Draft notes of the ordinary meeting of the 31st of March 2026
Draft notes of the meeting of Minting and Gautby Parish Council held on the 31ST of March 2026 at Minting Village Hall at 7.00pm. To be confirmed at the next meeting.
Present: - Cllrs E.B.Clark [EC] chairman and acting clerk, H.Padfield [HP], J.Padfield [JP], J. Stuchfield [J.St] W.Hughes [WH], L. Bury [LB] J. Saville [JSa], A Cadman [AC], County Cllr N. Oliver and 1 member of the public.
7.00 pm Public forum.
A resident of asked if the PC had any information re the ‘for sale’ status of the land at the rear of Minting Church. No further information available.
7.10 pm Formal council meeting.
[1] Chairman’s welcome and apologies for absence.
Apologies District Cllr W. Gray.
[2] Declaration of interests.
None declared
[3] To confirm, or amend and sign the draft notes of the extra-ordinary meeting of the 3rd of March 2026.
Proposed LB Seconded AC Carried unanimously.
[4] Matters arising from the minutes of the meeting.
EC put in a response from the PC to ELDC re. planning application 210/26/PIP, as agreed at the previous meeting.
Discussed later in the Meeting
[5] Correspondence
Correspondence received from National Auditors regarding 2026 audit.
[6] Reports from District/County Councillors, if any.
County Cllr. N Oliver gave a verbal update to the PC re the maintenance of the bridleway at Shottons, information about council tax rises and allocation of funds for future spending targets. Also that a pot of £3000 will be available in the new financial year and will be split between PC’S.
District Cllr. W Gray sent a report by email which was distributed to all PC members with council updates for March 2026.
[7] Annual Parish Meeting 6th May 2026- discussion and suggestions for a speaker.
After some discussion Cllr. N Oliver agreed to liaise with the local fire service about the possibility of a guest who could give a general talk about ‘Home safety’.
[8] Planning Matters
A] 210/26/PIP
Application now refused.
B] 00187/26/RES
Plot of land next to the Sebastopol Pub. Detailed matters.
Cllrs. made no comments on either item.
[9] To review policies :-
a] Risk Assessment
LB proposed an addition to the Risk Assessment to include annual professional inspections of the play equipment in the playing field - seconded by JSa and resolved.
b] Councillor’s code of Conduct.
No proposals for change
c] Data Protection Policy
No proposals for change
[10] Finance
a) To approve a reconciliation of the Lloyd’s Bank Account.
The RFO [ JSt] checked the bank statements and proposed approval, seconded by WH and resolved. JSa signed the approval.
b] To review the end-of-year accounts and approve a budget for 2026-27 running costs [ not including capital expenditure yet to be decided, or income from grants etc.]
EC presented budget running costs and income for the year 2026-27 :-
Bank charges £60
LAC subscription £100
LALC audit £165
Insurance £520
Hall hire £100
I.C.O. £50
Grass mowing £4000
Play equip. check £210
Kiosk electricity £30
Defib. electricity £30
Misc. costs £155
Total running costs £5400
Income:-
ELDC parish precept £6250
V.A.T.refund £778.15
Total income £7028.15
c] To review insurance cover.
There were no proposals for increased cover.
d] To appoint an auditor for the 2025-26 year.
JSt proposed that L.A.L.C. be appointed to provided the audit for the 2025-26 year, seconded by JSa and resolved.
e] To note payment of £300 .00 +VAT in respect of work done to Gautby VH doors. Originally approved on 22/11/2022.
EC advised that this item had recently been paid.
[11] Parish Maintenance:
a] To review the recent playing equipment inspection.
The report highlighted some minor points of deterioration, but no immediate action was considered necessary.
b] To appoint a grass mowing contractor.
AC proposed acceptance of the quotation by EKM Ltd, seconded by JSa and resolved.
c] To consider an application to ELDC for grant funding for defibrillator batteries.
LB reported that the two oldest defibrillators were now obsolete, replacement batteries virtually impossible to obtain, and so they were now out of service Dist.Cllr.W Gray had been contacted regarding possible funding for replacements
d] To review proposed work to improve water flow through the culvert to The Green, and to consider approval of a quotation for the work from EKM Ltd [ if available]
Lengthy discussion re quote from EKM, impact on the PC finances and also possible problems/disruption caused by the maintenance works. This also included safety concerns to the residents and public while work was being carried out on the culvert. EC will write to all residents effected and invite them to an extra ordinary meeting in April to discuss all the above.
Proposed LB Seconded WH Carried unanimously.
[9] Any other business (discussion only) and matters for the next meeting.
AC informed PC about the proposed date for the 3D imaging by drone of the waterways in Minting Village – May 12th
LB asked Cllr. N Oliver if she could investigate the PC’s request for a 30mph speed limit in Top Minting.
Meeting closed at 8:10pm