Meeting November 2025

A Meeting of the Parish Council was held at The Royal Oak on Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 7.30 pm.

 

PRESENT:-   Chairman                    Cllr Graves

        Vice-Chairman            Cllr Grist (ELDC)

        Cllr:                             Mrs Molloy

        Also Present                Cllr Catton (LCC) & 16 Parishioners

 

The Chairman took the opportunity to “thank” the many Parishioners who had taken the time to attend the Meeting to raise their concerns and Cllr Catton (LCC).

 

 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 September 2025 were approved and signed.

 

The Chairman reported that there was nothing to report on this item.

 

The Chairman reported that there nothing to report on this item.

 

The Committee noted that speeding through the village continued and had increased to the Christmas trees farm having re-opened.

                                                                              

4.         Clerk’s Report-None.

 

The Committee considered the following Planning Applications and it was

 

RESOLVED  i)         to note “no comment” was made in respect of Planning Applications: 03657/25/FUL-Riverside, Mill Lane, Legbourne-Erection of a replacement dwelling & 03385/25/FUL/ Infinity, Pinfold Lane;

                                  ii)         to note the following Planning Permissions: 02913/25/FUL Silchester Cottage, Haugham Pastures & 03014/25/FUL Riverside, Mill Lane, Legbourne.

 

ELDC-Electoral Update, Clerks & Councils, LALC Newsletter & National Grid – all noted.

 

The Clerk circulated a letter, signed by many of the Parishioners, which they had sent to LCC Highways Department expressing their serious concerns relating to the creation of a footpath adjacent to many of the properties along Watery Lane and also encroachment onto the John Lill Walk. Concerns were raised regarding the impact on parishioners and nearby properties, advising that not all of the residents in the immediate area had been consulted. The matter had been discussed fully during an extended “Open Forum” prior to the commencement of the Parish Council Meeting, where the following concerns were raised:

 

That access was going to be created via an opening onto John Lill Walk. Cllr Mrs Molloy had spoken with Mr Hewison directly and he is now aware of the ownership of the land. Cllr Mrs Molloy informed Mr Hewison no entrance onto the path or work could be carried out without the permission of the landowners and this was not given. It was clarified, is not permittable to create an opening onto another landowner’s land, particularly as the landowner had not given any permission for access, this has been clearly stated to Mr Hewison.

 

Concerns were also raised regarding the installation of a wishing well and general works to land owned at Tumbledown Toft. Changes to general layout of a landowner’s property are within their remit unless otherwise specified by any planning regulations or permissions.

 

             The statement of Income and Expenditure was noted which met the Council’s approval.

             Clerk’s Salary                                      £386. 48          HMRC-PAYE             £64.65

             L&LC Village History-Donation        £290.39

 

            Budget, Precept, Projects for 2026/27

The Committee considered the draft documents produced by the Clerk, which required no amendments at this point. They noted the quote from BW Maintenance, and it was agreed to make a final  decision at the January Meeting as usual.

 

            ELIF GRASSroots Scheme-Deferred to next Meeting

 

During the September Meeting of the Parish Council, Mr Hewison (Parishioner) and landowner of Tumbledown Toft, had expressed his concern regarding the pond area. He had made an offer to assist with improvements to the pond area , which had been noted, and it was advised that this would only be under the guidance of the Parish Council. The Parish Council had made clear to Mr Hewison that no work could be undertaken on any Parish Council land by Mr Hewison or his contractors without the permission of the Parish Council.

 

The Vice-Chairman advised that Mr Hewison had attended the last meeting to explain his visions, about the pond and offering access along his land to a seat for Parishioners to enjoy. The Parish Council discussed an offer made by Mr Hewison of a wishing well; but had felt it was not suitable in this area. A wishing well did appear on site briefly, the Parish Council informed Mr Hewison and his Contractors of the Parish Councils decision and it was promptly moved onto his own land.

 

To clarify, the Committee had welcomed Mr Hewisons’ offer to assist with some of the work that is required in the pond and surrounding area, but only under supervision/control of the Parish Council.

 

During the “Open Forum”, Parishioners had expressed their concerns about difficulty in contacting Mr Hewison and the time it took to get a response. Concerns were raised about how the pond area looked and how improvements could be made to resolve issues including: 

 

 

Only when these matters had been fully discussed and action agreed by the Parish Council itself should any work commence. It was

 

RESOLVED that a Special Meeting be put on the Agenda to enable full discussion of the various concerns raised by Parishioners and where necessary to agree/clarify specific actions required/permissions to be applied for prior to any works being undertaken.

 

The Clerk reported the problem at Buston Lane to LCC Highways, they advised they were investigating the matter. Parishioners were very concerned these trees were very close to properties and the main road. The Chairman advised that the work could be completed in 2 days if a road closure was issued- none of the trees had TPO’s on them. Cllr Catton will chase the item and report on action/progress. Trees with Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) cannot be cut down, the ELDC Tree Officer should be consulted for advice if there is a problem. Trees that do not have TPO’s on your land can be cut down (always seek advice first). Trees on highways are LCC Highways responsibility and must be reported to them for investigation.

 

The Clerk had submitted the application form for funding of £1000 to progress this project but had not received an update from ELDC. The Vice-Chairman and Clerk to chase this item.

 

The Vice-Chairman requested that an Agenda item for “Village Plan” to be put on the January Agenda and this was agreed.

 

Wednesday 14 January 2026 at 7.30 pm. A Special Meeting would be called to consider the concerns raised during the “Open Forum” relating to Pond Improvements.

                                   

             Meeting closed 8.35 pm.