Minutes 2025

August 2025

CLAXBY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held at the village hall on 5th August 2025 at 7.30 p.m. 

Present: Cllrs D Lofthouse (chair), B Hunter (deputy chair), J Lofthouse, J Pilbrow, R De Smit, C Saywell.

Also Present: D Beer (Clerk), Cllr S Bunney and one member of the public

1. Apologies for Absence - none

2. Declarations of Interest -none

3. To approve minutes of meetings held on 6th May and 24th June 2025. The minutes were approved and duly signed.

4. Chair & Council’s Comments and matters arising from the minutes. Review of Actions.

  • Volunteers had done all the work requested: (painted handrails, attempted to clear the footpath from the Viking Centre, cleaned the Viking Centre fence and cleared the vegetation away from the dog poo bin.) They took photos of the blocked drain to report it, and we are waiting to hear from Highways. 
  • Some potholes have been repaired
  • Wasp nest outside corner farm had been reported
  • Anglian Water had contacted us to say there was a leak in the Village Hall – this was identified as a faulty ball valve and was repaired by D Lofthouse at a cost of £12.00 for the part.

 

5. Clerk’s Report on outstanding matters. 

  • The money to pay for the net cost of the bench was donated by Sue Griffin - total £611; the bench was ordered and delivered to David Lofthouse. Action: Clerk to send an official letter in thanks.
  • Update re Boggle Lane Footpath from Matt Sharpe: The job is in the system, but waiting until the ground gets a little drier, there is the possibility of “gravel grids” filled with stone to make the ground more secure.
  • The resident who requested a memorial bench was contacted, suggesting recycled plastic was the more durable option and asking them to choose one. They have replied saying they are exploring options.

 

6. WLDC and LCC Councillor updates.

  • WL grants for the levelling up fund have come through – the Facilities fund and Action fund are available. Expressions of interest are requested soon, and the money needs to be allocated before March.
  • Food waste collection in caddies (1.5.- 2 litres in house to go into an external 5l bin) will be coming soon.
  • Recycling will be simplified – all plastics to go into blue bin
  • Local government reform is coming: LCC and WLDC and other district councils will be merged into a Unitary Authority. Services such as bin collection will therefore be controlled by the one authority. There is a public consultation on Local government reorganisation on Monday 18th August 5.30 – 8.00 p.m.
  • Highways have a new JCB pothole machine which will be able to cover a wider area in each repair.
  • The household recycling site will now take paint and recycle it.

7. Finance: 

Approve Schedule of Payments 

By direct debit

Wave (30/5/25) – 81.93

Unity bank service charge June £6.00

Unity bank service charge July £6.00

Octopus Energy (Lloyds) £247.56

 

Authorisations by prior approval:

Zurich £1195.69 Insurance premium 20/5/25.

AJ Williams £300  (May grass cutting on 1/6/25) 

AJ Williams £300  (June grass cutting on 1/7/25) 

D Lofthouse £12.00 from Lloyds a/c for replacement float valve for village hall toilet 

EE £39.45 (June bill – broadband)

EE £39.45 (July bill – broadband)

EE £39.45 (August bill – broadband)

Transfer of £611 from Unity to Lloyds (bench was purchased from Lloyds account (13/6/25))

 

To authorise – Councillors please authorise 4 payments

Clerk’s fees £363.10

HMRC: £81.00

AJ Williams £475 (July grass cutting on 1/8/25)

Transfer from Savings account to pay bills £1000.00

 

 

8. Planning applications : 

 

a)    Application Number: WL/2025/00661 

 

Replace existing open wire conductors with Aerial Bunched Conductor

 

Location: CLAXBY GRANGE, PELHAM ROAD, LN8 3YR

 

b)    Application Number: WL/2025/00679 Valid Date: 03/07/2025 (see information pack p9-21)

 

Planning application for change of use of land to allow infill development for 8 pitches for holiday static caravans

 

Location: WOLD VIEW FISHERIES, PELHAM ROAD, LN8 3YR

 

The Council had submitted a response on the planning portal.

 

c)    Application Number: WL/2025/00716 Valid Date: 15/07/2025

 

Planning application for change of use from farmyard to HGV storage yard

 

Location: CLAXBY GRANGE, LN8 3YR

 

Claxby Parish Council has no objection to the change of use. 

 

 

d)    Application Number: WL/2025/00729 Valid Date: 16/07/2025

 

Notification under Electricity Act 1989: Overhead Lines (Exemption) (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 - FP/YC30194 - Replace existing open wire conductors with Aerial Bunched Conductor

 

Location: NORMANBY RISE, LN8 3YZ

This may affect power to the village hall when works are being done. Action: Clerk to contact Northern Powergrid so that they can tell us when the works are planned.

 

 

e)    Application Number: WL/2025/00730 Valid Date: 16/07/2025

 

Notification under Electricity Act 1989: Overhead Lines (Exemption) (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 - FP/YC30194 - Replace existing open wire conductors with Aerial Bunched Conductor

 

Location: PELHAM ROAD, LN8 3YR

 

 

 

 

9. Correspondence – Communications from Anglian Water, Resident re bench (mentioned above). Letter from Northern Powergrid re undergrounding of cables. DL to meet with representative on Monday 11th August.

10.Councillors’ Responsibilities – update. Action: Publish on website and circulate

11. Sign Code of Conduct. Defer to next meeting. Action: Bring pro forma.

12. Village Hall: 

  • Village Hall Committee to update council. (See report here)

13. Community Field: 

  • Committee to update council. (See report here).
  • A larger bin is needed for the Community Field, and it needs to be anchored.
  • Council approved the cost of purchase to a limit of £155.
  • Action: clerk to contact Simon Smoothey re cost of purchase and emptying schedule. Circulate response.

14. Village Environment  

  • Report from Committee (See report here)
  • Set a date for litter picking/sign washing and general clean: 5 volunteers have come forward. Suggested date: 18th October. (Action: Request kit from Simon Smoothey.)
  • Bonfires from the building site at the Old Rectory had been a problem but the owners have agreed to desist.

15. Clerk’s contract. It was unanimously agreed to adopt the new salary as recommended by NALC, and the clerk will invoice for the new rate and back pay in the next invoice. It was agreed by majority vote to uphold the existing contract without any changes.

16. Safeguarding Policy – 

  • It was unanimously agreed to accept the amendments to the Policy. Action: Post on website.
  • Sign Declaration – the declaration was signed by all Councillors.

17. Agenda items and date for next meeting. 

Tuesday 4th November at 7.30 p.m.

Meeting closed at 20.47 p.m.