March 2026
MIDDLE RASEN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council on 17/03/2026
Present:- Cllr Stamp (Chair), Cllr D Pattison (Vice Chair), Cllr M O’Connor, Cllr G Dennis, Cllr J Padley, Cllr A Miller, and Cllr S Cartwright
Also Present: Mrs A Harrison (Clerk)
Visitors:- None
1. Apologies for Absence – Cllr P Dawson, Cllr P Thomas, and Cllr S Bunney (WLDC)
Resolved: That apologies be accepted from above member(s) of the Council
2. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act:-
Item 15 – Clerk
3. Notes of last meeting on 17th February 2026, to be approved as minutes:-
- Resolved: Notes be signed as a true record.
4. Chair and Council’s Comments:-
- Cllr Stamp updated the Parish Council on the new trees for Gods Acre. The trees have now been delivered and planted. Cllrs Stamp, Pattison, and Miller had also been to the site today to water them in
- Cllr Miller has received a request from a parishioner to place a memorial plaque in Gods Acre. The plaque will be in the ground and not attached to a tree.
Proposed by Cllr Stamp and seconded by Cllr Pattison
- Resolved: That Cllr Miller inform the parishioner they can place the plaque
5. Reports from District and County Councillors:
WLDC Matters:
No representative but update received by email:
- The events of last week's incident have inevitable shocked the community. I can report that the whole incident was recorded on the CCTV cameras and has resulted in all individuals concerned being taken into police custody. At last night's public meeting the police were left in no doubt that residents were dissatisfied with the policing in the area - lack of visible officers, lack of action when incidents were reported and very little feedback. In short, the community feels unsupported and, in many cases, frightened. Superintendent Jo Fortune and senior WLDC officials promised to go away and assess the situation and create an action plan. A further public meeting will be held in 3 to 4 weeks’ time to report back and progress the action plan.
- Flooding:
- Since the floods on Feb 28th further work has been completed on the sites by the School and off Gallamore Lane.
- I have had discussions with Highways and The Environment Agency regarding the Low Church Road issues. It has been agreed to do a clean out and also to look at the outflow into the river. They are also looking into a further attenuation reservoir up stream and raising the bridges to increase capacity.
- Whilst there was flooding on the Main Road and Mill Lane it was cleared withing 7 or 8 hours. As the down pour was near biblical proportions 1 ½ to 2 inches in the space of 4 hours this was considered a success for the system.
LCC Matters:
No Representative but update received by email:
- LGR
- The survey is open to the 26th of this month. I have to say that I am not happy with any of the proposals but assuming that the process is going ahead I believe it is important to support the least worst of the models. This is to go ahead with the county wide unitary as it leaves adult services, children's services and Fire and Rescue intact. The decision to merge the police forces has already been taken. The system also means that services like waste collection and disposal will come under one level of authority rather than the two or three as now - this should improve the service, but we will need to wait and see.
- All the schemes on offer throw up these general concerns.
- The reduced number of councillors will increase the workload of those who seek office - this will inevitably place more pressures on the parish councillors. Effectively, a way of saving money as they do not receive allowances etc.
- As the councillors will be expected to do more it could mean that less working age people will stand - which is not good for democracy.
- Several of the models - especially The City of Lincoln proposal - will concentrate business and money in urban areas, which does not bode well for rural communities like our area - who many would say are already not getting their fair share of resources.
6. Crime and Vandalism: -
- Update received from Inspector Head
- Road Policing Update Received
7. Clerks Report on Matters Outstanding:-
- Parishioner contacted with options for placing a memorial plaque on the bench outside Gods Acre
- Quote received from Tree Specialist for Gods Acre. To discuss at item 16
- Landowners contacted to report issue with water running down neighbour’s driveway from their land
- Request received from Chestnut Homes to review street name options for Chantry Park
8. Planning:-
WL/2026/00198 – Little Tranby, Mill Lane, Middle Rasen, LN8 3LE
Planning application for removal of existing outbuilding and erection of 2no. dwellings including creation of attenuation pond – no comments
Planning Granted:-
WL/2024/00855 – Holly Holme, Church Street, Middle Rasen, LN8 3TR
Planning application for the demolition of existing dwelling, the erection of 1 replacement dwelling and 1 new dwelling along with associated garages and private drive – granted with conditions
WL/2026/00043 – 2 Corner Farm Close, Middle Rasen, LN8 3WE
Planning application for proposed extension to dwelling – granted with conditions
9. Correspondence:-
LALC E-News 20/02
LCC Town and Parish Council February Update
Temporary Traffic Restriction Order North Street 07-09 April 2026
County Councillor CVS Volunteering Scheme
WLDC March Parish News
Clerks and Councils Direct March Publication
10. Finance and Accounts for Payment
Income:- HMRC VAT Refund £ 1,363.57
HSBC £ 99.79
Leakes Masonry £ 75.00
Marshalls £ 250.00
Expenditure:- SES Water (Direct Debit) £ 6.43
Lincolnshire Landscapes £ 150.00
LALC Annual Subs £ 520.48
MRPCC Hall Hire £ 300.00
A Harrison £ 694.86
A Laughton Town Nurseries £ 463.00
Resolved: All Invoices passed for payment on 17th March 2026
11. Reports from meetings: See Item 12
12. Discuss the Progress of the Village Plan Sub Committee
No representative – to review at next meeting
13. Discuss and Resolve on Parishioners Request to Replace the Bench on Mill Lane with a
New Memorial Bench
Proposed by Cllr Stamp and seconded by Cllr Miller
Resolved: That the Parishioner can purchase a bench which will be fitted by Contractor chosen by the Parish Council. The Parish Council will be responsible for maintenance as the bench is on the asset list
14. Discuss and Resolve on Grant Request from MRPCC Towards New Music Equipment
Proposed by Cllr Pattison and seconded by Cllr O’Connor
Resolved: That the Parish Council approve the grant request to the sum of £475.00
Clerk left the meeting
15. Discuss and Resolve 2026-27 Annual Pay Increment to Clerks Salary
Proposed by Cllr Stamp and seconded by Cllr Dennis
Resolved: That the increment be implemented as of April 2026 from scale 9 to scale 10
Clerk returned to the meeting
16. Discuss and Resolve on the Venue and Dates for April 2026 – April 2027 Parish Council
Meetings
Proposed by Cllr Miller and seconded by Cllr Cartwright
Resolved: That the Parish continue to use the Church Hall for meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month apart from June when the 4th Tuesday will be set due to holiday commitments. Clerk to contact Booking Officer to confirm
17. Discuss and Resolve on Removing a Further Five Dying/Damaged Trees from Gods Acre
Proposed by Cllr O’Conner and seconded by Cllr D Pattison
Resolved: That Wolds Tree Works be contacted to remove the trees as soon as possible
18. Discuss Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Consultation Options
Proposed by Cllr Stamp and seconded by Cllr Miller
Resolved: That Councillors will review and endorse the best options for the Parish.
19. Items for next meeting
- Discuss the Progress of the Village Plan Sub Committee
- Discuss and Resolve on Chair’s Expenses
- Discuss and Resolve on Clerk’s Expenses
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.25pm