2025 Parish Council Minutes

Arnold

Birnage (Chair)

Broomham

Ford

Forman

Lett

Durham

Public Forum: to receive questions and comments from residents of the village on any matter relating to items on this agenda.

A member of the public enquired whether the council had received any correspondence from SKDC regarding the registration for an Asset of Community Value. The clerk informed them that she was not aware of any such correspondence. 

25-1

To note apologies for absence.

Cllr Durham had given his apologies. These were duly noted.

25-2

To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and consider any dispensation requests received by the Clerk

There were none.

25-3

To receive the minutes of the previous Full Council Meeting and resolve to sign these as a true record of the meeting(s).

1. Minutes of Parish Council Meeting on 10 October 2024

The council resolved  to sign the minutes of the meeting 10 October 2024 as a true record of that meeting.

25-4

To formally approve the appointment of the new Parish Clerk/RFO effective from 01 January 2025

The council unanimously resolved  to approve the appointment of Mrs Belina Boyer as the new Parish Clerk and RFO.

25-5

To consider the mowing requirements for the parish:

1. to resolve to accept LCC Highways mowing scheme for 2025 for 3 cuts, payment rate tbc and note that this is a rolling contract.

The Council resolved to continue with the Lincolnshire County Council Highways mowing contract for the 2025-26 season and to note that this was a rolling contract.

2. to review parish mowing contracts and agree action needed.

The council resolved to terminate the contract with South Kesteven District Council for the mowing of grassed areas in Dry Doddington and find alternative ways to manage the areas.

25-6

To consider the arrangements for the annual litter pick and agree the date, time and any actions required. Furthermore, to approve any related expenditure.

The council resolved to hold the next litter pick on 23 February with a “bad weather” reserve date of 02 March. Doddington Village Hall would be open for refreshments.

25-7

Financial Matters:

1. To consider and agree the proposed budget for the 2025-26 Financial Year.

The council considered the budget for 2025-26 Financial year presented and resolved to approve the budget as presented.

2.  To approve the 2025-26 precept as resulting from the approved budget.

The council resolved to approve a precept of £2,700 for the 2025-26 financial year.

3. To approve the following payments:

The Council approved the payments as presented with a late addition of £254.11 for mowing by SKDC.

4. To consider amending the bank mandates Nat West Bank and Melton Mowbray Building Society removing previous staff  and council members and adding new members of staff and any additional signatories and to add the new clerk as an administrator for internet banking.

The Council resolved to amend the bank mandates for  Nat West Bank and Melton Mowbray Building Society removing previous members of staff  and council members and adding the new clerk Mrs Belina Boyer as an additional signatories administrator for internet banking. The council did not nominate any additional member signatories.

5. To receive the receipts and payments over budget report to 31 December 2024.

The council received and noted the receipts and payments over budget report to 31 December 2024.

6. To note the internal audit and publication requirements for local councils under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014

The Council received and noted the internal audit and publication requirements for local councils under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance Practitioners Guide 2024.

7. To appoint the council’s internal auditor.

The council deferred the appointment of an internal auditor to the next meeting.

25-8

To agree the meeting schedule for 2025/26

The council agreed meetings should be on the second Thursday commencing at 19.30 at alternating venues as follows:

• Thursday, 13 March, Westborough Village Hall.
• Thursday, 08 May, Dry Doddington Village Hall
• Thursday, 10 July, Westborough Village Hall.
• Thursday, 09 October Dry Doddington Village Hall
• Thursday, 8 January 2026, Westborough Village Hall.
• Thursday, 09 March 2026, Dry Doddington Village Hall

25-9

To consider Flooding in Westborough and any action that may be taken.

The s. 19 Flood investigation was still unconcluded. It was ascertained that it was the Environment Agency’s (EA) responsibility to dredge the watercourse and ensure a reasonable water flow . The EA had previously used incorrect modelling based on a smooth edged bed, rather than a natural bed with vegetation growing in it.

It was reported that at times of intense rainfall water was coming up through the gully. This had been reported and would need to be to LCC whenever it occurred.

25-10

To consider planning applications for comment.

There were none.

25-11

To note planning decisions made since the last meeting.

There were none.

25-12

To consider how to deal with a mole problem on the Westborough village green and allocate relevant funds from the contribution from the cleaning and maintenance fund.

The council noted the problem and resolved to make the relevant funds available from the cleaning and maintenance fund.

25-13

To consider joining the LALC Annual Training Scheme at £110 per year.

The clerk reported that the fee had increased to £120 +VAT per year from April.

The council resolved to join the LALC Annual Training Scheme at a cost of £120 +VAT.

25-14

To consider a council response to the NHT Surveys.

The Council delegated Cllrs Birnage and Broomham to draft a response on the council’s behalf and circulate the draft before sending it off.

25-15

To receive the County and District Councillor’s reports

District councillor Wood reported on the Devolution White Paper. Lincolnshire County Council had requested for the planned May elections to the not to go ahead at this time.  

South Kesteven District Council was in the process of revising its Local Plan which would allow it to meet housing targets.  

25-16

To receive and note the Clerk’s report.

The council received and noted the clerk’s report.

25-17

To adjourn the meeting to allow for comments/observations by members of the public at the discretion of the chair.

A member of the public spoke about the need to purchase a table trolley to make it easier to move the tables at Dry Doddington Village Hall for the Community Café. They were invited to apply for funding.

A member of the public spoke about planting trees to replace those that had recently been removed as they had become unsafe.

25-18

Items for notification to be included in a future agenda. For information only.

• Appointment of Internal Auditor
• LCC Highways Liaison

25-19

To note the date and time of the next Full Council meeting.

The council noted the date and time of the  next meeting as Thursday, 13th March 2025 at 19.30.