March 2025 Minutes
Washingborough Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 19th March 2025 at 6.00pm in the
Community Centre, Small Hall, Fen Road, Washingborough, Lincoln. LN4 1AB
Present:
• Cllr Mrs L Simons (Chairman)
• Cllr Mrs L Hannam
• Cllr Mrs A Nixon
• Cllr Mrs W Skelton
• Cllr Mrs R Whipp
In Attendance: Mrs E Salter (Assistant Clerk).
Also Present: District Cllr I Carrington, District Cllr C Goodwin, County Cllr L Cawrey and PC Matthew Roberts.
Members of the Public: There was one member of the public present.
The Chairman welcomed those present and introduced PC Matthew Roberts. PC Roberts, the Community Beat Manager for Washingborough and the Cliff Villages informed members that there are currently three members of the policing team working for the area and therefore will only be able to attend our meetings once a year, but possibly 6 monthly. He urged people to keep reporting crime either via 999, 101 or online and it was noted that the local crime report is now published online. PC Roberts left the meeting.
a. Public Forum: None.
b. Reports from LCC and NKDC – reports attached.
76. Localism Act 2011 requirements:
a. Apologies and reason for absence were received and accepted from Cllr Mrs J Aspinall, Cllr Mrs B Bland, Cllr G Peck and Cllr R Harrington.
No apologies were received from Cllr A Fraser.
b. Declarations of interest: None.
c. Applications for dispensation: None.
77. Draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19th February 2025 were proposed,
seconded and resolved.
78. Matters raised at Public Forum: None.
79. Clerks Report (for information only).
a. To note the change of waste collection day from the end of March 2025.
b. To note the consultation of the Central Lincolnshire Design Code, running from 26th Feb – 9th April 2025.
c. To note the invitation received from the Diocese of Lincoln to appoint a new Vicar for the parish.
d. To note that Councillor Peck and Councillor Skelton attended the community book pledge assembly at Washingborough Academy on 12th March. Councillor Skelton gave a short report to members, informing them that the children were thrilled with the new books and that they had been made to feel most welcome at the school.
e. To note that the Hedgehog signs have been installed on Heighington Road.
f. To note that the Community Centre door lock has been replaced due to wear & tear.
g. To note that the Groundsman is in the process of installing the grasscrete at the play park.
h. To thank those Councillors who attended the Annual Parish Meeting and Jenny & Barry Robinson from the Witham Valley Access Project for a very interesting presentation.
80. To discuss and resolve the following:
a. The invitation from North Kesteven District Council to attend the North Kesteven Parish and Town Council Forum on 10th April 2025. No members at the meeting were able to attend. It was proposed, seconded and resolved for the clerking team to send the invitation out to members that were absent.
b. The donation application from Citizens Advice. Following a short discussion, it was proposed, seconded and resolved to not award a donation on this occasion.
c. To consider a dog friendly enclosed walk/play area on the playing field. Members thought this was a good idea and that it would benefit many residents. It was proposed, seconded and resolved for the clerking team to obtain quotes for fencing and then discuss at a future meeting.
d. To consider a response to Anglian Water’s comments regarding the flooding of the playing field in January 2025. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the clerking team draft a letter to Anglian Water to ask the following questions:
• The location of the manhole cover that was overflowing.
• The date on which the foul waste was cleaned up.
• Why the Parish Council were not informed of the overflowing manhole or the clean-up.
81. Planning Matters.
a. To resolve any comments on the following applications received: None.
b. To ratify comments on the following applications returned under Clerks delegated powers:
i. 25/0157/TCA: 2 Barn Owl Way – T1- Silver birch 8-10m in height – remove. The owner of the tree requests permission to remove & replant a tree of the Council’s recommendation further away from the drain. This tree has previously had work completed on it, this appears to not have been completed to BS3998 and is quite unsightly as you enter the street. Washingborough Parish Council had no comment to make on this application.
ii. 24/1458/HOUS: 124 Granson Way – Conversion of existing detached single storey hobbies room to family annexe. (part retrospective) Washingborough Parish Council had no comment to make on this application.
iii. 25/0207/TCA: 2 Royal Oak Lane – T1 Apple – Reduce the tree by approx. 1m all-round ensuring both boundaries are clear and thin the canopy by approx. 25%. Washingborough Parish Council had no comment to make on this application.
It was proposed, seconded and resolved to ratify the ‘no comments’ on the above applications.
c. To note the decisions from NKDC on the following applications:
i. 24/1105/HOUS: Rookery House, Church Hill – Approved.
82. Financial Matters.
a. The payment schedule for March 2025 was proposed, seconded and resolved and the salaries payments were noted.
b. The accounts and budgets for February 2025 were noted.
c. The Unity Trust bank statement for February 2025 was noted.
d. To ratify the payment to LALC for the annual membership fees. It was proposed, seconded and resolved to pay £766.74 for the annual membership.
e. To consider training needs and whether it’s cost effective to join the annual scheme for core training run by LALC. Members expressed an interest in the core training and it was proposed, seconded and resolved to join the training scheme for the coming financial year.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.03 pm
Signature…………………………………………………………………
Date………………………………………………………………………
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS: March 2025 Amount
Petty Cash
19-Mar-25 Pittstop Petrol £41.41
£41.41
Current Account
19-Mar-25 NKDC NDR (CC) £418.00
19-Mar-25 NKDC NDR (P) £358.00
19-Mar-25 XLN Telephone & Broadband £125.33
19-Mar-25 Wave Water Rates (P) £116.00
19-Mar-25 ESPO Gas (P) £272.60
19-Mar-25 ESPO Gas (CC) £886.07
19-Mar-25 Total Power Electric (CC) £1,336.29
19-Mar-25 ESPO Cleaning & station £434.12
19-Mar-25 Unity Trust Bank Charges £10.20
19-Mar-25 S. Hall Grasscrete £54.99
19-Mar-25 Royal British Legion Flag £13.98
19-Mar-25 Lincoln Security New Lock & Keys £352.20
19-Mar-25 Sharp Shine Window Cleaning £39.00
£4,416.78
Salaries etc.
19-Mar-25 £10,157.62
Total expenditure: March 2025 £14,615.81
Washingborough Parish Council
County Councillor Report
19 March 2025
Parking Problems
I have been contacted about parking issues on Park Lane, Main Road, Oak Hill and Policeman’s Lane. I am currently liaising with Highways officers about Oak Hill and Policeman’s Lane following a site visit in February. I will update the parish council when I have a response from Highways.
I am trying to arrange further site visits for Park Lane and Main Road.
Inspection Cover, Lincoln Road
I reported a noisy inspection cover via FixMyStreet. I am informed that this is an Anglian Water asset and they are going to schedule a repair.
Blocked Gulley on Main Road/ Oak Hill Junction
This blocked gulley which has been causing serious water ingress problems for residents in Royal Oak Lane during recent bad weather events. Following correspondence with a homeowner and a site visit with senior Highways officers, I am delighted to confirm that the work is completed.
Fen Road
I have checked with Highways, and Fen Road is scheduled for repair in the 2025 - 2026 financial year.
I have also been asked by a number of residents to support a speed reduction from 40 to 30 further along Fen Road.
Electronic Bus Notice Boards
New electronic bus notice boards have started to be installed across the county. These will give real-time information about expected waiting times and arrival times. More information is available from this link: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/2261/electronic-bus-boards-have-begun-in-lincolnshire
It is also hoped - technology allowing - that new real-time signage will be installed in the Central Bus Station to prevent repeats of incidents where passengers on the evening circular route have been waiting at the correct stand, but the bus has left - empty - from the wrong stand.
Greater Lincolnshire
Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority held its inaugural meeting in the cathedral chapter house on 6 March. More details are available from this link: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/2277/leaders-talk-of-positive-future-ahead-as-new-authority-meets-for-the-first-time
Local Government Reorganisation
Lincolnshire County Council will meet on Friday to debate and decide on which preferred option for the new unitary authority to submit to government. The district councils have been meeting this week to do the same. This link will give further details: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/2259/lincolnshire-councils-commitment-to-working-together-on-local-government-reorganisation
Cllr Lindsey Cawrey
North Kesteven District Council Report – 19 March 2025 – Washingborough Parish Council
Cllr IAN CARRINGTON
Cllr CAROLA GOODWIN
Cllr REECE HARRINGTON
Local Government Reform
Central Government is imposing structural reform on shire counties moving to a system of unitary councils. All Tier 1 and Tier 2 councils have until 21 March to submit proposals for Lincolnshire. This should be a data driven process following Government rules. A variety of different proposals has already emerged. This is just the initial stage – Government will assess the proposals, and councils must then submit much more details proposals by November. But these are just bids - the Government will be the decision maker, not local people.
Housing
NKDC has nearly 4000 Council homes and is working hard to upgrade their energy efficiency. The Council has just won £9 million in Government money for the programme – money from central Government which will be spent in North Kesteven on North Kesteven homes for North Kesteven residents. We have already won over £3 million in grants, and this new funding plus our own money takes the programme budget to c. £18 million so far. We have already upgraded hundreds of homes and will retrofit around 700 more in the next three years with solar panels, heat pumps and insulation. Driving us towards our net zero target AND making our homes warmer and much cheaper to run.
E-action week
NKDC is the waste collection authority, and has just completed an action week to collect electronic waste – everything from old cables, screens, computer parts or redundant electronics. These can be recycled to extract valuable resources, and because some components are toxic it’s vital, we keep them out of landfill.
Charity Wellbeing Walk
Councillor Andrew Hagues, our Council Chairman, warmly invites you to join him for a delightful Charity Wellbeing Walk on Wednesday 2 April, 2025.
The walk will begin at the Waste and Street Scene Depot in Metheringham and take us through picturesque fields, covering a distance of around three miles. After, we'll return to the Depot for refreshments. Bring along your families and dogs too!
Here are the details:
• Date: Wednesday 2 April 2025
• Starting point: The Depot, Scoley Court, Moorlands Trading Estate, Metheringham, LN4 3BS.
• Time: Arrive at the depot from 4.30pm, start 5pm.
• Cost: Voluntary contribution to the Chairman’s charity – Lincolnshire Rural Support Network
As part of the event, a raffle will also be on offer at £2 per ticket, also to benefit the Chairman's charity for 2025 - Lincolnshire Rural Support Network.
Prizes include vouchers for local shops and services, a bottle of Baileys and even a three-course Sunday lunch for two people at Washingborough Hall Hotel.
Have your say on the Design Code for new development
You can play a pivotal role by contributing to the next phase in the creation of a landmark Design Code.
It will set out clear, ambitious design standards for new buildings and public spaces in the City of Lincoln, North Kesteven and West Lindsey districts, ensuring that developments enhance local character and sustainability.
A draft Vision and seven Design Principles are open for public feedback. Take the survey HERE and opt into a prize draw for one of three £50 Lincolnshire Gift Cards.
REMINDER: North Kesteven Parish and Town Council Forum
All Parish and Town Clerks will be invited to attend the above Forum on Thursday 10 April 2025 that will take place here in the District Council Offices.
This will provide an opportunity for them to meet the new Chief Executive, Kath Marriott, receive important updates on significant district issues and to network with other Parish and Town councils within North Kesteven.
VE Day events - let us know
NKDC is compiling a list of local VE Day events. If you know of any taking place, please email Communications@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Garden Waste Collection
Last year’s permits are about to expire, so it’s time to sign up for 2025/26.
For those with an existing brown bin it will cost just £45 for collections across 2025/26, frozen at last year’s price.
It takes just a few moments at n-kesteven.gov.uk/ gardenwaste or call 01529 414155. There’s nothing you need do if you’re a garden waste customer already paying by direct debit as you will be automatically renewed for the 2025/26 service.
Armed Forces Week competition open for entries
Would your child like their artwork to be seen right across the district?
In tribute to the contribution that members of our British Armed Forces community make to lives across the district and beyond, we are inviting primary and secondary schoolchildren in North Kesteven to help us promote the importance of Armed Forces Day.
The competition theme is: ‘80th Anniversary of the end of World War II, with VE (Victory in Europe) & VJ (Victory over Japan) Days’. Using any medium, entrants are invited to draw their design HERE and return to us before Friday April 4 2025.
The winning poster design will be used to promote this year’s Armed Forces Week events, as well as the artist receiving a prize. The overall prize is a £25 book token, then a first and second prize of £15 and £10 for each school key stage.