Minutes 2025

WADDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 10th FEBRUARY 2025

IN THE COMMUNITY HUB

Present:        Councillors:          Barling, Bayston, Gallagher, Mrs Hopkins

    Hadfield, Hurst, Tennant, Richardson,

Clerk:                   Mrs Smith,

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’s Carcass and Forrester who were on holiday, Cllr Sanders who was ill, Cllr Williams who had a family bereavement, and Cllr Wilson who was at work.

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.

None.

3.  Signing of the minutes.  To accept the Clerk’s notes from the meeting held on 13th January 2025

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hopkins that the minutes of the 13th January were a true record of the meeting, and they were agreed to be signed.

7 Agreed, 1 Abstention Carried.

4.   Finance

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

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Bayston 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 Bayston and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hopkins that the BACS payments and invoices could be signed.

All agreed.  Carried.

5.   Clerks Report and Correspondence.

The Clerk informed that she had received an email from the head teacher of LSST, thanking Cllr’s Barling and Mrs Hopkins for attending their Politics conference. 

The Clerk had received a phone call and email from Smiths of Derby about the Memorial Clock on Bar Lane.   The clock needed a new ARU board and two motors.  They had quoted £1,465.00 + VAT for parts and labour.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hopkins and seconded by Cllr Bayston that they go ahead and have the work done.

All agreed.  Carried.

The office now has a new internet and phone system.  The phone is now through the internet, we are having some problems with the connection, like you do with a mobile phone, that they are looking into.  The good news is that now, both the Clerk and assistant can use the phone at the same time. 

There is a problem with the burial ground, the co-op had agreed with a family in 2023 to have a double depth plot.  We do not allow double depth plots, due to it being difficult to dig and this was not on the paperwork sent to us.   The family are now trying to arrange the second burial and are not happy that they can not be buried together as requested.   I informed that the best I can do, is to have them buried behind them as the row behind is free, but the family want them together, so the co-op are going to apply for an exhumation.

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

None.

7.   To receive and discuss an email from LCC regarding the bus shelter on Grantham Road by Tinkers Lane.

An email had been received from LCC offering to repair the bus shelter or replace it with a new one.

It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded by Cllr Bayston that they keep the old one and have the roof repaired, the windows reinstated, and the bench painted.

7 Agreed, 1 Abstention.  Carried.

8.   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.

9.   ‘In Camera’ item. 

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 temporary excluded and they are instructed to withdraw.’

All agreed.  Carried

1. Staff.

The Clerk informed that they had interviewed three people for the new handyman, and they had employed Mr Paul Haynes.  Paul had started last week, he had three days last week with Dave, who although was still with us to the end of February, he had finished working and was taking his annual holiday.

Date of the next meeting.  Monday 10th March 2025 in the Community Hub.

Meeting closed at 8.40pm.

Open Forum

Cllr Tom Bayston, spoke as a resident in his role as a teacher at LSST, he thanked Cllr’s Mrs Hopkins and Barling for attending the Politics Conference at LSST.

County Councillor

Cllr Dyer informed that the County Council elections will be going ahead in May. 

He informed that he had met with the LCC development team at the site of the planning application from Lindum to build 52 houses on land off Brant Road.  They had looked at the traffic and flooding and would be reviewing the application and data for the area before commenting.

Somerton Gate Lane will be closed on the 10th march for a couple of days for some drainage work, for the natural spring.

Miller Road will be having some micro asphalt treatment on the footpaths in April, weather permitting.

After consultation on the Council Tax, LCC will be raising their part of the Council Tax by 3%.

There is no further update on the North Hykeham relief road.

Following the completion of the Section 19 reports, on the flooding in October 2023, teams have been out reviewing various homes and gullies to see what need to be done.

District Councillors

Cllr Pennell informed that the new chief executive Kath Marriott has started.

North Kesteven will be increasing their element of the Council Tax by 3%, which is £5 a year for a band D.  The garden waste bin payment has been frozen, remaining the same as last year.

Cllr Sanders sent his apologies.

Cllr Cooper sent his apologies.