2025 Parish Council Minutes

Arnold (Chair)

Broomham

Ford

Forman

Birnage

Lett

In the absence of both the chair and vice-chair of the council, it appointed Cllr Arnold to chair this meeting.

Public Forum: to receive questions and comments from residents of the village on any matter relating to items on this agenda. (15 minutes maximum)

A member of the public informed the council that the Dry Doddington church floor bid had been submitted and they were hoping to receive the outcome by the end of the month.

A member of the public raised the issue of car parking outside the Westborough Village Hall after an incident at the Art Group meeting earlier in the month. The Hall has no car park and visitors frequently park halfway on the pavement in an effort to leave sufficient space on the highway for larger vehicles such as tractors and emergency vehicles.

The clerk explained that the verges near the Village Hall were being maintained by the Parish Council on behalf of the Lincolnshire County Council. The Parish Council did not own any land nearby. It was recommended that the Village Hall Committee consider suitable solutions and approach the Highways authority about the issue.

To receive and note verbal reports from the district and county councillors.

Cllr Bamford offered to help finding a solution for the village hall parking problem. He promised to look into the progress of a 30m/h speed limit outside Dry Doddington Village Hall.

26-01

To note apologies for absence.

The council noted and approved apologies for absence given by Cllrs Birnage and Bett.

26-02

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.

26-03

To welcome representatives of the Environment Agency to answer questions on flooding in the parish.

The Environment Agency’s Witham Partnerships and Strategic Overview Team Leader gave a brief update on developments since his last visit. He informed the council that a tree that had fallen across the river had been assessed and was not considered a priority and would not be removed.

He stated that the Agency did not yet have an idea what the budget for the coming financial year would look like. It was anticipated that emphasis would be on property level protection and Flood Resilience.

26-04

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

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting on 09 October 2025

The Council resolved to sign the Minutes of Parish Council Meeting on 09 October 2025 as a true record of the meeting.

26-05

To receive and note the Clerk’s Report. (verbal report)

The clerk reported that the Melton Mowbray Building Society Account had been closed and the moneys transferred to the council’s NatWest Account.

She reported that she had purchased and brought with her the litter picking hoops approved to purchase last year.

26-06

Employment Matters

1. To note the clerk’s additional permanent employment with another council

The Council noted and approved the Clerk’s additional full-time employment with another council.

2. To consider formally confirming the clerk’s permanent position.

The Council formally confirmed the Clerk’s permanent position.

26-07

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 01 March with a “bad weather” reserve date of 08 March. Doddington Village Hall would be open for refreshments. As in previous years volunteer litter pickers would meet at 10.00 at the village hall and the bus stop respectively.

26-08

To consider meeting dates for the 2026/27 municipal year and set dates for the Annual Parish Meetings.

The Council resolved that there should be six meetings. The Clerk would present a meeting schedule for approval to the March meeting.

26-09

To consider for the appropriate work to be conducted on the grade II listed Village Cross in Westborough. (Cllr Forman)

If approved, to authorise the Clerk to seek listed Building consent for the work to be carried out.

The Council learnt that the cost for re-pointing would be approximately £1000. The Clerk would seek listed building consent.

26-10

To consider commissioning a village sign for Dry Doddington (Cllr Birnage)

In the absence of councillor Birnage this item was deferred.

26-11

To consider the budget proposal for the 2026-27 Financial Year.

Following a detailed discussion of the proposed budget and some minor changes the Council approved a budget.

The council resolved to set a budget of £30,300 for 2026-27 which included estimated income from other sources of £3,450 and expenditure to be financed from reserves (CBF) of £24,000.

26-12

To decide the precept demand for the 2026-7 Financial Year and sign the relevant paperwork.

The Council resolved to send a precept request to South Kesteven District Council for the sum of £2,850. This equates to £19.66 per year for each Band D dwelling, an increase of £0.92 per year or 4.91%.  

26-13

Financial Matters:

1. To receive and note the receipts and payments since the previous meeting and approve any payments made by the clerk under delegated power.

The Council received and noted the receipts and payments since the previous meeting and approved all payments made by the clerk under delegated power.

2. To receive and note the council’s receipts and payments over budget report to 31 December 2025 and review the current budget and any virements.

The Council received and noted the council’s receipts and payments over budget report to 31 December 2025

3. To receive and note the council’s bank reconciliation to 31 December 2025

The Council received and noted the council’s bank reconciliation to 31 December 2025.

4. To note closure of the Melton Building Society account and transfer of funds  to the council’s NatWest Account.

The Council noted the closure of the Melton Building Society account and transfer of fundsto the council’s NatWest Account.

5. To authorise the following known upcoming payments:

The Council approved the payments listed below and the clerk’s salary payments.

26-14

BANKING

1. To consider opening a deposit/savings account with either CCLA or Hinckley and Rugby building society to maximise potential interest earnings and

To consider signing rules etc for the new account.

Deferred to March meeting.

26-15

To receive and note a verbal update on the flood shed and consider options for a flood store relocation. (Cllr Forman)

Deferred to March meeting.

26-16

To receive an update on play area consultation. (Cllr Birnage)

Deferred to March meeting.

26-17

To consider appointing an internal auditor for the current financial year.

The Council resolved to re-appoint Mr Poulson as its Internal Auditor.

26-18

To consider planning applications for comment.

There are no current applications to be considered.

26-19

To note planning decisions made since the last meeting.

Repair corner furthest away from main house which is currently used as a woodshed using as much reclaimed material as possible and suitable like for like replacements for any additional material.

Show more description

The Old Rectory Town Street Westborough Lincolnshire NG23 5HJ

Ref. No: S25/1905 | Received: Thu 09 Oct 2025 | Validated: Thu 09 Oct 2025 | Status: Decided - Approved conditionally

Demolition of existing redundant agricultural barns and the erection of 5 new build dwellings and access road.

Manor Farm Manor House Lane Dry Doddington Lincolnshire NG23 5JA

Ref. No: S24/1504 | Received: Fri 30 Aug 2024 | Validated: Mon 16 Sep 2024 | Status: Decided - Approved conditionally

Single storey side extension and erection of front porch

The Bungalow Long Lane Westborough Lincolnshire NG23 5HH

Ref. No: S25/1604 | Received: Fri 29 Aug 2025 | Validated: Fri 29 Aug 2025 | Status: Decided - Approved conditionally

Proposed roof extension to existing lean-to side extension

Orchard Cottage Main Street Dry Doddington Lincolnshire NG23 5HU

Ref. No: S25/1180 | Received: Tue 24 Jun 2025 | Validated: Wed 16 Jul 2025 | Status: Decided - Approved conditionally

The council noted all of the above planning decisions.

26-20

To receive and note reports from members including Highways updates. (for information only).

Deferred.

26-21

To receive the County and District Councillor’s reports (for information only).

See above under open session.

26-22

To note correspondence previously circulated by email.

The council noted the correspondence received.

26-23

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

• Update on parking at Westborough Village Hall
• Consider placing an advert in the village magazine to recruit to the vacancy.
• Whereabouts of council strimmer after it had been borrowed by a resident.
• Re-gravelling of hard standing.

26-24

To note the date and time of the next Full Council meeting as Thursday 12 March 2026 - Dry Doddington Village Hall, 7.30pm.

The Council noted note the date and time of the next Full Council meeting as Thursday 12 March 2026 - Dry Doddington Village Hall, 7.30pm.