2025 Minutes

Waddingham Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 3rd September 2025, 7pm at Jubilee Hall

Present:  Cllrs L Williams (Chair),  P Williams, C Jones, G Thacker & J Thacker, Cllr S Kirman

 

Police Inspector Head

The Clerk

19  members of the public                                           

 

Inspector Head returned following the previous meeting to try and reassure residents about an ongoing enquiry.  Inspector Head confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing and it looks as though it will result in the suspect receiving a caution.  A small amount of substance had been found at the property which had been used for science experiments.  Inspector Head stated that the situation had been very poorly handled for residents who had been told to evacuate their propertied twice.  Residents reported that this had led to significant trauma for a number of them.  They reported that the police had told them at the time that the suspect had been watched for two years and that a viable device had been found.  Inspector Head said that it was very unlikely the suspect had been observed for this long as warrants are usually dealt with quickly and no viable device had been found- just a small quantity of substance.  Due to the nature of the substance the MOD had to be involved.  Residents asked of guns or bullets had been found.  Inspector Head said that if there had been guns and bullets the suspect would have been arrested.  There are bail conditions but the police inspector was not able to say of they are being adhered to.  Safeguarding measures are in place.  The investigation should conclude within the next couple of weeks.  Once the investigation has concluded the media will be updated.

 

120/25 Apologies for Absence  - Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs B Tiley, E Law and S Bunney

 

121/25 Declaration of Interest 

To record declarations of interest by any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below. Members declaring interests should identify the agenda item and type of interest being declared. To note dispensations given to any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed. None

 

122/25 Minutes of Previous Meeting to be approved and signed- The minutes from Wednesday 3rd September 2025 were signed as a true and accurate record.

 

123/25 Matters arising – none

 

124/25 To note the resignation of Cllr A White- Cllr White has resigned from his position of parish councillor.  WLDC have been informed and notices placed around the parish.

 

125/25 County and District Councillors report -Cllr Bunney was unable to attend due to a clash of meetings.  In his absence he had emailed a report:

 

“Welton Aggregates have been granted planning permission to reopen the North Kelsey Road Quarry at Caistor.    Some of the sand extracted will be transported by lorry to their plant at Hibaldstow - an expected 4 to 6 journeys a day.     Originally two routes were suggested - the southern one running through Brandy Wharf and Waddingham.    Concerns raised by the residents of Redbourne Road - along with residents from other villages - meant that the Applicant withdrew the southern route form their proposal - this means that provided they keep to their word Welton Aggregates will not be using the B1205 or Redbourne Road for these vehicles.

 

LCC Highways are continuing to assess further restrictions on Redbourne Road etc.”

 

 Councillor Duguid was not in attendance.

 

126/25 Police Report- no report available

 

127/25 Clerk’s report- Nothing to report that is not on the agenda.

 

128/25 Finance

(a) Schedule of payments and receipts:

 

(i) C. Wright October Salary- £357

(ii) C. Wright, November Salary- £357

(iii) C Wright, expenses October and November- £33.50

(iv) CF Insurance, £248.04

(v) AJ Williams, grass cutting (10th & 22nd September) £324

 

Current Account Balance- £5319

Reserve account balance- £5908

(b) To estimate precept 2026/27- Following scrutiny of the accounts it was resolved to estimate a precept of £10500.

 

 

129/25 Correspondence for discussion or information

(i) Response from Welton Aggregates- Welton Aggregates have responded to the Clerk’s letter maintaining that drivers do stick to the speed limit and their vehicles are fitted with trackers.

(ii) Winter Salt Bags- No salt bags requested as there is nowhere to store undercover.  LCC to refill grit bins as necessary during the winter.

(iii) Environment Agency Response re Village Beck- Clerk to contact Environment Agency for further clarification. The Environment Agency are not concerned about the current erosion of the beck bank.

 

130/25 Emergency Plan Update- Cllr Tiley was unable to attend the meeting.  Item to remain on the agenda.

 

131/25 To discuss and resolve a plan of action following recent tree survey- Cllr P Williams to review the survey following the resignation of Cllr White

ACTION: Cllr P William

 

132/25 Flood relief scheme and beck cleaning matters including concerns raised about erosion- It was reported that the flood relief scheme is working well.

Clerk reported that one land owner has replied to a letter regarding their riparian rights, on the land adjacent to Redbourne Road, and is going to undertake further work when land conditions allow.  LCC had visited the land owner and were happy with what work had been carried out to date. The other land owner has not replied and no remedial work appears to have been undertaken. The Environment Agency have replied to the clerk regarding the erosion of the beck and will not be carrying out any maintenance work at present.  Areas of the beck need clearing.  Clerk to contact contractors for quotes.

ACTION: Clerk

133/25 Play Area- ROSPA completed the annual safety check.  Cllr P Williams to action the remedial work or contact the supplier to correct any faults flagged up.

ACTION: Cllr P Williams

 

134/25 Constable Ings Trust- There is currently £8934 available for community environmental projects in the Constable Ings account.

 

135/25 North Ramper update-No further update.

 

136/25 To discuss the possibility of creating a Community Speed Watch group- Following calls for volunteers no one has come forward to join a Community Speed Watch scheme.  A number of people have suggested that drivers can be intimidating and expressed  a fear for their safety.

 

137/25 Highways Matters to include any issues that arise- 

(i) Redbourne Road- the clerk to request 30mph be painted on the road surface in an attempt to slow down traffic.  Residents report that speeding traffic is still an issue on the road.  Clerk to also contact Highways to see if village entry barriers would be permissible.

ACTION: Clerk

 

138/25 Planning Matters to include any issues that arise after distribution of the agenda but before the meeting- None

 

139/25 Streetlighting update- nothing further to report.

 

140/25 To discuss any progress regarding acquiring land for allotments- Cllr Jones has made extensive enquiries into acquiring some land for village allotments but has so far been unsuccessful.  He explained a proposed scheme which would allow some raised beds at the back of the village hall which could be uses as a community garden rather than allotments.  The proposal needs to go before the village hall committee before any further action can be taken.

 

141/25 Confirmation of date and time of next meeting   – The meeting date was confirmed to be January 7th 2026- Jubilee Hall 7pm 

 

142/25 Additional Items for the November agenda- nothing at present

 

Meeting closed at 20.5