2026 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE WOODHALL SPA PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 20th JANUARY 2026 AT 7.00PM AT THE COUNCIL OFFICE.

 

Public Forum

Three members of the public present. A presentation was received regarding the village entrance into the East Midlands in Bloom competition. An explanation was given regarding the aims of the project. 

A resident expressed concern regarding the sale of land at St Andrew’s Drive, in particular the description used by the selling agents, as to the use the land might be suitable for. A question was asked of the Parish Council as to whether they could purchase the land. ELDC Councillor Leyland responded to concerns and stated that there is limited scope for development.

 

In Attendance

Chairman Councillor Richard Brown, Marcus Williams, David Charles, Roger Etches, Patricia Bradwell, Chris Watts, Keith Scarborough and Rod Williams

 

Also present: 

Karen Handley, Parish Clerk

LCC Councillor Natalie Oliver (arrived 8.12 p.m.)

ELDC Councillor Craig Leyland (left 8.10 p.m.)

 

FC/1/01/26 Opening comments from the Chair 

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting

FC/2/01/26 Apologies for absence with reason given 

Apologies were received ELDC Councillor Tom Kemp.

Absent Councillor Gammage

FC/3/01/26 Declaration of Members’ interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011

(Disclosure by all members present of disclosable pecuniary interests in matters on the agenda that have not already been declared on their Declarations of Interests form or put in writing to the Monitoring Officer at East Lindsey District Council)

Cllr Charles declared an interest in item 9 on the agenda.

 

FC/4/01/26 To consider requests from members for a dispensation on any items on the agenda (In accordance with the Localism Act 2011 the Parish Council has the authority to grant any members present a dispensation on their disclosable pecuniary interest so that they may take place in the debate and vote)

All Councillors completed a dispensation form to set the precept.

FC/5/01/26 To receive the draft notes from the Full Council Meeting Tuesday 16th December 2025 to be approved as the minutes

It was proposed, seconded, and unanimously resolved to accept the notes as the minutes.

 

FC/6/01/26 To receive a report from Lincolnshire County Council & East Lindsey District Council

ELDC- Councillor Leyland reported that ELDC were reviewing the budget, Councillor grants would be reinstated, Local Government reforms- ELDC plans had been submitted. Hopefully, by the summer there would be a decision as to which plan the Government preferred. There will be implications for Parish Councils.

LCC-Councillor Oliver had no updates from Highways with regard to any of the points raised by the Parish Council as the Highways officer was on leave. This will be followed up on her return. Councillor Oliver will pursue an onsite meeting regarding the yellow lines on Witham Road and further details will be emailed to the Clerk.

 

FC/7/01/26 To approve automated, retrospective, and future payments to be made

a) It was proposed, seconded, and unanimously resolved to approve the payments listed below.

Person/Company to be paid	Invoice No.	Details	Amount £
Wave	2526/179	Royal Square Water	0.79
Business Waste	2526/180	Office waste	12.01
Jubilee Park	2526/181	Community Grant	1000.00
Paul McFahn	2526/182	Office window cleaning	16.00
S Long Gardening Services	2526/183	Maintenance Contract St Andrew’s/Chapmans Corner	610.00
Welton Garden Services	2526/184	Kirkby Lane Cemetery/Leaf Collection	2220.00
T Gibbons/J Ward	2526/185	Royal Square Contract	1060.00
YU Energy	2526/186	Office Electricity	52.06
YU Energy	2526/187	Royal Square Electricity	69.52
Pink Marigold Cleaners	2526/188	Office Cleaning	90.00
S Barker	2526/189	PAT Testing	119.62
LALC	2526/190	Website additional hours	216.00
Goodwins	2526/191	Hardware	50.00
Tony Gibbons	2526/192	Christmas trees/cemetery/icicle lights	561.00
Payroo	2526/193	Payroll	6.00
EDF	2526/194	Office Gas	200.77
Amazon	2526/195	Extra shelving unit	25.49
K Handley/HMRC/LCC	2526/196	Staff Costs	1832.95
British Gas	2526/197	ATM Electricity	21.15

b) To note the bank reconciliation

The bank reconciliation of £94,046.08 as of 29/12/2025 was noted.

c) To receive a report from the Finance working group on the budget

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to accept the budget figures.

 

FC/8/01/26 To set the 2026-2027 Precept

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to increase the precept by 3.8% to £96,207.

FC/09/01/26 To consider a grant application from Woodhall Spa in Bloom

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to award the grant.

 

 

FC/10/01/26 Planning Matters

Cllr Bradwell has volunteered to work with Councillor Watts to review planning applications.

 

To consider and respond to Planning Applications

03837/25/OUT Outline erection of 1no.dwelling

Location: 80 Witham Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6RD

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to support this application. However, the Council did ask that the Clerk make a comment asking for the Design and access statement to be observed.

03731/25/FUL Alterations to existing community hall to include replacement windows, front entrance doors, roof, fascia, soffits and installation of an air source heat pump and solar panels.

Location: St Peter’s Church Hall, The Broadway, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN120 6SQ

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to support this application.

03525/25/FUL Siting of a storage container for serving drinks/snacks and provision of outdoor seating area/hardstanding

Location: Woodhall Spa United Football Club, Abbey Lane, Kirkstead, Lincolnshire, LN10 6UH

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to support this application.

Full Planning

Noted by Councillors

03581/25/FUL Extension and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation

Location: 109 Witham Road, Woodhall Spa, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6RB

03656/25/FUL Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation

Location: 12 Arnhem Way, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6TJ

03464/25/FUL Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation, and the erection of a detached annexe.

Location: 25 Stixwould Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6QH

02736/25/FUL Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation and detached car port with storage over

Location: Brackenwood Cottage, Monument Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6UN

Tree Work Notification

Noted by Councillors

EZY/0120/TCA 

T1 Pine crown lift by removing all branches below the main stem fork union. In addition to this remove x1 branch just above the fork union that overhangs the front garden space. Clean out by removing dead wood.

T2 Cypress-Clean out by removing dead wood

T3 Cypress remove x3 lowest branches that overhang neighbour’s drive. Clean out by removing any dead wood.

T4 Oak-crown lift by removing epicormic growth from around the main stem, up and around the main structural scaffold limbs. Clean out any dead wood.

Location: 11, Tor O Moor Road, Woodhall Spa, LN10 6TF

EZY/0141/TCA 

Silver Birch Remove from property-to allow growth of a Chestnut tree which is, at present, stunted by the Silver Birch

Location: 4, Stanhope Avenue, Woodhall Spa, LN10 6SP

 

FC/11/01/26 To consider progressing the Neighbourhood Development Plan and resolve further action

Cllr Watts highlighted the issue that not having a Neighbourhood Plan is causing regarding commenting on planning applications effectively.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to set up a working group to continue with the plan already developed. Cllr Bradwell and Cllr Williams agreed to help Cllr Watts.

 

FC/12/01/26 To consider the following policies reviewed by the working group with a view to adopting

Winter weather policy- proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to adopt this policy. 

Communications -policy-proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to adopt this policy

Co-option policy -the Clerk was asked to amend slightly, proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to adopt this policy 

 

FC/13/01/26 To receive feedback on the meeting between Councillor Etches and Linzi Elliot regarding the proposed use of the Rally Field by the Croquet Club.

Cllr Etches reported back on the meeting, which was useful, but another meeting was needed between the Council and Jubilee Park to clarify some of the points raised.

 

FC/14/01/26 To receive an update on the Victorian Signage

Cllr Watts gave a report on progress and had provided a summary for the Clerk’s records.

 

FC/15/01/26 To discuss the format of the Annual Parish Meeting on Friday 8th May 2026 and resolve any further action                                                                    Clerk outlined the format of the meeting and asked for ideas as what else the Council could do with regard to the format of the evening. Cllr Watts suggested a photographic competition and the idea of Community Champions was also muted. This will be an agenda item for the next meeting.                                                   FC/16/01/26 To receive a report from the Business meeting attended by a Parish Council representative                                                                                Cllr Watts gave a report which outlined some of the ideas for Christmas 2026. The Parish Council light switch on will be on Friday 4th December and businesses will be open late. Cllr Watts will attend future meetings as a Parish Council representative.                                                                                                         FC/17/01/26 To consider:

Parish Council priorities 2026-2027 as Neighbourhood Plan, Royal Square, Community Engagement.

Making Council meetings accessible via Teams-this was agreed but Councillors could not vote.

Community Engagement/Community Champions- Councillor Brown informed the meeting that he would fund 200 pin badges for future community champions.

Meeting structure and room layout- meeting structure not discussed but it was agreed that the screen needed to be moved to the other end of the Council Chamber.                                                                                                      FC/18/01/2026 To receive an update on Royal Square Development                The Council has been registered on Find a Tender website and a representative from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will be meeting with the Clerk on Tuesday 10th February to discuss funding.                                                                   FC/19/01/2026 To receive an update on progress with the Council Facebook page                                                                                                                         The Clerk confirmed that it has been set up and is now active.                  FC/20/01/26 To receive feedback on the village flags and resolve further action Cllr Etches and Cllr Charles had inspected the flags, and 30 new flags were needed. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that the Clerk would apply to the 1940’s committee for funds to replace the flags. Cllr Etches and Charles will produce a flag flying policy.                                                                             

FC/21/01/26 To confirm the next Full Council meeting as Tuesday 17th February 2026 at 7.00 p.m.

The date was confirmed.

 

Meeting closed at 9.05 p.m.