November 2025 Minutes
Notes from Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 20th November 2025 held at Belchford Village Hall
Present in person: Councillors: I Goodall (IG), J Newby (JN), P Thompson (PT), P Barnes (PB), N Sorenti (NS), K Hockham (KH) and 2 members of the public, D Cllr Simpson and the clerk Mrs K M Elliott.
The public forum began at 7.31 pm
Public Forum: The public session started with discussion about blocked drains, 3 on Main Road near Southview and near Church View. Theses have been reported on Fix my street. A hard copy of the NDP document is available at Fulletby Church and also online.
Parish Council meeting commenced at 7.38 pm
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence and reasons given – P Morris, M Brown & J Smith have sent apologies, all for work reasons.
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 noted the sad loss of Councillor K Skalka whose funeral was well attended. All present noted his dedication to parish council responsibilities, his willingness to share knowledge and expertise and that he will be greatly missed by all. A neighbour from Fulletby has expressed an interest in joining the parish council and is attending this evening. The parish council will be able to co-opt at the January meeting. JN also thanked PT and JS for the successful grant application for a pond at the woodland.
4. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 18th September 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.
5. To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding:
a. Maintenance of Grass Triangle, Fulletby – There is a protective fence around the triangle currently. We will prepare to put more soils and reseed it in the spring, the wildflower grass seed is ready. IG will organise a date, a request for 6 weeks’ notice was made. Thanks were given to PB for supplying the seed.
b. NDP update – IG advised that the date of the referendum is 28th November 2025 at the village hall with the count taking place straight afterwards. 5 years’ work coming to a conclusion.
c. Bike Racks – PM will install these on his return.
d. Gov.uk email address – There is a free version for the Clerk only and this will be set up. The clerk will check with LALC with regard to devise and software usage on the model IT policy and also talk to West Ashby PC about use of their laptop.
e. Free Trees – JS will collect these trees on 27th November for planting at the woodland.
f. Meeting dates 2026 – Are as printed on the foot of the agenda.
g. DMMO11 & 42 – The clerk was asked to email the officer to ask if there is anything the parish council can do to help speed up the process.
h. Defibrillator Guardians – JN and KH will share doing the Fulletby defib and PB will look after the Belchford one. The clerk will add these names to “The Circuit”. Annual service checks are to be carried out with Safelincs and PB and the clerk will resolve the invoices as the West Ashby device will be done at the same time.
It is noted that KH needs adding to our website and the latest newsletter needs changing to the autumn one on the home page.
6. Grant Funding Applications – PT advised that there was an opportunity to apply for a wildlife pond at the community woodland. JS and PT met outside of our normal meetings and a LWCS grant has been applied for at 60% of costs. It will be located where the existing scrape is. How deep is the pond to be and will safety measures be in place? The grant has been offered and will be accepted and a time and date for the work will be confirmed by PT and JS. It was proposed seconded voted and resolved to accept this decision.
7. Belchford Public Purposes Charity – KH advised that £200 has been given to the Mothers & Toddlers group and it has been resolved to give £135 to four other groups who provide community services. This will be given out tonight. Proposed seconded voted and resolved. An email has been received outside of this decision process requesting funds and the clerk will ascertain what purpose the funds are required for.
8. IT Policy – this will be resolved at the January meeting.
9. To receive reports from District and County Councillors (if available) –District Councillor Simpson arrived at 8.28pm having attended another meeting prior to ours. There is still grant funding available, an application was discussed for safety equipment for the new pond at the community woodland. Also discussed was Local Government Reform and Planning reform.
10. LALC Portal, adding councillor contacts – This has already been done.
11. To receive an update from the Village Green Committee: The AGM is scheduled for Wednesday 27th November, JN will do signs advertising this meeting.
12. Maintenance of Village Signs & Furniture – IG has visited Ketsby Saw mill and a quote is being chased. For discussion at the next meeting please. A budget of £250 was proposed, seconded, voted and resolved.
13. Water Tower Proposal – JS is not present at tonight’s meeting. However he is still thought to be waiting for a response from Anglian Water.
14. Planning Matters:
a. 03547/25/RVC to vary a condition previously imposed on application S/013/02283/21, plot adjacent to South Oak Cottage, Dams Lane. Discussion about the increased footprint from the original wooden garage to be a brick built garage and include a bike store and garden shed. It is in an elevated position, is there any screening planting proposed. It is on the Viking Way. It was proposed, seconded, voted and resolved to send the following observation: We are unsure of the overall height of this proposed amendment. It has an increased height and footprint. The site is already in an elevated position. The addition of solar panels is welcome.
b. LALC planning training – hopefully to be offered at our village hall so that all our councillors can attend plus other local councils.
15. Highways Matters – Infrastructure is needed around the village to address and protect residents, as we have little or no footpaths and no street lighting. Ask LCC what can be done to keep residents and school children safe. This will be discussed further at our January meeting. Could the school bus drop off point be changed?
16. To consider correspondence received since the last meeting: This has been dealt with.
17. Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period, including grant funds of £164. The RFO, has provided a financial report, which has been circulated to all prior to the meeting. There are 4 cheques to be signed.
a) To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, a spreadsheet was provided, as circulated prior to the meeting.
b) To consider and resolve payments since the last meeting, cheques signed this evening for £129.50 E Goodall, N Sorenti £245.03, j Newby £32.12 & Village Hall £39.
18. To agree agenda items for the January 2026 meeting. Pavement/street lighting, litter picking groups, community woodland, grass triangle, Request for Public Purpose Charity funds, village green, village furniture, water tower, co-option.
There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.07 pm.
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FINANCE UPDATE |
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Prepared by Mrs K M Elliott, Clerk & RFO Dated 18 November 2025 |
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Note: Payments in the year to 31 March 2026 are cheques written up to then but not cleared |
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Balance per bank statement as at 1 November 2025 |
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HSBC Current account |
£ 8,383.89 |
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Less: any un-presented cheques at 1 November |
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Net bank balance as at 1 April 2025 |
£ 6,913.46 |
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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 25 |
£ 6,913.46 |
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Add: Receipts in the year up to 1 November |
£ 4,396.00 |
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Less: Payments in the year to 1 November |
£ 2,834.17 |
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Less: Payments in the year to 31 March 2024 (from 2023/24) |
£91.40 |
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Closing balance per cash book [receipts and payments book] as at 1 Nov 25 |
£8,383.89 |
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PAYMENTS IN |
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Precept` |
£4,000 |
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Lane Letting |
£232.00 |
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ELDC Grant |
£164.00 |
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TOTAL |
£4,396 |
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PAYMENTS OUT |
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Bank Charges April 25 |
£5.00 |
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Bank Charges May 25 |
£5.00 |
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Clear Insurance |
£665.10 |
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LALC ATS & Subscription |
£302.20 |
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Village Hall Hire |
£51.00 |
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HMRC |
£145.20 |
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Clerks Salary |
£581.24 |
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T P Jones & Co |
£73.92 |
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Mrs J Newby Paint |
£102.12 |
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E Goodall Furniture |
£362.64 |
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Mrs J Newby Printing |
£44.01 |
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LALC website hours |
£108.00 |
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Clerks Expenses |
£10.72 |
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Clerks Salary |
£290.62 |
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HMRC |
£72.60 |
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Bank charges June 25 |
£5.00 |
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Bank Charges July 25 |
£7.00 |
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Bank Charges August 25 |
£2.00 |
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Bank Charges Sept 25 |
£0.40 |
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Bank Charges Oct 25 |
£0.40 |
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N Sorenti NDP Expenses |
£245.03 |
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E Goodall Planters |
£129.50 |
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J Newby newsletters |
£32.12 |
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Belchford Village Hall |
£39.00 |
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TOTAL |
£3,279.82 |