Meetings 2025/2026 - Text

Minutes – 10th December 2025

Chair:                                      Jon Mold (JM)

Present Councillors:               Ian Taylor (IT), Graham Johnson (GJ)

Parish Clerk & RFO:               Diane De Halle (DDH)

Members of the Public            5

PUBLIC FORUM

• Residents attended voicing their concerns and objection to the planning planned on Ford Way (item 45 b). 
• We also had a member of the public from the Biscathorpe Oil Drilling Appeal providing an update on the proposed drilling and outlining details on the public inquiry, requesting PC and resident support in the area.  Leaflets left in the church.  Coffee morning on the 22nd Feb, Donington on Bain village hall between 1-4pm.

38. Chairman’s remarks – welcomed all for attending.

39. Apologies for absence and reasons given – none.

40. Declaration of interests and requests for dispensations - To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider granting dispensation(s), as per written requests received by the proper officer, to councillors under section 22 of the Act – declaration of interest received from councillor Ian Taylor for item 45b on the agenda and a dispensation request form has been received at the beginning of the meeting – RESOLVED to accept the dispensation in order to conduct council business.

41. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 4th September 2025 and the confidential minutes of the same date – RESOLVED to accept both as a true record and signed by the Chair.

42. To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding – noted.  RESOLVED Councillors Simpson and McConigle will look into the WW2 crashes and Councillor McConigle will look into where the previous Minutes are now located.

43. To receive reports from District and County Councillors 

• District Councillor Simpson gave an update on the Asterby Church grounds grant available following an incident by a visitor, time is running out for this year.  There were 2 grants available to provide 100% clearing of grounds and help get the church yard back into a manageable condition.
• County Councillor McConigle gave a brief outline on the proposed 2 County Councils, still ongoing discussions on the detail and likely to take effect April 2028.

44. To receive an overview of the issues reported to highways by Councillors since the last meeting and agree any action – noted and RESOLVED for the Clerk to send details on the blocked gulleys along Watery and Butt Lanes to Councillor McConigle to investigate with LCC.

45. To consider planning applications/correspondence received 

a – Full Planning Permission APPROVED: 

Application Reference No: 03015/25/FUL

PROPOSAL: Erection of a detached 3-bay garage

LOCATION: Goulceby Lodge, Top Lane, Goulceby 

b – Full Planning Permission REQUEST: 

Application Reference No: 03565/25/FUL

PROPOSAL: Erection of 3 dwellings

LOCATION: LAND ADJACENT DEMETER HOUSE, FORD WAY, GOULCEBY 

RESOLVED to submit a formal OBJECTION to ELDC planning department via Clerk / ELDC have extended to 24.12.25 due to technical issues with submitting comments in the new system

46. Update on white gates on entrances / exits to the Asterby and Goulceby – Looked at a further 2 grants, criteria cannot be met, Chair will continue to pursue.

47. Discussion on council emails moving to “gov.uk” following notifications on ‘Assertion 10’ – RESOLVED to obtain a FREE email for the Clerk, adopt the IT policy proposed on agenda item 52, review website compliance in order to meet Assertion 10 criteria (legal requirement for financial year 25-26 audit).

48. Budget setting for Precept 26-27 – RESOLVED to adopt the proposed budget, this will be the same as the current year 25-26, i.e. £4078.34 + VAT.

49. Cray fish trap found in Goulceby Beck and reported to the Environment Agency – signs had been put up by the Environment Agency with contact details, as 1 of these has been removed/damaged, they have been informed and likely to be replaced.  Any traps found are to be reported to the Environment Agency, who will come and remove them.

50. Discuss councillor vacancies, the future governance resilience and options available – Discussion took place on the current situation; the next election being held in May 27; vacancies available on the council, the council currently operates on the minimum quorum of 3; uncertain impact of 2 County Councils covering Lincolnshire -RESOLVED to include paragraph in the next newsletter.

51. To consider correspondence received since the last Parish Council meeting:

Various additional communications received from Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), East Lindsey District Council (ELDC), Lincolnshire Assoc. of Local Councils (LALC), National Assoc. of Local Councils (NALC), Rural Service Network, Parish Newsletter – circulated to councillors as necessary

52. To review and agree the following policies for the Parish Council:

• Information & Guidance for Emergency preparedness
• Internal Financial Control
• IT Policy – proposed ahead of AGAR Audit Assertion 10

RESOLVED to accept and upload onto Website.

53. Financial matters:

1. To receive an updated bank reconciliation from RFO for 25/26 (Appendix 1) 
2. To receive an updated budget vs forecast for 25/26 (Appendix 2)
3. To review and confirm the budget and set the precept for 26/27 (see item 48 above)
4. Contact internal auditor ahead of audit 25/26 – contact made and he has agreed to undertake
5. To consider and approve payments/income due including: 4 x Lloyds Service charge invoices received 11.8.25.25 £4.25 / 10.9.25 £4.25 / 10.10.25 £4.25) / 10.11.25 £4.25; Expenses for Jon Mold (printer cartridge) 13.9.25 £36.99 (VAT £6.17); Diane De Halle (printer cartridge, paper, stamp) 14.9.25 £40.86 (VAT £6.67); Graham Johnson (plants for bridge planters) 14.11.25 £19.50; All Saint’s Church (meeting room hire) 10.12.25 £15; Salaries 01.01.26 497.58 (SO)

RESOLVED to accept all payments and claim outstanding VAT for the year 2025.

RESOLVED to accept Appendix 1 and 2; Chair signed Appendix 1 and corresponding bank statement.

54. To agree items to be included in the next newsletter – discussed, Chair preparing.

55. To confirm the dates and agenda items for the next meeting – RESOLVED to hold the next meeting on Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 6.30 at Goulceby Church.

Meeting closed at 8.20

Financial Matters

Appendix 1 - not available in this format

Appendix 2 - not available in this format