February 2025 DRAFT Minutes
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Corringham Parish Council, held on February 4th 2025 at 7.15 pm at Corringham Village Hall
Present:
Parish Councillors: D Semley (Chairman), S Blades (Vice Chairman), J Tipping, M Johnson, M Parr, S Bibb, R Craven
7.15pm – Public Forum: No members of the public attended
Item
11. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME - Cllr. Semley welcomed all to the meeting, and informed all that Standing Orders were in place. Cllr. Semley said she was happy to see a nearly full council in place.
12. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - None
13. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATION REQUESTS – None in relation to items on the agenda
14. MINUTES & MATTERS ARISING
It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes from the meeting on January 14th 2025 as a true and accurate record.
15. BUSINESS MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION – To consider and review:
i. Clerk Updates
Road signs for Aisby & School – A discussion was had over the ‘Quiet Lane’ scheme and placement of ‘Quiet Lane’ signs. This is a Government initiative and requires consultation with the Community and agreement from Highways. Cllr. Semley to investigate further and Consultation within Community to be considered.
Cllr. Semley presented signs that would be suitable for placement near the school to try and address some of the parking issues. Cllr. Semley to speak with the school re possible actions on parking around the school.
Ashwin Charity – The Solicitor has requested copies of the meeting minutes showing resignations and appointment of trustees. Cllr. Semley to continue to pursue this issue.
Aibsy Noticeboard – Cllr. Semley has ascertained that that noticeboard could not be post mounted. Cllr. Craven to investigate the construction of a free standing board onto which the board could be mounted.
Defibrillator for Aisby – Cllr. Semley still chasing with WLDC.
ii. Pond works – Updates & Project plan.
Cllrs. Craven & Parr had undertaken a review of the works required on the pond area and presented the following recommendation to the Council:
The hedge to the front of the pond be retained but cut back hard along all sides and top.
All other hedges to receive the same treatment.
The working gate and pedestrian gate be either repaired or replaced.
The fence on the playing field side is beyond repair and needs replacing in full.
The edges of the pond to be dredged, the silt dragged to the sides to create banks and two sloping areas to facilitate access by wildlife. The spoil to be left in situ to enable wildlife to rehome.
All pond flora to remain in place and be reviewed next season.
Cut back and remove undergrowth along boundary with dwelling.
Cllr. Bibb reported that she has had some outline conversations with LCC with regard to land ownership and boundary liabilities. At present they are unsure as to which areas they are liable for and are needing to consult the original deeds. Cllr. Bibb to follow up on this.
Cllr. Semley to recover the Parish deeds for the pond area from the Solicitors.
Cllr. Johnson reported outline costs for replacement fencing and gates, in recycled plastic, would be in the region of £7,000, with cost for single gate being £246 plus VAT and cost of double gate being £508 plus VAT.
Cllr. Johnson to investigate cost of replacement of Lincolnshire fencing as current.
Collapsed section of front hedge needs addressing.
Replanting scheme to be discussed at later meeting.
Cllr. Semley to investigate any available grant funding. Firm quotation for pond works required.
Future decisions pending talks with LCC.
iii. Asset register Updates – Deferred to next meeting. Poppies need to added and fire equipment removed
iv. Training – Cllrs. Bibb, Craven, Johnson and Semley expressed an interest in attending several LALC training courses. Cllr. Semley to book.
v. Policy review – The first of this year’s policies, the Complaints Policy, was reviewed prior to the May meeting. It was RESOLVED to accept the policy as presented.
Cllr. Semley informed the Council that she would be sending policies for review through to Councillors on a regular basis prior to final sign off at the AGM in May. This is aimed at spreading the workload.
vi. Website review – Cllr. Semley informed the meeting that she felt the website was clumsy, cluttered and not easy to navigate (Something that had been picked up at audit), She asked Councillors to visit the website and make comments and suggestions as necessary. The website could then be updated. Feedback required for next meeting.
vii. CACG – The Council had been invited to send a representative to the next Corringham and Aisby Community Group (CACG) meeting on 7th February. Cllr. Craven to attend together with Cllr. Parr & Cllr. Johnson if their schedule allows. Attendance at the meeting is for information only.
16. FINANCIAL REPORTS – To receive the financial report and approve payments.
i. RFO report for January 2025 was presented. It was RESOLVED to approve as a true and accurate record.
RFO Report January 2025
|
ITEM |
DESCRIPTION |
COMMENT |
ACTION |
|
1. |
Monies in bank as of 28th January 2025 |
Current Account = £989.42 BMM (Reserve) Account = £28,594.26 Total = £29,583.68 Bank reconciled to 28th January 2025 |
|
|
2. |
Bank activity |
Bank charges January 2025 = £8.00 Interest on reserve account January 2025 = £45.58 |
|
|
3. |
Paid invoices & expenses |
Thonock Estates (Sir E C Bacon Investment) – Allotment rent - £206.00 |
|
|
4. |
Total income to date |
£15,807.38 |
|
|
5. |
Total outgoings to date |
£10,366.50 |
|
|
6. |
Payments awaiting approval |
|
|
|
7. |
VAT |
To date - £266.37 |
|
Reserves - The RFO presented a spreadsheet showing the level of reserves required by the council to undertake the day to day running of the Parish and to undertake the works required on the pond area. General Reserves required totalled £18, 670, with a requirement of £24,00 from Earmarked Reserves. Making a total of £42,670 required. This level will only be achieved after receipt of the precept in April of this year.
It was RESOLVED to accept the level of reserves required as presented and to publish on the website.
ii. No outstanding payment for approval.
17. PLANNING MATTERS – To consider applications and responses to planning matters – No applications received
18. CORRESPONDENCE – No significant or actionable correspondence received.
19. ONGOING MINOR ITEMS AND AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
None
20. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – It was RESOLVED that the date for the next ordinary of the Parish Council be on Tuesday 4th March 2025.
Meeting closed 20.55pm