Minutes 2025/26

January 2026

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF GRIMOLDBY AND MANBY PARISH COUNCIL 

HELD AT THE PAVILION, GIBSON WAY, GRIMOLDBY  

ON WEDNESDAY 21st JANUARY 2026 

 

Present Councillor T. Knowles (TK) (in the chair) 

 

Councillors:  Mrs. E. Billings (EB), R. Hampton (RH), N. Hind (NH), Mrs. L. Knowles (LK), M. Starsmore (MS), T. Vamplew (TV) 

 

Councillors not present: C. Fairburn (CF) and M. Bruce (MB) 

The Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips and one member of the public were also present.   
 
One member of the public spoke in the public forum to explain the planning application that he had made.   

  1. Apologies for Absence 
    Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. CF. 
     

  1. Chairman’s Remarks 
    The Chairman reported that he had given the Council £2,000 from his East Lindsey Councillor funds for use on a new speed sign.  He had also given £2,000 to local churches.  Beech Grove was very quiet, there might be a meeting coming up in the next few weeks with developers, the Heritage people were still insisting that any development must use the existing building.  Cllrs. TV and TK had attended a meeting regarding the Angus or old Wingas situation.  He confirmed they would keep their eye on what was happening, there was nothing that would affect Grimoldby and Manby yet. 
     

  1. Register of Interests 
    Councillors were reminded to review their declaration of interest forms, complete new ones if changes were needed and submit to the Clerk/ELDC. 
     

  1. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations 
    Cllr. NH declared an interest in agenda item 11. as an allotment holder.  
       

  1. Council Minutes 
    It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 19th November 2025. 
     

  1. Finance  
    It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Council should receive, note and duly authorise the following: 

  1. The Financial Report for December showing a closing balance on 4th November 2025 of £77,286.22 which agreed to the closing balance on the bank statement issued on 14th November 2025.  

  1. The Financial Report for January, showing a closing balance on 8th December 2025 of £75,740.96 which agreed to the closing balance on the bank statement issued on 12th December 2025.  

  1. Cheques for payment, listed on the Cheque Schedule 012126 totalling £4,113.23 and in addition the Clerk was authorised to write a cheque in payment for the new Speed Sign. 

  1. Budget Variance Report to 31st December 2025.    

  1. Cashbook Record of Payments and Receipts for Months 1 to 9.     

 

  1. Planning  

  1. Applications received by the Local Planning Authority 
    The Council considered current applications including those listed in the schedule (Plans_01_21_26) / ratified comments already made by the Planning Working Group and it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED: 

  1. 03641/25/FUL - Despite the applicant seemingly receiving support for this development in pre-application enquiries there are still some reservations :  

  1. the Ecological Appraisal has sections 'blacked out' and so preventing the making of observations. There may be good reasons for this but we should have clarification. 

  1. the maps attached to the Appraisal are copied in reverse/transposed and are confusing - please rectify. 

  1. the proposed site is outside and beyond the established development in Church Lane and projects and encroaches into the open countryside. It may be considered that the development will have a detrimental effect on the rural character. 

  1. the bungalow design is modest and will provide limited contribution to the local housing supply and will not outweigh the adverse effect on the rural setting. 

  1. the proposed screening method is vague and no guarantee it will prove to be effective or at all. 

  1. this is tandem development with a potentially inadequate access. 

  1. given the proximity of historical buildings there should be a full archaeological survey undertaken beforehand. 

  1. we have not seen the responses of other consultees as yet. 
     
    The application cannot be supported at this time. 
     
    In the event of planning permission being granted appropriate conditions should be imposed given its unusual position and additionally to ensure the screening is in place and adequately maintained at the start and in the future. 

  1. 03699/25/FUL - comment that a previous application on this site was refused and an appeal subsequently dismissed. This current application differs from the previous application as regards siting, absence of stabling and menage. 
     
    The site suggests potential for a sensitive development and subject to any observations from neighbours/planners/co-consultees the Parish Council would tend to be supportive of the application. 
     
    If granted, the permission should include suggested conditions: 

  1. Middlesykes Lane is a narrow road with no footpath and has significant traffic flow therefore any materials and construction vehicles should be  deposited /parked within the site to avoid causing obstruction to traffic. 

  1. An archaeological survey should be undertaken before building works are commenced, given the historical interest in the area. 

  1. Planning Decisions 
    The Council noted the following planning decision: 

  1. 02005/25/RES – Reserved matters – Land North of Mill Lane, Grimoldby, LN11 8TB – ELDC Refused. 

 

  1. Proposed Works to Trees 
    It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to ratify the comments submitted by the planning working group relating to the application below: 

  1. Proposals: T1 - Beech - Fell to ground level T2 - Beech - Reduce canopy height from 24m leaving 19m. Reduce canopy spread all round from 9m to Sm from the main stem.  Location: The Orchards, Carlton Road, Manby, LN118UF.  Reason(s): T1 - Tree is in decline with visible signs of Meripilus Giganteus at the base. Signs of beech bark disease on main stem. T2 - Cutting back to viable secondary growth points and following natural flowing lines. Reason being this tree has a large wound at the base and reducing the canopy will reduce the amount of weight and wind sail.  Comments: Leave a decision to the ELDC Tree Officer. 
     

  1. Play Park  

  1. Inspection 
    It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve that the Clerk make the necessary arrangements for the above’s Annual Inspection with the equipment provider. 

  1. Signage 
    The Council considered a request from a member of the public to install ‘No Dogs’ signage.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to defer this matter until checks of current signage could be confirmed.  Clerk also to contact Wicksteed. 
     

  1. Amenity Grass Cutting 
    The Council received correspondence from LCC and resolved to delegate authority to the Town Clerk to complete the necessary paperwork, unless she felt that further consideration was required by Council. 
     

  1. Allotments 
    The Council reviewed the rent chargeable and contents of the Tenancy Agreement prior to renewal of agreements on 1st April 2026.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to warn Allotment Holders that the price would increase in 2027 by £5 and that in 2026/27 point 19 of the Tenancy Agreement should be amended to include reference to leaving the plot in a condition satisfactory to the Council. 
     

  1. Council Debit Card 
    It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve that a Council Debit Card be obtained.   
     

  1. Website Accessibility 
    The Council noted that one of the criteria to enable a “yes” answer to the new assertion 10 on the AGAR 2025/26 was that the Council demonstrate that its website had been checked for accessibility, publish an accessibility statement on its website and continue to check and make changes where necessary.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that expenditure should be approved by the Clerk on obtaining an independent check and any software required to ensure compliance.   
     

  1. Sexual and General Harassment Training 
    Following the introduction of new legislation which placed greater responsibilities and legal requirements on all Employers (which includes each individual Councillor) to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment at work and the adoption of a policy, reviewed for use by the Council on 19th November 2025 (no changes made).  Councillors watched a short training video on the above and signed to confirm that they had received, read, understood and would abide by the policy. 
     

  1. Any Other Business 
    Cllr. NH asked if anyone had heard that the cattle farm in Louth was to be moved to Manby.  Others had heard this rumour and thought it was because planning permission for over 300 homes had been approved by ELDC on the existing cattle farm land in Louth.  It was agreed that Cllrs. would bring back any further information regarding this, if they came across it. 
     

  1. Next Meeting 
    The Council noted that the next scheduled Council meeting would take place on 18th February 2026. 
     

 

The meeting closed at 8.57pm 

 

Signed_______________________ (Chairman)         Dated_________________________