Minutes 2025

WADDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 12th MAY 2025

IN THE COMMUNITY HUB

Present:        Councillors:          Bainborrow, Mrs Bainborrow, Barling, Carcass, Forrester,

    Gallagher, Hadfield, Mrs Hopkins, Hurst,

    Richardson, Tennant, Williams, Wilson

Clerk:                   Mrs Smith, Mrs Mumby

OFFICIAL BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL

1.   Election of Chairman.

It was proposed by Cllr Hurst and seconded by Cllr Bainborrow that Cllr Hadfield be elected as Chairman.

There was a second proposal by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Wilson that Cllr Barling be elected as Chairman.

A ballot was taken and the votes were counted.  The results were 7 votes for Cllr Hadfield, 4 votes for Cllr Barling and 1 Abstention.

Cllr Hadfield accepted the position of Chairman.

2.   Apologies for absence. (Reasons to be given to the Clerk in advance of the meeting)

Apologies were received from Cllr Bayston due to work reasons and Cllr Sanders due to being away.

It was proposed by Cllr Wilson and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hopkins that they accept the apologies and reasons for absence.

All agreed.  Carried.

3.   Declarations of interest for any agenda item.

None.

4.    Election of Vice Chairman.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Wilson that Cllr Barling be elected as Vice-Chairman.

All agreed.  Carried.

5.  Signing of the minutes.  To accept the Clerk’s notes from the meeting held on 14th April 2025.

It was proposed by Cllr Barling and seconded by Cllr Hurst that the minutes of 14th April were a true record of the meeting, and they were agreed to be signed.

All Agreed, Carried.

Cllr Williams entered the meeting.

6.   Election of Committees:

The following Councillors volunteered to be on the committees.

i.   Finance.

Cllr’s Barling, Mrs Hopkins and Forrester from the West Ward.

Cllr’s Hadfield, Gallagher, Mrs Bainborrow, and Richardson from the East Ward.

ii.  Planning and environment.

Cllr’s Bainborrow, Barling, Carcass, Forrester, Gallagher, Hadfield, Hurst, Williams and Wilson.

iii.  HR.

Cllr’s Mrs Bainborrow, Barling, Carcass, Forrester, and Williams.

iv.  Waddington Playing Fields Trust.

Cllr’s Hadfield, Hurst, Richardson, Tennant, and Wilson.

v.   Community Emergency Plan Committee.

Cllr’s Barling, Carcass, Forrester, Gallagher, Hadfield, Richardson and Wilson.

7.   Election of representative to the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Mrs Bainborrow that Cllr Gallagher be elected as the Parish Council representative.

All agreed.  Carried.

8.   Finance

a)  Monthly finance report – to receive and accept the monthly finance report.

It was proposed by Cllr Barling and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hopkins that the finance report be accepted.

All agreed.  Carried.

b)   Authorising of the payments. To resolve to authorise the BACS payments listed by the RFO and certify invoices.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Barling that the BACS payments and invoices could be signed.

All agreed.  Carried.

9.   Annual return for the year ended 31 March 2025.

a)   Section 1.   To read, discuss and agree for the Chairman to sign on behalf of the Council.

The Chairman went through all the questions and ticked the relevant boxes as agreed by the Council.

It was then proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Hurst that the Chairman could sign it on behalf of the Council.

All agreed.  Carried.

b)   Section 2.   To read, discuss and agree for the Chairman to sign on behalf of the Council.

The Council were given a copy of the completed section 2.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Hurst that the Chairman could sign it on behalf of the Council.

All agreed.  Carried.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Hurst, that during this financial year they have the buildings revalued.

All agreed.  Carried

10.   Clerks Report and Correspondence.

The Clerk had received an invitation for the Chairman to attend the Station Commanders Annual Formal Reception on the 4th June.  Cllr Hadfield was unable to attend, so Cllr Barling will be attending in his absence.

Following agenda item 8 of last months meeting.  Cllr Barling had sent a letter to Dr Broughton.  A reply has been received from Dr Broughton but it is not on the agenda as there is nothing to discuss. 

The Clerk had received an email from a company regarding the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points at the Village Hall and Redwood Drive.  The Clerk asked if the Council should like to get a quote at all.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Gallagher that they look into it further.

All agreed.  Carried

Cllr Mrs Hopkins asked if the flag had been put up for VE day, the Clerk informed that no she had forgotten.  Cllr Mrs Hopkins asked if it could be put up for VJ Day on the 15th August.

11.  Matters arising from the last meeting.  Only for discussion.

Cllr Hurst asked if we had heard anything from the energy company, agenda item 9 of the last meeting.

The Clerk informed that she had not.

12.   Urgent matters for attention – Items which the Chairman is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency due to special circumstances.

None.

13.  ‘In Camera’ item.  Resolution:

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Gallagher that; In view of the special/confidential nature of the business about to be transacted it is advisable in the public interest that the press and public be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw.

All agreed. Carried.

1. Staff.   The Clerk informed of the staffing issue and a discussion was held.

It was proposed by Cllr Williams and seconded by Cllr Bainborrow that they have a six month trial of working with just two handymen. 

11 Agreed.  2 Against.  Carried.

The HR Committee to meet to discuss other issues raised.

14.  Date of the next meeting.  The next meeting will be held on Monday 9th June 2025 in the Community Hub.

Meeting closed at 8.35pm.

Open Forum

County Councillor

Cllr Tom Dyer informed the results of the County Council elections were;

            70 seats,                      44 Reform

                                                3 Labour

                                                5 Liberal Democrat

                                                3 Independent

                                                1 Lincolnshire Independent

                                                14 Conservative

Reform are now in charge of the County Council.

In the reform candidates election leaflets they were saying that they were going to cut the County Council Capital borrowing.

Like all Councils, LCC borrows for most capital projects.   Therefore, this will have an effect on the future of the North Hykeham relief road.  As previously stated the cost of the road is £2m, £1.1m from the government and the County Council were going to borrow the remaining £900,000. 

Footpath work in Waddington West is continuing, with Chestnut Grove and Hawthorn Avenue, and in June the 1st section of Hollywell Road will be done.  With plans in place for more next year.

The speed limit of Meadow Lane has now been reduced to 40mph.

Cllr Tennant, asked about the lorry that was parking on Redwood Drive, blocking the pavement and parking at a location where it is difficult / dangerous.

Cllr Dyer informed that he would see if anything could be done.

Mr Pridgen informed that he would speak to the police the next day about it.

District Councillors

Cllr Pennell had sent his apologies.

Cllr Cooper informed of the following;

Veterans lunch and service badge

To nominate a WW2 veteran for the lunch, and discuss arrangements, please contact the Council’s Partnerships Team on 01529 414155 or email: armedforces@n-kesteven.gov.uk before Friday 6 June 2025. WW2 veteran guests may be joined by a companion. 

To apply to have a Veteran’s Badge presented at the lunch, please get in touch with the Partnerships Team on 01529 414155 or email: armedforces@n-kesteven.gov.uk before 16 May 2025.

Fund for community events

With the grant fund remaining open for further applications for events relating to the 80th anniversary of VJ Day in August, community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises with financial resources below £10,000 can still apply for up to £500 each to support local events that benefit communities.

Funded activity must take place within a week either side of August 15 and be of benefit to North Kesteven residents. Deadline for applications is July 21 and early application is advised. See www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/funding for eligibility criteria and an application form

Eligible costs include venue hire, promotional materials, decorations, and entertainment and the purchase of refreshments, but not alcohol, commemorative benches or structures.

There’s a dedicated North Kesteven webpage where you can apply for the grant, and which brings together further locally-specific information at: n-kesteven.gov.uk/ve-vj-day

Farming business support

The programme supports farmers with resilience and offers guidance with exploring diversification. The support is only available to farm businesses where the main source of income comes from farming. Find out more 

Jobs/apprenticeship

The Council frequently has employment opportunities currently advertised. To find out more please visit the North Kesteven District Council's jobs page on the website.

They include five new apprenticeships available - see our apprentice webpage here. There's also a fantastic video promoting them here on our social media which you can share if you wish. 

Cllr Sanders had sent his apologies.