Full Council Minutes 2026

Full Council Minutues April 2026

 

Cherry Willingham Parish Council

The Millennium Hall, 16 High Street, Cherry Willingham, Lincoln LN3 4AQ

Chair of the Council: Cllr Andrew Burge

Clerk Loo Clinkscales

RFO: Kirsty Sinclair

 

Present; Cllr A Burge - Chairman, Cllr M Palmer - Vice-chair, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr J Robinson, Cllr S Bates, Cllr G Shaw, Cllr P Moore, Cllr P Bucke

 

No other bodies present

 

  1. To note and record apologies and absences.

Cllr Mrs Burge, Cllr K Mellor, Cllr R Houghton, Cllr J Trahearn, Cllr J Betts

 

  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 B Robinson, and Cllr J Robinson have an interest in item 10 ‘Christians working together’.

 

  1. To receive the draft notes of the Full Council meeting held on 16th March 2026.  

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the minutes from the meeting held on the 16th March 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.

Cllr M. Palmer reported that WLDC has submitted an expression of interest for the Scamption site. Word Fest is coming to Lincoln and will be held in Nettleham on 4th July 2026, with further details to follow. This is an excellent family‑friendly event with a range of activities. Battery fires are increasing, and residents are reminded that batteries must be disposed of properly. There is still availability to attend a tour of the WLDC CCTV control room on 7th May 2026.

 

  1. To receive a report from the Chair.

Cllr A. Burge reminded members that at the May Parish Council meeting all councillors will be re-appointed to committees and to their elected responsibilities.

 

  1. To receive a report from the Clerk.

Nothing new or reported at this time.

 

  1. Financial matters:

To receive a report from the RFO including:

Total receipts/income: £140,399.00

Total to go back into reserves: £19,148.21

Additional income over expenditure: Allocated to earmarked CIL funding

Total expenditure to date: £121,250.79

not touch balances, Next Finance & General Purposes Meeting will be held on the 28th April 2026

  1. To resolve to accept the Receipts and Payments scheduled since the March 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 March meeting.

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

Eight minor points were raised during the audit, all of which have now been addressed. The Village Improvements Committee will consider the purchase of a fireproof cabinet.

 

  1. To receive a report and approve any necessary action with Green Synergy.

Green Synergy has also withdrawn from the lease agreement. CWPC considers this to be the best outcome for both parties.

 

  1. To approve a Stead Award candid for 2026.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the stead award winners for 2026 are Darren & Jenny Pepper who run The Vine Center.

 

  1. To approve that  “Christians Working Together” (local Methodists and Anglicans and The Vine) can use:

  1. the grass area at The Parade for a fun event on Saturday 31st October (All Hallows Eve).  (Involves setting up a gazebo, running some small games and giving out Pumpkin Fun Activity Bags.  Timings expected to be: set up from 3.30pm, event between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, taking down by 7.30pm.)

RESOLVED with 2 abstentions to approve the request.

  1. the grass area at The Parade for a Christmas event in December (date and timings to be confirmed before the October FC meeting)

RESOLVED with 2 abstentions to approve the request.

 

  1. To approve a request from St Peter St Paul PCC to use the Parade green on the 27th June 2026 for their Summer Fete.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the request.

 

  1. To approve the revised version of the Accessibility Statement 2.2.

DEFFERED 

 

  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 the 1st April 2026 and approve any actions taken.

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

A crop of oil seed rape is currently growing on the planned walking route. The constructed culvert bridge is progressing through its various stages and is now close to the correct level. The gate posts will need to be repositioned. The hedge has been cut on the inside, and an invoice will be issued to CWPC in due course. The hedge is beginning to take shape. The signs have arrived but are yet to be installed. Overall, feedback so far has been positive.

A walk route leaflet of the route could be devised for the local residents.

  1. To receive an update on matters relating to the lease

The lease had been amended with the suggested amendments. The Clerk and the Chairman to sign following the meeting.

  1. To receive a report from a CFC site visit to the Oasis including initial thoughts on potential future uses of the land.

Two site visits have taken place for those interested in understanding the scale of work required, as well as the potential and future aspirations for the area. This could be a 2-3 year timeline before the end goals are reached.

  1. To resolve to give authority to the CFC committee to take over maintenance and development of the site and begin work on making the site fit for public access.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Cherry Fields to take responsibility for this area. A maintenance budget will be discussed at the next Finance and General Purposes Committee.

This will be a long term investment of time and planning.

All future development will be brought to full council for approval.

  1. To resolve to give authority to the CFC committee to dispose of unwanted items on the Oasis site by the appropriate means e.g. sale, donation, skip

RESOLVED unanimously to authorise the CFC to dispose of unwanted items as they deem appropriate.

  1. To resolve to give authority to the CFC committee to initially spend up to £500 to facilitate the above.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the CFC to spend upto £500

 

  1. Events & Fundraising Committee

No meeting has been held

  1. Special motion

(Requested in writing by 5 councillors as per CWPC standing orders.)

To resolve to reverse a motion from the March Full Council meeting, to have a Gala on the 1st August 2026

RESOLVED unanimously to overturn the previous resolution. The Gala for 2026 is to go ahead.

The next Events committee meeting will be held on the 22nd April 2026.

 

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

    No meeting has taken place.

the next meeting to be held on the 28th April 2026

 

  1. Human Resources Committee – Chair: Cllr M Palmer

To receive a report from the meeting on the 02nd April 2026 and approve any action taken.

The Clerk requested a trial period of flexible working during the school holidays. This will be reviewed to ensure the arrangement continues to work effectively for both the Council and the Clerk.

  1. To review and approve the Flexible working policy.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Flexible working policy.

 

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

To receive a report from the meeting on the 14th April 2026 and approve any actions taken.

Wetpour surfacing, the new swing installation, and the path works are all in progress. Dates for the remaining works are either confirmed or currently being arranged.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the office as a drop off for the ‘tubs to pubs’.

 

  1. Planning Matters –  Chair: Cllr R Houghton

No meeting has taken place.

  1. Update on the progress of the neighbourhood plan.

The public consultation is still ongoing, with one final meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Attendance has been low, with only four people attending the open session and six residents present at the public Neighbourhood Plan meeting.

  1. Update on the Marina

Additional information has been submitted to WLDC to address several planning conditions, some of which are now superseded or clarified through further detail. WLDC will consult the Council in the usual way, and this update is provided as an early notification.

Following a prolonged period of wet weather, the import of material to complete the development platform had temporarily ceased. The site has now dried sufficiently for this work to resume, and—weather permitting—it is expected to be largely completed within the next couple of months.

Discussions with the preferred housebuilder are progressing, with legal documentation currently being finalised by both parties’ solicitors. Proposed house types and materials will be shared shortly; the approved layout and landscaping remain unchanged. The developer notes that the housebuilder has delivered high‑quality schemes elsewhere in Lincolnshire.

The applicant has offered to attend a meeting to provide a brief verbal update and answer questions if required.

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

No meeting has taken place

 

 

Meeting closed 20:26

 

  1. To confirm the date of the next meeting as 18th May 2026 at 19:00 

(agenda items required no later than noon Thursday 7th May 2026.)