2026 Minutes

Welbourn Parish Council

MINUTES OF WELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

IN THE WELBOURN VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30 p.m.

PRESENT 

Not Present

Public Forum.

A resident expressed concern about the high-water level of The Beck (village pond). This was causing periodic flooding of her garden. This resident also expressed concern about the large number of ducks living on the pond. The resident asked if the Council could do anything to help alleviate these problems. The Council agreed to take what steps it could to address her concerns.

1. Chairman’s welcome

2. Acceptance of reasons for absence

2.1 Apologies were received from Cllrs. Short and Duxbury (holidays). These apologies were accepted. Apologies were also received from Cllr. Hagues.

3. Declaration of interest in any matter on the agenda – None

4. Notes of the EGM held on 21 August 2026 to be approved as minutes. Proposed by Cllr. Spedding and seconded by Cllr. Rowbotham.

4.1 Resolved: That these be accepted as minutes of the meeting.

5. Consideration of candidate(s) for the positions of Co-opted Parish Councillor and co-option thereafter.

5.1 The two candidates made short presentations explaining why they wished to become a Parish Councillor and what each could contribute. The Chair thanked them for their applications and their presentations. The matter was considered carefully.

5.2 Resolved unanimously:-  The Council elects to co-opt Deboarh Cumming as a member of Welbourn Parish Council. Proposed by Cllr. Cross and seconded by Cllr. Crosby.

6. Parish Clerk’s report.

6.1 Regarding item 5.2 from the June Parish Council meeting, a representative from Anglian Water met with the Chair of the Parish Council on site. After the meeting the Parish Council received an e-mail from Anglian Water stating that high water level  in the ditch was not caused by Anglian Water piping.

6.2 The Parish Clerk plans to send letters to local farmers in the next few weeks requesting that ditches and culverts be cleared in readiness for the autumn storms.

6.3 Lincolnshire County Council has issued a traffic restriction order affecting the A607.  This is posted on the Parish Council noticeboard.

6.4 A poster from PCSO William Jones has been posted on the Parish Council notice board. His telephone number is 07973 846235.

6.5 Should any resident have any noise nuisance complaints these should be directed to NKDC Environmental Health Section or if there is disorder to ring the Police on 101

6.6 The Welbourn Floods Working Group (WFWG) met on 2 September 2026.  Here is a summary:-

• The three early warning flood monitors located in the ditches on the A607 are to be adjusted to the correct level in the ditches. 
• Requests to remove the vegetation in the ditches at the foot of Mill Hill with the junction with the A607 have been submitted to LCC and being chased up
• A complaint from the resident in Beck St regarding the fluctuating levels of The Beck (village pond) has been received. She's also complained about the number of ducks on the pond. The resident believes there is a blockage in the culvert running under Beck Street. The WFWG has contacted LCC about this.
• A resident in Hall Orchard Lane has expressed concerns about the high-water level of the stream which runs through his back garden. The stream runs into a culvert under the railway embankment at the rear of his property. This resident believes the high-water level is caused by an accumulation of silt within the culvert. The WFWG will work to seek a solution.
• A survey of all the grates and gullies in the village is being organised to identify any blocked drains.
• An article will be submitted to the three villages magazine requesting reminding residents of the riparian responsibilities.

7. County and District Councillors update

7.1 Councillor Overton invites funding grant applications from local organisations for schemes which will benefit residents. She urged residents to continue to lodge objections of the proposed Navenby Substation on the NK Planning website. A target of 1000 objections is almost achieved. The Government’s plans for Local government Reorganisation have been paused following legal challenges. 

(Councillor Overton arrived at 8.45 pm and 9.16 pm)

8. Current and future maintenance responsibilities.

8.1 A resident down Hall Orchard Lane has complained about the tree opposite 16 Hall Orchard Lane. He's concerned that ivy is growing around the tree and weakening its structural stability.

Action Point: Cllr. Cross will inspect this.

8.2 The proposed installation of a gate from the playing fields into Moat Lane in the vicinity of the tennis court has been rejected by the Village Hall and Playing Field Committee on safety concerns. The gap will be blocked again.

8.3 A resident has requested that the grass encroaching on to the road in Little Lane be cut back.

Action Point: Parish Clerk to instruct the handyman to get this done.

8.4 The vegetation around The Beck ( village pond) needs cutting back.

Action Point: Parish Clerk to request a quote from the village handyman.

8.5 A DCR engineer repaired the faulty heat sensor in the Meeting Room. However, when the system was tested the control panel showed another fault. The faulty part will be replaced under guarantee.

8.6 The footway at the entrance to Welbourn Engineering is damaged.

Action Point: Parish Clerk to report on FixMyStreet.

8.7 Cllr. Spedding volunteered to repaint the gate onto Castle Hill and suggested that the noticeboard at the bus stop requires a coat of wood preservative.

8.8 Removal of the pendulous sedge in The Beck (village pond) is due to take place on Saturday 3 October 2026 as recommended in the Ecologist’s Report.

Resolved: That the Council approve payment of the skip hire fee.

9. Planning Matters to consider and discuss: 

9.1 Notification of Receipt of Planning Application

Planning Application Reference: 26/0506/FUL

Proposal: Refurbishment of listed former stable block and unlisted garage to form two separate dwelling houses with associated works

Location: Welbourn Manor Care Home High Street Welbourn 

Notification of Receipt of Planning Application

Planning Application Reference: 26/0457/LBC

Proposal: Proposed refurbishment of listed former stables block to dwelling house 

Location: Welbourn Manor Care Home High Street Welbourn

Resolved: The Parish Council supports these applications.

9.2 Notification of Intended Works to Trees in a Conservation Area.

Application reference: 26/0984/TCA

Description of works:  H1 Cypress Remove section of hedge close to

ground level in order to achieve a minimum clearance of 6m to the affected structure. T1 Cherry Remove. T2 Maple (Field) Remove. The tree works are proposed to stop the influence of the tree(s) on the soil below building foundation level and provide long term stability to 23 The Green Welbourn. 

Location: 23 The Green, Welbourn, Lincoln, Lincolnshire,

Resolved: The Parish Council supports this application.

9.3 Notification of Receipt of Planning Application

Planning Application Reference: 26/1014/FUL

Proposal: Erection of 1no detached dwelling and detached single garage

Location: Rear Of 31 The Green Welbourn Lincoln Lincolnshire LN5 0NJ

Resolved: The Parish Council supports this application.

10. Notifications of Planning Decisions: None

11. 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: -

11.1 Accounts value (2 September 2026):

11.2 Bank reconciled:    £0 discrepancy.

11.3 Payments made since 8 July 2026

11.5 Expected payments before the next meeting (14 October 2026): 

11.6 Approval is requested to authorise the setting up of a direct debit to pay the monthly electricity charge for The Forge (Blacksmith’s Shop)

11.7 A new pay scale has been agreed nationally for Parish Council employees. This means that back pay is due to the Parish Clerk and the RFO.

11.8 Resolved: That the Council note and approve Items 11.1 to 11.6 above. Proposed by Cllr. Cross and seconded by Cllr. Rowbotham.

12. Consider and approve essential electrical safety work required at The Forge (The Blacksmith’s Shop).

Resolved: That the Council approve the quote of £375.00 from a local electrician  for the cost of a consumer unit replacement and documentation.

13. Review and approve Parish Council policy for Handling Freedom of Information Requests.

Resolved: Readopt the existing policy.

14. Reconsideration of works to The Beck recommended by the Ecologist and to decide next steps. 

Resolved: Parish Clerk to obtain quotes for the general enhancement of The Beck (village pond) as recommended in the Ecologist’s report dated October 2025. (copy available on the Welbourn Parish Council website)

15. Consider and decide support for the community event organised by Lincolnshire Resilience Forum and National Flood Forum on 23 September 2026.

Resolved: All Parish Councillors will attend if possible.

16. Consider the request to support a petition organised by a Brant Broughton resident to improve safety on the A17. 

Resolved: The Parish Council supports the signing of this petition. Parish Clerk to action.

17. Portfolio Holders Updates -  none

18. Agenda items for the next meeting – AGAR Audits Reports. Ducks on pond.

The meeting closed at 9.25 pm.

Signed:- Chair of Welbourn Parish Council 

Next meeting

Wednesday 14 October 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

14 October 2026     11 November 2026