2026 Minutes

Minutes of Witham St Hughs Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 20th August 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

District Councillor Peter Overton made comment regarding the safety/fire Risk for Lost Village Festival which has been addressed by the organisers, due to the dry weather.

District Councillor Mitch Elliott made comment regarding the solar farm application and Local Government

Re-organisation (LGR).

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 Marianne 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.

a. To approve the costs to repair the open space on Warren Lane (retrospective)

After discussions it was Resolved to approve the costs, approved under the Clerks delegated authority (FR 5.18). All agreed show of hands.

Thanks were passed on to A1 Turf & Landscaping and FWR Popplewell for the prompt response to the issue

b. To approve the costs to remove the wasps’ nest at Cuckoo Park (retrospective)

After discussions it was Resolved to approve the costs, approved under the Clerks delegated authority (FR 5.18). all agreed show of hands.

Thanks were passed on to Cllr Gascoigne for his prompt response to the issue.

Both payments are listed on the approved payments list for August.

4. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2026 to be approved as minutes.

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

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

The Clerk made comment that

• The bank signing mandates have been updated with Cllr Gascoigne now added.
• The repairs to Co-op Park should be carried out w/c 7th September 2026
• The County Council has suspended their grass cutting for 2 weeks due to the dry weather, and the grass not growing.
• Following a conversation with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, the parish council are now eligible for the Solar Speed Indicator signs. Prices and funding to be sourced.

Action Clerk & Cllr Gascoigne.

• North Hykeham Town Council were holding an Armed Forces Covenant training day, councillors were asked to attend on 22.09.2026.
• Following a training session, it was recommended that a representative of the Parish Council attend a Fire Wardens course. The Caretakers would be asked to attend.
• Councillors were asked to attend a Community Emergency Response Team meeting on the 29.09.2026.

6. 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 31.07.2026

The Bank Reconciliation for the 31.07.2026 was presented to council showing the accounts balanced, signed by Cllr Strickland.

c. To approve the costs to install an additional Phase 3 socket for the Beer Festival at a cost of £363.

After discussions it was Resolved to approve the costs. All agreed – show of hands. A donation of £363 from the Village Events committee has been received to cover the costs.

d. To approve the costs to install 2 poles for Speed Indicator Signs at a cost of £400.

After discussions it was Resolved to approve the costs. All agreed – show of hands.

Revised quotes to be sought for the signs.

7. Play Parks

a. To approve the costs for a new cradle swing for Co-op Park.

After discussions it was Resolved approve the cost of £500.50. for the new cradle swing. All agreed, show of hands.

b. To consider the costs to repair the flooring at the Play Parks.

After discussions and a review of the Play Parks budget it was Resolved to approve the quote from Lincslawns. To repair the existing wet pour surfaces at the parks and to put grass matting under the swings. All agreed – show of hands.

8. To review the following policies.

a. Grievance Policy

b. Lone working

After discussions it was Resolved to accept a revised Grievance Policy, all agreed – show of hands

Lone Working Policy – Deferred.

9. To consider the following planning applications.

a. Proposed single storey rear extension. 15 Satterley Close, Witham St Hughs.

Ref – 26/0789/HOUS

b.Erection of a two-storey rear extension, 6 Gibson Green, Witham St Hughs.

Ref – 26/0854/HOUS

After discussions it was Resolved to submit ‘no comment’ for both applications. All agreed show of hands.

10. Village Hall Extension Update.

The Clerk made comment that the planning application had been approved for the hall extension. The Parish Council can now move onto the next stage of the application to produce a detailed Schedule of Works, to form part of the information pack for the procurement process.

11. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETINGS

Parish Council meeting Wednesday 16 September 2026 at 7pm.

Meeting Closed at 9pm.

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