2026 Minutes

MINUTES of MEETING for the PARISHES OF BARKSTON AND SYSTON

Held in The Village Hall, Barkston, on Monday 12th January 2026 at 7:45 pm

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

Also Present: 2 Members of the public

1) Apologies.

Cllr P Connor, Cllr A Rowell & County Cllr P Stephens

2) Approval of the Minutes of the last meeting dated 10th November 2025

Proposed for approval by SM and seconded by CP – Unanimous

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

No Interests declared

4) Roads and footpaths update on matters previously raised

Blocked Pipe – West Lodge
The pipe under the highway near West Lodge remains blocked. The Chair advised she had not had any communications from resident that this has not been resolved so agreed that this would be removed from ongoing meetings unless it is raised again as an issue.

Hough Road – Speed Reduction Request
Email sent to Lincolnshire County Council (LCC). Awaiting Response – Clerk to Speak to County Councilor to obtain response.

Dog Fouling
Reported to Environmental Services with a request for campaign materials to encourage responsible dog ownership. They have advised they will visit the village to assess the need for additional signage. Clerk to obtain update

Hedge Outside Bungalows – West Street
Hedge has now been trimmed back and works going on at property’s to replace Roofs & add Solor Panels, Clerk to request update obtain removal of Ivy and re planting hedge

Light flickering on weight restrictions sign on station road.

It was reported that the light was not working but Its noted that the light has now been fixed

2 x Street lights constantly on A607

Works issued to delivery gangs by LCC on 31/12, advised that this had been resolved at the time of the meeting

New footpath outside Alms Houses

It was noted that the new path has already started to crack outside the Alms Houses, Clerk to report to LCC

Footpath between bus shelter & The Drift

Path badly cracking, Clerk to report to LCC

5) Planning Report of Comments and Decisions

Change of use from domestic garden (C3) to dog sensory experiences area with single storey building (Sui Generis)

The Bungalow Heath Lane Barkston Lincolnshire

Ref. No: S25/1165 | Received: Mon 23 Jun 2025 | Validated: Fri 11 Jul 2025 | Status: Approved conditionally

Parish Response: No Comment or Objection

Erection of permanent rural workers dwelling.

Orchard Corner Farm Hough Road Barkston Grantham NG32 2PA

Ref. No: S25/2011 | Received: Wed 22 Oct 2025 | Validated: Wed 22 Oct 2025 | Status: Awaiting decision

Parish Response: No Objection

6) Burial Ground

No Updates

7) Playing Field

SM advised the storage arears are currently being tidied and sorted and the clerk asked who would be the best person to review the asset list for insurance purposes, SM advised that it would be Mr N Parker.

8) Picnic Area

Quote for repairing the hole on the entrance, the meeting felt the quote of £2500.00 was High and agreed to see what was happening  in relation to the development next door and any proposed improvements.

9)  Village Hall.

Nothing to report

10) Financial Matters:

Accounts paid and for payment since last meeting:

A)-Expenditure since last meeting:

Clerks Q3 Salary £671.82

Laptop £499.00

B)-Approval of the 26-27 budget and associated Precept

The PC reviewed the budget and it was agreed that the precept would be maintained at the 25/26 precept of £10,600 to cover planned spend resulting in no increase to residents’ contribution for 26/27. Any unplanned spend or projects agreed in year would come from Reserves if applicable.

11) Local Plan

It was agreed that the PC and village needed to be prepared for any planning applications such as the site listed in the local plan.

It was proposed that an action group would be put together to compile evidence to help the village mitigate any adverse impact on the village from any applications.

This will include looking in to adopting a Neighborhood Plan, commenting on the SKDC Local Plan and obtaining evidence of the impact to the village any large developments may have ready for any applications in the future.

The Draft neighborhood plan and comments on the Local plan would be shared with the village for comment before approval.

Proposed By AM and seconded by RP – Unanimous

Mr Vaughn had advised the meeting that he would be happy to compile a leaflet for residents to advise them of the action and how they can get involved, it was agreed that the cost of the leaflets would be paid by the PC

It was proposed by SM to accept Mr Vaughns kind offer and this was seconded by CP

12) Any other business

A resident has raised concerns regarding the smell of sewerage near The Leas under the open forum at the beginning of the meeting and advised that they had already reported it but the matter has not been resolved. It was agreed that the clerk would also raise the issue.

Clerk to share details of green bin consultation

Next meeting 9th March 2026

Meeting Closed at 21:00