2025 Minutes

MINUTES of MEETING for the PARISHES OF BARKSTON AND SYSTON

Held in The Village Hall, Barkston, on Monday 8th September 2025 at 7:45 pm

Present: Councillors M.E. Nussey (Chair), A Card (Vice Chair), A. Rowell, S Micklewright, P Connor, C Pell

Also Present: 2 Members of the public

1) Apologies.

A Hine, S Elnor & R Parke

2) Approval of the Minutes of the last meeting dated 14th July 2025

Proposed for approval by AR and seconded by SM – Unanimous

3) Members’ Code of Conduct and disclosable pecuniary interests.

No Interests declared

4) Roads and footpaths update on matters previously raised

Overgrown footpath between The Drift and Bus Shelter - Clerk to reported issue to Council who originally responded to say that they have assessed the footpath and at gave decided that at present doesn’t require urgent repair, however it has been identified as a location for larger scale improvement scheme but at this stage are unable to give a specific timescale for this to be done. – No update

Blocked Pipe West Lodge - West lodge pipe under the highway being blocked – work ongoing – ongoing MN to speak to resident to see if issue has been resolved

Dropped Kerb near Village green

Request Submitted – Pending Investigation

Minutes Hill breaking up & mud on road from verge

Highways are investigating.

Flooding Near Stag:

Most works completed – remaining works include the Drainage ditch opposite Syston Junction and clerk is in correspondences with Highways to agree a date to deliver Flood Signs and High Vis Jackets

Alms Houses Condition of Footpath & Verge:

Works Completed

Damaged Drain Cover to the Left of Entrance to Village Hall

Reported 06.03.2025 – Works now completed

Hough Road – Speed reduction

Email sent to LCC awaiting response

Dog Fouling

This has been reported to environmental services with the request for campaign material to encourage owners to pick up after their dogs. PC advised that the new bin on drift lane had made a difference but there are still dog walkers not cleaning up after their dogs

Over Grown Verge & Hedge Between the Paddock & Honington Road on Main Street

Concerns Raised by resident who was finding it difficult to navigate the path on mobility scooter. Reported to Highways on 26/07/2025 and was resolved by Highways on 30/07/2025

Cars For Sale

Complaint received regarding car for sale on verge on main street, no action taken as car was not still there when clerk checked.

Illegal/Unsocial use of Motorcycles/Quad bikes on West Street

Incidents have been communicated to the Police who have attended the scene on a number of occasions and spoke to some of the youths involved. There are also signs on west street advising that vehicles causing nuisance or distress are at risk of being removed. The police have spoken to Local residents and asked them to report any suture incidents.

5) Planning Report of Comments and Decisions

Application for reserved matters relating to layout, scale, appearance, landscaping and access, for the erection of 5 dwellings following outline planning permission S22/1065 The Gables Honington Road Barkston Lincolnshire NG32 2NG

Ref. No: S24/1453 | Received: Wed 21 Aug 2024 | Validated: Wed 21 Aug 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision Cllr P Connor Attended the Planning committee meeting and spoke on behalf of residents & the PC regarding the size and scale of the development. The Committee approved the application despite the concerns and the clerk has published the result on the village social media page. – CL PC Advised that he was only allowed 3 minutes to put the PC’s concerns forward.  Sadly, none of the planning council members asked any follow up questions and approved the application PC would try and arrange a meeting with planning to understand the ruling around the 3 minutes speaking rule, especially for Parish councilors –  The Parish clerk advised the meeting that she had received a message from Bee and Martin Hencher expressing their appreciation and thanks to the PC and especially Peter Connor for the support in the planning appeal for this application.

Section 211 Notice to reduce crown of Cherry tree (T1) by 30% and reduce crown of Silver Birch tree (T2) by 30%. 

St Martin's House 9 West Street Barkston Lincolnshire NG32 2NL

Ref. No: S25/1394 | Received: Wed 23 Jul 2025 | Validated: Fri 08 Aug 2025 | Status: Awaiting decision

PC Response: No Comment or Objection

6) Burial Ground

The hedge has been cut including along the 607 side which has been reduced by 2 ft

7) Playing Field

SM Advised the meeting that the Climbing wall had been installed and was proving popular with the Children In the parish. The clerk advised that the company who installed it had asked if the PC would write a review on how we found the process of obtaining funding (with their support) and installation, it was unanimously agreed that the clerk should e-mail them highlighting the smooth and effortless process.

SM advised the meeting that the Village Show on Saturday was very successful with many residents and stall holders saying what a good event it was and looked forward to next year.  It raised approx. £1200; the Playing Filed committee will hold a meeting in the next few weeks to discuss next year’s event.

SM also raised a concern over dogs on the playing field, whilst there are signs saying no dogs it appears that some people are not following this and when challenged are coming up with occasions that dogs are being allowed on to the field when other events are taking place such as ethe dog show and cricket matches and that the signage is contradictory.  AM will discuss with the playing field committee to

8) Picnic Area

It was agreed that the clerk would obtain quotes to repair the holes on the entrance to the picnic area.

9)  Village Hall.

PC advised the meeting that further discussions were taking place with the village hall committee to ensure that the Village Hall was registered with Land registry.

10) Financial Matters:

Accounts paid and for payment since last meeting:

The PC reviewed the income and expenditure since last meeting

The clerk advised the meeting that the Costs of the Marquee had been added to the Poors Law Charity budget line in error and should be under the S137 Budget line.

Expenditure since last meeting:

Marquee Deposit - £230.00

Toilets for Village Show - £372.00

Insurance for Marquee - £112.00

Burial Ground hedge Cutting - £610.00

Marquee Hire - £690.00

BDG Village Mowing  - £712.80

11) Land Adjacent to Copper Bank, Station Road:

The Planning Consultants working on the plans had asked the OC if they would be prepared to offer their support to the application in line with the alterations to the plans they had made in reference to the PC’s original comments. The Parish council still has concerns over the drainage to the site and any effects it would have on the river, the PC also as a rule doesn’t support applications unless they bring a specific need to the village and would also not be able to advise how they would comment on an application until they have the official application available to them for review. – Clerk to advise the consultants accordingly.

12) Any other business for discussion not decision

The Clerk advised that Cllr S Elnor had revised concerns over the hedge outside the Council bungalows on West Street which was being overtaken by Ivy and encroaching on to the footpath. The Clerk will contact SKDC to advise them f the issue.

Next meeting 10th November 2025

Meeting Closed at 21:36