2025 March Minutes

             FILLINGHAM PARISH MEETING MINUTES 
Monday 3 March 2025 
 
ATTENDANCE 
Present: Margaret O’Grady (Chair), Judith Russell (Clerk), Glenn Cargill (RFO),
In Attendance: Cllr Buitroid and eight parishioners 
Apologies:  Peter O’Grady (Vice Chair) Cllr R Patterson and Miriam Whitelegg.
 
1.    WELCOME 
The Chair welcomed people to the meeting and took apologies. 
2.    NOTICE OF INTEREST 
None Reported 
3.    MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING   
The minutes of the last meeting were approved as a correct record.  
4.     MATTERS ARISING NOT ON THE AGENDA  
Drainage and Floods – We are waiting for confirmation of a date for completing the work on drainage.
Drop kerbs – no progress. 
Defibrillator – Waiting to hear back about this. A children’s pack has been requested.
Bus stop at the Heritage Centre – No further information received. 
Village Hall – The estimate total for the repairs stands around £3,500, most of which will be covered by the insurance. We must pay upfront and claim back. Discussion took place to manage the cash position between the Village Hall and Parish accounts to facilitate payment of invoices until insurance payment is received. The proposal put forward supported by Glenn Cargill and seconded by Gary Whitelegg
REPORTS Finance Report
Village Hall – There was considerable discussion on how the finances of the village hall could be handled in a way that is sustainable in the long term, but that this should be considered most broadly. It should be recognised that the hall is currently used for a very low proportion of the time, (perhaps as low as 2%), but provides an amenity to the village, which is difficult to value. By contrast, the cost of running the hall can more easily be tracked, and this is currently covered by part of the precept for day-to-day costs (such as insurance and utility bills), with major costs (such as boiler replacement, or new windows, as has been the case in recent years) being covered by grant applications. Grants, however, are not guaranteed and without these, the hall would not be viable. Following the discussion, it was agreed that in the coming year we should explore a long-term plan to understand how to best make use of and fund the facility for the future.

6.     CORRESPONDENCE 
No correspondence has been received during the last period. 
7.     PARISH, DISTRICT, COUNTY MATTERS 
7a. Parish Matters - None
7b District Matters 
No update from Cllr Patterson
Solar Representations– Tillbridge proposed scheme is still in the examination stage which is due to complete in April.
RAF Scampton – Cllr Buitroid confirmed that a decision on the sale of the site is due later in the year.
County Matters – No update 
AOB  
Playground - Concern about algae on the climbing frame in the playground which needs attention.
Fly tipping – Fly tipping in the lane to Willingham has been reported 3 weeks since but still awaiting removal.
Street lighting – Lamp post by the Old Rectory which was knocked down has been capped off and will be re-instated.
Road signs – County have some new 30 mph road signs available.
Dog poo - The incidence of dog poo seems to have reduce with very little now evident

DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Monday 7 April at 7.30.  The May AGM meeting will be held on 12 May due to the Bank holiday the previous week

Other dates
1.    Chocolate Bingo – 13 April 3.00 to 5.00pm -Village Hall fund raising event.
2.    17 May – joint event for Village hall funds and St Andrew’s Church – including plant sale, mare details to be added.