Minutes for Parish Council Meetings 2026-27

Minutes of the Barrowby Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 11th May 2026 at the Reading Room, Church Street, Barrowby at 6:45pm

Public Forum (6:45pm – 7pm) There was no members of the public present. 

i. Clerk made representation  on behalf of the crochet group. The group have requested permission to create a crochet cover for an outside item such as a post box or bench. It was unanimously voted to approve the request.

ii. It was NOTED that the damp smell in the Reading Room kitchen was getting worse. ACTION  Cllr Lees to bring in his dehumidifier to see if that will help.

iii. Cllr Leadenham circulated a leaflet asking for feedback

Meeting started 7.04pm 

Councillors in attendance:

Michael Brown, Paul Brown, Pam Bosworth, Phil Cupit, Nigel Eaton (Chair), Jo Footitt, Tim Lees, Anna McConnell-Good and Mark Whittington

Officers in attendance:

Claire Vink (Parish Clerk) 

District and County Councillors:

District Cllr Robert Leadenham

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN & DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE (S26/001)

Cll Eaton was unanimously re-elected as the Chair of Barrowby Parish Council and signed the declaration of acceptance.

2. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN & DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE (S26/002)

Cll Lees was unanimously re-elected as the Chair of Barrowby Parish Council and signed the declaration of acceptance.

3. WELCOME (26/003)

Cllr Eaton welcomed members and members of the public to the meeting. 

4. APOLOGIES (26/004)

Clls Durand, Staunton and County Cllr Richard Litchfield apologies were NOTED

5. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (26/005)

a) No declarations were made. Cllr Whittington NOTED that he is on the planning committee for SKDC and would not contribute to agenda item 10.

b) No dispensations were made.

6. MINUTES (26/006)

It was RESOLVED to approve and sign the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on 13th April 2026. There were 2 abstentions

7. COUNCILLOR PRIORITIES AND AREAS OF FOCUS FOR 2026/27 (26/007)

i. Cllr Eaton: Do everything within his power to ensure that Parish Council is within budget this year. Explore options to fund the development of parish infrastructure to include support to the new residents of housing developments currently under construction.

ii. Cllr Cupit: Adoption of the Neighbourhood plan. Ensure new residents are welcomed into the parish and promote inclusivity. To ensure the White Swan remains a public house and explore options for a community right to buy if the future of the pub becomes uncertain.

iii. Cllr Whittington: Focus will be on the budget and an infrastructure review. Ensure the A1/A52 junctions works are carried out

iv. Cllr P Brown: Ensure good management and running of the burial ground. Support maintenance jobs as required. Provide representation for the Colleys on the Council.

v. Cllr Lees: Focus on Speed Awareness and Speed Indicator Devices. Support to the different working groups such as the Flower Group, Planning Group and Pavilion Users, and link in with local groups such as Barrowby Open Door. Greater community engagement. Continue to develop Buildings and Assets Committee.

vi. Cllr McConnell-Good: There has been a notable increase in the pressure put on the Parish Council and demands on Council time. It is important to improve the relationship with the village and ensure there is a realistic understanding of the bandwidth and purpose of the Parish Council, and there is recognition for the positive work that it does. Focus will be on visibility, approachability and communication including other methods of Social Media.

vii. Cllr Footitt: Development of a natural Burial Ground. To create a more supportive community through the development of infrastructure. To support health and wellbeing such as a place to meet for new parents, women, retired people or a collective area to work for those who work from home.

viii. Cllr Bosworth: Improve hearing in the Reading Room.

ix. Cllr M Brown: Focus on the care of the Pavilion while its future is decided. Tidy the outside area, clear mud stains, ensure it is kept in good running order. Ensure good management of the Burial Ground. Ensure that the village continues to be served by an appropriate level of public transport.

x. Cllr Durand (submitted in writing) My focus is planning and ensuring each application is considered on its merits, with material planning comments submitted on behalf of the Council. Representation on the Recreation and Green Space Group.

8. ANNUAL PROCEDURES (26/008)

a) It was RESOLVED to approve the Terms of Reference for the Allotment, Buildings and Assets, Burial Ground, Finance, and Staffing Committees

b) Election of members to the committees:

i. Allotment Committee: Cllrs Eaton, Lees and McConnell-Good

ii. Burial Ground Committee: Cllrs P Brown, M Brown, Cupit, Lees, Footitt and McConnell-Good

iii. Buildings and Assets Committee:   Cllrs P Brown, M Brown, Cupit, Durand, Eaton, Lees, Footitt and McConnell-Good

iv. Staffing Committee: : Cllrs P Brown, M Brown, Cupit, Lees, Footitt and McConnell-Good

v. Finance Committee: Cllrs: P Brown, Durand, Eaton, Lees and Whittington

c) No formal request for representation on the PCC. Cllr Whittington is an officer of the PCC and will provide liaison.

d) It was RESOLVED to adopt the 2026 Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.

e) It was RESOLVED to adopt all policies as summarised on the website:  https://barrowby.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/policy-procedure-summary

f) The Asset Register as 31 March 2026 was NOTED. It was NOTED that the Amazon Kindle was now obsolete and can be disposed of. ACTION Cllrs Durand and Cupit to work on Parish Online resource.

g) The Website Accessibility Statement was NOTED

h) The Council reaffirmed its commitment to the Civility and Respect Pledge.

i) It was NOTED that the pattern of meetings will continue, namely that Parish Council meetings will be held on the second Monday of every month at 7pm.  There is no Parish Council meeting in August.

9. REPORTS (26/009)

a) Verbal update received from local government representatives:

i. District Councillor Leadenham: Ongoing issues being progressed, namely:

i. A1/A52 junction: Cllr Leadenham is now pursuing this issue with the MP

ii. Dystart Road Bridge barrier height: Cllr Leadenham is also going to apply pressure to have the height increased

iii. Canal open day went well. Cllr Leadenham thanked the Canal Society for all their work.  MP Gareth Davis was in attendance. Cllr Leadenham spoke to him regarding the changes in planning. Previously MP Davis could not engage with planning however now if a development greater than 150 houses is rejected it will automatically go to the Secretary of State and become an parliamentary issue. MP Davis to look into his level of influence now these changes have been brought in. 

iv. Speed Indicator Devices: Denton Parish are ordering 3 devices. There may be the opportunity to bulk purchase at a reduced cost. They are exploring the possibility of match funding and will let Barrowby PC know

v. SKDC have reopened their community fund to support small projects. There is an upcoming funding workshop.

vi. There will be a decision of the Unitary reorganisation in July.

vii. The Great Big Green Week event will be on the 6th June at the Canal Society.

viii. Exploring options for joint engagement at the Colleys. Requests to use the show home have not been responded to. Clerk to request to use the Green Space with a gazebo,

ix. Clerk to work with Cllr Leadenham to produce a joint publication highlighting the work of both the District Cllr and the PC which can be sent out as an insert to the Barrowby News.

ii. Written update received from County Cllr Litchfield:

i. A52/A1 Light repairs. Response from National Highways. Work paused due to intimidation from members of the public. Work will now be completed with police support. Waiting on reply on rescheduled date.

ii. Bridge barrier height. Response from National Highways. Requested on site visit. Denied. Barrier height meets national requirements and will not be changed at this time.

iii. Rectory Road. Currently with Highways, Cllr Litchfield had a call scheduled for Monday and insisted that LCC attend site next week to review ongoing concerns. Taylor Wimpey are waiting for final costings before moving forward with verge restoration.

iv. A1 Signs. Some removed, in the main thanks to FixMyStreet. Remaining items have been chased with Highways.

b) The following verbal update from the Working Groups was NOTED:

i. Recreation and green space (RAGS) group: The final payment for the community orchard has been received and this has been signed off. All the trees have taken and are in leaf. They have been watered by RAGS vols during the dry spell. RAGS have been shortlisted for a Pride in the Community SKDC award. Members will attend a picnic event in Dysart Park in early June when the winners will be announced. RAGS were congratulated by the Parish Council on their great work and being finalists in the SKDC awards. 

ii. Flower Group: Spring / summer planting coming along. The hanging baskets will hopefully be up at the beginning of June once the watering system at the Reading Room has been serviced. 

iii. 20’s plenty: 1st Meeting of the group will be 20th May 7pm in the Reading Room. ACTION: Clerk to contact Tayor Wimpey to see if we can borrow their mobile Speed Indicator Device. 

iv. Planning Working Group: 1st meeting of the group will be 12th May 7.30pm in the Pavilion

v. Pavilion Users Group: Met last month to discuss new contracts and requirements. Options were put forward regarding the use of the pavilion in the absence of the pre school. Sports groups encouraged to engage with Taylor Wimpey as possible source of funding.

10. PLANNING (26/010)

a) S26/0204 Non-material amendment to planning approval S25/0613 to amend the approved Planning Layout listed within the Approved Plans under condition 2. Taylor Wimpey. No comment required

b) S26/0611 Seven replacement timber windows with traditional details, repair & painting of existing render & removal of brick infill panel to form a larger window opening. The Ceders. Adherence to listed buildings requirements is expected however no further comment.

c) S26/0623 Non-material amendment to planning approval S25/0613 to amend the wording of condition 18 to vary plots subject to validation testing. Taylor Wimpey. No comment required

d) S25/2471: Land West of Grange Paddock. Additional Documents added. Deadline 15th May. It was RESOLVED to approve the comment written by the Planning working group. ACTION: Clerk to submit comment.  A request was made to move into closed session. It was RESOLVED to move into closed session at 8.40pm in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, due to the confidential nature of matters to be discussed. It was RESOLVED to move back into open session at 8.50pm.

e) S26/0775 and S26/0778 Barrowby Parish Council Tree Work. No comment required as it is Parish Council Tree works identified in the tree safety survey. 

f) Verbal update from the Planning Working Group was noted above

g) No additional applications received.

11. SKDC COMPLAINTS (26/011): 

It was NOTED that a preliminary meeting with Weightmans Legal practice had taken place. They confirmed that they have been instructed by SKDC to conduct an independent enquiry. The meeting was considered constructive however the timescale for the initial report has already moved which was disappointing. 

12. COMMITTEE MINUTES (26/012)

a) No meetings held in the time period 

District Cllr Leadenham and Cllr Bosworth left the meeting 8.55pm

13. FINANCE (26/013)

a) It was RESOLVED to approve the April 2026 bank reconciliations 

b) The summary of receipts, precept, expenditure and surplus / deficit figure was NOTED. 

c) The income for April 2025 was NOTED

d) It was RESOLVED to approve the payments list 

e) Play area signage: It was RESOLVED to approve new signs at the play park to improve safety information, site rules, reporting arrangements and damage/hazard reporting details with delegated authority to the Assistant Clerk to obtain quotes and proceed via the Buildings and Assets committee

f) It was RESOLVED to approve attendance at the LALC annual conference for 3 members of staff.

g) It was RESOLVED to approved a one off donation of £100 to the charity LIVES (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Services) 

14. CLERKS REPORT (26/0014)

A verbal update was received from the Clerk in respect of the Clerk’s Report, and the outstanding actions listed therein were NOTED.  Outstanding actions: 

i. Cllr Eaton to work with Cllr Leadenham to arrange community speed watch training. 

ii. Cllr Lees to meet with Cllr Durand to discuss RAGS planting on the Lowfields. Clerk to investigate options for probation services to complete maintenance work on the Lowfields.

iii. Cllr GDPR training to be booked for June. 

15. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING (26/015)

a) Due to forecast bad weather, it was RESOLVED to move the Annual Parish Meeting to the advertised back up location of the Reading Room. It will still be held on Wednesday 13th May 6.30pm. 

b) It was RESOVLED to approve the community consultation. This will run for 6 weeks starting at the Annual Parish Meeting to gain evidence of community support on issues for grant applications, and to inform parish council decisions for the next year.

16. CAPTURE OF FUTURE ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION / AGENDA ITEMS (26/016)

AGAR

Barrowby News

17. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING (26/017)

Monday 8th June 2026 at 6.45pm in the Reading Room for the Parish Council Meeting

The meeting closed at 9.30pm

BARROWBY PARISH COUNCIL FINANCE REPORT MAY 2026: 

Members noted the following income in APRIL:   

Members approved the following expenditure in April / May 2026: