November 2025 DRAFT Minutes STILL TO BE APPROVED
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Reepham Parish Council held on
Tuesday 25th November 2025 at 7.30pm in Reepham Methodist Chapel
Present: Cllrs D Perkins (Chair), B Wharton, A Brammer, D Davies, H Gee, N Ward, J Oxby, Mrs M Vail (Clerk).
D/Cllr M Palmer. C/Cllr & D/Cllr T Bridgwood. Two members of the public also attended.
Absent: Cllr M Doughty
Meeting started at 7.30pm.
Matters raised by members of the public:
C/Cllr T Bridgwood:
o A Healthwatch Lincs survey has been sent out for circulation to residents.
o Provided an update on the current situation regarding the various proposals likely to be submitted to Government regarding LGR. LCC will submit a proposal. WLDC will write to Government to outline the priorities for the District and express its willingness to engage.
The Chairman welcomed the Clerk back to full duties and gave a vote of thanks to Cllr Brian Wharton both for his hard work in keeping the Parish Council running in recent months, and for his support of the Chairman.
1. Apologies: Cllr C Wilson
2. Declarations of Interest: Cllr A Brammer in respect of a question he will raise under the Planning item.
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 28 October 2025:
Proposed by Cllr D Davies and seconded Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED these minutes be accepted.
4. Clerk s Report:
Pensions Regulator: Tri-annual review and re-enrolment of eligible staff:
This is a legal requirement. RPC s Redeclaration that required duties have been carried out, must be made to the Pensions Regulator by 17 July 2026.
Leaf sweep request has been made to WLDC.
Clerk s annual leave 24 Dec 2nd Jan inclusive: Noted
5. Correspondence:
Noted:
WLDC Oct newsletter; Witham Valley Access Project s - AGM on Tuesday Nov 18th and; LCC - Permit Scheme Fees Variation proposal (street works)
A resident had reported damage to a cremation vase thought to have been caused by the grass cutters. She had been put in touch with the contractor.
Action Required:
Fiskerton Parish Council proposal - late-night bus service for our villages:
Proposed by Cllr D Davies and seconded Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED to support this proposal. Action: Clerk
6. Financial matters
a) Presentation of Accounts for Payment (Nov/Dec):
M Vail Nov salary 256.13
PAYE Nov 64.00
M Vail Dec salary 256.13
PAYE Dec 64.00
Homeworking allowance, Oct Dec 15.00
M Vail, reimburse Xmas sweets 42.50
Mr A Brammer, reimburse painting materials (play area) 38.59 (inc 6.43 VAT)
Sage payroll, Nov 13.20 (inc. 2.20 VAT)
Sage payroll, Dec 13.20 (inc. 2.20 VAT)
Glendale, hedge cut, 2007 624.00 (inc. 104.00 VAT)
Glendale, 2046 390.58 (inc 65.09 VAT)
W&AC Rose, Xmas tree 294.00 (inc 49.00 VAT)
TOTAL 2071.33 (inc 228.92 VAT)
Proposed by Cllr B Wharton and seconded Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED that these be paid. Action: Clerk
b) Approve payment of Parish Online invoice for .Gov email addresses at 184.00 + VAT when it is presented:
Proposed by Cllr H Gee and seconded Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED that this be paid when presented. Action: Clerk
c) Approve payment of CBE Consulting invoice in respect of cherry tree at 170.00 + VAT (National Lottery grant funded) when it is presented:
Item not voted on. See item 10.
d) Approve payment of bus shelter cleaning invoice of 45.00 when it is presented:
Proposed by Cllr H Gee and seconded Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED that this be paid when presented. Action: Clerk
e) Approve contribution to Reepham News in 2026:
Proposed by Cllr B Wharton and seconded Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED to approve a contribution in 2026. Action: Clerk
f) D/Cllr C Darcel- Councillor Initiative Fund: Noted that grant monies are available.
g) Grass cutting approve quote for 2026 - 3339.70 + VAT
h) Hedge and herbicide work approve quote for 2026 - 1833.60 + VAT:
Items g and h above were taken together.
Proposed by Cllr A Brammer and seconded Cllr N Ward, it was RESOLVED to approve both quotes. Action: Clerk
i) Revised Financial Regulations
j) Revised Standing Orders
k) Approve IT Policy (New Audit compliance requirements from 2026)
Items I, j, and k above were taken together.
Proposed by Cllr B Wharton and seconded Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED to adopt the three policies. Action: Clerk
7. Planning Matters
Report from Planning Committee:
There have been no new Planning Applications. The re-consultation on the WL/2025/00402 5 housing development at North Greetwell has received 1 objection.
Goods Farm Development:
Noted that Cllr A Brammer had declared an interest. Workmen had been observed on the road measuring, and inspecting drains. They had explained that they were independent road safety surveyors inspecting the safety of the road junction and were not acting on behalf of any Council. C/Cllr T Bridgwood advised that he was not aware of any activity at this location. Action: Clerk to ask LCC.
Resident left the meeting at 7.53pm.
Land to rear of Stonefield farm: The Conservation Officer had advised a resident on the way forward to try to obtain listing of the building, and RPC had been copied into this. It was agreed to offer to support the resident in their application. Action: Clerk
8. Roads and footways
Mellows Close to Manor Rise footpath holding item
Mellows Close yellow lines holding item, LCC were to revisit during school times.
Bus shelter for Lincoln bound travellers at bus stop in Fiskerton holding item
Post Office corner flooded reported to LCC
9. Field Footpaths and Bridleways
Reepham /Greetwell PF 131: Delayed works: holding item
FP at solar panel installation between Reepham and Fiskerton:
Part of the path usually walked by residents has been fenced off and it now follows an unfamiliar route. Noted that people had previously walked in a straight line even though the definitive footpath had a kink.
10. Conservation area
Village Green project update including finances, cherry tree
The arboricultural advisor appointed at the October 2025 meeting had not responded to messages. Therefore, proposed by Cllr B Wharton and seconded Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED to appoint an alternative arboricultural advisor, Mr S Vessey, at 200.00. Action: Cllr D Perkins
11. Amenity areas
Play Area inspections internal, play area surfaces, roundabout repainting
Cllr A Brammer noted that weeds were appearing through the cracks in the surfaces but would not need tackling until next spring. Specialist paint had been obtained and will be used when the right weather window presents itself.
Fencing at R1:
An email from a resident raising points about hedging, trees, and fencing at R1 amenity area on Fiskerton Road had been received. After consideration, Councillors were in agreement that they were content with their actions in recent works to the hedges and trees at R1. In respect of fencing, the exact wording of the 106 Agreement will be checked as it is thought that the only future requirement is for the boundary to be defined now that a hedge has been established.
12. Trees/vegetation:
Vegetation behind Manor Rise, TPO mapping holding item.
For next agenda: consider protection of fences etc.
Trees for Streets scheme LCC are willing to consider some tree planting on verges and had offered a site meeting. Action: Clerk to request LCC s policy
Condition of two trees in grass area on left side of Meadows Close: the appointed arboricultural advisor is to be asked to review these.
Noted that a resident may be trialling the Tree Policy soon.
13. Xmas:
Santa to be confirmed.
Tree -- delivery date 27th November, electrics have been sorted, and arrangements for erecting and dismantling the tree have been finalised.
Carols around the Tree: Monday 15th Dec from 6-7pm, weather dependent
14. Meeting dates 2026: All Tuesdays except May: Jan 27, Feb 24, Mar 31,
May 13 (Wed), Jun 30. Jul 28, Sept 29, Oct 27, Nov 24.
Annual Parish Meeting May 13 (Wed)Meeting dates were noted.
15. Business for next agenda: None.
16. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 27 January 2026, 7.30pm, Methodist Chapel
Meeting ended at 8.16pm. Mrs Michelle Vail, Parish Clerk/RFO 5th December 2025