Parish Council - Ongoing Issues

State of Play

Every time the Parish Council meets, it brings to the fore, any issues that need to be resolved within the Community. The purpose of a parish council is to represent the interests of its local community, improve quality of life, and provide services at the most local level of government. They are the first tier of local government and act as a voice for residents on issues like planning, community safety, and local amenities, such as parks, and community halls. 

Below, is a list of your Parish Council's existing items that are currently being addressed and will be updated as and when anything changes. Should you have anything that you would like to be brought up at our next meeting, please contact the Parish Clerk via email: wothpc@gmail.com
 

Title: Mini Orchard

Date raised: June 2025
Issue: Request for a mini orchard to be sited somewhere in the village for the purpose of residents' well-being
Action Taken: An application has been made to SKDC for a grant of £500 to be made available to allow this to proceed
Who is dealing with this?  SKDC
Complete?  Due to lack of resident response and a clearly defined location, this item has been removed from the list of outstanding works

Title: The Stocks

Date raised: April 2024
Issue: The Stocks look as though they are in a poor state of repair and could be dangerous to passers-by

Update - 14th September - Our local councillor, Penny Robins, was asked to make enquiries in regard to the re-use of the Collyweston slates as it appeared the new roof was making use of new tiles instead. Councillor Robins said today "Having spoken to the officer managing the works, the original slates have not been replaced. The contractor salvaged the originals, cleaned and dressed them and then refitted them to the stocks roof. Any damaged slates were re-dressed and used as smaller slates on a higher course on the roof covering".
Update - 7th September - SKDC confirmed that although works on the canopy are complete, there is still an outstanding issue with regard to the four new replacement legs as these may require further work carried out. For now, before the fencing can be removed, SKDC are waiting on information from English Heritage and the Environmental team. 
Update - 20th May 2026 - SKDC have confirmed that work will begin on repairing the Stocks and making them safe again will begin on Monday 8th June.
Action Taken: SKDC have determined they are responsible for the stocks and have engaged with Heritage England to consider a grant being made to allow works to be undertaken to secure the stocks and make safe. 
Update: 2nd March 2026 - SKDC have confirmed that finances are the only blocker to this item being carried forward but the Parish Council were assured this item is on SKDC's agenda and will be completed in due course. 
Who is dealing with this?  Heritage England/SKDC
Complete?  

Title: BT Phone box

Date raised: April 2025
Issue: The phone box is now no-longer used, with the phone being removed by BT. Villagers have requested the box be purchased from BT and turned into something more useful
Action Taken: Given the phone box is Grade II listed, it is not straightforward to allow the use of the phone box to be changed for another purpose. This is ongoing with discussions underway with SKDC, BT and others to determine the process for taking this forward. 
Who is dealing with this?  Frances Plummer /BT/Others
Complete?  Completed. The phone box is now under the ownership of the PCC and will be reconfigured in due course. 

Title: Picnic benches

Date raised: July 2025
Issue: Some of the picnic benches and tables on the green are in poor state of repair. Can we have these fixed/replaced ?
Update 7th September - Four benches remain on the village green, with one having been replaced during the summer. Three tables are the responsibility of the Parish Council and for now, are in relatively good condition and will be revisited in 2027 to see if further work is required in either their repair or replacement. 
Action Taken: Only some of the benches are the responsibility of SKDC. Those that are under their remit will be repaired/replaced in due course. Other benches, provided a few years ago by the Six Bells are the responsibility of the Parish Council to be maintained and it is currently with them to decide on how many are required. 
Update: 2nd March 2026 -  SKDC confirmed this item is still on their list to be completed and although we are not much further forward, it is still a live piece of work to be completed in due course. 
Who is dealing with this?  SKDC and Parish Council 
Complete?  Yes

Title: Laurel hedges on East Green

Date raised: June 2025
Issue: It was requested by a member of the community that the laurel hedge on East Green be looked at, with a view to adding more bushes rather than have the few that are left in situ. 
Action Taken: This was raised with Penny Robins, our District Councillor, who took this forward and was able to secure funding from SKDC to have the entire row of existing laurels replaced. A total of 100 saplings will be planted in December 2025, with existing bushes removed in order to maintain shape and form
Who is dealing with this?  SKDC
Complete?  Completed on 10th Dec 2025.

Title: Pathway to Manthorpe

Date raised: June 2025
Issue: The pathway leading down to the Crossroads for Manthorpe has become overgrown and in places, difficult to navigate safely. 
Update 7th September - Local Councillor Penny Robins confirmed this action was still with the council due to the funding required. This has resulted in a communication between the Parish Council and SKDC Highways Team requesting an update as the path in question is fast becoming unusable. 
Action Taken: SKDC has been approached formally via the District  Councillor Penny Robins, and in conjunction with "Fix my street" requests, this has been looked into and for now, an increase in the original budget is being looked at as the works needing to be undertaken are larger than originally anticipated. 
Who is dealing with this?  SKDC
Complete?  

Title: Broadband on East Green

Date raised: August 2025
Issue: CityFibre haven't provided access to residents of East Green
Update 7th September - Local Councillor Penny Robins confirmed this problem has now been awarded to another member of the SKDC team for investigation. The Councillor has asked that this person should contact Councillor Dave Haydon of the Parish Council in order to discuss the current situation.
Action Taken: Due to complications with Wayleave access being granted by SKDC, CityFibre were unable to create the necessary access during their initial visits to the village. This is still being looked into by our District Councillor Penny Robins. 
Update: 2nd March 2026 - Penny was reminded of this at the Parish Council meeting and she confirmed this is still an ongoing issue with others within the Council and is on the list of items to be resolved. For now, residents of East Green should wait for further information in due course. 
Who is dealing with this?  SKDC/Dave Haydon
Complete?