November 2024 Minutes (EOM)
Minutes of the Extra Ordinary Meeting of Corringham Parish Council, held on Tuesday 12th November 2024 at 7.30 pm at Corringham Village Hall
Present: Parish Councillors: D Semley (Chairman), S Blades (Vice Chairman), J Tipping, M Johnson, M Parr
7.15pm – Public Forum: 6 members of the public attended
Although no public time had been on the agenda the Chairman allowed members of the public to speak prior to opening the meeting.
It was asked of the timing of the removal of the Noticeboard at Aisby had any significance to concerns raised at the last two previous meetings. Cllr. Semley explained that there was no hidden agenda to the removal of the noticeboard at Aisby. It had in fact been agreed and minuted at a meeting some months prior, however it had taken time for it to be actioned. This was in response to complaints about residents being unable to get close enough to read the notices due to the growth of nettles, the difficulties in adding notices because of the said nettles, and the ingress of water into the board which had weakened the back plate. Once repairs have been made an alternative and more suitable site is to be found.
A resident expressed their displeasure at £3,000 of election fees having been levied against the precept for the Parish, the lack of notices on the cemetery noticeboard, and the purchase of pond safety equipment that has not yet been installed.
Concerns were also raised as to the level of reserves the Council were holding, and the resident urged the Council to use monies from this reserve to offset the precept for 2025/26.
The Council was urged to be fully transparent when conducting it’s business.
Item
107. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME - Cllr. Semley welcomed the members of the public, thanked councillors for attending and informed all that Standing Orders were in place.
108. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - None
109. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATION REQUESTS – Cllr Parr declared an interest in Allotments.
110. MINUTES – No minutes to approve. Minutes from the meeting on 5th November (together with amended minutes from the October meeting) to be considered at the December meeting.
111. BUSINESS MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION:
i. Newsletter – Amended copy circulated and approved.
ii. Aisby Road signs – It was RESOLVED to approach Highways with a view to installing additional road signs on quieter road in the Parish informing drivers of potential risk from animals, walkers etc.
112. FINANCIAL
i. Outstanding amended RFO report for August was presented. It was RESOLVED to approve as a true and accurate record.
RFO Report 31/08/2024
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ITEM |
DESCRIPTION |
COMMENT |
ACTION |
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1. |
Monies in bank as of 31st August 2024 |
Current Account = £1,491.22 BMM (Reserve) Account = £33,354.86 Total = £34, 846.08 Bank reconciled to 31st August 2024 |
Incorrect current account total entered in original report – Interment fee was missing. Now amended and correct. |
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2. |
Bank activity |
Bank charges August 2024 = £8.00 Interest on reserve account August 2024 = £54.85 |
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3. |
Paid invoices & expenses |
Clerks salary - £162.00 |
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4. |
Outstanding invoices & expenses |
None |
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7. |
Income received |
Interment fee – Cliff Bradley funeral services - £220.00 |
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8. |
Income outstanding |
None |
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9. |
VAT |
To date - £167.67 |
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ii. Grant funding for Church Clock – As a Parish Council we are unable to give directly to any religious institution unless it is for the benefit of the Community as a whole. It was agreed that we would finance the maintenance of the church clock however we require an invoice directly from the supplier. It was RESOLVED to contact the church to ask for the invoice from the supplier.
iii. Minutes of the Finance Committee meeting of 10th September 2024 – Amendments required as it states that the Finance Committee resolved to agree the budget. This was inaccurate as the committee resolved to make budget recommendations to the full Council in line with Financial Regulation. Minutes to be amended and represented at the December meeting.
iv. Budget & Precept Recommendations from the Finance Committee – The chairman outlined the thinking behind the recommended 16.7% increase in the precept requirement. She explained that the initial budget had given an increase of 25% on the anticipated precept requirement. The Finance Committee felt this was an unacceptable increase and discussion followed on what services could be given up and where savings could be made. The final budget ended up with a 16.7% increase on the precept for 2025/26 financial year.
The Parish Council would like to make it clear that this increase is only on the precept, which is the money given to Corringham Parish, and not on the Council Tax as a whole. In very simplistic terms (not taking into account any Council Tax bandings) this equates to an increase of approximately £10 per household over the 2025/26 financial year.
It was RESOLVED to accept the budget recommendations of the Finance Committee.
v. It was RESOLVED to approve a precept request of £17,500 for the 2025/26 financial year.
113. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
As per minutes of last meeting the date of the next Ordinary meeting will be: Tuesday 3rd December 2024 at 7.15 pm
Meeting closed 20.03pm