Draft January 2026 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE DORRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Monday 5 January 2026
Present; Cllrs Drury (Chair), Cllrs Unwin, Bell, Newton and Gray
In Attendance: Gerald Garton, Clerk and Proper Office
Public Forum:
1. Chairperson's welcome: 101/25: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies and reasons for absence: 102/25: Cllr Hayes and Darby due to illness, which was accepted by meeting
3. Declarations of interest in agenda items: 103/25: None
4. Notes of previous meeting held on 1 November 2025: 104/25: These were proposed by TG and seconded by SU that the notes be accepted as a true record. Signed by the Chairman.
5. Planning: 105/25: - 25/1137/PNAGR Silos at Dorrington Farm
25/0958/HSC77 Hazardous Substance Consent 77 Sleaford Road
25/1137/PNAGR Silos Dorrington Farm decision notice.
6. Finance: 106/25: The Clerk had circulated the reconciliation prior to the meeting
Since last meeting the following amounts including VAT were approved:
Goal post erection £ 171.50
Chapel rent £ 30.00
Clerk’s salary £ 419.54
HMRC £ 104.80
Since the last meeting the following amounts had been received
Interest £ 75.32
The Bank Balance is currently £20503.52 after unpresented cheques cleared.
At present we have debtors of £30.00 chapel rent and £108.56 clerk’s expenses
It was agreed to use the existing internal auditor, Mrs Elkington
7. Budget and precept approval: 107/25: – Proposed by TN and seconded by PB that the precept for 2026/7 should be £8100 and was unanimously agreed. The increase in clerk’s hours agreed at the last meeting as 4 hours per week was reconsidered in line with budget limitations and it was unanimously agreed to increase the clerk’s hours to 3 per week from April 2026 funded from reserves. The NKDC precept form was completed.
8. Playground; 108/25: - The monthly inspections have been undertaken. The chair of the playing field sub-committee has reported that no meetings had occurred. The sub- committee need to compile an inspection schedule that includes the fitness equipment. BD has locked the goal post at a cost of £7.98 and will retain the keys. It was agreed not to install nets unless there is a demand by users and if they are will to put them up if they felt necessary.
9. Highway issues: 109/25: - The speed limit on the Fen Road was discussed following public consultation. It was decided not to proceed with this.
The bus layby road markings were deferred in the absence of JH.
10. The Waver: 110/25: - DB has had an initial consultation with a solicitor. Their estimate to complete land register application is £1500. It was unanimously agreed to obtain three written quotes to undertake land register application on our behalf.
11. Defibrillator checking: 111/25: – This is currently undertaken by JH it was though it would be beneficial to have a second checker. PB had volunteered and JH will provide training.
12. Annual Calendar of Meeting: 112/25: - It has been suggested that it would be appropriate to have an annual calendar which would be published on our web site. The clerk suggested the second Monday of each alternate month to avoid bank holidays. Therefore, in 2026 these would be 9 March, 11 May, 13 July, 14 September, 9 November. These would be subject to change if key attenders are unavailable and additional meetings necessary to achieve other commitments that do not comply with bi- monthly meetings eg audit approval.
13. Correspondence: 113/25: - None
14. Items for next agenda: 114/25: - Bus layby,
15. To resolve to move into confidential session: 115/25: None
16. Confidential notes 116/25: None
17. Date and time of next meeting: 117/25: 9 March 2026 at 7.00pm
There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 20.50.
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