11th December 2025 Minutes
MINTUES ARE IN DRAFT FORM UNTIL APPROVED & SIGNED AT THE NEXT PC MEETING
WILLINGHAM BY STOW PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the December MEETING of WILLINGHAM by STOW PARISH COUNCIL
held on Thursday 11th December 2025 at 7.30pm
Present: Cllrs D Bingham (Chairman), M Bates, T Clifton, C Devine, D Leak, A O’Dell
In Attendance: L Brooks-Sleight – clerk, WLDC Cllr L Mullally
2025/197 Apologies for Absence
Apologies with reason received from Cllr Connell, accepted. Resolved
2025/198 Public Participation
No public present
2025/199 Minutes of last Meetings
The Minutes of the November Council meeting both held on 13th November 2025 was signed as a true & correct record. Proposed & seconded, voted. Resolved
2025/200 Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest received from any members.
2025/201 Representatives Report
WLDC Cllr Lynda Mullally sent information on the solar farms in the area prior to the meeting.
2025/202 Clerks Report
• LCC Grass Cutting Agreement - £745.17 has been received
• VAT refund request up to the end of October 2025 has been submitted
• PC new email – sent details to WLDC and LCC to update their records. Will update with contacts over the next few months but will continue to monitor the old account
• 1 tonne of salt was delivered by LCC on Wednesday for the PC salt bins
2025/203 Grass Cutting Tender 2026
Only one tender has been received for the 2026 season, it was approved to accept the quote from Lea Garden Services. Proposed & seconded. Resolved
2025/204 Grant Funding Applications 2026/27
The PC haven’t received any requests for grant funding for 2026/27 from the village groups.
2025/205 Village Hall Updated Rental Charges
The new rental charges & information sheet from Willingham Village Hall committee was received and noted with an increase in the fee for the monthly PC meetings from January 2026.
2025/206 Assets Checklist
Cllr Bingham completed the village assets checklist on the 1/12/2025. The grit bin on Marton Rd needs refilling; seat on Grange Lane green needs replacing; the notice board at the village hall needs resealing; the Platinum Jubilee tree has died and needs replacing and the odd cracks on the cemetery footpath that need monitoring.
2025/207 Internal Audit Report mid-term
The internal auditors report with recommendations was circulated prior and was noted. The clerk to work through the recommendations on the Key governance review and update the website.
2025/208 Budget 2026/27
The 2026/27 Budget was approved, £16,417. Proposed & seconded, voted. Resolved
2025/209 Precept 2026/27
The 2026/27 Precept was finalised, £16,000 to be requested from WLDC, form signed. Proposed & seconded, voted. Resolved
2025/210 Cemetery and Parish Field Tree Report
The tree safety report of all the trees in the Cemetery and at the Parish Fields was received from the Arboriculturist and no current safety issues reported, with a recommendation to re-survey in 5years but to monitor all trees and assess when required. No further action currently.
2025/211 HR Group Terms of Reference
The HR Group Terms of Reference was approved. Proposed & seconded, all voted in favour. Resolved
2025/212 Highways
Reports from Highways re: footpath High St/Marton Rd – this has been cleared; re: Grange Lane overhanging hedge – they are still working on this.
The council concerned with the flooding on the corner High St/Gainsborough Rd, flood signage was erected by LCC due to flooding across the corner, but the water isn’t draining away, very dangerous due to vehicles using oncoming side of the road to avoid the flood. The clerk to report to Cllr Paul Wimhurst and Fix my street
Council also concerned with the lack of gritting down the High St to the doctors surgery – report on fix my street
2025/213 Planning
WL/2025/00974 Park Farm. Decision received from WLDC – granted permission with conditions, dated 22nd Dec 2025
2025/214 PC Banking
Barclays Bank requested further information and forms to add Cllrs Clifton and Devine as signatories and for online banking before confirming & authorising. Both councillors’ identities have now been verified by Barclays bank..
2025/215 Solar Farm/BESS
The council were updated on the current Solar farm/BESS developments in the area and WLDC Lynda Mullally said that there are no grant funding/compensation options available yet. The PC wanted to ask LCC Paul Wimhurst questions regarding the compulsory purchase orders of the highways.
2025/216 Finance
The monthly reconciliation of the accounts with the corresponding Bank statement up to 30/11/2025 and the payments listed below were approved for payment. The Bank Balance up to 30/11/2025 - £12578.92. Proposed & seconded, voted. Resolved
Tree Survey 407.50
Salary/expenses Nov 533.62
2025/217 Correspondence (sent prior by email)
NALC Chief Executive Bulletin
Lalc Enews
LCC Town & Parish News
2025/218 Agenda Items for next meeting (by 5th February) and to take any points from members
School Trust Fund
The notice boards needs repairing
The meeting went into closed session
2025/219 To consider the exclusion of the public and press in accordance with the Public Bodies
(Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s1 (2) due to the confidential nature of the items to be
Discussed - The Clerks appraisal was reported to the full council – no current issues/concerns.
The date & time of the next council meeting, Thursday 12th February 2026 at 7.30pm in Willingham Village Hall committee room
The Chair closed the meeting at 8.40pm