February Minutes
Great Hale Parish Council
Notes taken at Parish Council Meeting held on
Monday, 2nd February 2026 at 7pm at Hale Magna Village Hall
Present: Councillor N Turner (Chairman)
Councillor G Cooke MBE (Vice-Chairman)
Councillor A Broom
Councillor L Mountain
County Councillor D East (Lincolnshire County Council)
District Councillor C Collard (North Kesteven District Council)
Apologies: Councillor M Barnatt
Councillor N Dady
District Councillor S Tarry (North Kesteven District Council)
In attendance: Mrs Tracy Cooke – (Parish Clerk & RFO)
Public Forum
The Public Forum Opened at 7.00pm
There were 2 members of the public present.
One Member of the Public said that he had an update from the County Council regarding adopting The Gables. Anglian Water are unable to do anything further until the road is adopted. The County Councillor is working to move things along.
The second member of the public had nothing to add at this point.
The Chairman closed the Public Open Forum at 7.02pm
The Chairman opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.02pm
Official Business of the Council
1. Chairman’s Welcome (25/189)
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance.
2. Apologies (25/190)
Apologies were accepted from Cllr Barnatt and Cllr Dady and noted from DC Tarry.
3 Previous meeting held on Monday 5th January 2026 (25/191)
It was unanimously agreed that the draft minutes from the meeting held on 5th January 2026 were a true record. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
4. To receive declarations of interests (25/192)
Cllr Cooke - Item 11
Cllr Broom – Item 9
5 Co-option of a Councillor (25/193)
One member of the public wished to put himself forward as a Parish Councillor. He said that he had lived in Great Hale for 14 years and described his interests. He said that he wants to give something back to the community as a retired person.
The other member of the public said that he had considered standing but did not want to cause an election.
It was a unanimous decision to co-opt Mr Matthew Spittles as a Parish Councillor with Great Hale Parish Council.
The Clerk gave Mr Spittles his Declaration of Acceptance and Register of Members’ Interests to complete.
6. Clerk’s Report (25/194)
Email to CC East – Chapel Lane
Precept submitted to NKDC
Accepted Churchyard hedge quote
Researched noticeboards
Accepted Church Clock servicing contract
Donated £25 each to St Barnabus & Marie Curie
Requested new SIM for Clerk’s mobile phone & changed mobile contract
Correspondence with Parishioner & LCC re grit bin placement
Fencing enquiries and quote
Production of data mapping
Attended Clerks’ gathering
7. To receive reports from County and District councillors (25/195)
DC Collard said that the Council is busy at the moment with budget setting and local elections.
She continued to say that if there is an overgrown or neglected waterway there is currently no legislation to enforce the maintenance and clearing. She said that a letter went to Government to which Emma Hardy replied. DC Collard said that she felt that her letter didn’t address the issue. She said that there are still issues with the EA and another letter will be sent to Government.
Local Government Review – there is a paper document going to Parish Councils to explain what is going on at the moment.
Cllr Broom said that he had sought help from the Digital Hubs with IT and wished to say how good it is. He wanted them to be advertised more. Great Hale Parish Council advertise on the notice boards. He suggested that an advert could go into the ‘Your Local Lincs’ magazine. DC Collard said that she would feed this back.
CC East said that people have been encouraged to engage online to say what they like / don’t like and what they do / don’t want in the County.
County Council Budget – will be announced tomorrow, which will determine Council Tax.
He continued to say the county is not managing water properly. It has been neglected, in our area for over 20 years. We need manage our drains and keep them clean and clear.
DC Collard said that farmers keep theirs clear but other agencies don’t necessarily and there is no legislation to enforce it.
8 Planning Applications (25/196)
(8.1) Planning Application Reference: 25/1560/LBC
Proposal: Replace 6 windows with Ventrola heritage double glazed windows and installation of 16 X Solar Panels to the south elevation
Location: 18 Church Street Great Hale Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9LF
No objections or comments.
9 Highway matters for discussion and resolution
(9.1) Highways – Update on Leas Road footpath (25/197)
No update
(9.2) Highways - any other issues (25/198)
Cllr Broom said that he had been approached by a member of the public regarding a mirror on the highway. Highways declined permission to install a mirror. He said how frustrating it is.
Cllr Cooke said that he would do a Fix my Street for overgrowing foliage.
(10) Burial Board Update (25/199)
Cllr Broom updated Cllr Spittles on the Burial Board. He said that they are waiting for LALC to clarify some legal points.
11 Finance matters
(11.1) To approve the January 2026 bank reconciliation and spend to date.(25/200)
Council approved the January 2026 bank reconciliations and acknowledged the spend to date.
(11.2) To approve accounts for payment (25/201)
It was unanimously resolved to approve all accounts for payment.
12 Orchard Green for discussion and resolution
(12.1) To receive an update on Orchard Green Inspections (25/202)
Cllr Dady said that all was well and she would continue with the park inspections next month.
The Clerk has obtained a 2nd quote for the fencing at £5980 + VAT
Action: Next month – Cllr Dady
13 Other matters
(13.1) Parish Council Resilience (25/203)
Deferred to March
(13.2) Litter Bins (25/204)
The Clerk has been in contact with NKDC regarding siting of the second bin on Church Street / High Street. NKDC are happy to site the second bin.
Action: Clerk to order the 2 bins. To circulate the bin selection to Councillors.
(13.3) Hedges in the Churchyard (25/205)
The Clerk accepted the quote from the hedging contractor. They have been in contact and propose to do the work on Thursday and Friday 5th and 6th February.
Action: Councillors to be in attendance for some of the work, particularly the beginning. Clerk to inform neighbouring resident. Clerk to clarify with Church Warden the extent of the work.
(13.4) Noticeboards (25/206)
The Clerk has been researching new noticeboards. 2 noticeboards, each holding 18 x A4 sheets of paper have been identified. A bottom opening board is £1118.29 and a board with 3 doors is £2402.47, both plus VAT.
The 3 door board is more substantial and longer lasting. Councillors unanimously agreed that the 3 door board looks good and will serve the village well.
Action: To circulate the 3 door board to Councillors to select colour of lettering.
(13.5) Microsoft 365 renewal (25/207)
The Clerk has received the renewal costs for the service we originally received (Microsoft 365 Family at £104.99). The Microsoft 365 Family Classic is £79.99 and offers what we need for less.
Action: Clerk to renew with Microsoft 365 Family Classic at £79.99
(13.6) Working with neighbouring councils (25/208)
The Clerk has attended a gathering of 10 local Clerks. She has also been approached by Heckington Parish Council regarding the use of Great Hale Village Hall. The Clerk directed the person to the Village Hall committee who advised them to attend the Village Hall AGM (Wed 28th Jan).
14 Future agenda items (25/209)
(14.1) Parish Council resilience
15 Date and place of next meeting (25/210)
Monday 2nd March 2026 @ 7.00pm in Hale Magna Village Hall.
The Chairman thanked all for attending. He closed the Parish Council meeting at 8.27pm