Parish Council Minutes of Meetings 2025

Notes of the Meeting of

Harmston Parish Council

at The Memorial Hall, Harmston,

on Tuesdya 16th September 2025 at 7.30pm

OPEN FORUM – 15 minutes held before meeting commenced.

There were no residents in attendance.

1/11 APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE

None were received.

2/11 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 None were declared.

3/11 REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES

a) Local Police

b) County Councillor Report Cllr Carrington discussed local government reorganisation. There are many different proposals – but hopes for a focus on retaining successful services. There is a 29/11/25 deadline for proposals, and shadow elections will be in 2027, with a new authority in 2028. Cllr Carrington continues to push for radical change in flood resources and prevention. There is a survey on LCC website regarding household waste. The current measures for Parish Councils turning LCC controlled lights back on are being reviewed.

c) District Councillor Reports Cllr Cooper shared details of Winter Light Festival in Sleaford 20/12/25. ACTION: Clerk to add details to HPC website, T/D: 1/12/25. There is a new grant scheme of up to £1500.00, match funding of 10%. Submissions by 30/11/25, works complete by March 2026. ACTION: Clerk to share with HMH etc, T/D: asap Cllr Pennell explained Chief exec and 151 Officer are leaving, and there will be a new 151 Officer in the new year (they are responsible for councils finances). NKDC discussing their proposal for the new LCC framework. No legislative changes to Parish Councils as of yet.

4/11 CO-OPT

A potential new member of the Parish Council was welcomed to observe for this meeting.

ACTION: Add Co-opt to January’s agenda, T/D: 1/1/26

5/11 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 16th September 2025 were approved, and signed by the Chair.

6/11 CLERKS REPORT

1. All September meeting actions completed

2. Planning portal updated

3. Handyman instructed to carry out works at bus stop – completed and paid

4. Instruction given for lights to be reinstated after midnight on Thorold Way and Crescent Mews Resident

5. SpID collected from Welbourn

6. Update to residents re Thorold Way and crescent Mews shared via website (as explained on letter to residents)

7. Liaised with resident re cutting back hedge to enable new location of streetlight on Chapel Lane – works are scheduled

8. Cllr Carrington contacted re Ward Walk

9. CiLCA course attended

10. Martyn’s Law webinar attended

11. Harmston Matters, Graffoe Link and Heathcliff View articles submitted

12. Date for Christmas event set at 6.12.25 – having checked with HMH and Church

13. Salvation Army booked

14. Christmas save the date shared, Christmas poster made and circulated

15. Christmas tree order confirmed

16. New salt bin location discussed with Highways – site inspection date pending

17. HGV traffic survey carried out and data collated

18. Payroll informed of new Clerk payrate

19. Emails re concerns of crossing A607 shared with Cllr Carrington

20. Photo of stile taken and shared with landowner regarding request of changing traditional stile access for new inclusive version

NB: Please note this report only lists some of the main actions, and not all actions carried out by the Clerk

7/11 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 November 2025 It was RESOLVED: that the Financial Report for November 2025, Part A be accepted Appendices 1

d) To consider the Financial Report B for November 2025 It was RESOLVED: that the Financial Report, Part B for November 2025, be accepted and for the Clerk to make these payments Appendices 2

e) Financial File checked by Cllr Smith, and monitoring log completed. Clerk asked all Parish Councillors to consider any potential projects or expenditure that may need including in budget discussions in January 2026.

8/11 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a) TREE WORKS 25/1311/TPO 3 Ridge View ACTION: Clerk to add ‘no objection’ to planning portal, T/D: asap

b) PLANNING

c) BESS update 25/0533/FUL No decisions have been made to date

9/11 VILLAGE MAINTENANCE

a) Discuss recent play areas safety report and agree next actions Following the recent inspection report which highlights that the picnic table requires further repairs, and receiving news of a grant that is available, it was RESOLVED to apply for a grant to replace the table.

ACTION: Clerk to look into grant for picnic table, T/D: 30/11/25 – deadline ACTION: Clerk to research table styles and prices, T/D: 30/11/25 – deadline

ACTION: clerk to request quote from handyman for removal and disposal of existing picnic bench, and install new bench, T/D: 30/11/25 – deadline Clerk shared that Harmston Park Development is now under new management.

10/11 STREET LIGHTS AND ROADS

a) Update on Harmston Park Street Lights and agree actions Clerk has asked for lights to be turned back on as per action in September. ACTION: Clerk to contact NP at LCC re reports made to Fix my Street re light on Church Walk not working. T/D: asap Dangerous Light near bus stop – light flashing. ACTION: BS to add to Fix My Street – add no from post, T/D: asap

b) Update on Chapel Lane Lights and agree actions Awaiting hedge to be cut back.

11/11 ROAD SAFETY

a) HGV vehicles on Church Lane Survey carried out between 8am and 2pm. 4-6pm pending. Data has been collated and is awaiting last survey.

b) Crossing the A607 – update and agree next steps Emails from concerned resident sent to Cllr Carrington as per September action. ACTION: Add note to website re crossing to request residents let the Clerk know if they have concerns. Clerk to share with Highways, T/D: ongoing

c) Ward Walk Clerk had emailed to arrange. Cllr Carrington to help organise a date for a ward walk soon. ACTION: Clerk to email Cllr Carington for a Ward Walk date, T/D: asap. ACTION: Clerk to invite PC Roberts on Ward Walk: when date is known.

12/11 ACCESIBILITY

a) Update on seating in bus stop nearest to Vicarage Lane Seating is complete. Positive resident feedback. 

b) Discuss and agree next steps regarding accessibility to field on Vicarage Lane Letter has been sent to the landowner with a photograph of the new stile on Hill Top. Waiting response. Bus stop on A607 near lights needs some attention. ACTION: BS to report on Fix My Street, asap.

13/11 CHRISTMAS

a) Update from Clerk Tree ordered. Salvation Army booked. Date confirmed once checked with HMH and the church.

b) Discuss and agree next steps

Councillors available to help: PW (& AW), BH, DH and BS

PW to bring BBQ

HJ to bring chairs and food/drink

HJ to organise tree being put up

HJ & PW to add lights to tree

ACTION: Clerk to invite church to switch on the tree lights, T/D: asap

ACTION: Clerk to invite HYF if church unable to attend ACTION: Clerk arrange PAT testing for lights

14/11 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on: Tuesday 20th January 2026, to be held at The Memorial Hall, Harmston.

There being no further agenda matters to discuss the meeting was closed by the Chairman at 9.00pm

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.