Minutes 27th March 2025
WILLOUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the Village Hall, Thursday 27th March 2025 @ 6.30pm.
PRESENT: Cllr. Mrs. S. Rovezzano (Chair), Cllr Mrs. T. Given, Cllr. Ms. H. Goring, Cllr. Mrs. K. Phillips, and Ms. Hazel Fox (Clerk).
Also present, Cllr. Mr. P. Howitt-Cowan (W.L.D.C.).
2503/01. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies were received from Cllr. Mr. D. Cowell (Vice-Chair), Cllr. Miss. K. Clarke, Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson and Ms. Sheila Bibb (Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association).
2503/02. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS.
None.
2503/03. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
No comments made.
2503/04. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 23rd JANUARY 2025.
Resolution: Minutes approved and were signed by the chair.
2503/05. REPORT FROM CLLR. MRS. C. PERRATON-WILLIAMS.
Cllr. Mrs. C. Perraton-Williams did not attend and neither apology nor a report were received.
2503/06. REPORT FROM CLLR. MR. P. HOWITT-COWAN.
Cllr. Howitt-Cowan distributed a brochure for the West Lindsey Churches Festival which will run from 10th-11th and 17th-18th May 2025. There are 100 churches taking part over the two weekends, which is an increase of 15 churches from last year. The West Lindsey Churches Festival Conference took place at Hemswell Court with Simon James, Dean of Lincoln in attendance. This was a successful event. The future of West Lindsey District Council is of concern. The Council will be required to identify a neighbouring Council to partner with. The Council has worked hard and diligently to ensure a balanced budget and is in a good position financially, however the Chief Executive will be stepping down in June. A 2.98% increase in budget has been agreed, which will equate to 30.8m. Improvements in access to green space and woodland, community grant funding, and refurbishments to Gainsborough and Market Rasen Leisure Centres are priorities. Cllr. Howitt-Cowan discussed the proposed solar farms, revisions to the planning system and the approaching May elections. Councillors thanked Cllr. Howitt-Cowan for his report.
2503/07. PLAYING FIELD.
a. Benches.
Cllr. Mrs. T. Given advised the refurbishment is still planned for the spring and in the next few weeks will arrange to sand and varnish with other volunteers.
b. Youth Shelter.
This was highlighted on the recent Rospa inspection as dirty and covered with algae. Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson had volunteered to discuss with Mr Cooper, power washing the equipment. The Clerk was asked to discuss with Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson and arrange. Action: Clerk.
c. Grounds.
The Clerk had discussed with Mr Cooper, re-seeding of any worn patches on the play area. Mr Cooper had advised, seed had been promised from a resident and when received, will undertake this task.
d. Fencing.
Cllr. Mrs. T. Given had sought three quotations for fencing, however only one had been suitable. The quotation was presented to Council for their consideration.
Resolution: The quotation of £2,907.00 plus vat was accepted. Cllr. Mrs. T. Given was requested to inform the contractor of the Council decision. Councillors thanked Cllr. Given for her work on this. Action: Cll.r Mrs. T. Given
e. Goal posts.
The Clerk had informed Rospa, the football field was not to be included in inspections in future. Rospa have amended their records accordingly. The comments from the report were passed on to the Football Club for their information.
f. Bins.
The two further 50ltr bins have been purchased and installed. The bins are being emptied weekly, and no issues have been reported with full bins.
g. Clerk and Councillor inspections.
These are now being conducted weekly by Cllr. Miss. K. Clarke and monthly by the Clerk as a volunteer. Cllr. Clarke had observed broken branches, litter around the perimeter and dog fouling. The litter picker was requested to attend the area, and this was completed. A resident cleared away the dog fouling and was thanked by the Clerk. Whilst completing the monthly inspection, the Clerk spent time picking up broken branches and twigs to clear the area. The Clerk noted the following observations during the monthly inspection: Teen Shelter covered with algae (discussed earlier) bird fouling at the top of the wave slide, trim trail fixing twisted and raised nuts on the picnic table. The Clerk was requested to discuss adding power washing of the slide with Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson and to contact Kompan regarding the two issues found. The Clerk was also requested to contact the Primary School to advise the football field can be utilised should they wish. Action: Clerk.
2503/08. HIGHWAYS.
a. Water corner of Gainsborough Road outside Caudle House.
This matter has been ongoing since October 2022. At the meeting held with Mr. Martin Snaith on 12th February, he advised he could see no evidence of an issue caused by highways and was a matter to discuss with Anglian Water. The Clerk was requested to contact Anglian Water to resolve this issue. Action: Clerk.
b. Repairs to collapsed/damaged drain Pond Corner (junction of Templefield Road and Hollowgate Hill).
At the meeting held on 12th February with Mr. Martin Snaith, he advised this will be monitored and if any flooding events happen, will be looked at again. The jetting crew did get through the manholes and all were flowing. Councillors questioned why the damaged drain had not been inspected. The Clerk was requested to seek information from Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson who attended the meeting. Action: Clerk.
c. Blocked grating between 3 and 7 Northfield Lane.
At the meeting held 12th February, Mr. Martin Snaith advised a job has been created to jet/cleanse the lines again Including the gullies. This does outfall into the dyke area and highways will be ensuring this is running. When there, it appeared they had been cleaned but one of them was silted up again. Whilst on site, potholes were noticed, so relevant jobs have been raised to address these.
d. Hollowgate Hill.
At the meeting held 12th February, Mr. Martin Snaith advised a job for re-jetting to include the whole length of the hill including gullies/chambers and all lines to be cleansed will be raised. The water coming from the field area was looked at and will be monitored if flooding events re-occur. The jetting crew did get through the manholes here and all were flowing. The Clerk was requested to contact highways to ascertain the position of the re-surfacing of his road and Long Lane and seek assistance from Cllr. Mrs. C. Perraton-Williams.
Action: Clerk.
e. Northfield Lane.
Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson had previously advised the Clerk, that heavy traffic at the sewerage works has caused large potholes and is damaging the road surface between the sewerage works and the village on Northfield Lane. The Clerk will contact Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson to ask if this was discussed at the meeting on 12th February. Action: Clerk.
f. Speed indicator devices.
Two devices have now been purchased and are in storage awaiting fitting. Installation teams had visited the locations and marked them up in preparation, and works had been submitted for action. The Clerk was requested to chase this. Action: Clerk.
Cllr. Ms. H. Goring observed, Cllr. Mr. D. Cowell has been attending to the device on Hollowgate Hill for some time and offered to take over maintenance to assist Cllr. Cowell. Cllr. Goring was thanked by the Council and the Clerk was requested to contact Cllr. Cowell to facilitate handover. Action: Clerk.
g. Dog waste bin near Caudle House.
This has now been installed and is receiving heavy use. Cllr. Mrs. K. Phillips had reported this bin as over-flowing. The Clerk was requested to contact West Lindsey District Council to check this bin is being emptied as scheduled. Action: Clerk.
h. Safety review A15/B1398 roads.
Cllr. Ms. H. Goring enquired if any safety reviews are currently in operation for these roads due to the large volume of traffic and regular incidents. The Clerk and Councillors were not aware of any current reviews. Councillors discussed the safety of these roads and the requirement for speed reductions. The Clerk was requested to write to our Member of Parliament and District Councillor to request a similar scheme to that which is in operation on the A631 Hemswell.
The Clerk was also requested to contact the Primary School and ask that parents are reminded to drive with consideration through the village and moderate speed accordingly. Action: Clerk
2503/09. DEFIBRILLATOR UNITS.
West Lindsey District Council advised, more stock has now been received and installation at Mount Yard will be arranged shortly. The Clerk was requested to chase this up. The Clerk had also noticed in a magazine, solar powered units are now available to purchase and this could be an option for the football field where no power supply is available. Pricing will be sought, and Councils who have experience of these will be asked if they have found them suitable. Action: Clerk.
2503/10. SPEEDWATCH SCHEME.
The Clerk had posted information for residents on Facebook and the Parish Council website but had received no interest. Cllr. Mrs. T. Given had discussed with the residents who expressed early interest, however they did not wish to take this further. It was agreed to discontinue publicity for this until a later date.
2503/11. POLICIES.
The Clerk is currently studying for the CILCA qualification and had noted their contract of employment required updating to reflect current best practice. The Clerk was requested to draft a new contact to present to the Council at the next available meeting. Action: Clerk.
2503/12. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN REVIEW.
Councillors discussed if this should be updated and requested advice from Cllr. Mr. P. Howitt-Cowan on whether the proposed planning reforms would have any impact. It was agreed, it would be beneficial to review the plan, and advice would also be sought from Luke Brown. All Councillors are requested to review the plan and study the Nettleham plan for guidance. A meeting will be arranged for one month’s time, or at Luke Brown’s earliest convenience. Action: Clerk.
2503/13.
POST OFFICE CLOSURE.
Councillors discussed the discontinuation of the outreach service from 1st March. Although this was disappointing, it was noted this was introduced during the covid pandemic as a short-term measure and had not been well supported recently. More advertisement from the Post Office could have helped to encourage visitors, however this was not forthcoming. The rental to the village hall will cease in line with this. The Clerk was requested to advise residents via social media and the Parish Council website. Action: Clerk.
2503/14. ACCOUNTS.
a. Grant request from the Church.
Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson requested a grant of £300 to continue the tidy up of the churchyard. This was approved. Action: Clerk.
b. Minimum wage rise.
Due to the increase in the minimum wage from 1st April 2025 from £11.44 per hour to £12.21, the payment made to the litter picking lady will be updated accordingly.
c. To approve payments.
Resolution: The following payments are approved:
Litter picking March £114.40
Litter picking April £122.10
Clerk salary 28th February – 28th March (4 weeks) £222.56
Clerk salary 28th March – 2nd May (5 weeks) £278.20
WLDC £426.00 (Paid as pre-approved at January meeting)
Cloud Next £59.98
Church Grant £300.00
TOTAL £1,523.24
This will leave £9,743.57 in the parish council accounts.
2503/15. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.
15/01/25 LCC Highways/Transport survey.
20/01/25, 25/02/25 WLDC Meeting agenda.
20/01/25, 10/03/25 Inspector Michael Head (Lincolnshire Police) Crime statistics.
21/01/25, 28/01/25, 04/02/25, 11/02/25, 18/02/25, 25/02/25, 04/03/25, 11/03/25, 18/03/25 Rural Services Network Rural bulletin.
21/01/25 Co-op Community Coordinator Offer for assistance with projects.
23/01/25 NKDC Central Lincolnshire Design Code.
24/01/25, 07/02/25, 21/02/25, 07/03/25 LALC E-News.
27/01/25 Paul Howitt-Cowan Report.
28/01/25 Clear Councils Insurance Webinar details.
28/01/25,25/02/25 LCC Town & Parish Council update.
31/01/25 LALC Training bulletin.
03/02/25 Ron Bailey Safety campaign update.
05/02/25 Post Office Notice of closure.
12/02/25, 05/03/25 Rural Services Network Funding digest.
12/02/25 Martin Snaith (LCC Highways) Meeting notes.
13/02/25 Talk Planning Central Lincolnshire Design Code.
14/02/25 Hodsock Parish Council Lengths man recruitment.
19/02/25 Parish Online Newsletter.
20/02/25 Fix my Street Confirmation of pothole repairs Church Street.
26/02/25 NKDC Central Lincolnshire Design Code.
28/02/25 WLDC Parish News.
04/03/25 Clerk (Beckingham-Cum-Saundby PC) Cleaner job advertisement.
05/03/25 WLDC Event information.
14/03/25 LALC Survey information.
2503/16. REQUEST FOR AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS.
Co-op Community Co-ordinator/daffodil planting.
Planters for village entrance signs/request for resident Mrs. Cooper to attend to discuss.
Grant request £150 for Village Hall (VE day celebrations).
2503/17. NEXT MEETING.
The date and time of the next meeting will be (subject to any change in circumstances): Thursday 22nd May 2025
@ 6.30 pm in the Village Hall. The annual parish meeting will take place prior.
The meeting closed @ 19.58.