July DRAFT Minutes STILL TO BE APPROVED
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Reepham Parish Council held on
Tuesday 28th July 2026 at 7.30pm in Reepham Methodist Chapel
Present: Cllrs D Perkins (Chair), B Wharton, A Brammer, D Davies, H Gee, P Matier, Mrs M Vail (Clerk), C/Cllr & D/Cllr T Bridgwood, D/Cllr M Palmer.
Absent: Cllr N Ward
Two members of the public also attended.
Meeting started at 7.30pm
The Chairman began the meeting by clarifying incorrect statements made during the Public Session at the June meeting as follows, subsequently compounded by a letter received (see Correspondence item):
* The LCC Highways detailed drawings did form part of the Goods Farm planning application
* Cllr Ward does not and never has farmed any part of the Goods farmland under the Goods’ ownership
* CIL monies and payments have never been spoken about in relation to the Goods Farm planning application. The only time that they have been mentioned is in relation to enquiries relating to possible use to trim trees and bushes, and also the Clerk reminding the Council that, as a result of previous development, we are on a tight timescale to spend the CIL monies we already have. At no time did CIL payments or the prospect of CIL monies ever be raised as part of any discussion relating to Goods Farm.
Matters raised by members of the public:
Resident: in attendance to observe, and to answer any questions in respect of their application for the parish councillor vacancy.
Resident: interested in attending a parish council meeting.
C/Cllr T Bridgwood: advised that he would like to speak under item 8.
D/Cllr M Palmer:
o advised that planning law will change on 31st October 2026.
o Local Government Review has been decided upon, with this area to move into the Lincoln area. C/Cllr T Bridgwood added that some are trying to delay matters via legal processes but are unlikely to be successful.
1. Apologies: Cllr J Oxby (work).
2. Declarations of Interest: Cllr A Brammer on matters relating to Goods Farm.
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 30 June 2026:
At the proposal of Cllr D Davies and seconded Cllr A Brammer, 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.
Clerk’s AL 17th – 31st August 2026: Noted.
5. Correspondence:
Action required:
Resident letter: Council’s approach to the planning issues at Good’s farmyard and concerns regarding the standards framework that ought to govern Council’s conduct:
At the proposal of Cllr D Perkins and seconded Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED with one abstention that RPC does not respond to the resident other than 1) to note that their letter contains some inaccuracies and to refer back to the statement made at the start of this meeting; and 2) refer the resident to WLDC as the Authority who monitors the behaviour of Councillors.
C/Cllr T Bridgwood then advised that he had raised the matter with a WLDC Officer who had provided comprehensive background information. C/Cllr T Bridgwood then read the WLDC Officer’s response out.
6. Financial matters
a) Presentation of Accounts for Payment (July/Aug):
M Vail – July salary £ 256.13
PAYE – July £ 64.00
M Vail – Aug salary £ 256.13
PAYE – Aug £ 64.00
Sage payroll, July £ 16.80 (inc. £2.80 VAT)
Sage payroll, Aug £ 16.80 (inc. £2.80 VAT)
Glendale, 2915 £ 1101.60 (inc. £183.60 vat)
Glendale, 2958 £ 386.72 (inc. £64.45 vat)
M Seal, bus shelters clean £ 50.00
TOTAL £ 2212.18 (inc. £253.65 VAT)
At the proposal of Cllr A Brammer and seconded by Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED that the abovementioned accounts be paid. Action: Clerk.
b) Agree payment of Glendale’s invoice(s) for July as they arrive; provided they are as per original quote:
At the proposal of Cllr B Wharton and seconded by Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED that the July invoice(s) for Glendale be paid, provided they be as per original quote. Action: Clerk.
7. Planning Matters
Report from Planning Committee:
No new applications have been received.
Goods Farm – WLDC’s planning portal shows request for confirmation of compliance with conditions 2(ecology), 3(archaeology), 4(drainage), 5(construction method statement) & 6(materials) of planning permission 145047 granted 1 September 2023.
Goods Farm Development: any response from WLDC clarifying position:
A response from the relevant Planning Officer is still awaited.
8. Roads and footways
Mellows Close to Manor Rise footpath – holding item
Passageway from Station Road to Meadows Close – still unwalkable: The Footpaths Officer has progressed matters as far as he is able. As this is a tarmac path, he has passed the job to Highways who have inspected. Any remedial work is dependent on priorities, demands and budget.
Noted that there is a rubbish bin at the end of this path with a bag taped over it. Action: Clerk
30mph extension at Kennel Lane:
i. Moving of village sign: Noted that the sign will be moved further out of the village. The exact works date is dependent on the work schedule of LCC’s contractor.
ii. consider (with approval of Lincs Road Safety Partnership), the SID location and install of repeater 30mph signs: To be considered once the new 30mph extension is in place. Action: make holding item.
Dog bin opposite play park – update on repair/replacement: This has still not
been addressed by WLDC. Action: Clerk to chase.
Overflowing dog bins – these have been reported to WLDC. A new one at the horse
field path (FP 127) swing gate is overflowing. Action: Cllr D Davies
LCC broken school sign – this has been reported by a resident, has been inspected
by LCC and will be addressed by September.
Mellows Close TRO – C/Cllr T Bridgwood advised that LCC had carried out site visits to ascertain the feasibility of new suggestions arising from the recent consultation. He could either push immediately for something to be in place by September, or wait but implementation would be further away. He was asked to focus on the revised plans.
9. Field Footpaths and Bridleways
Reepham /Greetwell PF 131: Delayed works: holding item, noticeboard:
A local farmer has agreed to store the noticeboard.
A tree has fallen across the horse field path, FP127. Action: Clerk
10. Conservation area
Village Green – declare project closed, approve return of unspent monies £2117.77, cherry tree work inc. stop cars parking:
Noted that the National Lottery Community Grant Fund will not accept expenditure connected to the cherry tree as this had not been included in the original scope of works.
At the proposal of Cllr A Brammer seconded by Cllr B Wharton, it was RESOLVED to declare the Green project closed and to approve return of £2117.77 of unspent grant monies. Action: Clerk
At the proposal of Cllr A Brammer seconded by Cllr B Wharton, it was RESOLVED that the £200.00 spent on the cherry tree report, and the £325.00 + vat to be spent on work to the cherry tree be paid from general reserves. Action: Clerk
Subject to WLDC’s approval of the tree application, expected to be by the end of August, work is scheduled for 16th September 2026. Action: Cllr A Brammer to address car parking matters.
Resident request for RPC to provide crocus bulbs for The Green for Cllr Catherine Wilson: An area on the Green has been identified, and Cllr A Brammer will meet with the resident in mid-August to discuss.
Resident: Cllr Catherine Wilson: suggestion of a plaque on a bench at The Green: A plaque will cost between £35.00 - £50.00 + vat. Cllr D Davies is liaising with the resident.
11. Amenity areas
Play Area inspection, – play area surfaces, quotes, list of required works:
A quote is being obtained for additional half round steps for the access ramp and replacement half logs for the bridge. Gaps around the tiles will need addressing in the future. One swing has different links to the others. All risks as identified in the annual inspection are either Low or Very Low.
Approve re-appointing Play Inspection Company in 2027 at £99.50 + VAT:
At the proposal of Cllr A Brammer seconded by Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED to re-appoint the Play Inspection Company in 2027 at £99.50 + VAT. Action: Clerk
R1 Fencing: snagging works, consider replanting hedging:
Fencing works had been inspected and the contractor had quickly returned to complete snagging jobs. After further inspection the invoice had been paid. Noted that the resident had not yet installed a timber board along the driveway.
The resident has requested that RPC looks into replanting the gaps in the hedge along the garage and out to the field. The S.106 specifies a fence and a hedge. Item deferred to Autumn.
Resident request: wildflower seeds for Catherine: After consideration of the preparation, ongoing maintenance and cost implications, it was agreed to focus remembrance of Cllr Catherine Wilson on The Green where she was associated with.
Action: Cllr A Brammer.
12. Trees/vegetation
Vegetation behind Manor Rise, TPO mapping – holding item
Manor Rise – resident: overgrown vegetation: bent fence:
At the proposal of Cllr B Wharton seconded by Cllr P Matier, it was RESOLVED to provide the resident with the Tree Policy. Action: Clerk
Railway work – Sir Edward Leigh has written to Network Rail on RPC’s behalf.
13. Approve Xmas tree expenditure:
At the proposal of Cllr H Gee seconded by Cllr P Matier, it was RESOLVED to approve up to £300.00 + vat for a Christmas tree, and for Cllr A Brammer to select one. Action: Clerk, Cllr A Brammer
14. Business for next agenda:
CIL monies – require spending within 5 years of receipt (by April and October 2027)
Xmas event
Smooting Lane: ‘no passing places’ sign
15. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 29th September 2026, 7.30pm, Methodist Chapel
16. Resolve to move to Closed Session as the following item contains information
of a confidential nature:
At the proposal of Cllr H Gee seconded by Cllr P Matier, it was RESOLVED to move to Closed Session.
Residents, District Councillors and the County Councillor all left the meeting at 8.23pm.
17. To consider any applications received for the vacancy of parish councillor:
Three applications had been received. Councillors voted privately and without discussion. The successful applicant was Richard Jones. RESOLVED to appoint Richard Jones to the vacancy created by the death of Cllr Catherine Wilson.
Meeting closed at 8.34pm.
Mrs Michelle Vail, Parish Clerk/RFO 3 August 2026