9th April 2026 minutes

Minutes are in DRAFT until approved at the following meeting

 

Willingham by Stow Parish Council Minutes of the April Meeting held on 9th April 2026 at 7.40pm

 

 

Present: Cllrs D Bingham (Chair), M Bates, T Clifton, Q Connell

Absent: Cllrs A O’Dell, D Leak

In attendance: L Brooks-Sleight (clerk), Cllr L Mullally WLDC

 

49/2026 Apologies for Absence -to note apologies and reasons given. Received from Cllr O’Dell with reason accepted. Resolved

 

50/2026 Public Participation - to agree, if necessary, to temporary suspend the meeting for a period of no more than 10mins to allow for public Participation. No public present

 

51/2026 The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 12th March 2026 were approved as a true & correct record. Proposed & seconded, Resolved

 

52/2026 Declarations of Interest - to record declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 for any listed agenda items below. None received

 

53/2026 Representatives Report – received updates from LCC P Wimhurst and WLDC L Mullally

 

54/2026 Clerks Report 

• The webmaster IT man has left and there is a vacancy. Not able to have the IT cloud/online training

• Email sent to Acis Housing to request information on the grassed area on the corner of Grange Lane

 

55/2026 Notice Board – to receive quotes and consider future actions

The Men’s Shed are unable to make a new board due to being such a large request. Cllr Clifton to look at the board before obtaining quotes

 

56/2026 Highways – no current highways issues 

 

57/2026 Planning - to receive any correspondence/decisions by WLDC and discuss any planning applications. No current planning or decisions

 

58/2026 PC Banking -to receive an update on the bank re: adding signatories and dual authorisation. No further updates, Cllr Bingham & Leak still not received their online banking details. Clerk to chase.

 

59/2026 Finance 

a. To receive & approve the 2025/26 Expenditure v Budget. Proposed & seconded, approved. Resolved

b. The monthly reconciliation of the accounts with the corresponding Bank statements – up to 31/03/2026 with the current bank balance of £10,444.28 was approved, and payments listed below approved, Proposed & seconded, Resolved

Willingham Playing Field Grant 1400.00

HMRC PAYE + NI 58.42

 

                                                                                                                                             

 

60/2026 LCC Bus Shelter Grant Scheme – to receive an update and consider any future actions. No update

 

61/2026 St Helens Churchyard – to receive a request from the PCC to cut back a yew tree hanging over the footpath and consider quote from the grass contractor. The request was discussed and quote received from Lea Garden Services as additional work as per agreed hourly rate in contract. Proposed & seconded, approved. Resolved

 

62/2026 School Trust Fund – to receive any updates. A meeting has been arranged with the secretary of the Trust, documents to be received for further investigation

 

63/2026 Village Newsletter – to receive an update. Emails sent out to all village groups/organisations for articles, reminders to be sent and quotes for printing to be obtained for the May meeting.

 

64/2026 APM – to note any comments/issues from the previous meeting. 

Parking on the High St & on grass verges causing ruts in the grass. Drains leaking down the High St. 

 

65/2026 Correspondence (sent prior by email)

NALC Chief Executive Bulletin 

Lalc Enews

 

66/2026 Agenda Items for next meeting (by 7th May) and to take any points from members

• CPR/First Aid Training

• 23rd April – St Georges Day flag

 

The date & time of the Annual Council Meeting as Thursday 14th May 2026 at 7.30pm in Willingham Village Hall committee room

 

 

The Chair closed the meeting at 8.40pm