Draft Minutes 4.2.26
NOTES of the Hougham Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 4th February 2026 at 7.30 pm in Hougham and Marston Village Hall.
Present: Cllr John Wright (in the Chair), Cllrs Peter Baker, Jane Forbes, Pam McAllister and Jo Wright and County Cllr K Bamford. There were 2 members of the public present.
Cllr Bamford had circulated his Newsletter prior to the meeting. He advised us that he is trying to push for Highways to do all the potholes in one area at a time and not one or two all over the place. Houghfest will be held on 30.5.26 at Hougham and Marston Village Hall. There is a public consultation over 7 weeks concerning Government Reorganisation. The problems with flooding in Pinfold Lane are being looked into with Anglian Water.
39/25. Apologies – D/C Wood.
40/25. All Councillors declared an interest in item 10 of the Agenda (Minute reference 48/25).
41/25. The Minutes of the meeting held on 5th November had been read and approved and it
was unanimously agreed that the Chair should sign them.
42/25. Planning matters: S24/2190 – new agricultural workers building at land within Grange Farm – refused. S25/1980 – The Old Rectory – approval of all details of reserved conditions.
43/25. Highway matters – the drain issue near Keepers Cottage still hasn’t been done – Fix My Street information given to Cllr Bamford to look into and chase. There is a tyre over the drain at present.
44/25 – Invoice for car park works at Village Hall received and paid (previously approved).
45/25 – Community Emergency Planning Team – a resident of Hougham has put his name forward and Cllr Watson of Marston PC will contact him in due course with information he needs.
46/25 – Grant Policy – a draft Policy had been circulated prior to this meeting and it was unanimously resolved to adopt it as drawn.
47/25 – General Power of Competence – it was resolved to confirm that we meet the criteria for eligibility.
48/25 – The Thorold – prior to this meeting the Clerk had circulated information she had received by attending the Marston Parish Council meeting. A lot of discussion took place and it was resolved that this Council will not put any increase on the Council Tax (through the precept). This may be re-addressed at some point in the future if the Thorold Committee provides a detailed business model/business plan for consideration.
49/25 Financial matters –
Resolved to sign bank reconciliations at 30.11.25, 31.12.25 and 31.1.26. The balance at 31.1.26 was £6,602.63. It was resolved to pay the LALC subscription of £95.80.
50/25 – Councillors matters: Litter pick 8.3.26.
51/25. Next meetings – 6th May 2026 (APM, AMPC and regular) 7 pm start.
Meeting closed at 8.30 pm