July 2025 Minutes
Parish Council Meeting
7:30pm on Wednesday, 30 July 2025
Harlaxton Village Hall, 3 Church Street, Harlaxton, NG32 1HU
Minutes
1. Meeting Opened: 19:30 The Chair thanked everyone for attending.
2. In Attendance: Cllrs Phillips, Smith, Clawson and Cartlidge. Plus Cllr Vernon from LCC
3. Apologies (Non-Attendance): Apologies previously given by Cllr Wicks. Apologies were also received from Cllr Leadenham [SKDC].
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests: Cllr Cartlidge acknowledged membership of the Harlaxton Sports & Social Club Committee, one of the Harlaxton Cricket Club sponsors, and a Village Hall committee member. Cllr Smith acknowledged being on the Harlaxton Sports and Social Club Committee.
5. Resolution to approve minutes of Parish Council Meetings: PCM of 28 May 2025: Unanimously approved
6. Public Forum (15 Minute Presentation/Discussion)
6.1. Villager 1: 1) Concerns were expressed about the nature of ongoing changes at the Harlaxton Doctors Surgery; whether the GP element would be retained, or if it was transitioning into a day treatment centre without a GP presence. Admin to follow up. 2) Queried the status of the land to the west of The Drift. The general consensus was that this was currently agricultural land, with the most recent crop of Borage, but otherwise used annually for crops.
6.2. Villager 2: 1) Concerns raised over the overgrown Sloes above the foul drainage running under the large verge to the northeast of The Drift. The Drainage is shallow, and there is a risk of root invasion causing damage and disruption to the drainage. And the apparent abandonment of the verge is unsightly and a nuisance. The vegetation needs to be cut back. It was discussed that Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) had recently issued an enforcement notice against a developer for trying to construct parking on the verge, indicating that they are the owner of the verge. Cllr Vernon to follow up with LCC. 2) Requested clarity on the weight limit of the bridge over the canal at the bottom of The Drift. Cllr Vernon to follow up.
3) Expressed concern about the ongoing speeding on the Drift. It was reported that while the recent maximum recorded by HPC’s Speed Indicator Device was 65mph, the 85percentile speed [30 + 10% + 2 = 35] is still only 33mph, which is below the LCC threshold for further action. All that can be done is for the CSW volunteers to continue their presence. 4) Asked when the A607 will become 40mph. It was confirmed that this was approved in March 2025, but LCC are waiting to cut back the hedges so they can install a new pole on which to put the new 40mph sign to the west. Admin to continue to pursue this.
6.3. Villager 3: 1) Stated that the land towards the top of Pond Street has been cleared of overgrown brambles by volunteers and is now grassed, but it needs to be maintained. Query who owns this land. It was stated that LCC recently took down a tree that had been reported to be dangerous for some years, which may imply responsibility; however, it was pointed out that there is a SKDC street name sign in the verge as well. Cllr Vernon to follow up with LCC. 2) Raised that it would be good to have a bin at the end of West End. Confirmed that following the refusal of the Swinehill planning application, this was back on the table for HPC to complete. It was suggested that the school could be asked to produce the graphics for a notice/flyer saying "clean up, we walk here," which may encourage dog owners to be more responsible and reduce dog fouling.
7. Updates - County Councillor, District Councillor, Police & Crime: Cllr Vernon: 1) has queried the recent traffic survey wires across the A607 near Trotters Lane, and they’re believed to be part of LCC’s general traffic survey they undertake from time to time. 2) Raised matter: LCC’s Street Lighting Removal without consultation with HPC. Cllr Vernon to follow up. 3) Raised matter: Anglian Water pipe in Surface Water drainage under High Street. No further information, but HPC has followed up again with Anglian Water. 4) Raised matter: Drain Cleansing in the village and along A607. The general consensus among villagers and HPC councillors that the workmanship is poor, by example, the forest of weeds sprouting from the gullies, some of which have had white lines painted through, and the ongoing significant run off from the A607, down the High Street into the village due to the congested gullies on the A607. Action was requested politely but firmly, perhaps facilitated by a meeting with Rowan Smith of LCC. Cllr Vernon to follow up and take action.
8. Financial: The AGAR was submitted after the May meeting, and external auditors PKF have picked up some transcription errors, which Cllr Cartlidge has admitted were their fault and made corrections. The final response from PKF is pending.
8.1. Invoices/expenses: Although within the agreed scope that can be automatically paid, the following were presented for approval: BDG £600 for grass cutting, HCC £274.00 for grass cutting, Allerton £400.25 for HSSC STW inspection cover repair, and SKDC invoice: £853.85 for Village Poll on 20 March. Cllr Phillips took over the meeting and presented Expenses for Cllr Cartlidge £654.63 for reimbursement to Lesley Parkes plants for the village planters, including £474.80 for the VE/VJ Memorial Bench [delivery pending] to be placed in the graveyard. All were approved for payment.
8.2. Quotes as follows have been received: Bates Environmental £400+VAT + £85+VAT per tonne to clear the catch pits in the two HPC-owned chambers in the HSSC Car Park off Manor Drive. Despite 5 requests to quote, only one was received. It was agreed to proceed with the single quote. Crimson Kings had submitted a quote for clearing the brambles and self-seed trees on the edge of the HSSC car park. Councillors agreed to request additional quotes. Further quotes are still required for the maintenance and repair of the north-facing HSSC roof/chimney stack.
9. Harlaxton Meadows [Land to the west of Swinehill]. South Kesteven declined the planning application S25/0558 on 24 June in a very robust and well considered response. Those present expressed hope that no further appeals or applications would be made.
10. Regulation 18 proposal by SKDC to allocate the Land to the west of The Drift for housing
A Parish Meeting was held on Monday, 28 July, and the following were raised as concerns.
Unanimous Public Opposition of circa 100 people. The Parish Council was formally directed by that meeting to object to the proposal on the following principles:
• Unsuitability of Access: Particular concern was expressed about access issues — how vehicles would enter the site, where they would park, and how traffic would be managed.
• Parallels with the Swine Hill Application: It was suggested that many of the constraints raised against the (refused) Swine Hill development were equally applicable to the Drift site, implying serious planning, infrastructure, or safety concerns.
• Village Separation and Encroachment: One speaker noted that the proposed development would “reverse” the current village pattern, implying a loss of separation from open countryside or an encroachment on the setting of Harlaxton.
• Phased Development Risk: Concerns were raised about the risk of phased development: "Phase one" could be followed by additional phases, resulting in a scheme comparable in scale to Swine Hill, despite being presented as a smaller or more palatable initial scheme.
• Community Division: It was noted that most of the village community lies on the opposite side of the main road, highlighting possible issues with integration, accessibility, or fragmentation of the village layout.
11. Village Fayre, Saturday, 30 August 2025: Cllr Smith advised that plans were proceeding well, but still needed items for the Tombola, and currently there are no villagers booked for the Car Boot Sale. Again this year there will be a doggy treat stall near the Fun Dog Show. Thanks were given to Cllr Smith for their efforts.
12. Village Shop/Post Office: It was unanimously agreed that the closing of the shop and loss of a post office was hugely regrettable, the PC heard of this was a Notice of Closure letter from The Post Office on 21 May 2025. Despite representations being made by HPC, Cllr Leadenham and various villagers, The Post Office has confirmed that there will not be a post office in Harlaxton. It was noted that signage is now up on the shop confirming that the owner is selling the building. The owner has been unavailable for comment. Cllr Vernon is to follow up with The Post Office to request a mobile service. Roy and Lesley were thanked for their decades of service to the village. Raising funds to purchase the building was discussed, although concerns were expressed at taking on such a government-backed debt. Other options for consideration may be a Community Share Scheme.
12.1. James Murden’s Book: Cllr Phillips has been passed the circa 184 remaining copies. Over the years, the village shop had been able to sell copies, amounting to £108, with all proceeds to go to the Recreation Ground Play Area. Harlaxton History Society have expressed an interest in taking on the books. Admin to ask the HHS what it proposes to do with the remaining copies.
13. Highways:
13.1. A607 50 to 40mph speed reduction: This was covered in the Public Forum.
13.2. Community Speed Watch: Volunteers are carrying out sessions when they’re able. More volunteers are required. Cllr Vernon asked to be put on the Harlaxton CSW WhatsApp Group.
13.3. Street Lighting: This was covered in the Public Forum.
13.4. Anglian Water pipe in Culvert below High Street: This was covered in the Public Forum.
14. HSSC:
14.1. Licence Agreement: The HSSC Committee signed the Licence Agreement at their last meeting on 10 July. Cllr Cartlidge counter-signed as Chair, and Cllr Phillips as Responsible Officer.
14.2. Car Park [hedge cutting, Drainage]: Claim on-going. No further update.
15. Grass & Hedge Cutting: Requests for quotation have been sent out. No replies received as yet.
16. Any other business: Cllr Phillips asked who is now looking after the Defibrillators. Currently, Cllr Phillips and Cartlidge, although there may be an external third party who might be able to. Admin following up.
17. Next scheduled Meetings
Parish Council Meeting Wednesday, 24 September 2025 at 7:30pm in the Village Hall
18. Closed Session
19. Meeting closed at 20:53