Minutes 11th November 2025
WELTON LE MARSH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the ordinary meeting held 11th November 2025
Present: Cllrs Williams (Chair); Tong ; Holiday, Hardcastle, S. Faulkner-smith,
J. Faulkner-smith & Crome
Mrs J. Cooper (Clerk)
5 members of the public
Prior to the commencement of the meeting a two minutes silence was held to observe Armistice Day.
During the public session the issue of Quickline broadband for the Village Hall was raised, nothing has been heard since the survey in October. Clerk agreed to chase this.
55 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllr Eyre (ELDC)
56 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Holiday declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 – allotments, as a holder.
57 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 7th OCTOBER 2025
It was resolved that the Chairman sign these as a correct record of that meeting.
58 UPDATES FROM THOSE MINUTES
- Defibrillator. Cllr Hardcastle had spoken to the occupiers of the Wheel Inn who were happy to keep the defibrillator where it was currently situated. It was decided to leave the situation as it is until such time as the Wheel Inn changed hands.
- planters – Clerk to send details of the design.
59 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
Clerks and Councils Direct – circulated.
60 UPDATE ON VILLAGE HALL
Grant application – nothing received back to date.
Caretaker – no applications
Committee/Lease – the Village Hall group were to hold a meeting immediately after the Parish Council meeting to appoint officers.
61 CHARITY COMMISSION – AMENDING TERMS OF THE CHARITY
The Clerk gave a brief update of the situation – Parish Council approached Charity Commission to ask for terms of charity “for the benefit of the poor” to be defined and widened. Charity Commission unable to provide legal interpretation, responsibility of the Trustees to determine. Sought advice from LALC who were unable to assist as Charity Law outside their field, suggested local firm or pro bono firm. Approached “Law Works” who were unable to broker advice on charity law matters as their volunteer solicitors were not charity law experts.
After discussion it was resolved that the Clerk contact the Charity Commission to advise that the Parish Council, as Trustees of the Charity, had resolved that the terms be amended to: read ‘ To provide allotments for the use of villagers of Welton le Marsh and other nearby villages as appropriate, and to use the remaining land for the benefit of the villagers in general but to particularly meet the needs of the poor, the neuro- diverse, those suffering the effects of social isolation, the elderly and the young and those with physical and learning difficulties.’ It was felt this would enable a wider use of the funds received.
62 GENERAL ALLOTMENT MATTERS
Cllrs Hardcastle and J. Faulkner-Smith had visited the allotments and noted that new padlocks had been fitted to the Parish Council shed. Cllr Holiday would speak to allotment holders and ask for a key.
63 FINANCE
A) Accounts for payment:
It was resolved that the following accounts be paid:
Clerks salary & PAYE (November) £164.06
B) It was resolved that 2 x 3’ Christmas trees be purchased.
64 PLANNING
There were no applications or decisions.
65 ANY OTHER MATTERS
Discussion on EGL 3 & 4 which potentially could be attempting to cross National Trust land. It was agreed to re-visit the pylons proposals in greater detail in the new year.
Concerns had been raised at lights being left on permanently at nearby holidays lets, causing light pollution to neighbouring properties. Clerk to contact the owners.
Fix My Street had deemed Beck Lane not in need of urgent repair at the moment.
It was agreed to ask LCC Cllr Brooks to attend a specific meeting in the new year to discuss various LCC matters affecting the parish.
Next agenda:
Allotment rents
Budget
66 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This was noted as 23rd December, to be a short meeting principally to agree precept for 2026 2027.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.45pm