2025-26 Minutes (Full Council)

Hogsthorpe Parish Council Meeting

Minutes of meeting held at 18:00 on Wednesday 1st October 2025

Present: Cllrs F Wilson (Chair), D Hanson (Vice Chair), M Banks, R Murray, P Perry

Absent: Cllr C Rolph

In attendance: Annie Maynard (Clerk/RFO), Mrs K Hayes, Mr G Ainsworth

Public Forum

A resident asked if the Council knew of any plans to use the field next to Loony Bins Catering Van as a Car Boot site; the Cllrs present had not heard about this and would investigate, as would the Clerk.

There was concern shown about the lack of footpath or provision for pedestrians near the proposed new caravans/lodges. The footfall would be of no advantage to the village pubs or shops, but it would be a danger along that stretch of road due to fast traffic and bends.

There was concern about the path at the south end of the village (Mill Lane), it was reported the gate on the public footpath was padlocked – Clerk to investigate.

This section was completed by 18:10

1. Apologies – apologies were received and accepted for Cllrs E Smith, B Hornby and Cllr R Dawson (ELDC )

2. To receive Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011 – None

3. Approval of minutes of meeting 3rd September 2025 – It was RESOLVED that the minutes of 3rd September 2025 be accepted with a minor amendment of the date of the next meeting which was to read Wednesday and not Thursday.

4. To receive reports from outside bodies and other meetings – Following the resignation of Cllr S Evans, ELDC, a vacancy has been announced and voting is to take place in November. The Chair reported the allotments were all hired out and there are three people on the waiting list. The village Hall meeting will be held later this month.

5. Email migration to .gov email to discuss – the Clerk presented three quotes to Cllrs and it was RESOLVED that the .gov emails be purchased from CloudNext with one year free of charge.

6. General Correspondence – None

7. Financial Matters

1. Payment of accounts - It was RESOLVED to pay the following:

2. To approve and sign the Clerk’s request to apply for Barclay Debit Card – It was unanimously RESOLVED for the Barclay Debit Card to be issued to the Clerk; the Chair and Vice Clerk (bank signatories) signed the mandate and the Clerk is to send to the bank.

8. Churchyard/cemetery maintenance update

1. Moving of oak tree – the oak tree has grown and will be ready to move in the Autumn. The Chair will action this and carry out the work.
2. Uneven ground notice – visitors to graves have been cutting across the grass and not using the path and they have tripped as the badgers dig holes, various wildlife visit the cemetery and churchyard, creating an uneven surface – the Clerk is to create a notice to be displayed in the cemetery noticeboard informing visitors of this, and that it is not advised to take shortcuts as they may injure themselves, for which the Parish Council accepts no responsibility or liability.
3. Memorial edging and railings – the edging has been broken by the mower going across it and the gravel is looking messy. The Clerk is to enquire about small railings and a flat stone around the memorial.
4. Cremation plot – to discuss the movement to another area of the cemetery - there was discussion about the area where the current cremation plot is located, this will need further discussion and consultation with the Church.
5. To be noted the fence in the cemetery is due to be repaired Tuesday 21st October 2025 and this will be followed up at the next meeting.
6. Remembrance wreaths – Two wreaths to be ordered by the Clerk and delivered to the Chair’s house.
7. Christmas tree/lights to discuss – a discussion took place regarding the lights which are in the Church and help is needed to put them on the tree, therefore we need volunteers. It was RESOLVED to buy a Christmas tree, Clerk to source this.

9. Highways and Village maintenance updates

1. A52/Thames Street Junction – A52 main road has been completed and the T-junction running into Thames Street will be completed soon.

2. Dykes throughout the village – Cllr M Banks has requested that if anyone has any areas of concern regarding the potential flooding as mentioned by a resident, could they please send pictures to her.

3. Public footpath – as previously stated the Clerk is to check the padlocking of the gate near the south end of the village (Mill Lane).

4. Update on S106 spending – to date no S106 money had been received in the bank account; the Clerk is to follow up on this and report back at the next meeting.
5. School and the proposed purchase of a portion of the playing field – There was a discussion about the proposed purchase of playing field land, regarding the Parish Council being trustees and their obligation to the residents and diocese. The principal of the school is new into the post and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk arrange for the principal to attend a parish meeting so that they can explain what they require whether, that be lease, rent by days or purchase. The Clerk will report back at the next meeting.

10. Speeding data – this was deferred to the next meeting due to the absence of Cllr C Rolph.

11. Planning

1. Planning Application 02356/25/FUL Hill View – 43 static caravans plus 3 wildlife ponds (update) – still on-going.
2. Planning Application 02383/25/FUL Ivy Lodge, Bracken Lane – 80 lodges/caravans plus fishing lakes and buildings (update) – still on-going.

12. Date of next meeting – Thursday 6th November at 18:00.

13. AOB for note only or next agenda – There were none.

Meeting concluded at 18:44