2026 Minutes – Martin and Martin Dales Parish Council

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July 2026 Draft Minutes

MARTIN AND MARTIN DALES

PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARTIN AND MARTIN DALES PARISH COUNCIL

Date and Time: Tuesday 7th July 2026 6.30pm

Location: Martin Dales Old Village Hall

Cllrs Present		Cllrs Not Present
Will Jenkins (WJ) (Chair)		Stuart Quinn Apologies
Bobby Neaum (BN) (Vice Chair)
Clare Cowen (CC)
Natasha Marshall (NM)
Sophia Lancaster (SL)
Parish Clerk

In Attendance

1 Parishioner

Items Outstanding from Previous Meeting

Action	By Whom
Clarification re: Litter Picking	SQ

Minute Ref	Actions from This Meeting	Action By	Completed
3	ROI forms to be sent to SL	Clerk	√
	SL to complete form and send to NKDC	SL	√
	Clerk to change PC contact details	Clerk	√
	SL to read Good Councillor Guide	SL
7	Pre-planning for mugger	WJ
8.2	Inspections	NM
	Chase mats for playpark	CC
	Quotes for wooden and metal signs for playpark	Clerk
	Consultation to be undertaken with Young People	NM
8.4	Check ownership of land in Martin Dales	Clerk	√
8.5	Quotes for wildflower seeds to be sought for planting	Clerk WJ
8.7	Cllr. to contact the Church Warden	BN
	Donation to be paid to the Church	Clerk	√
8.8	Benches to be ordered for Cemetery x 1 and Woodland x 2		√
	After clarification on fixing price to approximately £2000.		√
8.9	Cllr. to obtain quote for valuation on rent review	WJ
	Search to be undertaken for original documents	Clerk	√
8.14	Cemetery to be inspected monthly.	NM
8.15	Initial enquiries to be made to Highways re: possible location of SID near bridge.	Clerk	√
9	Authorised payments to be made	Clerk	√
11	Access to be arranged by Cllr to Martin Dales Venue	SQ

Minute Ref	Minute Commentary	Action By
1	Welcome and Public Session	Chair
2	District and County Councillor Remarks None Present
3	Co-option Parishioner Sophie Hill had applied to be a Parish Councillor and had responded to the standard questions. Agreed: Sophie Lancaster was co-opted to the council. Proposed: BN Seconded: NM All agreed SL signed the Acceptance of Office Form Given the Good Councillor Guide ROI to be completed and sent to NKDC within one month. Clerk offered to meet SH to discuss the work of the Council in detail if requested.	Chair
4	Apologies SQ
5	Declarations of Interest WJ - LJ on the PCC Finance Committee	Chair
6	Previous Minutes Minutes of previous minutes 5th May 2026 approved It was agreed both minutes were an accurate record. Proposed: NM Seconded: BN All agreed	Chair
7	Planning All planning notices are available on line at the NKDC planning portal. Pre-planning is being sought for the mugger. Enquiries for all planning applications and decisions: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/planning	Chair
8	Parish and Business Items 8.1 Items outstanding – listed above 8.2 Playpark A young person had contacted the council supporting the proposal for a mugger/skatepark. CC had previously sent out quote for children’s play bark to the full council, now to be agended for the next meeting. SL suggested that young people be consulted on the future plans for the park. NM continues to inspect the park on a regular basis and reports back to the full council. The ROSPA inspection to taken place in August. The mats have not yet been fitted but have been chased by CC who will follow this up again. Decision to be made in future about directional sign for playpark when quotes have been obtained. Agreed: NM to work on consultation with young people. Quotes to be circulated for signs. Mats to be followed up. 8.3 Defibs These have now been fitted and registered with Circle. Inspections continue. 8.4 Grounds Maintenance All good Agreed: To check who owns the land in Martin Dales to clarify who is responsible for grounds maintenance and also a possible location for bench. 8.5 Woodland A general discussion took place with some concern for the dry period and some trees are dying. WJ reported that the Forestry Committee will give 100% grant for any replacements. The Clerk met with the volunteer coordinator who has now agreed to plant the wild flower seeds in the planting season along part of the boundry. Quotes to be sought for bird seeds. 8.6 Litter Picking Update not available. 8.7 Funding Requests A general discussion took place including considering the application from the church. Parish funding agreed to date: Youth Hub £480 MATES £500 School £180 Wreaths £100 Christmas Tree 250 Church £1000 Total: £2510 Agreed: A one-off £1000 donation to be made with support to be offered by Councillor to look at funding for heating as there are grants available. Proposed: CC Seconded: BN All agreed. 8.8 Benches x 3 A general discussion took place considering benches in the Cemetery (1) Woodland x (2) and Martin Dales (1) Agreed: Clerk to get final quotes for purchasing and fitting of benches to the value of £500 plus fitting, for the Woodland x 2 and Cemetery x 1(Maximum £2000). Martin Dales’ bench to be agended for the next meeting. Proposed: WJ Seconded: NM 8.9 Rent Review A general discussion took place and feedback from Saville’s was considered. Agreed: To ensure that the Farming Tenancy is formalised for future clarity. Advice to be sought by Councillor for rent and formalising the tenancy. Old records to be checked for any historical detail. 8.10 Correspondence - Done 8.11 Volunteer Hours Quotations to be sourced for bird seeds (3 quotes) 8.12 Noticeboard WJ to speak to publican in Martin Dales about refitting the noticeboard. 8.13 Cemetery Bin Agreed: In future all soil to be taken away by the gravediggers. 8.14 Cemetery Inspection Agreed: Cllr. to visually inspect the cemetery on a monthly basis. 8.15 SID Martin Dales Agreed: Authorisation needed for location of SID and possible site visit.	NM Clerk CC Clerk Clerk WJ Clerk BN Clerk All WJ Clerk Clerk WJ WJ Clerk NM Clerk
9	Clerks Update (full report attached to minutes) 9.1 Bank Balances as at 5th July 2026 See Clerk’s Report Attached 9.2 Payments - All payments detailed in the Clerk’s report. GM £400.00 David Holvey Clerk Salary/Expenses 400.16 July 2026 HMRC 321.60 (3 months)	Clerk
10	Agenda items next meeting Martin Dales bench SID Martin Dales
11	The Next Meeting to be held: Date: 1st September 2026 6.30pm - Martin Dales Old Village Hall	SQ to obtain entry

Minute Ref

Minute Commentary

Action By

Welcome and Public Session

Chair

District and County Councillor Remarks

None Present

Co-option

Parishioner Sophie Hill had applied to be a Parish Councillor and had responded to the standard questions.

Agreed: Sophie Lancaster was co-opted to the council.

Proposed: BN Seconded: NM

All agreed

SL signed the Acceptance of Office Form

Given the Good Councillor Guide

ROI to be completed and sent to NKDC within one month.

Clerk offered to meet SH to discuss the work of the Council in detail if requested.

Chair

Apologies

Declarations of Interest

WJ - LJ on the PCC Finance Committee

Chair

Previous Minutes

Minutes of previous minutes 5th May 2026 approved

It was agreed both minutes were an accurate record.

Proposed: NM Seconded: BN

All agreed

Chair

Planning

All planning notices are available on line at the NKDC planning portal.

Pre-planning is being sought for the mugger.

Enquiries for all planning applications and decisions:

www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/planning

Chair

Parish and Business Items

8.1 Items outstanding – listed above

8.2 Playpark

A young person had contacted the council supporting the proposal for a mugger/skatepark.

CC had previously sent out quote for children’s play bark to the full council, now to be agended for the next meeting.

SL suggested that young people be consulted on the future plans for the park.

NM continues to inspect the park on a regular basis and reports back to the full council.

The ROSPA inspection to taken place in August.

The mats have not yet been fitted but have been chased by CC who will follow this up again.

Decision to be made in future about directional sign for playpark when quotes have been obtained.

Agreed:

NM to work on consultation with young people.

Quotes to be circulated for signs.

Mats to be followed up.

8.3 Defibs

These have now been fitted and registered with Circle. Inspections continue.

8.4 Grounds Maintenance

All good

Agreed: To check who owns the land in Martin Dales to clarify who is responsible for grounds maintenance and also a possible location for bench.

8.5 Woodland

A general discussion took place with some concern for the dry period and some trees are dying. WJ reported that the Forestry Committee will give 100% grant for any replacements.

The Clerk met with the volunteer coordinator who has now agreed to plant the wild flower seeds in the planting season along part of the boundry.

Quotes to be sought for bird seeds.

8.6 Litter Picking

Update not available.

8.7 Funding Requests

A general discussion took place including considering the application from the church.

Parish funding agreed to date:

Youth Hub £480 MATES £500 School £180 Wreaths £100

Christmas Tree 250 Church £1000 Total: £2510

Agreed: A one-off £1000 donation to be made with support to be offered by Councillor to look at funding for heating as there are grants available.

Proposed: CC Seconded: BN

All agreed.

8.8 Benches x 3

A general discussion took place considering benches in the Cemetery (1) Woodland x (2) and Martin Dales (1)

Agreed: Clerk to get final quotes for purchasing and fitting of benches to the value of £500 plus fitting, for the Woodland x 2 and Cemetery x 1(Maximum £2000).

Martin Dales’ bench to be agended for the next meeting.

Proposed: WJ Seconded: NM

8.9 Rent Review

A general discussion took place and feedback from Saville’s was considered.

Agreed: To ensure that the Farming Tenancy is formalised for future clarity.

Advice to be sought by Councillor for rent and formalising the tenancy.

Old records to be checked for any historical detail.

8.10 Correspondence - Done

8.11 Volunteer Hours

Quotations to be sourced for bird seeds (3 quotes)

8.12 Noticeboard

WJ to speak to publican in Martin Dales about refitting the noticeboard.

8.13 Cemetery Bin

Agreed: In future all soil to be taken away by the gravediggers.

8.14 Cemetery Inspection

Agreed: Cllr. to visually inspect the cemetery on a monthly basis.

8.15 SID Martin Dales

Agreed: Authorisation needed for location of SID and possible site visit.

Clerk

All

Clerk

Clerks Update (full report attached to minutes)

9.1 Bank Balances as at 5th July 2026

See Clerk’s Report Attached

9.2 Payments - All payments detailed in the Clerk’s report.

GM £400.00 David Holvey

Clerk Salary/Expenses 400.16 July 2026

HMRC 321.60 (3 months)

Clerk

Agenda items next meeting

Martin Dales bench SID Martin Dales

The Next Meeting to be held:

Date: 1st September 2026 6.30pm - Martin Dales Old Village Hall

SQ to obtain entry

MARTIN AND MARTIN DALES PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

CLERK’S REPORT FOR INCLUSION IN MINUTES

7th July 2026

CONTENTS

1. Co-options

2. Finances

a. Balances

b. Audit 2025-2026

3. Finance Meeting

4. Supervision

5. Correspondence

6. Planning

7. Apologies

8. Noticeboards

9. Cemetery

10. Woodland

11. Funding Applications

12. Defibs

13. Playpark

14. Litter Picking

15. Website

16. Rent Review

17. Dog Fouling Signs

18. September Meeting

19. Bins

Clerk’s update in advance to save time in meetings.

1. Resignation and Co-option

1.1 Will Stepehen has resigned and the legal notice displayed. The time period

has expired and another co-option can take place.

1.2 Bobby has not yet signed the acceptance form for vice-chair.

1.3 A parishioner has applied to be a councillor and questions returned.

Co-option can take place.

2. Finances

2.1 Bank Balances as at 02.07.26

Woodland £ 30622.13

Current £ 15320.14

Business Reserve £ 10077.36

Total: £ 56019.63

Payments:

Grounds Maintenance £400

Clerk’s salary 400.16

Expenses x 2months 47.53

Bins x 2 496.37

2.2 2025-2026 Audit

All paperwork has been submitted. Legal notice displayed and no applications for review have been made.

The auditors have acknowledged receipt.

3. Finance Meeting

To be agreed

4. Supervision

To be agreed

5. Correspondence

Chair report: To include letter from Owen Evans

6. Planning

Chair agenda item

7. Apologies

None received to date

8. Noticeboards

These are updated on a regular basis.

The Martin Dales has been taken down to place the Defib and needs refitting on the front wall off the pub.

9. Cemetery

Family have agreed to repair stone and I have sent them details of a possible

stonemason.

10. Woodland

I have met with the LCC volunteer co-ordinator on site who has agreed to do some seeding on an agreed patch/section.

Will to give a general update.

11. Funding Applications/Decisions

Since the last meeting £180 has been donated to the school, chairs have been purchased and Mates donation has been sent donation as agreed.

Agreement to be made on the following:

Church £3000

Benches: Martin Dales Cemetery Woodland

Benches can cost anything between £450 - £1000

Memorial Benches can be purchased for around £500.

12. Defibs

These have now been fitted; the new one being located on the Pub wall.

Natasha has updated The Circuit.

13. Playpark

Natasha to report: to include inspection and update on gravel mats etc

Clare has chased up outstanding work and found a quote gravel.

14. Litter Picking

Update by Stuart

15. Website

There is now a new Webmaster and work is back on track.

16. Rent Review

I have enquired from Savills and searched on line.

The current rent for this land paid by David Busby is £87.00 per acre plus drainage cost. There is a total of 14 acres

In 2026, UK arable land rents typically range from £80 to £350 per acre per year,

depending on location, land quality, and tenancy type. Typical rental rates for arable

land prices vary widely across the UK. Prime agricultural land, such as in East Anglia, can command £200–£350 per acre annually, while less productive upland areas in Wales, Northern England, or the Scottish Highlands may cost £30–£80 per acre per year.

I have made 2 enquiries direct with Savills and still waiting for verbal feedback. I am due to speak to someone tomorrow (Monday 6th)

17. Dog Fouling Signs

Natasha collected signs from Will S and additional sticky ones have been ordered by myself. Some to be laminated and then displayed.

18. Next Meeting: 1st September 2026

This will take place in Martin Dales – the village hall has been cancelled for the 1st September and Martin Dales Hall has been booked. Stuart to open up etc.

19. Bins

The two bins have now been delivered to my house and NKDC will collect and fit them in due course. Natasha is in contact with NKDC.

F. Cheryl Burbidge Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer

5th July 2026