September Minutes
Great Hale Parish Council
Notes taken at Parish Council Meeting held on
Monday, 7th September 2026 at 7pm at Hale Magna Village Hall
Present: Councillor N Turner (Chairman)
Councillor G Cooke MBE (Vice-Chairman)
Councillor M Barnatt
Councillor N Dady
Councillor L Mountain
Councillor M Spittles
County Councillor D East (Lincolnshire County Council)
District Councillor C Collard (North Kesteven District Council)
District S Tarry (North Kesteven District Council)
Apologies: Councillor A Broom
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 noted that the park has been cut and enquired as to when the verges would be cut. The Clerk informed him that it would be on Friday.
He continued to say that The Gables is not adopted yet, and with poorer weather approaching, wanted to know the position on the drains.
The Chairman closed the Public Open Forum at 7.03pm
The Chairman opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.03pm
Official Business of the Council
1. Chairman’s Welcome (26/68)
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everyone for attending.
2. Apologies (26/69)
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Broom.
3 Previous meeting held on Monday 6th July 2026 (26/70)
It was unanimously agreed that the draft minutes from the meeting held on 6th July 2026 were a true record. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
4. To receive declarations of interests (26/71)
Cllr Cooke - Item 10 & 12.6 / 13
5. Clerk’s Report (26/72)
External audit work
Policies
Cemetery railings – purchased paint etc, delivered and met workers
Email to resident re grass cutting
Email to resident re tree
Emails to resident re park equipment
Lloyds Bank signatories
Email to highways re pavement
Thank you email to Councillor Volunteer scheme – Cemetery railings
Public liability to Highways
Clerk’s meeting
6. To receive reports from County and District councillors (26/73)
DC Collard has had a meeting with Chief Constable Paul Gibson and PCC Marc Jones at NKDC on 2nd September. There has been an additional allocation of £12 million per annum for a 3 year period – added to the existing funding for Lincolnshire Police. This will all appropriate planning and there will be an increase in staff levels through 2026 and 2027. Lincs remains underfunded compared to other areas and there will be a reliance on a Council Tax precept increase in future years.
DC Tarry said that the LGR has been paused. Anglian Water announced the third phase of consultations regarding the reservoir on 21st October.
CC East said that he has some money to release and to look at the funding applications.
Cllr Turner asked about buses and what we needed to do. CC East said that he wanted to know what villagers wanted / needed. He said that we do have Call Connect, which although not perfect, has a 96% rating.
Cllr Spittles asked how the bus companies judged what is commercially viable. There is some subsidy from the County Council but it is not indefinite.
Cllr Turner stated that when we had a walk about of the village with the LCC Highways Manager, he said that there was discussion of a weight limit through the village. We have numerous lorries using back roads, particularly when there are accidents on the A17 / A52. CC East said that a policy is being re-visited, but it will not be enforceable.
7 Planning Applications (26/74)
(7.1) Planning Application Reference:
Planning Application Reference: 26/0970/OUT
Proposal: Outline application for the erection of 1 no dwelling - all matters reserved.
Location: 51 Heckington Road Great Hale Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9JT
Cllr Turner said his main concern would be flooding. Access would be via the existing bungalow. Some assurance would be needed for the maintenance of the hedge behind the new fence bordering Bedlam Lane.
DC Tarry said that there will changes to planning from 31st October and she will send information.
Action: Clerk to raise concerns to planning – flooding, hedge and access.
8 Highway matters for discussion and resolution
(8.1) Highways (26/75)
(8.2) Leas Road Pavement (26/76)
No updates / issues.
(9) Joint Burial Committee Update (26/77)
The Clerk gave an update on the Cemetery.
The railings are looking good following the cleaning and painting by the LCC Volunteers. The worry about badgers seems to have come to nothing – possibly rabbit damage.
(9.1) Joint Burial Board Committee Constitution (26/78)
A new letter to the solicitors needed to be signed regarding joint tenancy of the Cemetery. This had already been discussed and agreed at a previous meeting. The Chairman signed the letter.
Action: Clerk to scan and send the letter. To start a new file regarding the Joint Burial Committee.
10 Finance matters
Bank Statements
(10.1) To approve the July / August 2026 bank reconciliation and spend to date.(26/79)
Council approved the July / August 2026 bank reconciliations and acknowledged the spend to date.
(10.2) To approve accounts for payment (26/80)
It was unanimously resolved to approve all accounts for payment.
Cllr Turner wanted to thank the Clerk and fellow bank authorisers – Cllrs Broom and Spittles for the additional work incurred regarding setting up new security and authorisation measures with Lloyds Bank.
11 Orchard Green for discussion and resolution
(11.1) To receive an update on Orchard Green Inspections (26/81)
Cllr Mountain inspected the Park during July and August. She spoke to the grass contractor.
There have been late night football games and people have been clambering over the blue shelter making a lot of noise. The resident asked about moving the shelter.
Some children were using the zip wire seat as a swing. Cllr Mountain asked them not to and they stopped.
Bird spikes have been twisted round on top of the swings.
Action: Speak to neighbours and advise them to create a log for the anti social behaviour team at NKDC and the police. It was agreed that the blue shelter is generally used correctly and would not be moved.
Next month – Cllr Turner
12 Other matters
(12.1) AGAR / External Auditors (26/82)
Following the Clerk’s submission of the AGAR return, the External Auditor conducted a full external audit. Due to receipt of Lottery Funding last year, Great Hale Parish Council’s income exceeded the limit of £25,000 for a limited assurance review. Additional forms were completed and submitted by the Clerk over the summer and the audit has now been signed off by the auditors.
Action: To display the certificate, notice and AGAR sections 1-3 on the notice board and the website.
(12.2) Policies (26/83)
Cllr Turner apologised for not working through as quickly as he would have liked on the Communications / Publications policy. He said that he has worked on the Communications policy to try to simplify it.
Cllr Broom has been working on Financial Regulations.
Cllr Spittles has worked on the IT Policy and said that working abroad is an issue. Only secure Wifi should be used and no banking.
Action: To circulate progress made so far.
(12.3) LCC Grant funding (26/84)
CC East had explained earlier that there are 2 methods of funding through LCC. The Clerk mentioned asking for a small sum towards replacing some baby swings. Other items such as a Speed Indicator Device and a new noticeboard were suggested.
Action: Clerk to cost some items and investigate the funding forms.
(12.4) Park fencing (26/85)
We have received a quote to replace the broken part of the park fence. Cllr Barnatt suggested another contractor who might be able to quote.
Action: Clerk to ask for additional quote.
(12.5) Buses (26/86)
The issue of buses was discussed earlier with CC East. It was agreed that the Clerk should liaise with local clerks.
(12.6) NALC annual pay scales (wef 1.4.26) (26/87)
The new NALC pay scales have been released awarding Clerks a pay increase of 3.3% It was proposed and agreed to award the Clerk the pay increase, backdated to April.
(13) Future agenda items (26/88)
(13.1) Policies
(13.2) Buses
(13.3) Park fence
(13.4) LCC Funding
(14) Date and place of next meeting (26/89)
Monday 5th October 2026 @ 7.00pm in Hale Magna Village Hall.
The Chairman thanked all for attending. He closed the Parish Council meeting at 8.23pm