Minutes 2025

WADDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 14th APRIL 2025

IN THE COMMUNITY HUB

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

     Forrester, Gallagher, Mrs Hopkins, Hadfield,

    Hurst, Richardson, Sanders, Tennant, Wilson

Staff:                   Mrs Smith, Mrs Mumby, Mr Haynes

OFFICIAL BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL

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

Apologies were received from Cllr Williams who was away.

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

All agreed.  Carried.

2.   Declarations of interest for any agenda item.

Cllr Bainborrow declared a personnel interest in agenda item 4.

3.  Signing of the minutes.  To accept the Clerk’s notes from the meeting held on 10th March 2025.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Richardson that the minutes of 10th March were a true record of the meeting, and they were agreed to be signed.

11 Agreed, 2 Abstention Carried.

4.   Co-option.  To receive and discuss an application for co-option.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Hurst that they co-opt Mrs Bainborrow onto the Council.

12 Agreed, 1 Abstention.  Carried.

5.   Finance

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

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

All agreed.  Carried.

6.   Clerks Report and Correspondence.

The Clerk informed that she had received an email from Branston Community Academy, thanking us for supporting their year 10 work experience programme, by providing an excellent work placement.

An email has been received today from a resident who lives near Sidney Hall Field, complaining about the cars and motorbikes going on there between 9pm and 4am, revving their vehicles and playing loud music, keeping her and her child awake. 

It was agreed that they send the email to the police and the anti-social behaviour team at NKDC.  Reply to the resident informing that it is a police matter and that she needs to report it to the police.  If the car park did have a new gate put on it, they would still be able to get motorbikes on there via the pedestrian entrances.

The Clerk informed that she had been invited to the North Kesteven Parish and Town Council Forum, in the civic suite at NKDC, last Thursday.  She was able to take 2 councillors with her, but not any who were also District Councillors.  So she had invited Cllr Barling and Cllr Hadfield, who had attended with her.  They had received updates on Devolution, Local Government Re-organisation, Planning and UK shared prosperity fund.  Copies of the slides are going to be forwarded, so when the Clerk receives them, she will send them to all the Councillors for their information. 

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

Cllr Sanders asked about agenda item 7, the purchasing of the field. 

Cllr Gallagher explained that due to the closure of North Hykeham and Skellingthorpe burial ground, they had looked at how this may affect our burials going forward and that looking at purchasing the field was the best option.

8.   Village Hall Playground. 

a.   To receive and discuss correspondence from residents regarding the playground.

b.   Discuss the progress to date and the next steps.

The Councillors were given copies of some correspondence received prior to the meeting.

The Clerk also informed that the office had received some phone calls about the foliage being removed from mums that use the playground, asking why it had been removed as their little ones liked running behind it.  They were understanding when they heard why.

A long discussion took place, looking at some footage and photographs of the playground now the foliage had been removed.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Barling that they dig up the stumps, put down some topsoil and grass seed.  The owners of the three gates into the playground are to be contacted regarding them being removed, and if they are not removed, a fence panel will be placed behind the gate, stopping any accidental egress from the playground.

12 Agreed, 2 Against.  Carried.

9.   Electricity for the Village Hall.  To discuss and issue with the invoices.

The Clerk informed that they had changed provider in May 24, they had paid invoices from May 24 to September 24, then they had stopped.  In October 24 a new smart meter was installed by Energy Assets on behalf of Engie.  In late February the Clerk received a pile of invoices and credit notes from May 24 to February 25.  The Clerk has paid the invoices for November 24 to February 25, as they are invoices for actual readings on the smart meter, for amounts from £563 to £809.  However, the invoices from May to October 24 are estimated invoices and are for a total of £55,633.80, therefore the Clerk has not paid them.  An email was sent to Engie three weeks ago, asking for this to be investigated, but we had heard nothing other than an email informing it had been passed on.

It was agreed that the Clerk should put a complaint in with Engie, and write to the Chief Exec, along with Ofgem.

10.  Planning.  To discuss the following planning applications.

Planning application – 25/0175/FUL and 25/0176/ADV

Address – Budgens stores Ltd, Bar Lane, Waddington

Application – Installation of modular self-service laundrette facility and associated works (retrospective) and 5 no signs on laundrette machine casing (retrospective)

It was agreed that they would object to the applications as it is not in keeping with the area, inappropriate for the village, unsightly structure and a distraction to motorists.

11.   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.

10.   Date of the next meeting.  The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Council Meeting, which will be held on Monday 12th May at 7pm in the Community Hub.

Meeting closed at 9.40pm.

Open Forum

County Councillor

Cllr Dyer informed that there was no updates on the North Hykeham relief Road.  They are expecting to hear something May/June time. 

Highways have provided the dates for this year’s pavement reconstruction works in Waddington West.

Chestnut Grove – work starts 5th May

Hawthorn Avenue – work starts 15th May

Hollywell Road – work starts 25th June

The following footpaths are scheduled for reconstruction during the year 2026/27.

Hollywell Road (from Rowan Road to Melbourn Way)

Rowan Road

Almond Crescent

Acacia Avenue

Fir Tree Avenue

The new 40mph speed limit on Meadow Lane, will be implemented in the next 2 weeks.

The evening bus service has been a great success and funding has been agreed for a further 2 years.

Cllr Gallagher thanked Cllr Dyer for all his work over the past 4 years and his good attendance to the Parish Council Meetings.

District Councillors

Cllr Pennell sent his apologies.

Cllr Sanders informed that it had been agreed to offer the old Ambulance Station, Kesteven Street, Sleaford, for parking.  The 1st hour will be freed, £1.50 for up to 3 hours and £3.50 for longer.

Cllr Cooper sent his apologies