May 2025 DRAFT Minutes - Annual Meeting
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting for West Ashby Parish Council held on Tuesday 27th May 2025 in West Ashby Village Hall.
Those councillors present were Cllrs C Graves, A Radcliffe, R Atkin House, N Moore and G Edwards. Also present clerk Mrs K Elliott.
The meeting commenced with the public forum at 5 pm.
Annual Parish Council Meeting
2025/079 Election of Chairman – It was proposed seconded, voted and resolved that Mr Carl Graves be elected as Parish Council Chairman for the next 12 months.
Election of Vice Chairman – it was proposed, seconded, voted and resolved that Mr Rob Atkin House be elected as Vice Chairman if the parish council for the next 12 months.
PUBLIC FORUM: There was no public forum. The clerk confirmed that to be quorate the meeting needs to have 3 members present.
2025/080 Chairman’s remarks - Mr Graves welcomed everyone to the meeting and hopes that we can make the village better, be proactive and make a difference.
2025/081 Apologies – District and County Councillors have both sent apologies for tonight’s meeting.
2025/082 Declarations of interest – There were none.
2025/083 The notes of the meeting held on 19th March 2025 were proposed, seconded, voted and RESOLVED as a true and accurate record.
2025/084 To co-opt a new parish councillor – there were no applications. This will be discussed again at the July meeting.
2025/085 Reports from District & County Councillors: None were present.
2025/086 Clerk’s report on matters outstanding and correspondence
a) Summer Event – AH confirmed that this will take place on 21st June in the garden at Chapel View, 4pm. This will be a social event people will be asked to bring a salad and bring own drinks and chairs and there will be a BBQ with vegetarian options. This will be included in the next newsletter.
b) Litter Pick – the last session was well supported and another will be organised when the grass verges are cut next. Communication via WhatsApp if this is short notice.
2025/087 Cemetery:
a) Information Board and grant funding – we have received a District Councillors grant of £250 and another grant applied for with ELIF has been unsuccessful. Members discussed how they want the sign to look and we could ask Sprint Signs to provide a quote. A bench to go inside the gazebo would be appreciated and further funding will be sought for this.
b) Cemetery Regulations – have been circulated and details will be included in the next newsletter. Members discussed the contents of the regulations and also the disposal of spoil when graves are dug. An Area has been allocated and a sign is required to identify it. The clerk will notify all funeral directors and grave diggers of this area. “Please use the allocated area for disposal of spoil.”
c) It is noted that hedge plants will need to be purchase in the autumn to fill in the gaps.
2025/088 Insurance renewal – The clerk confirmed that the renewal premium is £226.84 and it was proposed seconded voted and resolved that this be paid.
2025/089 Highways matters – RAH has not heard anything from LCC and will contact them. CSW equipment has been collected from J Bunster and Cg confirmed that he can now download the data from the SiD device. With regard to the CSW team, volunteers were getting lots of abuse when this was being carried out and members were asked to consider if it was worth doing. Would any other parishes be interested in it? The clerk will make contact with her fellow clerks.
2025/090 Planning Matters: There are no planning applications currently. Members discussed the pub being up for sale.
2025/091 Policies – The policies listed below were all adopted, proposed, seconded, voted and resolved. CG advised that he would action the Risk Assessment documents for the council and the clerk will request a copy of the public liability insurance from the grass cutting contractor.
a) Safeguarding
b) Health & Safety
c) Privacy
2025/092 Finance Matters, to approve payments and to note income since last meeting. All payments were approved. Members discussed the costs of cutting the grass in the cemetery and orchard and cheques were signed. Online banking forms were also completed.
a) CCLA Forms – signed and completed.
b) Clerks Expenses – none.
c) Precept received £3,900
d) AGAR Annual Internal Audit Report received and noted.
e) AGAR Annual Governance Statement signed and approved.
f) AGAR Accounting Statements signed and approved.
g) AGAR Certificate of exemption signed and approved.
2025/093 Next Meeting
a) The next parish council meeting will be held on Wednesday 16th July 2025.
b) Items for the next newsletter – RAH will compile the next newsletter, including summer event on 21st June, new Chairman Information, council vacancies, cemetery regulations, pub for sale. Gazebo at cemetery to be painted.
c) Items for the next agenda will include gov.uk email addresses for all, painting and cleaning of gates, Christmas tree. The clerk will also cc everyone on all correspondence.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 6.30 pm.
Chairman: Date: