NKDC will never text a customer in relation to a parking fine, whether or not the customer has used the APCOA app on their mobile phone to pay for their parking. If you receive a text like this, delete it and don't respond. You can also block the number or sender.
You can also take action by forwarding scam texts like this for free to 7726 - it will then be passed to your phone provider to investigate.
Cllr Broom asked if the scam message had been circulated on Facebook.
Action: Clerk to check and put on FB
Cllr Broom continued to ask about the Beacon Fen plans and the effect of the increased traffic. Cllr Cope asked about traffic coming down Carter Plot Road, which is a single lane road. Access through the village is potentially heavy and dangerous.
CC East said that he felt that they were engineering out of a flood plain and putting batteries on top of water.
7 Planning Applications (25/51)
(7.1) Planning Application Reference: 25/0284/HOUS
Proposal: Demolition of conservatory and erection of single storey extension linking main dwelling to annexe. Erection of timber framed garage.
Location: 6 Hall Road Great Hale Sleaford
No comments or objections were made.
8 Finance matters
(8.1) To approve the May 2025 bank reconciliation and spend to date. (25/52)
Council approved the May 2025 bank reconciliation and acknowledged the spend to date.
(8.2) To approve accounts for payment (25/53)
It was unanimously resolved to approve all accounts for payment.
9 Highway matters for discussion and resolution
(9.1) Highways – any other issues (25/54)
Flooding to be discussed at the next meeting
(9.2) Update on Leas Road footpath (25/55)
Cllrs Turner and Broom met with CC East at Leas Road. He took a number of photographs and listened to the Councillors’ concerns. He said that he would be writing to Highways and would be pursuing the pavement issue.
10 Orchard Green for discussion and resolution
(10.1) To receive an update on Orchard Green Inspections (25/56)
Cllr Cope carried out this month’s inspections. There is another hole in the wire fence, which he has mended. He said that the park was tidy with minimal litter.
Action: Next month’s inspections: Cllr Cope
11 Other matters
(11.1) Trim Trail siting (25/57)
Councillors agreed to go to the Park after the meeting to measure out where the Trim Trail could go. Following concerns from a member of the public in the Public Open Forum, a different positioning was now being considered.
Action: Clerk to contact the company to discuss siting.
(11.2) Churchyard Tidy up (25/14)
The Churchyard tidy up has been planned for Saturday 14th June.
(11.3) Spare bench (25/15)
Cllr Cooke looked at the Millennium Bench on the Green. It looks like it will be serviceable after a good clean. The spare bench can now be placed in the Park.
(11.4) LCC Grass cutting agreement (25/16)
Highways have written to the Clerk to say that they will cut the path by Magna Close. They have not yet altered and reissued the maps.
Action: Clerk to write to Highways to ask for correct maps before signing the agreement.
12 Future agenda items (25/19)
(12.1) Orchard Close flooding
(12.2)
(12.3)
14 Date and place of next meeting (25/20)
Monday 7th July 2025 @ 7.00pm in Hale Magna Village Hall.
The Chairman thanked all for attending and closed the Parish Council meeting at 7.55pm