Document Date
20/11/2025
Created by
Parish Clerk
Category
Meetings
Wollaston Parish Council
Wollaston Parish Council
Document Date
20/11/2025
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 20th November 2025.
PRESENT: Cllr Alvis, Atkinson, Barber, Carter, Farman, Gay, Goldsmith (left at 8.30pm), Hodson, Mitchell, Savage, Seager and Threadgold.
IN ATTENDANCE: No members of the public attended.
WARD COUNCILLORS: Cllr Gordon Dunsmuir.
25/105 – OPEN MEETING
No open meeting.
25/106 – WOLLASTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY HUB
The Trustees of Wollaston Community Library attended the meeting to outline their current position and future plans. They reported that the library became a charitable trust two years ago and aims to expand on its existing successful user groups, encouraging wider community involvement and positioning the library as a Community Hub for all ages.
The library is entirely self-funded. The building was purchased in 2021 by Matthew Nicholas Estate Agents and is rented back at no cost. Its primary funding currently comes from the Thrift Shop, which is also owned and rented back free of charge. The Trustees noted that neighbouring Parish Councils cover the utility costs for their libraries and proposed that Wollaston Parish Council consider doing the same.
The Council requested a copy of the library’s accounts and will review the request at next month’s budget meeting as part of discussions on a long-term support plan. The Trustees also confirmed that S106 funds from the Bloor development are expected, which will contribute towards a significant refurbishment. The library currently holds some reserves.
The library reported that a volunteer had approached them with interest to install a Bleed Kit on site and asked whether the Parish Council would support this amenity. It was agreed that Cllr Farman will contact the Wellingborough organisation Off the Streets to obtain information on costs, maintenance requirements, and training. Cllr Farman will liaise with the volunteer and present the findings at the next meeting.
25/107 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Jones (holiday).
25/108 – NORTH NORTHANTS COUNCIL – Apologies received from Cllr Carr and Cllr Partridge-Underwood. Cllr Dunsmuir reported that recent discussions had been held on Digital ID cards and pavement parking, no resolutions were reported.
25/109 – DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None relating to business on the agenda.
25/110 – MINUTES
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting from 16th October 2025 were agreed and signed as a true account. Unanimously agreed, motion carried.
25/111 WOLLASTON NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN STEERING GROUP FOLLOW UP FROM CONSULTATION MEETING
An inaugural meeting was held on 10 November with Mike Haybyrne, the previous Neighbourhood Plan (NHP) consultant, to determine the requirements for reviewing and updating the Wollaston Neighbourhood Plan, which is nearing the end of its lifespan. The Consultant advised that a clearer basis for revision will be available once the draft NNC Local Plan is published, anticipated by February 2026. Until then, producing accurate budget estimates will be challenging, and grant funding is no longer available.
A briefing workshop hosted by NNC is scheduled for January. It was agreed that a Steering Group meeting will be convened within the next two weeks to appoint a Chair and introduce two members of the public who have volunteered to join the group. The Steering Committee’s Terms of Reference were unanimously approved and signed by Cllr Atkinson.
25/112 – CLERK’S REPORT
Remembrance Day De-Brief – Feedback from the Churches indicated that Orders of Service should be available at the War Memorial next year for those who do not join the parade. The holding of the names of the fallen by the children did not work effectively this year, and the PA system—requiring equipment and electricity—was reliant entirely on goodwill. The Parish Council should consider alternative solutions for future events.
A small number of residents commented that, while the service followed the RBL format, it did not necessarily require a religious message; a personal story could instead be included. Parish Council feedback suggested placing the names of the fallen onto lamppost poppies and ensuring clearer explanation of the supported charities (RBL & BLESMA), although these details had been included on the poster. It was noted that the timings were perfect this year and that Councillors thought the service was excellent. The collection raised £154.41, which has been divided equally between RBL and BLESMA.
High Street Flats Bin Storage – The Clerk confirmed that the High Street flats do not have planning permission for bin storage. The bins had been delivered in error and have now been removed. Residents will instead be issued tags for their refuse bags, which will be left out on the pavement for collection.
The budget meeting will take place on Thursday 11 December at 7pm at Oasis. Apologies have been received from Cllrs Carter, Hodson, Mitchell, and Threadgold.
Nine Councillors now have .gov email addresses. The Clerk will arrange setup for Cllr Seager, which will complete the allocation of the current ten addresses. The remaining four Councillors will be set up once an additional block of ten addresses has been purchased.
The Clerk confirmed that website training had commenced.
Clerk holiday dates: Friday 28 November and Friday 12 December.
25/113 – FINANCES
Receipts circulated. It was RESOLVED to approve receipts for October 2025. Unanimously agreed, motion carried.
DATE RECEIVED FROM DESCRIPTION NET AMOUNT VAT ELEMENT TOTAL AMOUNT
09/10/2025 Lloyds Bank *823 Interest £36.93 £0.00 £36.93
31/10/2025 Nationwide Interest *607 Interest £123.51 £0.00 £123.51
31/10/2025 Nationwide Interest *581 Interest £281.86 £0.00 £281.86
02/10/2025 B&Q Refund for online oos order £4.42 £0.00 £4.42
10/10/2025 NNC Finance S136 Grass Verge Grant £1,255.50 £0.00 £1,255.50
09/10/2025 HMRC VAT return £0.00 £1,769.53 £1,769.53
TOTAL: £1,702.22 £1,769.53 £3,471.75
Payments Circulated. It was RESOLVED to approve payments for October 2025. Unanimously agreed, motion carried.
PAYMENT PAYEE DESCRIPTION NETT OF VAT VAT ELEMENT TOTAL
DD204 Tesco Mobile Monthly mobile Phone Contract £15.99 £0.00 £15.99
DD205 HP Instant Ink Monthly subscription for printer ink £31.24 £6.25 £37.49
DD206 NPS Shoes Office Hire & Internet Oct 2025 £318.75 £63.75 £382.50
DD207 WhiteStar Ltd Monthly Website hosting fee £35.00 £0.00 £35.00
DD208 Yu Energy Street Lighting 01.09.25 – 30.09.25 £63.29 £3.16 £66.45
DD209 LV Pension (NMPTL) LV Pension S Grant WPC Contribution £73.42 £0.00 £73.42
DD210 Lloyds Bank Lloyds Community Account monthly charge ref 449342778 £4.25 £0.00 £4.25
DD211 Starboards Systems Ltd Monthly subscription for Scribe accounts package £51.00 £10.20 £61.20
DD212 Hayeswood Landscapes September Grass Cutting £2,006.10 £401.22 £2,407.32
DD213 ICO Annual data protection/GDPR fee £47.00 £0.00 £47.00
DD214 Tomato Energy Tennis Court/Bollard Electricity 01.09.25 – 30.09.25 £2.71 £0.14 £2.85
BACS1075 Mrs Suzanne Grant October 2025 salary £1,449.50 £0.00 £1,449.50
BACS1076 HMRC Employer NI employee NI Tax payment £334.27 £0.00 £334.27
BACS1077 E-on Street Lighting Maintenance 1/4 ending Sept 25 £77.50 £15.50 £93.00
BACS1078 Wilby Tree Surgeons Health and Safety Tree Audit £1,325.00 £265.00 £1,590.00
BACS1085 Wicksteed Leisure Ltd Spring replacement & labour for Hen Rocker (pyghtles) £631.13 £126.23 £757.36
BACS1086 B&Q Jublilee Clips for VAS Units £17.68 £0.00 £17.68
BACS1087 EM Pell & Partners Ltd 2 x VAS Posts £583.00 £116.60 £699.60
BACS1088 Amazon Cable Ties £7.99 £0.00 £7.99
BACS1089 Amazon Cable Ties £10.99 £0.00 £10.99
Comm Grants
S137
BACS1079 Wollaston Library Annual S137 Grant towards portable tables £740.00 0.00 £740.00
BACS1080 Wollaston Brownies/Rainbows Annual Parish Council Grant towards GG £250.00 0.00 £250.00
BACS1081 St Mary’s Church Annual S137 Grant towards LED Lighting £500.00 0.00 £500.00
BACS1082 Wollaston Methodist Church Annual Grant towards Eldery lunches £335.00 0.00 £335.00
BACS1083 Village Hall Annual Parish Council Grant £5,000.00 0.00 £5,000.00
BACS1084 First Response Annual Parish Council Grant £335.00 0.00 £335.00
GRAND TOTAL: £14,245.81 £1,008.05 £15,253.86
Bank Reconciliation as of 31.10.25 was circulated. It was RESOLVED to approve the October Bank Reconciliation. Unanimously agreed, motion carried.
WOLLASTON PARISH COUNCIL
Bank Reconciliation as at 31/10/2025
Lloyds Current account – daily banking *832
balance as at 31/10/2025 £7,812.67
Lloyds Instant access – General Reserves *823
balance as at 31/10/2025 £61,717.09
Nationwide Business 95 day Saver *607 £43,534.88
Nationwide Business 95 day Saver *581 £99,344.97
Nationwide Building Society – S106 Monies *513 £71,437.42
Earmarked Reserves, Pyghtles, Neale Close
In Accounts 31/10/2025 £283,847.03
From 2024/2025 £224,179.04
Figures incl VAT Receipts £226,471.04
Payments £166,803.05
£283,847.03
£0.00
25/114 – REPORTS
25/115 – 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/25/00096/FUL – Wollaston School, 100 Irchester Road – Formation of car park with associated drainage and biodiversity net gain planting. WPC – Letter sent for clarification response received 07.04.25. Application permitted 31.10.2025
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.
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. WPC – strong objection letter sent 12/08/2025. Awaiting decision 22.10.2025. Clerk chased 06/11/2025, no updates available.
NW/25/00357/FUL – 6-8 Rotten Row, Wollaston – Single storey link between main dwelling and outbuilding with new windows, doors and skylight. WPC – no objection. Application refused 7.11.2025.
Cllr Atkinson confirmed that he will be attending a meeting at Wollaston Senior School in January 2026 to discuss his planning concerns with the new sports pavilion and extended car parking on behalf of the Playing Fields and Parks Management Committee.
25/116 – NEXT MEETING
Date of Draft Budget Meeting – Thursday 11th December 7pm, Oasis Building.
The next meeting of Wollaston Parish Council to take place on Thursday December 18th, 2025, 7pm, Oasis Building, High Street, Wollaston.
The Chair thanked Councillors for their attendance. The meeting was closed at 8.45pm.
Chair……………………………………………….. Date: ……………………………… ACTION