January 2026 DRAFT Minutes
Notes from Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 22nd January 2026 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), J Newby (JN), P Thompson (PT), J Smith (JS) and 3 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 parcel deliveries. Speeding was also discussed. Details of the last Archers survey are to be shared again. Highways matters have been reported via Fix my street and this is to be shared with our County Councillor. Further highways were also discussed.
Parish Council meeting commenced at 7.40 pm
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence and reasons given – P Morris, M Brown, K Hockham and P Barnes have sent apologies, all for work reasons, which were all accepted.
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 thanked councillors for their work on the community woodland and the proposed new pond. JN introduced the proposed new parish councillor Mr J Fixter who lives in Fulletby and works for the District Council. Councillors were also thanked for collecting the Christmas trees. The NDP passed with 90%, thank you for all hard work on this project. Several thankyous have been received for the Neave Charity funds which were shared at the last meeting.
4. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20th November 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 Co-opt a parish councillor – Mr Jake Fixter introduced himself to the meeting and it was proposed, seconded, voted and resolved to co-opt Mr Fixter on to the parish council with immediate effect.
6. To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding:
a. Maintenance of Grass Triangle, Fulletby – This will be actioned in spring with a date to be agreed after the March meeting. Chapel Lane, Fulletby.
b. DMMO11 & 42 – the email from LCC has been circulated prior to the meeting and the clerk was asked to forward this to our County Councillor as we have been waiting 30 years for this process.
c. Defibrillators – LIVES have quoted £58.50 for pads for each Defib. The clerk was requested to get quotes from Safelincs for the repairs to the cabinet etc. and also for a service contract.
d. Litter Picking groups – KH is volunteering to set up these groups and the council support this scheme. The clerk advised that free bags can be supplied from ELDC. The clerk will advise KH about this and picking up of full bags, wearing of Hi-Viz etc.
e. Street Safety – as per the emails sent before the meeting this is about safety of school children. Could an alternative bus stop be set up? Copy our County Councillor in on this matter as he has responsibility for community safety.
f. DofE volunteer – to assist with litter picking in the parish.
g. LCC bench/seat – PB and PT to express an interest for a seat at the top of scarecrow hill on the Viking way.
It is noted that Katy Hockham’s details are not spelt correctly on the ELDC website.
7. Belchford Public Purposes Charity – the clerk will find out what the request for funding is for.
8. IT Policy – The amended policy will reflect the use of West Ashby Parish Council computer and printer. This and all other policies will be reviewed at the March meeting.
9. To receive reports from District and County Councillors (if available) –District Councillor Simpson will be getting advice from the tree officer about getting a TPO for the Pig Hanging Tree. The food waste bins will be rolled out this year to all households. Elections for West Lindsey and Lincoln City are being cancelled. Local Government reorganisations are ongoing and the planning regime is also changing. The County Councillor is not present.
10. To receive an update from the Village Green Committee: The AGM was held on 26th November and a new Chairman has been appointed. It is proposed to hold the tractor run jointly with the Church and hold a table top sale plus other events. Thanks again are offered to D & R Ward for grass cutting. NS will help where possible with regard to the proposed play area.
11. Maintenance of Village Signs & Furniture – Robert Ward has donated primulas for Belchford Boxes. One box has been donated by a resident. IG has secured a quote from Ketsby Saw Mill, for Fulletby Notice Board Plinth £177, £191 planks for Hill Fort seating. IG to coordinate this work. [2 members of the public left at 8.30pm]
12. Community Woodland – A grant has been applied for and obtained to create a pond at the woodland. The hole that is already there will be made larger. Delivery of clay will happen this month. We have also received a District Councillors Grant for safety equipment. It is anticipated that the water will be approximately 1m deep. The clay needs to be puddled and volunteers may be required for this task. More tree planting is taking place this Sunday afternoon. Members also discussed the location of a tree plaque and pruning the fruit trees. A work party will be organised.
13. Water Tower Proposal – JS advised that the tower is being repaired currently and will be used when fixed. This item is requested to be on the March agenda.
14. Planning Matters:
a. 03547/25/RVC has been approved.
b. 03586/25/FUL our response has also been sent to ELDC. The clerk has no reregistered on the ELDC planning portal.
15. Highways Matters – There are several areas of concern and JN will provide details which the clerk can then share with LCC and our County Councillor.
16. To consider correspondence received since the last meeting: The clerk will share the thankyous received with all councillors.
17. Terms of Reference for Staff Committee – The next appraisal will take place on 9th February.
18. To discuss and set Budget and Precept for 2026/2027 – Documents were circulated prior to the meeting. Members discussed the suggested budget and precept which must include Defib maintenance costs. The clerk was requested to get alternative/comparison insurance quotes. We have more equipment to maintain and therefore costs need to be taken into account. Grant funding cannot be relied upon. It was proposed seconded voted and resolved to agree the budget and set the precept at £4000.
19. 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 prior to the meeting. There are 7 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 Safelincs £120, HMRC £134.40, Clerks Salary £538.48, Welton Aggregates £1800, LALC £326.06, T Bliss £46.99, Belchford Village Hall £21
20. To agree agenda items for the March 2026 meeting. JS gives apologies for this meeting. Newsletter are to be produced in approximately 2 weeks. The A
21. 30nnual Parish Meeting will also be on the agenda.
There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.11 pm.
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FINANCE UPDATE |
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Prepared by Mrs K M Elliott, Clerk & RFO Dated 16 January 2026 |
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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 January 2026 |
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HSBC Current account |
£ 8,099.84 |
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Less: any un-presented cheques at 1 January |
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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 January |
£ 4,556.00 |
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Less: Payments in the year to 22 January |
£ 6,245.75 |
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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 22 Jan 26 |
£5,042.51 |
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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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ELDC Grant |
£160.00 |
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TOTAL |
£4,556 |
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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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Safelincs Defib service |
£120.00 |
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HMRC |
£134.40 |
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Clerks Salary |
£538.48 |
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Welton Aggregates |
£1,800.00 |
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LALC Subs & ATS |
£326.06 |
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Planting Box |
£46.99 |
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TOTAL |
£6,245.75 |