Draft Minutes for Apr 2026 

Download a PDF copy of the minutes here

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 11 March 2026 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen.

Present: Cllrs Walsingham (Chair), Baker, Ellam, Green, Harty, Mardling, Shepperson & Waumsley

In attendance: 6 residents, Lincolnshire County [LCC] Cllr Hill, Mrs S Woodman (Parish Clerk)

Open Forum:

Residents raised serious concern regarding the proposed planning application from Muller Developers for 150 new homes off the A151 near the Glen. The council has already contacted relevant organisations. The matter will be discussed further by the council later in the meeting. Residents are encouraged to communicate their views directly to the developer. It was noted that some residents had only recently received the information card, allowing them little time to comment before the closing date on March 13^th 2026.

A resident requested the details from the LCC Highways correspondence as read out at last meeting to be added to the minutes.

1. Apologies for absence: Cllr Harwood. Reasons given were accepted.

2. District and County Councillors’ Reports: LCC Cllr Hill reported that LCC has set its budget for next year, including an increase in Council tax of 2.9%. Some of the budget cuts are causing concern. LCC is attempting to increase government funding. More funds will be available for drainage schemes eg flooding around Tanners Lane. Cllr Hill noted that the flooding under the railway bridge is the responsibility of Network Rail, but LCC ends up dealing with it. The local government reorganisation is still in progress, with Lincolnshire having 5 different bids. The government is expected to decide in July. The effect on local elections is unknown. No SKDC Cllr update.

3. The Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 14 January 2026 were approved unanimously. The chairman agreed to add details from the Highways correspondence as per open forum.
   
   
4. Councillors’ Declarations of Interest: None. Cllrs were reminded to update their DPI’s if necessary.
5. Review of Action Log:

25/12/04        S106: Clerk has contacted RDMH twice – no response.

26/01/12        Railings round war memorial – £50 budget to repair agreed unanimously

26/01/21        First Aid Course contribution – paid

26/01/24        Rubbish bin now in situ – clerk to request SKDC to empty

26/02/08        Greens Working Group – New flag purchased

6. Clerk’s and Chair’s Reports on Matters Outstanding
   • Neighbourhood Planning, Local Plan and Conservation Area: Plan now out of date – revision required – new group to be convened / new volunteers required.
   • S106: It was agreed unanimously to proceed with the application for S106 funds to purchase / instal a new noticeboard (cost £1,032.75). No additional funds will now be available until 2027. Remaining funds after purchase of noticeboard: £7,333.99. Note: S106 information now published on SKDC website.
   • New Housing Estates – Sewerage Issues:
   • Highways: Matters largely covered during Open Forum. LCC Highways to be chased where necessary
   • Assets: Phone box light not working. Cllr Ellam to investigate.

7. Matters for Resolution

7.6 Laxton’s Lane: Communication re unauthorised tree pruning received from SKDC Tree enforcement officer. Information supplied.

7.7  Consider action relating to bulb-planted verge damage opposite Church Street Rooms / Exton Cottage, Church Street caused by parking: Deferred.

7.8 Consider the need to maintain the Beacon: Options for High Level access still being investigated.

7.9 Discuss the Green, Trees & Hedges on the CGPC webpages: Cllr Shepperson to liaise with IT Maintenance

8. Reports from:
   • Planning:
     S26/0226 Mr Leete – Porch – 8 High St: Plans unclear, but council not minded to request clarification.
     Muller proposed development: see also Open Forum. A response has been drafted in conjunction with the chair of the Neighbourhood Planning Group. The council resolved unanimously to accept the response. Clerk to notify the developer, arrange for the council’s response to be posted on the website, also encourage all to respond directly with their own views.

S25/2422 Refusal of permission for post parcel lockers: The council is very disappointed by SKDC’s response. It wishes to show the business its support and resolved unanimously to communicate with SKDC accordingly.

S24/0568 Anaerobic Digestor, Gunby: No comments.

• Greens Working Group: Sovereign will inspect the playground in accordance with the maintenance contract on March 20^th

9. Cllr Payments and Accounts
   • Bank balances: Monthly update set out below.
   • Invoices for payment: Councillors signed payments as set out in schedule below.

10. Matters to be further discussed at the meeting:

11 Renew Subscription to OSS? (Open Space Society): It was agreed unanimously to renew the subscription (£45)

12 Consider moving to ‘.gov.uk’ email addresses: Deferred

13 Consider request for a community-based litter pick: Already organised. Advised by LCC Highways to exclude some of A151 for safety reasons.

14 Approve budget for ‘No Parking / Access’ notices for The Green: Deferred

15 Community Speed watch – agree way forward: It was agreed unanimously to support this by paying for the costs of hiring the CSR for the training.

16 Road Safety – consider a resident’s concerns re road safety on the High St: 3 issues, namely parking (NISA); ‘Double’ parking ie on both sides; Speeding. It was suggested that NISA could display a sign requesting customers to park with consideration; LCC Cllr Hill will raise the matter of speeding with the Highways Inspector to investigate & recommend action.

17. Closed Session – Confidential Staffing and Legal Matters

The Council resolved unanimously to move into closed session under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960; the public and press were asked to exit.

Staffing – Recruitment of Clerk: The Clerk’s resignation was discussed and agreed, and the Clerk was thanked for her service.

Legal – FOI Request: The Council resolved by majority (7 in favour, 1 abstention) to respond to the FOI request as drafted. It was noted that the WhatsApp group was intended as an informal channel for timely communication among Parish, District, and County councillors, and not a formal communication method. The Council agreed that a documented communications and retention policy should be created and reviewed.

18. Open Session – Staffing

The Council agreed unanimously to advertise the Clerk/RFO position via LALC, with a budget of £100 approved. It was further agreed that the Council would provide the new Clerk with a laptop and printer to carry out Council business, with a budget of £1,000 approved for these items. In the interim, it was agreed that duties would be shared among councillors.

11. Next meeting: The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday 15 April 2026 at 30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery.

Meeting closed at 9.21pm.                                                                                                  

Mrs. Sue Woodman – Parish Clerk

Action Log 11^th March 2026 – TO BE UPDATED PRIOR TO NEXT MEETING going forward.

Appendix A (cf Open Forum) Summary of LCC Highways responses:

Verges: LCC Highways appreciate that verges are getting damaged, which always happens at this time of year. There is no objection to temporary small ‘bulbs planted here’ signs without long spikes.

Grass area around the missing tree: LCC will remedy as and when the can.

New build: Officers will monitor all the new building work and associated digs in the highway. If anything does not meet the standards required, the Streetworks team will contact and effect the works.

Utility repairs and maintenance: Works by Quickline are planned on the main road, for the next 12 months. Affected properties / businesses should have been notified by right and the PC notified out of courtesy with details.