9th February 2026
Minutes of extraordinary meeting of Huttoft Parish Council held on Monday 9th February 2026 at Huttoft Village Hall commencing at 7:00pm
PRESENT: Cllrs. P Lapczuk (Chair), R Walker, R Ganney, C Meaker, N Sylvester and V Lee
IN ATTENDANCE: M Rudd (Clerk) and 10 members of the public
4943. WELCOME:
Cllr Lapczuk welcomed Councillors and members of the public to the meeting.
4944. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Cllr R Ward (Huttoft Parish Council).
4945. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS:
Cllrs C Meaker and R Ganney declared an interest in item 4 on the agenda.
4946. ELDC COUNCILLORS COMMUNITY GRANT: TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT USING GRANT FUNDING AND DISCUSS POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR THE LOCATION OF THE EQUIPMENT:
(Note to the minutes: Prior to commencement of the Parish Council meeting, members of the Huttoft Village Hall Association Management Committee met to discuss options to locate the audio-visual equipment in the Village Hall)
Cllr Lapczuk talked Councillors through the background and timelines to the Parish Council being awarded the ELDC Councillors Community Grant. In November 2025, a resident’s survey was carried out on the Huttoft Village Hall Facebook page “to seek ideas and suggestions for projects aimed at improving shared facilities”. The results indicated that 43% of residents would like potential future investment in audio-visual equipment for the Village Hall, that would be freely available for use by local community groups.
The Parish Council wrote to the ‘Trustees and Members of the Management Committee’ on 23 January setting out the proposal to purchase the equipment and to locate it in the village hall (sent via Village Hall Treasurer). Following a positive discussion between the Village Hall Treasurer, and Cllrs Lapczuk and Lee, the formal application for the grant funding was submitted by the Clerk.
Cllr Lapczuk explained to Councillors that the equipment would provide opportunities for the Village Hall to expand its ‘offering’ and raise additional funds, e.g. film nights etc., as well as being used by the Parish Council to better help residents understand the discussions at meetings. The equipment would also be available to community groups. The annual cost of the TV licence and insurance would be met by the Parish Council. Options were available to have the equipment on a stand to enable free movement around the hall or to be fixed to the wall.
A discussion took place on the proposals. Cllr Meaker expressed concern that the Parish Council had not properly communicated with the Village Hall Management Committee but this was disputed by the Clerk who provided clear evidence of the communications and timelines.
The Village Hall Management Committee asked various questions about the proposals. Cllr Ganney noted that it was difficult to understand the concerns being raised by the Management Committee as this was an opportunity to improve and modernise local community facilities.
At 7:26pm the Village Hall Management Committee asked if the Parish Council meeting could be suspended for a few minutes whilst they discussed the proposals in private. The Chair agreed.
The Parish Council meeting recommenced at 7:32pm.
The Village Hall Management Committee confirmed that they agreed with the proposals but would like to review the situation in 12 months’ time.
Parish Councillors voted 6 – 0 to purchase the audio-visual equipment using the grant funding and to locate the equipment at the Village Hall: fixed to the wall. A review of the arrangements would take place in 12 months’ time.
4947: TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS FOR THE ROLE OF PARISH COUNCIL ‘HANDYPERSON’ AND AGREE THE INTERVIEW PROCESS:
The advert for the role opened on 19 January and closed on 1 February. Three requests were made for the application pack and one person applied for the role.
The candidate would be invited to an informal interview with Cllrs Lapczuk and Lee. Subject to the successful outcome of the informal interview, Parish Councillors agreed that the role can be offered to the candidate, subject to formal ratification by all Parish Councillors at the next Parish Council meeting on 9 March.
4948. ANY OTHER MATTERS:
Cllr Meaker noted that the parts for the defibrillator located at the Village Hall were no longer available and a new defibrillator needs to be purchase by June 2026. Cllr Lapczuk asked that this be place on the agenda for the next meeting of the Parish Council on 9 March. The Clerk also sent Cllr Meaker a link to the British Heart Foundation website were applications for funding from village halls etc., can be made for a replacement defibrillator.
4949. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Monday 9th March 2026 – Parish Council Meeting at 7pm in the Village Hall.
4950. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8:05pm