January 2026 Minutes
Present
Parish Cllrs: Trevor Tyrrell, Chris Elliott, Eric Fragale, Jake Mason and Janet Barnes
District Cllrs: Thomas Sneath
County Cllr: Raymond Condell
Constituents: 1
Clerk: Angela Harrison
In the Chair: Trevor Tyrrell
Chairman’s welcome and Public Forum.
The Chairman wished everyone a Happy New Year.
There were no questions from the public.
Cllr Condell gave an update on the old Spalding Road, to say that they are waiting for the detailed report to come back. The road will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
The airfield and Field for Paws can still be accessed.
The Chair asked about the temporary bus stop signs and requested something more permanent and off the footpath, as they are restricting the pathway.
Cllr Sneath stated that he would look and see if there is anything smaller that can be used instead of the temporary signs, as they are only supposed to be used for less than a week.
Cllr Sneath advised that the quote to repair the road is in excess of £4M as the road is constantly moving, but there is no funding available.
The Govt offered £100M funding towards projects so all LCC funds were pooled to match fund for the North Hykeham relief road.
It is likely that a weight and speed restriction will be put on the road when it does reopen, and the PC agreed that would be a good idea.
Cllr Condell was made aware of the state of the A16 between the Crowland roundabout and the Radar Corner junction, which appears to have been missed off as it is still full of potholes.
AGENDA
64. To receive and approve apologies for absence.
At the time of the meeting, apologies had been received from District Cllrs Casson and Woolf.
It was noted that Daniel Sandhu had not tendered his apologies. This will be the second meeting missed and should he not attend or send apologies for the March meeting he will cease to be a Member of the Parish Council.
65. To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensations.
There were none.
66. To approve the Minutes of the November meeting and for the Chair to sign them as a true record.
The Minutes were approved and signed by the Chair.
67. Matters arising from the Minutes, (not covered on this agenda).
Wildflowers: to discuss the option of a nature friendly grass verge.
It was resolved that the strip of land from Drain Bank, (towards Cowbit from Spalding), to the lay-by be left to grow wild. This will be monitored but shouldn’t cause issues for residents as it is on the opposite side of Barrier Bank.
Action: Clerk to advise SHDC.
The bin has been collected and installed.
The PIR light has been installed and is working.
68. Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding.
The report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Village information map is being put together by Abbey Print and will show local bridleways, public footpaths, places of interest, etc. This will fill one side of the PC’s new notice board.
69. To discuss designs for a Cow installation near the A16 roundabout.
A quote has been received for 2x Lincoln Red Cows, each will be in 3 parts, 3mH x 4.5mW to go on the grass verge splays on Stonegate from the A16 roundabout. The cost will be £1,401.50 plus installation.
It was resolved to accept the quote.
Action: Clerk to email Dan at Highways and copy in Cllr Condell to explain the change of location and gain permission.
70. New Village Sign: to discuss options and designs to replace the old one.
£243.89 sign laser only kit (pre-oxidised metal)
Cllr Sneath offered to provide funding towards the village sign.
Action: Janet Barnes to contact Laserfab regarding changes to the design.
Action: Clerk to email District Cllrs regarding funding towards the cows.
71. Finance Matters:
a. to receive Bank Reconciliations for November and December.
Received and signed by the Chairman.
b. to agree the Budget and Precept for 2026/27.
CE proposed and TT seconded
It was resolved to set the Budget at £26,010 as outlined in the report and in order to achieve this, the Precept will be set at £22,750 for 2026/27.
The Clerk clarified that when divided by the tax base of 569 this gives an annual cost of £39.98 per annum for a Band D property; an increase of just £4.83 per year, or 9 pence per week.
c. to approve invoices for payment received since the last meeting.
It was resolved to approve payments totalling £4,764.53 along with the Clerk’s expenses.
It was also resolved to subscribe to the LALC training scheme for 2026/27 at the annual cost of £204.00.
Action: Clerk to circulate details of the training sessions available.
72. Highways Matters:
a. to receive the CSW report for November and December.
The Chair read out the report which showed very few vehicles speeding.
Members agreed that it appeared to be working as a deterrent and thanked the volunteers for their good work.
73. Planning Matters:
a. to agree a response to any new applications received since the last meeting.
H01-1245-25 Pumping Station, Mill Drove South, PE12 6FS
Proposed residential development of 3 new build homes and conversion of rural building into 2 dwellings – Retrospective
Comments: Ensure that they don’t restrict the width of the carriageway when putting in a footpath.
H01-1233-25 The Willows, 2 Mill Drove South, PE12 6FS
Proposed single storey front and rear extensions
Support
H01-1213-25 Former Station Yard, Mill Drove South, PE12 6FS
Modification of 106 Agreement relating to affordable housing (planning approval H01-1204-22)
It was resolved to leave this to the Planning Officers due to Planning Laws and regulations.
H01-1136-25 Peak Hill House, 30 Peak Hill, PE12 6AW
Workshop building to garage area within rear garden
Support
Meridian Solar Consultation
The Parish Council opposes the proposed solar installation due to the excess heavy traffic which will cause damage to the roads and properties in the village.
The new consultation is regarding an increase in the land required for the West Marsh power station.
Although this will not directly impact the village of Cowbit, it was resolved that the Clerk reiterate the PC’s objections.
Action: Clerk to send a response to the consultation.
74. Police matters:
a. to receive the online Police report.
5 crimes were reported in November in Cowbit.
75. Items to be included on the next meeting’s agenda.
There were none.
76. To confirm the date of the next meeting, provisionally set as Monday the 9th of March.
The above date was confirmed.
Meeting closed at 20:17