I think the Chairman’s appraisal is well worth reading in isolation (extracted from the Minutes dated 20 May 2026). Link to PC website: https://stubton.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Stubton Parish Council – Chair’s Report for Annual Parish Meeting – 20th May 2026 (Councillor Sam Kirk)
Looking back over the last 12 months, it has once again been a busy year for Stubton Parish Council. Throughout the year, the Council has continued to conduct its business openly, transparently, and in accordance with its statutory responsibilities. We have worked hard to ensure that decisions are made properly, what money we have is managed sensibly, and residents are kept informed on matters affecting the village.
Financially, the Council has maintained a careful and balanced approach — setting and monitoring budgets responsibly, managing expenditure prudently, and maintaining appropriate reserves whilst continuing to support the needs of the village.
I would also like to recognise the continued hard work and professionalism of our Clerk, Jackie. Her support, knowledge, and ongoing development over the last year have been invaluable in ensuring the Council functions effectively and efficiently.
Planning matters have, once again, formed a substantial part of the Parish Council’s workload this year. As a statutory consultee, the Parish Council has reviewed and commented on a significant number of planning applications — an unusually high number for a village the size of Stubton. I think it would be disingenuous not to acknowledge the growing frustration felt not only by this Parish Council, but by many residents as well. We are repeatedly told to comment on applications, specifically: planning policy, village impact, highways concerns, sustainability, and cumulative development pressure — yet recently it appears that those comments carry little meaningful weight. Frankly, it feels like we’ve all wasted a lot of time reviewing applications, attending meetings, and submitting considered responses, only to see recommendations and concerns seemingly ignored.
The cumulative impact on a small rural village like Stubton is not theoretical — it is real. It affects infrastructure, road safety, village character, and ultimately the long-term sustainability of the community. Despite those frustrations, the Parish Council will continue to scrutinise applications carefully, represent residents as robustly as possible, and hold decision-makers to account wherever we can.
Highways and infrastructure issues have continued to be raised with the relevant authorities, particularly in relation to road conditions and maintenance. And as always, please continue reporting issues via Fix My Street whenever they arise.
We have also continued maintain parish assets and look for opportunities to enhance the village environment. This includes the village sign project which we expect to be completed in July, and I would like to thank Cllr Bamford for his help in sorting the associated groundworks.
We should probably also mention the flagpole as well. Now, nationally, flags have become something of a lively topic of discussion in recent years, and it would have been very easy for us to disappear into what one might describe as “Flag Gate”. But I’m pleased to say we managed to avoid that entirely. After discussion, some compromise, and a healthy dose of common sense, we arrived at a revised flag flying calendar that reflected the middle ground.
Our thanks go to Rob Thornton for continuing to manage the flag flying calendar on behalf of the village.
A few other thank yous…
Thank you to Cllr Bamford and Cllr Milnes for their continued support and attendance throughout the year, on the various issues we have faced.
Thank you to my fellow councillors — Jenny and Woody — for the considerable time and commitment they continue to give to the village, and of course to Jackie, our fabulous Clerk.
Thank you to Martin and the rest of the Village Hall Committee for support with bookings and access to the hall.
And lastly, thank you to the residents of Stubton:
Firstly, for attending meetings, engaging with issues, and continuing to take an interest in the future of the village.
Secondly, for giving up your own time to support village activities — whether that’s painting the village gates, raising flags early in the morning, helping maintain planting, swapping the speed sign batteries, overseeing the upkeep of the defibrillator, or supporting community events.
Now, on a slightly more personal note…
This has been my first year serving as Chair, which has introduced me to some of the more unusual responsibilities associated with the role.
These have included frying onions at the annual village barbecue, reading at the Christmas church service, and judging who has the largest carrot in the village. And I have to say — there were some extremely impressive carrots on display last year. At one point while writing this report, I realised it was beginning to sound suspiciously like an episode of The Vicar of Dibley!
But joking aside, it’s these moments — just as much as the formal meetings and planning consultations — that reflect what makes a village community like ours so special. Despite all the frustrations that can come with local government, bureaucracy, and planning matters, Stubton remains a village with a strong sense of community, good humour, and people willing to support one another. And I think that is something genuinely worth protecting.
