2026 Minutes

DRAFT MINUTES

BIGBY PARISH COUNCIL 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

HELD ON TUESDAY, 13th JANUARY 2026

CHAIR – COUNCILLOR D. COWLING

PRESENT: Councillors – H. Aukland, D. Cowling, C. Gandy, L. Mair, and W. Pinney

Also in attendance: -

Mrs. A. Hannath – Clerk to the Council

Cllr. P . Morris WLDC

BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED

74 Notice convening the meeting.

Taken as read and approved

75 To Receive Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr. B. Orr

Cllr. J. Bean – LLC

75 a) To Record any Declarations of Interest by any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below.  Members declaring interests should identify the Agenda Item and the type of interest being declared.

None

b)  To Note any Dispensations given to any member of the council in respect of the Agenda Items listed below.

None

77 Police Matters

The Clerk advised that all correspondence from the Police has been forwarded to Councillors.  

Cllr. D. Cowling advised that in the latest correspondence, the Police asked to access the Council’s Social Media accounts as a good method of staying abreast of low level crime in the parish, which may go unreported.  She will have a further look into this, although it was agreed that the Facebook account would probably be more suitable for sharing with the Police.

78 To Receive any Correspondence (for information only).

The Clerk advised that she had received an email from Ms. Heather Sugden, owner of the ‘sheep field’ regarding criminal damage on her land.  This information has been shared with residents on WhatsApp and they have asked to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.

79 To Receive the Clerk’s Report and Update on any outstanding issues.

None

80 To Receive any Questions from Members.

None notified

81 Public Question Time.

There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

82 a) TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE MINUTES, AS CIRCULATED, 

OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 18th NOVEMBER 2025

It was resolved that the minutes of the meetings held on 18th November, having been circulated, should be taken as read and approved.

Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. L. Mair

83 ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 

a) To Receive the following Financial Report and Approve the Accounts for Payment: As at 1st January 2026 (Documents attached)

Appendix 1 – Schedule of Payments

*Added since publication of the agenda

It was resolved that the accounts for payment listed below and the Statement of   Accounts be approved.

Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. C. Gandy

b) To Undertake a Quarterly Review of the Accounts. (Documents attached)

The Clerk advised that when she viewed the third quarter review, she was concerned that there was an overspend.  However, on closer inspection, she realised that money from VH Reserves had been spent and that this does not form part of the budget.  Also, that the budget figure for Grass cutting does not include the donation from LCC Highways.  When this is taken into account, there is no overspend on this the budget line.  The true total spend as at 1st January 2026 not including VAT, is £7280.80.

It was resolved that based on the above, the Review of the Accounts for the third quarter be accepted.

Proposed: Cllr. C. Gandy Seconded: Cllr. H. Aukland 

c) To Consider and Determine the use of ring-fenced funds from the Solar Energy Project

d) To Revisit the Budget Proposals for 2026/2027 and to Revise the Estimated Precept if Deemed Necessary.

Agenda items c and d were discussed together as any decision on item c would have an impact on item d.

It was resolved that the Solar Energy Project Funds would stay ring-fenced; the funds to be used for ‘mini’ energy projects and will also act as emergency reserves for the Council’s activities, eg supporting major maintenance issues for the village hall.

It was resolved that having revisited the preliminary budget figures from November, where some of the solar Energy Project funds were absorbed into the general council fund, the precept should be set at £9500.00.  

Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. H. Aukland 

84 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND DECISION NOTICES

Members are reminded that applications can be received after the deadline for the publication of the agenda. The clerk will forward any further applications to you before the meeting for your consideration.

TO RECEIVE A FOLLOW UP REPORT ON PLANNING REFERENCE:  WL/2025/00925: Application for prior notification to erect an agricultural building for machinery, hay and animal feed storage.  Land off Bigby Hill, Bigby

The Clerk advised that the applicant, Ms. Heather Sugden, has appealed this decision with the Secretary of State.  The application is now subject to a review by the Planning Inspectorate and will be determined on the basis of written representations.  All previous comments have been forwarded by WLDC Planning.  The Clerk has resubmitted the Parish Council’s comments to show that the council is very concerned about the application.

 85 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM COUNCILLOR MORRIS ON DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS 

Cllr. P. Morris had nothing to report

86 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM COUNCILLOR BEAN ON COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS 

Cllr. J. Bean was at another Parish Council meeting.

87 a) TO CONSIDER PAYING FOR THE CUTTING OF THE VILLAGE HALL HEDGE FROM THE VILLAGE HALL RESERVES HELD BY THE COUNCIL. (£120.00.)

It was resolved that the Clerk reimburse the Village Hall bank account from the reserves.

Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. H. Aukland 

b) TO GIVE PRIOR APPROVAL TO THE CLERK TO PAY FOR WORK ON THE VILLAGE HALL ROOF FROM THE VILLAGE HALL RESERVES HELD BY THE COUNCIL

It was resolved that this approval be given.

Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. H. Aukland 

The meeting closed at 7.21 pm

Tuesday 17th March, 2026