Annual Parish Meetings

WILLINGHAM BY STOW PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Present: Cllr D Bingham (Chairman), L Brooks-Sleight (Clerk) and 6 residents

1. Apologies

          Received from 2 residents.

2. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting 2023

            The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 27th April 2023 were approved & signed

            as a true and correct record Resolved

3. Chairman’s Report – presented by Cllr D Bingham (Chairman)

I would like to thank my fellow councillors and clerk that have served with me over the previous year and welcome our two new councillors, I also would like to thank our longest severing councillor who retired earlier in the year after 30years plus service she put in.

The year started off with the village street party for the coronation run by the village hall committee, we were able to help by giving a donation for the BBQ food, we also gave every household in the village a pack of wildflower seeds so hopefully you will see a bit colour about this summer.

Grants this year were given to the playing field to help with grass cutting, to the church Christmas lights and a donation for the Christmas tree display in the church. We also donated to the village hall to buy games equipment for the seniors keep fit as West Lindsey every one active stopped its funding. we again gave the prizes for the best decorated Christmas light display, best kept garden and village scarecrow competition.

After opening the village field, it has been well used so we are now about to start the next stage when it dries up, we have had another grant from West Lindsey to put in two hard standings with picknick tables also a new bigger planter on the village green.

Planning has been quite with only one new build passed after going to appeal and retrospective permission given for an agricultural build and outlined planning for 3 properties withdrawn on Cotgarth lane.

Solar is still ongoing with a battery storage been applied for down Marton Lane; it is still quite a worrying situation the impact solar is going to have on the village.

Around the village I would like to thank homeowners who help to keep roadside verges mown and generally keeping the place tidy, our village litter pickers for doing a good job and if anyone else has time to do some please do as I know one of our regular pair is waiting for a new hip.

I would also like to thank our gardeners for looking after the planters, the teams who look after the village Facebook sites and to our village web man for keeping the village website up to date. Lastly can I remind people please to park sensibly on the high street just lately we have had a few situations with cars blocking entrances and junctions and double parking blocking the high street off , and finally dog walkers and owners bins are provided for you to use we are getting a few that are not picking up their dogs mess especially on the lanes out of the village .

Thank you, David.

            Balance brought forward from 31st March 2023 was £14,920.58

           Expenditure consist mainly from the General Administration, Grounds & Property Maintenance and  

           Grants of financial support.

           As well as an unexpected cost – the repair of the  speed reactive device on the High St

           Total expenditure was £18,506.59

           The main part of the Parish Councils Income comes from the precept at £14,000.  Income from

           cemetery fees has been £2,540.00, Other income of from rental of the parish field, grant funding &

           VAT refund    

           Total income was £19,185.99

           The year ended with £15,599.98 in the account  31st March 2024                                    Resolved                                                     

 5.        Reports for Village Organisations

Reports/emails were received from the– Twining, St Helens Church, the Village Hall Committee, Foxy Ladies and the Willingham & District Relief in Sickness Charity, Bell Ringers, Horticultural Society and Friendship group.

6.       Open Forum for public participation

      Concerns raised over the Solar Farms; a resident questioned the amount of money held within the PC bank

      accounts at the end of the financial year; residents concerned that they weren’t informed of the APM.

Meeting Ended 7.20pm