March 2025 Minutes
Minutes of Witham St Hughs Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 19th March 2025 at 7pm at the village hall.
https://witham-st-hughs.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
Present Cllr Danny Bell – Chair, Cllr Mark Gascoigne, Cllr Charlie Strickland & Cllr Colin Cook.
Rachel Popplewell – Clerk
1 member of the public
Agenda Items
1. Welcome and Apologies.
Cllr Bell welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Apologies were received from Cllr Harrison; 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.
None received.
3. Health & Safety brief
Nothing to report.
4. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 19th February 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 she had received a request from the football teams, for a reduction in their bill due to the hot water boiler being broken. After discussions it was Resolved to offer the changing rooms at half price w.e.f. 20.03.2025 until the hot water boiler is fixed. All agreed – show of hands. Action Clerk.
The Clerk asked for a trolley for the litter picker, to help her carry to the bin bags & a new battery for the leaf blower. It was Resolved to approve the requests, (£100 budget for the trolley) – All agreed, show of hands. Action Clerk.
The Clerk reminded the Councillors of the recruitment night on Wednesday 26th March, Cllrs Cook, Gascoigne, Harrison & Strickland confirmed attendance.
VE Day preparations were under way, Tea & Cake afternoon on Saturday 10th May 2-4.30pm. Tea Together have confirmed that they will be able to help. Cllr Cook, Bell & Gascoigne confirmed their attendance.
S106 monies for Buttercup Way has been approved by NKDC for the maintenance of the grassed area & footpath.
The Clerk asked Councillors to consider replacing the climbing frame on Cuckoo Park, with the possibility of a contribution from Lost Village. After discussions it was agreed to get 3 quotes for the climbing frame for consideration. Action Clerk.
The Non-Domestic Rates bill had been received for £0.00
The Clerk presented planning application 25/0215/HOUS, comments to be collated via email, under the Clerks delegated powers.
Cllr Cook, made comment about the parking on Hedge Lane/Warren Lane pinch point, asking if double yellow lines could be put on the junction. Head of Highways has been and previously looked at the junction. The Clerk was asked to put it on ‘fixmystreet’ to highlight the issue to LCC. Action Clerk.
A local contractor had been approached regarding the Village Caretaker Role, another quote would be required. Clerk to advertise the contract Action Clerk.
It was Resolved to suspend standing orders to allow the member of public to join the discussions.
The member of public asked permission to put in a dropped kerb, and a driveway across an area of public open space, currently in Phase 2. After discussions it was Resolved to approve the request, subject to permission being received from Strawson’s and LCC. The resident must also use the Parish Councils’ approved contractor for the works. All agreed – show of hands.
Standing orders were re-instated.
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 31.01.2025
The bank reconciliation as at the 31.01.2025 was presented to council, showing a discrepancy of £120.32, due to a refund applied to the credit card – signed Cllr Cook.
c. To review the bank signing mandates for all Parish Council bank accounts.
After discussions it was Resolved to remove Cllr Bell from all the accounts, with 3 signatories remaining. Cllr Harrison, Cooks & Strickland. New mandates were signed. All agreed – show of hands.
7. To consider the option of installing solar panels the village hall roof.
After discussion it was Resolved to investigate possible funding options for the project – All agreed, show of hands. Action All Councillors.
8. To consider the following planning application.
a. Single storey rear extension, 46 Nettleton Drive, Witham St Hughs. Ref 25/0179/HOUS.
After discussions it was Resolved to submit ‘no comment’ for the application. All agreed – show of hands.
9. To review the following policies.
a. Publication Scheme
b. Communications Policy
c. Health & Safety Policy
d. Abusive, Persistent or Vexatious Complaints Policy
After discussions it was Resolved to review the policies, the only amendment being to the Publication Scheme. All agreed – show of hands
Community Engagement Policy – Deferred to the next meeting.
10. Fencing
a. Consider repairing the fence along the hoggin path adjacent to the farmers ditch near Sorrel Road overspill pond.
b. Consider removing fencing between village hall patio and the parish council field at the rear of the hall. Once the ditch has been piped in. Consider using the fencing materials to repair Sorrel Road path (Agenda item 10a).
Both agenda items were considered at the same time, after discussions to was Resolved to repair the fence along the hoggin path adjacent to the farmers ditch, using the fencing from behind the village hall, if possible once the ditch has been filled in. All agreed – show of hands. Action Clerk.
11. Update of the meeting with the Football Association, and to Resolve to approve any subsequent actions.
Cllr Gascoigne gave a brief overview of the meeting, highlighting that funding was available for pitch maintenance and possibly to help with the costs of new changing rooms and a MUGA. It was suggested that a working group be set up to include members from the village football teams to help with the projects. Action Clerk.
12. Scouts land lease update.
The Clerk circulated the draft lease for the Scouts for consideration. After discussions it was Resolved that clarification of points 3.2 & 6.1 was required and the addition of annual inspections. Thereafter it could be sent to the Scouts solicitors. All agreed – show of hands.
13. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 16th April 2025 at 7pm