Mintues 8th July 2025
WELTON LE MARSH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE
ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD 8TH JULY 2025
Present: Cllrs Williams (Chair) Holiday; Tong; Hardcastle & Crome
Mrs J. Cooper (Clerk)
4 Members of the public
During the public session it was noted that a new dog bin has been installed at the junction with Rae Lane.
16 APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllr J. Faulkner-Smith and Cllr S Faulkner-Smith, and these were accepted.
17 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Holiday declare a personal interest in agenda item 6 (Allotments) as an allotment holder.
18 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 27TH MAY 2025
It was resolved that these be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
19 UPDATES FROM THAT MEETING
The dog bin application was noted.
20 VILLAGE HALL
a) Oil tank replacement.
Three quotes had been received:
a) £2689.55
b) £2633.00
c) £2601.00
(all NET)
The Clerk advised she had received an email from Village Hall Committee representative advising that the Committee was willing to contribute 50% of the costs. This was appreciated. The Clerk outlined the Parish Council financial position – being current funds of £12698, of which £3765 was ring fenced (elections, allotment funds and defib fund), leaving £8933. Potential expenditure for the next year was in the region of £3516, leaving balance available of £5417 which, had the Parish Council met the whole costs of the oil tank, would leave the Council low on funds for the year.
After discussion it was proposed (Cllr Tong), seconded (Cllr Hardcastle) and resolved to accept the quote from Chambers at £2601.00 net.
Clerk to contact Chambers and request liaison with Cllrs Holiday and Williams on dates. Clerk to contact unsuccessful tenders with thanks.
b) Lease Agreement
Cllr Tong had met with representatives of the Village Hall and discussed the position regarding the lease and the Trustees. The Parish Council wished it to be known that the Council is very much appreciative of the work done by the Committee in managing the hall and its bookings and doing so much for the village. He outlined the difference between the Village Hall Group Charity and Trustees and the Hall Committee, and confirmed that the Parish Council has no authority over the Charity. He requested that Cllr Hardcastle, as a Trustee to the Charity, put the following considerations to the Charity:
- That they invite Mrs Holiday and Cllr Tong to be appointed as additional trustees
- That, if no one else wished to put themselves forward, Cllr Tong would be prepared to Chair the Board for the first year.
- The Charity holds an AGM and appoints its officers
- The Vice Chair of the Parish Council and the Chair of the Village Hall Committee be ex-officio members of the Charity.
The Parish Council to assist the Village Hall Charity and Committee in renewal of the lease and assist in any grant funding applications needed in the future, but not to be involved in any organisation of events/bookings etc for the Hall.
Councillors recorded a vote of thanks to Cllr Tong for his work in this. A vote of thanks was also recorded for all the hard work Jane had put into the running of the Village Hall over the years, going over and above her job description.
21 ALLOTMENTS
No update had been received from the Charity Commission. Until response received from the CC on the definition of modern day “poor”, no further progress can be made.
22 FINANCE
It was resolved that the following accounts be paid:
Clerks salary & PAYE (June/July) £350.22
Caretakers salary & PAYE (April/May/June) £492.18
LALC Subs £ 88.68
Village Hall Room Hire (April 24 – Feb 25) £ 80.00
R. Aldrich (grass) £106.00
By cheque
Reimbursement Cllr Hardcastle for defib pads £147.38
23 STAFF AND SEXUAL HARRASSMENT POLICY
This was agreed.
24 PLANNING
Grimsby – Walpole pylon route. It was resolved to object on the grounds of heavy vehicles accessing through the village and along Rae Lane and the need to protect the views both to and from the AONB.
25 ANY OTHER MATTERS
Laurel hedge overgrown the footpath at the back of the church, Clerk to report direct to LCC.
Speed device was now in Welton.
26 NEXT MEETING
Agreed as 26th August 2025
27 TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE STAFFING
It was resolved that the Council move into Close Session to discuss the following item.
Members of the public then left the meeting.
28 STAFFING
As per pink paper attached, confidential item on staffing.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.50