2026 Minutes

The Minutes of the Annual Meeting of BARKSTON AND SYSTON PARISH COUNCIL

Venue: VILLAGE HALL, Barkston

Date: MONDAY 11th May 2026

Present: M Nussey (Chair), T Hine, S Elnor, R Parke, Cllr Paul Martin & 2 Members of the public.

1) Apologies.

P Connor, A Card, S Micklewright & I Stokes

2) Resignation of Cllrs C Pell & A Rowell

The Chair Advised that Cllrs C Pell and Allan Rowell had handed in their resignations as counsellors which she had accepted and thanked them personally for their service to the parishes of Barkston and Syston.  The meeting agreed that the clerk should arrange a thankyou gift as appreciation of their service.  

3) Election Of Chair

SE nominated M Nussey as Chair which was seconded by T Hine, there were no further nominations and M Nussey accept the position for a further year.

4) Election of Vice Chair

MN nominated A Card as Vice Chair which was seconded by T Hine, there were no further nominations and M Nussey advised the meeting in A Cards absence that he was happy to accept the position for a further year.

5) Approval of the Minutes of the last meeting dated 20.03.26

RP Proposed the approval of the Minutes of the last meeting which were seconded by TH - Unanimous

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

No Declarations Made

7) Roads and footpaths Update on matters previously raised

Hough Road – Speed Reduction Request
Email sent to Lincolnshire County Council (LCC). Awaiting response Clerk has requested update – May want to look at speed watch to obtain stats to evidence issue  - speed watch,

Hedge Outside Bungalows – West Street
South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) is now investigating. The original report was passed from LCC to South Holland, and subsequently to SKDC.- Advised being investigated – Clerk has sent further request for update

Pedestrian Island Crossing A607 Barkston

Clerk wrote to LCC re concerns over safety after damage to island again, advised that works were scheduled to replace the Bollard and they would investigate alternative crossing options – Cllr P Martin has also e-mailed them requesting this is reviewed as a matter of urgency.

Footpath near old School Syston

Clerk reported the path worn out resulting in uneven path with loose gravel along with b=verge collapsing into path to LCC and received a response – “we’ve assessed the path condition and – whilst it has deteriorated it does not yet require further action. If the fault deteriorates significantly then please report this again to us and we will investigate further. Thank you for reporting this matter”. Cllr Hine raised concerns in respect how bad the paths needed to be before they are deemed as

Blocked Drain South of Stag A607

This has been reported on Fix my street – Clerk will monitor and escalate to Highways if not resolved to keep on top of flood risk at Stag. – need to also look at drainage ditch opposite village hall

Sign to the station road.

Cllr S Elnor reported that the Directional sign on the station road junction had slipped to the floor – Clerk to report to highways

River Lane – Dog Waste near bin and along the river

 The Chari advised the meeting that Syston residents had reported an increase in dog mess along river lane and even next to the dog bin. It was agreed that there was a need for additional signs, clerk has previously reported but will chase up with SKDC,

8) Planning

A) Land East of Honington Road, Barkston (Ref: S26/0248)

Objection has been lodged and now pending Planning decision

B) Steindale Properties public consultation

The parish council will Meeting with developers on 14th May

C) Other Planning application updates

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: Approved 08.05.26

Residential development (69no. dwellings) including area of open space, infrastructure and landscaping

Land East Of Honington Road Barkston NG32 2NE

Ref. No: S26/0248 | Received: Wed 11 Feb 2026 | Validated: Wed 11 Feb 2026 | Status: Awaiting decision

Section 73 application to vary condition 1 (Approved Plans) of planning permission reference S24/1453 (Application for reserved matters relating to layout, scale, appearance, landscaping and access following outline planning permission S22/1065)

The Gables Honington Road Barkston Lincolnshire NG32 2NG

Ref. No: S25/2394 | Received: Wed 10 Dec 2025 | Validated: Sat 10 Jan 2026 | Status: To be discussed at planning committee on 14/05/2026 – (revised drawing was received and comments provided by the council as follows

The Parish Council raises no objection in principle to the proposed planting of trees along the site boundary.
However, the Council requests that, should permission be granted, a condition is applied requiring the long-term maintenance of all proposed trees. This should include:
- Appropriate maintenance to ensure successful establishment; and
- The replacement on a like-for-like basis of any tree that dies, becomes diseased, or fails to establish within the first five years, with replanting to occur during the next available planting season.
These measures are considered necessary to ensure that the landscaping delivers its intended visual and environmental benefits over time.

Two extensions dwelling, demolition and rebuilding of garage, demolition and rebuilding of sunroom and construction of new car port

Brensham The Drift Syston Lincolnshire NG32 2BY

Ref. No: S26/0314 | Received: Fri 20 Feb 2026 | Validated: Fri 20 Feb 2026 | Status: Granted 17.04.26

Section 73 application to remove conditions 10 (No alterations to the roof of the property), 11 (No outbuildings) and 12 (No enlargement, improvement or other alteration) of planning permission S18/1029 (Erection of a two storey detached dwelling with integral garage).

23 West Street Barkston Lincolnshire NG32 2NL

Ref. No: S26/0506 | Received: Mon 23 Mar 2026 | Validated: Mon 23 Mar 2026 | Status: Awaiting decision

PC Comment: Barkston and Syston Parish Council has reviewed planning application S26/0506, including the request made under Section 73 to remove Conditions 10, 11 and 12 of the original planning permission. These conditions relate to:

• Condition 10 – No alterations to the roof of the property • Condition 11 – No outbuildings • Condition 12 – No enlargement, improvement or other alteration

The Parish Council has no objection to the proposed installation of solar panels or to the relocation of the summer house as described in the application.

However, the Council wishes to express concern regarding the wider implications of removing the above conditions in full. These conditions were originally imposed to ensure appropriate control over future development on the site, and their removal could allow further alterations, extensions or additional structures without the safeguards previously considered necessary.

For this reason, while we do not object to the specific works proposed, we request that the existing restrictions remain in place for any future changes. Alternatively, if the Local Planning Authority considers amendments appropriate, we would support a more limited variation that permits only the works applied for, without removing the broader protections afforded by Conditions 10, 11 and 12.

Pre Application – Land to the east of Honington Road Barkston

Meeting with developers scheduled for 14th May

9) Burial Ground

No updates

10) Playing Field

SM provided updates in his absence, The AGM is due to take place on 27th May, and the accounts are currently with J Jackson for Auditing.  The planned tidy up was postponed and new date still to be decided and Finance policy required & Governance needs updating.

11) Picnic Area

S Elnor to obtain quote for hardcore to fill in pot holes by entrance.

12) Village Hall. 

No Updates

13) Financial Matters: 

1. Current Years Accounts Paid and for Payment

Payments Received:

Payments Made:

The Clerk requested Pre Approval to Pay the Monthly ground maintenance invoices      @ £712.80PM SE proposed approval and seconded by TH Unanimous

2. 2025.26 Annual Governance statement

The Annual Governance statement was reviewed and Agreed

3. 2025.26 Audited Final Accounts for Approval

The accounts were reviewed and proposed for approval by SE and seconded by TH

4. Purchase of dog waste bin -West Street @ £306.23 Proposed by SE & Seconded by TH

14) SKDC Land West Street Barkston

The meeting discussed the unused land to the rear of the garages on west street and   the concerns that it is being used for illegal bonfires. It was requested the clerk contacts SKDC to see if the land could be repurposed and what options would be such as Orchard or Additional parking for residents of West Street

15) Any other business for discussion but not decision

No other business raised 

The meeting closed at 9:10pm