December 2025 Minutes
Minutes of the Utterby Parish Council Meeting held at Utterby Village Hall on Tuesday 9th December 2025 at 7.00PM
Present: Cllrs: Newton (Chairman) Buckley, Bryan, Clifford, Lashbrooke-Small, Marfleet and Traves
In attendance: The Parish Clerk, ELDC Cllr Mossop, LCC Cllr Hastings, and 1 member of the public.
01:12/25 Declarations of Interest
a) To record declarations of interest by any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below. Members declaring interests should identify the agenda item and type of interest being declared.
None
b) To note dispensations given to any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below.
None
02:12/25 Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies from Members not able to attend the meeting.
No apologies had been received.
03:12/25 Open Forum
STANDING ORDER NO. 3
a) Members of the public may make representations, answer questions, and give evidence at a meeting which they are entitled to attend in respect of the business on the agenda.
A member of the public addressed the Council on the subject of drainage.
b) To receive reports from County and District Councillors.
Cllr Mossop provided an update on a planning application for Grange Lane. He advised that he had requested that the planning application be heard by the planning committee rather than being decided under delegated powers.
Cllr Hastings updated the Council on an upcoming meeting with Highways. He advised that if time permits, they will visit other villages. Cllr Hastings advised that a scheme is running offering free fruit trees.
04:12/25 Minutes of the Previous Meeting(s)
To approve the minutes of the previous meeting(s).
RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as a true record.
05:12/25 Finance & Governance
a) To approve payment of accounts.
RESOLVED: That the following payments be approved: -
|
T Kuzemczak |
Wages Month 8 |
£XXX |
|
T Kuzemczak |
WFH Allowance Month 8 |
£26.00 |
|
T Kuzemczak |
Mileage Nov 25 |
£4.50 |
|
o2 |
Monthly Phone Bill |
£13.20 |
|
Unity Trust Bank |
Bank Charge Nov 25 |
£6.00 |
|
DW Gibbs |
Bus Shelter Cleaning |
£30.00 |
b) To receive a report on assets and reserves.
RESOLVED: That the following reserves be approved: -
|
2026-27 Cash Reserves |
|
|
Asset Replacement |
£10,000.00 |
|
Election Costs |
£1,900.00 |
|
Tree Survey Accumulation Fund |
£500.00 |
|
Tree Emergency EMR |
£2,000.00 |
|
General Reserves |
£4,800.00 |
|
TOTAL |
£19,200.00 |
c) To agree final budget for 2026-27.
RESOLVED: That the following budget be approved: -
|
Admin |
144.00 |
|
Bank Charges |
62.00 |
|
Bus Shelter Cleaning |
360.00 |
|
Christmas Tree |
50.00 |
|
Defibrillator |
150.00 |
|
Email Hosting |
110.00 |
|
Grants & Donations |
500.00 |
|
Green Structures |
500.00 |
|
Hall Hire |
200.00 |
|
ICO |
52.00 |
|
Insurance |
600.00 |
|
Internal Auditor |
120.00 |
|
LALC Membership |
110.00 |
|
Office Equipment |
100.00 |
|
Staff Costs |
3,700.00 |
|
Staff Expenses |
400.00 |
|
Stationery & Postage |
75.00 |
|
Street Furniture |
650.00 |
|
Utterby Voice |
600.00 |
|
Grass Cutting |
1,900.00 |
|
Village Green Cutting |
0.00 |
|
Village Projects |
500.00 |
|
Total |
10,883.00 |
d) To agree the precept request for 2026-27.
RESOLVED: That a precept request for 2026-27 of £8928.00 be submitted.
e) To note the increase in UNITY Trust Bank fees
RESOLVED: That the increase in fees be noted.
f) To review the months that the Council meets for 2026-27.
RESOLVED: That the Council shall review the meeting dates at the annual meeting in May 2026.
06:12/25 Planning
a) To note the following planning decisions received from ELDC: -
PROPOSAL: Planning Permission - Change of use of existing farm building to form a holiday cottage and associated works.
LOCATION: Barn At Grove Farm, Holywell Lane, Utterby, Lincolnshire
The application was APPROVED on 26/11/2025.
b) To consider any comment on the following planning application(s): -
None received.
07:12/25 Highways & Drainage
a) To receive a response from LCC regarding its proposal of further works to improve the drainage network in the area of Chapel Lane and Jacobs Close.
RESOLVED: That it be noted that LCC advise that the proposals include, but are not limited to, no dig patch re-lining of existing pipe runs at this location.
b) To receive any updates on an overgrown Church Lane hedge.
RESOLVED: That this item be skipped as the matter is now resolved.
c) To receive an update on an overgrown hedge on Main Road.
RESOLVED: That this item be skipped as the matter is now resolved.
08:12/25 Tree Survey
To receive an update and quotation(s) for a tree report.
Two quotations had been received.
RESOLVED: That a quotation of £300.00 from Waller Tree Consultancy be accepted.
09:12/25 Millenium Bench
To receive any update and further quotation(s) for replacement to the base around the Millenium tree.
Three quotations had been received.
RESOLVED: That a quotation of £1,850.00 + VAT by Oakwood Paving & Driveways Ltd be accepted.
10:12/25 Christmas Tree
To agree expenditure on the village Christmas tree.
RESOLVED: That expenditure of £30.00 be approved as the Parish Council’s contribution towards the village Christmas tree.
11:12/25 Proposed North Ray Solar Farm
Council was advised that the Academy had raised questions and points with North Ray Solar Farm. One Member had attended a public meeting at North Thoresby and many residents present at the meeting were against the proposals. There had been communication from a local action group and it was agreed that the lines of communication should be kept open.
12:12/25 Newsletter Update
a) The note the deadline for articles is Friday 29th January 2026 – the newsletter to be published and delivered early March.
RESOLVED: That the dates be noted.
b) To agree any Parish Council articles to be included in the edition.
RESOLVED: That the Parish Council’s achievements, village history, Community Speedwatch, the litter pick, and any other relevant information shall be included.
13:12/25 Litter Pick - Sunday 19th April 2026
To receive a risk assessment and any other updates.
An action plan and risk assessment were discussed. The event will be included in the newsletter. There is an offer of loan of equipment from a neighbouring parish.
14:12/25 Noticeboard
To receive any updates on measures to repair the noticeboard at the Village Hall.
RESOLVED: That it be noted that repairs had been undertaken to prevent water getting into the noticeboard.
15:12/25 Greater Lincolnshire for All
To receive an email sent to town and parish councils from Greater Lincolnshire for All.
RESOLVED: That the email be noted.
16:12/25 Future Dates
a) Next Parish Council Meeting – Tuesday 10th February 2026 at 7PM – Utterby Village Hall.
RESOLVED: That the date be noted.
b) Matters for discussion and inclusion on the next meeting agenda.
Benson Court
The meeting closed at 8.35PM