Meeting January 2026

A Meeting of the Parish Council was held at The Royal Oak on Wednesday 14 January 2026 at 7.46 pm.

 

PRESENT:-   Chairman                    Cllr Graves

        Vice-Chairman            Cllr Grist (ELDC)

        Cllr:                             Mrs Molloy

        Also Present                Cllr Catton (LCC) & 5 MOP

 

Apologies were received from Mr Cartwright, Legbourne & Little Cawthorpe History Group (L&LCHG).

 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 November 2025 were approved and signed.

The Chairman reported that there was nothing to report.

 

Members noted that there was nothing to report on this group.

 

The Vice-Chairman reported that whilst 4 potholes on Planting Side had been fixed, the road leading to the main road still needed to have the potholes properly fixed, he advised Cllr Catton that the road is collapsing at the road edges on both sides making it difficult for vehicles to pass each other. The Chairman also advised that it was beyond patching, requiring a re-instating of the road. Cllr Catton explained the financial limitations on the County Council and that they are trying to carry out preventative works.

 

4. Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported that she had reported to “FixmyStreet” (LCC) that all the village salt bins needed refilling and had obtained extra keys for the noticeboard, to enable all members of the Parish Council access.

 

The Committee noted that 2 planning applications, were still awaiting a decision from ELDC and Planning Application 03657/25/FUL Riverside, Mill Lane, Legbourne had been approved by ELDC.

 

The Clerk had received a letter from a relative of a recently deceased parishioner enquiring into the possibility of paying to have a tree planted on the John Lill Memorial Woodland Walk. Letter passed to the owner of this walkway for their consideration and response. Clerk to acknowledge receipt of letter.

 

Cllr Mrs Molloy updated the Meeting regarding concerns they had expressed relating to the Woodland Walk. Mr Hewison had been informed of the ownership of this area and its boundaries. She advised that he had assured Cllr Mrs Molloy that he would not go onto the Woodland Walk and that she had informed him that any fencing should be “Lincolnshire Fencing”. Mr Hewison had advised Cllr Mrs Molloy that he had a landscaping plan for his own land. It was noted that he had planted trees right down to Whistlestop, and Parishioners still had concerns regarding his intentions for the area on his land, leading to the pond. The Vice-Chairman and Cllr Catton (LCC) advised that there were lengthy, involved processes that had to be started prior to public rights of way

 

It was agreed that Cllr Mrs Molloy should contact Mr Hewison to request a meeting to resolve this concerns raised by Parishioners.

 

ELDC-Updates & LCC Budget Update Letter-noted.

 

            The statement of Income and Expenditure was noted which met the Council’s approval.

             BW Main-Grasscutting           £3437.62           BW Main-Grasscutting            £340.37

             Clerk’s Salary+Notice Keys   £390.97             L&LCHP-Printing Cost Don     £25.50

               

The Committee considered the revised draft Budget/Precept and it was

 

RESOVED     i) to accept the revised Budget which included a sum of £3000.00 for Future Projects (pond improvements, handrail etc);

         ii) to accept the grass cutting quote (£919.08) from BW Maintenance for 26/27;

         iii) to keep the precept at £5100, to meet general increases, including work required the pond improvement.

 

            The Vice-Chairman advised that funding time was limited for this scheme, therefore, further action was required. The Clerk had been advised by ELIF that there were concerns that no planning application had been drown up or an application submitted to Planning. Cllr Mrs Molloy queried whether a viewing area at the pond was really what the Parishioners wanted, or whether it was in keeping with the beauty of the area. The plan was to put in a dropped kerb and decking slightly over the pond, with a metal handrail to allow access for all abilities to enjoy the area. It was

               

           RESOLVED  to have plans drawn up for submitting to ELDC to assist the progress of the ELIF GRASSroots Scheme application and obtain 3 quotes.

 

Mr Cartwright had sent his “Apologies” that he could not attend the Meeting, but had informed Cllr Mrs Molloy that the project was moving forward, the new website was operative and the latest instalment had received good reactions. Mr Cartwright would give a further update at the next meeting.

 

Overhanging Tree branches – Willow at the pond & Various Trees at Buston Lane.

Since the last Meeting LCC Tree Department had carried out work in both the above areas. However, the work carried out to the willow at the pond had caused considerable upset amongst Parishioners, who felt the work was over-excessive, having been “poled” to under 6 metres in height. The Chairman reported that whilst he appreciated the concerns expressed, if the willow survived, in two years’ time, it would look great. Cllr Catton (LCC) advised that the report he had received stated that it was recommended to retain the tree and manage. There was further mention of replanting in this area, but this would not be possible without Paish Council consent because the land is registered to Little Cawthorpe Parish Council and is not in the ownership of Lincolnshire County Council. Cllr Catton advised that he would pass the report onto the Parish Council and leave the Chairman to liaise with the LCC Tree Arborist regarding any replanting. Mr Hewison of the Thatched Cottage was currently unavailable and would need to be contacted to ensure that there was no “over-stepping” and he was fully aware of where his boundary ended and the Parish Council boundary line commenced.

 

Work had been completed at Buston Lane, but there were still a few over-hangers that required further attention. The Vice-Chairman felt that there had obviously been a breakdown in communication and that the work to the willow had gone much further than removing over-hanging branches. Parish Councillors had been inundated with questions from Parishioners, but apart from being informed of the road closure notice, had not received any information of the actual work intended to be carried out. One Parishioner, who happened to be present on the day, was consulted during the works, but not before. The over-hanging branches needed resolving because they were catching the tops of delivery lorries, but the branches should not be taken back to the extreme, as had happened with the willow. Cllr Catton (LCC) advised that he would report this issue back to the appropriate department.

 

 

The Vice-Chairman had requested this item at the November Meeting, he felt that if a Village Plan was compiled and adopted, it would help on future planning matters. In light of recent events, it could be beneficial, as had been the case in other local small villages. It would need village support and input. There was a formal template that could be used. The Vice-Chairman would get more information and circulate it.

 

The Vice-Chairman advised that he would fill in the gaps in the yew hedge before spring and Helen advised of an area at the back of the church that required attention too.

 

            Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 7.30 pm & Wednesday 13 May 2026 (AGM) – this meeting starts at 7.00 pm.                

           Meeting closed 8.30 pm.