2026 Minutes

Present:

Parish Councillors: D Semley, R Craven, K Bacon, M Johnson, M Parr

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 provide updates in regards to any ongoing matters. He advised that there were 2 funding grants which could be applied for.  A smaller one for £250 and a larger one of up to £15,000, which may be of use in relation to proposed community projects that the council wish to undertake.  He was also looking into county council grass cutting policy due to several areas not being cut back/maintained sufficiently.

Cllr Craven advised that since the works had been completed, there had been no repeat of the flooding in Aisby, despite the recent heavy rain. Cllr Semley asked if Cllr Reeve could pass on the Council’s thanks to Highways for the work they did.

Item:

42. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME – Cllr Semley thanked everyone for attending the meeting and hoped they enjoyed their break. After the recent passing of retired Cllr Julia Tipping, she wished to express her commiserations to her family.  Cllr Tipping was a very astute lady and her opinions always very welcome.  A written message would be sent to the family.

43. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE –  Cllr Bibb and Cllr Blades

It was RESOLVED to accept Cllr Bibb and Cllr Blades apology for absence.

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

45. MINUTES - It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes from the Ordinary Meeting held on July 7th 2026 as a true and accurate record.

46. 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.

VH report to PC 1st September 2026 

As you will see our refurbishment works to upgrade the buildings to comply with fire safety regulations are now nearing completion. Unfortunately when we took over responsibility for the hall it was found to be seriously lacking in all aspects of fire safety. The main points being that the alarm was only a domestic household alarm and therefore not fit for purpose.Many of the internal doors were not fire doors, just standard doors, with no self closing mechanisms or fire seals. The same applies to the service hatch from the kitchen to the small hall.

The community has been very fortunate that there has been no instances of a fire outbreak over the last few years, as the insurance on the property would have rejected any claim due to the lack of proper management from the previous trustees.

• A new fire alarm system complete with testing panel and break glass points has now been fitted
• New fire doors fitted throughout the building where required.
• A full comprehensive fire risk assessment has been completed by a professional certified company.

To complete these works a scheme of decoration will be undertaken.

We continue to provide a valuable and welcoming space to the whole community with regular events including coffee mornings, craft club, bingo, quiz nights etc.External regular hires include Pilates and new age curling and outreach post office.Following the success of the 2 recent music evenings, music masters and Kelly Anne, we feel there is lots of demand from the community for such events, so we will look to put on more similar such nights.We have already started planning the Christmas craft Fayre, and the Senior Citizens Christmas lunch.

It has been brought to my attention that yet again the whereabouts of the wooden clock which was previously on the small hall wall has been brought into question. I would like it to be noted that at no point have the VH trustees been approached formally by anybody in relation to this clock.The PC have absolutely no jurisdiction over the VH, and therefore I am amazed that this seems to be the preferred method of enquiry.I have answered this question before, in this very forum, and it was minuted.I am perplexed as to why this clock is a matter of such interest?! The clock was not in working condition when we came into office as trustees, and we have prioritised the safety of users of the building, as detailed earlier regarding the fire safety works, rather than the upgrade of a clock!

For the last time, the clock is safely stored and is awaiting assessment for repair.I would like to point out that if the clock is of such interest to former VH trustees, then they should have ensured it was in working condition during their own tenure.

Thank you.

Regards, Jonathan

Chair

ii. Clerk Update

a. July Salary – No additional hours

August Salary - Additional 4 hours overtime due to training.  It was RESOLVED to pay overtime retrospectively 

b. Overgrown Hedges – Edmund Close – Advised contractor for Lincs Rural would be cutting them on 4th September 2026. 

Cllr Bacon advised there had been a marked increase in rats around that area which appeared to be originating from the empty building plot next to The Becketts.It was RESOLVED The Clerk would contact environmental health at WLDC and request they investigate.

c. Correspondence – All councillors were reminded of the Electronic and Communications Policy, part 3, which states that the point of contact for the parish council is the clerk and all correspondence should be directed to her.  For future reference, all councillors were requested to ensure they advise anyone wishing to write to the council to follow this procedure. 

iii. Recreation Ground/Land Holdings – Cllr Semley was still in the process or arranging a meeting, which had been delayed due to illness of one of the participants.  A discussion took place around other possible locations in the village, where a play park could be sited, with the grass area, owned by ACIS, on Mill Mere Road being suggested.  It was RESOLVED the Clerk would contact ACIS regarding any future plans for this area and possible use by the Parish Council. 

iv. Cemetery – The area was looking very messy and in need of a radical overhaul.  Suggestions included a new memorial, seating and fencing, in addition to tidying up overgrown and unkept grave areas.  Cllr Semley had spoken to local undertakers and grave diggers, who will assist with this in conjunction with family members. However, she stressed such a large project would need community involvement, particularly from those who have a vested interest in the area. A resolution regarding this proposed project was made at para 46vi (Emergency Planning).

v. Play Park – Cllr Semley advised that the council would like to see a play park in the village but it did need community involvement and help via a working group.  The Clerk advised that social media posts requesting volunteers had generated positive comments, with 4 people expressing an interest to help.  A resolution regarding this proposed project was made at para 46vi (Emergency Planning).

vi. Emergency Planning -  Cllr Johnson advised a meeting had taken place and a draft plan had been produced.  The next stage was to engage with the wider community and local businesses/amenities/groups to ascertain what help they could provide. After discussion on how best to achieve this, a suggestion was made to host a community consultation event.  It was RESOLVED to hold a community consultation event regarding future proposals for the emergency plan, cemetery and play park.  It was RESOLVED the clerk would book the Village Hall for the event.  It was RESOLVED Cllr Johnson would advertise the event.

vii. Finance Meeting – The finance meeting will take place on Tuesday 15th September 2026 at 7.15pm to discuss the 2027/28 budget and precept.

viii. Memorial Bench -   Cllr Semley had been in touch with retired Cllr Tipping’s family in respect of a memorial bench in her honour.  The family expressed their wish for this to be placed in an area at the Village Hall.  The Clerk will look into types and costings and advise at the next meeting.  

ix. Remembrance Poppy Wreath – It was agreed that a wreath should be purchased.  It was RESOLVED the Clerk would purchase a suitable wreath through Royal British Legion.

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

RFO Report August 2026

RFO Report September 2026

Diane Groves 01/08/2026

Diane Groves 01/09/2026

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

ii. The following payment was approved as follows:

Blockfree Services – Toilets for Village Fete - £264.00

ViC Group Ltd – Generator for Village Fete - £204.90

Clerk Expenses – Printer Ink Plan x 6months - £38.94

Clerk Salary – Overtime for August x 4hours - £68.92     

iii. Payments to Blockfree Services and Vic Group Ltd are approved retrospectively due to there being no meeting in August and in accordance with July minute reference 37iii.

 48. PLANNING MATTERS – The following planning application had been received:

WL/2026/00738 – To erect detached ancillary garden building, Ben Venuto, 2 High Street, Corringham.After discussion, it was RESOLVED there were no comments in relation to this request.

49. CORRESPONDENCE – Circulated prior to meeting.

Letter from District Councillor – A letter had been received from the District Councillor concerning the Village Hall Wall Clock.  It was noted by councillors that the matter had previously been considered at the meeting on 2nd June 2026 and minuted accordingly at para 26ii.  After discussion it was agreed that as this matter did not fall within the remit or responsibilities of the Parish Council, they have no role or authority in dealing with it.  It was RESOLVED no further action would be taken.  It was RESOLVED the Clerk would write to the District Councillor advising him of this decision.

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

Dog Fouling – Cllr Bacon advised there had been an increase in dog fouling around Corringham.  She would pass the information to the Clerk for action.  It was RESOLVED the Clerk would report the dog fouling to WLDC.

Agenda Items for next meeting – Cllr Semley advised of 4 items to be added to the next agenda.

51. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – It was RESOLVED that the date for the next meeting of the Parish Council, which will be Tuesday 6th October 2026 at 7.15 pm.

Meeting closed 9.30 pm