2026 Minutes

BARKSTON and SYSTON PARISH COUNCIL Minutes

A meeting of the BARKSTON AND SYSTON PARISH COUNCIL will be held in the VILLAGE

HALL, Barkston on MONDAY 14th September 2026, at 7:45pm

Public Forum: No Attendance

1) Apologies.

S Micklewright, S Elnor & V Owen

2) Approval of the Minutes of the last meeting dated 13.07.26

Proposed By:  T Hine   Seconded By: A Card - Unanimous

Matters arising to be picked up on a tracker going forward

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

Non Disclosed

4) Roads and footpaths Update on matters previously raised

Hough Road – Speed Reduction Request
Email sent to Lincolnshire County Council (LCC). It was agreed at the last meeting that the parish council would look at parish speed surveys which would require resident support and participation.  The clerk has been in contact with Lincs community speed watch.  Clerk advised she was still waiting from response from community speed watch but would share response as soon as received .

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 – Further request sent due to hedge being overgrown again FMS Ref:2898024 Cut Today 14/09 –Clerk advised hedge has now been cut back  

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. This has also been reported by Vaughn. – Cllr P Marting to discuss with Highways Director

Fix My Street References:

2885129 dated 18/03

2895216 Dated15/06 by Vaughn

4215958 dated 07/06 (this was off the back of clerk e-mailing requesting update to safety review)

All of the above have been updated with works issued to delivery gang, a temporary road sign is in place but no response to safety review. Clerk has been requesting updates but other than the generic response stating that my e-mail has been passed on to the relevant department they have failed to respond other than to say they responded back in April which was the original e-mail stating that they would conduct a review.  Clerk to chase again and Cllr P Martin advised he was having a meeting shortly with Highways and would chase an update.

Footpath near old School Syston

Clerk reported the path worn out resulting in uneven path with loose gravel along with 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. Further complaint received from resident on the condition of the paths. – it was agreed to try and get residents involved in reporting via fix my street and clerk to continue to chase.

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

Update on 14/05 Thank you for your report. We've inspected and acknowledged that this gully/system is blocked, but because it is not causing a serious highway safety or property flooding issue, we will not be ordering work at this time. Thank you for reporting this matter.

Reported again (ref: 2904020) after recent rainfall and is currently under assessment Updated to say it will be clear in the cyclical cleaning - Clerk to Chase it to be cleared

Heavy Buildup of Dust/Debris along Main Road

Reported By Vaughan reference 969251 27/06/2026 – No Update as at 10/06/2026 – Resolved 15/07/2026

Litter hotspot and broken glass near bus stop

Reported via mobile in the Litter category by Vaughan Owen at 21:08, Monday 15 June 2026 Ref: 9626966 - No Update as at 10/07/2026 - Now Resolved

Rubbish thrown into hedge near picnic area

Reported via mobile in the Litter category by Vaughan Owen at 15:30, Saturday 27 June 2026 – No Update as at 10/07/2026 - Resolved

Fly-tipping / dumped debris / land condition West Street Barkston

Reported via mobile in the Fly tipping category anonymously at 15:25, Saturday 27 June 2026 – No update as at 11/09

Fly-tipped lampshade near field access Honnington Road

Reported via mobile in the Fly tipping category by Vaughan Owen at 21:21, Monday 15 June 2026 Ref 9627013 – No Update as at 10/07/2026

Dumped concrete inspection chamber cover near bus stop Honnington Road

Reported via mobile in the Litter category by Vaughan Owen at 21:11, Monday 15 June 2026 REF: 9626978

Manhole/drain cover on pavement/verge Trip Hazard

Barkston Road Syston category by Barkston & Syston Parish Council

Council ref: 2898034. – Fix Completed

Dropped kerb church street Trip hazard/uneven surface for Mobility Scooters

Barkston Road Syston category by Barkston & Syston Parish Council

Council ref: 2898033 – LCC will not be taking immediate action due to them assessing the kerb and it being within their tolerance

Path on main road difficult to navigate

Reported Barkston & Syston Parish Council

Council Ref:2898032 – LCC update Minor encroachment at the time of officers visit which was resolved on site, site also put forward for inclusion on their sidings programme

Broken path causing Hazard – West Street/Crosby Court

Reported Barkston & Syston Parish Council

Council Ref:2898031 – Resolved

The Stag in Carpark Entrance

Curb stone raised heavy rain making it loose and road in front sinking

Council Ref: 2903883 dated 03//09/2026, Works issued to delivery gangs 10/09/2026

Hedge overhanging the path Church Street near st Nicholas close

Hedge overhanging resulting in pedestrians including school children walking on road

Council Ref: 2904649 dated 10/09/2026,

J Burkin raised Station Road Large Branches on side of Road. P Connor advised he would investigate in the morning and report back if action required.

5) Planning

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 – Clerk has requested updates from planning, but no update provided, Update from Miranda - The Applicants have recently advised me that they will be submitting additional information, and revised layout plans by the end of September.  At which point a new consultation letter will be sent out to all consultees and neighbours inviting comments.   I anticipate that the application will not be ready to be heard by Planning Committee until November 2026 at the earliest.

T Hine raised concerns of the sewage data raised by S Elnor – Cllr Martin confirmed that the Manthorpe estate and a lot of Grantham goes to Martson he has requested Planning for details of the impact of the continuous building in Grantham

Pre Application – Land to the east of Honington Road Barkston

Meeting with developers on 14/05/2026 – PC has appreciated the developers agreeing to consult with the PC however the PC were clear at the meeting that they were not able to comment on the current drawings until a formal application was submitted and requested, if possible, a full application is submitted rather than outline planning. No application submitted to date.

As part of the government changes planning officers will have more powers to make decisions on applications

Demolition of existing agricultural buildings. Erection of four dwellinghouses.

Agricultural Buildings Syston Park Unclassified Road from A607 To Main Street Syston

Ref. No: S26/0876 | Received: Tue 19 May 2026 | Validated: Tue 19 May 2026 | Status: Awaiting decision

PC Comment: Neutral -No Objection (no Update since last meeting)

Section 19 to vary Condition 2 of Listed Building Consent S25/0035 (Internal and External alterations to a curtilage listed outbuilding to form an annex to the principal building).

3 West Street Barkston Lincolnshire NG32 2NL

Ref. No: S26/1146 | Received: Wed 01 Jul 2026 | Validated: Mon 13 Jul 2026 | Status: Decided

No Comment or Objection from PC

6) Burial Ground

Quotations for Hedge Cutting 2 quotes received - £510 or £560

A Card proposed £510

Seconded P Connor Unanimous

7) Playing Field

J Burkin advised the Fete was a success again with approx. £1200/£1300 Raised – Julia advised that Local Business really supported the dog show.

Simon Williams has reviewed the play equipment inspection report and the comittee to decide what actions will be taken.

8) Picnic Area

Holes and Gravel – Clerk to Speak to Steve Elnor about where to obtain materials ASAP Advised that someone had had a BBQ on top of Picnic Table which had left burn mark.

9) Village Hall. 

Deliberator is now installed – have another training session - clerk to arrange training session.

P Connor advised that they have recently held the AGM , Clerk to be contacted when they are ready to register the village hall.  There is no succession plan, but they are looking at that.

10) Financial Matters

a. Accounts paid and for payment since last meeting

Received

Paid

b. Burial Ground Fees and Charges

It was agreed that the clerk would review the annual costs for the burial ground for the next meeting before making decision on increases.

c. Fixed Asset Register/Insurance – clerk advised that she required the asset information from Playing Field committee to be able to complete the review

it was agreed that e-Signatory’s for the Chair, T Hine & A Card to be added to online account.

11) Neighbourhood Plan

Consultation ends on 25/09/2026 if her is no objection to the proposed boundary the next step will be for us to produce a draft plan and enter a resident’s consultation period

Update from Vaughn to be provided at the next meeting

13) Notice Boards and Village Communications

Notice Boards

It was agreed that the notice bords require renovation/replacement. J Burkin to provide costings at next meeting for consideration as part of the budget setting.

Maryanne to speak to owners of the building regarding the gutter above the noyice board  on Syston

Agree at next meeting a List of what can/cant go on notice boards.

Website

Clerk to Cleanse website of out-of-date information.

14) SKDC Land West Street.

 Clerk advised that she had received a response from SKDC advising that the land could not be used for community orchard or other such uses due to adjoining residents having right of access over the land – it was agreed that the Clerk to ask them what it could be used for?  And how much is it costing to maintain the area?.

15) Visitor Parking End of West Street

To be postponed to next meeting for S Elnor to provide details of what is required

16) Clerks Contract of Employment.

J Burkin suggested that 2 people review the contract – J Berkin agreed to work on this with another councillor.

17) Any other business for discussion but not decision

Clerk to look at weather one of the litter bin on Main street could be moved to the other side of the road?