Meeting May 2026 (AGM)

The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council was held the Pool Room at The Royal Oak on Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 7.13 pm.

 

PRESENT:-   Chairman Cllr Graves

         Cllr Vice-Chairman Cllr Grist

         Cllr Mrs Molloy

         Also Present: Cllr Catton (LCC) & 3 MOP’s-Mrs Lill, Ms Morris & Mr Hardesty.

 

1.         Apologies – None.

 

Nominations were invited for the position of Chairman and Cllr Graves confirmed he would be happy to continue as Chairman:

 

             Cllr Grist                     PROPOSED that Cllr Graves be elected Chairman

             Cllr Mrs Molloy           SECONDED and Cllr Graves was elected Chairman.

 

             Cllr Graves in the chair.

 

Nominations were invited for the position of Vice-Chairman and Cllr Grist confirmed he would also be happy to continue as Vice-Chairman.:

 

Cllr Graves                  PROPOSED that Cllr Grist be elected Vice-Chairman

             Cllr Mrs Molloy            SECONDED and Cllr Grist was elected Vice-Chairman.

 

The Committee had read the letters from Ms Morris and Mr Hardesty expressing their interest in being co-opted to the Parish Council and it was

 

RESOLVED  to co-opt both Ms Morris and Mr Hardesty to Little Cawthorpe Parish Council as a Parish Councillors.

 

Members welcomed the new Councillors onto the Council.

 

The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 25 March 2026 were agreed and signed.

 

Cllr Mrs Molloy queried the bin collection process at this location, the Vice-Chairman advised that the normal bin men emptied the bin and Cllr Ms Morris advised that she had put the bin out for collection at the last collection date.

 

The Vice-Chairman reported that due to the lack of Parish Council Members, it had not been possible to select a volunteer representative to attend the above groups meetings, although he was aware that they had held a Car Boot recently. Cllr Hardesty kindly volunteered to attend the next meeting, which was to be held on 14 July 2026.

 

The Committee noted Cllr Catton’s (LCC) advice that LRSP (Lincs Road Safety Partnership), can bring fixed reactive signs to alleviate speeding issues, although an electric supply was necessary. Whilst most Members agreed that speeding was an issue, the Vice-Chairman advised that if the whole village had a 20mph limit and not the current 30mph, the issue would be resolved.

The Chairman advised that signage is ignored by traffic, particularly on the two corners at Planting Side. Following discussion, it was agreed that white lines to distinguish that there were two definite sides to the road (bottom bend near turn-off to the Royal Oak all the way up to the left bend past Cllr Graves,) hopefully would slow traffic on the bends. Clerk to write to Cllr Catton (LCC) to request this matter be put to Highways for assistance.

 

The Committee noted the report from Highways (LCC) that hedges were not the responsibility of the County Council. The responsibility was legally with the owners of the property/hedge. They had a duty to maintain them and should not let them infringe the highway, particularly if this caused the road to be narrowed unduly, forcing pedestrians to be pushed into the path of traffic. This issue had been reported to the Parish Council by Parishioners, it has also been witnessed that failure to trim hedges had resulted in damage to vehicles. The Parish Council were requested to contact owners, requesting them to resolve the issue and to inform the owners, if they did not resolve the matter, Highways following their policy (3 warnings, then action) would be forced to carry out the work and re-charge the owners.

 

The Committee further noted that Highways (LCC) had advised they would sweep the roads and clean out the drains. Cllr Hardesty confirmed that he had witnessed the road-sweeping. It was noted that there were still some dead branches from earlier work, which Highways had advised was complete, but Cllr Mrs Molloy expressed concern that if they fell, it could cause injury/damage. The Vice-Chairman reported that the roadsides/edges needed attention near the Royal Oak, the Highways Officer had advised that special tarmac was required, due to this area being particularly wet, Cllr Catton will speak with the Officer.

 

Cllr Ms Morris advised that she was happy to volunteer to carry out a footpaths survey, as there was an opportunity for a few “permissive paths”. Cllr Mrs Molloy reported that the footpath right from Coggles Way going up to the John Lill Walk section is wearing away and falling into the stream, making it unsafe. Cllr Catton (LCC) will investigate the matter relating to ownership and report to the Committee. Cllr Ms Morris will complete survey and send her suggestions to Cllr Catton.

 

             The Clerk ascertained that all Members had perused the revised policies (Item 9) circulated.

 

The Clerk reported that there was no update on the Planning Application 03385/25/FUL, that 00037/26/PIP had been submitted for Appeal and the Planning Inspectorate had been advised of the Parish Council’s objection to this application. The Parish Council noted Application 00688/26/FUL Eastern Link 3 (EGL 3) & (EGL 4) Grimsby to Walpole.  

 

The Clerk presented the year end accounting statements prepared according to proper accounting practices. The Council noted all receipts/payments for the year ending 31st March 2026 and verified the bank reconciliation. The Council considered the Annual Governance Statement and the Accounting Statements for audit for the financial period

1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026 and dates for the period of public rights. The Council expressed their appreciation to the Internal Auditor, who had completed the audit.

 

It was

 

RESOLVED                    a)         to approve the Annual Governance Statement (Minute 9a);

b)         to approve the Accounting Statements for the period (Minute 9b);

c)         dates for the Notice of Period of Exercise of Public Rights were agreed and to meet the Notice of Period of Exercise of Public Rights which commence 03/06/26 until 14/07/26, the appropriate documents were to be held by the Chairman for inspection;

d)        Insurance and Risks Reviews were made; Zurich Insurance premium had increased to £304, due to the precept increase resulting in a change of banding. Following consideration it was accepted for renewal; the following documents had been circulated, reviewed: Complaints Procedure, Data Protection, Digital, Equal Opportunities, Model Publication, GDPR, Health & Safety, Safeguarding. Press & Media, all accepted with no amendments;

 e)        Expenditure & Invoices for Payment

                          R Taylor-Accountant    £  100.00         LCVHP-Printing         £    19.80

             Zurich-Insurance         £  304.00         HMRC-PAYE             £    93.65      

             LCVHP-Printing           £    19.90        Clerk’s Salary             £  357.48

             LBS-building items      £    45.06        

             Income Precept          £5100.00         VAT Refund has been submitted for   £  217.91

All accounts were received and agreed for payment.

 

ELDC–Electors Update, Clerks & Councils & Nationalgrid Update-Noted.

 

The Vice-Chairman (Cllr Grist) declared a “Personal Interest”, due to his role as a District Councillor, this item is a District Council Scheme.

 

The Chairman advised that he was obtaining quotes to carry out the revised repair work to the pond, pond wall, relaying of path (a TTPO was not required), new posts and fencing, and replacement of the handrail to this area. The Vice-Chairman and Cllr Hardesty both advised that 2-3 quotes would be required to submit with a revised application and that it was essential to submit a revised application urgently before the scheme closed because the pond requires work urgently. Members discussed options, and it was

 

RESOLVED        i)        that gabion baskets should be used (being in keeping for area and for the chalk bed);

 ii)        the project should be managed by a local company. Chairman to contact local companies to scope it out and quote;

              iii)        the Parish Council to provide 10% towards funding of the project.

 

Following brief discussion, it was

 

RESOLVED  that a grant of £120 would be allocated to Yellow Pages to continue to assist with the running costs of this local newsletter.

 

Mr Cartwright had submitted a report, in his absence, which was noted by the Committee.

 

The Chairman reported that LCC had advised that the pond wall was the responsibility of the Parish Council. All other pond matters discussed under Item 11. Business-ELIF Grassroots scheme.

 

Cllr Hardesty queried how Parishioners were informed of Parish Council business. The Chairman advised that (as with all Parish Councils), Agendas and Minutes, Audits, etc., were displayed on the noticeboard and website. All Parishioners were invited to attend Meetings and raise any matters of concern during the “Open Forum”. They could also contact the Clerk or Councillors.

 

The next meeting would take place on:

 

WEDNESDAY 8 July, 16 September and 18 November 2026 each starting at 7.30 pm.

 

Meeting closed 8.35 pm.