February 2025 Minutes
MINUTES OF WHAPLODE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT WHAPLODE ST MARYS CHURCH ON THURSDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2025
Present;
Cllrs Morris Stancer, Richard Barlow (Chairman), Allan Beal, Bob Merchant & Pam Langstaff.
County Cllr Peter Coupland and the Clerk (minute taker).
Apologies:
Cllrs Prince & Mackman
Public Forum:
No members of the public attended.
Declarations of interest:
Cllr Langstaff re Whaplode bridleway - pecuniary
Minutes and Matters arising:
On the proposition of Cllr Beal seconded by Cllr Merchant, the minutes of the finance meetings in December 2024 and January 2025 having been previously circulated were signed by the Chairman, as a true record.
Date & venue of the next meeting:
Finance meeting 9th April and full council 7th May at Saracens Head.
Planning applications,
The Clerk reported that applications had been dealt with as per annexed and circulated to members.
Finance Report;
The Clerk reported the following cheques for payment which members agreed,
G Hawkes salary £ 383.10
HMRC £ 93.20
Evolution groundcare £ 1,167.60 vat £194.60
LALC £ 747.38
E Sterma & Son £ 1,044.00 vat £174.00
Whaplode PCC £ 774.62
Balances:
Business Prem £ 53,714
Current a/c £ 11,940
Less cheques £ 5,182
Balance £ 60,472
Allotments;
The Clerk confirmed that he will send letters to tenants who are in rent default.
Highways:
Whaplode village – Cllr Beal reported the muddy state of the footpaths, ongoing speeding issues and the reduced speed limit to 30mph onto Stockwell gate.
Whaplode St Caths – no report.
Saracens Head – Broad Lane flooding remains an issue.
Whaplode Drove – no new issues.
County Cllr Coupland will refer to Lincs Highways.
Whaplode Playing Field:
Members reported that it was being well managed. Three trees may need removing and the trim trail needs a repair.
Whaplode cemetery:
The Clerk will ask Mick Burns to visit so he can quote for carving three of the tree stumps into seats. Burial fees as attached were reviewed and on the proposition of Cllr Langstaff, seconded by Cllr Beal, agreed by all were accepted for immediate introduction.
Land registration:
The Chairman has spoken to Hix & Son who will provide up to date valuations of our land for registration purposes.
Elizabethan centre:
The Clerk reported that Mossop & Bowser will obtain a plan to enable completion of the lease renewal.
Whaplode bridleway right of way:
Discussed at the finance meeting, a request had been received to provide permission to a prospective landowner needing access to their drive. On the proposition of Cllr Barlow, seconded by Cllr Merchant, it was agreed by all for the Clerk to provide a letter of consent.
Whaplode St Mary church 900 year celebration:
Plans set for 5/6/7th September which the Council agreed in principle to support.
Wryde wind farm grant:
Members agreed that for grants to be made the Clerk should see a copy bank statement, paying in slip, costed quotation, timescale and confirmation of completion.
Grants were agreed for St John Baptist church £1,000 and The Astoria youth group £1,000.
Whaplode swimming pool:
The committee had written to request support to meet the cost of new cladding £5458 plus vat They have raised about £3,000 towards the cost. On the proposition of Cllr Merchant, seconded by Cllr Barlow, and agreed by all a sum of £1,500 was allocated Cllr Beal will review what he has available from his District Council Community fund.
Correspondence/AOB:
None
The meeting closed at 20.40pm
Chairman