May 2026 Draft Minutes (AGM)
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Present |
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Not Present |
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Parish Councillors: |
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Bobby Neaum (BN) apologies received |
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Clare Cowen (CC) |
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Will Stephenson (WS)apologies received |
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Stuart Quinn (SQ) |
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Will Jenkins (WJ) Chair |
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Natasha Marshall (NM) |
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8 Parishioners Present |
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County Councillor Rob Kendrick |
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Parish Clerk |
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Public Session (PS)
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1. Martin Dales Trees Parishioners thanked the council for the support on this. 2. Request for cutback be restricted to allow for wildlife to thrive. The tidied-up area along the boundary of the playpark has taken away a wilding area that was originally meant to be left for wildlife. The parishioner stated the importance of caring for the environment. 3. Church Warden thanked the PC for the support in the previous year and gave some background to the current bid. 4. Dog Fouling Concern across the village. 5. Dog Bin – bottom of Mill Lane – not being emptied on a regular basis. 6. A question was asked why some roads that seem fine are re-surfaced and yet the Martin High Street has still not been resurfaced despite the poor condition and the reassurances of resurfacing in the current year, this has now been delayed. |
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Minute Ref |
Actions from this meeting |
Action by |
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Public Session 2. |
Cllr. to speak to GM contractor to restrict the cutback to protect the environment. |
WJ |
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4. |
Dog Fouling signs to be put up. |
WS |
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5. |
NKDC to be contacted to check whether the bin is being emptied and if necessary, re-locate. Additional/larger bins to be purchased. |
Clerk√ |
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Meeting |
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7. |
AGAR forms to be sent to external auditors |
Clerk |
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Public Notice to be displayed |
Clerk |
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9. |
Clerk to contact BN re: acceptance of office and Parish Events lead |
Clerk√ |
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11. |
Dates to be confirmed for meetings and venue (September meeting to be held in Martin Dales) Clerk to book. |
Clerk |
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12. |
Full council to read all business documents on the website |
ALL |
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13.1 |
Contact to be made with NKDC re: clock |
Clerk |
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13.3 |
Further work to be undertaken on options for the Playpark |
NM/WJ |
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Ed to be contacted for new mats and wood chippings |
CC |
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New sign to be looked into for Park |
Clerk |
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Bird perch prevention to be added on equipment |
NM |
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Adam to be asked to secure bin |
Clerk√ |
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13.4 |
Quotes for defib fixing on wall and in Martin Dales |
Clerk√ |
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13.5 |
Cllr. to speak to GM contractor |
WJ |
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13.6 |
Volunteer hours to be requested for wild flower seeds planting |
Clerk√ |
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Quote for bench in woodland to be sought |
Clerk |
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13.7 |
VH to be approached for signing of the Litter Picking Agreement |
SQ |
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13.8 |
Payment to be made to MATES and Hub for Chairs |
Clerk√ |
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Minute Ref |
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Action By |
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1 |
Welcome and Chair’s Annual Report 2025-2026 WJ reported: Daffodil Planting in the Parish New SID near the school Woodland – trees are doing ‘alright’. Some trees were lost due to dry season last year. Some more trees will be planted. PC helped with Martin Dales Trees Church Mates and the VH were given grants Playpark continues to be inspected and maintained Defib replaced and a new one purchased for Martin Dales |
Chair |
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Election of Chair
Cllr. Will Jenkins elected as Chair
Nominated by: SQ Seconded: NM
Agreed
Election of Vice Chair
Cllr. Bobby Neaum elected as Vice Chair in his absence
Nominated by: WJ Seconded: NM
Agreed
BN although not present he agreed in advance via the Chair. To be vice-chair. |
Clerk |
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3 |
Apologies
Received from BN and WS |
Chair |
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4 |
Declarations of Interests CC and WJ declared connections to the funding applications. |
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5 |
Previous Minutes accepted as true record
Proposed: SQ Second: NM
Clerk’s report to be included in minutes.
All agreed
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6 |
District Councillor and County Councillor Cllr. Kendrick gave a review of 2025-2026. The Council has had a change of leadership. Whilst expectations have been high the Council has not done everything agreed. Dementia and child support services have been cut. However, the ring road has continued to be developed. A discussion took place with regard to how decisions are made for prioritising highways maintenance. Highways are looking at improvements to the Metheringham junction on the A15 by putting in traffic lights. Highways volunteering project continues successfully. Agreed: clerk to approach volunteers for planting wild flowers Springwell Solar Farm is being challenged and at present is stalled due the council not agreeing to the sub-station at Navenby and NKDC have not yet agreed this. A judicial has been applied for and may take place in the future. Veterans Care Service is the process of being developed. County Councillor Report available on Website. |
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7 |
Finance Report and Audit Governance Statement 2025-2026 Clerk explained again in detail the audit process and informed the Council that the local auditor has dealt with the accounts and signed them off. The governance statement was explained and agreed for signing of by the full council. Audit papers were available for inspection. The fixed assets and variances forms were explained in detail. A general discussion took place about agreeing a % decrease in asset value each year and to add on additional assets. For this return the amount will remain the same.
AGAR forms seen by two councillors before the meeting in the finance review.
Agreed: Governance Statement agreed by the Council signed by the Chair
Clerk to send papers out to external auditors and variance sheet to PC.
Legal Notice to be displayed |
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk |
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Co-options - None |
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9 |
Councillor Lead Responsibility Groundwork WJ Woodland WJ Defib Playpark Inspections NM Finance CC NM Parish Events BN suggested (tbc) SID Charging and Stats Parishioner HR CC NM Litter Liaison SQ All agreed |
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10 |
Parish Council Asset List for Audit and Insurance Purposes These are important lists for the purpose of insurance and for valuing the overall assets. Sent out in advance of the meeting |
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11 |
Dates for meetings 2026-2027 Tuesday 7th July 2026 6.30 pm Tuesday 1st September 6.30 Martin Dales Tuesday 3rd November 6.30 Tuesday 5th January 2027 6.30 Tuesday 2nd March 6.30 Annual General Meeting Tuesday 4th May 2027 6.30 |
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Review of Documents for update on website including: Asset List Finance Regulations and Risk Assessment Data Protection Social Media Policy Complaints Procedure Code of Conduct Emergency Planning Employee HR Proposed: WJ Seconded: CC All Agreed |
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13 |
Parish Items |
Chair |
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13.1 |
Planning 13.1 Majestic Chrystal Building NKDC to be informed of the ownership of the Clock and ask the VH whether relocating in the clock in the hall. |
Clerk |
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13.2 |
Highways Speed restrictions to be made at the Martin Junction, negotiations with Highways in progress. WJ and NM have met with Highways. |
Highways |
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13.3 |
Playpark Hedgerow to be replaced Planning to check requirements for possible mugger/skatepark Mats to be requested from Ed. Cllr. Cowen expressed her concerns about the hedgerow being removed without be agreed in full council The hedgerow should not have been taken out during nesting season No risk assessment was taken out for the removal of the hedge. The risk assessment for clearing the playground did not include removing the hedge Concern over removing trees without proper insurance for felling trees. The ground maintenance contractor does not have this Concern over additional costs incurred for roots to be removed, new barrier to be created, all without proper clearance through the council. Clerk highlighted the importance of future work to be undertaken should always to be agreed through the council. A general discussion took place as to future work including additional fencing and the clearing of debris left over from the original refuge tip. Agreed: Fencing to be discussed in the future when decisions have been made with regard to the skateboard. Cllr. to contact Ed for replacement rubber mats. Clerk to look into costing of possible new signage for the park. Bark to be ordered via Ed. ROSPA to inspect in August. Bird poo prevention to be put for by a Parishioner via NM Adam to be asked to re-secure bin in the park. |
WJ/NM CC
CC Clerk CC ROSPA NM Clerk |
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13.4 |
Defib No response from Nursing Home for old defibs. NM regularly inspects the defibs. Agreed: Replacement defib to be fitted and new defib to be fitted in Martin Dales. 2/3 Quotes to be taken for a local electrician. |
NM/Clerk |
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13.5 |
Grounds Maintenance All Ok Councillor to speak to GM to reduce some cutting back. |
WJ |
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13.6 |
Woodland Cllr. to review condition of trees to decide what needs replacing. 100% grant now available for more trees to be planted in the Autumn if needed. A suggestion was made for putting a bench near the woodland. Cllr. asked what was happening about disabled access. Also, possible wild flower planting to add some colour. AGREED: Volunteers to be approached to plant wild flowers in September/October. Quote for bench Cllr. to look into options for disabled access as there is some money available in th account. |
WJ WJ NM
CC
Clerk Clerk
CC |
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13.7 |
Litter Picking The VH have responded to the email but have not signed the agreement. Agreed: Cllr. to speak to VH representatives before the July meeting. |
SQ |
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13.8 |
Donation Requests 13.8.1 Village Hall - £500 Pool Table – a form has been sent to the VH for the PC to consider at the next meeting. 13.8.2 Mates – £500 for meal. The representative explained the existing balances, various community activities and the basis for the request. Agreed: Donation to be made Proposed: SQ Seconded: WJ Quorate vote agreed. 13.8.3 VH - £450 - Chairs Proposed: SQ Agreed: NM Quorate vote agreed. 13.8.4 P. Church Council - £3000 - Maintenance. To be considered at the next meeting as the PC would like to donate something. 13.8.5 Bench in the cemetery request could be put in by the PC. Agreed: Above Payments to be made. The 2026-2027 forecast to be reviewed to see whether it is possible to adjust the finance to try and support other requests received. |
Clerk Responsible Finance |
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13.9 |
Martin Dales Trees Update Work completed. |
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13.10 |
Rent Review Next meeting. In the meantime, Clerk to contact Bells to ask about the current rent. |
Clerk |
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13.10 |
Land at Martin Dales Next agenda |
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13.11 |
Correspondence An email had been received about comments made by a PC contractor. A general discussion took place. Agreed: Cllr. to speak to contractor in response to email. |
WJ |
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13.12 |
Footpaths Not discussed |
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13.13 |
Majestic Clock Agreed: Write to NKDC stating the clock belongs to the Parish |
Clerk |
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13.14 |
Cemetery Work in progress to restore where necessary and the next inspection will take place in 5 years’ time. |
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14. |
Clerks Report Including: 4.1 Bank Balances and Bank Update as of 30th April 2026
Current: £20739.32
Business Reserve: £10063.09
Woodland: £30578.68
14.2 2025-2026 Audit Governance Statement already agreed and Public Notice will be displayed on the dates inserted on the notice agreed by the Council. |
Clerk |
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15. |
Agenda Items for the next meeting Martin Dales Land Rent Review Funding Applications |
Clerk |
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TUESDAY 7th July 2026 6.30 pm Martin Village Hall |
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