June 2025 Minutes
MINUTES OF WHAPLODE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT
WHAPLODE DROVE CHURCH ROOM
ON WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE 2025
Present;
Cllrs Morris Stancer, Bob Merchant, Pam Langstaff (Chaired the meeting), Kevin Prince, Richard Barlow, Stephen Mackman & Allan Beal.
The Clerk (minute taker).
Apologies:
None.
Public Forum:
One member of the public attended.
Andy Killip a representative from Meridian Solar gave a presentation and took questions on the latest situation relating to the solar farm project.
Declarations of interest:
Cllr Merchant re Whaplode village playing field.
Cllr Barlow re Whaplode St Mary church
Cllr Beal re Whaplode St Mary church
Minutes and Matters arising:
On the proposition of Cllr Beal seconded by Cllr Prince, the minutes of the full council meeting in May 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 10th September at Whaplode St Catherines.
Co-option:
Cllr Prince introduced Neil Carver to the Council, Neil introduced himself as a resident of Whaplode St Catherines. On the proposition of Cllr Stancer seconded by Cllr Langstaff and agreed by all Neil Carver was co-opted onto the council.
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 £ 405.36
Clear Insurance £ 898.02
Evolution Ground care £ 1,167.60 vat £194.60
Whaplode swimming pool £ 1,500.00
Whaplode Playing field assoc £1,000.00
Balances: Business Prem £ 54,084
Current a/c £ 26,153
Less cheques £ 3,870
Balance £ 76,367
2024-2025 Audit,
The Clerk reported that the audit had been completed their review of the accounts and members proposed and agreed to approve the internal audit report. Cllr Stancer proposed and Cllr Mackman seconded (agreed by all) that the Annual Governance Statement Section 1. Members then proposed and approved the Statement of Accounts section 2. Members then proposed and agreed that the Chairman sign the annual return.
Allotments;
The Clerk confirmed that Mr Futter had given notice on his tenancy, Mark Grummitt had offered £250 per acre to take this over which members agreed. The Clerk will liaise with Hix & Co to prepare a new Farm Business Tenancy.
Cllr Mackman provided the Clerk with an update on the Whaplode Drove allotments which the Clerk will review.
Highways:
Whaplode village – no new issues, Cllr Beal has some additional 30mph signs to go up.
Whaplode St Caths – in Cranesgate North and Roman Bank speeding remains a problem, the Clerk will request that the Police mobile speed van attend.
Saracens Head – no new issues.
Whaplode Drove – the green in the village would not appear to be regularly cut and Cllr Mackman has reported on fix my street.
Whaplode Playing Field:
Cllr Merchant reported that it was being well managed, the Wryde wind farm grant has been issued tonight.
Whaplode St Catherines playing field:
Cllr Prince reported that a resident has a fence problem, and the playing field has a bramble/hedge encroachment issue. Cllr Beal will liaise with SHDC.
Whaplode cemetery:
Cllr Beal advised that the new bin has been installed.
Land registration:
At the request of Mossop & Bowser the clerk will submit an overriding interest form. Cllr Barlow will liaise with Hix & Co regarding the valuations.
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 and a request for a grant of £1,000 from the Council and a Wryde wind farm grant of £800 were agreed. Proposed by Cllr Prince, seconded by Cllr Langstaff and agreed by all.
Wryde wind farm grant:
See above
Correspondence/AOB:
The Clerk reported that he had no other business.
The meeting closed at 20.35pm
Chairman