Minutes 16 January 2025
WILLOUGHBY DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD 16th January 2025
Present: Cllrs Eyre; Mulhearn; White; Hale; Jenkinson
6 members of the public
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
During the public session the Parish Council was asked to support the provision of another fence barrier outside the nursery at St Helena’s school. Other road safety issues were mentioned, including the potential need to extend the footpath further along Church Lane to help make the crossing safer for young children and to look at an additional “school” sign near the garage. School representative to furnish Council with details of the fence and where the path needs to be extended so the Council can support and liaise with County Council. Once again flooding was raised, during recent heavy rain the Anglian Water sewage system was backed up, and it was noted that the Drainage Board outlet was struggling to cope at High Drain. It was noted that the drainage outside the school had improved, but the drain was still blocked outside Willholme. Concerns were also raised about motorbikes using the bridleway and creating a track on adjacent land.
86 APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllr Fairfield and Havell and these were approved.
87 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none.
88 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 21ST NOVEMBER 2024
It was resolved that the Chairman sign these as a correct record.
89 UPDATES FROM THAT MEETING
The Clerk confirmed that the tree on the corner of the Village Hall car park was not subject to a Preservation Order.
The Clerk confirmed that the Old Pill Box was not listed. It was agreed to look into this.
Tenders – tender documents had gone out to 5 potential contractors.
90 CO-OPTION
There had been no applications for co-option.
91 UPDATES LCC/ELDC
There were none. Cllr Eyre briefly mentioned the potential for District and County Councils to be united as a Unitary Authority in the future.
92 FLOODING CHURCH LANE/BONTHORPE ROAD
Clerk read out e mail from LCC Officer apologising for no work to date, but advising that the work should be completed before March. Clerk to contact LCC regarding this and advise on the recent flooding issues.
93 VILLAGE MATTERS
a) Playing Fields and equipment – Wicksteed had recently inspected the equipment, there were some “moderate” risks identified – Cradle swings (flooring) and Basket Swing (wear in ropes, net and chain, suggest replacing shackles, some re-painting needed and a secondary safety device installed). It was noted that many of the ground tiles were lifting.
Cllrs Hale and Eyre agreed to look at this.
b) Village Green – request from the Events Committee to use the Green for the Village Fete on 5th July was approved.
c) Allotments – Clerk confirmed having let Plot 6.
94 FINANCIAL
a) Accounts for Payment: It was resolved that the following accounts be paid:
Clerks salary & PAYE (Dec/Jan) £345.28
Theddlethorpe Village Hall (backing plates) £ 40.00
R. Aldrich – Sloothby footpath £240.00
R. Aldrich – clearing brambles playing field fence £ 36.00
The Clerk confirmed having paid Wicksteed for the inspection.
b) Precept – after discussion it was resolved that the precept be set at £8230, an increase of £11.
95 CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk had forwarded emails regarding National Grid survey and LCC survey on Highways and Transport.
Lincs Wolds Leaflet – no amendments
Willoughby History Group – intention to update displays. It was agreed to defer this to the next meeting when diagrams of the updates would be available.
96 PLANNING
There were no applications or decisions to note.
97 ANY OTHER MATTERS/NEXT AGENDA
Clerk to chase ELDC regarding the hedge removal at the ex radar site.
Next meeting:
Tenders
Annual Parish Meeting
History Group displays.
98 NEXT MEETING
This was noted as 20th February 2025.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40pm