September 2026

Meeting Minutes – 16th September 2026

19:00 in St. Bartholomew’s Church

Present

Cllr Michael Priestley (Chairman) Cllr James Pask (Vice-Chairman) Cllr Gill Ikin

Cllr Jonathan Fisher Cllr Alan Gilbert

In Attendance 

Roel van Aken (Clerk)

1. Apologies for Absence

Cllr Sarah Trotter (SKDC)

Cllr Martin Hill (LCC)

2. Confirmation of eligibility, quorum and Declaration of interest

All councilors present are eligible, the meeting was quorate and no declaration of interests declared.

3. Public Representations

The public were allowed to be in attendance, but on this occasion no parishioners attended.

4. Minutes of previous meeting

It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting dated 15th July 2026 were an accurate record of the parish council meeting and were signed off by The Chair.

5.   Reducing speeding through Welby

• Speed watch: no sessions have taken place.

• SID: device is working ok now and results will be available soon.

• additional SID units: need to find a suitable location on Church Lane. WPC will contact LCC re the posibility of either relocating or installing a new pole.

6. County and District Councillor Reports (if Councillors present at meeting)

• Update from County Councillor Martin Hill on Lincolnshire County Council matters: nil update

• Update from the District Councillor Sarah Trotter on South Kesteven District Council matters:

There has been a significant change since the Government announced its preferred structure for Lincolnshire in July 2026.  On 7 September 2026 the Government announced that it was undertaking a rapid review of Local Government Reorganisation, following updated legal advice and concerns about whether the existing process was sufficiently robust and aligned with the government’s priorities.

Lincolnshire is one of the areas affected by the review.  The Government has asked councils and partners to pause work on implementing the July decisions while the review takes place.  The Government has not yet confirmed the timescale for completing the review or whether the July decision will ultimately be confirmed, amended or considered.  The proposal in July was for two unitary authorities, covering Lincoln together with 12 wards from North Kesteven and seven from West Lindsey together with South Kesteven, South Holland, Boston and East Lindsay.

North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire would remain separate unitary authorities.

South Kesteven has expressed significant concerns about the July decision, particularly because the selected proposal involves splitting district boundaries.  On 3 September 2026 before the Government announced the review, SKDC Cabinet approved the first formal steps towards a possible Judicial Review of the July decision. A Pre-action Protocol Letter was issued to the Secretary of State setting out the Councils concerns and potential legal grounds for challenge.

At present, there is no immediate change to the Services residents receive. 

Elections will go ahead as planned for Parish & District Councillors in May 2027,shadow elections will stay on hold for this period.

• Additional affordable housing approved

Cabinet recently has approved the acquisition of nine affordable rented homes to supplement the Council's Housing Revenue Account properties. The new-builds at Long Bennington will provide additional accommodation for those in housing need. We have more than 1,000 applicants on the Housing Register, so every property we can secure makes a positive contribution.

• A new banking hub in Stamford has opened

• Council are reviewing their Council Tax Support Scheme – public consultation ends 30th September. Link here Council Tax Support Scheme consultation 2027-28: Council Tax Support Scheme consultation 2027-28 | South Kesteven District Council

7. Correspondences

To receive a report from The Clerk on relevant correspondences received and action taken since last meeting.

8. Planning Applications: 

Planning applications to consider with the following planning applications received:

9. Highways

Update from The Clerk on highway faults including those reported by WPC to LCC Highways and SKDC.

10. Village Matters

• Appropriate way for WPC to show its appreciation to villagers that make a contribution to the village. Councillors to start drawing up a list of potential candidates.

• LCC Grass cutting contract update: nil

• Casing around the old pump needs restoring / repairing. Cllr Alan Gilbert will carry out the repairs. The cost is estimated at around £78.

• Dead branches near the spring and the pond. Clerk to contact Welby Estates.

• Milenium plaque on the village green needs restoring. Cllr Alan Gilbert will carry out the repairs.

• The manhole covers on the village green installed by Quick Line are causing some problems as they are sitting proud of the surface and also seem to be loose. Clerk to contact Quick Line to see if this can be redressed.

• The batteries for the defibrillator unit will need replacing in 1-2 years time. These cost around £350-£400. WPC will be approached to see if we can make a contribution towards this.

• Meliora’s trustee and representative for Welby is up for re-election. WPC is happy to nominate the current incumbant.

11. Finance

Current bank balance stands at £2,995.17

Since last meeting the following income has been received:

Since last meeting payments made from bank account:

The Chairman signed off Cashbooks as a true record after agreement from Councillors that both bank statement and cash books were accurate.

12. Urgent business

To consider any urgent business.

Please note if it is “urgent” only because it was not notified in time to appear on the agenda, it should be left till the next meeting. If it is genuinely “urgent”, that is it was too late for the agenda and it will be too late for action if left till the next ordinary meeting The Chairman and The Clerk need to decide whether an additional meeting should be called or actioned during this meeting.

13. Decide next meeting of the parish council.

The next ordinary meeting of Welby Parish Council will take place on Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 19:00 in Wel-But cottage.

Signed: ……………………………………………………………..   Chair

Dated:………………………………………………………………..