July 2025 DRAFT Minutes
Notes from Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 17th July 2025 held at Belchford Village Hall
(These notes are a record of the meeting and are not accepted as formal minutes until duly signed on behalf of the Parish Council)
Present in person: Councillors: I Goodall (IG), K Skalka (KS), J Newby (JN), J Smith (JS), P Thompson (PT), P Morris (PM) and 10 members of the public, D Cllr Simpson and the clerk Mrs K M Elliott.
The public forum began at 7.30 pm
Public Forum: The public session started with discussion about speeding, the results of the recent Archers survey, the speeding situation in neighbouring villages. Monitoring of speeding and possible speed reduction ideas. Could we contact the neighbourhood policing team to request further action and that use of Sat Nav’s have increased the traffic through Belchford.
Parish Council meeting commenced at 7.45 pm
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence and reasons given – M Brown, P Barnes and N Sorenti have sent apologies.
2. Declaration of interests and requests for dispensations - To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider granting dispensation(s), as per written requests received by the proper officer, to councillors under section 22 of the Act. There were none.
3. Chairman’s remarks – JN asked all councillors to give a brief introduction of themselves.
4. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 22nd May 2025 – it was proposed, seconded, voted and RESOLVED unanimously that the official minutes of the last meetings having been previously circulated were accepted as a true and accurate record of the minutes, Chairman signed and dated. Mr Barnes has expressed an interest in taking on the role of RFO and the clerk will liaise when the bank has confirmed new signatories and address for statements. A request for a road sweeper to visit both villages is to be actioned by D Cllr Simpson.
5. To co-opt one person on to the parish council – Rebecca Eke has expressed an interest in joining the parish council and is present this evening. The forms to be completed were handed over.
6. Planning Application 02573/25/FUL
Discussion has been ongoing between parish councillors ahead of tonight’s meeting. A copy of a draft letter of objection has been shared with those present. The size of the plot is too small for the proposed size of the house. Highways access is also not sufficient or safe. Dense housing in that area of the parish. In conflict with our NDP and the National Policy Framework. Noone representing the applicant at the meeting tonight. The more people who comment on the application the better, please use appropriate planning objections. Surface water and density of traffic. Neighbouring properties have not been defined correctly on the plans and there is a large colony of bats in a neighbouring property. The deadline for responses is 24th July. The character of the village is altered by this application. The inaccurate plants are not encouraging open and transparent decision making process. This matter is delegated to the planning officer – could it go forward to committee? It was unanimous to object to this planning application.
7. To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding:
a. Newsletter printing costs: Summer newsletters £44.01
b. Grass Triangle, Fulletby – there is one very small on Chapel Lane, which keeps being driven over.. Temporary measures are in place. More permanent solutions are being sought. Neighbours hedge has been cut back and is no longer overhanging. All solutions have a cost implication. Grasscrete, fence around, hard cobbled edge or bench or other feature plus re grassing. Do we want to retain it? Grass traingles are a feature in both villages. The clerk is to contact LCC to see what would be permitted. And also inclujde our County Councillor in emails.
c. Speeding – as discussed earlier. PB has organised the slow sign and 30mph has been marked on the road.
d. NDP update – IG advised that after 4 and a half years we are nearly there. If there is a yes vote at the referendum, in the autumn, we will have an NDP to represent the villages for the future. IG provided an explanation of the figure of 8village layout and the NDP revised plan. There is a consultation which ends on 22nd August. We must vote to say that this parish council supports this stage.
8. Staffing Committee:
a. Contract of Employment – will be signed at the end of the meeting.
b. Annual Review: a date will be agreed at the end of the meeting.
9. To receive reports from District and County Councillors (if available) –District Councillor advised that there are 3 consultations coming to an end; Pylons; Biscathorpe Oil and Reform of planning committees.
10. To receive an update from the Village Green Committee: Simon Miller is not able to attend and no report has been provided. He is hoping to hand over the organisation of the village green to another person. JN asked how do we feel about this? Do we want to take the responsibilities back under our control. Further discussion followed about supporting the village green committee and who is our parish council representative (N Sorenti) we currently have a recreational area with no equipment. It is felt that the village green committee is failing. A strategy is needed to maintain the village green and carry out daily duties, plus provide reports to the parish council. This will be an item for the September meeting. JN and PT are happy to get involved and embed into the committee and if it fails before our next meeting then take it back into parish council control.
11. Maintenance of Village Signs & Furniture – JN has made a start on the village signs. E Goodall has done the village furniture costing £362.64. Thanks to Edward for his time and work. There are 3 items which require a joiner or carpenter to repair. Please find a joiner/carpenter. A request for the next newsletter.
12. Water Tower Proposal – JS has contacted Anglian Water about repainting it, ideas are to be requested via the next newsletter. Access, materials and a proposal are all for the future. This will be on the September agenda.
13. Proposal for Bike Racks: PM circulated a document outlining where possible bike racks may be of use to residents and visitors in both villages. Communal places to encourage cyclists. These need to be robust and requiring minimal maintenance. Is there a need? Would they be situated on private property or in public places? This is a sound idea and could we start with one for the Fulletby Bus Shelter site. PM will draft a fully priced and detailed option. A budget of £250 was agreed and a galvanised version approved.
14. Tree removal in Fulletby – KS provided details of the 4 Ash trees which have been removed, 3 on private land and 1 on highways verge. The landowners were not notified, checks have been made a no-one is owning up.
15. Gov.uk email addresses: there is no interest from councillors to have separate email addresses. The clerk will find out more information about having a council version.
16. Highways Matters – There is none.
17. To consider correspondence received since the last meeting:
a. Henry Neave Charity – this matter is to be discussed at the September meeting. [all members of the public left the meeting, 21.43]
18. Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period. The RFO, has provided a financial report, which has been circulated to all.
a) To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, a spreadsheet was provided, as circulated.
b) To consider and resolve payments since the last meeting, cheques signed this evening for £44.01 J Newby, £10.72 clerks expenses, £108.00 LALC extra website hours and £362.64 E Goodall village furniture.
c) It is noted that the lane letting cash is with JN.
19. To agree agenda items for the September 2025 meeting. Neave Charity, Bike Racks, Gov.uk email, water tower, Village Green and pond lining grant (JS).
There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.53 pm.
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FINANCE UPDATE |
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Prepared by Mrs K M Elliott, Clerk & RFO Dated 17th July 2025 |
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Note: Payments in the year to 31 March 2024 are cheques written up to then but not cleared |
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Balance per bank statement as at 1 March 2025 |
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HSBC Current account |
£ 6,795.58 |
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Less: any un-presented cheques at 20th March 2025 |
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Net bank balance as at 4th April 2025 |
£ 6,795.58 |
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The net balance reconciles to the Cash Book (receipts and payments account) for the year to date, as follows |
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CASH BOOK |
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Opening Balance 01 Apr 24 |
£ 7,303.65 |
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Add: Receipts in the year to 17072025 |
£ 7,510.87 |
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Less: Payments in the year to 17th July 2025 |
£ 3,905.92 |
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Less: Payments in the year to 31 March 2024 (from 2023/24) |
£1,900.92 |
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Closing balance per cash book [receipts and payments book] as at 17th July 2025 |
£9,007.68 |
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PAYMENTS IN |
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Precept 2024- 2025 19th April 2024 |
£3,100 |
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HMRC VAT reclaim |
£267.79 |
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LALC refund of overpayment |
£20.20 |
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ELDC Cllrs Grant |
£122.88 |
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Precept 2025-2026 |
£4,000.00 |
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TOTAL |
£7,511 |
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PAYMENTS OUT |
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Bank Charges (22 April 2024) |
£8.20 |
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430 Clear Insurance Management Ltd |
£516.97 |
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431 LALC Subscription |
£154.14 |
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432 LALC Training |
£120.00 |
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433 LALC Web Time |
£64.80 |
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434 Belchford Village Hall |
£18 |
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Bank Charges (30042024) |
£6.20 |
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Bank Charges (31052024) |
£7.40 |
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Bank Charges (30062024) |
£5.00 |
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435 LALC Website time |
£193.00 |
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436 Mrs K M Elliott Clerks Salary |
£290.62 |
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437 Mrs J Newby Newsletter printing and paint for signs |
£112.79 |
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438 HMRC |
£72.60 |
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439 Village Hall Hire |
£12.00 |
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440 Village Hall Hire |
£12.00 |
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441 Mrs K M Elliott Clerks Salary |
£290.42 |
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442 HMRC |
£72.80 |
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Bank Charges |
£5.80 |
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Bank Charges (31102024) |
£6.20 |
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Bank Charges (30112024) |
£5.00 |
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Bank Charges (31122024) |
£5.40 |
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Bank Charges (31012025) |
£5.80 |
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461 Insurance |
£665.10 |
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462 LALC subscription & training |
£302.20 |
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463 Village hall |
£51.00 |
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464 HMRC |
£145.20 |
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465 Mrs K M Elliott clerks salary |
£581.24 |
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466 T P Jones |
£73.92 |
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467 Mrs J Newby Newsletter & paint for signs |
£102.12 |
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Total |
£3,905.92 |