November 2025 Minutes
MINUTES OF WHAPLODE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT
WHAPLODE ST MARYS CHURCH
ON WEDNESDAY 5TH NOVEMBER 2025
Present;
Cllrs Morris Stancer, Bob Merchant, Pam Langstaff (Chaired the meeting), Richard Barlow, Neil Carver.
The Clerk (minute taker), and one member of the public.
Apologies:
Kevin Prince, Stephen Mackman and County Cllr Carey.
Public Forum:
John Merchant attended to request a reduction to 40mph in the speed limit along Ravens Bank. This was discussed and proposed by Cllr Stancer, seconded by Cllr Merchant and agreed by all. John will send a formal proposal with photographs to the Clerk to send to LCC Highways.
Minutes and Matters arising:
On the proposition of Cllr Langstaff seconded by Cllr Stancer and agreed by all, the minutes of the meetings in September and October 2025 having been previously circulated were signed by the Chairman, as a true record.
Date & venue of the next meeting:
Finance meeting 10th December and full council 7th January at Whaplode Drove. The meeting dates for 2026 were circulated and agreed.
Planning applications,
The Clerk reported that applications had been dealt with as per annexed and circulated to members, the application for the poultry farm in Peartree Lane Whaplode Drove has been withdrawn.
Finance Report;
The Clerk reported the following cheques for payment which members agreed,
G Hawkes salary & expenses £ 423.86
HMRC £ 281.75
B Hooper £ 400.00
RBL £ 35.00
PKF littlejohn £ 378.00
Evolution Ground care £ 1,167.60 vat £194.60
Balances: Business Prem £ 54,263
Current a/c £ 12,685
Less cheques £ 2,686
Balance £ 64,262
Allotments;
Millers Rest allotments 3,4,5,and 6 had been cleaned by Nigel Clayton who has been advised by the Clerk that he can cultivate them rent free to October 2026. Numbers 1 & 2 have been retained by the existing tenants and the rent received. FBT demands have been sent. Allotment inspection needed at Whaplode Drove next spring.
Highways:
Whaplode village – LCC have offered to replace the bus shelter on the High Road, members decided they are happy with the existing shelter.
Whaplode St Caths – pothole problem and road issues at Friday Bridge.
Saracens Head – no new issues.
Whaplode Drove – the green outside the post office has been cut, Cllr Merchant will contact R Knock about who is responsible for cutting.
A request for verge gates to be installed has been received for Shepeau Stow village and was agreed by members.
Members discussed and agreed the new highways policy as circulated by the Clerk.
Whaplode Playing Field:
Cllr Merchant reported that it was being well managed. Following the annual inspection by Wicksteed part of the play park has had to be closed an funding may be required to repair.
Whaplode St Catherines playing field:
A local resident has asked if play equipment can be installed on our park area. Members are prepared to support but feel that a local resident group should be formed to put forward a formal proposition.
Whaplode cemetery:
There is a tree down for which quotes are needed to remove. The clerk will obtain a quote to cut the grass in St Marys churchyard.
Land registration:
Cllr Barlow will chase Hix & Son for the valuations that need to be sent to Mossop & Bowser.
Defibralators:
A request has been received to install one in Dowsdale bank, Cllr Stancer has reviewed this request but there isn’t a place to install the cabinet. The Clerk will investigate the state of the cabinets in each ward to insure they are monitored.
Correspondence/AOB:
Cllr Barlow reported that the Whaplode St Mary celebrations went well.
Cllr Langstaff advised that a request to the Wryde Wind farm for defibrillator refurbishment should be considered and added to the agenda for the next meeting.
The meeting closed at 20.37pm
Chairman