2025 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 4th November 2025 in the Village Hall

Present: Cllr F Parish (Chair), Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr R Brabbin, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr H White, Cllr C Ashton, Cllr M Clayphan, Cllr A White, Cllr Oldfield, Cllr Kinning and Mrs S Phillips (Clerk)

In attendance: Cllr D Bellamy and Cllr B Green

25/108                 Welcome by the Chair

                                The meeting was declared open with everyone welcomed.

25/109                 Apologies for absence

                                None.

25/110                 Declarations of Interest

                                Cllr Kinning declared an interest in agenda item 25/114 (c).

25/111                 Reports from County District Councillors

                                County Councillor

                                Cllr Vernon was not present for the meeting.

                                District Councillors

Cllr Bellamy reported that two separate planning requests have been made off Thistleton Lane and Mill Lane.  The planning officer will look at both sites together, but it is an allocated site with has semi outline planning permission.  The parish council were advised to inform the Planning Officer as soon as possible of their intent to apply for Section 106 to purchase playground equipment.  Various concerns were raised by the parish council such as flooding, sewage and traffic a response from the parish council has already been submitted but agreed that a number of councillors would meet after the meeting to further discuss concerns.

Cllr Green reported that a productive meeting has taken place with the leader of the council, Cllr Matthews has already engaged with residents about the concerns regarding pylons.

A debate will be taking place on 21st November to set out a proposed option for the Government Reorganisation.  Joining Rutland is an option but Rutland has the highest council tax which would mean that the increase would go across all areas.  This will be opposed by Cllr Green and Cllr Bellamy.

Thanks were given to Cllr Brabbin and Cllr C van Straubenzee for attending the tree event.

25/112                 To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 7th October 2025

Minutes of the meeting held on 7th October 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record and signed as such by Cllr Parish.  It was noted that “Cllr H White agreed to discuss the options with Cllr Green and Cllr Bellamy” was to be removed from the minutes as a letter was going to be sent direct to residents.

25/113                 Outstanding Items

                                None.

25/114                 Financial Matters

• Payment’s approval

The following payments were approved.

(b)          Monthly Accounts

It was confirmed that £1200 has been transferred from the main bank account to the playpark account.

(c)           To consider a donation request for the fireworks event and receive an update

Cllr Kinning reported that there have been a lot less donations this year and the price of fireworks has increased.  There is currently a shortfall of £350.  It was proposed by Cllr A White, seconded by Cllr van Straubenzee with all in agreement that an additional £350 would be donated.

(d)          British Gas Lite – End of fixed term contract 20th December 2025

                It was agreed by all to fix a contract with British Gas Lite for a further year.

(e)          To discuss budget and precept for 2026/2027

The parish council went through each budget heading and agreed that a final decision of the precept would be made in January 2026.

25/115                 Operational Matters

(a)          Agree Meeting Dates for 2026/2027

Dates agreed: 6th January 2026, 3rd February 2026, 3rd March 2026, 7th April 2026, 5th May 2026, 2nd June 2026, 7th July 2026, August – No meeting, 1st September 2026, 6th October 2026, 3rd November 2026, 1st December 2026.

(b)          Defibrillator update

                                Both defibrillators have had new pads installed.

25/116                 Village Hall Matters

                                None.

25/118                 Play Areas update

Cllr Hughes confirmed she has a list of funding providers.  It was agreed that even though the parish council is applying for Section 106 monies that funding would still be requested as it would be received much quicker and would look at what else is needed for other playparks.

Cllr Oldfield has not completed the required maintenance on the playpark due to time restraints.  Cllr Hughes agreed to make contact with her playpark contact to see if they could help.

25/119                 Planning Applications

(a)          Update

(b)          For comment

25/120                 Correspondence

(a)          Land adjacent to South Witham Play Park off Mill Lane

                Discussed under agenda item 25/111.  A meeting has been arranged for 17th November 2025.

(a)          Funding for Fruit Trees

                It was agreed that parish council would not progress funding for fruit trees.

The meeting was declared closed at 8.16pm.