June 2025 Minutes

 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SCAMPTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 5 JUNE 2025 AT BSA HALL, AISTHORPE

ATTENDANCE: Cllrs. Bulteel (In the Chair), Newham, Patterson, Sneath and Somerville together with Brian Elliott (Parish Clerk) and five members of the public.

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

REGISTER OF MEMBERS’ INTEREST – Members were reminded about declaring interests but item 0605.03 was the only item affected by any such declaration.

0605-01 OPEN SESSION – Discussions concerned work on clearing highway weeds on Scampton Cliff and additional social events following the much appreciated Dambusters Fly-past. The second item was put on the agenda for the July meeting.

0605-02 MINUTES – Councillors Bulteel and Sneath moved and seconded the approval – and signature - of the previous meeting's minutes.

0605-03 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP – Two high quality candidates had applied for the vacancy and it was decided to interview both - together with a late applicant who was included on the casting vote of the Chairman.

Cllr Sneath declared an interest in this item and took no part in the process.

0605-04 HIGHWAYS AND SPEED AWARENESS – Results from the speed recording equipment were noted as were plans for upcoming speed monitoring exercises. There was also a request to participate in the Road Safety Partnership National Community Speed Watch All Out Day in July

On highways, a report was awaited on flooding in Scampton High Street while work on the footpath diversion at 617 Court will begin once the roadways there are adopted, but maintenance action is expected soon on the Showground roundabout.

0605-05 FINANCE – As part of the Annual Audit, the Council formally (a) confirmed that it has reviewed its governance arrangements, (b) approved the Annual Governance Statement and Internal Audit Report for the year ended 31 March 2025, (c) agreed to a public inspection period from 9 June to 21 July 2025 and (d) authorised the Chairman and Clerk to sign that Governance Statement on the Council’s behalf.

As the five-month gap with no Clerk in post meant that the Council could not give an unqualified assurance on one audit question, the meeting resolved, for 2025-26 onwards, to create an internal audit regime for each quarter and review actual spending v. budget at least at the half year point.

In addition, the completed accounts for 2024-25 were reviewed but, other than being willing to see more grants made, the Council accepted the broad shape of spending patterns and did not feel changes were necessary.  The following payments were also approved.

0605-06 LITTER PICKS – The next litter pick will be on 29 June and progress had been made over an additional bin on Scampton Cliff (at a cost of £180-£200) but West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) had no suitable lidded bins.

0605-07 WEB PAGE & SOCIAL MEDIA:  All items are up to date but more information on Council meeting dates and the venue may be needed.

0605-08 NOTICE BOARDS:  Approval for the positions was given by the PC and it is now awaiting confirmation from Annington Homes.

0605-09 BUS SHELTER MAINTENANCE: Repainting should begin on 3-4 July.

0605-10 FUTURE OF SCAMPTON – WLDC had provided local Parish Councils with updates on the Scampton Holdings project but little will change until the sale of the site is agreed. Meanwhile, though, a grant will be sought for a Housing Needs Assessment as a prelude to the creation of a Neighbourhood Plan.

0605-11 HEALTH & SAFETY- Help was expected from the new County Councillor organising lamp post inspections and a response was awaited from our insurers about cover for volunteers undertaking maintenance activity.

0605-12 IT & AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT – Approval was re-affirmed for the acquisition of a projector at a net cost of £1400 but other potential users had decided not to join the project.

0605-13 COMMUNITY SOCIAL EVENTS – The Dambusters fly-past had been very successful but it was decided to defer any firework display until 2026.  

0605-14 FUTURE PLANS – August 15 was agreed as the preferred date for the next  Community Skips.

0605-15 QUEEN’S CANOPY – An application would be compiled for a grant from the Tree Council to replace damaged trees at Scampton Cliff.

0605-16 “TOMMY” STATUES – Although the new statues at the church meant additional ones were not needed for Scampton Village, there was considerable enthusiasm for air crew statues at Scampton Cliff and three similarly themed benches. The costs (£300 for each statue and £1400 per bench) were accepted in principle but grant help would be sought for the benches.  

0605-17 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT  –  Beyond alterations to Committee memberships, Cllr Patterson reported that little had changed.

0605-18 COUNTY COUNCILLOR – There was nothing to report in this item or on Energy and Planning.

0605-19 CORRESPONDENCE – Items considered included (a) possible damage to trees on 617 Court (b) the distribution of Village Venture on Scampton Cliff and (c) LALC courses and events.

Item (a) was a question for the developer, (b) would be the subject of a meeting with the organisers while, for item (c), Cllr Newham would be booked on a Social Media course and the Summer Conference with Cllr Sneath joining her for the latter.

0605-20 NEXT MEETING – The next meeting will be on Thursday 3 July 2025 at the usual venue.

0605-21 ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.45pm.