April 2025 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SCAMPTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2025 AT BSA HALL, AISTHORPE

ATTENDANCE: Cllrs. Sneath (In the Chair), Newham, Patterson, Somerville and Thompson together with Brian Elliott (Parish Clerk), County Councillor Butroid and one member of the public.

APOLOGIES –Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Bulteel.

REGISTER OF MEMBERS’ INTEREST - Members were reminded that at any time during the meeting they could declare an interest.

0403-01 OPEN SESSION – No items were raised.

0403-02 MINUTES – Cllr. Somerville proposed, and Cllr. Patterson seconded, the approval of the previous meeting's minutes and their signature as an accurate record.

0403-03 HIGHWAYS AND SPEED AWARENESS – Reports from the speed recording equipment were noted. Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) are also proposing changes to Scampton Village’s speed limits, but the meeting wanted the entire 40mph limit at the northern end to be reduced to 30mph.

Disappointment was expressed that urgent action was unlikely on the Scampton Cliff exit onto the A15 following the LCC site visit on 13 March but the Parish Council would maintain pressure for changes. Discussions would also continue about the Showground roundabout, speed bumps at Scampton Cliff and for further restrictions on right turns from the A15 into the Showground on the day before events.

On another highway related aspect, the grass cutting contract price was revised to £155 + £31.08 VAT (= £186.40) per cut and Minute 0306-04 should be read accordingly.

0403-04 LITTER PICKS – Thanks were expressed  to the 10 people who helped in first 2025 litter pick - on 16 March. However, signs calling attention to how an area had been tidied would now be pursued with West Lindsey District Council (WLDC).

Encouragingly, the dog waste bin on Scampton Cliff had been replaced.

0403-05 WEB PAGE & SOCIAL MEDIA: Nothing to report.

0403-06 NOTICE BOARDS:  Alternative sites for new notice boards at Scampton Cliff were being considered and Cllrs Sneath and Newham would pursue the question of locations and cost.

0403-07 BUS SHELTER MAINTENANCE: A start date was expected soon for the maintenance work on the shelter opposite Scampton church.

0403-08 FUTURE OF SCAMPTON – Councillors were dismayed that the Government had decided to put the sale of the former RAF site on the open market but felt reassured that the constraints built into the Local Plan for the area would ultimately inhibit bidders other than WLDC.  

0403-09 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN – Regrettably, no legitimate further work was possible in 2024-25 on the Neighbourhood Plan. Consequently, the End of Grant Report (due by 31/03/2025) has been submitted and the balance of the grant has also been refunded. A fresh application would be made for 2025-26.

0403-10 IT AND PLANS FOR A PROJECTOR – There was nothing to report on IT itself. As for the Village Hall AV systems, now seemed the right time to buy a dedicated projector but with other potential users approached about contributing to the likely £2000 -£3000 cost.

0403-11 HEALTH & SAFETY- Risk assessments had been completed for the Dambusters Fly-past and other activities but discussions with potential contractors about the inspection of lamp posts had ended and help would now be sought from LCC street lighting teams.

0403-12 ENERGY – Nothing to report except that (with regard to Minute 1205-13) any review of potential suppliers should await the end of the current contract.

0403-13 COMMUNITY SOCIAL EVENTS – Our insurers have now confirmed that  the Dambusters Flypast is covered by the Council’s public liability cover and – on a proposition by Cllr Somerville (seconded by Cllr Patterson) - a budget of £800 was made available for this event. In addition, 13 December was agreed as the date for the Christmas event (at PolyPlatt School) but any decision on a firework display needs clarification on the availability of a site.  

0403-14 POLICIES – No changes were needed to the Recording of Meetings, Press, or Abusive Complaints policies and only the change agreed at Minute 0306 -15 was required to the Small Grants policy.

0403-15 FUTURE PLANS – Potential dates would be sought for future Community Skip events when a Saturday delivery and collection would be available. Two skips should go to Scampton Cliff and one to Scampton Village. In addition, costs would be investigated for British Legion “Tommy” Statues and grants sought to replace broken trees at the Queen’s Canopy.

0403-16 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT and COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT –  Beyond items already considered, both Councillors simply reported on discussions about possible structures for unitary authorities in local areas.

0403-16 FUTURE MEETINGS – The Council AGM will be on 8 May, the Parish meeting on 29 May and, provisionally, the Inter-Parish Council meeting on 15 May (now 4 June).

[Cllr Somerville left the meeting]

0403-17 CORRESPONDENCE – Items considered – and noted - included (a) Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils training events, (b) The police report on local law breaches and (c) temporary traffic lights by the Tillbridge Lane viewpoint on 22-24 April.

0403-18 FINANCE – The meeting (a) approved the payments shown below, (b) noted the provisional results from the annual accounts for 2024-25  and (c) modified the decision at Minute 0306-20 to authorise the initial investment with The Charity Bank to £11,000 not £6,000.

0403-19 PLANNING – Councillors received a consultation request from WLDC in respect of 11 High Street, Scampton (WL/2025/00321) and agreed to consider it by email before the next meeting.

0403-20 NEXT MEETING – The next meeting will be on Thursday 8 May 2025 (because of the elections on 1 May) but at the usual venue and time.

0403-12 ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.07pm.