UPTON PARISH COUNCIL

14^th November 2025

To: All Members of the Council

 

You are hereby summoned to attend a meeting of the Parish Council to be held in the small meeting room at Upton Village Hall on Wednesday 19th November 2025 at 19.00.

 

Members of the public and press are welcome to attend. Please inform the Clerk at least 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting as numbers may be restricted.

 

Signed

 

Benjamin Shaw

Clerk to Upton Parish Council (parish.clerk@uptonparishcouncil.gov.uk)

 

AGENDA

 

1. To receive apologies for absence

 

2. To record any declarations of interests relating to this meeting

 

3. Open Forum

To receive representations from members of the public if present.
(Maximum 15 minutes, 3 minutes per person)

 

4. To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on 29^th October 2025

Note: – Any changes to the minutes need to be agreed by a vote.

 

5. Planning

None to report at the time of the Agendas publication

 

6. To hear reports from the District Council Representatives

 

7. To hear reports from the County Council Representatives

 

8. To hear a proposal from Cllr Peter Head

 

RESOLUTION: DLUHC Borrowing Application and Business Case Approval

Upton Parish Council RESOLVES that:

1. a)Upton Parish Council approves the Land Acquisition Business Case dated 05/11/2025 as the basis for the DLUHC borrowing application.
2. b)The Council approves submission of the DLUHC borrowing application (Form Parish and Town Borrowing Application Form 2022-23) seeking Secretary of State approval for borrowing of up to £103,202 to facilitate the Chapel Furlong land acquisition.
3. c)The borrowing approval encompasses both:

The interest-free private loan of up to £90,000 (approved by Council resolution October 2025, subject to RFO due diligence)

Commercial borrowing from PWLB or alternative sources of up to £13,202 if required (only to be drawn if necessary)

1. d)The Clerk/RFO is authorised and instructed to:

Submit the completed DLUHC borrowing application within 5 working days of this resolution

Provide all supporting documentation required by DLUHC

Respond to any queries from DLUHC during the approval process

Report back to Full Council upon receipt of DLUHC decision

35. e) The RFO shall notify DLUHC of the actual loan amount drawn down following completion, in accordance with DLUHC guidance paragraph 35.

 

9. To review village matters:

 

9.1 Recreation Ground / Grounds Maintenance Contract – Update

To receive an update from the Clerk on:

 

• Quotation from TFM has now been received;

 

Our cost to you (exc VAT)

Grass cutting and strimming of the village recreation ground 20 times per annum, fortnightly March to November. £125.00 per cut

Grass cutting and strimming of the village pathways x6 and the overflow area of the churchyard. To be carried out monthly March to November (9 cuts) – £145.00 per cut

Total charge per annum – £3,805.00

Charge per month – £317.08

Bins per annum – £624.00

 

Total Inc VAT – £5314.80

 

• Quotation Scofel

 

Total £6,192.00

 

• A comparison of both quotes and any recommended next steps;
• Any changes required to the footpath/grounds maps used for tender evaluation.

9.2 Volunteer / Working Group Approach – Update

To receive an update on:

• Any public engagement or expressions of interest from residents regarding future volunteer working groups;
• Initial planning for potential 2026 reintroduction of a village working party.

9.3 Tree Works / At-Risk Trees – Update

To receive the report and quotation from tree contractor Michael Wilson, including:

• Findings from the updated site inspection;
• Identification of high-risk trees;
• A costed schedule of recommended remedial works for Council consideration.

 

9.4 Football Pitch Hire – Update

To receive an update from the Clerk on:

• Confirmation of the £40 refund issued to the resident;

9.5 Play Area – Maintenance, Safety and Future Planning – Update

To receive an update from Cllr. FY on:

• Current safety status of the play area;
• Any items monitored, removed or isolated since the previous meeting;

9.6 Play Area – 10-Year Costing and Grant Plan – Update

To receive:

• A draft outline (if available) of the 10-year indicative costing plan for replacement and renewal of play equipment;
• An update on potential grant opportunities linked to future land consultation.

9.7 Weekly Play Area Inspections – Rota Update

To receive an update on:

• Implementation of the new inspection rota;
• Return of completed inspection sheets;
• Any missed inspections and actions taken.

9.8 Storage Container, Marquees and On-Site Storage – Update

To receive an update from Cllr. FY on:

• Options and quotations for side-opening storage boxes;
• Progress organising and inventorying the marquees.

9.9 IT & Website – Update

To receive an update on:

• The outcome of the email/hosting handover meeting between Cllrs. FY and PH;
• Progress resolving access for Cllr. Talbot;
• Any planned work relating to website improvements.

9.10 Contributions to Upton News – Update

To receive an update on:

• Submission of agreed items for the latest Upton News edition;
• Publication status and resident feedback (if any).

9.11 Machinery Servicing and Security – Update

To receive an update from the Clerk on:

• Collection and servicing of mower, strimmer and related equipment;
• Any issues arising from the newly updated shed/security codes.

 

 

9.12 Car Park Markings / “Keep Clear” – Update

To receive an update on:

• Condition of the faded “KEEP CLEAR” marking;
• Any volunteer availability to undertake repainting.

9.13 Hard Standing – Update

To receive an update on:

• Whether any preliminary discussions have occurred with the Village Hall regarding future hard-standing options;
• Any changes in the financial position that may affect project viability.

9.14 Village Survey – Update

To receive an update on:

• Preparatory work aligning the future village survey with the NDP exploratory stage;
• Progress made by Cllr. PH on early NDP scoping conversations.

9.15 Village Fête / Communications – Update

To receive an update on:

• Attendance and outcomes of the fête planning meeting scheduled for 14 November 2025;
• Any next steps for event organisation.

 

10. Finance & Administration

Community Account to 30/10/25 £ 66,423.98

Commercial Instant Access Accountto 30/10/25  £29,536.55
Total funds available as at 30/08/24  £95960.53

• To agree the authorisers for next month’s payments.
• To approve payments to be made noted below within budgeted amounts.

 

Date	Transaction Description	Debit Amount
23/10/2025	TFM	859.8
28/10/2025	MICROSOFT	10.3
15/10/2025	TESCO MOBILE 330194429472A-0007	7.98
27/10/2025	MICROSOFT	4.9
20/10/2025	Bank Charges	4.25
	Total	887.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date	Transaction Description	Credit Amount
23/10/2025	Land	2000
22/10/2025	Land	700
21/10/2025	Land	5000
21/10/2025	Land	300
02/10/2025	Land	1000
02/10/2025	Land	1000
02/10/2025	UPTON PAROCHIAL CH FETE PROCEEDS	1200
01/10/2025	Land	250
	Total	11450

 

 

 

 

• To sign off bank reconciliation to end of November 202

 

11. To receive and consider the Treasurer’s recommendations that:
12. a) The 2026/27 precept be increased from £27,418 (2025/26) to £37,460 (2026/27), comprising:

An inflationary increase in line with Annual CPI (3.8% in the 12 months to September 2025) to meet ongoing obligations;

An additional £9,000 to fund loan servicing for the property acquisition;

A total impact of £43.71 on a Band D property (£4.56 for inflation; £39.15 for loan servicing).

 

1. b) The Council note that, based on the current budget, approximately £4,900 is expected to be transferred to reserves at the end of the 2025/26 financial year.
2. c) The Council consider how best to strengthen fundraising efforts from 2026 onwards to ensure that receipts remain aligned with expected payments.

 

12. To confirm the date and venue of the next full council meeting

Next full council meeting will be Wednesday 22^nd January 2025 at 19.00 in the meeting room, Upton Village Hall.