January 2026 DRAFT Minutes
Welbourn Parish Council
NOTES OF WELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2026
IN THE WELBOURN VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT
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Parish Councillors Robert Cross (Chair) Michael Bighi Mark Crosby |
Steve Ralph Louise Troy (left the meeting at 8.45pm) Stephen Short
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Mr Daniel Bancroft – Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) District Cllr Marianne Overton MBE |
Mr Jim Fieldhouse – Parish Clerk District Councillor Lucille Hagues |
Not Present
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Cllr. Harriet Huntsman |
Cllr. Steve Spedding |
1. Chairman’s welcome
2. Acceptance of reasons for absence
2.1 Apologies were received from Cllr. Harriet Huntsman (holidays), and Cllr. Steve Spedding (holiday). These apologies were accepted. The Chair announced that Katie Stark resigned as a Parish Councillor on 12 January 2026 due to increasing work commitments. He thanked Katie for valuable contribution she had made to the Parish Council over many years.
3. Declaration of interest in any matter on the agenda – None declared.
4. Notes of meeting held on 12 November 2025 to be approved as minutes. Proposed by Cllr. Bighi and seconded by Cllr. Ralph.
4.1 Resolved: That these be accepted as minutes of the meeting.
5. Parish Clerk’s Report
5.1 The Parish Clerk has asked Historic England for permission to remove vegetation from the moat. This has been recommended by the Lincolnshire County Council following the Ajet survey carried out in January 2025. Provisional consent has been granted subject to the conditions which were explained to the Council.
5.2 Resolved: That the Parish Council accept the conditions stipulated by Historic England.
5.3 The e-mail addresses for the Parish Clerk and the Responsible Finance Officer will be changing to parishclerk@welbournparishcouncil.gov.uk and rfo@welbournparishcouncil.gov.uk to comply with new regulations applying to Parish Councils.
5.4 Regarding Resolution 12.1 from the October 2025 meeting, the Parish Clerk asked four firms recommended by the Ecologist, to quote for the works specified in the Ecologist’s Report on the Beck. None of these firms were willing to give a quote. 5.5 Action Point: Parish Councillors to investigate suitable alternative contractors to carry out this work.
5.6 Action Point: Cllrs. Cross and Bighi to acquire a straw bale and net to apply the village pond to reduce oxygenation.
5.7 A road traffic order has been received from Lincolnshire County Council which involves a road closure affecting The Green between property number 32 – 40 The Green from Monday 19 January for 3 days. The notices have been posted on the 5.8 Parish Council noticeboard, Nextdoor and WhatsApp.
5.8 Action Point: Parish Clerk to arrange for individual notices to be sent to each household on The Green and Dycote Lane.
5.9 The IT course which was to be held on 20 January has been cancelled due to lack of support.
6. Public Forum – No residents were present.
7. To discuss and agree the Parish Council precept for 2026 – 27 based on the budget agreed at the November 2025 meeting.
7.1 The RFO presented the Precept bill to be sent to North Kesteven District Council for 2026 – 27 and responded to questions. The amount is £31,706.86. This represents a 5.5% increase over the 2025 – 26 precept.
7.2 Resolved: That Parish Council approve this precept bill to be sent to NKDC without delay.
8. County and District Councillors update (10 mins)
8.1 Cllr. Hagues recent newsletter explaining the use of flood storage reservoirs has been circulated to Parish Councillors. She had nothing further to add. (Cllr Hagues left the meeting at 8.20pm).
8.2 Cllr Overton (arrived at 8.45pm) stated that:-
• LCC have an £82m shortfall in their budget for the next financial year. This is despite receiving an extra £36m from Central Government, £9m from the pension fund and increased borrowing of £30m. The LCC precept will increase by 4.99% for the next financial year.
• Unfortunately, Police cover is reducing by 25% due financial constraints.
• Food caddies will start being collected on 13 March 2026.
• Anyone wishing to improve their IT skills can attend the Digital Hub at Waddington.
• The Cliff Villages Solar Action Group attended the Planning Inspectors hearing regarding the Fosse Green Energy planning application.
9. Current and future maintenance responsibilities (10 mins)
9.1 The following damaged grass verges have been reported to Lincolnshire County Council:-
• Outside The Village Hall Beck Street
• North End
• Outside 27 The Green
Lincolnshire County Council have advised that they do not intend to repair them.
9.2 Action Point: – Cllr. Bighi to investigate the costs of erecting No Parking and No Driving on Soft Verges sign at North End and Beck Street near the pond.
9.3 The footway on Main Road opposite Troops car repairs is too narrow and there is no proper curb to protect pedestrians. It has been reported to Lincolnshire County Council. The County Council have responded stating that they do not intend to carry out any repairs currently.
9.3 Action Point: Parish Clerk to write to LCC expressing serious concern after consulting with Leadenham PC.
9.4 A quote of £375 for repainting of the information signs at Castle Hill has been received from the handyman and requires approval before instructions are issued.
9.5 Resolved: The Parish Council accept this quote. Parish Clerk to instruct the handyman to commence work.
9.6 The heat pump at the village hall has suffered a breakdown. DCR quoted £798.48 plus VAT to repair. DCR engineers attended on 14 January 2026 and discovered a further fault which will involve a further delay and further expense.
9.7 Resolved: That the Parish Council reluctantly agrees to these further repairs being carried out as soon as possible.
9.8 There is a water leak in the village hall which has been notified to us by Anglian Water. A plumber has carried out a inspection. It’s not obvious where the leak is. It will have to be found using a process of elimination.
9.9 A resident has expressed concern regarding the newly planted liquidambar tree on The Green, near the old red telephone box on the grounds that its roots are very strong and invasive which can cause damage to pipes and walkways. Also, it has very sticky and spiky seed pods which can hurt and are difficult to clear up.
9.10 Resolved: Parish Clerk to refer these observations to the LCC Highways and request its comments.
9.11 The Village Hall and Playing Field Committee have reported that the floor in the Meeting Room needs repairing.
9.12 Action Point: Parish Clerk to arrange quotes for the repair.
9.13 The streetlight outside 17 Dycote Lane is faulty.
9.14 Action Point: Parish Clerk to arrange new replacement LED streetlight.
10. Planning Matters to consider and discuss: None
11. Notifications of Planning Decisions: None
12. Finance Report: - From the Responsible Finance Officer (RFO): - To review bank balances, invoices paid since last meeting since, items to be paid before next meeting and quarter end report: -
12.1 Accounts value (4 January 2026):
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HSBC Client A/c 611: £4,297.94 (Forge et al)
HSBC A/c 772: £15,216.35 (For Precept) |
HSBC Bmm A/c 638: £15,527.64 (Reserves)
HSBC Business C/A 677: £2,317.29
Bank Total: £37,359.22 |
(Cllr. Short crossed checked the bank statements and signed off accordingly.)
12.2 Bank reconciled: £0 discrepancy.
12.3 Payments made since 12 November 2025
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12.4 Income Received since last meeting (12 November 2025)
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12.5 Expected payments before the next meeting (11 February 2026):
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12.6 Quarter 3 – Budget Comparison Report
Total budget: £29,203
Anticipated budget spend: £21,902.25 (09/12)
Actual budget spend: £25,706.41 (17.37% Over Budget)
Spend against budget by area:
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Budget |
Actual |
Percentage Difference |
Reason |
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Utilities: |
£3,817.50 |
£3,175.47
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16.82% Under |
Npower invoice outstanding |
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Grass cutting: |
£3,787.50 |
£4,600
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21.45% Over |
Currently winter |
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General maintenance: |
£3,352.50 |
£5,547.56
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65.48% Over |
Pond expenses
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Insurance: |
£780 |
£1015.76
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30.22% Over |
Annual Cost |
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Financial: |
£405 |
£333.25
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17.72% Under |
External audit cost lower than budget |
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LALC: |
£678 |
£270
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60.17% Under |
No courses, annual sub in Q4 |
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Clerk & RFO: |
£7,919.25 |
£7,580.17
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4.28% Under |
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Village hall: |
£1,125
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£3,184.20 |
183% Over |
Wellers Law group payments x 2 |
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Community projects: |
£37.50 |
£0
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100% Under |
Annual Grant |
Excluded Capital Expenses:
Clean Courts - £4,080
12.7 Resolved: That the Parish Council note and approve Items 12.1 – 12.6.
13.To discuss and review the report from Resource Resolutions regarding solar farm installations.
13.1 Resolved: The Parish Council’s view on the report is neutral. The report can be viewed here.
14. Portfolio Holders Updates.
14.1 Cllr. Cross highlighted that the recent Batters Report had stated that domestic food production was a priority for the UK. Solar Farm proposals will reduce the amount of available land to produce food. Cllr. Cross added that the Leoda scheme, if successful would reduce the local production of sugar beet which could adversely affect the viability of the sugar beet factory at Newark
14.2 Cllr. Short is concerned that the LCC gritters do not enter the village.
15. Agenda items for the next meeting.
Signed ………………………………………………. Date…………………………….
Chair
(Meeting closed at 9.45 pm.)
Next meeting : - Wednesday 11 February 2026
Copies to: Parish Councillors, County & District Councillors, Parish Council Web Site
Future Parish Council Meetings in 2026: All meetings to commence at 7.30 pm
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11 February 2026 11 March 2026 8 April 2026 13 May 2026 |
10 June 2026 8 July 2026 9 September 2026 14 October 2026 11 November 2026 |
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Councillor |
Portfolio 1 |
Portfolio 2 (& 3) |
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Robert Cross |
Byways/Highways |
Cliff Cluster Group Rep & The Forge |
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Stephen Short |
Planning & Finance Cttee |
Human Resources Cttee (& VH Rep) |
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Harriet Huntsman |
Finance Cttee |
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Vacancy |
Human Resources Cttee |
Communications (& Planning) |
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Steve Ralph |
Drainage |
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Michael Bighi |
Schools Liaison |
Nature and Environment |
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Steve Spedding |
Castle Hill |
Community Safety & Resilience |
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Mark Crosby |
Allotments |
Village Hall Rep |
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Louise Troy |
Health & Welfare |
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