Document Date
19/02/2026
Created by
Parish Clerk
Category
Meetings
Wollaston Parish Council
Wollaston Parish Council
Document Date
19/02/2026
Created by
Parish Clerk
Category
Meetings
WOLLASTON PARISH COUNCIL
Tel: 07856 203260
Email: clerk@wollastonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Web: wollastonparishcouncil.gov.uk
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF WOLLASTON
PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE OASIS, HIGH STREET, WOLLASTON
ON THURSDAY 19th FEBRUARY 2026.
PRESENT: Cllr Alvis, Atkinson, Barber, Carter, Farman, Goldsmith, Hodson, Jones, Mitchell, Savage, Seager and Threadgold.
IN ATTENDANCE: Three members of the public attended.
WARD COUNCILLORS: Cllr Gordon Dunsmuir, Cllr Jon-Paul Carr and Cllr Tom Partridge-Underwood.
26/138 – OPEN MEETING
Two members of the public addressed the Council regarding Planning Application NN/24/00021/WASFUL (proposed industrial recycling plant at 30–50 Doddington Road, Wollaston).
The first speaker stated that the site lies within a Ramsar site (a wetland area designated as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands) and is also designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA). It was emphasised that the proposed development would have a detrimental impact on these protected designations and that these concerns should be formally highlighted and considered by the Planning Authority as objections.
The second speaker, who has 20 years’ experience in the waste industry, referred to planning guidance which states that waste should be managed as close as possible to its point of origin, and expressed the view that this principle had not been met by the application. It was also noted that all activities within the recycling plant must, by law, be carried out indoors and restricted to specified operating hours.
Cllr Carr reported significant gaps within the updated Planning Statement, including queries regarding the proposed litter-picking offer. Concern was also raised that there is no safe walking or cycling route to the site, contrary to Neighbourhood Plan policy. Cllr Carr confirmed that the Mortuary adjacent to the site remains fully operational as an emergency facility and noted that no reference to the Mortuary is made within the submitted documentation. Issues relating to water availability and fire-risk bunding were also discussed. Wollaston Parish Council confirmed that it intends to seek advice from a Planning Lawyer to obtain a professional opinion.
26/139 – FOOTPATHS AND RIGHTS OF WAY – Cllr Gregory Wilcox
Cllr Wilcox (NNC Unitary Councillor and Wollaston resident) addressed the Council regarding ongoing issues with public footpaths at Poplars Farm, Shepherds Hill. Despite previous measures, including the installation of signage and barriers, members of the public continue to stray from the designated routes and roam across the land. This presents a significant health and safety risk, as the land is not monitored for public access while farm machinery is in operation.
Cllr Wilcox also reported incidents of physical violence, hare coursing and badger digging on the land. He expressed his wish that members of the public respect the designated public footpaths and comply with the installed signage.
Cllr Threadgold (Footpath Warden for WPC) agreed to arrange, via the Clerk, for a map of the recently agreed permissive footpath at Shepherds Hill to be sent to Cllr Wilcox. It was noted that signage for the permissive footpath has been ordered through Highways, and WPC agreed to consider whether additional signage is required to further address the issues raised.
26/140 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Gay (holiday).
26/141 – NORTH NORTHANTS COUNCIL REPORT
Cllr Dunsmuir confirmed that the final budget for 2026-2027 was approved by North Northamptonshire Council today resulting in a 4.99% council tax increase.
26/142 – DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None relating to business on the agenda.
26/143 – MINUTES
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting from 15th January 2026 were agreed and signed as a true account. Unanimously agreed, motion carried.
26/144 – To review and approve the Wollaston Standing Orders 2026
It was unanimously agreed to approve the Wollaston Standing Orders. Clerk to publish on website.
26/145 – CLERK’S REPORT
A resident made contact during the recent water disruption due to a burst water main leaving many vulnerable residents without water for approximately 7 hours. Clerk contacted Anglian Water for details of how vulnerable residents can register on the Anglian Water priority service – this has been published via social media and the Wollaston Together magazine.
Requests have been received from residents of both Rotten Row and Irchester Road for double yellow lines due to access issues to their driveways. Details have been passed to Kier Highways and Cllr Savage will liaise with Ben Wright. The potential of a white line was also discussed.
Attendance to the Town & Parish Forum on Tuesday 10th March 7-9pm at Council Chamber, Swanspool House confirmed as Cllr Threadgold and Cllr Jones.
Scott Bader have offered their volunteering services to the village – Clerk to request litter picking and signage cleaning around the village. Cllr Dunsmuir to request availability of Fly Tipping signage for litter problem areas such as London Road.
Clerk Scribe Audit Training Thursday 26th February AM.
26/146 – FINANCES
Receipts circulated. It was RESOLVED to approve receipts for January 2026. Unanimously agreed, motion carried.
| DATE | RECEIVED FROM | DESCRIPTION | NET AMOUNT | VAT ELEMENT | TOTAL AMOUNT |
| 09/01/2026 | Lloyds Bank *823 | Interest | £23.93 | £0.00 | £23.93 |
| 31/01/2026 | Nationwide Interest *607 | Interest | £122.94 | £0.00 | £122.94 |
| 31/01/2026 | Nationwide Interest *581 | Interest | £280.55 | £0.00 | £280.55 |
| 13/01/2026 | HMRC | VAT return | £0.00 | £2,769.93 | £2,769.93 |
| TOTAL: | £427.42 | £2,769.93 | £3,197.35 | ||
Payments Circulated. It was RESOLVED to approve payments for January 2026. Unanimously agreed, motion carried.
| PAYMENT | PAYEE | DESCRIPTION | NETT OF VAT | VAT ELEMENT | TOTAL |
| DD235 | Tesco Mobile | Monthly mobile Phone Contract | £15.99 | £0.00 | £15.99 |
| DD236 | HP Instant Ink | Monthly subscription for printer ink | £84.16 | £16.83 | £100.99 |
| DD237 | NPS Shoes | Office Hire & Internet January 2026 | £318.75 | £63.75 | £382.50 |
| DD238 | WhiteStar Ltd | Monthly Website hosting fee | £35.00 | £0.00 | £35.00 |
| DD239 | Yu Energy | Street Lighting 01.12.25 – 31.12.25 | £97.74 | £4.89 | £102.63 |
| DD240 | LV Pension (NMPTL) | LV Pension S Grant WPC Contribution | £73.42 | £0.00 | £73.42 |
| DD241 | Lloyds Bank | Lloyds Community Account monthly charge ref 449342778 | £4.25 | £0.00 | £4.25 |
| DD242 | Starboards Systems Ltd | Monthly subscription for Scribe accounts package | £51.00 | £10.20 | £61.20 |
| DD243 | Hayeswood Landscapes | December Grass Cutting | £2,006.10 | £401.22 | £2,407.32 |
| BACS1113 | Mrs Suzanne Grant | January 2026 salary | £1,352.12 | £0.00 | £1,352.12 |
| BACS1114 | HMRC | Employer NI employee NI Tax payment | £276.17 | £0.00 | £276.17 |
| BACS1115 | Amazon | A4 paper | £17.91 | £3.58 | £21.49 |
| BACS1116 | Yu Energy | PF Tennis Court Floodlight charges 21/11/25-31/12/025 | £14.42 | £0.72 | £15.14 |
| BACS1117 | E-On | Street Lighting maintenance for 1/4 ending December 2025 | £77.50 | £15.50 | £93.00 |
| BACS1118 | Renutec Europe Ltd (Damian Scott) | New email configuration (Clerk/JM/MG) | £180.00 | £36.00 | £216.00 |
| £4,604.53 | £552.69 | £5,157.22 |
Bank Reconciliation as of 31.01.26 was circulated. It was RESOLVED to approve the January Bank Reconciliation. Unanimously agreed, motion carried.
| WOLLASTON PARISH COUNCIL | |||||
| Bank Reconciliation as at 31/01/2026 | |||||
| Lloyds Current account – daily banking *832 | |||||
| balance as at 31/01/2026 | £9,991.04 | ||||
| Lloyds Instant access – General Reserves *823 | |||||
| balance as at 31/01/2026 | £39,585.98 | ||||
| Nationwide Business 95 day Saver *607 | £43,901.90 | ||||
| Nationwide Business 95 day Saver *581 | £100,182.49 | ||||
| Nationwide Building Society – S106 Monies *513 | £71,437.42 | ||||
| Earmarked Reserves, Pyghtles, Neale Close | |||||
| In Accounts 31/01/2026 | £265,098.83 | ||||
| From 2024/2025 | £224,179.04 | ||||
| Figures incl VAT | Receipts | £230,698.88 | |||
| Payments | £189,779.09 | ||||
| £265,098.83 | |||||
| Difference | £0.00 | ||||
26/147 – REMEBRANCE DAY 2026 LAMP POST POPPIES (AT)
Cllr Threadgold presented a protocol poppy and proposed that the names of the fallen from WW1 and WW2 are handwritten onto the lamppost poppies (two names per poppy). It was unanimously agreed to purchase an additional 40 poppies at a cost of £3 each. (£120).
26/148 – UPDATE ON BLEED KITS (NF)
Cllr Farman confirmed that she had been in discussions with EMAS (East Midlands Ambulance Service) who have confirmed that it is fine for Bleed Kits to be based in their de-fib cabinets, (Off the Streets have already put bleed kits in some of their cabinets so are aware of their work). The library at this present time, are not keen at place the Bleed Kit within the current De-fib cabinet (additional cost for a Bleed Kit cabinet is £540). Therefore, Cllr Farman will arrange for Clerk to purchase one Bleed Kit as previously resolved (Wilby PC via Cllr Dunsmuir have kindly donated a second kit) and these will be placed in the de-fib cabinets at the Hill Social Club and the Playing Fields with free training in the Summer to be held at the Playing Fields.
26/149 – REPORTS OF THE WORKING PARTIES/REPRESENTATIVES
26/150 – PLANNING
Schedule was circulated with Agenda
NW/24/00448/EXT – Green Hill Solar Farm – Consultation on draft statement of Community Consultation (SoCC). Awaiting decision.
NW/25/00195/FUL – 24 York Road, Wollaston – Change of use of pastureland to residential garden, including erection of wall, gates and boundary fencing. WPC – no objection. Awaiting decision.
25/01709/FUL – Wollaston House, 51 High Street – full planning permission for new building for storage use only located behind existing garage block. WPC – no objection. Awaiting decision.
25/02065/AOC – 23 Hickmire Wollaston – Approval of details reserved by condition pursuant to condition 3 (windows and rooflights) of listed building consent reference NW/22/00492/LBC. WPC – no objection. Awaiting decision.
25/01522/HFUL – 89 Hinwick Road Wollaston – Single storey rear/side extension. WPC – No objection. Application permitted 18/02/26.
25/02066/LBC – 23 Hickmire Wollaston – proposed alterations/enclosure of car port to form garage and log burner/flue. WPC – No objection. Awaiting decision.
25/02159/HFUL – 6-8 Rotten Row Wollaston – Single storey glazed link extension from dwelling to existing outbuilding with alterations to fenestration. WPC – no objection. Awaiting decision.
25/00138/TPO – Scott Bader Wollaston Hall High Street/Irchester Road Wollaston – Various tree work to reduce and remove deadwood. WPC – no objection. Awaiting decision.
NN/24/00021/WASFUL – Land between and rear 30 to 50 Doddington Road, Wollaston – proposed development of an industrial/commercial building including office space for purpose of plastic, paper and metal recycling.
It was unanimously RESOLVED to allocate up to the sum of £15,000 from Parish Council reserves, if required, for external legal professional help. A quotation has been sought for legal advice for the cost of £5,000 + VAT from a planning lawyer.
26/151 – NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Wollaston Parish Council to take place on Thursday March 19th, 2026, 7pm, Oasis Building, High Street, Wollaston.
The Chair thanked Councillors for their attendance. The meeting was closed at 8.30pm.
Chair……………………………………………….. Date: ………………………………