Full Council Minutes 2026

Full Council Minutes May 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

 

Minutes of the Full Council Meeting of Cherry Willingham Parish Council held at 7.00pm on 18th May 2026 held at The Vine, Cherry Willingham

 

Present:    Cllr A Burge, Cllrs S Bates, Cllr G Shaw, Cllr J Betts, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr J Robsinson, Cllr 

Mrs Burge, Cllr K Mellor, Cllr P Bucke, Cllr J Trahearn, Cllr P Moore

 

District Councillor; M Palmer.

Lincoln County Councillor; T Bridgwood.

3 members of the public were present

1 member wished to speak regarding the mound at St Pauls Play Park.

Residents living adjacent to St Mark’s play area are experiencing significant loss of privacy, increased antisocial behaviour, and growing concerns about child safety following the construction and increased height of The Mound. Previous assurances regarding screening, height limits and a site visit were not fulfilled, and a CCTV blind spot has contributed to late‑night disturbances. Misuse of equipment — particularly The Mound and the accessible swing — is occurring regularly due to lack of supervision and absence of safety signage. The resident proposes relocating or reducing The Mound, installing clear equipment signage, planting the promised screening, improving CCTV coverage, and exploring night‑time locking of the park to protect both residents and children.

  1. To elect a Chair and complete an acceptance of Office form.

RESOLVED unanimously to elect Cllr A Burge. The Chair and the Clerk signed the acceptance of office

  1. To elect a Vice-Chair.

RESOLVED unanimously to elect Cllr S Bates as the Vice-chair.

 

  1. To note and record apologies and absences.

Cllr R Houghton.

 

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

NONE

 

  1. To receive the notes of the Council meeting held on 20th April 2026 and agree for them to be signed as a true record.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the minutes from the meeting held on the 20th of April 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.

There was no police report. District Councillor M Palmer had nothing new to report. Matters relating to Scampton are still outstanding. Cllr T Bridgwood addressed the issue raised at the Annual Parish Meeting regarding a proposed 30mph speed limit reduction on Fiskerton Road and asked whether the Parish Council would support the reduction.

 

  1. To receive a report from the Chair.

Cllr A Burge thanked everyone for their support over the past year and said he hoped the Council would continue to work together more effectively in the year ahead. He also encouraged more ideas to improve the village and thanked the committees for their help.

Four members visited the CCTV control room and were impressed by the camera coverage, which includes the corner referred to in the complaint about the position of the mound. A staged sit-down was suggested to see what could be seen in what was suggested to be a blind spot behind the mound. Cllr M Palmer was thanked for arranging the visit. Thanks, were also given to everyone who attended the Annual Parish Meeting and to Cllr J Robinson for her presentation marking 10 years of the Cherry Fields Committee.

  1. To receive a Clerk report.

Nothing new to report currently.

 

  1. To consider matters raised by residents at the Annual Parish Meeting and to resolve any actions accordingly.

Only one item was raised, listed below.

  1. To discuss and resolve any necessary action relating to St Paul’s play park.

Cllr J Robinson, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr A Burge and Cllr Mrs Burge met with Mrs Taylor. Mrs Taylor is prepared to install gravel boards to raise the fence, add screening around the park, and plant a hedge or trellis in front of the boundary line at her own expense.

Members noted that these measures may reduce the issue but are unlikely to resolve it fully. The complainants have already purchased climbing plants and trellis. It was also suggested that the mound could be reprofiled, but its impact cannot be fully assessed until the cargo net is installed.

A statement was read from a legal topic note regarding the rights associated with open spaces and the permissions available to local councils. Members noted that the main issue is antisocial behaviour and agreed to treat this separately from the matter of the mound.

RESOLVED to not to move the mound, with one abstention.

RESOLVED unanimously to fit the scramble net and whether the profile of the mound could be altered.

RESOLVED unanimously to allow the residents to install a hedge no more than 50 cm from their fence at their own expense, with ongoing maintenance to remain the responsibility of the residents.

 

  1. To discuss and resolve any necessary actions for CWPC to move over to a .org or .gov email domain.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Clerk to trial the change over internally initially before all members transfer over.

 

  1. To review and approve the Standing Orders with the amendments in line with legislation 2025.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve with no amendments.

 

  1. Financial Matters

    1. To resolve to accept the Receipts and Payments since the April 2025 meeting. 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 April meeting.

  1. National Lottery Awards for all England (Grant opportunities)

A National Lottery grant of up to £20,000 may be available for Cherry Fields, for the Oasis site. Cllr J Robinson and Helen will investigate this further so that an application can be prepared, together with Cllr J Trahearn. The matter will remain with the Cherry Fields Committee.

 

  1. To resolve to agree to adopt the Terms of Reference for all committees & sub-committees where available.

    1. Finance & General Purposes Committee. 

RESOLVED unanimously to approve with no amendments.

  1. Planning Committee. 

RESOLVED unanimously with amendments reducing the quorate number to 3.

  1. Village Improvement Committee.

RESOLVED unanimously with amendments reducing the quorate number to 3.

  1. Leisure & Amenities Committee. 

RESOLVED unanimously with amendments reducing the quorate number to 3.

  1. Cherry Fields Committee. 

RESOLVED unanimously with amendments to increase members number to 7 with 5 Co-opted volunteers. With the remaining number 4 quorate.

  1. Burial Ground Support Group Committee.

RESOLVED to dissolve the support group. Both the Clerk and the Admin Assistant can deal with all things burial.

  1. Events & Fundraising Committee. 

RESOLVED unanimously with amendments reducing the quorate number to 3.

  1. Human Resources.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve with no amendments

 

  1. To resolve on appointments

  1. As of 18th May 2026, the following appointments are held:

    1. CWPC Website Organiser & CWPC Facebook Organiser.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Mrs L Clinkscales, Mrs J Atkins, Cllr S Bates, Cllr J Betts 

  1. HSBC Cheque signatories/ Bank Payment authorisers.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr J Trahearn, Cllr J Robinson, Cllr A Burge.

  1. Nationwide Signatories.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr S Bates, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr A Burge, Cllr P Bucke.

  1. Unity Trust Bank Signatories.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr S Bates, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr A Burge, Cllr P Bucke.

  1. Certifier of bank statements.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve 2 members of council to approve prior to the FC Meetings.

  1. Community Emergency Co-ordinator. 

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr A Burge.

  1. Deputy Community Emergency Co-ordinators.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr K Mellor, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr G Shaw, Cllr S Bates.

  1. Community Speed watch Co-ordinator.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr S Bates.

  1. Cherry & Reepham Village Hall Representative

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr G Shaw


  1. Resolve the appointments of the following committees and groups

(Note: It is a requirement of the Annual Meeting that the Council elects Members to committees. 

Each Member must sit on at least one committee. Chairs of committees, apart from Finance, will be elected by committee at their first meeting following the Annual meeting.)

  1. Finance Committee – maximum of 7 members including the Chair & Vice-Chair and individual members to be appointed at their first committee meeting. 

  2. HR Committee – maximum of 5 members.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr S Bates, Cllr P Bucke, Cllr K Mellor, Cllr J Betts, Cllr J Trahearn

  1. Planning Committee – maximum of 7 members.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr Rhoughton, Cllr S Bates, Cllr A Burge, Cllr P Moore.

  1. Village Improvement Committee – maximum of 7 members.

RESOLVED unanimously Cllr S Bates, Cllr K Mellor, Cllr A Burge, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr J Betts.

  1. Leisure & Amenities Committee – maximum of 7 members.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr J Trahearn, Cllr J Roninson, Cllr A Burge, Cllr Mrs Burge, Cllr G Shaw.

  1. Cherry Fields Committee - maximum of 12 members, made up of a maximum of 7 parish councillors and a maximum of 5 residents who are co-opted to committee.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr J Robinson, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr A Burge, Cllr G Shaw, Cllr P Buck, Cllr J Trahearn.

  1. Burial Support Group – 4 members.

RESOLVED to dissolve the burial support group.

  1. Events & Fundraising Sub-Committee/ Committee.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve Cllr J Robinson, Cllr S Bates, Cllr A Burge, Cllr Mrs Burge, Cllr G Shaw.

 

  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 the 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 13th of May 2026 and approve any action taken.

The Committee met last Wednesday. The next meeting will be held on 17th June 2026 and will be shorter, with no papers to be issued. An update on the Oasis was given on what CFC are working towards. A tool-gifting event is planned for Saturday 20th June, and Cllr A Burge may attend on 4th or 5th July. Promotion will be by word of mouth. Gardening items and unwanted tools, donations will be requested to help fund the project.

The Committee discussed storage container options, including size, mechanical handling, and flood risk. A 10ft container is less common and in higher demand, costing about £3,600, while a 20ft container is around £1,000 cheaper. It was agreed that the Cherry Fields Committee should decide on the size, subject to whether a 20ft container can be accommodated on site.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the container purchase at a cost of up to £3,600.

The Oasis budget for this year is £10,000, and the cost of the container will be met from that budget.

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

The most problematic section is Phase 2 of the path, with an estimated cost of 

£2,370. A further £1,200 is required to complete the project.

RESOLVED unanimously to increase the budget accordingly.

Cllr J Robinson thanked members, and everyone involved for their hard work.

 

  1. Events & Fundraising Committee

To receive a report from the meeting on the 22nd of April 2026 and approve any action taken. 

Sarah everything is going ok sponsors and raffle prices for dog shoe, photographer and signs approve the signs altering the date. Gala is going ahead, 48 stalls. Promotion banners are currently in process.

  1. To approve for volunteers to undertake first aid training for the events.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve first aid training for Sarah and Jean. ABC Training was preferred on cost grounds over St John’s. Cllr J Robinson, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr A Burge, Cllr P Bucke, and Mrs J Atkins were also identified as potential attendees. The Clerk will confirm the cost.

 

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

To receive a report from the meeting on the 28th of April 2026 and approve any action taken.

  1. Review Financial Policies and approve for policies listed b. - e. to be reviewed by annually as    recommended by the Finance and General Purposes Committee:

    1. Financial Regulations. 

RESOLVED with one abstention to approve the Finance regulations with the recommended changes made by F&GP

  1. Risk Management Policy.

DEFERED

  1. Accounting Procedures.

RESOLVED  with one abstention to approve the Accounting Procedures.

  1. Procurement Policy.

RESOLVED  with one abstention to approve the Procurement Policy.

  1. Asset Management Policy.

DEFERED

  1. To review the allocation of balances and accept the new balance sheet as recommended by the Finance and General Purposes Committee. 

RESOLVED  with one abstention to approve. Clarification on CFC totals are required, Cllr A Burge and the RFO to meet

  1. To review and accept the asset register as of 31st March 2026 as recommended by the Finance and General Purposes Committee. 

RESOLVED  with one abstention to approve the asset register as of the 31st March 2026.

  1. To review and adopt the CIL Procedure as recommended by the Finance and General Purposes Committee. 

RESOLVED  with one abstention to adopt the CiL Procedure.

 

  1. Human Resources Committee – Chair:

No meeting has been held

The RFO had reported putting in an extra 4.5 hours due to the close of the financial year 2025/26. HR have approved to pay them for the extra hours worked.

  1. To elect line managers for the Clerk & RFO

RESOLVED unanimously to elect Cllr K Mellor and Cllr J Trahearn.

 

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

No meeting has been held

  1. Football enquiry update

L&A have been approached by a member of the public trying to get a new Cherry Willingham football team together. They would require access to the pivillian. L&A have put them in touch with the sports association as to whether access to changing rooms could be provided

  1. To discuss and resolve any necessary action regarding St Paul’s play park mound.

This was discussed at length, and resolutions were met previously within the meeting.

 

  1. Planning Matters – Chair: Cllr R Houghton

To receive a report from the meeting on the 28th of April 2026 and approve any action taken.

  1. Update on the progress of the neighbourhood plan.

There has been a small delay in submitting the final draft to WLDC due to the last minute submission of comments submitted.

  1. Update on the Marina

There has been a plan to build the houses in batches of 35. There is soil still being delivered frequently.

 

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

No meeting has taken place

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday the 21st of May 2026 at 10:00am.

 

  1. To confirm the date of the next meeting as 15th June 2026 at 19:00 

(Agenda items required no later than noon Thursday 4th June 2026.)

RESOLVED the Admin Assistant will be due to Clerk this meeting