Minutes for May 2025

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DRAFT MINUTES: CORBY GLEN PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Wed May 14^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: Cllr Robins, 2 residents; Mrs. S. Woodman (Parish Clerk).

Open Forum: See Annual Parish Meeting

1. Apologies for absence: Cllr Ellam, County Cllr Hill. Reasons given & accepted.
2. District and County Councillors’ Reports: Cllr Robins reported that there has been little activity since the recent elections. A review of Local Government organisation is in preparation.
3. The Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Apr 9^th 2025 were approved by a majority (7 for, 1 abstention, Cllr not present).
4. Councillors’ Declarations of Interest: Cllr Walsingham declared an interest in item 18 (Funds for the Community Cricket Match).
5. Review of Action Log:

O/F: Chevron signs – still awaiting a response.

24/11/14 Interest-bearing Account: Further funds have been transferred to the interest-bearing account. Interest in April was approx. £30.

25/02/13 Web Site: Cllr Green has reviewed the council’s web site and will be devoting time to update it shortly

25/02/23 Dawson Commemorative Tree: Cllr Shepperson & a resident have agreed a suitable location. Planting to be scheduled for the autumn.

25/02/25 Lest we forget Memorial Bench: Completed and in situ – thanks to Cllr Waumsley.

S25/0544 17 Church St: Cllr Robins reported on the views of the planning officer.

25/04/18 VE Day Commemoration: Events well attended. Thanks to all who played a part. The council agreed unanimously to thank the ‘town crier’ and reimburse him for the hire of the costume, and to thank others as appropriate.

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

01 Neighbourhood Planning: Nothing to report.

02 S106 funds from new developments: Cllr Baker had obtained 2 quotes for replacement / renovation of the notice board. 3 quotes are required for the S106 application – Cllr Baker to obtain before / for the next meeting.

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

03 Emergency Planning: Nothing to report.

04 Issues associated with the new housing estates – sewerage issues: Cllr Waumsley reported on the situation – less smell whilst dosing by Allison & DWH continues; enforcement underway for NCHA. Awaiting developments. Chair asks for a reports for distribution prior to next meetings.

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

Cllr Shepperson kindly agreed to cut back the epicormic growth in advance of the tree inspection. Clerk to ascertain expected date of inspection. [Inspection occurred before minutes published.]

06 Agree action re Parking on the Green: Outstanding.  

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 meting.

09 Location / emptying of rubbish bins throughout the village: Although SKDC have not responded to the clerk’s emails re emptying the new bin, the bin is being emptied.

Cllr Shepperson has investigated the possibility of a lamp post bin for Swinstead Road but concluded that such a bin would raise too many issues. He proposed that a free-standing bin be positioned instead – location to be investigated. Clerk then to consult LCC (assuming on a verge) for permission. Chair to check Land Registry mapping [occurred before minutes published].

10 Consider the situation regarding floodlighting of the Willoughby Gallery: Clerk provided Cllr Waumsley with information re the light bulbs. Cllr Waumsley to investigate for next meeting.

11 Consider Anti-Social Behaviour [ASB] in the village: Incidents discussed further. Cllr Walsingham reminded the meeting that dealing with anti-social behaviour is the remit of the police and SKDC ASB, not the parish council. There is concern concerning the role of social media.

12 Review of council policies: The revised Code of Conduct and Risk Assessment have bene published on the web site. Further revisions to the Financial Regulations are in progress.

It was agreed unanimously to accept and adopt the revised Disciplinary and Grievance policies. Copy to be sent to the clerk for publication.

7. Matters to be resolved:

13 Consider and approve insurance: The clerk had followed up Cllr Ellam’s queries with the insurance broker. They offer a 1-year price of £1,060.77, or a 3-year fixed price of £1,017.06, to increase only with inflation, regardless of the insurance company’s price rises. Cllr Ellam may have further queries on his return. Cllrs agreed unanimously to the 3-year deal, or a lower price if this resulted from Cllr Ellam’s queries.

8. Reports from:

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

S25/0567 Mr Broom – Land adjacent Cumberland House, Irnham Rd – New Dwelling: No comments

S25/0759 Mrs Rowe – The Rectory, Church St – Bedroom in attic: Internal only. No comments

S25/0695 Mrs Woodman – Tree work in conservation area: No comments

S24/2083 Mr Wire – The Woodyard:  Clerk requested to re-iterate previous comments

Greens Working Group:

14 Playground Equipment Maintenance: The ground covering under the rocking horse is damaged and needs replacing. Cllr Shepperson will contact Wicksteed & get a quote for next meeting. Cllrs Waumsley & Ellam were requested to investigate replacing the seats on the ‘rocking dog’ as the current seats are too narrow.

The new swing uprights have been delivered. Cllr Shepperson will contact a resident to discuss installation.

The stepping posts will ultimately all need replacing. It was suggested that Cllrs Shepperson & Ellam could recommend a long-term plan.

The on-going cost of maintenance needs to be taken into account when considering new equipment.

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:

15 Consider approving the Annual Return for year ended March 31st 2025:

The accounts were passed by the internal auditor, who has signed the appropriate form. The AGAR documents for signature had been circulated to councillors in advance of the meeting.

         15/01 Approve the Annual governance statement 2024/25 – Approved Unanimously
         15/02 Approve the Accounting Statements 2024/25– Approved Unanimously
         15/03 Approve the Exemption Certificate 2024/25 – Approved Unanimously

The chairman & the clerk signed the forms.

16 Consider approving expenditure on bulbs / plants / compost etc for the planter near the phone box:
The balance of the donation from NISA for the phone box area stands at £148.06. It was agreed unanimously to approve a budget of £25 for a resident to purchase compost, plants etc for the planters.

17 Consider a request from Hattie’s Tea Room for a sign to be placed on the Green adjacent the A151:
Ideally appropriate ‘brown’ signage would be provided by LCC to direct passers-by to the facilities in the village. After some consideration, and in an attempt to treat all businesses equally, Cllrs requested an agenda item for the next meeting to discuss a policy for signage.

18 Consider a request for financial support for a cricket-based community event: It was considered that this event is essentially different in its objective from the Bowls Club event which the council supported recently in that it is not believed to be an attempt to encourage a cricket club for the village, but more to provide a community event. Cllr Walsingham to clarify the aim of the event. cf Grants & Donations policy.

19 Approve purchase of replacement paediatric defib pads – expired: Approximate cost £122.40 including VAT. Approved unanimously. Replacement of adult pads to be discussed later this year.

20 Agree action regarding quality of grass cutting: The standard of the grass cut by the new contractor is different to that delivered by the previous contractor. The clerk was requested to forward the contract & spec to Cllr Walsingham to enable him to hold discussions with the contractor. The clerk was asked not to pay any invoice received from the contractor until the matter is resolved.

21 Consider request for trees along St John’s Drive: Cllr Walsingham is caring for some trees which were received for the village (thanks to Cllr Robins). Cllr Walsingham agreed to investigate options. Cllr Waumsley was asked to establish whether any services run underneath the verges along St John’s drive.  The council is mindful that additional trees will increase the council’s responsibilities for liability, inspection & maintenance.

22 Approve purchase of poo bags: The need for the council to purchase poo bags was discussed. The council is first interested to know about how Lily’s hands these out and on what principles. Cllr Walsingham to investigate.

11. Next meeting:

The next regular meeting will take place on Wednesday June 11^th 2025 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen.

Meeting closed at 9.16 pm.                                                                                                           Mrs. Sue Woodman – Parish Clerk

Action Log 14^th May 2025 – TO BE UPDATED PRIOR TO NEXT MEETING going forward.