Minutes 23rd July 2026
WILLOUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, THURSDAY 23RD OF JULY 2026 AT 6.30PM.
PRESENT: Cllr. G. Rowles Nicholson (Chair), Cllr. K. Clarke (Vice-Chair), Cllr. D. Cowell, Cllr. K. Phillips, and Cllr. S. Rovezzano. Also present: Cllr. P. Howitt-Cowan (W.L.D.C.) and Hazel Fox (Clerk).
2607/01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies were received from Cllr. T. Given and Cllr. H. Goring.
RESOLVED: The reasons for absence were accepted as valid and approved by the Council.
2607/02 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS.
Cllr. Cowell declared an interest as his wife is Chair of the Board of Governors of Willoughton School.
Cllr. Rowles Nicholson declared an interest as lessee of the playing field and Limestone Rangers.
Cllr. Cowell and Cllr. Rowles Nicholson declared an interest in Willoughton Church and Churchyard.
2607/03 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
None present.
2607/04 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 28th of MAY 2026.
RESOLVED: Minutes approved and were signed by the Chair.
2607/05 REPORT FROM CLLR. P. HOWITT-COWAN.
Cllr. Howitt- Cowan congratulated the owners of the Old Blacksmith’s on achieving planning permission and was grateful he was able to contribute towards the outcome. The owners spoke well at the planning meeting, and the decision was approved unanimously. Interviews are taking place for the position of Director of Environmental and Cultural Services. Hemswell Cliff have an open event on Saturday 25th of July to celebrate the opening of their refurbished play area. A meeting will take place on 30th of July at the Guildhall to discuss the future of the leisure centre. It is too late to re-site or re-build a new facility. Concerns were expressed that the centre is not on a bus route and is out of the way. W.L.D.C. have purchased a wooded area with some pleasing walks, however this is not advertised sufficiently. Children’s homes continue to be a source of concern.
The West Lindsey Churches Festival 2026 was a success, with 120 churches taking part, the highest number in 30 years. Churches from North Lincolnshire now take part and it is hoped Lincoln City will join. Statistics were: A total of 944 visitors, 880 volunteers, and £38,345 raised. Grayingham raised over £3,000. On the 2nd of March, the conference will take place at the Epic Centre, due to the closure of Hemswell Court. Church schools are being encouraged to participate. W.L.D.C. have £4million in grants to distribute and the Parish Council was encouraged to apply. The Community Action Fund is available between £1,000 and £20,000 with no match funding, the Community Facilities Fund is between £1,000 and £75,000 and the Community Environment Fund is available for solar panels. In addition, the Councillor Initiative Fund is available at £1,000. Councillors will stand down on 31st of March 2028 with the newly formed Authority taking power on the 1st of April. Lincolnshire will be split into 4 unitary authorities: North Lincolnshire, North- East Lincolnshire, Lincoln City. and Lincolnshire.
Cllr. Rowles Nicholson enquired regarding the increase in fly tipping instances. Cllr. Howitt-Cowan advised he would discuss this with Simon Smoothey at W.L.D.C. and Cllr. Rowles Nicholson will forward details to Cllr. Howitt-Cowan. ACTION: Cllr. Rowles Nicholson.
2607/06 REPORT FROM CLLR. C. REEVE.
Not present.
2607/07 PLAYING FIELD.
A. OUTSTANDING MATTERS.
Several items of equipment including the bin near the entrance require cleaning of bird fouling.
Cllr. Rowles Nicholson volunteered to undertake more cleaning. ACTION: Cllr. Rowles Nicholson.
The sign at the entrance to the playing field is worn and requires re-painting. Mr Phil Cooper has volunteered to sand down and re-paint the pole and the back of the sign and clean the front. Several dips in the ground are around the playboat. Mr Phil Cooper has volunteered to fill the dips in and re-seed when weather is suitable. The older children’s swings are sticking and Kompan have been contacted. An Engineer was due to attend on the 20th of July. The engineer was asked to add more cable ties to the bars at the top of the swings to discourage birds.
B. CLERK AND COUNCILLOR INSPECTIONS.
Cllr. Clarke has been conducting weekly inspections and the Clerk monthly.
Cllr. Clarke identified the post of the sensory spinner as pitted. The Clerk will inspect and report back. ACTION: Clerk.
C. PLAYING FIELD SIGNAGE/REPORT OF MOTORBIKE ON THE PLAYING FIELD AND PLAY AREA.
A resident has reported a motorbike on the playing field and in the children’s play area. The Clerk contacted Lincolnshire Police who advised, residents who witness anti-social behaviour should report this at the time of witnessing via either an online form or by calling 101. The Clerk has fed this information back to the resident.
The resident enquired if the sign stating “no motorbikes” had been removed. The original sign was removed when the play area was refurbished, however a sign is at the entrance to the playing field which forbids motorbikes to be used on the area. Mr Cooper is in the process of refurbishing the sign and Councillors discussed if another sign should be installed under the play area sign.
RESOLVED: The Clerk is to obtain a price for a secondary sign to be placed at the entrance to the play area and bring back to the next meeting. ACTION: Clerk.
2607/08 FIRST AID/DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING/BLEED KITS.
The Clerk had requested dates when Councillors were available to feed back to the provider for his availability. Cllr. Goring is available any Saturday from the end of October. No other Councillors provided availability.
RESOLVED: The Clerk is to speak to the provider to ask if evening sessions could be available. ACTION: Clerk.
The Clerk had contacted W.L.D.C. to request the bleed kit is put in the defibrillator cabinet at the Village Hall. Mr. Carl Knight requested information on make and model to see if it can be registered on the scheme. There may not be sufficient space in the cabinet to house it but will investigate. The Clerk has responded with information required and is awaiting a response.
2607/09 HIGHWAYS.
A. BLOCKED GRATING BETWEEN 3 AND 7 NORTHFIELD LANE.
This has been an ongoing problem since November 2023. Cllr. Reeve has been assisting and LCC Highways have responded that currently a date of November 2026 is available for works. Cllr. Reeve is chasing this up on our behalf for an improvement.
B. ROAD SURFACE HOLLOWGATE HILL.
LCC Highways have confirmed that Hollowgate Hill has already been identified as requiring remedial review following the previous surface dressing programme, and where there is benefit in allowing further monitoring before remedial works are undertaken, this can help the surface stabilise through the summer months and provide a clearer understanding of any residual defects. This allows the most appropriate remedial treatment to be identified and reduces the likelihood of needing to revisit the site multiple times. Regular sweeping will continue until this time. The Clerk can request further sweeping if Councillors consider necessary.
C. SAFETY REVIEW A15/B1398 ROADS.
A 7-day speed survey was undertaken in 2016, and the average speed was recorded as 51.5mph.
A further average speed survey is in the processes of being arranged, however no update has been received on timeframe for this.
RESOLVED: The Clerk will chase LCC Highways. ACTION: Clerk.
D. DAFFODIL PLANTING.
Cllr. Phillips can obtain bulbs and will calculate how many are required. Planting was suggested between September and November.
RESOLVED: The Clerk will post on Facebook and the Parish Council Website for residents to volunteer to assist. ACTION: Clerk.
E. VILLAGE ENTRANCE FENCING.
The Clerk is researching other Towns and Villages who have fencing and requesting recommendations for companies. Brattleby have wooden gates made and maintained by a resident. Bretforton Parish Council have plastic fencing and have recommended a company. The Clerk has previously obtained a competitive quote from this company. The Clerk will continue to research.
RESOLVED: The Clerk is to contact Mr. Phil Cooper and Mr. Adrian Hall to ask for a price for installation of 6 fences and to obtain prices for speed signs to install on the fences. An application is to be made to W.L.D.C. for funding. ACTION: Clerk.
2607/10 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
A. TO CONSIDER RE-STARTING THE PLAYING FIELD COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
RESOLVED: Council did not consider there was sufficient items to discuss at this time, and meetings would re-start when necessary.
B. TO CONSIDER THE FORMATION OF A PERSONNEL & DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE.
Whilst it is not a legal requirement for the Council to have this committee, the Parish Council is an employee and is responsible for fulfilling its legal obligations and such a committee would be best practice.
RESOLVED: A committee is formed to meet when required of Cllr. Clark, Cllr. Phillips and Cllr. Rovezzano.
2607/11 VILLAGE HALL.
Councillors considered the increase to the payment for Village Hall rental and contribution.
RESOLVED: The 2026/2027 payment will be increased to £832 and paid immediately. ACTION: Clerk.
2607/12 EMERGENCY/FLOOD PLAN.
The Council answered queries received from the Clerk to complete the plan.
RESOLVED: The Clerk will finalise and submit for approval to L.C.C. ACTION: Clerk.
2607/13 PLANNING.
To note the approval of planning permission for WL/2026/00251 The Old Blacksmiths, Templefield Road/Northfield Lane, Willoughton, DN21 5RZ.
2607/14 ACOUNTS.
A. TO APPROVE PAYMENTS:
Litter picking July £127.10.
Litter picking August £127.10.
Clerk salary July £296.40.
Clerk Salary August £237.12
RESOLVED: Payments are approved. ACTION: Clerk.
B. PURCHASE OF POPPY WREATH, POPPY APPEAL DONATION AND LAMP POST POPPIES.
Mrs. Beverley Cooper has volunteered to install the poppies and to store them at her home.
RESOLVED: The Clerk will purchase a poppy wreath at £25, donate £50 to the Poppy Appeal and purchase 40 Lamp Post poppies. Cllr. Rowles Nicholson, Cllr. Cowell and Cllr. Phillips will help install. ACTION: Cllr. Rowles Nicholson, Cllr. Cowell, Cllr. Phillips and Clerk.
C. CHURCH GRANT REQUEST OF £500.
Prior to the discussion, Cllr. Rowles Nicholson and Cllr. Cowell declared interests and did not participate in the discussion or vote.
RESOLVED: The grant of £500 is approved and the Clerk is to arrange immediate payment. ACTION: Clerk.
D. BUDGET MONITORING 2026-2027.
No issues were identified.
2607/15 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.
Circulated in advance. A list is now published on the Parish Council website. Items discussed:
15th June 2026 L.C.C. Lincolnshire Minerals & Waste Local plan consultation.
RESOLVED: Councillors did not have sufficient knowledge to respond to this consultation.
Cllr. C. Reeve had contacted the Clerk to advise the Community Payback Scheme is currently paused and will inform the Clerk when it begins again. At such time, the Clerk will enquire for assistance to clear the Churchyard and refurbish the benches in the play area.
Santander had written to the Clerk to inform a £4.99 operating charge per month will be levied. The Clerk has identified an alternative bank which does not charge and offers dual authorisation, however Council considered the good service offered by Santander and the likelihood that other banks will follow suit and moving will be problematic.
RESOLVED: The Council remain with Santander and build up savings for interest to offset the monthly charge.
2607/16 REQUEST FOR AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS.
No additional items requested.
2607/17 NEXT MEETING.
The date of the next meeting will be Thursday 24th September 2026 @ 6.30pm in the Village Hall.
The meeting closed @ 19.41 hrs.