Download a PDF copy of the minutes here
Minutes of Corby Glen Annual Parish meeting held on Present: Cllrs Walsingham (Chair), Baker, Green, Harwood, Harty, Mardling, Shepperson & Waumsley. In attendance: Cllr N Robins, 4 Residents, Mrs. S. Woodman (Parish Clerk) Apologies for absence: Cllr Ellam & County Cllr Hill 1. The minutes of the Annual Parish meeting held on Tuesday May 8th 2024 were approved. by a majority (4 for, 4 abstentions – cllrs not present) 2. Chairman’s Report:
3. Residents’ Items: A resident thanked the chairman and Cllrs for their work on behalf of the village. Another resident raised the following concerns: (i) Length of notice given re the Annual meeting considered inadequate. Noted. This was the statutory 3 clear working days. (ii) Despite a petition with 80 signatures, the council had not re-instated the skips. Noted – This repeat item can go on the agenda in the future. (iii) In the April 2025 meeting’s minutes, no mention was made in the Open Forum section regarding the resident’s query re the web site. Noted. This was covered in the body of the minutes. (iv) The increase in the precept. Noted. In the light of increased costs & the expansion of the village, this is necessary for the council to continue to provide the services to the village and remain solvent. (v) Some agenda items have been carried over for a large number of meetings. Noted. Chair comments that if agenda items increase or back-up, additional meetings could be called. (vi) The entrance to the Sheep Fair field is messy. Noted, Cllrs to communicate to Sheep Fair Committee (vii) S106 Funding accounting query. Noted. Cllrs explained that the S106 funding is earmarked for specific areas and funds become available only when the developer has completed a certain proportion of the development. Funds are retained by SKDC until the item for which allocation has been agreed is purchased or the work carried out. The Church Street Rooms have been allocated funds for exterior painting which will be undertaken when the weather allows. Another resident raised the following issues (viii) The quality of the grass cutting delivered by the new contractor. Noted – already an agenda item for the main meeting. (ix) The fact that one of the SIDs is currently obscured by a tree branch. Noted – the clerk has applied for permission to rectify (tree is in a conservation area). (x) Could better lights for the Barleycroft / Pridmore footpath be provided via the S106 money? Noted – Technically a LCC responsibility; CGPC has requested, but LCC have no budget. To be added to the agenda for the next regular meeting. 4. The meeting closed at 8. 05 pm.
|
Appendix A: Chairman’s Report:
As Chair of the Parish Council, it gives me great pleasure to provide this annual update and reflect on the past year of work and service within our community.
Firstly, I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all Parish Councillors for their ongoing dedication, engagement, and willingness to go above and beyond – often undertaking extracurricular responsibilities to support both Council business and wider community initiatives. It’s this commitment that ensures our Council remains a vital and responsive part of village life.
Our principal focus continues to be on responsible and thoughtful decision-making, while also playing a supporting role for the many valued community bodies, groups, and volunteers who give so much of their time and energy to local causes. We are proud to work alongside these individuals and organisations, who help to bring life and resilience to our parish.
This year, we marked the departure of Tracey Lamming from the Parish Council. We were pleased to present her with a gift as a small token of our appreciation. Tracey has given considerable time and care in her role as both Councillor and Chair, and she continues to contribute actively within our community. Thank you, Tracey, for your dedicated service and your ongoing efforts on behalf of us all.
We also extend sincere thanks to all former Parish Councillors – whether your time with us was long or short, your contribution has been part of the Council’s journey and is genuinely appreciated.
More broadly, thank you to everyone involved in community work, in whatever form it takes – from organised volunteering to quieter, individual acts of neighbourliness. You help to make our village the place it is.
Achievements and Progress
Among this year’s successes, I’d like to highlight several efforts:
- The ongoing “Stop the Stink” campaign continues to be a significant focus. We remain committed to pushing for meaningful resolution and accountability.
- Community infrastructure enhancements such as the Toddler Tower have been warmly received and are examples of our investment in family-friendly spaces.
- The deployment of SIDs (Speed Indicator Devices) has helped improve road safety awareness and remains part of our wider efforts to promote responsible driving in the parish.
Challenges – Now and Ahead
Like many parish councils, we continue to face a range of challenges, both practical and cultural.
- Planning pressures remain a key concern, particularly in light of the evolving Local Plan. I refer those interested to the minutes of our last meeting, where these matters were discussed in more detail.
- Responding with dignity and balance to social media and correspondence, especially where tone and expectations can vary widely, is an ongoing consideration. We aim to be respectful, clear, and professional in all our communications.
- Resident expectations continue to evolve, and we strive to improve how we signpost services and communicate who is responsible for particular issues – whether that’s the Parish, District, or County Council.
- Important notifications from other bodies and agencies are sometimes not within our control, but we do our best to relay these to residents swiftly and clearly.
- Working compliantly as a Parish Council in line with statutory duties is essential – and doing so in a way that reflects the needs of a growing community requires both structure and flexibility.
- Managing our precept and budget responsibly is always a priority, especially as we consider future projects and investments.
- With increasing responsibilities, we must also carefully oversee S106 and CIL funding – ensuring that both the asks and the eventual spends reflect community needs and aspirations.
- Responding to concerns around community cohesion and anti-social behaviour remains a key part of our community engagement efforts, and we are trying to work closely with local agencies and partners on these issues.
- Finally, projects like the green parking response reflect our desire to balance environmental considerations with practical local needs.
In conclusion, while challenges persist, the strength of this Parish lies in the willingness of its people – councillors, residents, volunteers – to get involved, stay informed, and work together. Thank you all once again for your contributions and continued support. Let’s carry forward our shared commitment to a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking community.
Since the first draft of this report, I note the new Mayoralty and incoming County Council’s composition, and the low turn-out at the elections. We can only wait to see what this means for the services which are either under their influence or can be influenced by them (ie Policing, public health, community cohesion, response to motorists speeding etc etc).
I would like to thank Cllr Hill for the help he has arranged for us as Leader of the County Council noting he is still our County Councillor. I would also like to thank Cllr Robins for his continuing help.
We have seen some challenging and unhelpful communication over the last year(s), let’s hope for a future of civility and respect.
Thank you.
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Corby Glen Parish Council held on |
Present: Cllrs Walsingham, Baker, Green, Harwood, Harty, Mardling, Shepperson & Waumsley. |
In attendance: Cllr N Robins, 4 Residents, Mrs. S. Woodman (Parish Clerk) |
Apologies for absence: Cllr Ellam & County Cllr Hill |
|
1. Election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Parish Council: The following nominations were received: Cllr Walsingham as Chairman, Cllr Shepperson as Vice-Chair. The nominations were approved and agreed unanimously. Both accepted the office and signed the Acceptance of Office forms. |
2. The minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday May 8th 2024were approved by a majority (4 for, 4 abstentions – Cllrs not present). |
|
The meeting closed at 8.07pm |
