Full Council Minutes 2026

Minutes of the Full Council Meeting of Cherry Willingham Parish Council 

held at 19.00 on 21st September 2026 held at The Vine, Cherry Willingham.

Present Cllr A Burge, Cllr S Bates, Cllr J Trahearn, Cllr G Shaw, Cllr B Robinson,

Cllr J Robinson, Cllr Mrs Burge, Cllr S Glover. Mrs L Clinkscales - Clerk

District Councillor - Dcllr M Palmer

3826/27 To note and record apologies and absences.

Cllr J Betts, Cllr P Bucke, Cllr K Mellor, Cllr P Moore

3926/27 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

4026/27 To receive the notes of the Council meeting held on 20th July 2026 and agree for them to be signed as a true record.

RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes of the meeting of the 20th July 2026 as a true record. With the suggested amendment, a location for a quote was entered in correctly.

4126/27 To receive any reports from outside bodies, including the Police, District and County Councillors (if any) and agree actions as required.

No WLDC meetings were held in August. From October 2027, a 20p voucher will be issued for each can or bottle recycled, how the working of this works is yet to be announced. Local government reorganisation is currently on hold due to a legal issue.
 

4226/27 To receive a report from the Chair.

The Chair welcomed Cllr S Glover and thanked Cllr R Houghton, who recently resigned from CWPC, for his hard work and dedication in submitting the revised neighbourhood plan. Four members are now qualified in first aid.

4326/27 To receive a Clerk report.

Siemens donated office furniture, improving the functionality and appearance of Millennium Hall.

4426/27 Committees

i. To approve the merge of the Village Improvements and Leisure and Amenities Committees, to become the Village Amenities Committee

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the merge

ii. To approve the Village Amenities Committee (VAC) Terms of Reference

RESOLVED (excluding Cherry Fields) to amend the Terms of Reference to cover raising highways issues relating to rural footpaths, byways, footways and cycle routes. Under item 3, Millennium Hall, the distinction between locations and groups should be clarified.

iii. To approve members on to the VAC.

RESOLVED unanimously to elect; Cllr A Burge, Cllr S Bates, Cllr G Shaw, Cllr Mrs Burge, Cllr S Glover, Cllr J Trahearn, Cllr B Robinson.

iv. To approve members on to committees that hold vacancies (VAC, HR, Planning, Cherry Fields)

RESOLVED unanimously to appoint Cllr S Glover to the CFC.

RESOLVED unanimously to appoint Cllr Mrs Burge to the HR Committee.

RESOLVED unanimously to appoint Cllr J Robinson to the Planning Committee.

4526/27 Financial Matters

i. To resolve to accept the Receipts and Payments since the July 2026 meeting.4

Copies of the document can be obtained by emailing the Clerk at clerk@cherrywillingham-pc.gov.uk.

Cllr A Burge noted the improvement since the Clerk and Admin Assistant assumed the RFO role. In response to a query about donations and event funds, it was explained that these have separate running reserves and therefore appear in the earmarked reserves report rather than the committee reports.

RESOLVED unanimously to accept the receipts and payments since July 2026

ii. To note the pay increment of 3.3% of the national salary award 2026/27 

Noted

iii. To discuss and approve any necessary action regarding the WLDC Grant opportunity.

The Clerk to chase Anglian Water, for a meeting and a quote.

iv. To approve the CWPC public liability insurance.

RESOLVED unanimously to accept the quotation with Zurich for the next term.
 

4626/27 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 26th August  2026 and approve any action taken.

The minutes have been circulated, and the remaining tools have been taken to ‘Tools with a Mission’.

1. To note any suggestions for the future of the Oasis area of CF.

Residents will be invited through Cherry News to suggest ideas for the area. Proposals included a quiet, dog-free ‘secret garden’ with paths and benches. It was also suggested to have a small events area within the Oasis Space.

RESOLVED unanimously that the area will remain dog-free, regardless of its future use.

Cllr B Robinson & Mr Hooper will provide an overall plan of the site. As volunteer capacity is limited, the area should require minimal maintenance and be added to the grass-cutting contract.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve a gas safety check for the caravan. Cllr S Glover and Cllr J Robinson to seek advice on the composting toilet on site and how its used.

2. To discuss and resolve the release of Hedgehogs onto the site.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the release of hedgehogs.

2. Events & Fundraising Committee - Chair: Cllr S Bates

To receive a report from the meeting on the 09th September  2026 and approve any action taken.

The gala was a great success, raising £1,193. Planned improvements include clearer no-dogs signage, a council-operated beer tent and additional waste bins, with Biffa asked to provide a quote. Jason, the singer, performed exceptionally well and will be invited back. Stallholders have been thanked and asked if they wish to return next year. The catering layout will also be reviewed, and other food vendors approached.

The Christmas lights switch-on may cost more because of the drought’s impact on the tree. A site visit will take place in October. Several stallholders have been approached for the event and may sell seasonal goods only. There will be no choir, but an organ and grotto will be present.

The Christmas quiz will take place on 5th December 2026, and the 2027 Scarecrow Festival will be held during the October 2027 half-term.

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

No meeting has been held

Next meeting will be held on the 13th October 2026

4. Human Resources Committee – Chair: - Cllr J Betts

No meeting has been held

1. To review and to approve any necessary amendments to the CCTV Policy.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the CCTV Policy

2. To review and to approve any necessary amendments to the Co-option Policy. 

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Co-option Policy, subject to the suggested amendment extending eligibility to within three miles of the parish boundary, in line with WLDC requirements.

3. To review and to approve any necessary amendments to the Whistleblowing Policy.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Whistle Blowing policy.

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

To receive a report from the meeting on the 2nd August 2026 and approve any action taken 

1. To approve the purchase of the orangutan Climbing Frame - Laburnum Play Park.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve £10,200 for the new orangutang climbing frame this also includes re turfing this small area.

2. To receive an update on the ownership of Laburnum Playing Field - Land Registry.

The conveyancing pack has been obtained, but several questions about the trustees remain outstanding. Although it appears the land has been transferred to CWPC, there could still be restrictions on the land. The Clerk will contact the Charity Commission to request historical records.

3. To approve to take three dead trees down at Laburnum Playing Field.

RESOLVED unanimously to obtain quotes and have the trees removed.

6. Planning Matters  – Chair Cllr P Moore

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

1. Update on the progress of the neighbourhood plan.

This has now been submitted. 

2. Update to on the Marina

There is M no new information, or updates.

3. Planning applications, since last meeting.

Following consideration of the applications, the Council agreed that no objections would be raised to planning applications WL/2026/00809 and WL/2026/00808. However, formal comments will be submitted on application WL/2026/00814, as members considered that the proposed wall would not be in keeping with the character and appearance of neighbouring properties.
 

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

No meeting has been held.

1. To approve the purchase of Village Safety Gates.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve up to £5,000 for the supply and installation.

2. To approve work to be carried out at Gilbert Pond.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the quotation for the work, funded from the pond’s earmarked reserves.

3. To receive a report and resolve any necessary action regarding the Allotments

   1. Approve the authority for the Clerk to issue correspondence as and when required with Cllr S Bates.

RESOLVED unanimously to authorise the Clerk to issue the required correspondence.

2. To discuss and approve any necessary action relation to having a water supply at the allotments at Tanfaine.

A quotation should be obtained, and management arrangements would need to be agreed with the Allotment Association.

4726/27 To resolve to enter a closed session To resolve, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, that the press and public be excluded from the meeting due to the confidential nature. So resolved.

4. Human Resources

   1. To note the Clerk’s monthly catch‑up meeting with the line managers and to resolve any necessary action. 

Report on the catch-up meeting between Clerk/RFO, Chair, Vice Chair, Vice Chair HR.    

Now half-way through 6 month period of Clerk acting as RFO. No problems reported.

2. To confirm the date of the next meeting as 19th October 2026 at 19:00 

(agenda items required no later than noon Thursday 8th October  2026.)

Noted

    Meeting closed 20:45