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Minutes for the PC meeting 9th February 2026 DRAFT

Minutes of the Barrowby Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 9th February 2026
at the Reading Room, Church Street, Barrowby at 6:45pm
 
Public Forum (6:45pm – 7:15pm extended by Chair on resolution) There were 4 members of the public present. Discussion points raised:
i. Planning Matters: BAG thanked the Parish Council for its ongoing support regarding the current planning application. They queried the final number of objections submitted and expressed concern that the Parish Council website was not up to date. Cllr Eaton advised that objections were in excess of 500 and that an official figure would be available in the coming days. BAG also raised concerns regarding a six-house development having a footpath consultee,  and the apparent absence of a footpath consultee response for our application. Cllr Eaton explained that footpaths fall under drainage consultation. Cllr Durand stated that he would take this matter forward, noting that the process should be consistent.
ii. Potholes: A significant number of potholes are forming at the junction of High Road and Church Street. Cllr Eaton advised to report the issue via Fix My Street, confirming that the Parish Council would also submit a report. Cllr Lees asked whether the contractor responsible for pothole repairs had changed, as recent repairs appear to be deteriorating quickly. Additional potholes in the parish were identified. Action: Cllr Eaton to contact builders/site office to ask whether the large pothole on Dysart Road can be temporarily filled.
iii. Mud on Roads: Concerns were raised regarding large volumes of mud being deposited on roads by heavy lorries, particularly on Rectory Lane. Action: Cllr Whittington to investigate the source and report accordingly.
iv. Traffic and Highways: Members were informed that Highways officers met with Councillor Wimhurst. They undertook a walkaround of the village, and discussed concerns regarding traffic volumes and the suitability of the local road network for ongoing development applications. Highways acknowledged and agreed with the Parish Council’s concerns. It was noted that Highways had originally supported the planning application; clarification has since been requested.
v. BAGS Traffic Survey An engineering firm was commissioned and funded by BAGS to conduct a comprehensive survey of village roads, topography, and traffic volumes. The survey identified key pinch points on narrow roads including Casthorpe Road, Rectory Lane, Grange Paddock, and Mill Road. BAGS now have a detailed report, including drawings and traffic data, which will be used to support objections to the planning application. Cllr Eaton noted that establishing a baseline of traffic volumes prior to the completion of the Dysart Road and Low Road developments would be useful for future comparison. Discussed further at point 8a: 
vi. Planning Timelines: Cllr Whittington explained that SKDC are dealing with a significant number of planning applications which may delay decisions. No clear time line can be given at this time.
vii. General Matters: Members agreed that the planning application presents multiple challenges for the Planning Department. It was noted that Anglian Water’s objection, citing insufficient sustainability for sewerage and drainage, is a particularly strong reason for refusal. Action: Cllr Whittington to circulate a link providing information on the planning appeals process.
 
The Public Forum ended at 7.15pm. Meeting started 7.16pm
 
Councillors in attendance:
Michael Brown, Phil Cupit, JP Durand, Nigel Eaton (Chair), Jo Footitt, Tim Lees, Anna McConnell-Good
 
Officers in attendance:
Claire Dring (Assistant Clerk) 6.45pm-7.45pm Claire Vink (Parish Clerk) 7.20pm to close
 
District and County Councillors:
District Cllr Robert Leadenham. 
County Cllr Richard Litchfield 
 
1. WELCOME (25/142)
Cllr Eaton welcomed members and members of the public to the meeting. He thanked the BAGs and Cllr Leadenham for attending a pre meeting regarding planning in the parish
 
2. APOLOGIES (25/143)
Cllrs Bosworth, P Brown and H Staunton apologies were noted
 
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (25/144)
a) No declarations were made
b) No dispensations were made.
 
4. MINUTES (25/145)
It was RESOLVED to approve and sign the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on 9th January 2026. There was 1 abstention
 
5. 20 IS PLENTY (25/146)
A presentation was received from Roy Redman. Cllr Eaton thanked Mr Redman for his time and sharing the information on this scheme, and cycling schemes and pathway regulations in relation to the proposed new development on Low Road. It was RESOLVED to approve formation of a working group to take this forward. Cllrs Cupit and Durand were appointed. Mr Redman confirmed he is happy to support the group Action: Clerk to seek additional members. Action: Clerk to contact National Highways regarding the height of the barrier on the bridge across the A1 from Low Road to Dystart Road. Clerk to circulate presentation and notes provided by Mr Redman to Cllrs and BAG.
 
7.45pm Assistant Clerk left the meeting
8pm 1 Member of Public left the meeting
 
6. PLANNING (25/147): Clllr Whittington abstained from voting on planning matters as he sits on the SKDC planning committee. 
a. S26/0037 A1/A52 junction conditions. There was a unanimous vote to object to this planning application. Action: Clerk to submit comment by Councillors to SKDC Planning. Residents encouraged to comment via the following routes: the SKDC planning portal: rod.publicaccess.southkesteven.gov.uk/online-applications/ Email your comments to planning@southkesteven.gov.uk and quote planning reference in the subject line and in your message. Write to: Planning (Development Management), South Kesteven District Council, The Picture House, St Catherine’s Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6TT (quoting planning reference)
b. S26/0048: Hybrid planning application at the Heathers. There was a unanimous vote to object to this planning application. Action: Clerk to submit comment by Councillors to SKDC Planning. Residents encouraged to comment via routes identified above.
c. Additional planning application considered: S26/0057: No objections or comments noted.
 
7. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN (25/148)
A verbal report on the Neighbourhood plan was received. Public Consultation is currently live: 29/01/26 to 01/03/2026. SKDC to lead on this with Parish Council in a supporting role.
 
8.15pm 1 member of the public left
8.20pm 2 members of the public left 
 
8. REPORTS (25/149)
a) Verbal update received from local government representatives:
i. County Councillor Litchfield: Ongoing issues being progressed, namely: 
I. School traffic. Highways have attended and agree a full assessment needs to be carried out to address the issues. 
II. Drop curb / extension of the footpath along Low Road opposite the Coop ongoing
III. Grit Bin along Hedgefield Road ongoing
IV. Lights on A1/A52: National Highways communicated that this would be fixed in March. Cllr Litchfield to follow up. 
V. Resurface of footpath between Mill Road and Lowfields ongoing: Cllr Litchfield to follow up.
VI. Gate at Mill Row ongoing
VII. Areas inappropriately used as ‘laybys’ on Rectory Lane increasing litter in the area: A bin has been installed by SKDC. Action: Clerk to request that this is re-sited nearer to the problem area. Clerk to work with Cllr Litchfield to identify how the ‘laybys’ can be closed off
VIII. Cllr Eaton made a request for a traffic survey on Rectory Lane to identify traffic levels before completion of the Tayor Wimpey development. Action: Cllr Litchfield to request an Archer survey 
ii. District Councillor Leadenham: Encouraged engagement in the consultation for the Local Government Reorganisation. Action: PC to feed into consultation process. Dog fouling and 30 mph signs provided by SKDC. Action: Cllr Eaton to identify where he would like them and Clerk to install them. Training for community speed watch likely to take place in the next 2-3 weeks. Volunteers needed. Cllr Leadenham is planning a ward group meeting for May / June. Date for the diary: there will be a Local Authorities Open Day Friday 1st May at the Grantham Canal Society with joint representation across councils. There is no option for increased litter collection grant.
b) A verbal update from the RAGS group was received: Street tree planting is confirmed with LCC 29th March. Progress is being made on the procurement of materials for the orchard project and a community day date will be organised. A further 100 tree whips will be planted on the Lowfield perimeter during March. Action: Clerk to confirm where these trees are going and the through life resourcing for the trees. The group are seeking to renew contacts with the Low Road developers with regard to their plans for green infrastructure design and delivery. Flower Group: No update at this time. Cllr Cupit to identify possible dates for a joint meeting between the Flower Group and RAGs
 
9. COMMITTEE MINUTES (25/150)
a. The minutes from the Buildings and Assets Committee 19th January 2026 were NOTED
 
10. FINANCE (25/151)
a) The January 2026 bank reconciliations were RESOLVED to approve.  
b) The summary of receipts, precept and expenditure figure was NOTED
c) The income for January 2026 was NOTED.
d) The expenditure for January / February 2026 was RESOLVED to approve as outlined in the payments list. 
e) It was RESOLVED to approve payment for the LALC annual subscription. 
f) It was RESOLVED to approve payment for renewal of the Reading Room WIFI. 
g) It was RESOLVED to approve payment of £50 to cover the remaining street tree funding. Barrowby Open Door were thanked for their fundraising efforts towards this initiative. 
h) It was RESOLVED to approve payment for Saintary Unit Waste disposal at the Pavilion and Reading Room.
 
11. CLERKS REPORT (25/152)
A verbal update was received from the Clerk in respect of the Clerk’s Report, and the outstanding actions listed therein were NOTED. 
 
Cllrs Whittington, Leadenham and Litchfield left the meeting at 9.15pm
 
12. COUNCILLOR TRAINING (25/153)
a) The roles and responsibilities of a Parish Councillor were NOTED
b) It was RESOLVED to approve that the Councillors should undertake the proposed training programme regarding GDPR, FOI etc using the ICO training videos. Action: Clerk to book the Reading Room at a time convenient to all for Councillors to partake in the training.
 
13. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING(25/154)
Discussion around the format and date for the Annual Parish Meeting. Action: All to consider options for a presentation to attract residents to the meeting. Clerk to liaise with Cllr Eaton regarding dates and booking either the Reading Room or Memorial Hall.
 
14. POLICIES (25/155)
a) It was RESOLVED to approve the following policies: Equal Opportunities, Grievance, Lone Worker, Recruitment and Selection. Action: Clerk to get a personal alarm for the Caretaker and the Litter Collector. There was discussion around the Sickness policy re: inclusion of a clause to allow PC to request access to medical records. Action: Clerk to explore legal options for this
b) It was RESOLVED to approve the updated Hire documents with the following amendments: The lost key charge was set at £100.
 
15. CAPTURE OF FUTURE ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION / AGENDA ITEMS (25/156)
Option for veterans housing in New Developments. 1st Allocation to those with a local connection. 2nd Allocation to veterans.
Proposal for wards within the parish to allow for equal representation across the parish e.g. East of the A1, Westry Corner etc.
Letter of Welcome to all new housing
Royal Mail lists Barrowby postcodes as Grantham 
Noise damping in the Reading Room
 
16. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING (25/157)
Monday 9th March 2026 at 6.45pm in the Reading Room for the Parish Council Meeting
 
The meeting closed at 9.40pm

BARROWBY PARISH COUNCIL FINANCE REPORT FEBRUARY 2026

Members noted the following income in February:   

Customer

Description

Total

 

Snowden

Hire of Reading Room

£54.00

 

Private Hire

Hire of Reading Room

£92.00

 

Open Door

Grant

£270.40

 

South Kesteven District Council

Grant

£933.48

 

Western Power

Wayleave payment

£69.17

 

Barrowby Pre School

Pre-School hire

£1,035.00

 

Virgin Money

Interest

£144.37

 

Private Hire

Hire of Reading Room

£177.50

 

Private Hire

Hire of Reading Room

£47.00

 

Private Hire

Hire of Reading Room

-£50.00

 

Private Hire

Hire of Reading Room

-£47.00

 

InHale

Hire of Reading Room

£96.00

 

InHale

Hire of Reading Room

£36.00

 

Private Hire

Hire of Reading Room

£7.00

 

Virgin Money

Virgin Money Cashback

£0.39

 

Private Hire

Hire of Reading Room

£18.00

 

Mr Bridge Club

Hire of Reading Room

£108.00

 

Mr Bridge Club

Hire of Reading Room

£72.00

 

East Midlands Scrabble Club

Hire of Reading Room

£48.00

 

Andrew Taylor

Hire of Reading Room

£24.00

 

Grantham and Kesteven Bridge Club

Hire of Reading Room

£96.00

 

Grantham and Kesteven Bridge Club

Hire of Reading Room

£108.00

 

Private Hire

Hire of Reading Room

£101.00

 

Snowden

Hire of Reading Room

£36.00

 

 

Members approved the following expenditure in January / February 2026:

Supplier

Description

Net

VAT

Total

Affiliates Get Seen Here Ltd

Web services

£66.00

£0.00

£66.00

Amazon

Bin bags for Litter picker

£16.62

£3.32

£19.94

Amazon

Blue paper rolls

£19.72

£3.94

£23.66

Amazon

Printer paper

£35.38

£7.08

£42.46

Amazon

Snow Shovel

£11.62

£2.33

£13.95

Amazon

Cleaning supplies

£29.50

£5.90

£35.40

British Telecommunications Plc

Broadband

£74.38

£14.88

£89.26

Cheap & Chirpy

Cleaning

£100.00

£0.00

£100.00

Claire Dring

Printing

£9.90

£0.00

£9.90

Cloudy Group Ltd

IT Support

£236.20

£47.24

£283.44

Dunelm

Mop and Bucket

£12.50

£2.50

£15.00

East of England apples & Orchards Project

Trees - Orchard

£53.00

£0.00

£53.00

EDF Energy

Electricity Supply

£127.57

£6.38

£133.95

EE Ltd

Broadband

£29.50

£5.90

£35.40

Epson Ready Print

Printing

£2.91

£0.58

£3.49

Greenstripe

Grass cutting specialised

£450.00

£0.00

£450.00

Grenke

Lease of ipads

£309.84

£61.96

£371.80

Grenke

Ipad equipment protection

£110.00

£0.00

£110.00

HMRC

PAYE/NIC

£1,018.47

£0.00

£1,018.47

Home Bargains

Floor mops and refills

£12.90

£2.58

£15.48

Home Bargains

Cleaning supplies

£1.65

£0.33

£1.98

Ian Smith Electrical

Fire Alarm test

£95.00

£19.00

£114.00

Jackery UK Ltd

Solar Generator

£1,082.50

£216.50

£1,299.00

JRB Enterprises Ltd

Dog poo bags

£30.40

£6.08

£36.48

Lebara

Asst Clerk mobile phone

£1.24

£0.25

£1.49

Lebara

Clerk mobile phone

£4.12

£0.83

£4.95

Lebara

RFO mobile phone

£3.67

£0.73

£4.40

Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils

Annual membership fee

£577.58

£0.00

£577.58

Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils

Annual Training Scheme

£204.00

£0.00

£204.00

Mileage

Mileage

£2.97

£0.00

£2.97

Monthly Salaries

January Salaries

£3,596.28

£0.00

£3,596.28

Monthly Salaries

WFH Allowance

£78.00

£0.00

£78.00

NALC

Training

£35.00

£7.00

£42.00

National Allotment Society

Annual Allotment fees

£70.00

£14.00

£84.00

NEST

Pension payment

£214.62

£0.00

£214.62

P E Hempstead and Sons

Grass cutting

£67.00

£13.40

£80.40

Pip & Stone Ltd

Trees - Orchard

£196.50

£0.00

£196.50

Pittam Property Improvement

General maintenance

£348.00

£69.60

£417.60

SLCC

Annual membership fee

£215.00

£0.00

£215.00

South Kesteven District Council

Waste collection

£155.38

£0.00

£155.38

South Kesteven District Council

Parish Poll Fee

£1,305.85

£0.00

£1,305.85

SSE Business Energy

Gas supply

£608.60

£121.72

£730.32

Starboard Systems Limited

Scribe Bookings Subscription

£46.00

£9.20

£55.20

Starboard Systems Limited

Scribe accounts renewal

£561.60

£112.32

£673.92

Stripe

Stripe Transaction Fee

£11.04

£0.00

£11.04

Thorpe Plumbing & Heating

Plumbing

£65.00

£13.00

£78.00

Virgin Money

Bank charges

£23.60

£0.00

£23.60