Draft MinutesOrdinary7th October 2026
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WHICHAM PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2026 AT SILECROFT VILLAGE HALL COMMENCING AT 7.30 PM
PRESENT: Cllr Fell (Chair), Cllr S Wilson, Cllr M Cumming, Cllr C Lowery
Lesley Cooper Clerk
75/26 Apologies for Absence: Cllr S Millar, Cllr M Sharp, Cllr N Tyson, Cllr R Jopson,
76/26 Exclusions of Press and Public
None present. Press and Public present, would have been excluded from Agenda item 16 Closed Session
77/26 Declarations of Interest
None
78/26 To approve the Minutes of the Meetings
2 September 2026
17 September 2026
The Chair was authorized to sign the minutes as a true record of the meetings.
79/26 Police Liaison Report
Previously circulated
80/26 Clerks report
None
81/26 Public Participation
None
82/26 Report from Unitary Authority Councillor
In the absence of Cllr Pratt, the Clerk reported the following:
Cumberland has a new CEO.
Drector of Children’s services have left – no replacement as yet.
Cumberland has called in the External Auditors re finances and ongoing plan for Cumberland.
New boundaries are officially in place with the Electoral Commission
GDF – awaiting the Secretary of State’s decision as to next phase.
83/26 Applications for Development
83/26.1 To examine applications for development and submit observations to the Planning Authority
None.
83/26.2 To ratify the observations submitted by the Clerk under devolved powers.
None
83/26.3 To note the decisions of the statutory planning authority with regard to recent applications:
None
84/26 Financial Records
84/26.1 Payment of invoices
The following payments are presented for payment.
| Waterplus direct Debit | £60.94 |
| British Gas Electricity | £57.72 |
| L Cooper Clerks salary & expenses | £900.65 |
| HMRC PAYE | £216.20 |
| J Hillier Toilet Cleaning August | £390.00 |
| Cumberland Council Waste management | £108.00 |
| Dream Landscapes Grass cutting | £1620.00 |
| Thomas Graham Cleaning Supplies | £57.00 |
| KMC Graffix QR codes | £15.00 |
| Technophobia Website support | £600.00 |
| Scribe monthly fee Direct debit | £39.60 |
84/26.2 Receipts
| Beach car park | £907.96 |
| Church car park | £188.62 |
| Stripe – Motorhome overnight fees/online car park fees | £1163.81 |
| NWS Grant for installation of electricity to toilets (2nd payment) | £4500.00 |
84/26.3 To receive and note the bank reconciliation statement dated 31 August 2026.
Unable to verify as all present were bank signatories.
84/26.4 To consider the Budget Comparison Report as at 30 September 2026 and determine action need to address deviations from the budget.
No actions required
Current A/c £25785.49 Deposit A/c £31329.16 Committed reserves £11138
84/26.5 To approve the Internal Auditor for the Financial Year 2026-27
Resolved that Mrs VE Falconer be appointed as Internal Auditor.
84/26.6 To Discuss the draft budget for 2027-28.
The Clerk presented a draft budget for 2027/28 financial year. Amendments were made and the Clerk to produce a final budget at the November meeting.
85/26 Village Matters
85/26.1 Silecroft car park
Clerk to obtain additional quotes for the installation of a hot water system in the toilets and also the installation of CCTV cameras.
Barriers to prevent parking – suggested low curb stones to mark out motorhome parking bays.
Clerk to chase for licence.
Motorhome bookings – Clerk reported that in September, occupancy rate was 40%.
85/26.2 Toilets
Complaint received re toilet cleanliness, observed not been cleaned properly.
85/26.3 Café
See Closed Session below
85/26.4 Play inspection reports and actions
Deferred to November meeting
85/26.5 Defib – Silecroft
Defib requires new pads as the current ones have expired.
85/25.6 Environmental issues
Ash dieback had been identified in 2 trees. One in Whicham Church and one on land adjoining owned by the PC. Contractor prepared to fell at no charge if they can have the wood. Approved.
85/26.7 Potholes Kirksanton
Cllr Fell reported that some had been filled.
85/26.8 Grass cutting Whitbeck Church
An application had been received for grass cutting to be included in next year’s budget. Approved.
85/26.9 People’s Emergency Briefing – film show Kirksanton VH
To be held 17 October 2026 2-3.30pm Cllrs Cumming and Millar to lead on discussions. To advertise on website. Issues raised to be brought back to November meeting.
86/26 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies.
None
87/26 CORRESPONDENCE:
To discuss any correspondence received for open discussion:
All other correspondence to be circulated in the normal manner for Council’s perusal.
Request received from Silecroft VH for the PC to pay VH insurance and claim vat on works, both requests refused.
Consultation on Bus Reforms
88/26 Councillor Matters
An opportunity for Councillors to raise minor matters, not on this agenda, on behalf of residents.
(Note. No discussion or decisions can be made on these matters, but the Clerk may make investigations and/or they may be placed on a future agenda of the Council.
Cllr Wilson to order wreaths.
89/26 DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 4 November 2026 at Kirksanton Village Hall commencing at 7.30p
90/26 Closed Session
Resolved to terminate current cleaning contract as at 31 October 2026.
Resolved to contact solicitors to draw up a lease agreement re café.
Concerns raised re failure of Cumberland to maintain the Changing Places facility and keep it closed.
Resolved to request for a face-to-face meeting with Cumberland representatives in w/c 23 November 2026 to resolve outstanding issues. All to be resolved by 31 January 2027.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2107 hours.
Signed………………………………………………… Dated………………………………………