Minutes 24th March 2026
WELTON LE MARSH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the ordinary meeting held 24th March 2026
Present: Cllrs Williams (Chair); Tong ; Hardcastle, Holiday, & Crome
Mrs J. Cooper (Clerk)
Cllr S. Eyre (ELDC)
2 members of the public
During the public session Cllr Eyre gave a brief update on the proposed reorganisation of local government, when ELDC and LCC become a unitary authority.
Thanks were given to Cllr Eyre for the councillor grant towards the kitchen refurbishment in the village hall.
89 APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllr J. Faulkner Smith and Cllr S Faulkner Smith and these were accepted.
90 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Holiday declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 as an allotment holder.
91 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 3RD FEBRUARY 2026
It was resolved that the Chairman sign these as a correct record of that meeting.
92 UPDATES FROM THAT MEETING
There were none.
93 CORRESPONDENCE
Elan City sent information on a solar powered speed device at a cost of £4499 ex VAT. Noted
94 FOOTPATH BECK
Cllr Holiday proposed that the upward slope of the footpath after the new bridge be made easier, he had some materials to create steps and a resident had agreed to donate woodchips. It was agreed that councillors would look at making this improvement.
95 VILLAGE HALL
a) Security – it was agreed to look at purchasing CCTV camera as a matter of urgency to increase security.
b) Progress lease and update from recent meetings
Cllr Tong had not progressed the lease further, he asked for a meeting between representatives of the village hall group and the Parish Council representatives. The Village Hall Group had looked at quotes for work to fitting the new cooker, and had agreed on the original quote, cooker to be fitted to far wall and window bricked up. Cllr Holiday agreed to check with the Village Hall Group that the work did not require Building Regulations consent. Key holder code would be regularly changed for security reasons. The Group felt it would be useful to have one person act as co-ordinator for future works and Cllr Holiday agreed to do this. Cllr Holiday had formed a list of works required at the hall over the next few years, and it was felt the easier tasks such as gutter/downpipe painting and painting window cills could be done by volunteers. It was agreed that the easier tasks be completed first, with the more costly tasks such as re-pointing, potential window replacements and internal painting be noted for future.
96 ALLOTMENTS
a) The clerk had completed the process of amending the aims of the charity and use of the allotments to include community use on unused areas. This had been received by the Charity Commission which could take up to 13 weeks to agree.
b) There were no other allotment matters other than keys to be cut for the large shed.
97 RESULTS OF VILLAGE SURVEY BY RESIDENT
It needed to be clarified that this survey was not undertaken by the Parish Council or councillors, but by a member of the Liberal Democrat party. It was noted that many of the comments made on the allotments were along the lines the Parish Council were working towards. Other comments included provision of play equipment which would need costing including purchase, maintenance, health and safety checks and additional insurance which would impact the precept. Comments regarding litter were noted. Communication methods were also noted, including publication of council minutes. It was agreed there were some valuable comments with particular reference to the allotments which could be expanded upon at the Annual Parish Meeting in May.
98 LITTER PICK
After discussion it was agreed that as a member of the public was willing to take this on then he should be commended for this. Once a date had been set it would be advertised to encourage residents to volunteer to help.
99 FINANCE
It was resolved that the following be paid:
Clerks salary & PAYE (March) £175.11
Ratification payment for Christmas trees £ 31.00
100 PLANNING
Application 302/26 for extension to Sunshine House, Orby (on parish boundary) was noted with no comments.
101 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
It was agreed this would be held before the Annual Council Meeting on 12th May.
102 ANY OTHER MATTERS
Cllr Holiday noted that EGL 3 & 4 might be extended their land requirements, and had completed Community Benefit survey to request solar panels and heat source pump for the village hall.
103 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This is noted as 12th May 2026 with the Annual Parish Meeting at 7pm followed by the Annual Council Meeting and the Poor Lands Chairty Annual Meeting.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8:25pm