12th July 2024 Minutes
MINUTES
HACONBY & STAINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
FRIDAY 12 TH JULY 2024 IN THE HARE & HOUNDS PUBLIC HOUSE
Present: Councillors Richard Dixon-Warren (Chairman), Brian Blackbourn, Laura Leyland, and
David Winn
Parish Clerk – Mrs Wendy Gray
5 members of the public were also present
1. Chairman’s Introduction and Announcements. Cllr Dixon-Warren welcomed all to the
meeting, delighted to see so many people. Points:
General Election: Gareth Davies MP elected to the new Grantham and Bourne
constituency. A Labour Government is now in power, recommend read Manifesto to see
what future may hold for us, i.e. planning rules are going to change.
Parish engagement on Facebook. Good to see. Discussions over use of ‘the green’ (LCC
highway verge) and suggestions of possible alternative uses such as car parking, children’s
play area or EV charging points. No decisions, just discussion.
2. Public Questions, Comments or Representations. None.
3. Apologies for Absence. Cllrs M Hill (LCC), D Sharman.
4. External Updates – LCC/SKDC/Parish Council/PCC/Police/LALC
SKDC. Local Development Scheme (LDS) – project plan to inform the community what
strategic planning documents are being prepared over the next 3 years. Identifies key
milestones in preparation, including the stages where documents will be made available for
consultation.
Police. Cllr Dixon-Warren attended SK Neighbourhood Policing Priority Setting meeting on
19 June (Priority: continue County Lines) and NSK Parish Council Engagement Session on
25 June (detailed updates on Performance Overview, Police.UK and NK / SK). Cllr Winn
question: “What happens with school visits by PCSO’s?” Response: resources are stretched,
Community Beat Managers are trying to get round to schools if they can.
LALC. Annual Conference 25 July. Any Cllr interested in attending? E-news update
highlighted training for Cllrs, new Hedgerow Regulations and NALC joining 11 other national
bodies on The Rural Coalition to urge political parties and policymakers to boost rural
economies after the general election – potential to increase productivity within rural areas.
5. Disclosures of Interests. Cllr Dixon-Warren (District Councillor SKDC and Secretary, PCC).
6. Minutes and Matters Arising. To resolve that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council
meeting held on 10 th May 2024 be signed as a correct record. Cllr Winn proposed,
seconded Cllr Leyland, all in agreement for Minutes be signed.
7. Administrative Report and Correspondence Received. None.
8. Invoices. Discuss and resolve payment and ratification as required.
Parish Clerk salary and expenses – £313.54
Mr Kirby invoice for grass cutting and community cleaning – £207.20
Cllr Winn proposed above payments are made, Cllr Leyland seconded, all in
agreement.
9. Planning Applications. No new applications received.
10. Risk Assessment Update. Cllr Dixon-Warren still working on Parish annual risk
assessment. ‘Fix My Street’ seems to be the best way of getting work done in Lincolnshire.
SKDC’s ‘Big Clean’ / Little Clean’ were helpful but now discontinued. Some verges are cut by
farmers / landowners, problems with grass in gutters. Cllr Blackbourn will check after harvest
as some drains get blocked up. Parish Council to ask LCC to assist if necessary.
11. Business Items.
a. Parish Finance. General Election and other commitments have precluded work
anticipated at last meeting. Need to look at next year’s budget.
b. Parish Land. Cllr Blackbourn updated – repair and maintenance work continues.
c. Parish Land Tenancies.
Five expressions of interest initially received, reduced to four. Proposals included use
of a plot to proactively manage for wildlife (include plant fruit trees, create a wildflower
meadow and sustainably grow food), use as a training site for Grantham Radio Club
training, gun dog training with blank poppers and request for shooting rights over plots
3 and 4, and establishment of an allotment garden.
Council to consider requests further, lack procedures to make decisions at the meeting.
Action: inform all applicants.
d. Parish Guide and Emergency Plan. Link to Parish Guide follow, Emergency Plan still
being updated following Storm Henk.
e. Parish Community/Events. Cllr Dixon-Warren suggested Parish Council and PCC
should work together for benefit of the community, particularly in supporting the project
to develop St Andrew’s Church as a community facility. Consensus supported this
suggestion. Lincoln Diocese likely to be supportive – want churches to survive.
f. Grass cutting and Community Cleaner. Grass growing fast and has been subject of
residents’ attention, particularly on Facebook. Cllr Dixon-Warren emphasised that Mr
Kirby is contracted to carry out ‘highways verge’ cuts not ‘lawn’ cuts. Verges need
cutting roughly every 3 weeks – Cllr Winn agreed to take on grass cutting portfolio.
g. BDUK Rural Gigabit Voucher Scheme – Quickline. WiFi installed in St Andrew’s
Church. Half of village still not sorted – keen to get to eastern edge of village. Cllr
Dixon-Warren will continue to press Quickline for action.
h. Transfer of Responsibility for Churchyard Maintenance. SKDC point of contact re-
established via District Cllr. Still a work in progress.
12. Any Other Business. Contact List to be updated for all Cllrs plus Mr Kirby. Date to be
agreed for raising flagpole. No requirement for Closed Session.
13. Date of Next Meeting. Friday 13 th September 2024 commencing at 7.15 pm in the Hare &
Hounds Public House.
14. Closed Session. None. The Meeting closed at 8.23 p.m.