July 2025 Meeting Notes
Notes of the Meeting of
Harmston Parish Council
at The Village Hall, Coleby
on Tuesday 15th July 2025 at 7.30 pm
| Present | Title | Role |
| Cllr Paul Wallace | Parish Councillor | Chairman |
| Cllr David Harrison | Parish Councillor | Vice Chairman |
| Cllr Brian Hamilton | Parish Councillor | |
| Cllr Barry Smith | Parish Councillor | |
| Cllr Ian Carrington | Councillor | County Councillor |
| Cllr Lance Pennell | Councillor | District Councillor |
| Mrs Helen Jones | Clerk | Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer |
OPEN FORUM – 15 minutes held before meeting commenced. There were no residents in attendance.
1/7 APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Parish Councillors Chapman sent his apologies, reasons accepted.
Apologies were also received from District Councillors Cooper and Sanders.
2/7 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
Full list is available to view on https://democracy.n-kesteven.gov.uk/mgParishCouncilDetails.aspx?ID=350&LS=2
Cllr Harrison declared an interest in item 7b.
3/7 REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
a) Local Police Non received.
b) County Councillor Report Cllr Carrington explained the flooding committee had been abolished. He has written to Highways and raised concerns of the impact of the Coleby BESS transport on Harmston’s roads – and continues to do so. The North Hykeham Relief Road is looking on track to start works in 2026.
c) District Councillor Reports Cllr Pennell shared that some bin schedules have changed, and explained there are now going to be food waste collections, starting next March. These will be collected weekly, and caddies will be distributed in due course. There will be publicity to follow with all details outlined. No update on Coleby BESS as yet.
4/7 TO APPROVE THE NOTES OF THE LAST MEETING
It was RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 20th May 2025 were approved, and signed by the Chair.
It was RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 29th May 2025 were approved, and signed by the Chair.
5/7 CLERKS REPORT
1. Extraordinary Meeting arranged
2. All actions from Extraordinary Meeting completed
3. AGAR paperwork submitted
4. AGAR exemption certificate and notice of public rights published
5. Letter submitted to Highways re BESS at Coleby
6. Meeting with Chair re objections for portal re BESS at Coleby Present
7. 3 objection documents for BESS at Coleby submitted
8. Resident emails responded to, and shared with PC where appropriate
9. Quotes for works on play area shared with PC
10. Financial Regulations written and shared with PC
11. Standing Orders written and shared with PC
12. Risk Assessments updated on website to show approvals made in May’s meeting
13. Research into Martyn’s Law shared with PC, and with HMH
14. Updated Grant Policy published on website
15. Handyman instructed to carry out bird deterrent works – works complete
16. Handyman instructed to carry our weed removal – works complete
17. Insurance quote accepted and new policy in place for 2025-2026
18. Play Inspections Annual quote accepted NB: Please note this report only lists some of the main actions, and not all actions carried out by the Clerk
6/7 FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) To consider the Financial Overview to date for 2025-2026 (emailed) It was RESOLVED: That the Financial Overview be accepted.
b) To consider the VAT report to date It was RESOLVED: That the VAT Report for 2025-2026 to date, be accepted Appendices 3
c) To consider the Financial Report A for July 2025 It was RESOLVED: That the Financial Report for July 2025, Part A be accepted Appendices 1
d) To consider the Financial Report B for July 2025 It was RESOLVED: that the Financial Report, Part B for July 2025, be accepted and for the Clerk to make these payments Appendices 2
e) Financial File taken by Cllr Hamilton to be checked at home. ACTION: BH to return file to Clerk once check has been completed, and BH to ensure finances monitoring log is completed.
7/7 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) TREE WORKS 25/0633/TPO Sunny Mount, Blacksmiths Lane – No objection 25/0747/TPO 28 Thorold Way, Harmston – No objection
b) PLANNING 25/0660/HOUS The Old School, School Lane – No objection 25/0777/HOUS Jade Cottage, 8 Thorold Way – No objection
c) BESS update 25/0533/FUL Harmston Parish Council have sent a letter to Highways expressing their concerns of the impact the BESS in Coleby could have on the traffic through Harmston. Highways did mention this impact in their submission to the Coleby BESS planning application. Harmston Parish Council have also submitted an objection to the Coleby BESS focussing on traffic issues and two supplementary objections addressing impacts on the environment and the view. There are no further updates to share at this time.
It was RESOLVED that the set phrase used when commenting on planning applications where there is 'No Objection', be altered to “Harmston Parish Council has reviewed the application and has no objection”. ACTION: Clerk to update the portal with responses to the planning applications noted in the agenda, T/D: asap ACTION: PC & Clerk to continue to monitor the planning portal for any further Coleby BESS updates, T/D: ongoing
8/7 VILLAGE MAINTENANCE
a) To discuss quotes and agree actions Quotes have been received from the handyman for a range of works that need carrying out at the play area, based on the most recent play inspection report.
It was RESOLVED that works be carried out according to their quotes (which includes materials and labour) as follows: Multiplay £320.00
Multiplay Junior £170.00
Picnic Table £290.00
2 Bay swings £50.00
ACTION: Clerk to instruct handyman to carry out works at their earliest convenience, T/D: 25.7.25
ACTION: Monitor the picnic table as this may need replacing rather than repairing in the future, T/D: ongoing
9/7 STREET LIGHTS AND ROADS
a) Update on Harmston Park Street Lights and agree actions Cllr Smith will carry out a check to ensure the document showing which lights are on/off after midnight are correct. ACTION: BS to carry out check, T/D: 25.7.25 Cllr Smith fed back that 4 of the lights are currently surrounded by tree growth. ACTION: BS to report over hanging branches via fix my street as a safety issue, T/D: 1.9.25 Clerk shared a draft letter for Thorold Way and Crescent Mews residents. All happy with the draft. ACTION: Clerk to print and liaise with BS to deliver asap, giving residents 4 weeks to respond, so that the next steps can be taken in September’s meeting, T/D: 1.8.25
b) Update on Chapel Lane Lights and agree actions All works are ready to commence, once the hedge on Chapel Lane has been cut back. ACTION: Clerk to ask resident if they are still happy to have the hedge trimmed back, T/D: 1.8.25. E-ON has stated works cannot commence until these hedge works have been completed.
10/7 ROAD SAFETY
a) HGV vehicles on Church Lane Cllr Smith has observed several HGV’s on Church Lane. Cllr Carrington suggested details be taken when vehicles noticed to be used as evidence to help implement changes. ACTION: Note the date, time, license and details of HGVs when observed and share with Cllr Carrington. Photos would be preferable. T/D: Ongoing. Cllr Smith proposed starting the process of applying for a weight limit of 7.5 tonnes on Church Lane, and look into changing the speed restrictions on a section of Church Lane, reducing the speed limit from 30 mph to 20mph. Cllrs Wallace and Smith have investigated this, and Parish Councils can initiate a speed change with Highways – but do not have the powers to approve it. It was agreed that it would be prudent to await conclusive approval of the North Hykeham Relief Road before looking into this further. Cllr Carrington assured the PC that he would support and assist this where possible. SpID data would also help with this process.
11/7 POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS
a) Review and approve Standing Orders It was RESOLVED that the new standing orders be approved and adopted
b) Review and approve Financial Regulations It was RESOLVED that the new financial regulations be approved and adopted ACTION: Clerk to make new documents live on HPC website, T/D: 1.8.25
12/7 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on: Tuesday 16th September 2025, to be held at The Memorial Hall, Harmston.
There being no further agenda matters to discuss the meeting was closed by the Chairman at 9.03pm
Please be advised that these are notes of the meeting taken by the Clerk and cannot in any way be regarded as the official minutes.