June 2026 DRAFT Minutes STILL TO BE APPROVED
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Reepham Parish Council held on
Tuesday 30th June 2026 at 7.30pm in Reepham Methodist Chapel
Present: Cllrs D Perkins (Chair), B Wharton, A Brammer, D Davies, H Gee, J Oxby,
P Matier, Mrs M Vail (Clerk), C/Cllr & D/Cllr T Bridgwood
Absent: Cllr N Ward
Four members of the public also attended.
Meeting started at 7.30pm
Matters raised by members of the public:
Resident: in attendance regarding the agenda item on the footpath alteration at Goods Farmyard.
A letter on this matter from the resident to the Clerk has been circulated to all Councillors (note: this letter is on file). The letter details the resident’s disappointment that RPC did not support an objection to the footpath alteration at Goods Farmyard. The resident then spoke in the meeting.
Resident: added to what the first resident had said by referring to the CLLP, noting that there are relevant parts which are important.
Resident: in attendance regarding the item on the cherry tree on the green.
New Councillor Philip Matier was welcomed to the Parish Council.
1. Apologies: None.
2. Declarations of Interest: None.
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 13 May 2026:
At the proposal of Cllr B Wharton and seconded Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED that these minutes be accepted.
4. Clerk’s Report:
Email changeover: One councillor is still to move to the new email system.
Election of Committee members to vacancies (Planning, Tree Planting):
At the proposal of Cllr D Perkins and seconded by Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED that Cllr P Matier be appointed to both the Planning and Tree Planting Committees.
Training opportunities:
At the proposal of Cllr D Davies and seconded by Cllr H Gee, it was RESOLVED that:
i) Cllr P Matier attend the New Councillor Induction training in September at a cost of £40.00 + vat.
ii) Cllr A Brammer attend a Play Inspector course with exam when one is next offered, with the current cost being £260.00 + vat.
Action: Clerk
5. Correspondence:
Noted as received: LALC’s Annual Report 2025 – 26, WLDC’s June newsletter, and notification from WLDC that, due to a change in the law, Councillors’ home addresses are to be redacted from public view.
Action required:
Resident: Cllr Catherine Wilson:
1) request for RPC to provide crocus bulbs for The Green:
Being considered by the Village Green Committee.
2) request suggested locations in Reepham where wildflower seeds could be scattered
Noted that the wildflower seeds will cover an area approx 10m2.
Taking grass cutting needs into consideration, two potential locations were suggested: 1) to the rear of amenity area R1 on Fiskerton Road
2) a 2mtr wide strip of land close to the fence on amenity land behind Mellows Close.
Action: Clerk to arrange for donor to contact Cllr A Brammer. Action: Cllr A Brammer
Resident: Cllr Catherine Wilson: suggested a plaque on a bench at The Green:
Action: Cllr D Davies to draw up plaque details.
Resident: grass cutting in cemetery on Hawthorn Road & Vicar: resident email re grass cutting in cemetery on Hawthorn Road
Two complaints have been received (one indirectly via the vicar) concerning damage allegedly caused by mowing over maintained plots. The contractor has responded that his operatives insist they usually leave any graves that are clearly maintained by others. The contractor has been requested not to cut any plots which are clearly maintained by families.
6. Financial matters
a) Presentation of Accounts for Payment (June):
M Vail – June salary £ 256.13
PAYE – June £ 64.00
M Vail, homeworking allowance, April-June £ 15.00
M Vail, Paper/Printing, April-June £ 38.20
Sage payroll, June £ 13.20 (inc. £2.20 VAT)
Glendale, 2837 £ 386.72 (inc. £64.45 vat)
Greenwoods, fencing (R1 amenity expenditure) £1670.00 (inc. £278.33 vat)
Play Inspection Company £115.80 (inc. £19.30 vat)
TOTAL £2559.05 (inc. £364.28 VAT)
At the proposal of Cllr A Brammer and seconded by Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED that the abovementioned accounts be paid, with the Greenwoods invoice to be paid subject to an inspection of the work by Cllr A Brammer. Action: Clerk. Action: Cllr A Brammer
7. Planning Matters
Report from Planning Committee:
No new applications have been received.
WL/2026/00283: 27 Fiskerton Road: proposed front porch extension, rear dormer extension, and garage conversion & extension being variation of condition 2 of planning permission 147077 granted 20 September 2023 - minor changes to the proposed drawings previously approved: granted
Goods Farm Development
Resident letter re. footpath alteration in Goods Farmyard:
Noted that a letter has been received and circulated to all Councillors, from the resident who had spoken on this matter in the Public Session at the start of this meeting.
The following points were made:
o Regarding the footpath objection: individual residents had withdrawn their objections at the suggestion that significant costs might be awarded against them if the complaints were deemed vexatious. RPC, as an objector, had similar concerns.
o Without undermining the Neighbourhood Plan, there was already planning permission for that area and that number of houses, RPC therefore considered the application as a variation of an existing proposal, not a greenfield site.
Standing Orders closed at 8pm to allow the public to speak.
The following points were made:
o A resident, who is in receipt of a letter from WLDC, advised the meeting that everything is still ‘live’ at the moment as a final decision has not been made. It is therefore still possible for RPC to comment to WLDC on the site as a whole.
o The Chairman noted that he thought that the Highway drawings did form part of the planning application, suggesting that the resident ensures that these are correct, and that they could liaise with D/Cllr T Bridgwood regarding their previous complaint of an incorrect planning document to WLDC, but which they had not acted upon.
o The resident asked why the Neighbourhood Plan had not been pursued as a relevant constraint. RPC could have engaged with one of the Neighbourhood Plan members for assistance.
Standing Orders resumed at 8.17pm.
The Council then discussed the situation in general, especially in relation to the footpath and the proposed houses that are affected.
Standing Orders closed at 8.25pm to allow the public to speak.
The following points were made:
o It was suggested that both the current alignment of footpath, and the previous alignment, had existed for less than 20 years.
o The resident stated that only statutory consultees can comment at this point.
o A second resident referred to the CLLP, noting that farm buildings ‘don’t count’, and asking who monitors the CLLP.
o They suggested that RPC liaises with a representative of the Neighbourhood Plan.
Standing Orders resumed at 8.29pm.
At the proposal of Cllr J Oxby and seconded Cllr B Wharton, it was RESOLVED to ask WLDC for an explanation, and to object to the two houses. Action: Clerk
CIL monies – require spending within 5 years of receipt (by April and October 2027): Item deferred to September meeting.
At 8.32pm, 2 residents left the meeting.
8. Roads and footways
Mellows Close to Manor Rise footpath – holding item
Bus shelter for Lincoln bound travellers at the bus stop on Fiskerton Road – Councillors had been given quotes, information from LCC’s bus infrastructure team, and have received one formal complaint (as detailed in the May 2026 minutes).
After consideration, at the proposal of Cllr J Oxby and seconded by Cllr B Wharton, it was RESOLVED not to proceed with a bus shelter at this location.
Noted that the Council will need to revisit this, should any new request for a shelter at this bus stop be made.
Passageway from Station Road to Meadows Close – despite some remedial works by LCC, the path is still unwalkable for those who are not surefooted. Action: Clerk
Proposed 30mph extension at Kennel Lane: if implemented by LCC, consider (with approval of Lincs Road Safety Partnership), i) the SID location and ii) install of repeater 30mph signs: Noted.
Dog bin opposite play park – update on repair/replacement:
bin to be inspected for repair.
9. Field Footpaths and Bridleways
Reepham /Greetwell PF 131: Delayed works: noticeboard: holding item
10. Conservation area
Village Green – project update including finances, cherry tree quotes:
A response is awaited from the grant funders regarding the VAT position.
Three quotes were considered for work to the cherry tree, based on the recommendations in the tree report commissioned from the arboricultural advisor.
At the proposal of Cllr D Davies and seconded by Cllr P Matier, it was RESOLVED to appoint A&E Tree Services at a cost of £325.00 + vat.
Noted that cars will need to be stopped from parking close to the tree on the day of the work.
11. Amenity areas
Play Area inspections, including annual inspection – play area surfaces, roundabout repainting:
A summary of matters raised in the recent annual ROSPA inspection was given. All identified risks are either ‘low’ or ‘very low’. Some safety surfacing requires either re-laying or the gaps filling in.
Additional half round steps for the access ramp would be beneficial, and replacement half logs for the bridge are needed. Action: Cllr A Brammer to obtain quote, also he will provide a list of required works for the next meeting.
Fencing, boundary definition works at R1 (June 25th):
Fencing work was completed on June 25th, 2026, and Cllr A Brammer will
inspect the works before payment is released. The gravel board has not been put in
by the resident.
12. Trees/vegetation
Vegetation behind Manor Rise, TPO mapping – holding item
Protection of fences etc: – update on site visit:
A site visit to the rear of Manor Rise took place on 28th June 2026 to review the vegetation, of which most is growing away from fencing. The collective conclusion of Councillors present at the site visit was that there are no pressing problems. The Tree Policy covers neighbours’ self-help, and the Parish Council will address as a separate issue, anything else adversely affecting fencing.
Trees planting on verges – LCC feedback on Station Road suggestion:
LCC will fund the trees, with planting being scheduled within the next suitable planting season (typically towards the end of the year). The requested location will be added to LCC’s planting programme. LCC have been requested not to plant the same trees as previously, if they hold records of what these were, as those trees had all died off.
Railway work – feedback on clearing their side of fence:
Due to a lack of a positive outcome to repeated requests to cut their vegetation back, at the proposal of Cllr J Oxby and seconded by Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED that Network Rail be invited to a site visit and Sir Edward Leigh, MP be contacted.
Action: Clerk.
13. Business for next agenda: None
14. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 28th July 2026, 7.30pm, Methodist Chapel
Meeting ended at 8.55pm.
Mrs Michelle Vail, Parish Clerk/RFO 15 July 2026