July DRAFT Minutes
Great Hale Parish Council
Notes taken at Parish Council Meeting held on
Monday, 7th July 2026 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 L Mountain
Councillor M Spittles
County Councillor D East (Lincolnshire County Council)
District S Tarry (North Kesteven District Council)
Apologies: Councillor N Dady
District Councillor C Collard (North Kesteven District Council)
In attendance: Mrs Tracy Cooke – (Parish Clerk & RFO)
Public Forum
The Public Forum Opened at 7.00pm
There was 1 member of the public present.
The member of the public said that there had been a problem with Anglian Water resulting in dirty water. He added that grass cutting near to his property was being done, which he was happy with.
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 (26/48)
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting on this very hot evening.
2. Apologies (26/49)
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Dady.
Apologies were noted from DC Collard.
3 Previous meeting held on Monday11th May 2026 (26/50)
It was unanimously agreed that the draft minutes from the meeting held on 11th May 2026 were a true record. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
4. To receive declarations of interests (26/51)
Cllr Cooke - Item 10
5. Clerk’s Report (26/52)
CiLCA complete!
AGAR submitted to external auditors, with additional forms
AGAR redacted, laminated and displayed on website and noticeboard
Policies – standardised and circulated
Good Councillor Guide – located on LALC portal
Numerous emails to and from residents / Highways / CC re road closures
Emails to / from parishioner re grass cutting
Clerk’s pay – set up with SA Accounts, Heckington
Cllr Spittles added as a bank signatory
Lloyds bank form completed
Kompan instructed to service zip wire and install baby seats
Updated quote from fencing contractor
Grant funding form for fencing amended
Meeting with Chairman
6. To receive reports from County and District councillors (26/53)
Cllr Tarry said that it is the time of year for the Annual Household Canvas. Emails for this will be going out from 13th July.
NK Community Champions Award 2026 – Nominations are now open for the NK Community Champion Awards 2026. The awards celebrate people who make a positive difference to lives and communities across North Kesteven through their kind consideration and voluntary endeavour. There are 11 categories including Community Spirit, Young Achiever, Contribution to Sport and Good Neighbour. Nominations close on Sept 14th 2026. More information can be found at: www.nkawards.org/
CC East added that water changing colour may have been due to the fire service putting a fire out in Swaton.
He continued to say that LCC is just about to launch the Councillor Community Grant Fund, which awards grants from £3K to £15K.
He said that the Councillor Volunteer scheme will re-launch in the autumn
He brought up the subject of buses and the demand for a bus service from villagers. He said that Billinghay had launched a petition and now have 5 buses a day.
Cllr Cooke expressed our thanks for the footpath on Leas Road.
7 Planning Applications (26/54)
(7.1) Planning Application Reference:
Proposal: No new plans submitted this month
8 Highway matters for discussion and resolution
(8.1) Highways (26/55)
(8.2) Leas Road Pavement (26/56)
Cllr Broom said the major problem has been communication regarding road closures with unclear signage.
Cllr Cooke suggested a letter of thanks to Highways regarding the pavement.
(9) Joint Burial Committee Update (26/57)
(9.1) Joint Burial Board Committee Constitution (26/58)
Cllr Broom said that he was disappointed in the solicitors and had to refer to the LALC, who were excellent.
He proposed:
That both Parish Councils resolve that the Clerk of Little Hale Parish Council
respond to Chattertons on behalf of the Parish Councils of Great Hale and Little Hale, confirming, in accordance with LALC’s advice:
i. that the Cemetery Land ownership should be registered with the
Land Registry as ‘Tenants in Common in equal shares’
ii. that a Form A restriction (Under rule 94 of the Land Registration
Rules 2003, where land is held on trust (which co-ownership
always is under s.34 LPA 1925), a Form A restriction should be
entered: "No disposition by a sole proprietor of the registered estate
(except a trust corporation) under which capital money arises is to
be registered unless authorised by an order of the court."
iii. that a Declaration of Trust be drawn up to sever any possible joint
tenancy by the execution of a Declaration of Trust before or
simultaneous with first registration, crystallising the tenancy in
common position permanently, and
iv. that the class of title be Absolute Freehold.
It was unanimously resolved to approve this resolution.
Action: Clerk to inform Clerk of Little Hale Parish Council
10 Finance matters
Bank Statements
(10.1) To approve the May / June 2026 bank reconciliation and spend to date.(26/59)
Council approved the May / June 2026 bank reconciliations and acknowledged the spend to date.
(10.2) To approve accounts for payment (26/60)
It was unanimously resolved to approve all accounts for payment.
11 Orchard Green for discussion and resolution
(11.1) To receive an update on Orchard Green Inspections (26/61)
Cllrs Turner and Broom undertook the inspections and said that all is well. The low goal post has come apart. Cllr Broom will do a temporary repair. Cllr Broom suggested a new large panel to stop footballs hitting the new equipment.
Councillors had met at Orchard Green Park to assess where the potential new equipment might be sited. Cllr Broom was concerned with the space around the equipment and requested RoSPA or an equivalent body to check the siting.
Action: Clerk to contact the companies to ask for a site visit.
Cllr Turner discussed the new fence costs. The quote has increased considerably over the year. The Clerk and Cllr Turner had met with Willow Homes at the park and are looking at a more cost effective alternative.
Action: Clerk to chase quote and forward when received.
The village grass contractor had been asked to quote for cutting back the hedge both in the park and churchyard. He provided a quote and this was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to accept.
Action: Clerk to contact grass contractor to accept the quotes.
Next month – Cllr Mountain – July
Cllr Turner - August
12 Other matters
(12.1) Paint for cemetery railings (26/62)
The Clerk informed Councillors of the costs of materials to repair and improve the Cemetery railings. The work is being undertaken by the Councillor Volunteer Scheme. The Joint Burial Committee will cover the costs but agreement is needed from both Parish Councils to purchase the materials.
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to approve the costs of the paint and equipment,
Action: Clerk to order the paint and equipment and to meet the workers on site.
(12.2) Policies (26/63)
The policies have been sent to all Councillors via a link. Cllr Spittles said that they are currently ‘Read only’. Cllr Cooke said that he would assist the Clerk in sending them so that ‘Track changes’ can be seen and used.
Action: Cllr Cooke to assist Clerk and send the policies.
(12.3) Grass cutting (26/64)
A member of the public had contacted the clerk regarding grass cuttings being blown under his hedge by the grass contractor. He had suggested in his email that the Parish Council should pay for his time in clearing them up. The 10 cuts of the village verges was discussed. It was agreed that 10 cuts per year was sufficient.
Action: Clerk to write to the resident.
(12.4) Tree on the Green (26/65)
There is a tree on the Green that is dead / dying. A resident has written to the Clerk offering to cut it down. It was agreed that the tree would be monitored to see if it recovers if there is a wet spell. If it dies then the Parish Council will deal with it.
Action: Clerk to write to the resident.
To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed in relation to Digital compliance.
It was unanimously resolved to move into closed session.
Councillors reviewed and discussed matters relating to digital compliance and the Council’s use of IT systems.
(13) Future agenda items (26/66)
(13.1) Clerk’s review
(13.2) Policies
(14) Date and place of next meeting (26/67)
Monday 7th September 2026 @ 7.00pm in Hale Magna Village Hall.
The Chairman thanked all for attending. He closed the Parish Council meeting at 8.20pm