2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Corringham Parish Council & Burial Authority

Minutes of Ordinary Meeting January 2nd 2023

Minutes of an Ordinary meeting of Corringham Parish Council, held on Tuesday 2nd January 2024 at 7.15 pm at Corringham Village Hall

Present: Parish Councillors: D. Semley (Chair), S Blades, J Tipping, M Johnson

7.15pm – Public Forum: No members of the public were present

Item 

1.   CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS

Meeting was opening by Cllr. Semley wished all a happy new year. She outlined the council’s aims for the coming year and hoped the council could move forward with new ideas and a fresh outlook. 

The chair advised Standing Orders & Nolan Principles were in place. 

2.   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – None

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.   MINUTES - To consider and resolve to accept as a true and accurate record and discuss matters arising:

RESOLVED - That Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held Tuesday 2nd December 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record.

5.   BUSINESS MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION

a.   Formal adoption of Acting Clerk & RFO – In line with recommendations made by the internal auditor It was RESOLVED to formally appoint Cllr. Semley as Acting Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer, in an unpaid capacity, until a new Clerk could be appointed.

b.   Civility & Respect Pledge – It was RESOLVED to defer this matter to a future meeting pending further consideration.

c.   Ashwin Charity update – Cllr. Semley has spoken to a solicitor with a view to preparing documentation to update the governance of the charity so that it can be administered. It was RESOLVED to call a meeting of the trustees to agree a way forward.  

d.   Allotments – Thonock update & Rental Contracts. – Awaiting information on current contracts. 

e.   Audit 2023-24 – The internal audit for 2023-24 period has taken place. Overall the auditor was very satisfied with the procedures, practices and governance of the Council. Currently awaiting the written report. 

In the meanwhile it was RESOLVED to accept the following recommendations:

•   Minutes are sequentially numbered starting at "1" each year
•   Website is reviewed and updated and missing documents are added. This is already in hand.
•   Formal adoption of acting clerk and RFO (see item 5a)
•   Payments to be made are listed on the meeting agenda and a resolution minuted to confirm payments to be made. This will ensure that members and the electorate can readily view the payments.   

f.   Asset Register – The asset register was reviewed. It was RESOLVED that the fire equipment be offered to the village hall

g.   Risk Assessment – Deferred to May meeting.

h.   Councillor email addresses – New councillors were advised on the setting up of  council specific email addresses.

i.   Access to bank account – It was RESOLVED that the new councillors be added to the list of people with viewing access to the bank account.

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

a.   Signing of precept request – At this point Cllr. Semley passed the chair to Cllr. Blades (Vice Chairman) so that the precept request could be signed by both chair of the meeting and Clerk. It was RESOLVED to sign precept request for £15,000 for the 2024/25 financial year.

b.   RFO Report– It was RESOLVED to accept RFO report for December 2023 as presented. 

c.   Approve Payments –It was RESOLVED to approve payment of £26 to Village Hall for hire of meeting room .

7.   PLANNING MATTERS - None

8.   CORRESPONDENCE

a.   E-mails had been circulated prior to meeting for information only. 

9.   ONGOING MINOR ITEMS AND AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

a.   Hedges obstructing fire hydrant signs. 

b.   Grit bin in Aisby is not central enough.

c.   Newsletter required

d.   Pictures required for website – Photographic competition discussed. 

e.   Aisby Noticeboard would benefit from being in a more central position?

10.   DATE OF NEXT MEETING – To resolve to note the next Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council will be on Tuesday 6th February 2024 – 7.15pm – Venue: Corringham Village Hall

Meeting Closed: 20.45