July 2026
MIDDLE RASEN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council on 21/07/2026
Present:- Cllr M Stamp (Chair), Cllr D Pattison (Vice Chair), Cllr P Dawson, Cllr G Dennis, Cllr M O’Connor, Cllr J Padley, Cllr A Miller, Cllr P Thomas, and Cllr S Cartwright
Also Present: Mrs A Harrison (Clerk)
Visitors: none
1. Apologies for Absence – 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:- none
3. Notes of last meeting on 23rd June 2026, to be approved as minutes:-
Notes be signed as a true record.
4. Chair and Council’s Comments:-
- Cllr Dawson noted that South Lane, off Gainsborough Road, is in poor condition with numerous potholes - Clerk to report to Highways
- Cllr Dawson also informed the Council that the hedges past the mill on Mill Lane need cutting back – Clerk to report to Highways
- Cllr Thomas mentioned that the hedges belonging to a property on Church Street need cutting back as they are obstructing the footpath – Clerk to write to homeowner
- Cllr O’Connor let the Council know that tree roots are coming through the pavement alongside the Old Churchyard causing a trip hazard – Clerk to report to Highways
- Cllr Miller suggested cleaning all four bus shelters on Gainsborough Road, Parish Council agreed to use CIL funding to have them power washed – Clerk to contact local contractor to complete the works
5. Reports from District and County Councillors:-
WLDC Matters:
- Cllr Bunney was not in attendance but did forward a report:
- Furlongs Play Park. As you are aware MRTC maintenance team removed the damaged bin from the Furlongs Play Park on Health and Safety Grounds. Along with Adele I have been investigating the current owner of the Management Company to determine their intentions for the paly area and proposed timelines. The trail has taken us to a landscape / ground maintenance company in Keighly.
LCC Matters:
- Cllr Bunney was not in attendance but did forward a report:
- Local Government Reform - Last Wednesday the long awaited LGR decision was made. From May 2028 the existing structure of District Councils, County Council and Unitary Councils will be replaced by 4 Unitary Authorities. The existing Unitaries of North and Northeast Lincolnshire will be joined by two new councils City of Lincolnshire and Rural Lincolnshire [An interim name]. The geographic area of West Lindsey is being divided in two. The villages around Lincoln will be absorbed into the City of Lincoln and the area to the North and West of the District, including Gainsborough and The Rasens, will be in Rural Lincolnshire. This is not good news as our area will be out on a limb from the rest of the Council and which could result in our area becoming the poor relation. It is therefore essential that locally councils and community groups work together to build up a critical mass which will compete against the likes of Louth, Horncastle, Mablethorpe, Skegness. Sleaford, Spalding, Boston, Stamford, and Grantham. It is too early to say what the exact implications for our area are – the Government still need to release all of their thinking and plans. However, it will be true to say that significant changes to the provision of public services etc. will occur. A unitary council is a single local authority for delivery of all local government services within in an area, bringing together services such as planning, housing, waste and recycling, education, social care, and economic development.
- We are still waiting for a decision on Scampton – this has now been delayed to the end of the month.
- Household Recycling Waste Site - LCC are proposing to introduce a booking system for residents to use the HRWS [Tip]. Apparently, this is to reduce the queueing time experienced at the facilities in Lincoln and elsewhere. As there is not currently a problem at Market Rasen the scheme is in my mind unnecessary and is likely to lead to mor fly tipping – consequently I will be opposing the introduction of this measure. “Why fix something that is not broken?” – Clerk to send a letter from the Parish Council backing Cllr Bunney in his endeavours to stop the booking system at Market Rasen
- School Parking - The decision on Car Parking at Schools resides within the Traffic Regulation Orders division of LCC Highways. To progress the current request from the school it will require a formal minute of support from the parish council asking myself, as your local County Councillor, to progress the action. Unfortunately, without my support the TRO department will not even consider the suggestion.
Proposed by Cllr Stamp and seconded by Cllr Pattison
- that the Parish Council give their full support to Cllr S Bunney to progress the action.
6. Crime and Vandalism
- Updates received from Inspector Head and Lincs Alert Team
7. Clerks Report on Matters Outstanding:-
- Mr Robinson instructed to move and raise the bench on Gainsborough Road so away from hedges
- Owner of corner house on Gainsborough Road asked to cut back the hedge to allow wider access on the footpath - completed
- WLDC contacted to request the bin outside Crossroads Store be emptied on a daily basis
- Highways contacted to remove the road signs from behind the new bus stop on Gainsborough Road
- Overflowing dog waste bin off Church Street reported to WLDC - completed
- Homeowner of Lilac Cottage, Low Church Road requested to cut back branches of the tree which is overhanging and obstructing the footpath – letter issued
8. Planning:-
WL/2026/00592 – Gig Cottage, Gainsborough Road, Middle Rasen, LN8 3JU
Outline planning application for 2no. dwellings – access, layout, and scale to be considered and not reserved for subsequent applications being variation of condition 6 of planning permission 13838 granted Marsh 2022 : Revised private drive layout – no comments
WL/2026/00479 – Chantrey Park, Off Southwold Road and Lucas Way, Market Rasen, LN8 3JA
Footpath Diversion Order following the grant of planning permission 135013 – no comments
Planning Granted:-
WL/2026/00393 – Chantrey Park, Land off Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3ZD
Application for advertisement consent for 6no. flags, 2no. signs, 1no. V-board sign and 4no. double sided signs – granted
9. Correspondence:-
LALC E-News 26/06 and 10/07
AGM & Summer Conference Information
LCC Town and Parish Council June Newsletter
TTRO – Construction of new housing at Chantery Park - Public Right of Way 1147/1 between Market Rasen and Middle Rasen – 17/08/26 - 16/05/27
TTRO – Construction of new housing at Chantery Park - Public Right of Way 1147/1 between Market Rasen and Middle Rasen – 17/08/26 - 16/02/27
Improvements to Household Waste Recycling Centres Including Booking System
Clerks and Councils Direct July Issue
10. Finance and Accounts for Payment
Income:- Burial Fees (Ingram) £ 550.00
Expenditure:- SES Business Water £ 6.73
Lincolnshire Landscapes £ 741.00
Green Grass Contracting £ 75.00
D Pattison £ 27.90
Salaries £ 957.02
A Miller £ 33.63
Resolved: All Invoices passed for payment on 21st July 2026
11. Reports from meetings: - Cllr Thomas met with Head of Middle Rasen Primary School to discuss parking issues, especially when the school has events happening. The Head agreed to inform the Parish Council of future events giving the Council the option to plan around them to ease congestion
12. To discuss the progress of the Village Plan Sub Committee
Progress continues – the current document has around 30 action points/interventions highlighted for the parish and town council to consider over the next 3 to 5 years. Some are bespoke to individual councils and some are joint.
The five main themes that need expanding on are:
- Work with the LCC Active Travel Officer on creating a local walking and cycling infrastructure plan in the area – including a pavement along Gallamore Lane linking the village area of Middle Rasen to Aldi – speed reductions etc.
- To set up working groups to identify the existing recreational provision, gaps, and future needs for young people.
- To Lobby Lincolnshire Health NHS Integrated Care Board to upgrade local GP facilities to those of a Neighbourhood health hub with an emphasis on ‘sickness to prevention’ and ‘hospitals to community’
- To educate and support households and the community in flood management measures.
- Identify areas for Industrial Development and Job Creation opportunities.
The full plan will be published towards middle of next month.
Proposed by Cllr Stamp and seconded by Cllr Pattison
Resolved: That Cllr Thomas continue to update the Council at next meeting
13. Discuss and Resolve on Options for the Playground at The Furlongs
Cllr Bunney and Cllr Miller are in the process of locating the Management Team
Proposed by Cllr Miller and seconded by Cllr Pattison
Resolved: That Cllr Miller keep the Council updated
14. Discuss options for CIL funding
Proposed by Cllr Stamp and seconded by Cllr Miller
Resolved: That CIL funding be used towards Parish Maintenance including the cleaning of the bus shelters
15. Discuss speeding issues around the village and drivers’ visibility at Church Street junction
The Community Speed Watch Group has been formed, and three members have received training
Proposed by Cllr Miller and seconded by Cllr Stamp
Resolved: That equipment required for monitoring speeding in the village be purchased from CIL funding
16. Items for next meeting
- Discuss progress of the Village Plan Sub Committee
- Discuss and Resolve on Burial Ground Regulations and Fees
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8:10pm.