2026 Minutes

Present:
Parish Councillors: D Semley, R Craven, K Bacon, M Johnson, M Parr, S Blades
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 updated councillors regarding reporting issues on FixMyStreet and he had no additional information regarding the sale of RAF Scampton other than what was already in the public domain. The Chair thanked him for his update and invited him to attend the Community Event. 

Item:
52. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME – Cllr Semley thanked everyone for attending the meeting on what had become a wet, autumnal evening. She reminded all Standing Orders were now in place.

53. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE –  None

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

55. MINUTES - 

i. Cllr Semley advised there was 1 amendment to the minutes, in respect of the Village Hall report. In the interests of transparency, reports had previously been minuted in full. On advice from LALC, she advised reports could be read in full, however only a summary was required for the minutes. An amended summary was shown to all councillors. 

ii. It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes, annotated with the above amendment, from the Ordinary Meeting held on September 1st 2026 as a true and accurate record.

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

i. Village Hall Update
Apologies had been received from the Village Hall committee and their report was read out by the Clerk. A summary of the report is below.
The fire assessment improvement works are near completion and they are awaiting an installation date to replace ceiling tiles in the lobby and toilets. 

The Council noted the report. 

ii. Clerk Update

a. September Salary – Additional 10 hours overtime. It was RESOLVED to pay overtime retrospectively.

b. Remembrance Poppy Wreath – This had been purchased. 

c. Rat Issue – WLDC Environmental Protection had sent a report. They visited the area and posted advisory letters to residents in the vicinity. 

d. Dog Fouling – An online form had been sent to WLDC and acknowledged. The Clerk advised, that due to information required on the form, any further issues should be reported direct to them.

iii. Community Event – Posters had been displayed around the area and on Facebook. Information regarding the 3 proposed projects would be displayed in the small hall, with councillors in attendance to answer questions and gather feedback.  Refreshments would be provided on both days. It was RESOLVED Cllr Bacon would purchase refreshments for both days.  It was RESOLVED that any expenses incurred for refreshments be presented at the following meeting for payment.

iv. 2027/28 Budget Review and Approval – Cllr Semley presented the recommendations from the Finance Committee.  The anticipated income was £22,420 with a precept request of £21000, a 17% increase. The anticipated spend was £129,745, with £7,500 carried over from 26/27 budget and £101,000 from reserves and grants.  It was RESOLVED to accept the recommendations.  

v. Grass Cutting Contract – The current contract was due to expire and it was suggested the council re-tender.  It was RESOLVED to re-tender the grass cutting contract.  It was RESOLVED Cllr Johnson would produce a draft tender document. 

vi. LCC Grass Cutting -  Cllr Semley advised LCC operated a grass cutting scheme for local councils, in that councils receive remuneration for cutting LCC areas within their parish.  It was RESOLVED to participate in this scheme.  It was RESOLVED the Clerk would contact LCC to request participation.  

vii. New Policy Proposals – The Clerk proposed 2 new policies to be adopted in respect of Training & Development and Volunteers. She had sent draft copies to all councillors for review.  It was RESOLVED to accept the following new policies as current: 

Training & Development Policy

Volunteer Policy

The Clerk also proposed new terms of reference for the Emergency Planning Committee. There were several areas that needed to be amended.  After a discussion, it was agreed more information was required before the document could be accepted.  Cllr Johnson would liaise with the Clerk to finalise the document. 

viii. Memorial Bench - The Clerk advised of the different types of benches and plaques available and approximate costings of each.  Cllr Semley would liaise with the family regarding their thoughts and preferences and advise at the next meeting. 

ix. Review Date for Clerk – The Clerk had been in post for 1 year and an annual appraisal was required.  It was RESOLVED Cllr Johnson would conduct the annual appraisal.  

Cllr Semley advised that a recent review of local government services pay had been formalised. In line with their recommendations she proposed the Clerk be given a salary increase of 3.5%  backdated to 1st April 2026.  It was RESOLVED to increase the Clerk’s Salary to £17.83 per hour from 1st April 2026.

x. Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – Cllr Bacon had serious concerns regarding speeding in the village, particularly on Middle Street, and suggested a reduction in the current 30mph speed to 20mph.  Councillors agreed that speeding was an issue but after discussion and input from Cllr Reeve it was deemed unlikely a TRO would be granted.  After a further discussion, regarding other options, it was agreed the Clerk would look into the cost of purchasing passive speed signs and a poster campaign to raise awareness of speeding in residential areas.  It was RESOLVED Cllr Johnson would produce a speed awareness poster and advertise on local social media pages. It was RESOLVED the Clerk would contact the church and school to request they display the poster via their media. 

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

RFO Report October 2026

Bank Reconciliation:                

Diane Groves 01/10/2026

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

ii. The following payments were approved as follows:
Clerk Expenses – Poppy Wreath (Under s.137) - £27.50
Clerk Salary – Overtime for September x 10 hours - £172.30
Heather Property Services – Grass Cutting Jul/Aug 26 - £1020.00                                                                                       

58. PLANNING MATTERS – None of significance received.

59. CORRESPONDENCE – Circulated prior to meeting. 
Goal Posts – An email had been received from the school offering the parish council the goal posts from the playground, which they would move to the field on our behalf.  It was RESOLVED the Clerk would write to the school to thank them and accept their offer.

60. ONGOING MINOR ITEMS AND AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING –
Village Poppies – Cllr Johnson asked when the poppies would be put up around the village and if CACG would be organising this, as they have done previously.  Cllr Craven advised he had the poppies for Aisby and would arrange for them to be displayed.  It was RESOLVED the Clerk would contact CACG. 

Agenda Items for next meeting – Vacant Grassed Plot, Mill Mere Road

61. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – It was RESOLVED that the date for the next meeting of the Parish Council, which will be Tuesday 3rd November 2026 at 7.15 pm.

Meeting closed 9.50 pm