2026-27 Full Parish Council Minutes

Washingborough Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 16th September 2026 at 6.00pm in the

Community Centre, Small Hall, Fen Road, Washingborough, Lincoln. LN4 1AB

Present:

• Cllr Mrs A Nixon (Chairman)
• Cllr Mrs B Bland
• Cllr A Fraser
• Cllr Mrs L Hannam
• Cllr K Newton
• Cllr A Redgrift
• Cllr Mrs W Skelton

In Attendance: Miss K Broddle (Clerk) and Mrs E Salter (Assistant Clerk)

Also in Attendance: None

Members of the Public: There were twelve members of the public present.

Chairmans opening remarks and welcome:

      The Chairman welcomed those present and thanked them for attending.

1. Public Forum: A number of residents were present and one requested a bus stop sign at Alabala Close and the other residents requested the reinstatement of the bridge over the South Delph/Longstongs Drain.

2. Report from LCC is attached.

35. Localism Act 2011 requirements:

1. Apologies and reasons for absence were received from: Cllrs C Goodwin and I Carrington (NKDC) and Cllr L Cawrey (LCC).  
2. Declarations of interest: None.
3. Applications for dispensation: None.

36. Draft notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 15th July 2026 were proposed,

      seconded and resolved as the minutes.

37. Matters arising at Public Forum:

      The Clerks will request a bus stop sign from LCC.

       The Parish Council received further information from a resident regarding the reinstatement

       of the footbridge.

38. Clerks Report:

1.  To note that the Macmillan Coffee Morning will take place on Friday 25th September in the Community Centre from 10.00 – 12.00.
2. To note that the Letter to LCC regarding the resurfacing of Fen Road has been resent.
3. To note that the repair to the Community Centre wall has been completed.
4. To note that Cllr Nixon & Newton have signed the PFR homeowners’ agreement in order for the flood prevention works to be carried out up to the maximum grant allocation by Whitehouse Construction.

39. To discuss and resolve the following:

1. The co-option of Mr Mick Collins was proposed, seconded and resolved.

2. The email from a resident regarding a bridge over the South Delph/Longstongs: it was proposed, seconded and resolved to allow a four-wheel drive vehicle, with boring chains and trailer to travel across the playing fields to assess Longstongs delph, with regard to foundations. It was proposed, seconded and resolved to allow this piece of work to go ahead, providing all the necessary permissions, in writing and RAMS are in place for the appropriate agencies.

3. To appoint a new member to the staffing committee - it was proposed, seconded and resolved that the new member is Cllr Mrs Hannam. It was proposed, seconded and resolved for the name to be changed from Staffing Panel to Staffing Committee.

4. The email from a resident regarding permission to metal detect in Chapel Park: it was agreed to seek advice from LALC, regarding this request.

5. Report from Councillors regarding the play park following the meeting with Kompan. The meeting was very positive and it was proposed, seconded and resolved to accept the quote from them for the work needed. Council have also requested the promised tool kit for the play equipment that the groundsman maintains.

6. To consider moving the stat time of the Parish Meeting from 6pm to 6.30pm for a trial period of three months: it was proposed seconded and resolved to trial this start time.

7. The email from the Flood Resilience Team regarding the flood alarm devices: it was proposed, seconded and resolved for Cllr Newton to draft a response to the Resilience Team.

8. To advise Councillors and staff of the fire training taking place on Tuesday 20th October at 2pm: a number of Councillors are not able to attend but all members staff will attend.

40.      Planning Matters:

1. To resolve any comments on the following applications received: None

b. The following comments returned under Clerks delegated powers were ratified by                 Washingborough Parish Council:

1. 26/0697/FUL & 26/0698/LBC: Washingborough Hall Hotel, Church Hill – Alterations to and replacement of the existing roof structure to create additional guest bedrooms and external alterations including new dormer windows and replacement fire escape. Washingborough Parish Council had no comment to make on this application.
2.  26/0910/PNH: 45 The Fields – Single storey rear extension 4.5m in total length from the original wall, eaves height of 2.9m and maximum height of 3.0m. Washingborough Parish Council had no comment to make on this application.
3. 26/0933/TCA: Washingborough Hall Hotel, Church Hill – Silver Birch – Fell due to poor health. Washingborough Parish Council had no comment to make on this application.
4. 26/0393/HOUS: The Bungalow, Church Hill – Single storey extensions to north & south elevations together with raising roof height to create first floor accommodation and erection of detached triple garage with annex accommodation above. Washingborough Parish Council had no comment to make on this application.

c. The decisions from NKDC on the following applications were noted:

1. 26/0604/HOUS: 5 Ravenwood – Erection of annex (retrospective). Approved.
2. 26/0539/VARCON: Land at Lincoln Road & Ferry Lane – Application to vary conditions 20 (opening times) and 21 (delivery times) attached to planning permission 22/0362/FUL – erection of new food store. Approved.
3. 26/0675/FUL & 26/0676/LBC: The Old Post Office, 5 High Street – Installation of integrated solar panels to the roof of existing garage. Approved.
4. 26/0619/HOUS: 6 Ravenwood – Increase garage roof height to create an annexe. Approved.
5. 26/0762/ADV: 5 The Precinct, Park Lane – Retrospective consent for siting of an internal freestanding floor mounted Totem display sign with 55inch digital screens. Approved.

    41.    Policies:

                     i. To review and adopt an amended Safeguarding policy (further to minute number

                     23iii from 15th July 2026). (Clerc to lead)

                   ii. The updated Children’s Play Risk Assessment was adopted.

      42.   Financial Matters.

1. The payment schedules for August & September 2026 were proposed, seconded and resolved and the salaries were noted.
2. The Unity Trust Bank statement for August 2026 was noted.
3. The accounts and budgets were received with no comments made.
4. It was proposed, seconded and resolved to purchase five hours of the Webmaster Service.
5. It was proposed, seconded and resolved to agree to the necessary remedial work to the fire alarm and FCU by Selmec.

 43.   To resolve moving into Closed Session (Public Bodies Admission to Meetings Act 1960).

 44.   Staffing Matters.

           Notes from Closed Session:

           It was agreed that Cllr Skelton would take the notes as both the Clerk and Assistant Clerk left    

           the meeting due to discussing Office Staffing.

45.  Staffing Matters

1. Report from the Staffing Committee regarding a recent meeting with members of staff.

Following a concern raised regarding working arrangements, the Staffing Committee met separately with the staff concerned to discuss the matter and a way forward to support effective working relationships. The Staffing Committee initially remained cautious regarding the likely outcome, however to date the situation appears to have been resolved and working arrangements have improved.

2. To note the resignation of the Clerk.

The Clerk has submitted her resignation to the Chairman and intends to retire at the end of February 2027.It was resolved to accepted her resignation.

Iii.        Councillors discussed various options for the Parish Council office. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that that the Parish Council should retain a Clerk and a Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)/Assistant Clerk. This arrangement may be reviewed in the future should circumstances or the need for the Council change.

            It was further proposed, seconded and resolved that the current Assistant Clerk be offered the position of Deputy Clerk, subject to her willingness to accept the appointment.

           The Chairman will, in the first instance, discuss the proposed appointment with the Assistant Clerk. Subject to the outcome of this discussion, advertisements for any remaining vacancy should be placed as soon as possible.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 19:53.

     Signature…………………………………….

     Date………………………………………………….