17th July 2026 minutes
to follow
HACONBY & STAINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 17 JULY 2026 AT 7.15 PM
HARE AND HOUNDS PUBLIC HOUSE, HACONBY
NOTES
Present: Cllrs R Dixon-Warren (Chairman), B Blackbourn (Vice Chairman), J Fielding, R Fielding and D Winn.
LCC: Cllr M Hill SKDC: Cllr K Abel Clerk: Mrs R Hartley – notes by JF
Public Forum.
Martin Ewer again raised the issue of blocked drains. BB raised the issue of dyke being blocked by the 30mph sign at the entrance to the village. This also contributes to the flood water in the village. Ditch is the responsibility of the farmer. Suggestion that Parish Council write a letter to the farmer requesting clearance of dyke.
MH explained that LCC are having problems with the contractor and will again raise the issue with Highways / contractors.
1. Chairman’s Remarks. RDW welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly the Council’s new Clerk, Rachel Hartley. It was minuted that Parish Council meetings take place in the Hare and Hounds because St Andrew’s Church is not suitable. No alcohol is served or present.
2. Co-option. The Council agreed to co-opt Mr Mark Dishington. Declaration of Office signed, DPI Form to follow.
3. Apologies. None.
4. Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations. RDW declared an interest as a member of the PCC. Dispensation(s) agreed if required.
5. Last Meeting. Notes of meeting on 15 May 2026 – RESOLVED: BB proposed, DW seconded, approved unanimously as Minutes. No actions from last meeting arising.
6. External Updates. LCC, SKDC, Police and Parish updates:
LCC – Cllr Hill:
LCC – A15 layby is on the list for clearing.
Increase in demand for Council tip has resulted in a booking system being introduced and is due to start in the Autumn. Booking will be online or via a phone number.
Result of Local Government Review has been announced. Many are unhappy with this.
National Grid – summer 2027 will see the exact route for the pylons in relation to the villages of Haconby and Stainfield.
SKDC – Cllr Abel:
National Grid planning has removed a substation and applied to South Holland Council with the planning locally. South Holland Planning Department has asked residents of Rippingale to express views at a meeting on 3rd Aug. RDW has been invited to the meeting, a meeting open to all.
RDW requested all info for the meeting to be shared, so that the Parish can be updated.
SKDC voted to support pub development to support the industry.
HMO and asylum seekers in Grantham. SKDC is keeping tabs on this.
Housing grant available for disabled residents.
Police: Not in attendance.
DW emphasised value of LincsAlert and commended it to all.
RDW highlighted Police strategy ‘Lincs 2030’ rolling out – a significant programme of investment designed to strengthen public safety, modernise policing services and build a resilient organisation for the future. Lincs Police still bottom of Police ‘league table, however.
Parish: No points raised.
7. Clerk’s Report. Gradual handover from JF to RH has started. Nothing else to report regarding Parish Clerk. Discussed training courses with LALC, agreed this will happen at a later date.
8. Financial Matters.
Financial Report.
Unity Trust Banking Online. JF briefed on potential update to Parish Council banking. Consensus in favour, JF to research and draft proposal for decision at next meeting.
VAT Invoices / Numbers. Members to ensure that invoices are complete with VAT number to enable this to be reclaimed on Parish Council expenditure.
Invoices for Payment. Rose & Louth invoice arrived today – £240 for flailing / cutting Parish Land. Payment agreed. RDW wrote cheque during meeting for delivery by hand.
Budget 2026/27. To follow.
9. Planning Matters. Email from Mr Andrew Parker requesting that he be permitted to name his future property in Chapel St instead of it being given a house number. No objection from the Council. JF to email Mr Parker and SKDC with the outcome of discussion.
10. Correspondence.
General Correspondence. None.
Specific Correspondence.
SKDC 24 Feb 26. Disclosures of Public Interest (DPI) update. Reminder for all Cllrs to update DPI.
LALC E-News 26 Jun 26. Nothing of interest to note.
LEP&BCS 07 Jul 26. Community Resilience Exercise 9 Sep 26. RDW invited attendance and will probably attend on behalf of parish council.
11. Parish Matters.
Challenge Correspondence.
No follow up or billing from PFK Littlejohn for 2025 correspondence, so far.
PKF Littlejohn letter about not receiving Certificate of Exemption for 2025-26 – £40.00 administration fee arising. Investigation revealed certificate not sent because of an internal communications error. RDW has sent the form and will settle the invoice.
National Grid Pylons Project.
‘Non-intrusive survey’ carried out on Parish Land on 16 July 2026
R and PDW have received Land Interest Questionnaires for completion and return. These appear to have been sent to selected residents – not everyone has received one.
Role Based Email Accounts. ‘gov.uk’ email system is now in place. BB, DW and now, MD, to complete process.
Local Government Reorganisation – Greater Lincolnshire. No further comment.
Parish Land. Update on tenancies.
Almost all Parish Land is now rented out.
Possibility of swapping plots was raised. RDW to investigate possibility and report back.
Parish Community. Update on issues.
Suggestion to arrange a Parish Council ‘Tea and Cake’ get together in the Hare and Hounds, perhaps after Act of Remembrance, discussed. JF and RH to investigate further.
RDW raised future of St Andrew’s Church as a centre for community activity alongside the Hare and Hounds. Worship alone will not pay the bills. The PCC is considering potential support for a ‘Friends of St Andrew’s’ charity organisation to develop the church’s potential as a community space for non-religious activities.
Parish Maintenance. Discussion on removal of dead tree on Haconby ‘green’. RESOLVED: RF and JF to remove the tree and place the plaque under the bench.
ICO Requirements. Discussion on Council responsibilities. RH and JF to investigate if the Council requires ICO, is exempt or covered by LALC or Insurance.
11. Closed Session. Not required.
12. Date of Next Meeting. 7.15 pm Friday 4 September 2026 at 7.15 pm confirmed.
Meeting closed at 21:35
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/2843/decision-on-local-government-reorganisation-in-greater-lincolnshire
Decision on Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Lincolnshire
The Government has announced its decision on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Lincolnshire.
The Government has announced its decision on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Lincolnshire which would see the creation of two new unitary authorities – a Lincoln City unitary and a Lincolnshire unitary.
A unitary council is a single local authority that is responsible for all local government services in an area. Subject to legislation being passed, these two new councils would eventually replace the current county and district councils.
The new unitary authorities would comprise:
a Lincoln City unitary council (covering an extended area from the current city boundary incorporating some wards in the West Lindsey and North Kesteven districts)
a Lincolnshire unitary council (covering the rest of the West Lindsey and North Kesteven districts as well as the remaining four district council areas)
North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council (already unitaries) to remain as they are.
The exact names of the new councils are still to be decided.
There will be no imminent changes to council services, or day-to-day operations, as councils prepare for elections to shadow authorities in 2027, with new authorities expected to go live in April 2028.
Cllr Sean Matthews, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said:
“The government has made a decision on what they think the best model is for Greater Lincolnshire. This will be a significant change and a long-term piece of work to implement, working with all councils to get the best outcomes for residents.
“However, I’d like to reassure our communities that in the meantime, whether it's road repairs, caring for vulnerable children and adults, protecting communities in emergencies – maintaining the important services residents rely on will continue to be our priority.”