2026 Minutes

A Meeting of Canwick Parish Council was held on Monday 20 July 2026 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick.   County Cllr Cawrey, District Cllr Goodwin, two Parishioners and the Clerk were also present.

Present:  Councillor L.J. Pennell – Chairman

               Councillor I. D. Carrington – Vice-Chairman and District Councillor

               Councillor H.L. Dowson

               Councillor R.C. Narborough

               Councillor L.T. O’Melia

1.      Apologies and Declarations of Interest:  Apologies had been received from Cllr Griffin, who was ill and District Cllr Harrington.  Members were asked to accept Cllr Griffin’s reason for absence.  All accepted.  Cllr Carrington declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 8 as a Trustee of the Village Hall.  The Chairman reminded members they could make the appropriate declaration at any stage should it become necessary.  

Open session:

The Chairman invited the parishioners present to raise any matters of concern.  A parishioner requested an update regarding speeding issues on Heighington Road.  The Chairman reported that we had received an email from Graeme Butler of the Road Safety Partnership stating that he had met with the contractor and only one post needed to be ordered for the speed devices as the other post would be extended due to overhead electricity cables.  The anticipated timescale for the installation of the posts was approximately 2-3 months.  Cllr Cawrey expressed concern that, should the relevant authorities remove the 40mph signs from their posts because they were not authorised the signs might be destroyed despite having been purchased with public money.  Cllr Carrington considered this highly unlikely.  The Chairman advised that the Wheelie Bin Stickers and Passive Signs would be delivered once received from the Road Safety Partnership.

The Chairman also reported that an e-mail had been received from Contractors acting on behalf of National Grid requesting permission to undertake essential works on the hedgerows around the playing field.  Following consultation with the Playing Field Committee the Clerk replied granting the necessary permission for the works to proceed.

The  parishioner who had raised concerns regarding the difficulty of turning right from Montagu Road onto Heighington Road at the previous meeting reported the hedge had been cut back shortly afterwards significantly improving visibility and safety at the junction.  She wished to convey her thanks to those responsible for carrying out the work.

7.20pm - Return to Formal Session.

2.      Clerk’s Notes from the Meetings held on 15 June & 29 June 2026:  The notes from these meetings had been distributed to each member.  The Chairman proposed that the notes be accepted and approved as minutes for signing and this was unanimously agreed. 

3.       Matters Arising:

3a.    Information Packs for New Residents:  Nil.

3b.    Website:  All relevant Audit paperwork had been published.

4.      Planning:    The Chairman reminded members that any District Councillor present could not express an opinion on any of the planning items.

4a.    25/1585/OUT – 683 Dwellings – Land East of Canwick Avenue:  No update.

4b.    Items Notified since Publication of the Agenda:  None.

5.      Environment:

5a.    Highways Issues:  It was noted overgrown bushes on Canwick Hill were obscuring road signs.  Cllr Cawrey stated she will report to ‘Fix my Street’ and monitor.

Notification had been received of a road closure on Grange Lane 25/08/2026 – 28/08/2026 for Tree Works.

5b.    Heighington Road:  See Open Session above. 

5c.    Bracebridge Manor Development – Grounds Maintenance and Fencing:  No update on Grounds Maintenance.

The Chairman reported that the Handyman who had been contracted had made a prompt repair to the fence post and fitted new fence panels.  An invoice for the works had been received and he was duly paid as previously agreed.

6.       Correspondence:

6a.    NKDC Parish & Town Council Newsletter:  This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman briefly updated on Local Government Reorganisation with Cllr Carrington giving further detail and stating the structure was in place but further detail was awaited.

It was noted the Policy for Sexual Entertainment Venues was out for Consultation.

6b.     LCC Town and Parish Council Newsletter – June 2026:  This had been emailed to members and was noted. 

6c.     Highways News – July 2026:  This had been e-mailed to members.  The Chairman invited members to raise any matters arising.  No issues were raised.  

6d.    New B617 Bus Route:  Timetables for the service had been received and were distributed to members with the remaining copies left on the table in the village hall.  It was noted the service had been introduced on a trial basis to assess demand.

6e.    National Grid Work – Playing Field Hedge:  See Open Session.

6f.    NKDC – Community Governance Review:  The Chairman reminded members the deadline for responding was the following day and proposed we respond stating we remain content.  All agreed. 

6g.    Items Received since Publication of Agenda:  None. 

7.    County and District Councillor Reports:  There was nothing further to report.

8.    Village Hall:  No update.

9.    Finance:

9a.    Bank Account Update:  The Chairman reported that on 30 June the balance on the Deposit Account was £49,679.77 with £66.49 new interest.  The balance on the Current Account was £2220.14 with four outstanding cheques totalling £572.85 leaving a net balance of £1647.29. 

9b.    Fence – Path to Recreation Ground, Bracebridge Heath:  See Item 5c.  The Chairman asked for retrospective agreement to the payment of £168.90.  All agreed.

9c.    Speed Indicator Devices & Signs:    The Chairman reported he had received a quote for approximately £5,700 from Elan City Ltd  for the supply of two speed indicator devices and asked for authority to pay up to £6,000 should it become necessary.  All agreed.

9d.   Defibrillator Battery & Pads:  It was noted the recent purchase of replacement Battery and Pads extended the operational life of the defibrillator until October 2028 unless it was used.

9e.   Lettering on Notice Board:  Cllr Narborough reported he had received the lettering for the Notice Board and he will prepare the board for affixing.  He requested reimbursement of £5.32 for the cost incurred.  All agreed.

9f.   Payments Due in July/August:  See 9e.  A payment of £97.43 was due to Glendale for grass cutting on 19 June 2026.  Payment agreed.  The Chairman asked for authority to pay for up to four more cuts should it become necessary.  All agreed.

9g.   Transfer of Funds:  The Chairman proposed transferring £6,000 from the deposit account to the current account to cover the payments due.  All agreed.

9h.   Audit:  The Chairman reported that there had been no queries during the public inspection period to date.  This would close on 11 August.  The Certificate of Exemption had been received by the auditors.

10.    Urgent Items for Information:  Cllr Cawrey reported that she had attended the opening of the new patio area at the Village Hall the previous day and it was a lovely event.  She wished to record congratulations to the organisers.

11.    Date of Next Meeting:  The next meeting was scheduled for 7pm on Monday 21 September 2026 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.58pm.

Signed:    

Date: