2025 Minutes

Corringham Parish Council

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council November 4th 2025, 7.15 pm Corringham Village Hall

Present:

Parish Councillors: D Semley, S Blades, J Tipping, M Parr, M Johnson, R Craven, K Bacon

Clerk: D Groves

In Attendance: County Councillor C Reeve

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

Cllr Semley invited Cllr Reeve to speak during this time on any ongoing matters.  He advised on 2 main areas.  Following a recent meeting Lincolnshire County Council will seek a judicial review regarding solar farms, however this is likely to be costly.  

He is also in discussion with Lincolnshire Highways Department regarding road closures. Signage is vague and needs to be more specific in regard to exact area that is closed.  

Cllr Semley asked if Cllr Reeve could chase 2 outstanding Fix My Street reports regarding the overgrown footpath on High Street and a damaged/blocked culvert on Middle Street. 

Item:

83. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME - Cllr Semley welcomed all to the meeting and thanked Cllr Reeve for his attendance.

84. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - Cllr Bibb.

It was RESOLVED to accept Cllr Bibb apology for absence.

85. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATION REQUESTS – None in relation to agenda items

86. MINUTES & MATTERS ARISING -

i. It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes from the Ordinary Meeting held on October 14th 2025 as a true and accurate record.

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

i. Village Hall Update

A member of the Village Hall committee attended and updated the meeting on the running of the facility.  

No significant change to the routine activities, but we look forward to the implementation of : Baby / Toddlers club starting on 12 Nov 25.

Pilates classes commencing weekly from 20 Nov 25.

Wreath making class on 25 Nov 25. 

We have had an unexpected schedule of works come up relating to the Emergency Fire System which we are taking steps to rectify ASAP . 

In summary the current system is and never has been fit for purpose. 

Planned activities are on track: 

Craft Fayre (23 Nov). 

Seniors Lunch (10 Dec). 

Christmas Quiz (19 Dec). 

We would like to thank the PC for the offer of a Christmas Tree but we have sourced one which will be located in the VH Car park - Kindly donated by Thonock & Somerby Estate to the Parish. We feel that the VH Car park is a central location for all and offers a suitable solution going forward so everyone can enjoy it. 

We look forward to engaging with the PC in regards to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and how we can both facilitate future activities. 

As always thank you for the continued support. Nothing further to report. 

Scotty Wilkinson Chair

ii. Clerk Updates

a. Ink Plan – The Clerk advised a monthly ink plan would cost £6.49 per month for 100 pages.  This included a 3 month trial period, so there would be no costs until February 2026.  It was RESOLVED to accept this plan.

b. Edmund Close Hedge – An email had been received from Lincs Rural advising they had requested their approved contractor to cut the hedge.  

c. October Salary – Additional hours 2.5 (training).  Cllr Semley has set up a direct debit to pay basic salary on 4th of every month and any additional hours worked to be agreed at the meeting and paid retrospectively.  It was RESOLVED to pay the Clerk’s salary as contracted and to pay overtime retrospectively.

It was RESOLVED that any expenses incurred be presented at the following meeting for payment.

iii. Chairman Updates

a. Precept - Cllr Semley had received correspondence advising of an increase to election costs from £3,000 to £4,000, however there would be sufficient funds in the reserve account to cover this should a full election be required. It was RESOLVED that no changes would be made to the Precept request. Cllr Semley to complete and return Estimated Precept Form. 

b. Recreation Ground/Pond area – Cllr Semley advised no further discussions had been had with LCC.  It was RESOLVED Cllrs Semley and Bibb would continue to pursue this.  

iv. Aisby Defibrillator – Cllr Semley was still awaiting location details.  It was RESOLVED that Cllr Craven would forward the relevant details of the site to Cllr Semley who would complete the application form.

v. Domain and Email Purchase – Cllr Johnson advised the cheapest option was through IONOS. A package for 10 email addresses would cost £12 a month for 3 months, then £30 a month thereafter. This was ex VAT, which would be reclaimed.  It was RESOLVED that Cllrs Semley and Johnson would arrange to purchase and set up new email addresses for all Councillors and Clerk.  

Once emails have been set up Cllr. Semley to get the Clerk registered with LALC and to change over relevant contact details.

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

i. It was RESOLVED to accept the RFO report as presented.

ii. Payments were approved as follows:

Clerk – Expenses £11.25 - Stationary

89. PLANNING MATTERS – None of significance received.

90. CORRESPONDENCE – 

Rates Review – Cllr Semley had received correspondence advising small business rates review was required for the cemetery.  It was RESOLVED that Cllr Semley would complete and return the form.

Remembrance Service 11 November 2025 – Cllr Semley had received correspondence that the Parish Council was very welcome to participate and lay a wreath on behalf of the Parish.  It was RESOLVED that all councillors who were able to attend would do so.  

School Hall – The school has confirmed the use of their hall for next month’s meeting, which would include a tour of the facility.    

Website – Cllr Semley to liaise with the Webmaster to update and tidy up the website.

HMRC Account – Cllr Semley has reopened the account to pay Clerk salary.

HSBC Bank – HSBC has requested a safeguard review on the bank account.  Cllr Semley liaising with HSBC to organise. 

91. ONGOING MINOR ITEMS AND AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING –

Aisby Village Signs – Cllr Craven asked about acquiring official “Quiet Lane” signs for single track lanes.  Cllr Reeve advised it would be difficult to get officially due to cost but Parish Council could purchase their own and register them with Lincolnshire Highways.  It was RESOLVED Cllr Reeve would look into this matter and advise further.

Village Hall Governance Policy – Cllr Johnson advised the Village Hall committee were in the process of updating their governance policy.  The document would retain the clause which stated “Should the Village Hall Committee no longer exist then management would pass to Parish Council”. It was RESOLVED that the PC accepted this clause.

Policy Reviews – Cllr Semley has tasked the Clerk to start reviewing policy documents from January 2026.  This would be done in small batches in order not to unduly increase anyone’s workload. 

Local Government Review – Cllr Reeve advised the review was still ongoing but any impact on Parish Councils was likely to be minimal.  

92. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – It was RESOLVED that the date for the next meeting of the Parish Council, which will be Tuesday 2nd December 2025 at 7.00 pm at Corringham School.

Meeting closed 8.45pm