Minutes for June 2025

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DRAFT MINUTES: CORBY GLEN PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Wed June 11^th 2025 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen.

Present: Cllrs Walsingham (Chair), Baker, Green, Harty, Harwood, Mardling, Shepperson (Vice-Chair) & Waumsley

In attendance: Mrs. S. Woodman (Parish Clerk).

Open Forum:

The recent communication from National Grid re the Stage 1 Consultation on Weston Marsh to E Leics Overhead Line Upgrade, which will pass close to the village, was discussed. A public meeting has been arranged for Saturday June 21^st 2.00 – 7.00pm at the Ron Dawson Hall. This is to be publicised via social media and added to the July agenda. The consultation will close on 6^th August 2025.

Publication of the SKDC Local Plan was discussed. A public meeting is to be arranged once the plan is available. No consultation start date has been announced.

An unmarked ‘utilities box’ has been placed on the verge on the A151 opposite the Woodhouse. Origin / reason unknown, Chair & Clerk to investigate.

1. Apologies for absence: Cllr Ellam. Reasons given & accepted.
2. District and County Councillors’ Reports: None present.
3. The Draft Minutes of the meeting held on May 14^th 2025 were approved unanimously.
4. Councillors’ Declarations of Interest: Cllr Harwood declared an interest in the Local Plan as part of the land proposed for building is currently owned by his distant family.
5. Review of Action Log:

O/F: Chevron signs – still awaiting a response – Cllr Baker to chase – again.

24/12/02 Christmas Matters – Draft of communication to be sent by email presented and discussed.

25/02/24 Consider long growth areas around the village: Discussed with contractor by Cllr Walsingham, ongoing monitoring

25/05/13 Insurance: Renewed. Asset list supplied to insurance company – awaiting confirmation that all items adequately covered.

25/02/13 Web Site: It was noted that events which have passed should be archived. The listing of local businesses outside the village was discussed. To be left as now. Cllr Green to keep the web site under review.

6. Clerk’s & Chairman’s reports on matters outstanding:

01 Neighbourhood Planning: The Neighbourhood Planning Group is monitoring for the revised Local Plan.

02 S106 funds from new developments: Cllr Baker is still awaiting a quote for a bespoke board which 3 off-the-shelf notice boards (£60 each) can be attached to.

Cllr Mardling voiced residents’ concerns re the lack of provision for teenagers in the village and the perception that S106 money should have been used to fund this. The only relevant items requested by residents had been a skate park and a leisure centre. As the council own no suitable land or premises, this had been passed to the Ron Dawson Hall committee and the residents informed of this action.

Some years ago, a former councillor proposed the council purchase a ‘Teenage Shelter’. This was not pursued after a petition from local residents objecting.

Clerk to enquire whether S106 finds can be used to support an on-going youth facility eg pay for a youth leader, and whether the DWH development has yet reached its 40% occupancy threshold. Community volunteers & premises likely to be needed.

It was however, pointed out that the provision of youth facilities would not necessarily solve the current ASB problem.

It was suggested that future landowners/developers/builders could be approached direct to provide such a facility.

Cllr Shepperson is still attempting to obtain 2 further quotes for repairs to the village pump.

03 Emergency Planning: The council is not obliged to publish its emergency plan on its web site –  the plan includes personal information re vulnerable residents etc – the plan is available when required via Cllrs Walsingham, Mardling or Harty. This aspect will be added to the web site.

04 Issues associated with the new housing estates – sewerage issues: Clerk to contact senior SKDC Planning Officials to determine the position re Allison Homes retrospective planning application re the drainage system.

05 State of Trees / Progress on tree tags: The clerk was requested to determine the position re consent for tree work in conservation area re the tree whose branch/es is currently obscuring the SID.

Cllr Shepperson had cut back the epicormic growth after the tree inspection. It will be re-inspected free of charge.

The map used to determine which trees are owned by CGPC and therefore need to be inspected needs checking, trees not owned by the council removed and the new trees adding for the next inspection.

Some trees are infested with caterpillars. Clerk to consult tree 3 surgeons re cost of felling. (Cllrs Green & Waumsley to recommend firms.) Chair suggested waiting a year to see if trees recover, as this was one recommendation.

06 Agree action re Parking on the Green: There is still evidence of parking on The Green. This may be parents visiting the Primary School. Clerk to request the headmaster to make parents aware that parking on the Green is not permitted. Cllrs were requested to take note of any vehicles seen parked on the Green.

07 Agree action regarding cementing of village pump: See item 02 (S106) above.

08 Agree process for obtaining / distributing sandbags: Cllr Shepperson is obtaining quotes for ‘grit bins’ before / for next meeting.

09 Location / emptying of rubbish bins throughout the village: The bin ‘relocated’ by vandals has been found and will be re-instated and fixed into the ground.

Cllr Shepperson proposed that a free-standing bin be positioned on Swinstead Road near the Charles Read School. Cllr Shepperson to notify clerk of precise location proposed. Clerk to consult LCC for permission / SKDC to empty.

10 Consider the situation regarding floodlighting of the Willoughby Gallery: It is now understood that the floodlights are 7watt (not 70). Future bills to be monitored. Clerk to liaise with Gallery.

11 Consider Anti-Social Behaviour [ASB] in the village:  Efforts to address issue and lack of resolution were discussed. The Police questionnaire has already been distributed; Cllrs are urged to respond.

Clerk to follow up Cllr Robins offer to contact the SKDC ASB officer, and if no positive response, Clerk to request a meeting with the police and SKDC ASB officer.

12 Review of council policies: Ongoing

13 Consider the matter of signage round the village: After some discussion and due consideration, the council agreed by a majority that it was not minded at this time to allow signage on the Green (7 for, 1 abstention).

The clerk was requested to contact LCC Highways & explore what ‘brown sign’ and other options (ie black on whte signs directing vehicle traffic to Market Place/High Street shops/pub) were available.

7. Matters to be resolved:

14 Consider a request for financial support for a cricket-based community event: Now Rounders rather than cricket based. It is hoped to make this an annual community event. The objective is to bring the village together as a whole. It was agreed by a majority to support this event with a donation of £100 (5 for, 1 against, 2 abstentions). Cllr Walsingham to request the Community group to invoice accordingly.

15 Agree action regarding quality of grass cutting: Although  some parties are still dissatisfied with the quality of the cut, the council does not wish to withhold payment. Cllr Walsingham will continue to liaise.

16 Consider request for trees along St John’s Drive: Trees can be planted on the grassed area, but the location of the services under the verge is unclear. Residents would need to approach LCC and obtain at least a license to cultivate. The council is not minded to take on the liability or responsibility for inspection & maintenance.

17 Approve purchase of poo bags: Cllr Walsingham to investigate.

8. Reports from:

Planning: to consider planning applications received prior to & after publication of the agenda:

New estates: see 6. 04

S25/0868 Mr Warner – Primary School – Tree work in conservation area: No comment

S25/0794 Mr Boyfield – 14, High St – Add dormers to front & sash window (bathroom) to West side: No comment

Greens Working Group:

18 Playground Equipment Maintenance:

Cllr Shepperson is still awaiting a response from Wicksteed re the surface under the rocking horse. A budget of £50 was agreed unanimously for Cllr Waumsley to purchase materials to repair the rocking dog. Cllrs Walsingham & Ellam will investigate the stepping posts. Swing legs’ replacement efforts are ongoing; Clerk to investigate contractor help.

9. Payments and Accounts

(i) Bank balances – monthly update approved unanimously as set out below.

(ii) Invoices for payment – Councillors resolved unanimously to approve payments as set out in schedule below.

10. Matters to be further discussed at the meeting:

19 Consider ideas for youth club or similar: See 02 (S106) above

20 Consider First Aid / defib training: Cllr Mardling has received no response from EMAS. St John’s Ambulance provide a free course, but this is not certificated. Cllr Green indicated that the Sheep Fair Committee is also interested in such training. Cllr Mardling will continue to research & look at chargeable training.

21 Consider providing skip/s for refuse: Cllr Baker provided indicative costs for a skip (£540 if placed on the public highway). The council agreed by a majority (7 for, 1 abstention) that it would not be providing skips, although it accepted that this could be considered in the future.

22 Agree that CGPC does not own the evergreens to north of The Green and west of Laxton Lane:
See 05 Trees above.

23 Consider Car Boot Sale at Ron Dawson Hall: Not pursued

24 Approve purchase of replacement adult defib pads & Charge Pak: Cost pads £174, Charge pak £144. Agrees unanimously.

11. Next meeting:

The next regular meeting will take place on Wed July 9^th 2025 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen. NOTE: all residents and community stakeholders are invited at 6.30pm to discuss Christmas matters.

Meeting closed at 9.24 pm.                                                                                                           Mrs. Sue Woodman – Parish Clerk

Action Log 11^th June 2025 – TO BE UPDATED PRIOR TO NEXT MEETING going forward.