Draft Minutes for April 2026

Download a PDF copy of the minutes here

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8 April 2026 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen.

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

In attendance: 3 residents, Cllr Robins (SKDC District Cllr), Mrs S Woodman (Parish Clerk)

Open Forum:

A resident queried why the council took so long to complete outstanding tasks eg Speedwatch, repairs to swing & war memorial railings, grass cutting (especially Laxton’s Lane bank – Cllr Walsingham will contact the grass cutters). The chairman accepted the criticism, but reminded residents that Cllrs are volunteers with limited time available, and, where possible, carry out jobs themselves to conserve funds.

A resident pointed out that the council had not supported the planning application for the parcel lockers. The council did not comment, as is usual if it has no objection; subsequent to the refusal, the council had instructed the clerk to notify SKDC planning and the applicant of its ‘disappointment’ as the lockers are a useful public service. Cllr Robins explained SKDC’s duty with regard to maintaining the look of a conservation area and indicated that SKDC planning had offered a number of options eg re-locating or screening the lockers. It is understood that no complaints have been received regarding the lockers. The applicant is at liberty to appeal.

1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs Green, Harwood, Mardling, & Waumsley. Reasons given were accepted.

2. District and County Councillors’ Reports:.
   
   The chairman reported that he had attended the licensing of Revd Helen Roulston at Morton the previous evening and welcomed our new priest in charge, Revd Helen, who is caring for 10 parishes in addition to Corby Glen.
   
   The following was updated subsequently received from LCC Cllr Hill: “I  have written to the resident regarding the High Street issues, including not supporting the removal of parked cars and offering further discussion, but have not had a response, so no further action to date.

The government scheme to support homes heated by oil has been announced, which went live last week. Lincolnshire was awarded £1.9m. Approximately 40k households are relying on oil, and so a £300 voucher will be offered to those on lower incomes who apply. Criteria include savings no greater than £6k & below average income (under £36K combined). Immediate need. Applications to Crisis and Resilience Fund: Heating Oil Support Scheme – Lincolnshire Community Foundation. Oil suppliers, hopefully, will notify their customers, but eligible people should be aware.”

3. The Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, were approved by a majority (4 for, 1 abstention).
   
   
4. Councillors’ Declarations of Interest: None.
5. Review of Action Log:

25/05/17        Signage: Cllr Baker has spoken to the local businesses, who are now coordinating their approach themselves, led by the landlady of the Fighting Cocks. They will arrange their own signage with no additional parish council involvement.

26/01/20        IT Support: Still some issues with emails. Cllrs are encouraged to check their SPAM folder regularly and share all issues with IT support.

25/01/24        Emptying Bin (Swinstead Rd): Clerk unable to contact SKDC waste management directly – now pursuing via customer services

6. Clerk’s and Chair’s Reports on Matters Outstanding
   
   
   • Neighbourhood Planning, Local Plan and Conservation Area: It was agreed unanimously that Cllr Ellam should take over the running of the Neighbourhood Planning Group, as the previous chairman has stepped down. A kick-off meeting will be arranged soon, and a plan will be agreed on for how to move forward with revising the current plan, which is out of date.
     The group will need some funds from CGPC to hire the CSR for meetings. Agreed in principle – £20 was agreed in the first instance.
     An email had been received from SK re intended timeline for refresh of the Local Development Plan – review Sept – Oct 2026; delivery Dec 2026.
   • S106: The clerk had submitted the application for a new noticeboard + repayment of the shortfall re the SIDs which had increased in price between application & purchase. The approval is being delayed by annual leave. No date is available. Purchase of a new defib to be considered.
   • New Housing Estates – Sewerage Issues: The smell outside the garage continues.
   • Highways: No new updates. It is believed that some activity is taking place regarding the flooding under the railway bridge.
   • Assets: Phone box light not working. Cllr Ellam has established that the fuses are behind the bookcase. The fuse box should be more easily accessible – need to cut an access hole in the back of the bookcase. Connection to be pursued with National Grid. Further discussion of possible causes & remedies outside the
7. Matters for Resolution

7.6      Laxton’s Lane: The state of banks during construction work is a concern. Need to ensure that it is left in a good state when work is completed – considered the responsibility of LCC as Local Highways Authority who would have had opportunity to feed into SKDC planning. Any new potholes should be reported on Fix my Street.

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: The previous resident who constructed the beacon originally should be consulted for advice on whether to paint the basket in situ or to remove. Risk assessment for high-level access required. 3 quotes for removal, painting and replacing required – Cllr Baker

8. Reports from:
   • Planning:
     S26/02260293 Mr Ledbetter – Swinstead Rd new properties – non-material amendment refused—deemed a material amendment.
     Muller proposed development: The clerk had notified the developer of the council’s objections, had arranged for the council’s response to be posted on the website, and also encouraged all to respond directly with their own views. Situation to be monitored.

S25/2422 Refusal of permission for post parcel lockers: The clerk had contacted SK planning and the applicant to object to the refusal and show the business its support.

WMEL / substation: Update emailed to clerk – forwarded to Cllrs. To be shared with the community via the website – Cllr Shepperson to extract & publish

• Greens Working Group: Sovereign have inspected the playground. All equipment is rated low risk. Quote received for renewing the surface under the rocking horse. Cllr Shepperson will seek 2 further quotes.
  The ‘dog’ would benefit from cleaning – discuss with Cllr Waumsley; Swing: Cllr Shepperson still searching for the right component; Stepping Posts: Cllr Ellam will investigate options.

War Memorial: ‘T’ missing. Cllr Walsingham will explore further to try to locate the missing letter.

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

10. Matters to be further discussed at the meeting:

10 Approve budget for ‘No Parking / Access’ notices for The Green: Quote for signs as per sample required – Cllr Shepperson.

11 Road Safety – consider a resident’s concerns re road safety on the High St. No further action.

12 Discuss the filling of a casual vacancy for a Cllr:  Cllr Green’s resignation, to take effect from April 30^th 2026, was accepted. The clerk will contact SKDC and post notices at the appropriate time.

13 Agree on the siting of the bin for storage of sand/sandbags: No further action.

14 Appointment of internal auditor: Additions Accounting hasexamined the council’s accounts in previous years. They were duly unanimously appointed as the internal auditor for the 2025-26 accounts. No external audit is required this year.

15 Agree amount to be transferred to High Interest account: Current account to hold £6,000. Balance to be transferred to High Interest / Reserve account.

11. Next meeting: The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13 May 2026 in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery. This meeting will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, and will start at 00 pm, or at the conclusion of the previous meeting.

Meeting closed at 9.01 pm.                                                                                                 

Mrs. Sue Woodman – Parish Clerk

Action Log 8^th April 2026 – TO BE UPDATED PRIOR TO NEXT MEETING going forward.