February 2026 Minutes
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Fenton & Torksey Lock Parish Council, held on February 23rd 2026 at The White Swan, Torksey Lock
Present:
Parish Councillors: L Davies, A Woods, D Canning-Hall, P Smith, T Davies, L Nemeth
7.00pm – Public Forum: Two members of the public were present together with WLDC Councillor Pilgrim.
Questions were asked as to the ownership of land in Torksey Lock, in particular the area of land on the corner of the northbound A156 & Newark Road, adjacent to The White Swan pub.
It was asked who was responsible for the cutting of the grass on this piece land.
The issue over the condition of the access from the said grass area to The White Swan was also raised as there had been some issues relating to safety of persons using this access due to the muddy conditions.
It was also questioned as to who owns the cones that have been placed along the Newark Road side of the grass area.
Members of the public Thanked Cllr. Davies for putting up the Speed Awareness signs around Fenton & Torksey Lock. the
Clerk to contact LCC Highways to enquire further re land ownership and responsibilities.
Item:
1. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME: - Cllr. Davies welcomed all to the meeting.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: - None
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATION REQUESTS: – None in relation to items on the agenda
4. MINUTES & MATTERS ARISING:
i. It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes from the meeting on December 22nd 2025 and the two Extraordinary Meetings on 26th January as a true and accurate record.
ii. Matters Arising:
a) Facebook Page – This is continuing to be updated and persons removed who do not live in the Parish. Clerk to be added an administrator on the Facebook page.
b) Footpath: More investigation needed as to whereabouts of original footpath and issues involved in the restoration of the footpath. Clerk to investigate.
5. CLERK UPDATES:
Website: The first round of updates to the Council website have taken place.
AGAR: PKF Littlejohn (External Auditors) contacted to update contacts and inform them of the 2024/25 issues. PKF are awaiting exemption certificate.
WLDC Precept: WLDC contacted re the precept in relation to the delayed AGAR submission. WLDC confirmed that the precept would be paid in April as expected.
Training: The Clerk to attend New Clerk Training, end of year finances, Internal Controls and AGAR & Audit training to ensure they are up to date with all the latest legislation and practices.
HMRC: Account has been set up with Gov.UK – awaiting access codes from HMRC
Printer ink: It was RESOLVED to pay for the monthly plan for printer ink for the Clerk.
6. BUSINESS MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION – To consider and review:
i. Clerk Job Description and Contract of Employment:
It was RESOLVED to accept the job description for the Clerk as presented and to sign the agreed contract of employment.
ii. 2024/25 AGAR
It was RESOLVED to accept and sign the 2024/25 AGAR documents as presented including accepting the reasons for the negative answers to section 1, Annual Governance Statement.
Clerk to send exemption certificate through to PKF Littlejohn (external auditors), post AGAR forms and supporting documents to Website and noticeboards, and declare period of Public Rights.
iii. Speed Indicator Devices for Torksey Lock:
The need for Speed Indicator Devices in Torksey Lock was discussed. Several sites were proposed. Clerk to contact Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership for further advice on positioning of any devices.
iv. Parish Grass Cutting Contract:
It was RESOLVED to add the section of grass on the corner of the A156 and Newark Road to the grass cutting contract and contact LCC re additional contribution to be made to the Council for undertaking this should it be owned by themselves.
Clerk to contact LCC re additional contribution.
Clerk to contact Krinkles UK re additional area and subsequent cost to Parish grass cutting contract.
v. Kettlethorpe Cemetery Grass Cutting:
There was discussion over whether there had ever been any written agreement in place re the donation made to Kettlethorpe Church for the maintenance of their Cemetery.
The Clerk advised that there should be a contract draw up between all parties so there was a clear understanding of what was required form all.
Clerk to contact both Kettlethorpe Church and Kettlethorpe Parish Council to ascertain if there were any formal agreements in place.
vi. Review, Approval and Adoption of Policies:
It was RESOLVED to accept the following new and updated policies as presented:
a. Standing Orders
b. Code of Conduct
c. Financial Regulations
d. Internal Controls
e. Publication Scheme
f. Document Retention
All policies to be added to the website.
vii. Audit & Risk Assessment:
The Clerk had carried out a mini audit and put together a full risk assessment looking at all aspects of the finances and procedures of the Council. These will be working documents which will allow the Council to work towards good practices and full compliance with their responsibilities.
It was RESOLVED to accept the audit results as presented and treat as a working document.
viii. LALC Subscription:
It was RESOLVED to subscribe to LALC services for 2026/27 at a cost of £189. This will allow the council to access support and legal advise.
ix. LALC Internal Audit:
It was RESOLVED to subscribe to the LALC Internal Audit Services for the 2025/26 AGAR at a base cost of £222.
The Clerk advised the cost may be more as there was no audit in 2024/25.
x. LALC Training Scheme:
It was RESOLVED to subscribe to the LALC Training Scheme for 2026/27 at a cost of £156. This will cover both Councillor and Clerk to training courses at no additional cost.
xi. Clerk SLCC Membership:
It was RESOLVED to pay for the Clerk’s membership of SLCC at a cost of £126. This will allow the Clerk to access help and advice as well as further training courses.
xii. Noticeboards:
It was confirmed that the two noticeboards that are in situ are the only ones owned by the Council.
xiii. Newsletter:
The Clerk proposed a newsletter to update the Parishioners on the workings of the Council. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk draft a newsletter for further discussion.
xiv. Asset Register:
An updated Asset Register was presented complete with photographs of all the assets. Clarification was given as to some of the items listed and any potential items missing. Cllr. Davies to meet the Clerk to review land holdings.
It was RESOLVED to accept the asset register as presented subject to minor amendments.
7. FINANCIAL REPORTS – To receive the financial report and approve payments.
i. RFO Report 20/02/2026 – January 2026
|
ITEM |
DESCRIPTION |
COMMENT |
ACTION |
|
1. |
Monies in bank as of 31st January 2026 |
Community Account = £1,462.17 Savings Account = £16,500.03 Total = £17,962.20 Bank reconciled to 31/01/2026 |
|
|
2. |
Bank activity |
Bank charges Jan 2026 = £4.25 Interest on savings account Jan 2026 = £8.40 |
|
|
3. |
Paid invoices & expenses |
Gallagher Insurance – Insurance - £743.83 |
|
|
4. |
Outstanding invoices & expenses |
None |
|
|
7. |
Income received |
None |
|
|
8. |
Income outstanding |
None |
|
|
9. |
VAT |
To date - £1,767.14 |
To be reclaimed together with 2024/25 VAT at year end |
Bank Reconciliation:
|
Jan-26 |
|||||
|
Balance B/fwd |
01/01/2026 |
£2,210.25 |
£16,491.63 |
£18,701.88 |
|
|
Income |
£0.00 |
£8.40 |
£8.40 |
||
|
Plus income |
£2,210.25 |
£16,500.03 |
£18,710.28 |
||
|
Expenditure |
£748.08 |
£0.00 |
£748.08 |
||
|
Minus expenditure |
£1,462.17 |
£16,500.03 |
£17,962.20 |
||
|
In Bank |
31/01/2026 |
£1,462.17 |
£16,500.03 |
£17,962.20 |
|
Diane Semley
20/02/2026
RFO report for January 2026 was presented. It was RESOLVED to approve as a true and accurate record.
ii. No Payments awaiting approval
iii. Clerk Still awaiting access to bank account. All signatories have completed their requirements. Clerk to contact bank to progress.
8. PLANNING MATTERS – No applications received
9. CORRESPONDENCE – No significant or actionable correspondence received.
10. ONGOING MINOR ITEMS AND AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
Meeting venue.
Purchase of Fire bag & External Hard Drive for added security.
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – It was RESOLVED that the date for the next Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council be on Monday 23rd March.
Meeting closed 8.32pm