Full Council Minutes 2026

Full Council Minutes March 2026

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Minutes of the Full Council Meeting of Cherry Willingham Parish Council 

held at 7.00pm on 16th March 2026 held at The Vine, Cherry Willingham

 

Present; Cllr A Burge -Chairman, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr J Robinson, Cllr R Houghton, Cllr S Bates, Cllr J Trahearn, Cllr Mrs Burge, Cllr P Moore, Cllr P Bucke, Cllr J Betts, Cllr G Shaw

 

No public, district or county councillors present.

 

  1. To note and record apologies and absences.

Cllr M Palmer, 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.

None

 

  1. To receive the draft notes of the Full Council meeting held on 16th February 2026. To approve an addendum to the minutes from the closed session from Full Council meeting January 2026.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the minutes from the 16th February 2026 as a true record.

 

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

A written report from Dcllr M Palmer was sent in, The Churches Festival will take place over two weekends, 9–11 May and 16–17 May, with approximately 120 churches participating across the district. The National Planning Framework is currently out for consultation, with two significant proposed changes: applications within settlements would be approved unless they result in substantially adverse effects, while applications outside settlements would not be approved except in exceptional circumstances. WLDC has delivered a balanced budget, with the Council Tax increase for 2026/27 set at 2.99% (£7.38 on a Band D property); LCC’s increase is 2.90% and the Police precept will rise by 4.70%. Food waste collections will commence in the week beginning 30th March, following the introduction of this service by the Central Government. Regarding Bleak Farm, the application remains under consideration with amendments currently being negotiated, and it is likely that a further consultation period will be required once these negotiations are concluded.

 

  1. To receive a report from the Chair.

Cllr A Burge reported that two councillors had submitted their resignations following the last meeting. He expressed his thanks to both Cllr R Pitchford and Cllr D Pitchford for their hard work and commitment during their time on the Council, noting in particular that the success of the 2025 Gala would not have been possible without their efforts. Members were asked to begin considering which committees they would wish to serve on from May, when appointments to committees will be made, and to inform the Clerk of their preferences.

 

  1. To receive a report from the Clerk.

Nothing at this time.

 

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

THe CCTV has now been installed by WLDC and the project is now complete.

 

  1. Financial matters:

To receive a report from the RFO including:

  1. To resolve to accept the Receipts and Payments scheduled since the February meeting 2026. 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 meeting held on the 16th February 2026

  1. To receive an update regarding the internal audit for 2025-26. 

The annual audit is scheduled with LALC for the 17th March 2026

 

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

Following a meeting held on 25th February 2025 with the appointed members—Cllr A Burge, Cllr J Trahearn and Cllr R Houghton—together with Green Synergy, concerns were raised by both parties. It was RESOLVED unanimously to withdraw from the proposed lease agreement. It was further RESOLVED unanimously that CWPC Solicitor will prepare all necessary correspondence to Green Synergy. Cllr A Burge thanked Cllr B Robinson for their hard work and commitment throughout the process.

 

  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

No meeting has taken place.

A resident had requested a memorial bench to be located for the late spouse at Cherry Fields, Cllr J Robinson and a co-opted member will be meeting the resident to discuss rules and options. 

  1. To receive an update on the Behind the Hedge Path and agree to any actions required.

RESOLVED with 1 abstention  that the Clerk and Cllr A Burge be authorised to sign the lease, subject to the correction of the wording error relating to “length” being amended to “area.”

  1. To approve the purchase of a wacker plate.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the purchase of the wacker plate for up to the sum of £360.

 

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

To receive a report from the meeting on the 4th March 2026 and approve any actions taken.

The meeting was deferred due not being quorate.

  1. To discuss and resolve any necessary action regarding the Events & Fundraising  committee.

RESOLVED that the Events Committee will continue.
RESOLVED that the Dog Show, Light Switch-On, and Christmas Quiz will proceed in 2026.
RESOLVED that the Gala will not take place in 2026, but will be reconsidered as an option for 2027.

 

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

    No meeting has taken place.

The next meeting will be held on the 14th April 2026

 

  1. Human Resources Committee – Chair: Cllr M Palmer

To receive a report from the meeting on the 25th February 2026 and the 11th March 2026 and approve any action taken.

It was noted that the Clerk will be circulating a skills register to all councillors. The HR Committee and the Clerk have arranged councillor training for 2nd June 2026 at 7pm at the Vine Centre.

 

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

No meeting has taken place

A memorial bench has been agreed for the late Mr Nowell and Mr Armstrong

 

  1. Planning Matters –  Chair: Cllr R Houghton

No meeting has taken place. 

  1. Update on the progress of the neighbourhood plan.

The Neighbourhood Plan entered its consultation period today, running until 1st May. Six weeks of drop‑in sessions have been organised, supported by a rota of members. A Planning Consultation Evening will take place at The Vine Centre on 1st April from 7pm. It was RESOLVED unanimously that, should the review demonstrate clear benefits to the Neighbourhood Plan going through the referendum process, CWPC approves its progression to referendum. This will be advised through WLDC

  1. Update on the Marina

Nothing new to report at this time.

 

Standing orders was suspended at 21:02 RESOLVED unanimously

 

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

To receive a report from the meeting on the 5th March 2026 and approve any actions taken.

  1. To discuss and approve any necessary actions regarding the communication strategy.

This was presented by Cllr J. Betts and will continue as an ongoing project for development and future progress.

  1. To approve the social media policy.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Social Media Policy

  1. To receive an update on speed radar data.

Cllr J Betts holds the software and associated data and will share this with the Clerk, including guidance on how to access the information. The peak times for speeding through the village were identified as 4am–7am and 7pm–11pm. It was noted that, of the five locations monitored, the two worst areas for speeding were Hawthorn Road and Fiskerton Road.

  1. To receive a report from Allotment Association AGM.

The Allotment Association Committee remains composed of the same members as the previous year, and the group is generally satisfied. All plots are now fully occupied. The Village Improvements Committee will carry out regular inspections to ensure plots are kept tidy, with Cllr S Bates and the Clerk setting the standards and undertaking these checks on a routine basis.

 

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

 

  1. To receive a report from the Chair.

Cllr A Burge spoke of concerns regarding Councillor conduct and behaviour towards other councillors. A reminder was given.

 

Meeting closed 21:23

 

  1. To confirm the date of the next meeting as 20th April 2026 at 19:00 

(agenda items required no later than noon Thursday 9th  April 2026.)