DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SCAMPTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2025 AT BSA HALL, AISTHORPE
ATTENDANCE: Cllrs. Bulteel (In the Chair), Sneath, Newham, Patterson, and Quincey together with Brian Elliott (Parish Clerk), and three members of the public.
APOLOGIES - Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Somerville and Thompson.
REGISTER OF MEMBERS’ INTEREST – No declarations were needed but the Chairman re-iterated that Councillors declaring any interest could still comment as individuals during an Open Forum but not, of course, in Council debates.
11.06-01 OPEN FORUM – There were no questions not covered on the agenda.
11.06-02 MINUTES – Councillors Sneath and Patterson proposed and seconded ratification of the previous meeting's minutes, which were approved for signature.
11.06-03 HIGHWAYS AND SPEED AWARENESS – Results from the speed recording equipment showed average speeds remain slightly higher, but with some key improvements. Contact by Lincolnshire Police suggesting working together on some local speed checks was also welcomed.
A meeting was needed with the County Council to review the position of the new, most southerly, 30 mph sign and to reconsider restrictions between it and Tillbridge Lane, as raised by a resident.
Vegetation on the Showground roundabout had been successfully tidied but repainting of the structure’s brickwork may still be needed - as is work at the entrance to Scampton Way.
11.06-04 LITTER PICKS – The next Scampton Cliff Litter Pick will be on 23 November with extra publicity given.
11.06-05 WEB PAGES & SOCIAL MEDIA, IT., DEFIBRILLATORS, AIR CREW STATUES and PLANNING: Nothing new to report on any of those items.
11.06-06 BARNES WALLIS CENTRE – With RAF support for the Centre ending at the year-end, discussions were needed about the centre's future—particularly with its owners, the MOD. West Lindsey District Council appeared willing to support the acquisition of the premises by a permanent body such as the Parish Council.
11.06-07 - ENERGY – Faults on three streetlights had been successfully resolved.
11.06-08 FUTURE OF SCAMPTON – Cllr Bulteel reported that little had changed on the disposal of the whole Scampton Cliff site by the Home Office but the sale of some individual houses and the rental of others by Annington now seemed imminent. In addition, the transfer of land at Trenchard Square and elsewhere to the Parish Council now seemed likely, but the formalities involved needed clarification.
As for a Neighbourhood Plan, it now seemed possible to complete a Plan (at a cost around £4000) by September 2026, and the item should appear on the next agenda.
11.06-09 HEALTH & SAFETY- Potential contractors to maintain lamp standards long term, suggested at the last meeting, were not interested.
11.06-10 COMMUNITY SOCIAL EVENTS – A licence for film showing on 18 December had now been secured at a cost of £91 – which, it was agreed, should be covered by the social spending approved in April - as should the purchase of the film itself.
Publicity arrangements were put in hand for that film showing and for the 13 December Christmas event, with a £100 contingency budget proposed by Cllr Sneath, seconded by Cllr Bulteel and agreed. Clarification was needed, though, on the organisations to whom surplus prizes could be given.
11.06-11 QUEEN’S CANOPY – Proposals for replacement trees at Scampton Cliff had now been approved with planting expected before February 2026. It was also agreed to support the results with a suitable plaque.
11.06-12 POLICIES – The policies on Complaints, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Subject Access and Public Participation were reviewed and renewed.
11.06-13 FUTURE OF SCAMPTON – It was agreed that an Events Calendar for 2026 should be complied showing planned events and activity.
11.06-14 UNITARY AUTHORITY – Any discussion on new local authority structures was deferred until firmer proposals are available.
11.06-15 DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS – There was nothing new to report from either Councillor.
11.06-16 VILLAGE VENTURE – Results were still awaited on the survey of demand to assess whether Village Venture should be distributed at Scampton Cliff.
11.06-17 CORRESPONDENCE – Apart from the usual regular newsletters, the main correspondence concerned (a) the 7000 Acres group meeting on 13 November, (b) the Revised Register of Electors, (c) Material from a Martyns law webinar and (d) confirmation that the recent receipt of money from Drax was a refunded credit.
Cllr Bulteel will consider items (a) and (c) while a copy of item (b) will be requested. Item (d) was simply noted.
11.06-18 FINANCE – On a proposal by Cllr Sneath (seconded by Cllr Newham), the expenditure in the Schedule was approved, along with payments for a remembrance wreath (£50) and the Information Commissioner (£52). Similarly, the Draft Fixed Asset register was formally adopted – as proposed by Cllrs Patterson and Bulteel.
After a detailed scrutiny of costs and potential projects (and with thanks to the Clerk for the detailed data), it was proposed by Cllr Bulteel and seconded by Cllr Quincey that a precept of £24,000 should be sought for 2026-27. This would allow planned projects to proceed without completely exhausting the existing Cliff Reserve.
11.06-19 NEXT MEETING – The next meeting will be on Thursday 4 December 2025 at the usual venue but, at this stage, only the Neighbourhood Plan needs to be added to the standard agenda items summarised below.
Standing Agenda items: Approval of minutes; Speed awareness and highways issues; Web page and social media; Energy Report; Future of Scampton; Information technology; Health and safety; Scampton Cliff defibrillator; Community events; Policies; Future plans; Queen’s canopy; Tommy statues and benches; Village Venture; District Councillors report; County Councillors report; Correspondence; Finance and Planning.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50pm.
SCHEDULE
These draft minutes are subject to modification before, or at, the next meeting.