January 2025 Minutes
DRAFT Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 6th January 2026 in the Village Hall
Present: Cllr F Parish (Chair), Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr R Brabbin Cllr H White, Cllr M Clayphan, Cllr L Hughes and Mrs S Phillips (Clerk)
In attendance: Cllr D Bellamy
25/133 Welcome by the Chair
The meeting was declared open with everyone welcomed.
25/134 Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr J Oldfield, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr A White, Cllr C Ashton and Cllr B Green. Accepted.
25/135 Declarations of Interest
None.
25/136 Reports from County District Councillors
County Councillor
Cllr C Vernon was not present.
District Councillors
Cllr Bellamy reported that budgets are being set in January for South Kesteven District Council. Local Government Reorganisation had to be in by the end of November 2025; there will be no further updates until March. Consultations have taken place on the local plan; allocations will be known in due course.
25/137 To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 2nd December 2025
Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd December 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record and signed as such by Cllr Parish.
25/138 Outstanding Items
None.
25/139 Financial Matters
- Payment’s approval
The following payments were approved.
|
EON (3rd November – 30th November) |
£222.04 |
|
British Gas Lite (20th November – 21st December) |
£243.23 |
|
Janine Costello (December) |
£154.00 |
|
Sarah Phillips – December salary |
£636.40 |
|
South Witham PCC church yard upkeep |
£1530.00 |
|
CC Cleaning Mids Ltd |
£40.00 |
(a) Monthly Accounts
|
Balance as of 1st April 2025 |
£20,556.27 |
|
TOTAL TO DATE: 5th November 2025 |
£29,062.00 |
|
South Witham PC - Play Project |
|
|
Balance as of 1st April 2025 |
£13,603.15 |
|
Interest |
-£167.29 |
|
Donations |
-£3796.98 |
|
Can Project Monies |
£0.00 |
|
TOTAL TO DATE: 5th November 2025 |
£17,567.42 |
(b) To agree budget and precept for 2026/2027
Councillors went through the budget in detail and it was agreed. The parish council is in need of building reserves and has allocated £2000. It was resolved that the precept will be increased by 4.99% to £27,297 which was proposed by Cllr Brabbin, seconded by Cllr Hughes and all in agreement.
25/140 Operational Matters
- Councillor Training
Councillor training is available through LALC which needs to be booked through the clerk.Cllr H White and Cllr Clayphan requested to attend induction to new councillors training.
- To consider the allotment agreement for 2026
It was proposed by Cllr van Straubenzee that no changes are made to the allotment agreement, seconded by Cllr Parish and all in agreement.
25/141 Village Hall Matters
It was reported that there is broken window in the changing rooms, Cllr Parish will arrange for a quote to get the window repaired.
- To consider installing Hive for the VH
A discussion has taken place to consider if a Hive should be purchased for the village hall.It was felt that the heating issues are now being resolved and would be a much more expensive option due to internet and boosters and due to the size of the village hall.It was agreed it would be reviewed in a year’s time.
25/142 Play Areas update
Cllr Hughes is to collate all the information gathered and start to apply for funding. It was confirmed that the spring in the playpark is still awaiting removal.
25/143 Planning Applications
(a) Update
|
|
Section 211 Notice to crown raise and remove bough from tree of unknown species (T1) and remove Barberis (T2). |
7 Church Street South Witham Lincolnshire NG33 5PJ Work Allowed |
(b) For comment - nil
25/144 Correspondence
a) Weekly Planning list 8 to 12 December – no planning for South Witham
b) Weekly Planning list 15 to 19th December – no planning for South Witham
c) LCC Town and Parish News
d) Temporary Traffic Restrictions 19.01.06 – Church Lane
25/145 Other
Cllr Parish had spoken to those involved who were planning to set off fireworks on New Year’s Eve and explained that permission should have been sought from the village hall committee, they were unaware that permission was needed.
Cllr Parish will be stepping down as Chair from May 2026 and asked for other councillors to consider the position.
- St John the Baptist Church – Going forward
There is a decline in attendees with roughly 6 who regularly attend services, there are also a lack of volunteers and without volunteers the church will close.Cllr Hughes explained that any volunteers applying would need to know what is required of them as well as guidance.Cllr Hughes suggested setting up a Community Hub within the church and would discuss further with Cllr van Straubenzee.
The meeting was declared closed at 8.00pm.