July 15 2026 Minutes
Minutes of Witham St Hughs Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2026 at 7.00pm at the village hall.
https://witham-st-hughs.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
Present Cllr Karen Harrison – Chair, Cllr Mark Gascoigne & Cllr Charlie Strickland.
Rachel Popplewell – Parish Clerk
County Councillor Marianne Overton made comment regarding the Navenby Sub-station and the Solar Farm application and the new security funding available for Councillors.
District Councillor Mitch Elliott made comment regarding the solar farm application and the Silage Clamp to be located on Wood Lane off the A46.
1. Welcome and Apologies.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Apologies were received from Cllr Kerry Bowley-Webb. It was Resolved to accept the reason for absence and the apology. All agreed – show of hands.
Apologies were noted from Cllr Peter Overton
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.
3. Health & Safety brief.
The Clerk made comment that the quote to repair the climbing frame and & trail at Co-op Park was £879.64. The parts were covered by the guarantee the main cost being delivery & installation. It was Resolved to approve the quote. All agreed – show of hands. Action Clerk
4. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 23rd June 2026 to be approved as minutes.
It was Resolved to approve the notes as minutes, all agreed – show of hands.
5. Notes of the Extra-Ordinary Prish Council meeting held on Friday 10th July 2026 to be approved as minutes.
It was Resolved to approve the notes as minutes, all agreed – show of hands.
6. Clerks Update & Correspondence - to Resolve to approve any subsequent actions.
The Clerk made comment that
• the fence at the village hall had been repaired, following the ditch being piped in.
• The quote to strim the empty allotments and remove the over grown trees was £360, after discussions it was Resolved to approve the quote. All agreed.
• The railing on the concrete bridge needed to be repainted, Clerk was asked to source the paint.
7. Finance.
a. To Authorise the signing of orders for payment, list previously circulated.
It was Resolved to approve the accounts as payments – all agreed, show of hands.
b. To receive the Bank Reconciliation as at 30.06.2026
The Bank Reconciliation for the 30.06.2026 was presented to council showing the accounts balanced, signed by Cllr Strickland.
c. To review the budget and Parish Council reserves as at 30.06.2026.
The Budget was presented to council; they should be at 25% of target at this point during the year -
Income received being at 47% of target with next precept receipt due on the September 2026.
Spending being at 59% of target, inflated due to the payment for the ditch being piped in.
Parish Council Reserves were reviewed with an additional Ear-Marked reserve created for clearing the allotments, when the tenancy agreement comes to an end with Cargill and the Parish Council will be providing their own allotments. No further amendments were required. Action Clerk.
d. To confirm how the electricity consumption will be calculated for the Village Events Committee bar.
After discussions it was Resolved to purchase 2 x plugs in monitors for the bar cupboard sockets, to be linked to the Parish Council phone. Action Clerk.
8. To review the following policies;
a. Grievance Policy
b. Lone Working Policy
Deferred to the next meeting
9. To consider the following planning applications;
a. Proposed siting of a storage container.
Land to corner of Azalea Lane & Campion Way, Witham St Hughs
Ref – 26/0746/FUL
After discussions it was Resolved to submit ‘No Comment’ for the application. All agreed – show of hands.
b. Construction of outbuilding to rear to be used as a Hair Salon.
12 Hollyhock Way, Witham St Hughs.
Re – 26/0749/FUL
After discussions it was Resolved to submit the following comments for the application. All agreed – show of hands.
Based on the information submitted, the Parish Council raises no objection to the application.
However, it considers that the acceptability of the proposal is dependent upon the operational arrangements set out within the supporting statement and therefore recommends that any consent is subject to conditions securing:
• Operating hours limited to 09:00–15:00, Monday to Friday only.
• Appointment-only use, with no more than one client attending at any one time.
• No additional employees operating from the premises.
• Retention of adequate off-street parking within the site to prevent overspill parking on surrounding residential streets.
Subject to these safeguards, the Parish Council considers the proposal to be consistent with the aims of the NPPF in supporting sustainable small-scale business development whilst protecting neighbouring amenity and maintaining highway safety.
c. Proposed tree works to trees subject to Tree Preservation Order.
10 Cheshire Lane, Witham St Hughs
Ref – 26/0810/TPO
After discussions it was Resolved to submit the following comments for the application. All agreed – show of hands.
The Parish Council will be guided by the comments of the Tree Officer.
10. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETINGS
Parish Council meeting Thursday 20th August 2026 at 7pm.
Meeting Closed at 8.15pm.
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