Minutes 15th May 2025
WILLOUGHBY & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE
ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING
HELD 15TH MAY 2025
Present: Cllrs Eyre, Mulheran, Banham, White, Fiarifeld, Hales & Cooper (after item 6)
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
7 members of the public (inc Cllr Cooper until Item 6)
There were no matters raised under the public session.
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
It was proposed (Cllr Fairfield), seconded (Cllr Mulhearn) that Cllr Eyre remain in the Chair for the forthcoming civic year. Cllr Eyre accepted the proposal and it was therefore resolved that Cllr Eyre be Chairman for the civic year 25 – 26.
2. CHAIRMAN’S DECLARATION ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
This was signed by the Chairman and counter signed by the Clerk as Proper Officer to the Council.
3. ELECTION VICE CHAIRMAN
It was proposed (Cllr Fairfield), seconded (Cllr Mulhearn) that Cllr Hales remain as Vice Chairman for the forthcoming civic year. Cllr Hales accepted the proposal and it was therefore resolved that Cllr Hales be Vice Chairman for the civic year 25 – 26.
4. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Jenkinson
5. TO RECEIVE CLLR BANHAM’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
This was received and counter signed by the Clerk.
6. CO-OPTION
An application had been received from Mrs J. Cooper to be co-opted to the Council, and it was proposed (Cllr Eyre), seconded (Cllr Fairfield) that she be co-opted. She accepted and it was therefore resolved that Cllr Cooper be co-opted to the Parish Council. She signed her Declaration of Acceptance and this was counter signed by the Clerk as Proper Officer.
NOTE Cllr J. Cooper and the Parish Clerk Mrs J. Cooper are not related.
7. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none
8. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 17TH APRIL 2025
It was resolved that the Chairman sign these as a correct record.
9. UPDATE
Minute 147 – the Council requested a bar marker at the entrance to the bridleway to try and prevent blocking by parked vehicles. LCC have agreed and this will be scheduled in for Autumn 2025.
The Clerk read out response from Anglian Water to letter sent recently. In brief the response was:
No survey undertaken to recent misconnection inspection; future capacity – comments on capacity are sent to the Local Planning Authority upon receipt of a planning application requiring a connection; current capacity – system is foul system but during heavy rainfall surface water was entering the system causing problems. This has hopefully been resolved.
10 WORKS REAR OF OLD ORCHARD
Concerns had been raised at potential removal of trees, a site visit shows that the works are in the main clearance of the site with no significant trees being removed. It was regrettable that the hedge clearing had been undertaken during the nesting season.
11 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
There were no issues raised which needed Council’s immediate attention.
12 UPDATES LCC/ELDC
Cllr Eyre had no updates, Government looking to review wards in Lincolnshire. New LCC councillor noted as Cllr D. Brookes. A letter of thanks to be sent to ex Cllr Davie for all the work he has done in the area.
13 FINANCE
a) Accounts for payment:
It was resolved that the following accounts be paid by BACS:
Clerks salary & PAYE £180.83
R. Aldrich – March & April cutting £657.85
Internal Auditor £ 30.00
Insurance £575.53
b) AGAR Audit form
It was resolved, after brief outline by the Clerk, that the Chairman sign the AGAR forms:
i) Certificate of Exemption
ii) Governance
iii) Accounting Statement
iv) Internal Auditor report noted.
14 VILLAGE MATTERS
a) Playing Field – no updates
b) Village Green – issue now with parking on the green opposite the pub. Signs to be installed.
c) Allotments – no issues raised – it was noted that someone was dumping their grass cuttings under the hedge, to try and find out who and speak to them.
15 ADMINISTRATIVE
It was resolved that the following policies be approved:
Standing Orders (revised NALC version)
Risk Assessment; Asset List (updated to include all new play equipment); Data protection; Code of Conduct; Allotment policy; Planning.
16 CORRESPONDENCE
Clerks Council Direct
17 OFFER OF CHRISTMAS TREE FOR THE GREEN
To be considered at the next meeting – need to know size, root ball, how to transplant and where.
18 PLANNING
Scoping Opinion EGL 3 & 4 cable route – original comments to be resent.
19 ANY OTHER MATTERS
Give way sign Sloothby leaning – to report
Street light Sloothby obscured by overgrown trees (Chairman to look at)
ELDC looking at development at ex Radar site at Claxby regarding hedge. Clerk to ask them to look at caravan parked on site.
20 NEXT MEETING
This is scheduled for 19th June 2025
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40-pm