Minutes, 2026

As part of the statutory requirements of a Parish Council, there is a duty to report on the activities in which Marston Parish Council has been involved during the past year. On the basis that we have had significant movement within the Council, the Chair will read out an Annual Report on behalf of Marston Parish Council.

The Council’s accounts, records and systems for 2025/2026 have been internally audited and signed off by the Council.  Financial documents are available for inspection as in previous years by submitting a request to the proper officer and Clerk, Marc Whelan by Email to clerk@marston-parishcouncil.gov.uk. Three councillors resigned from the Parish Council during the 2025/26 financial year. 

A precept of £6,100 was raised with South Kesteven District Council for the Financial Year 2025/2026.  Additional income to the value of £1,383.01 was received from external sources.  The total expenditure for 2025/26 was £8,329.69. The deficit being financed from accrued funds and reserves. The receipt of any potential financial benefit derived from the solar farm off Green Lane continues to be deferred due to the farm not being connected to the grid

Councillors agreed last year not to increase the budget for 2025/26 and the precept of £6100 was agreed to help with the cost of living crisis which overall meant a small reduction of 0.5%. Whilst it is not a large amount, it was felt that the Parish Council should do its bit to help the pressure on local household budgets in these somewhat difficult times. Parish Councils are not subject to caps on precept rises and this year we agreed a very small increase to help with clerk and ICT infrastructure as well as the grant policy. This amounted to a 3% increase which meant we again came in with a precept rise that was less than the inflation (3.8% at peak) rate.

Our annual spend included paying the village hall £2000, set aside in the previous financial year, for the village hall car park initiative. MPC also granted The Thorold a section 137 amount of £500 towards a new or rented coffee machine. St. Marys’ Church continued to receive a grant in support of grass cutting in the church yard in order to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the village centre. The Parish Council now has office accommodation for parish business within the Village Hall.   

For the first time, it was agreed that a Christmas tree should be erected on the village green and this was well-received by the parishioners. Funding was made available for both the tree and lighting/decoration.

Work has been on going to try and sort the various flooding issues on both Toll Bar Road and Barkston Road. Along with the potholes, the Parish Council has endeavoured to try and get these issues resolved.

A healthy debate took place with The Thorold regarding their requirement for financial assistance from parishioners to help sustain this valuable community asset. This required an exceptional precept increase and, after taking legal advice and some lengthy discussions, it was voted unanimously against by all Councillors without first obtaining agreement from parishioners; further input from The Thorold is currently awaited.

The Parish Council are indebted to various parishioners for their efforts in keeping the parish looking neat and tidy and thanks once again to Councillor Watson for organising a very successful village litter pick which ties in nicely with Hougham’s litter pick and good to see both communities working together to achieve tidy villages. Thanks go also to Richard Pearson for his commitment to the village, including supporting the litter pick, cutting hedges, pruning trees and cleaning out the river. Again, thanks need to be extended to numerous other villagers who also clean, cut, tidy and report issues throughout the year. It really does help, so please continue to do so. It is much appreciated. Thank you to Nick Sauer again for the maintenance, mowing and strimming he does within the parish area.

Our thanks also go to Councillor Watson for his continuing work in keeping the Emergency Plan up to date and coordinating with Hougham to enable the villages to have the wherewithal to cope in times of distress.

Devolution will soon be upon us, and this will be communicated when there is definitive news through normal channels as to what it means for SKDC, and ultimately Marston PC and our residents.

Following a number of early 2026 resignations, I am pleased to report that we have had substantial interest in the Councillor vacancies, and the Co-option process has begun in earnest.

I would lastly like to thank the Councillors for their time, devotion and continued voluntary support to Parishioners throughout the year. Be assured your Parish Council will continue to strive to do what it believes is in the best interests of Marston.  In particular to Philip Cartwright who exited the council after over 10 years as Councillor and Chair and Kevin O’Sullivan, the Vice Chair. We thank them for their unflinching service to the community

                                Chair to the Council – on behalf of Marston Parish Council - May 2026