7th January 2026
MINUTES OF A PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON 7TH JANUARY 2026
AT 7.00PM AT THIMBLEBY VILLAGE HALL.
Present:
Councillors Cllr C.Bachrati (Chair), Cllrs A.Doody and E.Buckley
Not Present: All Present
In attendance The Clerk, A. Everard.
Members of public present: Two
Public Participation: No issues were raised
1/26. Election of Chair of Thimbleby Parish Council (to serve until May 2026 Annual Meeting) and signing Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Vice Chair Cllr Doody presided following the resignation of Mrs P. Buckingham.
RESOLVED Cllr Bachrati elected and Declaration of Acceptance of Office signed.
RESOLVED to send a letter of thanks to Mrs P. Buckingham and Mrs S. Buckley.
2/26. Election of Vice Chair (if the role is vacant).
There was no vacancy to fill.
3/26. Apologies for absence to be approved if appropriate.
None.
4/26. Declarations of interest and consideration of any requested dispensations.
None
5/26. To adopt the draft minutes from the Parish Council meetings held on 5th November 2025.
RESOLVED to adopt with the amendment ‘with councillor input’ added to minute 103/25.
6/26. To consider any matters arising from the previous meetings including 5th November 2025 not already on this agenda including Clerk’s Report and actions taken.
Minute 103/25 newsletter to be left until Spring. Also in gathering the data from speed indicator devices for the newsletter due to hazardous nature of the verges in winter in consultation with the former Chair under Financial Regulations the Clerk had obtained a discount to purchase two 4G SIM card connections of £729.72 plus VAT. Minute 125/25 The Clerk is awaiting further information from ELDC officers regarding Conservation Area Reviews prior to adding to a future agenda.
7/26. To receive any written or verbal reports from District and County Councillors.
LCC Cllr Oliver was unable to attend due to other commitments. Updates related to items already on the agenda.
ELDC Cllr Martin reported,
• AirBnB cases had been reported in the parish and enforcement team had taken action and planning applications were expected from householders if they wished to continue using them for AirBnB.
• ELDC budget-setting was taking place and comments were welcome.
• Food waste collections were starting from April 2026 in some parts of Lincolnshire and from October 2026 in East Lindsey District Council area.
• Car park review is being undertaken by an ELDC Scrutiny panel and a report is awaited.
• FixMyStreet can be used to report most street-level issues including potholes, fly-tipping, streetlight issues and other highway matters. It works for both ELDC and LCC issues.
8/26. Correspondence Received
Council noted receipt of LALC E-News (two-weekly); LALC Training Bulletin (monthly); ELDC and LCC Town and Parish News. Parish Councillors highlighted the flood resilience scheme available for householders affected by flooding and previous LCC S.19 flooding reports.
9/26. Planning
a) Application reference S/181/01013/23 and S/181/01014/23 Planning Permission - Change of use, conversion of, extension and alterations of existing barn which is a listed building to form a dwelling - VILLAGE FARM, MAIN ROAD, THIMBLEBY, HORNCASTLE, LN9 5RE
Parish Council noted ELDC’s Decision: Approved
b) Application reference 03473/25/ESO Environmental Impact Assessment (E.E.C. Directive 85/337/E.E.C. as amended by Council Directive 97/11E.C.) for a scoping opinion with respect to the erection of 8no. poultry units and associated infrastructure. Land South Of Poolham Lane, Poolham.
Parish Council noted ELDC’s Decision: Scoping Opinion Issued.
c) Application reference S/181/00034/24 | Planning Permission - Erection of 9 no. detached dwelling and a public community open space, existing buildings on site to be demolished. | HALLGARTH FARM, MAIN ROAD, THIMBLEBY, HORNCASTLE, LN9 5RE
ELDC Decision: Decision Awaited
d) Application reference 03239/25/OUT Planning Permission - Outline erection of 9no. dwellings. Proposed Farm Access Off Thimbleby Hill Main Road Thimbleby. ELDC Decision: Refused.
Appeal submitted by applicant. Planning Inspectorate website appeal ref 6002068.
RESOLVED to confirm original Objection and the Clerk to submit further comments to the Planning Inspectorate relating to the appellants’ appeal statement as debated.
e) Application reference 03438/25/OUT Planning Permission - Outline erection of up to 200 dwellings, with demolition of existing farm buildings, associated access, play area, public open space, landscaping and biodiversity enhancement (with means of access to be considered).
ELDC Decision: Decision Awaited.
f) Application reference 03706/25/FUL Planning Permission - Change of use of land to create a dog exercise field, erection of a field shelter and boundary fencing and provision of car parking area. Land South of Glebe Farm Bungalow Lincoln Road Thimbleby Lincolnshire.
RESOLVED to Support with comments requesting conditions relating to the number of parking spaces and the effect on the A158 highway and site access.
10/26. To consider any highways, footpath and related issues
a. Noted sidings work to be undertaken by LCC to the footpath from Church Corner towards the bungalows in mid to late January.
b. Location of grit bin(s) in parish of Thimbleby – a meeting to be arranged with an LCC officer with Cllrs Bachrati and Buckley to discuss this.
c. LCC update on drains maintenance – Cllr Oliver had reported that regular programmed cleaning had taken place but after autumn leaf fall the drains were blocked again with surface water on the road after Hallgarth heading towards Bardney and had been reported on FixMyStreet.
d. Update on Thimbleby Hill street signs – it was noted that LCC and ELDC would support erection of street signs stating ‘formerly known as Thimbleby Hill’ and it was RESOLVED to proceed with the purchase estimated to cost £200.
e. To note latest Speed Indicator data. The latest data to be added to the noticeboard and website.
11/26. To consider desired outcome at Harper Garth bus shelter.
RESOLVED for the Clerk to get the damaged guttering down pipe costs for repair, wooden trellis to be removed from side of bus shelter and to ask for the bamboo mesh not be attached to the bus shelter.
12/26. To consider street names list for future developments.
RESOLVED to adopt the list for future use when future street name requests were received.
13/26. Finance
a) To approve the payment of bills paid between meetings and bills to pay on the payment schedule.
RESOLVED to pay Salary £255.17, Elan City £875.66 and salary additional hours £256.29.
b) To note the bank reconciliation and account balance.
Item deferred.
c) To appoint an Internal Auditor for 2025-26 financial year.
RESOLVED to appoint LALC for a two-year period fixed fee deal.
c) To consider the 2026-27 financial year budget and reserves.
Draft budget was debated and a decision deferred to an extraordinary meeting on 27th January.
d) To approve the precept for 2026-27 financial year.
Item Deferred.
14/26. To approve the following policies: a) Councillor-officer Protocol, b) IT Policy, c) Minute taking and Meeting Practice Policy d) Communication and Engagement Policy.
Item deferred.
15/26. To consider new Staffing Committee Terms of Reference and employment contract amendments.
Motion withdrawn.
16/26. To consider amendments to the Standing Orders
Deferred.
17/26. To approve any bookings for training.
Deferred.
18/26. To consider any items to be proposed for the next meeting agenda on 4th March 2026.
RESOLVED to hold an additional meeting on 27th January 2026 at 3pm to consider deferred items preceded by a Staffing Committee meeting at 2pm.
Meeting ended 8.56pm.