Minutes 3rd February
Draft 24th February
Minutes of Meeting of Dowsby Parish Council
Held Tuesday 3rd February, 2026, 7.30p.m. at Village Hall, Main Road, Dunsby.
Present: Cllrs. C. Chambers; G. Ridgway; V. Barker
Cllr. M. Hill, Cllr. K. Abel
Members of the public: J. Dixon and T. Morris
1159 CHAIRMANS REMARKS: Drainage ditch on Fen Road has been thoroughly cleaned recently.
1160 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None
1161 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
1162 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF OUTSIDE BODIES
1162.1 Representing SKDC, Cllr. Kyle Abel welcomed as new District councillor replacing Cllr. Richard Dixon-Warren
Feel free to contact him with information about flooding issues.
He is collating responses to the National Grid pylons going through the district and expects to oppose the installation.
There are to be cutbacks to rural policing in the area
Green bin charges are to be increased rather than reducing the service
He is campaigning for CCTV to be installed in all private hire taxis
There will be a 2.99% increase in council tax.
1162.2 Representing LCC, Cllr. Martin Hill
Confirmed he also would be in opposition to the installation of National Grid pylons in the area.
Welcome information about flooding issues and allocation of County Council budget.
There is a new settlement for policing which is good for Lincolnshire.
There has been success in securing further funding for Lincolnshire after many years without, gaining £36million now and £81million in 2 years.
The same increase in council tax, 2,99%, will apply for the county portion.
1162.3 Representing the Village Hall committee, Jackie Dixon
Chair is Shaun Morris, Secretary is Mel Randall, Treasurer is Jackie Dixon, (these 3 also trustees) there are also 4 other members including Tessa Morris.
1163 NOTES OF MEETING 13th November 2025 were approved as Minutes. Proposed Cllr. V. Barker, seconded by Cllr. G. Ridgway.
Cllr. M Hill left the meeting at 8pm.
1164 CLERK’S REPORT ON MATTERS OUTSTANDING
1164.1 Clerks job description and contract have been prepared by Cllr Ridgway in order to address some of the items from internal audit. Need to be checked and finalised. No progress. Clerk to follow.
1164.2 A traffic survey has been carried out in the village and the results have been obtained. Initial indications are that there is that the average speeds are higher and so further action could be justified like active signs. No progress. To be followed.
1164.3 The internal auditor Mrs V. M. Free has offered to complete the Internal Audit again this year. All agreed to accept the offer. To be confirmed.
1164.4 Co-option of new councillors Ms Jackie Dixon and Mrs Tessa Morris. Agreed unanimously. Paperwork completed in the meeting. Website to be updated. SKDC to be informed. Clerk to follow.
Cllr Ridgway confirmed that the meeting would be his last. He was thanked for his service to the council. He agreed to carry out a handover of the monthly defibrillator checks and Webnos updates to Jackie Dixon.
The bank mandate would have to be updated and Mrs. Morris agreed to take this on. Clerk to follow.
1164.5 Children’s home appears to be running well.
1164.6 Item 27 (September to November) from previous minutes. Request for donation from Deeping Explorer Scouts towards Poacher International Jamboree 2026 including 2 local participants. This was discussed. Cllr Ridgway clarified that the money would go in a pot to support all local area participants. Councillors unanimously agreed a donation of £300. This was added to finances for approval.
1165 FINANCE
1165.1 Bills for approval
Phil Galpin (Net 4th qtr payment) £201.60 (100437)
HMRC (tax 4th qtr payment) £50.40 (100438)
LALC subscription 2026 £92,54 (100439)
Dunsby Village Hall £40 (100440)
Deeping Explorer Scouts £300 (100441)
Total bills: £684.54
1165.2 Bank accounts
Cheque account on 31.1.26 £2430.36
Savings account on 31.1.26 £1992.47
Total available funds: £4422.83
1166 PLANNING
- Weekly planning report checked for any applications pertaining to Dowsby.
- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- (Barclays) Interest rate reduction
- (Clerks & Councils Direct) Newsletter – January 2026 Issue 163
- (Barclays) Statements
- email(LALC) Tree and Hedge giveaways
- email(Notts Sport) Promotional information
- email(LCC) Road closure B1397
- email(LCC) Community resilience newsletter
- email(Rural Services) Newsletter 19.11.25
- email(SKDC) Notice of Poll Aveland 11.12.25
- email(SKDC) Commemorative events 2026
- email(SKDC) Parish precept requirements
- email(Mindspace) Christmas provision
- email(LALC) E news 21.11.25
- email(LCC) County views survey
- email(LCC) Town and Parish council newsletter November
- email(Harlaxton) Festive futures strategy workshop
- email(Rural Services) Bulletin 26.11.25
- email(LCC) County catch up
- email(Creative Play) Promotional information
- email(LCC) Local government reorganisation
- email(HWLincs) November newsletter
- email(LALC) Chairs training
- email(LALC) Training bulletin December
- email(SKDC) Local government reorganisation
- email(National Grid) Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire update
- email(Rural Services) Bulletin 3.12.25
- email(SKDC) Electoral register update
- email(LCC) Foster service update
- email(Mindspace) State of ageing document
- email(Redlynch) Playground promotional information
- email(LALC) E news 5.12.25
- email(Mindspace) Community connector December 1 newsletter
- email(LALC) Parish online promotion
- email(Rural Services) Newsletter 10.12.25
- email(NDept) Winter newsletter
- email(Meon) Promotional information
- email(Mindspace) Link to Connect to support over winter
- email(LCC) Town and Parish council newsletter December
- email(Mindspace) Carer information
- email(The Circuit) Winter edition newsletter
- email(Rural Services) Bulletin 17.12.25
- email(LCC) County catch up
- email(HWLincs) Xmas update
- email(LALC) E news 19.12.25
- email(SKDC) Draft design code consultation
- email(LCC) Lincolnshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services
- email(SKDC) April start for Food waste recycling
- email(EA) Monthly updates
- email(LCC) Budget consultation
- email(Rural Services) Bulletin 7.1.26
- email(SKDC) Planning decision S25/2080
- email(LALC) E news 9.1.26 and January training bulletin
- email(LincsMoleControl) Promotional information
- email(LALC) Annual subscription invoice
- email(Harlaxton) Community training
- email(RuralServices) Bulletin 14.1.26
- email(SKDC) Walking Festival information
- email(LeisureSK) Free save a life sessions
- email(SKDC) Funding workshop
- email(SKDC) Local plan 2026-2029 issued
- email(Rural Services) Bulletin 21.1.26
- email(KOMPAN) Promotional information
- email(LALC) E news 23.1.26
- email(SKDC) Community awards
- email(LCC) County catch up
- email(LALC) Greater Lincolnshire Recovery Strategy
- email(LeisureSK) Defibrillator training
- email(Dunsby Village hall) Invoice
- email(SKDC) Food waste caddies being distributed
- email(BHF-Circuit) Defibrillator checks
- email(LCC) National Highways and Transport survey
- email(RuralServices) Newsletter 28.1.26
- email(LCC) Town and Parish council newsletter January
- email(LALC) Unadopted amenities
- email(HWLincs) January newsletter
- email(LIVES) January newsletter
1168 MATTERS OF AN URGENT NATURE
1168.1 Cllr Ridgway observed that there was not an emergency kit available in the defibrillator case. All agreed to purchase one. Clerk to action.
1168.2 Gateway village signs are loose on Fen Road. Gary to check with Mel Randall.
1168.3 There is a flower planter on the Fen road by the village signs. It would be nice to have another two on main road. Cllr. Chambers to follow.
1169 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Thursday 21st May 2026, 7.30p.m., Village Hall, Main Road, Dunsby.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8-30pm.
Phil Galpin, Clerk to Dowsby Parish Council.
23rd February 2026