2026 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE WOODHALL SPA PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 19TH MAY 2026 AT 7.00PM AT THE COUNCIL OFFICE.

In Attendance

Chairman Cllr Etches, Rod Williams, Chris Watts, Keith Scarborough, Ian Hunt, Patrica Bradwell, David Charles, Marcus Williams and Andy Reynolds

Also present:

Karen Handley, Parish Clerk

LCC Cllr Natalie Oliver (arrived 19.47 p.m-left 20.59 p.m.)

Public Forum

One parishioner present who praised the member of the public who collects litter in the village and to comment on the excellent job he does.

FC/1/05/26 Comments from the Chair

The Chair thanked all Councillors who attended the Annual Parish Meeting, especially Cllr Watts who stood in due to the Chair’s absence. It was a very successful meeting and Cllr Watts was  praised by members of the public for his annual report.

FC/2/05/26 Apologies for absence with reason given

Councillor L Wood-Mitchell had presented her apologies which were accepted.

ELDC Councillors Craig Leyland and Tom Kemp also gave their apologies.

FC/3/05/26 To consider applicants for co-option onto the parish council and resolve to co-opt

This was deferred until the next meeting as the candidate was not present at the meeting.

FC/4/05/26 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011

Cllr Charles and Cllr Hunt declared an interest in item 19 on the agenda.

FC/5/05/26 To consider requests from members for a dispensation on any items on the agenda.

No requests had been received.

FC/6/05/26 Notes of the last meeting held on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 to be approved as the minutes

It was proposed, seconded, and unanimously resolved to accept the notes as the minutes. These were duly signed by the Chair.

FC/07/05/26 To review and adopt Standing Orders

An amendment had been made regarding hybrid meetings as agreed at the March meeting.

It was proposed, seconded and resolved to adopt the Standing Orders.

FC/08/05/26 To review and adopt the Financial Regulations

It was proposed, seconded and resolved to adopt the Financial Regulations.

FC/09/05/26 To appoint a Staffing Committee to oversee employees and appraisal of staff

Cllr Watts, Cllr R Wiliams and Cllr Bradwell volunteered to be members of the Committee. Action: Clerk to prepare terms of reference.

FC/10/05/26 To receive a report from Lincolnshire County Council & East Lindsey District Council

ELDC- No Councillors present to give a report.

LCC- On her arrival at 19.47 p.m Cllr Oliver reported that Station Road had been repaired but there were still some issues which needed to be resolved. Cllr R Williams reported that the one-way system was still causing issues due to lack of signage. Cllr Oliver will follow this up with Highways.

FC/11/05/26 To approve automated, retrospective, and future payments to be made

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

b. To note the bank reconciliation

The bank reconciliation of £101,841.81 as of 29/04/2026 was noted.

c, To consider quote for the Dambusters Memorial cleaning

It was proposed, seconded and resolved to accept the quote from Leake’s Masonry to clean the memorial.

d. To review the Royal Square Maintenance Contract

It was proposed, seconded and resolved to extend the contract by two months to the present contractors. The Clerk is to monitor the contractors in this period.

FC/12/05/26 To note the Internal Auditor’s comments on the AGAR

The Internal Auditor has found no issues with the AGAR

FC/13/05/26

a. To consider and approve the Annual Governance Statement 2025-2026

It was proposed, seconded and resolved to approve the Annual Governance Statement

b. To consider and approve the Accounting Statement 2025-2026

It was proposed, seconded and resolved to approve the Accounting Statement

c. To note the dates for the Exercise of Public Rights

This was noted by Councillors

FC/14/05/26 Planning Matters

Planning applications:

00605/26/FUL Extension and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation.

Location: 150 Witham Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6R

Woodhall Spa Parish Council supports application 00605/26/FUL.

The Parish Council considers that the proposed first-floor extension and internal alterations are acceptable, subject to the Local Planning Authority being satisfied that the scale, design and materials are appropriate to the existing dwelling and surrounding street scene, with reference to NPPF Paragraph 135 and East Lindsey Local Plan Policy SP10 – Design.

00560/26/FUL Country Court Care Ltd The erection of a new care home with associated amenity areas, external structures and car parking, the erection of 6 dwellings, a new pumping station and the realignment of the site access road.

Woodhall Spa Parish Council adopts a cautious and balanced position regarding this application. Whilst recognising the benefits associated with the redevelopment of a brownfield and partially derelict site, together with the existence of previous permissions establishing redevelopment in principle, the Council expresses significant concerns regarding highway congestion, parking adequacy, cumulative vehicle movements, flood risk, drainage, contamination, and the scale and character of the proposed development. The Council also notes concerns raised by the Heritage Committee regarding the relationship of the proposal to the historic railway and riverside setting, including the importance of respecting the architecture and character of nearby historic buildings. The Parish Council therefore requests that East Lindsey District Council carefully considers all outstanding technical consultee responses and relevant planning policy considerations before determining the application.

00646/26/FUL Installation of 6no. floodlights to the existing football pitch.

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

Woodhall Spa Parish Council supports the principle of improving an established community sports facility and acknowledges the wider community benefits arising from extended sporting provision: It also respectfully requests that approval is based on robust planning conditions to ensure minimum impact on nearby properties and wildlife:

Full Planning

Noted by the Council

00352/26/FUL Erection of a dwelling and construction of a vehicular access. Existing outbuilding to be demolished.

Location: 124 Horncastle Road, Roughton Moor, Lincolnshire, LN10 6UX

00270/26/FUL Siting of a portable office building to be used in connection with the existing business, existing portable office building and toilet to be removed.

Location: 114A Horncastle Road, Roughton Moor, Lincolnshire, LN10 6UX

Tree Works

Noted by the Council

Tree preservation order land adj.116C, Horncastle Road, Roughton Moor.

FC/15/05/26 To receive a report from Cllr R Williams as PC representative on the Heritage Committee

Cllr Williams passed on thanks from the Heritage Committee to Cllr Watts for updating them on progress made with the NDP. Concerns had been expressed regarding the style of new housing being built in the village, they thanked the PC for inviting them to participate in the Annual Parish Meeting and also on improvements in communications between the two groups. All planning applications will be passed onto the committee when the Clerk receives them, which gives more time for consideration by the Committee.

FC/16/05/26 To review the Annual Parish Meeting

a. Community Champions

Cllr Watts shared some ideas regarding criteria for choosing future Community Champions. This is to be discussed further.

Pin badges-one quote had been received for £535 for 50.

Action: The Clerk was asked to continue to obtain quotes.

b. Location and format of meeting

Coronation Hall was considered a good venue due to accessibility and car parking. The only issue was a Friday night, possibility of a mid-week meeting next year and due to possible elections, a date in April rather than May to be considered.

Action: Clerk will contact Coronation Hall for possible dates.

c. Photo competition

This had proved to be successful and will continue next year. The winners will be announced prior to the meeting and invited to attend.

d. To determine the location of the Arnhem Oak gift to the Parish Council.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to offer the gift to the Cricket Club as they hosted the event.

FC/17/05/26 To receive a report on the NDP and resolve any further action.

Cllr Watts reported that questionnaires had been produced and the Heritage Committee had received copies. They had been a stand at the Annual Parish Meeting, but no Councillor had been available to really push the questionnaires. They will be available digitally and as hard copies.

The focus is now on getting the questionnaires printed and flyers produced to raise awareness. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved for £600 to be spent on printing questionnaires, flyers and a leaflet drop by Royal Mail.

FC/18/05/26 To consider setting up a litter picking group ‘Woodhall Wombles’ and resolve action.

Cllr Keith Scarborough had spoken to the gentleman who regularly litter picks in the village. He was quite happy to continue working on his own. The areas which he did not clear were Witham Road and Horncastle Road. Cllr Scarborough had four volunteers who were happy to take on these areas. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to purchase four high viz vests, 4 hoops and 4 litter pickers to assist the volunteers with their work.

FC19/05/26.To consider a request from Woodhall Spa in Bloom to enter into a one-year pilot partnership agreement and to adopt hanging baskets and planters.

After a lot of discussion, it was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved not to support a one-year pilot partnership agreement with Woodhall Spa in Bloom.

The Council’s contractor would put up the hanging basket brackets for the hanging baskets. They were asked to check their insurance policy to see if the hanging baskets and planters were included on their policy.

FC20/05/26 To resolve to purchase a screen sharing hub and to proceed with the work.

It was proposed that £352 be spent on purchasing a wireless device for the Council Chamber, seconded and unanimously resolved to purchase.

FC21/05/26 To receive a report back on the Community Resilience Forum meeting attended in Tattershall Village Hall on 21st April 2026.

This item was deferred.

FC22/05/26 To consider response to Irving Patrick Consulting commissioned by East Lindsey District Council to review and update the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan in Woodhall Spa.

Cllr Watts had contacted Irving Patirck Consulting, and it was proposed that a meeting should be arranged with the above, the PC and the Heritage Committee.

Action: Clerk to arrange a mutually convenient time for all parties involved.

FC23/05/26 To receive feedback on recent training courses attended by Clerk and Councillors

This item was deferred.

FC24/05/26 Clerk’s correspondence

This item was deferred.

FC25/05/26 To confirm the next Full Council meeting date as the 16th June at 7.00 p.m.

This was confirmed by all Councillors.

Meeting closed 9.05 p.m.