April 2026 Minutes
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF GREETWELL HELD AT 7.30PM ON MONDAY 13TH APRIL 2026 IN THE SUDBROOKE VILLAGE HALL
Present: John Taylor, Chair of Greetwell Parish Council, Christine Myers Clerk, 3 residents.
Apologies received from County Councillor Trevor Bridgwood, District Councillor Maureen Palmer,
Ms Sue Pullen.
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13TH MAY 2025
That these be signed as an accurate record proposed by Mrs Sarah Bates, seconded by Chris Thatcher.
2 CHAIRMANS REPORT ON PARISH COUNCIL ACTIVITIES DURING THE LAST YEAR
The Chairman reported on the success of the Christmas Lights switch on which was now becoming a regular and popular event.
He stated that he was disappointed that neither the County nor District Councillors had taken forward the improvement of the cycle path from Kennel Lane to Westfield Drive.
He also stated that he hoped that the footpath from Westfield Avenue to Hawthorn Road would be upgraded.
He thanked District Councillor Chris Darcel for the grant from his Community Fund for the new noticeboard.
3 CLERK/TREASURERS REPORT ON PARISH COUNCIL ITEMS AND FINANCES FOR THE LAST YEAR
Christine Myers, Clerk, reported as follows:-
There continues to be a hardworking team on the Parish Council but sadly we said goodbye to Councillors Vernon Stuffins and Jo Dimelow, leaving two vacancies for filling.
Some Councillors continue to have specific responsibilities, i.e. checking the Defibrillator at the garage at North Greetwell; a weekly visual check of The Chase play area; planting out of the large planter at the North Greetwell sign and near to the bus shelter by Truswell’s; Speed watch devices; HR.
We are fortunate in having a resident who is planting and keeping tidy the planters on Westfield Drive. All the planters have been very colourful this last year.
A seat was purchased from Cils monies (Community Infrastructure Levies) and sited on the roundabout on Westfield Avenue. This was set on a plinth by a local builder at no cost to the parish.
A grant was obtained from the District Councillors Community Fund (DC Chris Darcel) and this has paid for a new noticeboard sited in the bus shelter outside Truswell’s. The bus shelter was also repainted by a local painter and decorator, keeping it in good repair.
The Parish Council has taken responsibility from the County Council for the grass cutting in North Greetwell and the County Council makes a substantial contribution to the cost. If the County Council were to cut the verges there would only be three cuts per year - the Parish Council has arranged for ten cuts ensuring that the parish is kept in a tidy condition.
I thank the Parish Council for being a responsible employer, allowing me to continue training and attend seminars to keep up to date with legislation.
FUNDS AT 31.3.2026
The Parish Council received a Precept of £17,000.00 for 2025/26. This was an increase on the previous years due to several factors, one being that the Parish Council had to pay National Insurance contributions for its staff and £2000.00 additional amount set aside for the Parish Enhancements for a possible play area for North Greetwell, play area repairs when funds from The Chase account are used and funds for a possible future community hall for North Greetwell.
The Council worked within its budget for the year.
The Chase Account – expenditure for year taken from account was £1842.50 leaving a balance of £1,940.51. The original sum of £25,000 has now nearly been depleted hence the requirement to increase the Precept to continue to finance the upkeep of the play area/equipment.
At 31.3.2026 the funds being held in the Parish Council account, excluding The Chase account, was £21,387.24
This amount is made up of the following:-
Events Fund Brought forward £457.40
Parish Enhancement from Precept = £11,082.47
Cils monies £136.65
Grant from DC C Darcel surplus = £89.08
Contingency Fund = £9,621.64
The accounts had a mid-year audit in October and there will be a full Audit during this month. The accounts will be available for inspection between 3rd June 2026 and 14th July 2026, by contacting the Clerk to the Council.
4 REPORT BY DISTRICT COUNCILLOR MAUREEN PALMER
Much has happened over the last year, but these are some of the main things.
After a vote of no confidence in the Leader and Deputy Leader a new Administration group made up of Conservatives, Independents, Liberal Democrats, and Reform councillors took control of the Council.
Local Government Reorganisation {LGR} is a Central Government directive to change Lincolnshire into two Unitary organisations. There are four options on the table, and a decision is due by central Government in November. This will mean that West Lindsey and its Councillors will no longer exist as we know it.
The election for new councillors is expected to take place in 2027. This is a LOCAL election and NOT general elections.
West Lindsey has put in a bid to purchase Scampton airfield and have passed the first phase meaning, they now must submit a development plan.
The Church Festival is taking place again over two weekends, 9th/10th May and 16th /17th May with around 120 churches participating over the district.
The National Planning Framework is out for consultation. The two main changes that are relevant to us are:- If a planning application is within a settlement boundary it will be granted and if it is outside the settlement boundary it will be refused except in exceptional circumstances.
The new food waste collection has started and apart from a few hiccups has been successful.
5 TO CONSIDER ANY POINTS THAT PARISHIONERS MAY WISH TO MAKE
None raised.
The meeting closed at 7.43pm.