2026 Minutes

Minutes of the Dunston Parish Council Meeting - Monday 13th July 2026

Present: Cllrs McLuckie, Armstrong, Craig, Lamyman, Pellew and Phillipson. LCC Cllr Kendrick, Clerk to the council and 1 member of the public.

Professor Rory Waterman, a former pupil of St Peter’s school, gave a presentation to the room about his proposal to create a literature trail round Lincolnshire highlighting local legends. Dunston would be one of his chosen locations, a small sign displaying a QR code and web address would enable users to access recoded information. No costs would accrue to the PC.

Council Session

26069   Apologies for absence: Cllrs Harding and Treece.

26070   No declarations of interest were received.

26071 The minutes of the previous meeting on 8th June were agreed as a true record.                                                                                                                  RM       26072          It was agreed that the clerk should send a letter of support to Prof Waterman for his proposed project.                                                                           TB

26073  The meeting was informed that the road bridge repair scheduled for September should proceed as planned. It was also noted that the investigation into the drainage issue on Front Street could also happen at much the same time. The clerk was instructed to write to LCC Highways to alert them to this possibility and also to recommend that a suitable traffic management scheme should be implemented on Middle St as both repairs could become somewhat extended if complications were to arise.                                                               TB

26074 The cracked wall at the entrance to Hall’s Court is still a concern as no agency appears willing to take responsibility for the repair. Further contact with NKDC was thought necessary.                                                                   AC      

26075 The quote to repair and retention the cableway at the playground was accepted. The ROSPA safety inspection scheduled for August was not thought necessary as HAGS had carried out their own inspection earlier this year and the only item of note was the cableway.                                                          TB

26076  A request for a tennis court was considered and rejected. Cost and maintenance were thought to be major detractors. However the possibility of installing some adult outdoor fitness equipment was discussed and suitable quotes should be sought.                                                                                              TB AC

26077 A plan to improve the cemetery was discussed, using feedback from visiting residents. It was agreed to be our primary project for this year, with some levelling, provision of footpaths and control of the burgeoning rabbit population using fences and selective planting and seating.

It was resolved to remove the line of trees currently between the area currently reaching capacity and the extra parcel of land beyond it so far unused, to resolve their effect on gravestones and pathways from roots and give clearer access to the rest of the cemetery.

Offers of support have been sought and granted by Munks, Dyson, Eclipse and Dunston Quarry wrt the work or materials needed.

Chestnut fencing was thought suitable to delineate the new larger boundary. In the autumn a hedge would be planted. Quotes for the work had been obtained from T&T Tree Services and Darren Brewin Fencing and a sum of up to £6000 was agreed to be made available.                                         AC GA

26078  The village hall craft fair had been a success and a further event had been booked for later this year. Lighting for the car park was discussed and quotes should be obtained for the Sep meeting.                                          RM

26079 Patrick Packwood was thanked for all his efforts , time and the use of his tools when clearing the vegetation in the village hall grounds. It was agreed that reimbursing him for the damage inficted upon his chain saw during that work was appropriate. Therefore, it was resolved to pay that £113.00 bill on his behalf.                                                                                                                   TB

26080 The PC financial position at the end of the 1st quarter was healthy with some £9000 in the current account, £45,600 in the savings account.

From this: £13,000 is already allocated to projects in this financial year, chief among them is improving the cemetery, and a possible extra £2000 for lighting the Village Hall car park.

£15000 is allocated for running costs (insurance, wages, broadband, dog waste bins and audits etc.), plus £8,000 for play equipment inspections and repairs, grass-cutting & tree safety maintenance.

With just £!6,000 remaining our aim of keeping our emergency reserves of £25000 will not be possible without VAT, CIL or grants helping out.

 Next meeting: Mon 14h September 2026 at 1900. Dunston Village Hall.