December 2025 Minutes
Present:
Parish Councillors: D Semley, S Blades, J Tipping, M Parr, M Johnson, R Craven, K Bacon, S Bibb
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. At a recent meeting, Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) proposed that the council remained the same with 8 different districts. The main changes this would bring are West Lindsey office at Gainsborough would become LCC West Lindsey office/hub rather than a district council office. Parish councils (PC) are unlikely to be effected. Suggestions that PCs will be amalgamated into “super councils” are unfounded and there is no requirement for any PC to merge unless they choose to.
He also provided an update regarding Highways issues. A cross-party sub-committee of councillors has been formed to try and tackle the ongoing issues such as insufficient signage, lack of notification of works and standard of work. The aim is to make Highways and contractors more accountable for their actions. A discussion took place regarding a variety of specific issues which had affected the parish which Cllr Reeve would take away for information.
Item:
93. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME - Cllr Semley welcomed all to the last meeting of the year. She thanked the Headteacher of Corringham CE Primary School for allowing the use of their facilities and for providing an enjoyable and informative tour prior to the start.
94. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - None
95. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATION REQUESTS – None in relation to agenda items
96. MINUTES & MATTERS ARISING -
i. It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes from the Ordinary Meeting held on November 4th 2025 as a true and accurate record.
97. BUSINESS MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION – To consider and review:
i. Village Hall Update
The village Hall report had been received and was read out.
VH activities continue as normal with a healthy turnout at the first Pilates class - held on a Thurs and a highly successful, well attended Craft Fayre on 23 Nov 25.
Planned additional activities are on track:
Seniors Lunch (10 Dec).
Private Hire (14 Dec) - Letters will be sent to residents.
Christmas Quiz (22 Dec).
Private Hire (27 Dec) - Letters will be sent to residents.
The Bar has been replaced by ARK Construction and we hope to make a start on there decoration of the main hall and entrance lobby early in the New Year.
Solar Panels will be expected to gain traction in the new financial (26) year as current funding applications are now closed and we were unsuccessful in gaining solar grants due to high demand.
Fire Safety remedial action has been taking place at haste and as such we have rectified all shortfalls less for the installation of an updated fire detection system and replacement of doors. We have had contractors come and survey the VH and will be moving forward with works as soon as possible. We can confirm that we have insurance cover despite this and have adapted our risk assessments accordingly to reflect the outstanding works.
Nothing further to report.
Scotty Wilkinson Chair
ii. Clerk Updates
a. November Salary – No additional hours
b. Training – Finance courses have been booked to attend over the next 4 months at no cost. New Clerk Induction course booked for February 2026 with a cost of £13 to cover lunch/refreshments plus mileage to attend. It was RESOLVED to pay these expenses.
c. LALC/NALC – Now registered with both and receiving regular updates, training bulletins and newsletters. Any relevant information will be forwarded. Councillors advised that all requests for training are now to be done via Clerk.
d. Internal Audit Service – Cost is £170 for 1 year. If the 2 year option is taken the cost and named auditor would remain the same for both years. It was RESOLVED the Clerk would complete the form and request the 2 year option.
iii. Chairman Updates
a. Website – Cllr Semley was in the process of updating the website prior to handing it over to the Clerk.
b. Chairs Workshop – Cllrs Semley and Johnson are attending this course on 4th December 2025.
c. Overgrown Footpath High Street – Continuing to hasten due to health & safety issues but nothing further to report. Will continue to chase.
d. HSBC Bank – Pleased to report the safeguarding review has now been completed.
e. Bank Access Ashwin Charity – Cllr Semley advised that she has still been unable to access the Nat West account for the charity. After discussion with them the information they require has been submitted and agreed that the 2 signatories would initially be Cllrs Semley and Blades.
f. Domain and Email Purchase – Been set up and apart from the odd teething issue all working ok. Additional email addresses have been set up for Ashwin Charity and Burials with 4 spare accounts remaining. Cllr Johnson advised there had been an issue with the initial payment set up being rejected. It was RESOLVED Cllr Semley would set up the payment via direct debit.
iv. Civility & Respect Pledge – The Clerk advised this was a NALC initiative which involved councils signing up to the pledge and thereby demonstrating that they were committed to treating all with civility and respect in their role. Currently 1908 councils throughout England and Wales have signed the pledge. It would involve all councillors signing a statement to that effect, an appropriate training programme putting in place and a new policy document added. It was RESOLVED that Cllr Semley and Clerk would sign up to the pledge and action required documentation.
v. Grass Cutting Contract – Cllr Semley met with the contractor to discuss the areas and frequency of grass cutting in the village. Once a price has been agreed, Cllr Semley will put together the contract and present it to the council for approval.
vi. Aisby Defibrillator – Cllr Semley has submitted the application form and now waiting on a decision.
98. FINANCIAL REPORTS – To receive the financial report and approve payments.
RFO Report December 2025
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ITEM |
DESCRIPTION |
COMMENT |
ACTION |
|
1. |
Monies in bank as of 26th November 2025 |
Current Account = £4,576.44 BMM (Reserve) Account = £30,369.22 Total = £34,945.66 Bank reconciled to 26th November 2025 |
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|
2. |
Bank activity |
Interest on reserve account November 2025 = £38.21 Bank Charges November 2025 - £2 (Paid in cheque) |
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3. |
Paid invoices & expenses |
Clerk Salary = £233.60 Clerk Expenses – Stationary - £11.25 Burton & Dyson – Village Hall Land Registration Fee - £1,291.40 (VAT £110) |
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4. |
Income |
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|
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5. |
Income expected |
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|
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6. |
Payments awaiting approval |
Heather property services – Grass cutting (Sept &Oct) - £1,325 |
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7. |
Payments expected |
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|
8. |
Precept |
Precept request for 2026/27 submitted - £18,000 |
|
|
9. |
VAT |
Vat to date for 2025/26- £1,071 |
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Bank Reconciliation
Diane Semley 26/11/25
i. It was RESOLVED to accept the RFO report as presented.
ii. Payments were approved as follows:
Burton & Dyson – Village Hall Land Registration Fee - £1,291.40 (retrospective approval)
Heather Property Services – Grass cuttings (Sep & Oct) - £1,325.00
iii. Final Precept Request approved as £18,000. It was RESOLVED the Clerk would submit the request.
99. PLANNING MATTERS – None of significance received.
100. CORRESPONDENCE – Circulated prior to meeting. None for discussion.
101. ONGOING MINOR ITEMS AND AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING –
Village Memorial – Cllr Blades had been asked, after the recent Remembrance Service, if it was possible to have a memorial in the village that people could go to at anytime. There was a short discussion regarding possible suggestions and locations. It was RESOLVED the Clerk would investigate this further and advise at the next meeting.
Flooding in Aisby – Cllr Craven advised of the severity of flooding in Aisby during inclement weather. He had taken pictures to show the extent of water which, during this time of year, would then freeze making the roads very dangerous for both vehicles and pedestrians. The matter was continually being report on Fix My Street but no action has been taken. Cllr Reeve took the pictures and would look into the issue.
102. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – It was RESOLVED that the date for the next meeting of the Parish Council, which will be Tuesday 6th January 2026 at 7.15 pm.
Meeting closed 8.45pm