March 2026 Minutes
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting for West Ashby Parish Council held on Wednesday 18th March 2026 in West Ashby Village Hall.
Those councillors present were Cllrs C Graves, N Moore, and A Radcliffe. Also present clerk Mrs K Elliott, C Cllr N Oliver and D Cllr Simpson. Cllr Atkin-House accessed the meeting remotely.
The meeting commenced with the public forum at 7.30 pm.
PUBLIC FORUM: Those present discussed a letter from a resident about recent Anglian Water works in the parish and concerns about tarmac and verge/road conditions following road closure and diversions. This matter will be brought to the attention of our County Councillor.
2026/152 Chairman’s remarks - Mr Graves welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2026/153 Apologies – Have been received from G Edwards and T Thomas.
2026/154 Declarations of interest – There were none.
2026/155 The notes of the meeting held on 21st January 2026 were proposed, seconded, voted and RESOLVED as a true and accurate record.
2026/156 Reports from District & County Councillors: D Cllr Simpson advised that Anglian Water have proposed to replace the water main in spring 2027. Local Government Reform, the chosen model is not yet known. Community Grants are to start again in May 2026. Details of a large solar array near Lincoln were also shared. C Cllr Oliver has been contacted about a headstone inscription and the clerk will take action to resolve this. The build out at the church layby has been marked for changes but no work has been done yet. Only part of the footpath to the cemetery has been actioned. Cllr Oliver will try to arrange a ward walk and CG volunteered to attend. Cllr Oliver also advised that there will be County Councillor community grants available soon.
2026/157 Clerk’s report on matters outstanding and correspondence
a) Defib – the clerk confirmed that a new defibrillator is required and that she is asking for quotes and trying to source grant funding.
b) Litter Picking – a date of 11th April was agreed starting at 10am from the village hall.
c) Anglian Water – It is hoped that the water main will be replaced during the financial year 27/28.
2026/158 Cemetery:
a) Information Board design – The board will be installed on Friday 20th March. The location for the board will be marked by CG and the clerk will meet the contractor on site. It is noted that the grass contractor has started cutting and the clerk will speak with him about invoicing.
The funeral directors are to be asked to arrange back filling of most recent graves which have sunk.
2026/159 War Memorial – The clerk advises that the VCC are registering the memorial with War Memorials Trust and English Heritage. Grants will be applied for and a progress report will be provided to the parish council.
2026/160 Events 2026 – an update on the pub was provided. Meet the councillors event was discussed and ideas were requested for the next meeting.
2026/161 Highways matters
a) Drain blockages – Are the blocked drains at Ings Lane connected to the issue with the drain at the top of/junction of Docking Lane? CG has also reported other blocked drains in our parish. A ward walk with Highways and council members could resolve issues, Cllr Oliver will arrange.
2026/162 Planning Matters: There are no planning applications currently.
2026/163 Finance Matters, to approve payments and to note income since last meeting. The clerk circulated a document containing all payments and income since the last meeting plus bank balances.
a) Invoice payments – as per the circulated list of payments. There are no payments to be made currently. A decision will be made about moving funds to the savings account at the May meeting. The clerk will chase the grass cutters invoice.
2026/164 Next Meeting
a) The next parish council meeting will be held on Wednesday 20th May 2026.
b) Items for the next newsletter – as soon as possible to RAH please.
c) Items for the next agenda will include litter picking.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.45 pm.
Chairman: Date: