2026 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE DORRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Monday 11 May 2026

Present ; Cllrs Drury (Outgoing Chair), Cllrs Unwin, Newton, Gray (new chair), Bell, Hayes     and Darby

            Cllr Kendrick (LCC)

In Attendance: Gerald Garton, Clerk and Proper Office

Annual Parish Meeting 001/26. No organisation attended the meeting.

Cllr Kendrick overview included changes at county council.   There has been additional LCC central government funding although some services have suffered cutbacks. Council meetings are available online for public viewing. The Springwell solar farm development is to be subject to judicial review.  Highway staff availability to undertaken voluntary parish work. Veteran volunteers provide essential transport duties. He reminded parish council of utilising himself to help resolve county council issues. JH raised repaired potholes damaged by road sweeper which RH will respond to if requested.

Annual Meeting of The Parish Council 

1. Apologies and reason for absence 002/26: None

       Declarations of interest in agenda items 003/26:  TN declared an interest in agenda item 15 tree surgery quote.

2. Chairman’s report 004/26: I would like to thank County Councillor Rob Kendrick for his ongoing advice and support for Dorrington Parish Council. I would also like to thank District Councillor Amelia bailey for her continued contribution to Dorington Parish Council. My thanks also to all parish Councillors for their attendance and support to the council throughout this last year. I would like to acknowledge their work on setting up the planning committee and inspect the play equipment. A special thanks to clerk for setting up the internal banking and our online gov.uk domain system. We continue to hold a healthy bank balance in our accounts.

3. Election of Chair. 005/26: Nominations from JH and PP that Tom Gray be elected as Chairman. He was voted in unanimously. He agreed to this and signed the declaration. TG asked for a note of thanks to BD for his continue commitment which was acknowledged by all councillors.

4. Election of Vice-Chair 006/26: BD nominated and unanimously elected. 

5. Election of Planning sub-committee Chair 007/26: SU to continue as chair

6. Election of playing field Chair 008/26: PD to continue as chair

Parish Council Meeting

1. Notes of previous meeting held on 9 March 2026 009/26: - These were proposed by SU and seconded by PD that the notes be accepted as a true record.  Signed by the Chairman.

2. Annual Governance Statement 010/26: - Unanimously agreed and signed by chairman and clerk.

3. Accounting Statement 011/26:  The accounts for 2024/25 have been audited by our internal auditor. Unanimously agreed and signed by chairman and clerk

4. Certificate of Exemption 0112/26: Unanimously agreed and signed by chairman and clerk.

5. End of Year Accounts 013/26: Unanimously agreed and signed by chairman and clerk

6. Planning 014/26: 25/1529/FUL – 121 Main Street amendments. No comments. Noted parcel boxes have been moved at the village store as per planning approval.

7. Finance 015/26:  - The clerk had circulated the reconciliation prior the meeting.

Since the Last meeting the following amounts have been paid, excluding payments detailed below:

Rent £  30.00 (for March 2026)

Salary £ 419.24

HMRC £ 104.80

Payroll £  73.92

Audit £  30.00

Grass cutting £ 277.76

Since last meeting the following amounts have been received:

Allotment fees £      40.00

Precept £     8100.00

The bank balance is currently £26241.90

8. Review terms of reference for planning and playing field subcommittees 016/26: - These are due for revision. No revisions deemed necessary.

9. Play Areas 017/26: - Inspections have been completed by TN but needs review of inspect documents to be undertaken by sub-committee. Copy of Digby inspection sheet for exercise equipment was sent to PD.

10. Highways Issues 018/26: - None other than Playgarth patching issue raised by JH.

11. The Waver 019/26: – It is agreed that the parish council representatives investigate public archives at Lincoln. BD to organise a visit to find historic position of the Waver and liaise with other interested councillors.

12. Bus Shelter 020/26: – Following consultation with NKDC planning, planning approval for a bus shelter is unnecessary. To consider continuation a provisional quote for a 2 bay half end bus shelter from Ace Shelters is £3495.00 + VAT. Clerk to fill in grant application.

13. Correspondence 021/26: - All items on the agenda

14. Items for next agenda 022/26: - Goal post nets, fence line on Playgarth playing field southern boundary. Ash tree damage on Playgarth.

15. To resolve to move into confidential session: 023/26: - Yes

16. Confidential Notes 024/26: - The two quotes for necessary tree works were discussed. The initial discussion centred around the removal of the windfall ash tree and subsequent ownership. It was agreed to defer removal until parish council have assessed the tree and likely actions to resolve. As the lowest quote, it was agreed to engage P and P Tree Services to undertake essential tree works option 1 at a cost of £1,220 + VAT. TN did not partake in this agenda item.

17. Date and time of next meeting: 13 July 2026

 There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed the meeting at 9.05.