2026 Minutes

GEDNEY HILL PARISH COUNCIL

 MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Held at the Gedney Hill and District Memorial Hall, Hillgate, PE12 0NN

On Wednesday 14th January 2026, at 6.30pm

PRESENT:

GHPC Councillors: N Watson (Chair), P Redgate, A Watson, K James

Acting Clerk: N Watson

Also present: 

Cllr R Condell, Lincolnshire County Council

Cllr L Eldridge, South Holland District Council

6 members of the public

1. Chairmans Welcome.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Public Forum

Cllr Ray Condell, LCC, advised that the 2026/27 draft budget for LCC is available on the Council website. He also advised that the serious road defect at the south end of Station Road is scheduled for attention at the end of January 2026.

A parishioner observed that the budget costs for the Parish Council election scheduled for 5th March 2026 will add approx. £15 per property to the Parish Precept, for an election of one Councillor for a period of one year until the whole Council election is held in 2027. It was recognised that calling for a poll is a democratic right of parishioners but it comes at a significant cost to the Council budget which is funded solely by Council Tax payers.

It was noted that the road outside the school urgently needs redressing, and is unsalted and hence very icy in bad weather. Cllr Condell pointed out that highways budgets were spent based on need and North Road would be dealt with in due course. There was some discussion about the grit bin that is placed for parishioners use, and the issues such as insurance that needs to be taken into account when it is used.

3. Apologies for absence and acceptance of apologies.

All Councillors were present and the meeting was quorate.

4. Declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consideration of any requests for dispensation. 

None

5. Councillor Resignation and Vacancy

The Chair noted that Cllr Shepherd had resigned from the Council. She was elected as a Councillor in 2023 and had been a hard-working and valued member of the Council. Her successor will be elected on 5th March 2026.

Councillors agreed by acclaim that Poll Cards should be issued for the election, although they did form a significant part of the election cost, as it ensured that all Parishioners were aware that they could exercise a vote on the day.

6. 2026 Meeting Dates

Monday 2nd March 2026

Tuesday 5th May 2026 to follow Annual Parish Meeting (date to be confirmed)

Monday 6th July 2026 – (Parish Council Pavilion, North Road behind school)

Monday 7th September 2026 – (Parish Council Pavilion, North Road behind school)

Monday 2nd November 2026

All meetings to take place at 6.30pm at Gedney Hill and District Memorial Hall unless stated.

7 To approve the draft minutes of the meeting held on 17th November 2025.

The minutes were approved by acclaim, and signed by Cllr N Watson as a true record.

8 PPC update

Discussions continue with our landlord about an amended lease that meets The National Lottery criteria for grant funding.

We await final approval of the Biodiversity Net Gain submission which is needed to comply with the planning condition and enable full planning permission to be granted.

The group enjoyed the Santa’s Sleigh event before Christmas, and will use the funds raised to provide events for the children at the Party In The Park.

The official opening of the pavilion is planned to be an Easter Egg Hunt during Easter weekend 

9 Financial Report

The Chair read out the financial highlights for the year so far, detailed figures are available from the Acting Clerk on request.

10 To ratify the Budget and Precept Request for 2026/27

Councillors approved the Precept request of £26792.50 by acclaim

11 Installation of a bench on land at Lincolns Avenue

Highways have granted permission for us to site a new bench on the green area near the bus stop. Cllr Eldridge has generously offered £500 from her ward budget towards the cost of approx. £1250.

12 Application to Wryde Croft Windfarm Community Fund

It was agreed to make an application to the fund for funding to install two Speed Indicator signs in the Parish – approx. cost £8000.

13 Update on the Parish Pavilion

Works are virtually complete, and the transformation is stunning. 

14 To discuss current planning decisions and decisions

Councillors have no observations on current planning applications

15 Cemetery Matters

A new headstone has been fitted today

Two plots have been reserved

There is a mole infestation

16 Wryde Croft Windfar, Small Project Fund

An application from Astoria Youth Group for £500 has been approved

17 To advise of any items to be added to the next meeting Agenda

Dog Mess, LGR implications

18 Date of next meeting – Monday 2nd March 2026 at 6.30pm in the Memorial Hall

19 Confidential item (public and press to be excluded

Clerk recruitment process

The meeting closed at 7.30pm