2025 Minutes – Martin and Martin Dales Parish Council

November 2025 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF

MARTIN AND MARTIN DALES PARISH COUNCIL

Date and Time: Tuesday 4th November 2025 7.30pm

Location: Martin Village Hall

Cllrs Present		Cllrs Not Present
Will Jenkins - Chair (WJ)		Stuart Quinn Apologies received
Clare Cowen (CC)		David Busby Not Present
Will Stephenson (WS)		2 District Councillors Not Present
Bobby Neaum (BN)		Whittle and Lawrence Not Present

In Attendance

County Councillor Rob Kendrick (RK)

5 Parishioners

Minute Ref	Actions from This Meeting	Action By	Completed
5	Chase road speed signs	Clerk
8.3.2	The full council to look onto possible grants for skatepark	All
8.3.3	Repair quote to be accepted and repair undertaken by current provider	CC
	Mats to be replaced
8.3.4	Current provider (DH) to undertake work in the playpark at cost of £700. Cllr. to inform him.	WJ
8.4	Letter to be sent to NKDC, Highways and parishioner to consider alternative access to the cemetery	Clerk
	Stonemason inspection invoice to be paid	Clerk
	Current regs to be checked and updated if necessary	Clerk
	Quote for mole catcher to be looked into	WJ
8.6	Schedule of work to be sent to possible ground maintenance contractors for review and decision at the January 2026 meeting	Clerk All
8.7	Signs to be delivered and erected	Clerk/WJ
8.9	WJ to approach local Facebook administrators to request for the PC to periodically put messages on community Facebook pages	WJ
8.10	Clerk to buy phone and change number on noticeboards and websites	Clerk
8.15	Civility and Respect Pledge to be signed on behalf of the full council.	Clerk
8.16	Quotes to be obtained for the Gates and additional SID.	WJ Clerk
	Parishioner to be contacted to check process for collating stats.	Clerk
8.17	Due consideration to be given to precept request in January 2026. Clerk to send out draft projected figures.	All/Clerk
8.18	Remembrance wreaths to be laid on Remembrance Sunday on the Church and Martin Dales memorials.	WJ and one other
8.19	Cllr. DB to collect tree and deliver to Village Hall	DB
9.2	Payments to be made for inspection, Clerk’s salary and ground maintenance after the meeting.	Clerk
9.5	Clerk’s review date to be agreed.	DB/CC

Minute Ref	Actions Not Closed from Last minutes	Action By	Completed

	Website on going updates	Clerk
	Cemetery	All
	Phone	Clerk
	Facebook	WJ

Minute Ref	Minute Commentary	Action By
1	Welcome and Public Session Issued Raised: Cemetery The Church Warden and WJ gave an update. It was reported that WJ and the warden had attended an inspection of the graveyard and cemetery by a stonemason. Quotes have been given for repair of those that need to be made safe in the cemetery at a cost of around £175.00 plus vat. There are approximately 5 that need attending to in the PC cemetery. The cost for many of the churchyard stones will cost more as they are much bigger and heavier. The church warden informed the meeting that it has been made made clear to the PCC that under no circumstances should anyone enter the church yard until all repairs have been completed. Skateboard Ramp A request on behalf of a group of young who travel to the parishes to access skateboard facilities. Defib Access was mentioned with a question about whether it could be lowered.
2	Co-option None
3	Apologies SQ
4	Declaration of Interest None
5	Previous Minutes 2nd September 2025 Proposed: WJ Seconded: CC 23rd October 2025 Proposed: WS Seconded: WJ All Agreed by those present at each meeting
	Matters Arising 5.1 Liners for bins NKDC have informed the Clerk that they do not supply liners for bins. 5.2 Signs An apology has been received from the Road Safety Partnership for the delay in supplying the signs. The signs have been delayed as a result of the tendering process. Agreed: clerk to chase if not delivered soon	Clerk
6	County Councillors and District Councillor Remarks RK confirmed that if the MP is involved in the cemetery/graveyard issue, contact would direct with the Chief Executive. Consultation is underway via the County Council website seeking views on waste disposal across the district. The County Council are currently setting the budget for 2026/2027 which is yet to be decided and this includes the Council Tax. Any future report will be on the website.
7	Planning All emails received from NKDC planning have been sent to the full council and no comments received. All planning applications are available in detail on www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/planning-applications/planning-online
8	Parish Business Items
8.1	Outstanding actions from Previous minutes None
8.2	Highways North Drove to be closed at some time in the future. All highway closures/restrictions are shown on line.
8.3	Playpark 8.3.1 Parishioner Volunteer Thanks, given to the parishioner for inspection of park and defib. 8.3.2 Skateboard Request A group of young people in Martin travel to another parish for a skate board and would like to have one in Martin. Agreed: Quote for grants to be looked into for the purchase of a skateboard which could be as high as £30,000. The full Council and Clerk to look into possible grants. 8.3.3 Repairs Mats need replacing and CC has requested a quote for repairs. Agreed: Repairs to be undertaken and mats to be purchased. All agreed. 8.3.4 Grounds Maintenance under/near trees Current provider (DH) has given a quote to undertake this work for £700. Agreed: WJ to request DH to complete the work Proposed: WS Seconded: BN All agreed	All CC/Clerk WJ
8.4	Cemetery A general discussion took place. Agreed: Letters to be sent to Highways, Parishioner who owns the north boundary and highways, to look into establishing a separate entrance to allow access for parishioners and for any future inscriptions, interments and burials within the Parish Council cemetery. A letter also to be sent to NKDC to confirm the intention of the PC to find another access which would require them to fence off the graveyard affected by Section 87. At some stage, owners of the graves will be asked to make them safe and they will be given the quote obtained via WJ from the stonemason, in due course. Clerk to pay stonemason for report undertaken to date and obtain a quote for regular future inspections. PC to revisit current cemetery guidelines for when burials take place to ensure that future problems are avoided and that all burials are undertaken within the standards required. Molecatcher to be asked for quotes to prevent further damage. Proposed: WS Seconded: BN All agreed	Clerk Clerk Clerk WJ
8.5	Defibrillator All good – no action at the moment
8.6	Grounds Maintenance A general discussion took place. Agreed: All future preferred providers to be accepted for 2 years if work remains at a reasonable cost. Draft schedule prepared by the Clerk agreed by the council. This will be sent to known providers for submission for January 2026. Proposed: WS Seconded: BN All agreed	Clerk
8.7	Woodland Update WJ reported that a grant was available to replace some trees that have died. It is possible to re-apply for funding to buy more trees. CC was reluctant to spend any other money on the Woodland. WJ does have some trees ready to plant in his garden where some were stored. Carbon Credits are no longer available as they were not applied for at the earlier stage. The maintenance grant has not yet been received and is due any time now. This grant should be used for the woodland to be kept neat and tidy and also for ditching and spraying. WJ said the remaining money in the woodland account may be used for something else although this needs to be checked. New signs not discuss but on order	WJ WJ/Clerk Clerk
8.8	Website Work on this is ongoing.	Webmaster Clerk
8.9	Facebook Agreed: WJ to approach local Facebook administrator to share PC messages when necessary.	WJ
8.10	Council Phone Agreed: Clerk to buy basic phone receiving messages. Website and noticeboards to be updated. Risk assessment drafted by the Clerk Proposed: WJ Seconded: WS All agreed	Clerk
8.11	Finance Meeting Clerk made it clear that a high priority should be given to this group to ensure good governance. The written risk assessment has been distributed to the full council in advance of the meeting. Agreed: To adopt the new risk assessment
8.12	Martin Dales Trees at Kirkstead Bridge Agenda for the next meeting
8.13	Martin Dales Benches Agenda for the next meeting
8.14	Daffodil Bulbs All done
8.15	Civility and Respect Pledge The pledge had been sent to the full council a number of times to ensure that the full council were aware. Agreed: To sign up to the C&R Pledge Proposed: WJ Seconded: BN All Agreed	Clerk
8.16	Correspondence: Parishioners and Others 8.16.1 SID Stats/Speeding General discussion about what else the PC can do to reduce speeding. Agreed: Quotes to be requested for another solar SID and village gates both to be purchased asap. Proposed: WJ Seconded: BN All agreed Clerk to write to parishioner as to how the stats are collated.	Clerk/WJ Clerk
8.17	Precept 2026-2027 General discussion took place. Clerk explained the importance of carefully considering future expenditure. The Council will decide in January whether to consider an increase in the precept request or leave it at the same level. A draft expenditure for 2026/2027 listing to be sent to the full council for consideration for the meeting.	All
8.18	Remembrance 2025 Councillors to lay wreaths.	WJ
8.19	Christmas Trees Collection DB to collect tree ordered by Clerk	DB
9.	Clerk’s Report – Sent to the full council in advance 9.1 Bank Balances 1st November 2025 Current Account £28231.85 Woodland Account 12021.33 Reserve Account 10017.24 Statements available at the meeting. 9.2 Payments to be paid following the meeting Grounds Maintenance £350 Clerk Salary 399 9.3 2024-2025 Audit All completed and external audit report sent to the full council and displayed on the notice boards and website. Risk assessment drafted as required by the external auditors and agreed by the Council 9.4 Clerk’s Leave and Admin Management Clerk to pass phone etc over to Councillor(s) to ensure business continues for the 2 months absence 9.5 Appraisal Date To be agreed with DB CC and the Clerk
10.	Agenda items next meeting Meeting times and dates to be reviewed and agreed in March for 2026-2027 Benches Trees Martin Dales
	Check submission for Woodland 2031(standing item to avoid omission)
11.	Date time and venue of the next meeting 6th January 2026 7.30pm Martin Village Hall

Minute Ref

Minute Commentary

Action By

Welcome and Public Session

Issued Raised:

Cemetery

The Church Warden and WJ gave an update. It was reported that WJ and the warden had attended an inspection of the graveyard and cemetery by a stonemason. Quotes have been given for repair of those that need to be made safe in the cemetery at a cost of around £175.00 plus vat.

There are approximately 5 that need attending to in the PC cemetery.

The cost for many of the churchyard stones will cost more as they are much bigger and heavier.

The church warden informed the meeting that it has been made made clear to the PCC that under no circumstances should anyone enter the church yard until all repairs have been completed.

Skateboard Ramp

A request on behalf of a group of young who travel to the parishes to access skateboard facilities.

Defib

Access was mentioned with a question about whether it could be lowered.

Co-option None

Apologies SQ

Declaration of Interest None

Previous Minutes 2nd September 2025

Proposed: WJ Seconded: CC

23rd October 2025

Proposed: WS Seconded: WJ

All Agreed by those present at each meeting

Matters Arising

5.1 Liners for bins

NKDC have informed the Clerk that they do not supply liners for bins.

5.2 Signs

An apology has been received from the Road Safety Partnership for the delay in supplying the signs.

The signs have been delayed as a result of the tendering process.

Agreed: clerk to chase if not delivered soon

Clerk

County Councillors and District Councillor Remarks

RK confirmed that if the MP is involved in the cemetery/graveyard issue, contact would direct with the Chief Executive.

Consultation is underway via the County Council website seeking views on waste disposal across the district.

The County Council are currently setting the budget for 2026/2027 which is yet to be decided and this includes the Council Tax.

Any future report will be on the website.

Planning

All emails received from NKDC planning have been sent to the full council and no comments received.

All planning applications are available in detail on

www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/planning-applications/planning-online

Parish Business Items

8.1

Outstanding actions from Previous minutes

None

8.2

Highways

North Drove to be closed at some time in the future.

All highway closures/restrictions are shown on line.

8.3

Playpark

8.3.1 Parishioner Volunteer

Thanks, given to the parishioner for inspection of park and defib.

8.3.2 Skateboard Request

A group of young people in Martin travel to another parish for a skate board and would like to have one in Martin.

Agreed: Quote for grants to be looked into for the purchase of a skateboard which could be as high as £30,000. The full Council and Clerk to look into possible grants.

8.3.3 Repairs

Mats need replacing and CC has requested a quote for repairs.

Agreed: Repairs to be undertaken and mats to be purchased.

All agreed.

8.3.4 Grounds Maintenance under/near trees

Current provider (DH) has given a quote to undertake this work for £700.

Agreed:

WJ to request DH to complete the work

Proposed: WS Seconded: BN

All agreed

All

CC/Clerk

8.4

Cemetery

A general discussion took place.

Agreed: Letters to be sent to Highways, Parishioner who owns the north boundary and highways, to look into establishing a separate entrance to allow access for parishioners and for any future inscriptions, interments and burials within the Parish Council cemetery.

A letter also to be sent to NKDC to confirm the intention of the PC to find another access which would require them to fence off the graveyard affected by Section 87.

At some stage, owners of the graves will be asked to make them safe and they will be given the quote obtained via WJ from the stonemason, in due course.

Clerk to pay stonemason for report undertaken to date and obtain a quote for regular future inspections.

PC to revisit current cemetery guidelines for when burials take place to ensure that future problems are avoided and that all burials are undertaken within the standards required.

Molecatcher to be asked for quotes to prevent further damage.

Proposed: WS Seconded: BN

All agreed

Clerk

8.5

Defibrillator

All good – no action at the moment

8.6

Grounds Maintenance

A general discussion took place.

Agreed: All future preferred providers to be accepted for 2 years if work remains at a reasonable cost.

Draft schedule prepared by the Clerk agreed by the council.

This will be sent to known providers for submission for January 2026.

Proposed: WS Seconded: BN

All agreed

Clerk

8.7

Woodland Update

WJ reported that a grant was available to replace some trees that have died.

It is possible to re-apply for funding to buy more trees. CC was reluctant to spend any other money on the Woodland. WJ does have some trees ready to plant in his garden where some were stored.

Carbon Credits are no longer available as they were not applied for at the earlier stage.

The maintenance grant has not yet been received and is due any time now. This grant should be used for the woodland to be kept neat and tidy and also for ditching and spraying.

WJ said the remaining money in the woodland account may be used for something else although this needs to be checked.

New signs not discuss but on order

WJ/Clerk

Clerk

8.8

Website

Work on this is ongoing.

Webmaster Clerk

8.9

Facebook

Agreed: WJ to approach local Facebook administrator to share PC messages when necessary.

8.10

Council Phone

Agreed: Clerk to buy basic phone receiving messages.

Website and noticeboards to be updated.

Risk assessment drafted by the Clerk

Proposed: WJ Seconded: WS

All agreed

Clerk

8.11

Finance Meeting

Clerk made it clear that a high priority should be given to this group to ensure good governance.

The written risk assessment has been distributed to the full council in advance of the meeting.

Agreed: To adopt the new risk assessment

8.12

Martin Dales Trees at Kirkstead Bridge

Agenda for the next meeting

8.13

Martin Dales Benches

Agenda for the next meeting

8.14

Daffodil Bulbs

All done

8.15

Civility and Respect Pledge

The pledge had been sent to the full council a number of times to ensure that the full council were aware.

Agreed: To sign up to the C&R Pledge

Proposed: WJ Seconded: BN

All Agreed

Clerk

8.16

Correspondence: Parishioners and Others

8.16.1 SID Stats/Speeding

General discussion about what else the PC can do to reduce speeding.

Agreed: Quotes to be requested for another solar SID and village gates both to be purchased asap.

Proposed: WJ Seconded: BN

All agreed

Clerk to write to parishioner as to how the stats are collated.

Clerk/WJ

Clerk

8.17

Precept 2026-2027

General discussion took place. Clerk explained the importance of carefully considering future expenditure. The Council will decide in January whether to consider an increase in the precept request or leave it at the same level. A draft expenditure for 2026/2027 listing to be sent to the full council for consideration for the meeting.

All

8.18

Remembrance 2025

Councillors to lay wreaths.

8.19

Christmas Trees Collection

DB to collect tree ordered by Clerk

Clerk’s Report – Sent to the full council in advance

9.1 Bank Balances 1st November 2025

Current Account £28231.85
Woodland Account 12021.33
Reserve Account 10017.24

Statements available at the meeting.

9.2 Payments to be paid following the meeting

Grounds Maintenance £350

Clerk Salary 399

9.3 2024-2025 Audit

All completed and external audit report sent to the full council and displayed on the notice boards and website. Risk assessment drafted as required by the external auditors and agreed by the Council

9.4 Clerk’s Leave and Admin Management

Clerk to pass phone etc over to Councillor(s) to ensure business continues for the 2 months absence

9.5 Appraisal Date

To be agreed with DB CC and the Clerk

10.

Agenda items next meeting

Meeting times and dates to be reviewed and agreed in March for 2026-2027

Benches Trees Martin Dales

Check submission for Woodland 2031(standing item to avoid omission)

11.

Date time and venue of the next meeting

6th January 2026 7.30pm Martin Village Hall

Meeting finished 9.10pm