2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Corringham Parish Council

Minutes of Ordinary Meeting March 5th 2024

Minutes of an Ordinary meeting of Corringham Parish Council, held on Tuesday 5th March 2024 at 7.15 pm at Corringham Village Hall

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

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

Item 

21.   CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME – Meeting was opening by Cllr. Semley who wished everyone a good evening and thanked all for attending. 

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

22.   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - None

23.   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATION REQUESTS – None in relation to the agenda.

24.   MINUTES - To consider and resolve to approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held Tuesday 6th February 2024 and address matters arising.

RESOLVED - That Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held Tuesday 6th February 2024 were approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters arising

a.   Defibrillator now installed and invoice received

b.   Letter sent to Thonock re allotments – no reply or amended invoice received to date.

25.   BUSINESS MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION – To consider and review:

a.   William Ashwin Charity Update – Cllr. Semley updated the council on the meeting of the Trustees where it was agreed to move forward with legal proceedings to resolve the issues with the administration of the charity’s bank account. 

b.   Tree works – Three quotes had been received;

Urban Arborists - £1,140 including VAT
Lincolnshire Tree Services Ltd - £900 including VAT 
Hilltop Tree services - £900 including VAT

It was RESOLVED to accept the quote from Hilltop Tree Services due to their competitive pricing and site visit.

c.   Pond works – Cllr. Semley reported back to the Council that she had met with John Hewitt to discuss what actions needed to be taken to undertake renovation of the pond. Mr Hewitt was very informative and offered much needed and valuable advice. As the water level in the pond is currently quite high he advised that the works be undertaken later in then year once the water level had dropped. 

Mr Hewitt was concerned as to where we would dispose of the silt removed. Cllr Parr agreed to talk with Mr Hewitt and come to an arrangement for disposal of any arisings. 

The project needs careful planning and timings are key. 

It was RESOLVED to ask Mr Hewitt to give an estimate of costs so that the Council can consider the budget and seek alternative funding if required.

d.   Grass cutting – Cllr Semley informed the Council that she had requested Heathers to begin the grass cutting contract ASAP as the grass was already in need of a cut. The budget was reviewed and it was noted that there was sufficient funds to cover an extension to the cutting season.

e.   Newsletter – It was RESOLVED that Cllr. Semley begin putting together a newsletter. The option to include paid advertising was presented. This to be given more thought by councillors.

f.   Recruitment of new councillors – It was RESOLVED that Cllr. Johnson put a post on the Facebook page with reference to new councillors. 

It was RESOLVED to amend the website article on new Councillors to make it more reader friendly.

It was RESOLVED to include a piece on becoming a councillor in the newsletter and on the noticeboards.

g.   Clerk: Salary & recruitment campaign - It was RESOLVED to advertise for a Clerk for the Parish Council on the LALC and NALC website, in the newsletter, on the noticeboards and to add a post on the Facebook page.

It was RESOLVED that the position be part time for 16 hours per month, this included attendance at council meetings. It was RESOLVED any training required would be offered and paid for by the Council.

It was RESOLVED that the salary offered to a new Clerk be commensurate with the Local Government Services Pay Agreement (issued November 2023). Levels LC1 (7-12) and (13-17).

The final renumeration would be inline with experience and qualifications.

h.   Information request from Valuation Office – The Council has received a request from the Valuation Office Agency for information pertaining to the size, usage and predicted usage of Corringham Cemetery. Cllr. Semley to complete the form and return.

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

a.   RFO report – Bank statements and bank reconciliation were presented to the Council.

RFO Report 29/02/2024

It was RESOLVED to accept the RFO report and bank consolidation as being true and accurate.

b.   Payments were APPROVED for the following: 

Village Hall – Room hire February 2024 - £26.00
LALC – Internal Audit 2023-24 - £216 (including (£36 VAT)
WLDC –  Defibrillator - £400

27.   PLANNING MATTERS – None

28.   CORRESPONDENCE – Correspondence had been received re funding for trees. It was too late to apply for funding in this round of applications as there was insufficient time to source relevant trees, obtain prices, complete the application and get it agreed in Council. Cllr. Semley had written to the funding body expressing interest in any future round of funds. In the meanwhile it was RESOLVED that the Council work up proposals for future funding opportunities.

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

Aisby Village signs – The signs for Aisby village have been removed. The Council expressed their dismay at this as replacing them will be a cost to the Council Tax Payer. Cllr. Johnson to place a post on Facebook page re this issue. Cllr. Semley to add it to Fix-my-street.

Cllr Johnson to add a post to Facebook with a link to Fix-My- Street for others to add information about potholes, street lights etc.

Cllr. Johnson enquired as to the nature of the relationship between the Parish Council, Church and Village Hall. The Chair acknowledged it was not an agreeable relationship and that she would like things to change. Cllr. Johnson agreed to investigate further to see if there was an opportunity to resolve the issues.

30.   DATE OF NEXT MEETING – To resolve the note the date of the next Ordinary meeting as Tuesday 2nd April 2024

Meeting Closed: 20.49