2025 Minutes

Minutes of Witham St Hughs Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 17th December 2025 at 7pm at the village hall. 

https://witham-st-hughs.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/

Present Cllr Karen Harrison – Chair, Cllr Charlie Strickland, Cllr Mark Gascoigne & Cllr Kerry Bowley-Webb.

Rachel Popplewell Parish Clerk.

County Councillor Marianne Overton & District Councillor Peter Overton

Agenda Items 

1. Welcome and Apologies.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

Apology was received from Cllr Andy O’Brien. It was Resolved to accept the reason for absence and the apology. All agreed - show of hands. 

2. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011 AND OUTLINED IN THE COUNCILS CODE OF CONDUCT – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interest and any written requests for dispensations.

Cllr Harrison Agenda item 9 

3. Health & Safety brief 

The Clerk made comment that the fencing is still on the field after the bonfire event.  

The new desk will be delivered after Christmas, as per the last meeting.

4. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 19th November 2025 to be approved as minutes.

It was Resolved to approve the notes as minutes – all agreed by a show of hands, signed by the Chair. 

5. Clerks Update & Correspondence - to Resolve to approve any subsequent actions.

 The Clerk made comment that

• The CCLA account was now open with closing balances from the Cambridge Building Society & Nationwide Building Society transferred in. 

• The company approved to install the solar panels had been instructed to start the work.

• The outdoor sockets had been repaired – thanks were passed onto Cllr Gascoigne for organising.

• The Council had received an email from the arborist regarding the tree outside a property on Fox Hollow. The Clerk was asked to contact the resident for a written report from a structural engineer. 

 Action Clerk

6. Finance.

a. To Authorise the signing of orders for payment, list previously circulated. 

It was Resolved to approve the list of payments – all agreed show of hands. 

b. To receive the Bank Reconciliation as at 30.11.2025

The bank reconciliation as at the 30.11.2025 was presented to council, showing the accounts balanced. Signed by Cllr Gascoigne.

c. To approve the printing & delivery costs of the public consultation invites. 

It was Resolved to approve the payment – all agreed, show of hands. 

7. To review the new rates for the electricity supply. 

After discussions it was Resolved to accept a 12month tariff from British Gas Lite for 

Standing charge 40p/day & 26.21 p/kWh. All agreed – show of hands.

8. To consider the quotes to carry out the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

Deferred to the next meeting.

9. To review the village hall, hire fees for 2026/2027.

After discussions it was Resolved to -

• Keep hall hire fees the same for the next financial year. 

• Field hire (for events) will increase to £50 for 24 hours for the event (charged from when the field is booked/equipment arrives on site), thereafter £10 perday until all equipment has been removed.

• Community groups 50% discount on normal hall hire rates. 

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10. To resolve to accept the recommendations from the Allotment Committee for the Allotment plot fees for the year 2027/2028. 

After discussions it was Resolved to accept the following recommendations, Half plot £35 & Full plot £60. Deposits remain unchanged. All agreed, show if hands.

11. To consider the budget for the financial year 2026/2027.

The budget noted. 

12. To consider the following planning application – 

a. Installation of EV charger to front of property. 64 Greenfinch Crescent, Witham St Hughs. Ref25/1323/HOUS.

After discussions it was Resolved to support the application with the following comments. 

It meets the NPPF objectives. Resident to check insurance for liability. Check with the County Council as cables will be over a footpath. 

All agreed – show of hands. 

13. To Resolve to approve the Pension Contribution percentage rates for the next 3 years. 

After discussions it was Resolved to approve the contribution rates of 19.2%. All agreed – show of hands.

14. Village Hall Extension update.  

The Clerk made comment that the 2 public consultation events had been successful, with positive comments received on the concept designs. Councillors attended a meeting at Studio G Architects where comments from the consultations were discussed with the architect and discussions took place over amendments to the concept designs noted. The architects will now move onto RIBA 3, which will include more detailed drawings.

15. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.

Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 21st January 2025 at 7pm.  

Meeting Closed 8.30pm

Signed ………………………………………………………                            Date …………………………………………………………

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