2026 Parish Council Minutes

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF TETNEY PARISH COUNCIL
Held at St. John's Methodist Chapel schoolroom on the 12th February 2026.
Present: -    
Councillors:   S. McMillan (Chair)          R. Lukehurst       Y. Fletcher    R. Coles      A. Moorby         J. Kerman    A. Winslow     T. Evans     M. Anderson
                                   
Clerk: S. Booth        
Public: 6

16/26 CHAIR'S WELCOME
Cllr McMillan welcomed everyone to the meeting. He explained the building was a no smoking venue and where the fire exits were located. 
                                             
17/26 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
All councillors were present.

18/26 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
a) To record 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 22/26h    
type of interest being declared. Cllr Fletcher declared an interest in item 
b) To note dispensations given to any member of the Council in respect of the agenda items  
listed below. None

19/26 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING held on 19th January 2026
Had been previously circulated. Cllr Evans asked for 5/26 to include "Several residents indicated that they were dissatisfied with meetings not being held every second Thursday of the month. The reasoning behind this was explained." Cllr Evans also asked for item 8/26 to read " Cllr Evans joined the parish council immediately and was present throughout." Proposed by Cllr Coles and seconded by Cllr Lukehurst to accept the amended Minutes. All in favour. Resolved to accept minutes. 
"These be adopted as a true record".

20/26 OPEN FORUM 
- A resident raised an issue about the width of the footpath and hedge on the bend between Thoresby Rd and Market Place and the car parked on the verge there. The Clerk explained that she had reported the hedge and car to Platform Housing in January and received a reply saying the car was legal so there was nothing that could be done and that Platform would monitor the hedge growth in the spring and summer but there was no issue with it currently. Cty Cllr Robinson stated the car could be reported on the LCC nuisance parking portal.
- A resident spoke about parking outside the shop on Town Rd. It was explained that the Parish Council have previously asked for double yellow lines and been rejected. Again, nuisance parking can be reported on the LCC portal.
- A resident addressed how the precept had increased over the last few years and how the Parish Council came to the precept figure requested. He also stated there was no breakdown of figures in the public domain. He questioned the finances and reserves.
- A resident questioned why Tetney was not part of the LCC parish share grass verge scheme and questioned the amount spent on the grounds contract. 
- A resident stated that parishioners do not know what the Parish Council have done, are doing, are planning to do in the future or how the precept is being spent. The Parish Council need to let parishioners know what we are doing and noted that the village magazine is no longer circulated. 
- It was also stated that the village is disjointed and groups are not working with other groups in the village. 
- A resident asked who had responsibility for the dyke along Station Rd. Clerk advised neither LCC, ELDC, Environment Agency or the drainage board is claiming ownership and it does not exist according to Land Registry.
The Parish Council were unable to give detailed responses at the time due to the relevant documents and information being unavailable.

Cllr Kerman left at 8.20pm

21/26 TO RECEIVE EXTERNAL REPORTS
a) ELDC - The 2025/26 Councillor community grant has been given out to community groups in Tetney and North Cotes. The 2026/27 grant will be available to apply for in April.  

b) LCC - LCC have increased council tax by 2.9%, with 2% earmarked for adult social care and 0.9% for all other services. £4m has been allocated for potholes and drainage, residents are encouraged to report issues on "Fix my Street". £4.4m has been allocated to upgrading the fire service and equipment. North Somercotes fire service are looking to recruit volunteers from the immediate area. The potential housing development on the golf course was raised at full council. A highways scheme is planned for the intermediate future to deal with the poor state of the footpaths and roads in the area. The worst places will be dealt with initially before full resurfacing later. A meeting is to be scheduled with the Clerk to discuss the parking issues on Hillstead Close and Humberston Rd at school collection times. A priority of the Lincolnshire mayor is promoting connectivity between local villages, bus services will be looked at. 
Cty Cllr Robinson was asked about the poorly filled potholes on Westlands Ave - it was an old way of filling the holes and it has been raised that it was not to a good standard. Previously footpaths on Holton Rd (at Threeways), Chapel Rd to School Lane and Westlands Ave had been approved for resurfacing, it was asked if this was still going ahead. Stickers have appeared on LCC grit bins stating that the salt is for use on Lincolnshire roads only not for private use - Cllr Robinson was asked if he knew who had put the stickers on. He was also asked if gritting of Station Rd and Holton Rd had been added to the gritting route as school buses were using both roads. Clerk stated she had asked LCC Highways last year for both roads to be added.

c) Outside representatives – Village Hall committee offered thanks to Dist. Cllr McMillan for the community grant donation towards new swings. An electrical report has raised several issues which will need to be addressed. 
Tetney Primary School have appointed a new head teacher, more details will be released once staff and parents have been informed. 
St. John's Chapel Valentine Coffee morning, Saturday 14th February, 10.30am, all welcome. Beetle drive with pancake supper, St. John's Chapel, Tuesday 17th February, 7pm. All welcome.
Tetney Dog Show on Saturday 25th April 2026, in aid of St. John's Chapel, 10.30 entry - 11am judging starts. 20 classes sponsored by local businesses. Refreshments, raffle, tombola and dog photographer. All welcome.

22/26 PARISH COUNCIL MATTERS.
a) To discuss format change for Christmas fair - Cllr Evans to explore why the fair wasn't well attended and research alternative ideas and themes. Clerk to book hall for Saturday 28th November 2026.
b) To discuss and approve purchase of Remembrance Day poppies and flag - 2 flags were discussed but Cllr Coles proposed to keep Union Jack flying, seconded by Cllr Moorby, all in favour. Resolved: To not buy a Remembrance flag and fly the Union Jack as usual. 
Cllr Winslow left the room at 8.50pm
Proposed by Cllr McMillan, seconded by Cllr Coles to purchase another 60 poppies to be displayed double backed on village street lamp posts. Vote taken, 5 in favour, 2 against. Resolved: To purchase 60 additional poppies.
Cllr Winslow returned to the room at 8.55pm.
c) To discuss whether to join LALC Annual Training Scheme - Cllr Fletcher proposed, seconded by Cllr Anderson joining LALC annual training scheme. All in favour. Resolved: To join the annual training scheme.
d) To discuss planting options for roadside planters and to discuss and approve quote received for moving and filling planters with soil. - Clerk has contacted LCC Highways regarding a 3rd party structure permit, waiting to hear back. Planters have been ordered but not paid for until permit in place. A parish logo was discussed and chosen. Cllr Coles/Clerk to approach signwriter for stickers for planters. Grounds Contractor quoted £350 + vat to transport and fill planters with soil/compost. Cllr Moorby proposed accepting the quote, seconded by Cllr Evans, all in favour. Resolved: To accept quote to move and fill planters. Planters to be delivered at the end of March. 
e) To discuss and approve purchase of dog waste stickers for litter bins - Clerk and Cllr Fletcher have both asked ELDC and dog warden for stickers to go on general litter bins informing residents dog waste can go in the bins however ELDC no longer supply stickers. Cllr Coles and the Clerk to research prices and obtain quote from local sign writer. 
f) To retrospectively approve height reduction work on bushes in the Chapel - Cllr McMillan proposed retrospectively accepting quote from EJN Ground Maintenance to reduce height of bushes, seconded by Cllr Lukehurst, all in favour. Resolved: To retrospectively approve quote to reduce height of bushes at the Chapel.
g) To approve headstone application for the late Mrs Cullen - Cllr Fletcher proposed to approve headstone application, seconded by Cllr Evans. All in favour. Resolved: To approve headstone for the Late Mrs Cullen.
h) To discuss and approve purchase and donation of dog poo bags to community dog show event - To promote cleaning up after your dogs. Cllr McMillan proposed purchasing 60 rolls of dog poo bags (£25) to donate to dog show event, seconded by Cllr Winslow, all in favour. Resolved: To purchase and donate dog poo bags.

23/26 FINANCIAL REPORT     
Expenses for Jan/Feb 26

Receipts for Jan/Feb 26

Bank balances as at 5/2/26        

                  
Proposed to accept finances by Cllr Coles, seconded by Cllr Fletcher, all in favour. Resolved: To accept finances.                    

24/26 PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED (For information only)

25/26    EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS      (for information purposes only)    
The Council formally appointed EJN Grounds Maintenance (£7350 +vat) the grounds maintenance tender. The Council thanks all parties who requested information and then submitted quotes for taking an interest in the village. 
New Chapel Garth road sign reported on fix my street as being positioned incorrectly, it is not visible when coming from Town Rd.
Speed indicator device post had been knocked, Mr Holden kindly moved it back into position however it may need further adjustment due to the saturated ground. 

26/26   NEXT AGENDA ITEMS
Planters, Christmas fair, dog poo stickers.

27/26    FUTURE DATES
Thursday 12th March 2026,
Thursday 9th April 2026 (Tbc),
Thursday 14th May 2026 (+ACM), in the Chapel school room at 7.30pm.

28/26    To resolve on whether the Council will move into closed session - Should this resolution be passed the public and press will be required to leave the meeting at this stage.
            
Meeting closed at 9.50pm.