December 2025 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE WOODHALL SPA PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 16th DECEMBER 2025 AT 7.00PM AT THE COUNCIL OFFICE.
Public Forum
Three members of the public present. A representative from Jubilee Park explained the proposed Storytelling Festival which has been planned for July 2026.
A representative from a business in Woodhall Spa explained that the Spirit of Christmas weekend had been very successful but moving forward it would be good to co-ordinate activities in 2026. As such, the proposal was to hold a meeting on 8th January to discuss arrangements for 2026.
In Attendance
Chairman Councillor Richard Brown, Marcus Williams, David Charles, Roger Etches, Patricia Bradwell, Chris Watts and Rod Williams
Also present:
Karen Handley, Parish Clerk
LCC Councillor Natalie Oliver
ELDC Councillor Craig Leyland
FC/1/12/25 Opening comments from the Chair
The Chairman thanked St Andrew’s School Choir for their involvement in the Christmas Light Switch on event on Friday 5th December.
The Chairman also informed the meeting that Councillor Shirley Elphick had tended her resignation. There were now two vacancies for which the Council can co-opt.
FC/2/12/25 Apologies for absence with reason given
Apologies received from Councillor Scarborough
Apologies were received ELDC Councillor Tom Kemp.
Absent Councillor Gammage
FC/3/12/25 Declaration of Members’ interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011
(Disclosure by all members present of disclosable pecuniary interests in matters on the agenda that have not already been declared on their Declarations of Interests form or put in writing to the Monitoring Officer at East Lindsey District Council)
None
FC/4/12/25 To consider requests from members for a dispensation on any items on the agenda (In accordance with the Localism Act 2011 the Parish Council has the authority to grant any members present a dispensation on their disclosable pecuniary interest so that they may take place in the debate and vote)
No requests were made
FC/5/12/25 To receive the draft notes from the Full Council Meeting Tuesday 18th November 2025 to be approved as the minutes
It was proposed, seconded, and unanimously resolved to accept the notes as the minutes.
FC/6/12/25 To receive a report from Lincolnshire County Council & East
LCC-Councillor Oliver had no updates from Highways with regard to any of the points raised by the Parish Council. However, she had received numerous complaints from Business owners and residents, regarding the double yellow lines from the Witham Road island up to Came Court. Form the Parish Council perspective the double yellow lines extend further than requested. Councillor Oliver suggested that a meeting needs to be held on site. Further details will be emailed to the Clerk.
ELDC- Councillor Leyland informed the Council that there had been a successful round of grant funding and WSPC were recipients of £27,000 for the refurbishment of the Victorian Facades above the some of the shops on Broadway.
FC/7/12/2025 To approve automated, retrospective, and future payments to be made
a) It was proposed, seconded, and unanimously resolved to approve the payments listed below.
|
Wave |
2526/153 |
Royal Square Water |
0.82 |
|
J Parker Electrical |
2526/154 |
Installation of new sockets |
600.00 |
|
J Parker Electrical |
2526/155 |
Downloading speed data |
60.00 |
|
J Parker Electrical |
2526/156 |
Festoon lighting/time clocks/icicle lights |
480.00 |
|
Yu Energy |
2526/157 |
Office Electricity |
55.00 |
|
Yu Energy |
2526/158 |
Royal Square electricity |
47.46 |
|
Cuttlefish |
2526/159 |
Email accounts |
504.00 |
|
Welton Garden Services |
2526/160 |
Cemetery maintenance/leaf collection |
1620.00 |
|
Viking |
2526/161 |
Printer cartridges/Paper/Kitchen supplies |
313.43 |
|
K Handley |
2526/162 |
Refreshments Christmas Volunteers |
23.60 |
|
K Handley (Amazon) |
2526/163 |
Christmas Tree/Garland Storage bags |
37.96 |
|
K Handley (Amazon) |
2526/164 |
Gazebo 6x3 |
159.99 |
|
K Handley (Amazon) |
2526/165 |
Floor cable Covers |
72.62 |
|
K Handley (Amazon) |
2526/166 |
Outdoor String lights 30 m Gazebo lights |
47.70 |
|
T Gibbons/J Ward |
2526/167 |
Royal Square Contract |
1060.00 |
|
EDF |
2526/168 |
Office Gas |
224.07 |
|
Goodwins |
2526/169 |
Hardware items |
30.77 |
|
British Gas |
2526/170 |
ATM Electricity |
20.47 |
|
Tony Gibbons |
2526/171 |
Cemetery/Christmas trees/Village maintenance |
638.00 |
|
Corporate Christmas Tree |
2526/172 |
3 x Warm white Connectable Low voltage Micro LEDs |
85.45 |
|
Payroo |
2526/173 |
Payroll |
6.00 |
|
TalkTalk |
2526/174 |
Broadband and Phone |
36.18 |
|
Stephen Long |
2526/175 |
Gardening Contract |
610.00 |
|
K Handley/HMRC/LCC Pension |
2526/176 |
Staff Costs |
1832.95 |
|
Bainland |
2526/177 |
New Driver for lights in Royal Square |
89.50 |
|
Pink Marigold Cleaners |
2526/178 |
Office Cleaning |
120.00 |
b) To note the bank reconciliation
The bank reconciliation of £83,013.61 as of 02/12/2025 was noted.
c) To receive a report from the Finance working group on the budget
The finance working group had scrutinized the detailed accounts and cost centres. A further meeting will be held on 14th January 2026 to finalise the budget.
FC/8/12/25 To consider a request for the Parish Council to take ownership of the Union Flags and be responsible for putting the flags up
It was resolved that Cllr Etches and Cllr Charles review the condition of the flags and report back to the next meeting as to how many need to be replaced.
FC/09/12/2025 To consider a grant application from Jubilee Park for the Woodhall Spa Festival of Storytelling 2026
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to award £1000 to Jubilee Park.
FC/10/12/25 To receive a report on progress regarding the Royal Square Tender
The Clerk had circulated the Tender to all Councillors but had received very little feedback. Cllr Charles to meet with the Clerk and discuss the Tender in more detail.
FC/11/12/25 To receive feedback on the Christmas Light Switch on-Friday 5th December.
Overall the event was fine, but the weather limited the range of activities which could go ahead. The event for 2026 will be co-ordinated with the Business Forum and the light switch on is provisionally Friday 4th December 2026.
The Chair requested approval to purchase a case for the mixer desk for £100. This was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed.
FC/12/12/25 To receive a progress report regarding the refurbishment of the Victorian signage above the shops on Broadway and resolve funding issues.
Cllr Watts informed the meeting that the grant application had been successful and £27,000 has been awarded for the Pride in Place grant. He thanked Cllr Charles and Scarborough for their input. A meeting has been arranged for 17th December to agree a timeline for the work. It is a major refurbishment as much of the façade is rotting. The new materials have an expected life of 30-40 years. Heritage Lincolnshire are happy for the Parish Council to project manage. Also included in the refurbishment is the white picket fence which runs along the Broadway.
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to move forward with this project.
FC/13/12/25 To discuss future events in the village and Christmas 2026
Cllr Charles explained that the success of the weekend 13-14 December had given impetus to thinking about future events and Christmas 2026. As such, it has been suggested that all parties interested could meet on 8th January 2026 to discuss future events.
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that representatives from the Council would attend.
A question was raised as to whether the Council would take on the responsibility of event managing future events. This was rejected by the Council.
FC/14/12/25 To consider setting up a working party to review Council policies
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to set up a working party.
FC/15/12/25 To consider the WhatsApp guidelines circulated from Councillor Watts
It was agreed to defer this for the working party to consider
FC/16/12/25 To consider future communication with Parishioners via a Facebook page and resolve action It was proposed, seconded and unanimously RESOLVED to set up a Facebook page.
FC/17/12/25 To respond to LCC regarding the 50th Anniversary of the Viking Way and the possibility of having a bench which will reflect the local area and the Viking Way. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously RESOLVED to support this.
FC/18/12/25 To note the Arnhem Oak Event on April 23rd 2026.
Noted by Councillors
FC/19/12/2025 To receive a report on the meeting held between the Council, Jubilee Park and the Croquet Club on Tuesday 2nd December, regarding the request from the Croquet Club to use Rally Field as the new location for the Club.
A report was received from the Chairman, and it was felt that a further meeting between the Council and Jubilee Park was needed to ascertain future plans of the Park before a decision could be made. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that Cllr Etches should meet with the CEO in the January. Clerk to action.
FC/20/12/2025 To respond to a request to repair the clock on Clocktower Crystals and resolve action to be taken.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the clock should be repaired as it is an asset of the Council. Clerk to action.
FC/21/12/25 Clerk’s correspondence
• To consider a request for a new dog bin on Broadway by New Surgery.
• To consider a request for a bench by the bus stop opposite Gibson Court
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously RESOLVED to support both requests. Clerk to action.
FC/22/12/25
To consider and respond to Planning Applications
03605/FUL/RVC Manorcrest Construction Ltd Section 73 application to vary condition no.2(approved plans) as previously imposed on planning permission reference no. S/215/01248/21 for the erection of 85no. dwellings, provision of an attenuation pond, associated open space and construction of a vehicular and pedestrian access.
Location: Land off Mill Lane, Woodhall Spa Lincolnshire.
03656/25/FUL Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation.
Location: 12 Arnhem Way, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6TJ
Full Planning
02763/25/RVC Section 73 application to vary condition no. 3 (approved plans), condition no. 5 (construction management plan), condition no. 12 (approved plans) and condition no. 16 (construction management plan) as previously imposed on planning permission reference S/215/02174/22 for the hybrid application comprising of Full Planning Permission for the erection of a clubhouse and heritage centre, demolition of the existing clubhouse, storage premises rationalisation of existing parking provision, construction of a vehicular access and Outline Planning Permission for the erection of on-site golfing accommodation. The National Golf Centre the Broadway Woodhall Spa Lincolnshire LN10 6PU
03187/25/FUL Extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation.
Location: Fernwood, Tattershall Road, Kirkstead, Lincolnshire, LN10 6UQ
Planning permission refused
Extension to existing dwelling to provide an external staircase.
Location: Rivendell Lodge, Iddesleigh Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6ST
Planning Enforcement
Site location: Land between Witham Road and Green Lane, Witham Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire
Nature of investigation: Non-compliance with Section 106 Agreements connected to S/215/237/94 and S/215/2254/13
Site Location: 63 Stixwould Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire
Enforcement Case: EC/02249/25 Case closed October 2025. No plans to serve a section 215 or Community Protection Order.
Tree Works
To note the proposed Tree works
Tree Preservation Order: The Land at 19 Witham Road, Woodhall Spa 2025 (215.30)
This was confirmed without modification on 6th November 2025.
Noted by Councillors
FC/23/12/25 To confirm the next Full Council meeting as Tuesday 20th Janaury 2026 at 7.00 p.m.
The date was confirmed.
Meeting closed at 9.01 p.m.