2026 Minutes

MINUTES OF SILK WILLOUGHBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 26 MARCH 2026 AT 7.00PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL.

 

Present Cllrs Cooney, K Wright, Bell, and J Wright

 

In Attendance County Cllr Whitaker, Chair of Village Hall, and Denise Gascoyne Parish Clerk

 

Public Forum

The Chair of the Village Hall attended the meeting and gave an update on the village hall. She said they had a strong body of six trustees, but they were concerned about dwindling funds. There were a couple of regular popular events but bookings at this time were low. They would be applying for appropriate grants but at present hirings were not covering running costs. A cost analysis would be done, and they may be applying for Solar Funds. The Parish Council had agreed at a previous meeting to pay the rent for the Post Office, but at present this was not open so if it reopened this would then be considered.

The upper room was still being discussed by the committee and could generate funds but that would depend on a public meeting. This to be held later in the year.

 

The meeting began at 7.20pm

 

1.Chair’s Welcome

In the absence of the Chair Cllr Cooney welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

2.Apologies for absence.

Due to unforeseen circumstances Cllr Roberts had sent her apologies with valid reasons. It was proposed, seconded and 

Resolved to accept apologies with valid reasons from Cllr Roberts.

 

3.Declarations of Interest.

Cllr Bell Item 5a.

 

4.To approve and accept the notes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 26 February 2026. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2026 be deferred until the next meeting when they would be signed by the Chair.

 

5.Report from County Cllr Whitaker/District Cllr Jackson

a. The Clerk had contacted Cllr Whitaker asking him to investigate the potholes on Church Lane. Cllr Whitaker had visited Church Lane and taken photographs to be given to LCC for action. He said he did not hold out much hope for Church Lane to be resurfaced but would ask the question.

 

In his report County Cllr Whitaker said that LCC would be putting up the rates by 2.9%. Funding of an extra £4million had been earmarked for potholes. He said there were forty teams out tonight filling potholes in Lincolnshire. 

Grantham Road Sleaford would be resurfaced from the A15 roundabout to the Monument. New lights would be installed at the crossing. A Puffin crossing would be installed west of London Road junction to aid traffic coming on to Grantham Road from London Road. The work would take approximately 15 weeks to complete.

County Cllr Whitaker was thanked for his attendance and report.

 

6.Chair Update

a. Due to the absence of the Chair all items were deferred until the next meeting.

 

7. Parish Clerk Update.

a. The Clerk confirmed the latest Electoral Roll had been received. FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

 

b. The Clerk confirmed one tonne salt had been received. FOR INFORMATION ONLY

 

c. The Clerk confirmed Sudmeister had cleaned the White Gates, and the invoice would be paid at this meeting.

 

d. Sleaford Town Council had confirmed that the hedge near Pennells Garden Centre is the responsibility of LCC. County Cllr Whitaker agreed to contact LCC for their input.

 

8.Finance.

a. The Bank Reconciliations and Cashbook to 28 February 2026 had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to accept the Bank Reconciliations and Cashbook to 28 February 2026.

 

b. The Approval List for payments had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to accept the Approval List and the Clerk to make the following payments.

 

HMRC Tax/NI £13.50

D Gascoyne Wages Feb/March £507.00

LALC Web additional hours £108.00

c. The Clerk confirmed that CIL Money for 2025-2026 amounting to £82.48 had been received.

d. The Clerk confirmed that the Grass cutting contribution of £1320.60 had been received from LCC.

e. The Clerk confirmed that a Precept of £6400 had been requested. This would be paid over in April 2026.

f. The Clerk confirmed that the Automatic Time Regulator amounting to £3300.00 had been paid out of Solar Farm monies.

 

 

9.Village Hall

a. Main Hall update – this had been discussed under Public Forum.

b. The Upper Room update – this had been discussed under Public Forum.

 

10.Correspondence

a. LALC News -circulated to all Cllrs.

b. Clerks and Councils Direct – passed to Cllr Cooney.

c. NBB Recycled Furniture.

d. The Clerk – passed to Cllr Cooney.

 

11.Planning

a. 26/0276 Planning application to vary conditions Plots 2 and 3 land at School Lane. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to make no comments.

 

b. 26/0377 Planning application to reduce by 5m and shape Horse Chestnut Manor Farm Barn. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to make no comments.

 

12.Solar Farm Monies

a. This was deferred until the next meeting.

 

13. Training.

a. LALC Training Bulletin March 2026 – forwarded to Cllrs Roberts and Cooney.

 

14.Date of Next Meeting

a. The date of the next meeting Annual Parish Meeting, Annual Meeting and Parish Council Meeting was set for 28 May 2026 (subject to Chairs confirmation) at 6.00pm in the village hall.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.15pm

 

Signed ………………………….

Cllr Cooney

 

Date ………………………………………..