January 2026 DRAFT Minutes
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 21st January 2026
These minutes are in draft form and may be altered
Present; R. Gore (Chair) D. Strollo, J. Gregory, D. Forrest, L. Hoggarth, C. Cuckson, Cllr. E Bailey
Clerk; G. Payne Apologies; had been received from J. Scott due to illness
26/01 Approval of the minutes from meeting on 12th November 2025 – these had been circulated and were accepted as a true record, proposed LH, seconded CC, agreed unanimously and signed off by the Chairman.
26/02 Matters arising
a) Email addresses – only 3 of the new accounts were currently working, Chair, Clerk and JG. The clerk was asked to re-send the instructions and anyone who still had difficulties was asked to contact JG for assistance. Action DS, DF, CC, LH, GP
b) Parish Cottage - the clerk was asked to contact the contractor to see if he could get a timescale for commencement of the work, it was appreciated that this may be weather dependent. CC asked if he also did hedge work as the hedge at the bottom of the garden was seriously overgrown, the clerk would enquire. Action GP
c) Speed Indicator Device – analysis tool now working, the clerk had printed off a bar chart showing vehicle speeds by 5mph categories, there were a considerable number in excess of the 30mph. It was noted that the police had conducted speed checks outside the village hall on at least two occasions recently. Cllr. Bailey said that a report from the Archer Survey had indicated that Kexby should qualify for either fixed or mobile speed enforcement. She offered to investigate whether we would qualify for fixed equipment. Action Cllr. Bailey
d) Telephone Box – the new shelving had been installed and the books returned, the Parish Council thanked Cllr. Hoggarth for organising the shelving and transparent material to prevent the books touching the sides of the box and getting damp. It was agreed that the Parish Council would reimburse Cllr. Hoggarth for the cost of materials. Action GP
e) Highways issues – it was noted that the footpath along Kexby Lane had been widened and now provided a level surface. However, it had not been reinstated with a tarmac surface which would make it far less durable. The Clerk was asked to contact Cllr. Wimhurst to see whether this was in fact the final surface. Action GP
f) Concrete apron outside village hall – this had been raised with the village hall committee (along with the request for a handrail by the door to the committee room). The village hall committee would seek estimates but raised concerns about whether they would have sufficient funds. DS had agreed to represent the Parish Council at their meetings and would monitor this. If there was a funding shortfall they would need to make a case to both Parish Councils for funding support. Action DS
26/03 Communications
a) Newsletter – the Clerk was willing to draft one out but did not have the technology or the expertise to edit it into a booklet format. RG said that his son could probably do that and DS offered to investigate printing. Action GP/RG/DS
b) Facebook – the Chairman had login details to Kexby News Forum and was still in touch with the person who set it up, he agreed to contact her regarding closing down the site. Action RG
The new site had been set up but would only be successful if it received sufficient information to create and maintain interest. Members, and in particular the clerk, were encouraged to provide JG with items whenever possible. Action all
26/04 Financial Report
a) Current position – this was still in a comfortable position with sufficient funds in the savings accounts to meet unexpected expenses, particularly on the parish cottage.
b) Budget - a break even budget had been produced for 2026/27 taking into account the increased precept agreed at the last meeting. Acceptance proposed by CC, seconded by LH and agreed unanimously.
c) Precept – acceptance of the final application for a precept of £2,600 from WLDC (an increase of 30%) was proposed by CC, seconded by LH and agreed unanimously. Signatures were applied as required and the clerk was asked to submit it prior to the deadline of 23rd January. Action GP
26/05 Correspondence
a) Cottage insurance renewal – a renewal notice had been received at a cost of £618.76 which was about 2.5% increase on the previous year. This was considered reasonable and acceptance proposed by DS, seconded by CC and unanimously agreed. The Clerk was authorised to go ahead with the payment.
Action GP
b) LALC subscription – the annual subscription for membership of the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils for 2026/27 was £167.48. The Clerk confirmed that membership was extremely useful and CC proposed continuing with the membership, seconded by LH and agreed unanimously. The Clerk was authorised to go ahead with the payment.
c) A Greater Lincolnshire – a proposal for restructuring local councils had been circulated, there were no issues arising.
d) Telecon Mast – notification had been received from Cellnex UK of a proposal to install a mobile phone mast on land to the east of Upton Road at map ref. SK87252 85587. A planning application would be made to WLDC at which time the Parsh Council would have an opportunity to comment.
e) Playing Field request for grant – a request had been received for a grant towards the maintenance of the playing field. The Parish Council had provided a grant of £700 in recent years and it was agreed to provide similar support this year. Proposed CC, seconded LH and agreed unanimously, the Clerk was authorised to arrange the payment. Action GP
f) Central Lincolnshire Local Plan – this had been circulated, there were no issues arising.
g) Lincolnshire Police – details of a reduction in neighbourhood policing to reallocate officers to major crime had been received. Concern was expressed that the policing element of the Council Tax increased significantly each year and yet local services seemed to diminish. There had long been concern that the national funding formular disadvantaged Lincolnshire because of the rural nature of the county. Now that a Mayor had been elected they would become responsible rather than the Police and Crime Commissioner the role of which was to be disbanded.
h) Local Government reorganisation – there was to be an on-line briefing session on 2nd February between 6:00 and 7:00pm for Parish Councillors and Clerks. Any members wishing to participate must register in advance at https://westlindsey-lgr.eventbrite.co.uk. Action all
i) STEP Fusion consultations – as part of their public consultations STEP Fusion were running a series of public consultations, the next local one being at Sturton-by-Stow village hall between 10am and 3pm on Thursday 29th January. Details of the programme could be found at stepfusion.com.
26/05 Any Other Business
a) Over 70’s Christmas Party – this had been a great success attracting 43 residents from Upton and 24 from Kexby. Each Parish Council had received a grant of £400 from the Willingham and District Relief Charity. Total expenditure was £728.04 leaving a surplus of £71.96, Upton Parish Council had passed on half (£35.98) to Kexby Parish Council. Kexby PC had provided Liz Holman with a bouquet of flowers of a token of their appreciation to her for organising the event and had received a very nice “thank you” email in response. The meeting wished to reiterate their thanks and their offer to organise a similar event in 2026. Action GP
b) Remembrance commemorations – CC had investigated the cost of a “Tommy” for the village green (£175) and poppies for attaching to lampposts (£5 each). It was agreed to go ahead with the “Tommy”and to assess the number of poppies required & report back at the next meeting. Action CC
c) Union flag in the churchyard – it was pointed out that the flag was upside down, the issue had been raised with the clerk by one of the parishioners, he was asked to contact the church regarding this.
Action GP
Next meetings – the provisional dates of the third Wednesdays in alternate months was agreed so the next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 6:30
Annual Parish Council Meeting and Annual Parish Meeting – these would be held on Wednesday 20th May, members were asked to note the date to ensure availability. DS was likely to be unavailable during April and May but, since the Annual meetings had to be held before the end of May, the date would need to go ahead.