2026 Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Langtoft Parish Council Meeting held on

Tuesday 7th April 2026 at 19:00 in the Village Hall

Present: Cllrs.  Bev Farrington (Chair), Liz Jarman, Yvonne McCulloch, Richard Carter, Darren Scott and Julian Tatam

In Attendance: no members of the public and Amie Fenech-Parish Clerk.

Public Forum: No members of the public in attendance.

Public meeting closed at 19.04.

Open at 19.05

25/26-105       Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Palmer and Payne. These apologies were accepted.
Cllr Branch was not in attendance.

25/26-106       Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests.

None declared.
25/26-107       Minutes:

To approve the minutes of:

1. 24 February 2026 Parish Council meeting minnutes were presented as a true and accurate record of events.
   Proposed acceptance Cllr. Jarman, Seconded Cllr. Carter and unanimously in favour – RESOLVED.
2. To review Action Tracker.  This document tracks items from previous meetings and their progress.

Actions resulting from action tracker:

• Community Speed Watch – request to be made to the Community Police team. Action: Clerk
• SID signs – relocation agreed to increase impact. Action: Cllr. Scott

25/26-108       To receive reports from

1. County and District Councillors – no report received.
2. Police Reports - no report received
3. Cemetery – Report from Cllr. McCulloch was received by the council.
   Notices for items not permitted on memorial stones are required.
   Cemetery noticeboards require updated signage. It was requested that the war graves are kept free of weeds and the trees kept free of ivy.  Action: Clerk to produce notices and request cemetery work to be completed.
4. Penfield Group –

The Council requested that Penfield Group minutes be circulated to full Council.

Cllr Tatam noted that works had been carried out to improve accessibility of pathways as well as other maintenance projects.

It was reiterated that significant decisions and projects should be brought to Full Council in advance.
 

25/26-109       Finance

1. To review the financial position as at 31st March 2026, including bank reconciliation, receipts and payment.

The Council NOTED the year-end position and reviewed the financial outturn against budget.

2. To review the budget and precept position for 2025/26.

An additional £917 drawdown from reserves was confirmed, this had been missed due to a formula error within the spreadsheet.

It was confirmed that £6,000 of unspent funds from 2025/26 would be utilised.

Action: Clerk to publish updated budget on the website

3. To approve payments and note payments already made and received.  (see finance report)

The Council RESOLVED to AUTHORISE payments as presented in the finance report.

Proposed Cllr. Carter, Seconded Cllr. Scott.

4. To review bank signatories and approve the clerks access to the bank.

The Council RESOLVED to add the Locum Clerk to Unity Trust Bank to process payments, and Cllr. Richard Carter for emergency approvals in the event of other councillor absence.

The Council discussed improving transparency and processes through the use of accounting software and a payroll provider and RESOLVED to progress this.

Action: Clerk to obtain quotes for Scribe accounting software and a payroll provider

5. To confirm the appointment of the Internal Auditor for 2025/26.
   The Council NOTED arrangements for the 2025/26 internal audit.

25/26 – 110    Governance

1. Standing Orders – deferred to annual meeting.
2. To consider support for GDPR
   External support not required. Existing policies deemed sufficient
3. To agree payment schedules and protocols for 2026/27.
   The Council discussed the benefits of a more streamlined process.  Action: Cllr. Carter to prepare a schedule for 2026/27.

25/26- 111      East End Park –football training in the park - To consider and resolve hire strategy.

It was RESOLVED that external users of Council facilities will be charged an annual fee.

Action: Cllr. Farrington to follow up with interested parties.

25/26- 112   Working Groups

1. Proposed working party meeting & Review Allocation of PC resources and responsibilities – Cllr. Farrington

Cemeteries: Cllrs. McCulloch, Branch, Scott and Clerk
Finance and General Purpose: Cllrs. Tatam, Carter, Farrington and Clerk
Amenities: Cllrs Jarman, Tatam, Branch, Palmer and Payne
Speeding Working Group: Cllr. Scott
Community Engagement Working Group: Cllrs Farrington, Jarman and McCulloch

2. Community Engagement Working Group
   The Council discussed the use of parks for BBQs and agreed that further understanding is required regarding the associated risks and legal implications of permitting BBQs in village parks.
    
137996906168. : The Clerk to research and develop a draft policy for Council consideration.
              Action: Clerk to report back with findings and policy options.
              Action: : Clerk to bring forward proposals for discussion on a communications policy, including media use, protocols, and ownership.
               
137996906169. To review quotes for a replacement platform for the Zip wire and agree next steps.

It was noted that a qualified playground safety inspection provider is required and maintenance must be undertaken by an appropriately insured contractor. Under amenities and the zip wire we decided to take it out of commission until repaired. The Council agreed to take it out of commission due to safety concerns.

            Action: Cllr Tatam to ring fence equipment off and Cllr Jarman to communicate to village via Life in Langtoft.

           Action: Clerk to speak to other councils to identify a suitable repair and inspection provider

It was agreed to extend the meeting by 15 minutes

2. To receive an update on S106 funded park upgrades following the public meeting and to agree next steps. The council discussed that Wicksteed provided the best value for money and provide warranty and RESOLVED to progress with them. Proposed by Cllr Jarman and seconded by Cllr Tatam. The scoring matrix will be shared as an annex to the minutes.  Action: Cllr Jarman to share S106 agreement.
3. Village Litter Pick. Confirmed for Saturday 11th April at 10.30am
4. Black Bull Green Upgrade. Updated noted.

25/26- 114      Planning

Applications received since last meeting and any updates of existing planning.

1. S26/0294 - S73 application to vary condition 2 (approved plans) of planning permission S24/2166 - Demolition of rear conservatory and replacement with new family room.
   Response: no objections neutral response to be submitted. 

25/26 -115      To agree next steps for recruitment a permanent clerk and consider a job evaluation.  The Council RESOLVED to progress with a job evaluation ahead of advertising for a permanent clerk. Action:  clerk to arrange for evaluation.

25/26-116       Correspondence. None noted.

25/26-117       To receive Items for Future Meetings and agree the date for the Annual Parish Meeting

                      Date of future meetings confirmed:

19 May, 7 July, 8 Sept, 27 Oct, 8 Dec

Annual Parish Meeting to be held in June.

Action: Clerk to suggest date and format

Date of future meetings:  2026. 19 May, 7 July, 8 Sept, 27 Oct, 8 Dec   Annual Parish Meeting TBC. Agreed for June.

Meeting closed at 21.15