6th March 2026 Minutes
HACONBY & STAINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 6 MARCH 2026 AT 7.15 PM
HARE AND HOUNDS PUBLIC HOUSE, HACONBY
MINUTES
Present: Cllrs R Dixon-Warren (Chairman), B Blackbourn (Vice Chairman), J Fielding and D Winn.
Apologies: Cllr R Fielding
LCC: Cllr M Hill SKDC: Cllr K Abel Clerk: Vacancy – notes by JF
Public Forum. Mr Martin Ewer presented photos of blocked drains and flooding on Chapel Street. Discussion involving LCC. MH noted that it is a known problem with the contractor, and undertook to take it up with LCC and the contractor to get the drains cleared properly. RDW to share email addresses. Mr Ewer to send photos electronically to Cllr Hill if required.
1. Chairman’s Remarks. RDW welcomed everyone to the meeting. It was agreed and recorded that Parish Council meetings take place in the Hare and Hounds because St Andrew’s Church is not suitable.
2. Apologies. RF – serving RAF, deployed overseas.
3. Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations. RDW is a member of the PCC. Dispensation(s) agreed if required.
4. Last Meeting. Notes of meeting on 2 January 2026 – RESOLVED: JF proposed, DW seconded, approved unanimously as Minutes. Actions from last meeting:
Departure of Mrs Gray as Clerk. Transfer of files and data remains incomplete. Still unable to access the Parish Council laptop.
Rent review for Parish Land. Agreed – RDW to amend CLT agreements.
RDW and DW noted that action to confirm work required by LCC to clear the public footpath by Church remains outstanding. RDW and DW to liaise and follow up with LCC.
5. External Updates. LCC, SKDC, Police and Parish updates.
LCC – Cllr Hill: Budget set. County Council Increase by 2.9%. There will be more funds available for highways and drainage. LCC will still need to make savings despite more money being available.
SKDC – Cllr Abel: Budget Council Tax to rise by 2.99%. Council Rent Increase of 4.9%. Food Bin Caddies are expected to be delivered to the village in the next 2 weeks. A new budget of 10k is available for CCTV for flytipping ‘Hot Spots’. Report every incident of flytipping to SKDC as this will help support the Hot Spot areas which need CCTV most. Last Meeting HSCP requested the position of SKDC on the Pylons Upgrade. Kyle is working to get views and support of all Cllrs on the affected wards, with a view to getting force against the project and forward as a motion.
Police: Not in attendance. RDW Funding provided by Home Office. LincsAlert (see LALC) – crime updates, appeals, missing persons, road closures / traffic collisions etc. National Rural Crime Network – update follows.
Parish: JF highlighted dangers of users of the ‘fen road’ without any lighting or reflective wear. Council agreed that all road users (drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, walkers, runners and dog walkers) need to be aware and take more caution. Councillors discussed overhanging vegetation over pavements / footpaths obstructing access and blocking views. ACTION: RDW / JF – notices on noticeboards, website and Facebook. Follow up action if required for cutting back overhanging vegetation via printed notice in letterboxes as required.
6. Clerk’s Report.
Hard Copy Records. JF has sorted through all files and made new folders of documentation with details of what needs to be kept and for how long. RDW highlighted desirability of retention and storage of documents of historical value. ACTION: RDW sort, select and arrange storage.
Electronic Records. H&SPC Clerk’s Gmail account accessed, ‘Out Of Office’ response with alternative contact info. Some records inaccessible due to use of more than one email account
Electronic Communication. JF has emailed most contractors requesting they update HSPC details. A lot of work still to do.
7. Financial Matters.
Financial Report. JF has produced a quick budget which needs more work. Costs of grass cutting and community cleaning discussed – see decisions at Item 10g.
Invoices for Payment. LALC annual subs – £190.52. Proposed BB, Seconded DW. All in favour. LALC Annual Training Scheme. Consensus – do not join.
Budget 2026/27. To follow.
8. Planning Matters. None.
9. Correspondence.
General Correspondence. LCC Local Government Review – virtual discussions 9 and 19 March 2026 via online link. National Grid Upgrade correspondence issued to relevant landowners / occupiers. JF and RF have not received any information – JF will follow up.
Specific Correspondence.
LALC 20 Feb 26: eNews.
NALC welcomes government's decision to formally exclude parish and town councils from referendum principles on excessive council tax increases for 2026/27.
Recommend join LincsAlert Community Messaging System. Receive regular updates and learn about what your local area is doing. Free messaging service in partnership with Lincolnshire Police / OPCC.
LCC 23 Feb 26: Innovative Resilience – Flood Devices. Carrdyke. JF to investigate what this means and how it impacts the village, if at all.
SKDC 24 Feb 26 – Disclosures of Public Interest (DPI). Mandatory update – discuss. RDW noted that DPI forms have a tick box to keep address details private and not posted on LCC website. JF to locate all forms and check, scan and issue copies to Councillors.
10. Parish Matters. Reports, discussion and action:
Challenge correspondence – 2024/25 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). Initiate period for the exercise of public rights. RESOLVED: commence without further delay belated period for exercise of public rights for 2024-25 Mon 9 Mar to Fri 17 Apr 26. Proposed JF, seconded BB, all in favour.
National Grid Pylons Project. Non-Intrusive Site Investigation Licence and Survey Access Information Form. Response sent – await contact about payment (£750).
Role Based Email Accounts. Deadline for activation 31 Mar 26. Finalise for BB and DW.
Local Government Reorganisation – Greater Lincolnshire. Public consultation ends 26 Mar 26.
Parish Land. Decisions on Common Law Tenancy for private tenancies for Plots 3 / 4 (Common Law Private Enjoyment – agreed, dogs on leash) and Plot 5 (Common Law Private Enjoyment – agreed subject to on-site meeting to discuss siting of and control over wildflower meadow and beehives relative to Garden Allotment). Rent review – CLTs updated to include this.
Parish Community.
Parish Maintenance. Update.
Grass Cutting. Agree contract continuation – JK Cutting Services (highways verge) and Ray Male (closed churchyard).
Community Cleaning. Agreed contract continuation – J Kirby. Schedule to be requested.
A15 Layby. Fly tipping in the layby northbound, clearance of dyke and overgrowth in spinney. Photos to SKDC, re-investigate CCTV. Discussion with Cllr Hill about clearing spinney.
Blocked Drains. Reiterate use of ‘Fix My Street’, await update from Cllr Hill.
11. Closed Session. Not required.
12. Date of Next Meeting. Confirm 7.15 pm Friday 8th May 2026 – Annual Meetings.
Afternote: postponed to Friday 15 May 2026.