Minutes, 2 July 2026
MEETING OF MARSTON PARISH COUNCIL
Thursday 2nd July 2026 at 7:30 pm.
MINUTES
1. WELCOME by the Chair Cllr Chris Stephens
2. APOLOGIES
PRESENT – Cllr Brown, Cllr Lyons, Cllr Duckett, Cllr Pearson, Cllr Stephens, Cllr Watson, Cllr Whelan. District Cllr Paul Wood, County Cllr Ken Bamford (entered at 19:45)
3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS
Declared: None
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
2 communications received from residents
5. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: 10th June 2026
Proposed by: Cllr Whelan Seconded by: Cllr Duckett
6. PLANNING MATTERS:
6.1 – No matters appertaining to planning logged before Agenda release
7. DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS
7.1 – District Cllr – Paul Wood – Report
Discussed the date for Local Government reorganisation on or around 14th to 16th July 2026. Whether that combines South Holland, North & South Kesteven etc or whether it will look different entirely. Timelines up to May elections next year, not quite sure what happens until the decision is made hopefully this month as to what will shape the County moving forward. Parish Councils may or may not get more power as County decisions get devolved. Questions on how a larger authority would deal with local issues was raised but no answers as yet.
7.2 - County Councillor – Ken Bamford – Report
Speculation on LGR, might be disrupted or not by new Prime Minister. On Projects, County have awarded each Cllr £3000 for parish projects, there is also a bigger pot available of £250,000 for council projects that benefits the community. Cllr Bamford will send Clerk the details. Lincolnshire Highways are speaking to Ken regarding inconsiderate parking and speeding it is Antisocial behaviour. Cllr Whelan suggested that that we look at the bigger picture perhaps by buying land for a car park by applying for grant money from LCC but probably wouldn’t be viable. All sorts of issues with tight turns and HGV’s using Marston as a cut through to the A17 and vice versa. Cllr Lyons asked whether stopping HGV’s using the road would divert elsewhere, Cllr Stephens suggested they should stick to the A roads up and around Newark. Cllr Bamford had asked Highways to check whether any historical contracts or agreements are in place and there isn’t so LCC could proceed unencumbered with restrictions if the notion progressed. Cllr Watson flagged the issue has been around for over 20 years. Clerk suggested the road could be restricted just past the cold stores to limit HGV’s perhaps by Green Lane. The bends in Marston do not accommodate HGV’s and an accident will happen. Cllr Bamford to continue to push on road resurfacing and pothole filling. Cllr Brown mentioned that the refills do not last long. Clerk suggested using kerb stones on the bank which would reinforce that particular area and stop cracks and potholes forming.
8. FINANCIAL MATTERS:
8.1- Signing of monthly reconciliations for June 2026
8.2- Verification of cash book by Cllr Brown & Pearson for June 2026
Proposed by: Cllr Pearson Seconded by: Cllr Brown
9. RESERVES UPDATE
Discussion to increase the reserve account to the precept amount. Also further investigate the Unity Trust accounts to decide in September whether we stick with Virgin or move.
Proposed by: Cllr Brown Seconded by: Cllr Lyons
10. WHAT NEXT FOR RIVERSIDE WALK?
10.1 – Do we survey the residents? Ask for ideas. Is it more trees, gravelled areas, or wild meadow? Do we look to get a contractor to cut the back 3 times a year to delay Himalayan Balsam?
Overall, Cllrs thought this was a great idea to look at more initiatives to enhance the walk, such as signs, pagodas, trees, wildflower beds even a brick built BBQ was discussed. It is underused and poorly signed. Cllr Whelan suggested an Arts trail and explained that she had been a project lead in Milton Keynes on the final phase of the famous art trail for the area and as the area is pretty rich in history, we could employ local artists to assist. Very interesting ideas put forward and as Cllr Stephens suggested engaging more with the school to use. Cllr Pearson suggested investing in a commercial mower for the area. Encouraging people to use the area with some solid initiatives and also look to see if we can get a contractor to quote for three cuts per annum. Clerk to check into. Survey to be initiated by Cllr Brown.
Proposed by: Cllr Whelan Seconded by: Cllr Stephens
11. WALL BOUNDARY TO MARSTON HALL
11.1 – Draft letter for approval & feedback.
Overall, everyone was very pleased with the first draft from Cllr Whelan. Asked to expand slightly to include the School Lane area. This wall is one of nine protected grade II listed gardens in the area. Cllr Whelan to amend and Clerk to send with the notion for Cllrs to reach out for to owner when appropriate.
Proposed by: Cllr Watson Seconded by: Cllr Whelan
12. FREE ORCHARD TREES FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
12.1 – Minimum 5 orchard trees available from the Woodland Trust. These can be apple, plum, cherry, walnut or almond or others that you think work better in your area. Expressions of interest only at present
Council were pleased with the idea of some different trees potentially in Riverside Walk. Cllr Stephens to speak to the gardeners at Belton about the best mix of trees, Cllr Brown asked to avoid Plum and Apple due to wasps. Circa 15 trees perhaps when available in tree planting season
Proposed by: Cllr Stephens Seconded by: Cllr Pearson
13. SOLAR FARM GRANT
13.1 – The Solar farm has now been connected to the grid and the payment to MPC under the terms of the Community deed is confirmed as being transferred to MPC on 23rd June to our current account. Revisit terms of the deed and start thinking of ideas & initiatives for further discussion at the September meeting
Cllr Stephens motioned we could initially survey the villagers. Cllr Brown was concerned about too many ideas that were unrealistic. Cllr Watson motioned the Church could be a project, could the school be part of it? Cllr Lyons mentioned that most schools cluster together as a bigger trust. He suggested that we add our ideas and encourage residents to put ideas forward. Cllr Whelan we could say in the survey that you can apply for funding for your project if you meet the criteria (bank statements, constitution, qualifying organisation status – Environmental, social or economic wellbeing of the local community of Marston. Cannot be donated to specific individuals and grants can only go to local charities, community groups, schools or not for profit organisations). Overall, we are tied into clear rules with Solar Farm Funding and must adhere to terms of reference and to UK government rules. Cllr Whelan will work on a specific set for circulation before next meeting. Action for Cllr Brown to put together a survey (with a rating system) for general projects that will encompass Riverside Walk and a recent idea of a skatepark or potential art trail. Survey results to be discussed at the September meeting
14. UPDATE ON HEDGES
14.1 – Further discussion on hedges and grass verges in the village by Cllrs Watson and Whelan
Cllr Watson raised a communication received by resident asking the Parish to refrain from cutting the grass verge. Cllr Whelan pointed out that as per land registry, this is Highways and we’re obliged to cut it as part of the SKDC monies, this was pointed out last year to the same resident regarding the hedge encroachment and sightlines. Cllrs to look at raising a draft response to the resident.
15. COMPLAINT RAISED ON PATH PARKING
15.1 – Inconsiderate parking email to MPC by Thorold customers in School Lane raised by residents
Letter to go to the resident regarding findings and what has been discussed about parking.
Cllr Duckett has undertaken to discuss whether the Thorold can start using the overflow car park of the school and then the Thorold return the favour in the day for the parents. Community cohesion / Quid pro quo.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 3rd September 2026 at 7:30pm
Meeting closed at 21:01