2026 Minutes

Thorpe on the Hill Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held 14th January 2026 at 19:00 at The Oliver Roper Village Hall

26.01.01 Councillor (Cllr) Lyons welcomed everyone to the meeting.

26.01.02 Public Time

2 members of the public were present.

A question was raised about the new local access only signs on Blacksmiths Lane.  County Councillor Woodruff advised that following several complaints about the road being used as a cut through, the highways team had looked at various options.  The advisory signs were the only viable option.

The resident asked what was going to be done for the other roads in Thorpe in terms of speeding vehicles.  Councillor Woodruff advised that currently, the County Council has to adhere to the national highway policy and criteria and advised that there are 6 criteria points that can be considered when a change to current conditions is requested and Thorpe does not meet any.

The County Council had developed a local policy that will give it more flexibility.  The policy is due to go to the committee in February and full council after that and will hopefully come into force later in the year.

Councillor Sheldon thanked Councillor Lyons and all the residents who have been working so hard in opposition to the Fosse Green Energy proposal.  The amount of time and effort that has gone into this is immense and it is appreciated and admired.

26.01.03 District/County Council Updates

North Kesteven District Council

District Councillor’s Peter Overton and Mitch Elliott advised that the deadline for comments for the Fosse Green Energy proposal was midnight 20th January 2026.

A series of public consultations for the North Relief Road will be taking place.  These will be drop-in sessions and will be held on the following dates.

Tuesday 3 February at Waddington Community Hub (High St, LN5 9RF)

Wednesday 4 February at Bracebridge Heath Pavilion (Entrance next to No. 67 Bath Road)

Thursday 5 February at Bentley Hotel (Newark Rd, LN6 9NH)

Lincolnshire County Council

County Councillor Woodruff gave an update on recent actions and queries.

The Road Safety Partnership is looking into the possibility of a school crossing patrol.

A proposal for a one-way system will be assessed, but Councillor Woodruff added that it will only take one resident to oppose the proposal for it to be refused. 

Councillor Woodruff advised that speeding is unfortunately a common occurrence in the majority of villages in the district with the Executive of Highways stance being that they cannot be held responsible for bad drivers and more police resources are needed.

26.01.04 Formal session commenced at 19:25.

26.01.05 Parish Council.  Members, present, apologies for absence, declarations of interest, declarations of gifts/hospitality, training.

1. Membership: Councillors (Cllrs) Jason Bramford (Vice Chair), Zoe Ives, Carl Koenen, Nick Lyons (Chair), Charlotte Owen, Bob Sheldon MBE, Neville Williams.

2. Present:  Jason Bramford (Vice Chair), Zoe Ives, Carl Koenen, Nick Lyons (Chair), Charlotte Owen, Bob Sheldon MBE, Neville Williams.

3. Apologies: Apologies were received and accepted from

4. Declaration of interest: None

5. Declaration of gifts and hospitality over £25: None

26.01.06 - The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 3rd December 2025 were unanimously agreed as a true record by the members by a show of hands and signed by the Chair.

26.01.07 - To consider whether the Council will move any items on the agenda to the closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 as per Standing Order 7h. No items proposed.

26.01.08 Financial matters

8.1. The list of payments and income were authorised and noted.  Appendix A                                                            

8.2. The financial report for the financial year to date was noted with no queries.  Appendix B                                  

8.3. Precept 2026/27. The Parish Clerk had previously circulated a draft proposal for the2026/27 budget to the Parish Council.  Following a discussion, it was resolved to agree the proposal and the 2026/27 precept would be set at £26,220. The district council breakdown to show any increases or decreases are set in relation to a Band D property, and this equates to a rise of £4.61. Action Parish Clerk.

26.01.09.  Discuss and review the Parish Clerk report on ongoing/outstanding actions.  Appendix C                          

26.01.10 Planning Applications. None.

26.01.11. Grants funding for Bowls Club irrigation system. 

It was resolved that the Parish Council would not seek grant funding for an irrigation system and would encourage the bowls club to seek their own funding, giving them ownership of the system and any ongoing maintenance and to do with as they wish in the future should the system no longer be needed.  Action Parish Clerk.

26.01.12. Block paving repair.

4 quotes had been previously circulated to the Parish Council.

It was resolved to award the job to Thornton Landscaping.  Action Parish Clerk

26.01.13. Correspondence received that has not been circulated to the wider Parish or is not on the agenda.

Correspondence has been received complaining about the grass verges in front of 15-23 Main Street.

The complainant has been given the details for Councillor Woodruff.

25.10.14 Verbal updates from portfolio holders .

Allotments – Cllr Lyons

Finance – Cllr Bramford

Lake Management Committee – Cllr’s Bramford, Lyons, Sheldon MBE

Oliver Roper playpark & tennis courts– Cllr Owen

Planning – Cllrs Koenen, Lyons and Williams

Staffing Committee – Cllr’s Ives, Lyons and Sheldon MBE

Whisby Quarry Liaison meeting – Cllrs Lyons

Whisby Nature Park Steering Board – Cllr Sheldon MBE

Wildlife – Cllr Lyons

Village Hall – Cllrs Lyons, Ives and Owen

Staff.

Councillor Lyons advised that a letter of resignation has been received from the caretaker, with a 3 month notice period.  Comments were made on what an excellent he has done, often going above and beyond his duties.

An advert will be put in the next version of View from the Hill.

It was agreed to amend the job specification which will be brought to the next meeting.  Action Parish Clerk.

The litter picker has also resigned with immediate effect. This will also be advertised in the View from the Hill.  Action Parish Clerk.

Lake.

Following a request from the fishing club to have wood chippings on their road in and out of the lake, Councillor Sheldon asked if the Parish Council should utilise the opportunity to have any trees that need to be cut down due to ash dieback and have them chipped.  This was noted.

26.01.015 Future meeting dates

Parish Council Meetings                                                                                              

25 February 2026, 8 April 2026, 20 May 2026, 1 July 2026, 2 September 2026, 14 October 2026, 

25 November 2026.

Lake Committee Meeting

1 April 2026

26.01.16 The meeting concluded at 20:10.  Councillor Lyons thanked everyone for their input.

Appendix A

Items of expenditure authorised and income noted

Expenditure

Appendix B

Balance Sheet                

1.Balance Carried Forward                        1,868.95

2.Precept                                                     24,350.00

3. Other receipts                                          9,457.23

4. Staff costs                                             (14,302.00)

6. Other Payments                                   (14,246.06)

7. Carry Forward                                          7,128.12

Unity Bank Current Account                      7,128.12

Unity Trust Instant Access                          23000.27

Skipton BS                                                     80284.22

Total                                                            110,412.61

Appendix C

All other actions from Parish Council Meetings are either completed or itemised above

Please be advised that these are notes of the meeting taken by the Parish Clerk and cannot in any way be regarded as official minutes of Council proceedings until approved and signed at the next meeting