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DRAFT MINUTES: CORBY GLEN PARISH COUNCIL
Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Wed Mar 12th 2025 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen.
Present: Cllrs Walsingham (Chair), Baker, Ellam, Green, Harty, Mardling, Shepperson (Vice-Chair) & Waumsley
In attendance: 3 residents; Cllrs Robins & Hill; Mrs. S. Woodman (Parish Clerk).
Open Forum: Cllr Walsingham welcomed all attendees.
A resident had notified the council of queries regarding previous minutes and the cost / installation of the SIDs.
Cllr Shepperson responded to the queries – see agenda items 3 & 6/02
Another resident raised the issue of the Gallery floodlights and access across the Green – see agenda items 7/13 & 6/09. He thanked Cllr Hill for arranging for the footpath along the A151 to be cleared.
Issues had been reported to LCC on Fix my Street but not actioned because LCC claim that, contrary to previous action, the relevant land was not theirs.
- Apologies for absence: Cllr Harwood. Reasons given & accepted.
- District and County Councillors’ Reports: An email update from Cllr Robins had been received & is added to these minutes in full. Cllr Robins is contesting SKDC’s Local Plan’s proposal for more houses in the village. He considers that future rural housing should be at a lower density than urban, and of an appropriate design.
Cllr Hill reported an increase of 3% in council tax, additional funds are to be made available for Highways, unclaimed flood compensation (£5,000) is still available & LCC will be supporting farmers. He was reassured that the CSW in the village will continue with 7 new volunteers, and discussed the data gleaned from the existing SIDs.
The Fix my Street issues (see Open Forum) are to be forwarded to Cllr Hill.
- An amendment to the Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Feb 11th 2024 proposed by a resident was considered.
It was agreed by a majority (6 for, 2 abstentions) to approve the draft minutes as originally published. - Councillors’ Declarations of Interest:
- Review of Action Log:
O/F: Chevron signs – still no response – Cllr Hill to follow up.
24/07/04 Old Toddler Tower: Cllr Harty reported that there was no interest in the slide. Slide to continue to be stored.
25/01/23 Cllr Shepperson has purchased cones & warning tape as agreed.
24/11/14 Interest bearing account: Now set up. Funds will be moved in at the start of the new financial year.
25/02/23 Dawson Commemorative Tree: Cllr Shepperson to liaise with a resident to agree location.
- Clerk’s & Chairman’s reports on matters outstanding:
01 Neighbourhood Planning: The clerk shared the update from the working group with the meeting – to be posted on the web site. Cllr Walsingham suggested that Planning thought needs to be reinvigorated away from what has gone before to concentrate on reacting to national changes, the Local Plan and site allocation for more bulk housing development.
02 S106 funds from new developments: The clerk summarised the position:
The allocation of £17,540 from NCHA earmarked for play equipment has been spent on the new toddler tower and £800 towards the new swing uprights.
The SIDs for Swinstead Road were funded from the Allison Homes allocation (£2,474). It is believed that £11,933 remains.
Of the current tranche of £29,355 from DWH, £8,628 has been paid for the CSR roof and £9,897 for SIDs. As the cost of the SIDs has risen by 10% since the application and additional brackets are required, this will result in a shortfall of £944, which the council will apply to recoup as part of a future application. The remaining fund is £7,886. Cllr Walsingham noted that future details to be included in minutes.
03 Emergency Planning: No progress.
04 Leaflet with useful contacts etc: Cllrs to email any last comments to Cllr Shepperson by the weekend (March 15/16) to enable the design to be drafted. There is no charge to the council as the design is being done free of charge by a resident, and Allison Homes has offered to fund the printing.
05 Issues associated with the new housing estates – sewerage issues: Nothing to report.
06 State of Trees / Progress on tree tags: The chairman asked when the next tree inspection is due – clerk to check & arrange as necessary. [Post-meeting note, trees are to be inspected soon]
07 Consider suitable recognition of past service: Complete. Plans in place.
08 Consider the condition of flags / replacement? Consider whether to purchase a VE Day flag at next meeting.
09 Agree action re Parking on the Green: With additional information from the OSS, Cllr Walsingham is finalising a statement for the web site clarifying the position based on previous legal advice and historical records. The clerk has purchased Land Registry information as agreed.
10 Agree action regarding cementing of village pump: The clerk had obtained 1 quote of £320; 2 other builders declined to quote. The possibility of Sheep Fair sharing the cost was discussed. Cllr Green to follow up. Alternatively, could this be funded with S106 funds or, mindful of risk, not be re-cemented? Clerk to ask SKDC about funds.
11 Agree process for obtaining / distributing sandbags: The clerk had contacted the Fire Station & is awaiting a response. However, Cllr Shepperson proposed that the council purchase a grit bin to store sand & bags, to be located near Tanners Lane (out of the flood area). Cllr Shepperson to obtain costs.
- Matters to be resolved:
12 Location / emptying of rubbish bins throughout the village: New bin cost: £174.95 + VAT = £210. It was agreed unanimously to purchase a bin to be located at the top of St Johns’ Drive, opposite the junction with Walsingham Drive. Clerk has applied to LCC for siting and confirmed that SKDC will empty – providing there is a balance of normal waste & dog poo, which will be monitored. All other bins in the village centre to remain as currently located.
Cllr Ellam pointed out that there are no bins located on Swinstead Road. Potential location to be considered & discussed at the next meeting.
13 Consider the situation regarding floodlighting of the Willoughby Gallery: It is understood that the current bulbs are 70-watt LEDs – the most efficient practicable. The Willoughby Trust are investigating the cost actually charged, and the clerk is waiting for a response.
14 Consider use of polls to gather community views. To be considered where appropriate. Any poll outcome would be considered by the full council at a meeting.
15 Consider ‘re-wilding’ areas around the village: Despite being walked round the area to be cut, the new contractor has cut the river margin (intended to be left to grow) and an area which is not part of The Green. Clerk to ask the contractor to contact the council before next mowing to ensure areas to be cut are clearly understood. [Post-meeting note, contractors met 13/3]
16 Agree Staffing Committee Terms of Reference: Deferred.
- Reports from:
Planning: to consider planning applications received prior to & after publication of the agenda:
S25/0177 – Hereward Homes Development: Extend gardens into agricultural land.
Discussed. Unanimously agreed no comments required.
S25/0277 – J Wakerley, 3 Church St: Tree work in conservation area.
Discussed. Unanimously agreed no comments required.
Greens Working Group:
17 Playground Equipment Maintenance: No issues.
- 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.
Opening Bank balance from 1st February 2025 | £14,424.75 |
Income received on bank statement: SKDC re S106 (SIDs) (March 6th) |
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Invoices cleared on bank statement: |
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Closing Bank Balance 28th February 2025 | £12,844.09 |
Payments to be authorised/cleared: |
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Estimated remaining NatWest bank balance | £13,371.61 |
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Phone Box Area Fund (NISA) |
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Note: No payment to Elan City for spare batteries until delivery situation resolved.
- Matters to be further discussed at the meeting:
18 Consider Anti-Social Behaviour in the village: Cllrs have been proactive in handling anti-social behaviour where witnessed. Cllrs will continue to monitor the situation. Residents are requested to report all incident/s to the police immediately.
19 Consider Christmas matters: It is hoped that this can be discussed at the proposed Community Congress (date tba). To be covered in more detail next month.
20 Consider council web site costs: The council is legally obliged to have a web site in the interests of transparency and communications with residents. The clerk reported the costs (ex VAT) associated with the current website: Hosting £203.88 pa (shared with sheep fair, so £101.94); Maintenance £50/month, which compares favourably with LCC’s maintenance charges. Yearly total £701.94. The council considers that its current arrangements represent value for money.
21 Review of council policies: Various approaches to reviewing policies were discussed. Cllr Green is currently reviewing the Code of Conduct; Cllr Ellam offered to review the Risk Assessment. Cllrs should contact the clerk immediately with other offers. The clerk will then allocate all remaining policies to Cllrs for review and reporting changes at future meetings, according to a schedule. Key policies for review are Standing Orders, Code of Conduct, Financial Regulations & Risk Assessment
22 Consider publication of statistics collected from SIDs: It was agreed unanimously to publish statistics per month on the web site & social media: Total number of vehicles; % exceeding 30mph; Highest speed recorded (noted that this may be an emergency vehicle). Average speed is not considered meaningful & will not be reported.
23 Agree action regarding Barleycroft / Pridmore footpath lights: Cllr Ellam has repaired the recent damage. No further action at this time.
24 Consider purchasing plans of utilities under the Green / for the village: It was agreed unanimously that the council should purchase utility plans for the whole village via Digdat at a cost of £155.88 (includes £25.98 VAT).
- Next meeting:
The next regular meeting will take place on Wednesday April 9th 2025 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen. District & County Councillors will be advised of the day change.
Meeting closed at 9.28pm. Mrs. Sue Woodman – Parish Clerk
Update from District Cllr Robins, March 2025
South Kesteven Conservatives did not support rising the council tax by the maximum allowed under government guidance and increasing social housing rents by 2.7% next financial year. South Kesteven administration approved maximum increases in council tax and above inflation increases in fees / charges.
Plans to roll out Food Waste across the district were confirmed and should start in April 2026. South Kesteven Conservatives argued against starting a food waste program on Easter weekend after the chaos of the purple bin roll out in 2024.
Multiple censure notices for breaches in the council code of conduct for bringing the council into disrepute were published against the chair of Governance and Audit and one other member of the administration who remain in post.
Conservatives proposed and secured support for a boost to the flood alleviation reserve by £100,000.
The South Kesteven Administration proposed breaking up Lincolnshire by suggesting a devolved authority of Rutland, Melton, South Kesteven and South Holland. The Conservatives argued that this would result in significant increases in costs and would not be allowed by the government devolution framework. Conservatives would work for whatever is best for the residents.
The 2-year Conservative Party campaign to get South Kesteven to collect litter on the A1 verges (which is the responsibility of SKDC) supported by Alecia Kearns MP yielded results after the council agreed to start collection in March.
Fees and charges were sent out for consultation with most charges rising by inflation. Green Bin charges will increase above inflation by £2 per bin to increase from the next financial year.
Action Log 12th March 2025 – TO BE UPDATED PRIOR TO NEXT MEETING going forward.
Ref | Action | Responsibility | Date by |
O/F | Bend Signage: Investigate the possibility of chevrons / barriers; Cllr Hill to follow up | Cllr Baker | 12/03/25 |
O/F | Fix my Street: ‘No action’ reports to be passed to Cllr Hill for investigation | Cllrs Walsingham & Mardling | asap |
24/12/22 | Village pump: Discuss with Sheep Fair Committee | Cllr Green | 09/04/25 |
23/02/05 | Leaflet with map of village with street names: Review | all | 18/02/25 |
24/11/14 | Interest-bearing Account: |
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24/12/02 | Christmas Matters: Raise at Community Congress. | Cllr Walsingham |
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24/12/04 | S106 Funds: Enquire whether funds would cover repairs to village pump | Clerk | 09/04/25 |
24/12/05 | Emergency Planning: Investigate First Aid course – check that Lincs Ambulance course covers defib – explore interest outside cllrs | Cllr Mardling | 12/3/25 |
24/12/15 | Responsibilities: Agree Terms of Reference for Staffing Committee | Cllrs Shepperson, Green & Harty | 11/02/25 |
24/12/16 | Parking on the Green: Investigate further; | Cllr Walsingham Clerk | 14/01/25 |
25/01/22 | Sandbags: Get cost for grit bin | Cllr Shepperson | 09/04/25 |
25/02/01 | Neighbourhood Planning: Post update on web site | Clerk | 09/04/25 |
25/02/13 | Social Media: Review council web site | Cllr Green | 12/03/25 |
25/02/18 | Location / emptying of rubbish bins: Purchase bin for St John’s | Cllr Shepperson | 09/04/25 |
25/02/23 | Dawson brothers’ memorial tree: Liaise with resident to agree site. | Cllr Shepperson | 09/04/25 |
25/02/24 | Consider long growth areas around the village: Mark the area to be left un-cut | Cllr Walsingham | 12/03/25 |
25/02/25 | Lest We Forget’ Memorial bench: Implement agreed design | Cllr Waumsley | 12/03/25 |
25/03/06 | Trees: Check date required; Get quotes for inspection | Clerk | 09/04/25 |
25/03/15 | Consider ‘re-wilding’ areas around the village: Ask contractor to contact the council before next mowing to ensure areas clearly understood. | Clerk | asap |
25/03/21 | Review of council policies: Allocate policies to Cllrs for review & schedule. Review policies & report to council meeting. | Clerk | 09/04/25 |
25/03/22 | Statistics collected from SIDs: Provide Statistics | Cllr Shepperson | asap |
25/03/24 | Plans of utilities for the village: Purchase via Digdat | Clerk / | 09/04/25 |
