Draft Minutes for May 2026

Download a PDF copy of the minutes here

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 13^th May 2026 at 7.57pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen.

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

In attendance: 4 residents, Mrs S Woodman (Parish Clerk)

Open Forum:

The reasons for the increase in precept were questioned. As explained during the budget discussion, the council needs to maintain a reserve (something not always followed in the past) for, for example, repair play equipment. It was noted that S106 funds can only be used for capital purchase and are intended for enhancements and improvements rather than maintenance.

1. Apologies for absence: Cllr Waumsley. Reasons given were accepted.
2. District and County Councillors’ Reports: None available
3. The Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 8^th April 2026, were approved by a majority (5 for, 2 abstentions).
4. Councillors’ Declarations of Interest: None.
5. Review of Action Log:

23/02/05          Leaflet: Work progressing on the map

26/01/06          Bus Stops: Response received – in agreement with CGPC’s proposals, i.e., move the bus stop on Swinstead Road to the opposite side of the garage; on Bourne Road, nearer the Fire Station (precise location still under consideration). Cllrs were in agreement. Cllr Ellam to respond.

26/01/12          Broken railing: Partially fixed; Cllr Ellam awaiting new fixings.

26/01/20          IT Maintenance: Defer until the new clerk.

26/01/24          Bin Swinstead Road: Clerk has contacted SKDC; they promise to empty. Monitor.

26/02/15          Grass cutting: The chairman has spoken to the grass cutters and is preparing a new plan. Monitor.

26/04/10.12     Cllr Vacancy: SKDC notified; prescribed process in progress.

6. Clerk’s and Chair’s Reports on Matters Outstanding

01        Neighbourhood Planning, Local Plan and Conservation Area: Cllr Ellam arranged an initial meeting, mainly for those who had been involved previously. Future meetings to be held in public venues to make them more accessible.

02        S106: Application for a new noticeboard + repayment of the shortfall re the SIDs approved by SKDC. Repayment re SIDs received. Noticeboard proforma paid to enable delivery – will be reclaimed from SKDC when installation is complete.

It was agreed that the Council would submit an application for Section 106 funding to replace the existing defibrillator and cabinet. The application will be prepared by Cllr Shepperson. It was noted that the current defibrillator is already dedicated to Bailey Drew.

It was further agreed that a subsequent application would be submitted to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) when the funding round opens in July. Should this application be successful, a second defibrillator could be installed elsewhere within the village.

It was also noted that there is local interest in fundraising for an additional defibrillator to be dedicated to a late resident; however, proposals are not yet fully developed. Cllr Walsingham will discuss the matter with the interested parties and invite them to attend a future CGPC meeting.

03         New Housing Estates – Sewerage Issues:  Ongoing. Work on NHA site progressing.

04        Highways: Laxton Lane – Cllr Walsingham is waiting on LCC Highways response. The meeting decided to take no further direct action until the building work is complete.

05       Assets: Phone box: Still unclear why there is no power. Solar lights were discussed. It was noted that, as the phone box is in a conservation area, planning permission might be required to install a solar panel on the roof. Cllrs Shepperson, Ellam and a resident have agreed to investigate.
Trees: Last inspected 23/05/25; report updated 23/06/25; next inspection due 18 months from then, i.e., November 2026, when the trees will be without leaves.

7. Matters for Resolution

06        Laxton Lane: See above.

07        Consider action relating to bulb-planted verge damage opposite Church Street Rooms / Exton Cottage, Church Street, caused by parking: Remove from future agendas.

08        Consider the need to maintain the Beacon: Previous resident contacted re approach. Cllr Baker has received 2 quotes and is awaiting the third.

8. Reports from:

Planning:
S26/0327 – 29 Station Road – Change of use from agricultural land to garden: Discussed. No comments

The Green Working Group:
Rocking horse: Cllr Shepperson is still investigating options for renewing the surface underneath.
Slide: Welding required – quotes sought.
Swing repairs: Costs should be available for the next meeting

The Inspection Report from Sovereign was previously circulated to all Cllrs.

9. Payments and Accounts

• Bank balances: Monthly update set out below. Cllr Ellam requested that the figure for total funds (Current + Reserve Account) be shown in future.
• Invoices for payment: Councillors approved and signed payments as set out in the schedule below.
  
  

10. Matters to be further discussed at the meeting:

09        Consider and approve the Annual Return for the year ended March 31st 2026:

09/01 Consider and note the results of internal Audit: Considered & noted.
09/02 Approve the Annual Governance Statement 2025/26: Approved unanimously and signed by the chairman & clerk / RFO
09/03 Approve the Accounting Statements 2025/26: Approved unanimously and signed by the chairman & clerk / RFO
09/04 Approve the Certificate of Exemption 2025/26: Approved unanimously and signed by the chairman & clerk / RFO.

10        Approve budget for ‘No Parking / Access’ notices for The Green:  It was agreed by a majority  (5 for 2 against) to allocate a budget of £80.

11         Resilience of working groups and committees:

The Green Working Group:        Cllrs Ellam, Harty, Harwood & Shepperson,
Staffing Working Group:            Cllrs Harty, Mardling & Shepperson (+ chairman as required)
S106 Working Group:                All Cllrs
Social Media:                            Cllr Shepperson
Planning:                                  All Cllrs

12        Proposal for Community Shed (S106 funds): It was felt that the ‘proposal’ requires more practical detail, e.g., costs, location objectives, demographics, responsibilities, etc., before being considered.

13         Responsibility for social media: See above

14        Consider legal position re access across The Green: Legal advice had been taken in the past, but this may now be out of date. Historically, residents could apply for access, but that possibility has now lapsed, and it is believed that no applications were received within the time frame. In the past, the clerk had obtained Land Registry details of all relevant properties. There is a volume of historic material in the archives which could be examined – Cllr Shepperson offered assistance.
A resident reported that erecting a temporary barrier to prevent vehicle (but not pedestrian) access is considered legal.
The question of communication and enforcement was raised.

15         Duplicate item

16        WMEL (Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire) – Stage 2 community consultation: A leaflet had been available in Hatties . No action at this time.

17         Approve application for S106 funding for renewal of Defib and cabinet: See above.

18         Consider extra help to support the defib: See above

19        Discuss CSR offer to hold archive: It was agreed unanimously to accept the charge of £10 from the CSR for the storage of Parish Council archives.

11. Next meeting: The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, 10 June 2026 in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery.

Meeting closed at 9.33 pm.                                                                  

Mrs. Sue Woodman – Parish Clerk

Action Log 13^th May 2026 – TO BE UPDATED PRIOR TO NEXT MEETING going forward.