2026 Minutes

 DRAFT MINUTES

BIGBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

HELD ON TUESDAY, 15th SEPTEMBER 2026

CHAIR – COUNCILLOR H. AUKLAND

PRESENT: Councillors – H. Aukland, D. Cowling, R. Eyre, B. Orr and W. Pinney

Also in attendance: -

Mrs. A. Hannath – Clerk to the Council

Cllr. J. Bean – LCC

Cllr. P. Morris – WLDC

1 member of the public

BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED

36 Notice convening the meeting.

Taken as read and approved

37 To Receive Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr. C. Gandy

Cllr. L. Mair

38 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.

Cllr. W. Pinney declared a personal, prejudicial and pecuniary interest in Item 48 (b)

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

None

39 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM CLLR. BEAN ON COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS

Cllr. Bean advised that he had just sent the Clerk an email regarding the grants that are available for Parish Council’s to claim.  He has a ‘pot’ of £3000 at his personal disposal.  There are also Strategic Grants available for sums between £3001 to £15000.   

40 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM CLLR. MORRIS ON DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS   

Cllr. Morris advised that Local Government Reorganisation has been ‘paused’ for the moment.  Council elections scheduled for next year will still take place.  Unfortunately, the uncertainty for officers at WLDC means that some are seeking employment elsewhere.                                               

41 Police Matters

None notified.  However, the Council were saddened to learn that the grass cutting contractor, AJ Williams, had his van stolen whilst working in Bigby

42 To Receive any Correspondence (for information only).

None

43 To Receive an Update on any outstanding issues from the clerk.

See later agenda items.

44 Public Question Time

None

45 To Receive any Questions from Members.

None notified

46 a) TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE MINUTES, AS CIRCULATED, OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 7th JULY 2026

It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th July, 2026 having been circulated should be taken as read and approved.

Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland                           Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr

47. ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

a)   To Receive the following Financial Report and Approve the Accounts for Payment: as at 31st August 2026 (Documents attached)

• Added since publication of the agenda

It was resolved that the accounts for payment listed above and the Statements of   Accounts be approved.

Proposed: Cllr. R. Eyres                                Seconded: Cllr. B. Or

48 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.

a. To determine the Council’s response to the Planning Inspectorate regarding the Appeal by Heather Sugden against the Enforcement Notice issued by West Lindsey District Council.  The Enforcement Notice was issued due to an alleged  breach of planning control:

The carrying out of unauthorised operational development comprising engineering operations to create a new Private Way on the Land comprising excavation of soil and the laying of compacted stone material and overlain with soil without the benefit of planning permission.

Land at Bigby Hill, known as ‘Chalk Hill Farm’, Main Road, Somerby.

APPEAL REFERENCE: 6010216

The Clerk advised that she had prepared a draft response to send to the Planning Inspectorate.  Please see Appendix 1.

It was resolved that the Clerk’s draft response be sent to the Planning Inspectorate as the Parish Council’s formal response.

Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland                     Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr

b. Planning Application Number: WL/2026/00840: Retrospective Planning application for conversion of former brick barn into 1 bedroom holiday let.

Land off Smithy Lane, Bigby

Cllr. Aukland advised the meeting that this application had only been received today and that it was circumspect to delay a response in order to give residents time to see the application and express their views.

The landowner, Cllr. Pinney, took the opportunity to outline the application.  In converting an old barn, he had hoped to create a summer house with running water and waste disposal.  However, WLDC Planning had advised him that it is only possible to erect a summer house on residential land.   Hence, the application is for a Holiday Let.  He assured the council that he has no intention of letting it out and it will be purely for personal use.  Hence, the lack of parking.

It was resolved that an Extraordinary Meeting of the council be called on Tuesday 29th September to formally discuss this application.

Proposed: Cllr. Aukland                          Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr

49 TO NOTE AND AGREE THE PAY RISE AWARDED TO EMPLOYEES BY NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL (NJC) FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE EMPLOYEES

The Clerk advised that the pay rate has increased by £0.53 per hour, giving a ndw yearly salary of £2989.80 per year.

Noted

50 TO CONSIDER THE OFFER OF 5 ORCHARD TREES FROM LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL'S LINCWOODS PROJECT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WOODLAND TRUST.

The Clerk advised that the Woodland Trust has offered 5 fruit trees based on the following conditions:

• That tree planting on this site will not impact on utilities such as underground pipework.
• That the proposed land for planting is owned by Bigby Parish Council

It was resolved that condition 1 would be hard and costly to determine and that the offer be declined.

Proposed: Cllr. Aukland                                Seconded: Cllr. R. Eyre

51  TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO APPLY THIS YEAR FOR A WINTER SALT BAG.

It was resolved that a bag of salt be ordered.  Cllr. Pinney kindly agreed to store it along with last year’s bag.

Proposed: Cllr. Pinney                                   Seconded: Cllr. Aukland

52   TO CONSIDER MEASURES TO ‘SPRUCE UP’ THE VILLAGE TO INCLUDE; USE OF THE PLANTERS, OVERHANGING TREE NEAR THE VILLAGE HALL AND THE INFORMATION BOARD AT THE TOP OF SMITHY LANE.

a. Cllr. Bean advised that he will contact LCC Highways to ask them to sort out the overhanging tree, raised paving stones and location and colour of the salt bin.

b. Cllr. Aukland expressed concern about the state of the Jubilee planters, especially the 2 large ones sited at the entrance to the village on the A1084.  She suggested that they needed removing as they are full of weeds that are prevalent due to the absence of a membrane. They also suffer due to the sunshine levels.

Cllr. Orr suggested that before removing them, it may be circumspect to see if any residents would be willing to adopt a planter.  If volunteers came forward, the planters could be ‘renovated’by adding a membrane and perhaps adding fresh soil.

Cllr. Bean advised that planting hardy mediterranean plants may be the way forward.

It was resolved that a request be put on Facebook and WhatsApp for residents to adopt a planter.  If no volunteers come forward, the planters will be removed.  If there are volunteers, the council will pay for limited renovation of the planters and plants that are hardier in nature.

Proposed: Cllr. B. Orr                              Seconded: Cllr. R. Eyre

c. Cllr. Pinney advised that speeding is once again an issue in the village. 

The Clerk commented that the Speed Indicating Device, SID, purchased in 2019 is probably now obsolete.  She will investigate what is now available on the market, with a view to making a decision on the purchase of a new one as an agenda item in November.  This will allow purchase of an SID to be put into the budget calculations.

Cllr. Aukland advised that the 30 mph signs on entering the village are now faded. 

Cllr. Eyre is to submit photographs to Fix My Street.

Cllr. Orr suggested asking residents to have 30 mph stickers on their refuse bins.  This would give a strong reminder every week of the speed limit through Bigby

d. Cllr. Orr advised that there is still raw sewage at the entrance to the field adjacent to the church.

Cllr. Pinney advised that the septic tank that is the source of the problem had been emptied in April 2026.  He will speak to Andy Fraser, who owns the tank to see if the problem can be remedied.

53   CLERK / RFO RECRUITMENT

a. To note that the role has now been advertised on the LCC Website at a cost of £80.00 + VAT

Noted

b. To determine the make up of the interview panel.

It was resolved that the interview panel consist of 3 people, namely the Chair, the Clerk and the Chair or Deputy Chair of the Personnel Committee.

Proposed: Cllr. Aukland                                Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr

c. To determine the timing of the interviews.

It was resolved that ideally the interviews will take place on the evening of 1st October or during the day on 2nd October.

Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr

d) To consider and determine the Clerk’s proposal that there will be a changeover period of 2 months, during which the current Clerk and the new Clerk will both be employed by the Council.  The successful candidate assuming all responsibilities from 1st January 2027.  (The current Clerk will be on hand to offer advice should there be any areas of concern after this date.)

It was resolved that the above proposal be adopted.

Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland                            Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr

e. Pension fund

The Clerk advised that she had been asked about the provision of a pension scheme for the successful candidate.  She had spoken to Autela, the payroll provider, who confirmed that it is possible for the new Clerk to opt into a pension scheme, which Autela will administer on behalf of the council.  Autela suggested that the council make a contribution of 3%.  This would amount to an additional cost to the council of approximately £90 per year.

It was resolved that the if the successful candidate opted into a pension, the council will contribute 3%

Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland                            Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr

The meeting closed at 8.15 pm

            Signed ……………………………………………….

Chairman

Tuesday 17th November, 2026

1. Bigby Parish Council wholeheartedly support WLDC’s Enforcement Notice regarding the unauthorised operational development, undertaken by the landowner, comprising the excavation of soil and the laying of compacted stone material and overlain with soil without the benefit of planning permission.

2. Bigby Parish Council have objected to 2 applications for permitted development, namely WL 2025–00591 and WL 2025–00925, on this site. Both applications were refused by WLDC.  The landowner appealed to the Planning Inspectorate with regards to the second application, Appeal Reference: 6002009.  WLDC’s decision was upheld.

3. In objecting to both applications, Bigby Parish Council was concerned with the environmental impact of the engineering operations.  These had taken place prior to consideration of the first application by the PC and WLDC. The concerns were and still are as follows:

• The installation of the hardstanding before approval is of great concern, particularly the sections that go along the field boundary to the south and up the hillside heading eastward. At the top of the hillside to the east of the field, a rectangle of hardstanding has been laid.  Furthermore, since this Appeal has been lodged, the applicant has continued to be active on the site and has moved a static caravan, that had been temporarily sited at the bottom of the field, to this elevated position.  WLDC have issued a STOP Notice, which is attached to the gate at the entrance to the field

• This elevated site is next to a woodland that has Tree Protection Orders on all of the trees. What damage has been done already by the engineering work undertaken?

• Also of concern is the environmental impact of contaminated water running off this material into the land and the stream immediately adjacent to the field.

• AREA OF GREAT LANDSCAPE VALUE.  Travelling from Brigg along the A1084 towards Caistor, Bigby Hill is a stand out feature, both for the steepness of the road and the beauty of the hillside immediately to the south of the road. The hardstanding that has already been laid, prior to permissions being granted, initially could be seen as far away as Brigg Garden Centre and ran like a white scar across the field. The effect has been slightly reduced due to the addition of soil by the applicant.

4. The Parish Council has been campaigning that the compacted stone be removed from the site since its installation in July 2025.  The land needs returning to its original state as soon as possible to reduce the environmental impact.  The Parish Council asks that this matter be ‘put to bed’ once and for all and that this Area of Great Landscape Value be allowed to live up to its name.