January 2026 DRAFT Minutes
Harlaxton Parish Council
Chair: Andrew Cartlidge
Email: harlaxtonpc@gmail.com
Address: 3 Church Street, Harlaxton, Lincs, NG32 1HB
Website: http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Harlaxton/
Extra Parish Council Meeting
7:30pm on Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Harlaxton Village Hall, 3 Church Street, Harlaxton, NG32 1HU
Minutes
1. Meeting Opened: 7:32pm
2. In Attendance: Cllrs Clawson, Smith, Phillips, Wicks & Cartlidge. District Cllr Leadenham and County Cllr Vernon
3. Apologies (Non-Attendance): None
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests: Cllrs Smith, Wicks & Cartlidge are members of the HSSC committee, and Cllr Cartlidge is a member of the HVH committee
5. Resolution to approve minutes of Parish Council Meetings: PCM of 26 November 2025: Approved unanimously.
6. Public Forum (15 Minute Presentation/Discussion):
No villagers present.
Cllr Leadenham:
• DWH have not submitted an appeal against the refusal to allow their proposed development on the land to the west of Swinehill.
• There is a funding workshop being offered by SKDC at the Jubilee Church on Wed, 28 January from 6pm to 8pm
• In Barrowby, there is a new planning application in for Grange Paddock. If this is approved, it will increase traffic through the village, notably on The Drift, and the view from Harlaxton Manor.
Cllr Vernon:
• Further to the meeting on 16 December, 2025 between HPC and various parties from LCC Highways, LCC have a meeting on 22 Jan to discuss remedial measures to deal with the various issues raised.
• The 50mph to 40mph speed reduction works have been completed, and this has now been registered.
7. Grass Cutting 2026: Various quotes have been received for both the normal grass cutting [excluding the Manor Drive Sports Field, which is under a three-year contract], and the additional areas that HPC may consider cutting for 2026. Since LCC stated that it had no interest in maintaining the wide verge on The Drift, nor in cutting back the encroaching sloes and brambles unless they start to encroach on the highway, HPC has asked for quotes for doing a once-only clear of the overgrown sloes and brambles down The Drift for councillors to consider. At the 16 December meeting, LCC also acknowledged ownership of the land at the corner of Pond Street and Rectory Lane and similarly advised that they would not maintain it unless it affected the Highway. In recognition of the villagers who have spent their own time and money clearing this in 2025, HPC has asked for quotes for 7 cuts per year. Additionally, at the meeting on 16 December, LCC confirmed ownership of the verge on A607 at the top of The Drift, and the short section of grass on the highway side of the northbound carriageway, but would not be cutting this back more than twice a year, which HPC contested is often carried out by villagers anyway. HPC has asked for quotes for up to 7 cuts to better maintain this area.
• Once only clearing of sloes and brambles:
Quote 1, £4000 no VAT. [All other figures are plus VAT] Quote 2, £1800. Quote 3, £1850
• 7 cuts of the corner of Pond & Rectory:
Quote 1, £5 per cut. Quote 2, £10 per cut. Quote 3, lump sum, see below.
• 7 cuts of the A607/Drift verge:
Quote 1, £12. Quote 2, £22.50. Quote 3, lump sum, see below.
• 7 cuts of the wide verge on The Drift [if it were agreed to clear the sloes and brambles]:
Quote 1, £65. Quote 2, £100. Quote 3, lump sum, see below.
• Cost for normal 17 village cuts only [post meeting note, 2025 was £4250]:
Quote 1, £4386. Quote 2, £5567.50. Quote 3, not provided, only the lump sum, see below.
• Aggregate costs for the normal 17 village cuts and all additional areas for 7 cuts:
Quote 1, £4960. Quote 2, £5795. Quote 3, £4505.
Councillors discussed the merits and cost of including the additional areas as a trial for 2026. Councillors were also reminded that these areas, along with other new responsibilities, are at risk of being assigned to HPC under the new Unitary Authority. Concerns were expressed about the increase in costs, and the opportunity to recognise concerns expressed by villages about how untidy and poorly LCC has maintained some areas. After a long debate, it was agreed to include the additional areas as a trial for 2026: It was motioned to accept Quote 2 (£1800) for the clearing of the sloes and brambles down The Drift, and aggregate Quote 3 (£4505) for the normal village cuts plus the additional areas. It was further agreed to propose to LCC that they offer a contribution for clearing the sloes and brambles, which would be championed and supported by Cllr Vernon.
8. Defibrillator: The Village Hall has a new Defibrillator, and HSSC’s defibrillator now has a new battery and pads. Both are updated with the national database. Cllr Phillips advised that the defibrillator boxes should be more clearly marked to indicate that a user will need to contact 999 for the access codes.
9. HSSC:
9.1. Car Park Fence [to the right of the sports field gate]:
Three quotes have been received: Quote 1, £1380. Quote 2, £510.60. Quote 3, £985. Concerns were raised at Quote 2, however, it was noted that they had previously done other work for HPC, including the fence to the left of the sports field gate. It was motioned to accept quote 2.
9.2. Package Sewage Treatment Work [STW]. Emergency work was carried out last year to replace the pumps, which was thought to be caused by a defective junction box, which was then replaced in December.
10. Financial:
10.1. Invoices/expenses:
LALC yearly membership, £291.44. HVH hire, £7.00. Cllr Cartlidge's expenses for HSSC defibrillator battery and pads, £482.41. These were unanimously approved.
10.2. Precept 2026/27:
Further to councillors' discussions at the PCM on 26 November, and considering the drawing down of reserves for planned projects, plus unforeseen expenses and emergency repairs in 2025, councillors discussed the merits of both a £7.5% increase and a 10% increase:
7.5% = Precept of £24636 for 2026/27 = an increase of £4.97 on a Band D Charge = 50p per month
10% = Precept of £25209 for 2026/27 = an increase of £6.62 on a Band D Charge = 66p per month
After a long debate, it was motioned to ask SKDC for a 10% increase.
11. Highways:
11.1. A607 50 to 40mph speed reduction: Covered under Cllr Vernon’s remarks.
11.2. Community Speed Watch: Cllr Leadenham to follow up with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to push for the approval of the CSW locations requested in June 2025.
12. Any other business:
• All councillors expressed concern that the footway was currently blocked by builders' materials, with no diversion signs or provision for pedestrians. Cllr Vernon to follow up with LCC.
• Cllr Smith expressed concerns that, despite the new signage installed by LCC, drivers are still parking in prohibited areas. Cllr Vernon to follow up with LCC.
• Cllr Phillips reminded councillors that he is still holding the 190 James Murdon books. HPC also needs to set a price for the sale of the book. Cllr Wicks can discuss the sale of the book at The Manor at their next staff meeting.
• Cllr Wicks reminded councillors that the West End dog bin needs to be installed, advised that The Manor would be repairing the chainlink fence along the side of the Bowls Club and reminded councillors that the hedging needs cutting back around the Play Area. The Sand Bag/sand bin is outstanding; Cllr Vernon to follow up to see if they can source one.
• Cllr Cartlidge advised that the HVH licence expired in December 2025. It was agreed to redate the current licence and send it to the HVH committee for signature. The Bowls Club has approached HPC to advise that their lease has expired and to request a new lease. A Craven Close villager has expressed concern about the dog fouling in the Pearson Gregory Field. Councillors commended that this area remains prohibited for dogs and that new signage should be installed. At the next meeting, closing up the informal gap from The Greg Car Park shall be discussed.
13. Next scheduled Meetings
Parish Council Meeting Tuesday, 10 February 2026 at 7:30pm in the Village Hall
14. Closed Session: none
15. Meeting closed: 9:27pm