Full Council Minutes 2026

Minutes of the Full Council Meeting of Cherry Willingham Parish Council 

held at 19.00 on 19th October 2026 held at The Vine, Cherry Willingham.

Present; Cllr S Bates; Vice-Chair, Cllr B Robinson, Cllr J Robinson, 

Cllr P Moore, Cllr K Mellor, Cllr J Trahearn, Cllr P Bucke, Cllr G Shaw

Dcllr M Palmer

1. To note and record apologies and absences.

Cllr A Burge, Cllr Mrs Burge, Cllr J Bett, Cllr S Glover

2. 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

3. To receive the notes of the Council meeting held on 20th September  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 September 2026 as a true record.

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

Cllr T Bridgwood report. Policing: There are currently 127 officers being recruited across Lincolnshire and 50 PCSOs. An additional 530 staff have been allocated to support the remote response team. Video‑call responses will be introduced shortly. The StreetSafe app provides a quick and anonymous way to report concerns, and residents can also sign up to Lincs Alert for updates.

Garden Waste: It was noted that garden‑waste collections may need to run all year round. Tonnage has decreased by around 15,000 due to recent hot summers.

Scampton: An update on progress is expected on 2nd November.

5. To approve the donation of a wreath under S137.

RESOLVED unanimously to purchase a wreath for 2027. Cllr B Robinson to take the wreath as our representative

6. To receive a report from the Chair.

Nothing new to report at this present moment.

7. To receive a Clerk report.

Nothing new to report at this present moment

8. Committees

   1. To approve the following motion: That Councillor K. Mellor be granted a six‑month exemption from committee membership due to personal reasons, with Standing Order 4 temporarily disapplied for the duration of this period. 

    RESOLVED unanimously to approve the motion

9. Financial Matters

   1. To resolve to accept the Receipts and Payments since the September 2026 meeting.3

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

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the receipts and payments since September 2026

1. To approve the 2nd quarter bank reconciliation for 2026/27.

    RESOLVED unanimously to approve the bank reconciliation

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

    Water and Electricity: Expressions of Interest have been submitted to WLDC for funding to provide utilities at Cherry Fields. The aim is to introduce amenities that would expand the scope of the site for community use. Initial ideas include creating an event space and a community garden, offering greater opportunities for activities and engagement. 

    It was agreed that the possibility of providing a water supply at the allotments should also be explored, and that obtaining a quotation would be worthwhile. A discussion with the Allotment Association will be required to determine whether they would be willing to manage the water supply and associated billing. The proposed event space and community garden at Cherry Fields would create further opportunities for community use. 

1. To discuss and approve any necessary actions required to obtain a water service, including the associated fee for securing a quotation.

RESOLVED with 1 against and 1 abstention to proceed to spend up to £1100 

for a quotation to gain services.

3. To receive the end of 2nd quarter summary from the RFO and review the variances from the budget.

    The Council received the Mid‑Year Budget Monitoring Report for 2026/27 (1 April–12 October). Expenditure is broadly on track, with 51.9% of the budget spent and 53% of the year elapsed.

Income received: £122,133.13.

Expenditure to date: £72,413.21 (Budget: £139,430).

Key cost centres remain within allocation, though small overspends were noted for the Behind the Hedge Path and the Play Equipment Project. Some expenditure has been recorded against non‑budgeted codes. Several income lines remain low or outstanding, including land rents, allotments, sports fees and LCC grass‑cutting.

Overall, the Council’s financial position is satisfactory at mid‑year. Further costs are expected later in the year, and earmarked reserves and project commitments will continue to be monitored.

4. To resolve any necessary action regarding the electricity tariff for St Pauls and Millenium Hall.

RESOLVED unanimously to fix the electricity tariff for St Paul’s Play Park for three years. RESOLVED unanimously to fix the electricity tariff for the Millennium Hall for one year.

8. 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

No meeting has been held

The Environment Agency’s requirement to cut the hedge on the inside of the Behind the Hedge Path has now been completed. One kilometre of wildflower seed has been sown. A dog‑waste bin will be installed on the track; Fenland Hideaway has agreed to facilitate this. A request has also been made for a bin on the Woodland Walk at Cherry Fields. 

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

Community Garden and an events area are the only feedback at present. 

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

No meeting has been held

2. To approve the purchase of the Christmas tree for the light switch on for the sum of £265.

RESOLVED unanimously to purchase the Christmas tree of  the sum of up to £265.

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

To receive a report from the meeting on the 13th October  2026 and approve any action taken.

(The meeting did not take place due to not being quorate.)

4. Human Resources Committee – Chair: Cllr J Betts

No meeting has been held

5. Planning Matters – Chair: Cllr P Moore

No meeting has been held

1. Update on the progress of the neighbourhood plan.

WLDC are in progress. 

2. Update on the Marina

Nothing new at this point

3. Planning applications, since last meeting.

Nothing new since last meeting

6. Village Amenities Committee (VAC) – Chair: Cllr S Bates

To receive a report from the meeting on the 23rd September 2026 and approve any action taken.

1. To approve the purchase of Village Safety Gates.

RESOLVED unanimously to spend up to £5k for the gates and the installation of this project to be complete.

2. To approve the new burial ground fees, effective from the 1st January 2027.

RESOLVED unanimously.

3. To approve the quotation for the sensory path repair at St Pauls Play Park.

RESOLVED unanimously to approve the quotation with tarmac through lines Roofing and building of £1150.00

4. To resolve any necessary action regarding the Millenium Hall door, due to damage.

RESOLVED unanimously to spend up to £800, subject to it being unsuitable to be repaired.

9. 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.

10. Human Resources

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

        No items or actions outstanding, no issues to be reported.

2. To confirm the date of the next meeting as 16th November 2026 at 19:00.

(agenda items required no later than noon Thursday 5th November  2026.)