May 2025 Minutes
MINUTES OF WHAPLODE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT
SARACENS HEAD VILLAGE HALL
ON WEDNESDAY 7TH MAY 2025
Present;
Cllrs Morris Stancer, Bob Merchant, Pam Langstaff (Chaired the meeting), Kevin Prince & Stephen Mackman.
The Clerk (minute taker).
Apologies:
Cllrs Beal, Barlow and County Cllr Carey.
Election of Chairman:
On the proposition of Cllr Stancer, seconded by Cllr Merchant and agreed by all Cllr Langstaff was elected Chairperson and duly signed her declaration of office.
Election of Vice Chairman and offer officers:
On the proposition of Cllr Merchant, seconded by Cllr Prince and agreed by all Cllr Stancer was elected Vice Chairman and duly signed hs declaration of office. The Clerk was confirmed as the SHPVCS representative, Cllr Stancer as wind farm liaison and Cllr Merchant as cemetery overseer.
Public Forum:
No members of the public attended.
Declarations of interest:
Cllr Merchant re Whaplode village playing field.
Minutes and Matters arising:
On the proposition of Cllr Langstaff seconded by Cllr Merchant, the minutes of the full council meeting in February 2025 and finance meeting in April 2025 having been previously circulated were signed by the Chairman, as a true record.
Date & venue of the next meeting:
Finance meeting 6th August and full council 4th June at Whaplode Drove
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 £ 403.30
HMRC £ 109.30
South Holland drainage board £ 60.90
Evolution Ground care £ 1,167.60 vat£194.60
Belmont Carpenters uk Ltd £ 1,062.00
Balances: Business Prem £ 53,905
Current a/c £ 22,695
Less cheques £ 3,802
Balance £ 72,798
Allotments;
The Clerk confirmed that he has two interested tenants for Whaplode Drove, Cllr Mackman will provide a list of allotments currently being used.
Highways:
Whaplode village – no new issues.
Whaplode St Caths – speeding remains a problem.
Saracens Head – Broad Lane flooding remains an issue.
Whaplode Drove – the green in the village would not appear to be regularly cut and Cllr Merchant will review the contractors list to see who is responsible. Pear Tree Hill, the chevrons are missing on Holland main drain.
Whaplode Playing Field:
Cllr Merchant reported that it was being well managed.
Whaplode St catherines playing field:
Cllr Prince reported that its okay but not used very much. Ongoing mole problem will be reported by Cllr Merchant.
Whaplode cemetery:
The Clerk will ask Mick Burns to visit so he can quote for carving three of the tree stumps into seats.
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 this has now been signed.
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:
A grants was agreed in principle for Whaplode Playing Field for £1,000, proposed by Cllr Stancer, seconded by Cllr Langstaff, and agreed by all.
Correspondence/AOB:
The Clerk reported that he visited the Acorn play group with Cllr Merchant, they are looking to expand as they are full and have a waiting list. A proposal may come forward seeking an area of Council allotment land in Millers Rest.
The meeting closed at 20.30pm
Chairman