2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

August 2nd 2022 - Minutes of Meeting

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of Corringham Parish Council, held on Tuesday 2nd august 2022 at 7.30 pm at Corringham Village Hall

Present: Parish Councillors: D. Semley (Chair), S Blades, N Smith, M. Parr

Member(s) of the Public: 
 
1.   CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS Meeting was opened by Chair Cllr. Semley who welcomed all to the meeting and thanked everyone for attending an August meeting with a view to making a good start on next year’s projects and events.

2.   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllr J Stanser (Vice-Chair) work commitments, District Cllr. Howitt-Cowan, PCSO Julie McFaul, Cllr. Perraton-Williams

3.   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011 AND TO RECEIVE ANY APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION IN RELATION TO DSICLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST - None

4.   PUBLIC QUESTION TIME – No members of the public in attendance.

i.   MINUTES - To consider and resolve to:

RESOLVED that Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held Tuesday 5th July 2022, approved and signed as a correct record.

5.   REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS – 

a.   Cllr C. Perraton-Williams: None received.

b.   Cllr. Howitt-Cowan: Report for July 2022 circulated prior to the meeting. No questions arising.

c.   Julie McFaul, PCSO: None received.

6.   BUSINESS MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION - 

a.   Ecology Project Proposal. 

i.   Bigger projects from the Ecology Report by GCG Ecology for the cemetery discussed.

Tree removal – Heathers approached to undertake the work but can’t be undertaken due to liability insurance.

RESOLVED to get 3x quotes from local tree specialists for removal of Cherry Laurels, surface ivy, cotoneaster and pruning of trees under powerlines. [ACTION: Cllr Smith]

ii.   Discussed putting a team together for clearance and groundwork potentially for October when growth has died back sufficiently for easier removal. [ACTION: Cllr Stanser]

iii.   RESOLVED Heathers Grass Cutters to be approached regarding other works. [ACTION: Cllr Semley]

iv.   RESOLVED to create soil bins for grave diggers excess soil and grass bins for grass cutters to put clippings. [ACTION: Cllr Semley]

v.   RESOLVED to get 3x quotes for recycled fencing to replace pond boundary hedge facing the pavement. [ACTION: Cllr Semley]

vi.   RESOLVED removal of pond boundary hedge facing the pavement and relocate further back from the pavement retaining native species. [ACTION: Cllr Parr]

vii.   Discussed reinstating a hedge on the boundary line between pond land and homeowner. Homeowner has been approached and is agreeable to proposal.

viii.   Bullrushes removal – nesting means this is on hold for the present.

ix.   Non-native species around pond need removing possible by team being put together by Cllr Stanser.

b.   Cemetery Noticeboard

[ACTION: Cllr Stanser]

c.   Internal risk assessment

RESOLVED to DEFER to next meeting.

d.   Grass and Hedge Cutting Timings

Contract with Heathers Grass Cutters discussed. Contract shows 16 cuts per year to take place. Discussed lowering to 12 times per year with remaining time being diverted to additional works. If cutting is not needed, can alternative jobs be completed? For example: cutting back pond hedge to give better access to the pavement, general weeding and tidying of areas etc.

Discussed not cutting village boundary too early / too much to avoid killing daffodil bulbs planted in situ.

Could we stipulate ½ of cemetery area to be left in line with conservation project and have 1 x monthly cuts. [ACTION: Cllr Semley]

e.   Signage

[ACTION: Cllr Stanser]

f.   Newsletter

Ongoing, contributions sought from Church and Village Hall for events and news undertaken and leading up to Christmas. [ACTION: Cllr Semley]

g.   Ashwin Charity

Cllr Semley is to meet with a solicitor 4/8/20022 regarding account as bank has declined Governance Document submitted requiring a Deed of Amendment and Charity Governance documents as it is a Trust Account. Cllr Semley is now receiving statements for the account. Ongoing. [ACTION: Cllr Semley] 

h.   Land Holdings

Cllr Semley also to seek advice on Pond Area as there is no agreement of access. Legal costs maybe incurred. [ACTION: Cllr Semley] 

7.   FINANCIAL REPORTS – To receive the financial report and approve payments. 

a.   Finance report

b.   Appointment of Finance Planning Committee

It was agreed Finance Planning Committee would be made up of Cllr. Semley, Cllr. Stanser and Cllr. Smith. Terms of Reference, to be written to ensure transparency and accountability, to include: acquiring 3 x quotes for any works needed, ability to advise on spend only, main council to agree final expenditure. [ACTION: Cllr Semley]

8.   COUNCILLOR TRAINING

No new training scheduled.

9.   PLANNING MATTERS – To consider applications and responses to planning matters.

None submitted.

10.   ONGOING MINOR ITEMS, CORRESPONDENCE AND AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING 

i.   Hedges on Church Lane public footpath: LCC to be contacted regarding cutting.

ii.   Hedge on Edmund Close

iii.  Access to field from East Lane becoming overgrown

iv. Solar Panels – Villagers to be encouraged to send own individual ideas/voice regarding    the proposed building of the Solar Panel Farm as it is not appropriate for the Parish    Council to be the ‘voice’ of the village as this is an initiative from Central Government.

11.   DATE OF NEXT MEETING – To resolve to note the date of the next General Meeting of the Parish Council Tuesday 6th September 2022 – 7.30pm – Venue: Corringham Village Hall

Meeting Closed: 8.30pm

ADOPTED