2025 Full Council Minutes

Full Council Minutes November 2025

Minutes of the Full Council Meeting of Cherry Willingham Parish Council held at 7.00pm on 17th November 2025 held in The Vine, Cherry Willingham

 

Present, Cllr A Burge - Chairman, Cllr M Palmer -Vice-chair, Cllr R Pitchford, Cllr R Houghton, Cllr J Robinson, Cllr Mrs Burge, Clr P Bucke, Cllr S Bates, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr G Shaw, Cllr J Trahearn, Cllr J Betts, Cllr D Pitchford, Cllr P Moore

 

Clerk - Mrs L Clinkscales, RFO - Miss K Sinclair

 

Dcllr T Bridgwood

 

1 member of the public present.

Matt - Priory sports manager.

Spoke of joining forces to engage with the community. They have ideas of events and clubs and feel CWPC could help and also benefit from their idea. Their ideas were welcomed and details of both parties were exchanged.

 

  1. To note and record apologies and absences.

Cllr K Mellor

 

  1. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or other interests as outlined in the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Cllr J Robinson is the Chairman of the Witham Valley Access Group.

 

  1. To receive the draft notes of the Full Council meeting held on 20th October 2025.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the minutes of the  20th October 2025 with the suggested amendments by Cllr B Robinson as a true record.

The Marina - The bridge has been delivered which will continue the footpath along the river.

 

  1. To receive any reports from outside bodies, including the Police, District and County Councillors (if any) and agree actions as required.

Dcllr T Bridgwood: WLDC have not put forward a proposal for the unitary re model, they do not support the current proposals but will still keep an interest in how this evolves.

LCC have now launched their winter grit scheme.

Branston, Bardney causeway closed for a week for emergency repairs, due to the recent storm and the level of repairs the work has been extended by a week.

A planning application has been submitted for Bleak Farm for 22 homes.

Dcllr M Palmer has spoken to WLDC a licence for gifting mulled wine and mince pies is not required. Residents who are in attendance are welcome to donate money if they wish to.

 

  1. To receive a report from the Chair.

Dcllr C Darcel has made contact with CWPC offering them a donation from the Councillor initiative fund.

RESOLVED with two abstensions to apply for funds towards the behind the hedge path.

Cllr A Burge welcomed two new councillors, Cllr J Betts and Cllr G Shaw.

To note the Witham Valley Access Group are having their AGM on Tuesday 18th November 2025, at Reepham Methodist Chapel.

Cllrs A Burge would like to wish everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

  1. To receive a report from the Clerk.

Nothing new to report at this time.

 

  1. To receive an update from WLDC funding for CCTV.

The RFO persisted with chasing and had no response. Cllr M Palmer will assist with following up on their Dcllr capacity.

 

  1. To consider social media platforms for the use of advertising and sharing positive news within the village.

RESOLVED unanimously for Cllr J Betts to create a Communication Strategy to aid CWPC presence with the community.

 

  1. To receive a report following a Reepham and Cherry Willingham village Hall meeting - Cllr R Pitchford.

The village hall has contended with a few difficult bookings that have not been cleaned up after their events. This has resulted in them altering their terms and conditions.They have also had the hall painted throughout , they had issues with the initial work but this has since been rectified.

 

  1. To elect the new co-opted members on to committees of their choice (Planning, Village improvements, Leisure & Amenities, Human Resources)

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr J Betts on to the Village improvements committee.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr G Shaw on the Planning committee, and the Leisure and Amenities Committee.

 

  1. Financial matters:

To receive a report from the RFO including:

  1. To resolve to accept the Receipts and Payments schedule since the October meeting 2025. Copies of the document can be obtained by emailing the Clerk at cwparishcouncil@gmail.com.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the receipts and payments since the October 2025 meeting.

 

  1. To receive a report on the progress with the Green Synergy tenancy agreement and agree to any action as required.

CWPC solicitors have prepared a lease, to proceed CWPC needs to locate the TP! where there is a clause established on the use of the land. Cllr B Robinson has tried to contact Peter Bowser to establish if they have a signed copy we could take note of.

RESOLVED to offer a Licence until the end of January 2026, with the stipulation they contribute £200 towards the legal fees.

Green Synergy going to the site on Tuesday the 18th November 2025, to go and make notes of items and the condition of the site for their insurance.


 

  1. To receive reports and recommendations (if any) concerning the business of the council and its committees, sub-committees etc, and agree to any actions accordingly: (Note: queries from minutes, please see individual chairs or members outside of the full council meeting to expedite the meeting)

 

  1. Cherry Fields Committee (CFC) – Chair: Cllr J Robinson

To receive a report from the meeting on 12th November 2025 and approve any action taken.

  1. To authorise a small group to review the lease with EA.and agree any other actions as required

RESOLVED with 2 abstention that Cllr B Robinson,  Cllr A Burge, Nigel Hooper, Cllr J Trahearn, Cllr P Moore to review the Heads of terms, if no amendments are made Cllr B Robinson and the Clerk can sign them on behalf of CWPC.

IOS maps ordnance survey.

The main track will be designated as a permissive path leading down to the Delph, with endorsement secured for a minimum period of five years.

 

  1. Events & Fundraising Committee – Chair Cllr R Pitchford.

To receive a report from the meeting on 5th November 2025 and approve any action taken.

The Events committee has put in a £3000 budget for the next financial year.

The Christmas tree is due to be delivered on the 24th November and the decorating of the tree trunks and the Parade will take place on the 29th November 2026.

The light switch on is due to take place on Saturday the 29th November 2026. People are not donating mince pies as generously as they have in previous years. Cllr D Pitchford to obtain what they can and purchase the rest required for the event. Christmas Quiz is booked; only 35 tickets have been sold so far this year. It is thought with it being later on in the month of December this year it is possibly having a negative impact. If CWPC can get the ticket sales to 50 people then maybe a change in venue can be considered. The use of the Vine to be checked by the Clerk.

 

  1. Finance & General Purposes Committee – Chair: Cllr Andrew Burge

To receive a report from the meeting on 21st October  2025 and approve any action taken.

  1. To receive an update on CIL income and expenditure and consider future expenditure.

It was agreed that all committees would have the opportunity to discuss a wish list for the use of CIL funds. To note that CIL funds have a 5 year life expectancy.

  1. To review the draft budget as recommended by the committee and amend if necessary.

No amendments were made at this stage.

RESOLVED unanimously if the Planning Committee required any more money to complete the neighbourhood plan it could be taken from balances.

  1. To resolve the precept estimate for submitting to WLDC by 21st November 25. 

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the estimated submission of £108,150 to WLDC.

  1. To resolve to accept the following policies as recommended by the committee:

  2. Social media Policy.

DEFERRED Cllr J Betts to review the policy and work with the clerk and staff to review a communication strategy. 

  1. Recording and Filming Policy.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Recording and Filming policy. 

 

  1. Human Resources Committee – Chair: Cllr M Palmer

To receive a report from the meeting on 12th November 2025 and approve any action taken.

The HR minutes had been previously circulated.

  1. To review and approve the Appraisal policy.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Appraisal policy.

 

  1. Leisure & Amenities Committee (L&A) – Chair Cllr Mrs Burge

No meeting has been held

 

  1. Planning Matters –  Chair: Cllr R Houghton

To receive a report from the meeting on 21st October  2025 and approve any action taken.

A Planning application for Bleak Farm has been submitted for 22 new homes. The planning committee will discuss and circulate around FC once they have composed a draft response

  1. Update on the progress of the neighbourhood plan.

Dr I Lacey has assisted with version3 of the draft Neighborhood Plan. It is hoped that the neighbourhood plan consulate will have completed the  maps and the appendix for the draft.

A drop in where residents can come and share thor thought will be held on the 30th & the 31st January 2026 

  1. Update on the Marina

It is anticipated that the signing of the housing agreement is imminent. This will enable the release of funds and allow visible progress to begin on the Marina project. Sufficient soil has already been pledged, and delivery has paused for the time being until further quantities are required.


 

  1. Village Improvements Committee (VIC) – Chair: Cllr A Burge

To receive a report from the meeting on 30th October  2025 and approve any action taken.

Village improvements have ordered and received the delivery of two new speed radars.

Village improvements are trying to assist the allotment holders with pest control with there being an issue of rats.

 

TO RESOLVE TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION IN THE ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960 DUE TO THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO THE FOLLOWING MATTERS

 

RESOLVED unanimously to move into closed session 20:38

 

d. Human Resources

  1. To receive a report following the RFO annual appraisal.

A report was received.

 

  1. To confirm the date of the next meeting as 19th January 2026 at 19:00 

RESOLVED.