November 2025 Minutes
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12th November 2025
These minutes are in draft form and may be altered
Present; D. Strollo (Chair), J. Gregory, D. Forrest, L. Hoggarth, C. Cuckson, Cllr. E Bailey Clerk; G. Payne
Apologies; had been received from R. Gore, J. Scott, Cllr. P Wimhurst
25/33 Approval of the minutes from meeting on 24th September – these had been circulated and were accepted as a true record, proposed LH, seconded CC, agreed unanimously and signed off by the Chairman.
25/34 Matters arising
a) Email addresses – The Clerk had set up the new .gov.uk emails as required by the auditors
b) Parish Cottage - two quotes had been received for pollarding the willow tree and removing the brash from the site. David Otter (who did the work last time in 2017) quoted £650 - £780 and R.W. Tree Services quoted £750. After some discussion it was agreed to award the contract to David Otter as he had done a good job, left the site tidy and created no damage last time. The Clerk was authorised to organise this and to obtain a copy of his insurance prior to commencement of the work. Action GP
c) Speed Indicator Device – JG had sorted out the issue with the analysis tool and would install it on the parish council laptop, the clerk would deliver the laptop to him over the next few days. DF said that he had some hardcore in the yard and would put some around the base of the pole by the village hall entrance. He also agreed to look at the fixing plate to see whether they could make one for use on Kexby Lane, the clerk was asked to take down the plate and deliver it once the device had come down. Action GP/JG/DF
d) Christmas Party for residents over 70 – the Upton Parish Clerk had organised this for 11th December, Kexby Parish Council would be invoiced for half the costs and each village would apply for a grant from the Willingham Relief Fund. DS offered to help on the day, the clerk would pass this on to Liz Holman. Members had contributed several prizes for the free raffle and offered to provide a hamper as the main prize. CC and LH agreed to sort out the hamper and it was left to their discretion whether to provide one or two small hampers. Action GP/DS/LH/CC
e) Planter by the bus shelter – DS had erected a planter on the western end of the shelter but the Clerk had received complaints that it should have been on the front (north face) as the previous one had been. He agreed to move it and CC offered to liaise with Pat Dooley regarding the height. Action DS/CC
f) Telephone Box – the weather had become too cold and damp for the internal painting, the Clerk had received several requests for the books to be returned but there was a need for shelving before this could be achieved. CC and LH agreed to sort out some shelving so that the books could be returned as soon as possible. Action CC/LH
g) Hedge on playing field – DS was waiting for contact from S. Fotheringham regarding this, the clerk offered to chase this up. Action GP
h) Highway issues with LCC – Cllr. Wimhurst was unable to attend the meeting due to illness but it was noted that work appeared to have begun on the footpath down Kexby Lane. The clerk would contact him to thank him for his intervention and to let him know that DF had agreed to put some hardcore around the Speed Indicator pole. Action GP
25/35 Communications
a) Kexby News Forum – this had been neglected since the former councillor who set it up had left, it was felt that it would be easier to create a new one than to try and get access to the previous one. JG offered to undertake this work and to maintain it. Action JG
b) Newsletter – it was agreed that a paper newsletter would still be appreciated, particularly by some of the older residents. The clerk agreed to draft one out and investigate printing alternatives. Action GP
25/36 Financial Report
a) Current position – current account £2,600.04, Business Reserve £871.42, Liquidity Manager (35 day notice) £9,321.76.
b) Cottage rent – the transition to the revised rent under the new contract had gone smoothly and regular payments were being received. The deposit (£550) had been lodged with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme and copies of the agreement lodged with the Clerk and the tenant. Cllr. Bailey pointed out that there had been significant changes to legislation regarding tenancies and recommended that the Parish Council check these out. Cllr. Bailey advised that any breach of tenancy regulations at any time, including failure to pay rent, should be notified to WLDC
c) Transfer of funds – CC pointed out that there was very little advantage in moving small amounts of money from the current account into the Business Reserve as the interest rates were minimal.
25/37 Correspondence
a) Sports Facilities Study – a request had been received for details of the village’s sports facilities. The Clerk had agreed to complete details of the village hall and the playing-field committee had agreed to complete details of the outdoor facilities.
b) General issues – an email had been received from a resident expressing concerns about; fireworks scaring livestock, poultry left to fend for themselves by a gypsy, vehicles exceeding the new 30mph speed limit, Kexby News Forum, and lack of books in the telephone box. It was agreed that the parish council had no authority over the use of fireworks and there was currently no legislation restricting their use. It was agreed that the best approach was to encourage considerate use, in particular use of silent ones, and to encourage people to visit organised events locally. The clerk was asked to include this in the newsletter and to respond to the parishioner accordingly. Action GP
25/38 Any Other Business
a) Church Christmas Tree – Upton Parish Council had discussed the proposal for the two parishes to take it in turns to donate a tree rather than make a donation towards the cost of the tree and lights each year and had agreed to it. Kexby would provide the tree in 2025, it had already been ordered through Upton village shop and the clerk had provided them with details for invoicing Kexby Parish Council.
b) Remembrance commemorations – it was noted that several local villages had attached poppies to lampposts and it was felt that Kexby should do the same next year. It was also agreed that the parish council should purchase a “Tommy” to be installed on the village green, CC agreed to look into this. Action CC
Upton Parish Council had laid a wreath at the war memorial during the remembrance service, the clerk was asked to make a diary note to raise this at the September meeting in 2026. Action GP
c) Bonfires – there had been instances of smoke from garden bonfires causing a nuisance, there was no legislation prohibiting the use of fires for disposal of garden waste, etc. However, there were restrictions governing what could be burnt and prohibition on fires creating a nuisance. Cllr. Bailey advised that concerns should be taken to the Environmental Health section of WLDC.
d) Precept – the clerk could not recall having received a request for an estimate which was usually required by the end of November. After some discussion it was agreed that an estimate for £2,600 should be lodged this year. Action GP
e) Representation on Committees – it was felt that representation on the playing field and village hall committees would be beneficial to both the parish council and the respective committees. Jane Scott had represented the parish council on the village hall committee but had resigned from it due to ill health, DS agreed to try and attend their next meeting. The clerk was asked to approach both organisations with regard to a parish councillor attending. Action GP
f) Website – it was pointed out that the map on the home page was of Kexby, Yorks rather than Lincs. The clerk agreed to get this changed. Action GP
g) Entrance to village hall – complaints had been received regarding the state of the concrete apron by the main door to the hall. DS agreed to liaise with the chairman with regard to getting an estimate to have this repaired.
h) Craft Fayre – this was due to be held in the village hall on Sunday 30th November, Carol Wells had asked if anyone would be prepared to donate any prizes for the tombola. If anyone was able to help out they should contact Carol on 07786383179.
Next meeting Wednesday 21st January 2026 at 6:30