2025 July Minutes
FILLINGHAM PARISH MEETING
MINUTES
6 July 2025
ATTENDANCE
Present: Margaret O’Grady (Chair), Judith Russell (Interim Clerk), Glenn Cargill RFO,
In Attendance: Eleven parishioners
Apologies: Peter O’Grady Vice Chair
PARISH MEETING
1. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed everyone 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
The Trust Fund - A query was raised about the terms of the fund and a request for sight of the legal document was made. It was at the last meeting agreed that this would be granted. This is still outstanding.
Village Hall – The final renovation work from the flood, the kitchen and toilet, have now been redecorated. The cooker hood chosen is still out of stock so an alternative model will be sourced.
Accessibility Audit – not yet actioned due to difficulties in availability of those involved.
AGAR – All documents have now been submitted
5 REPORTS
Finance Report
The RFO reported that overall finances remain healthy. The insurance for the village hall and all associated parish insurance requirements e.g. public liability at £1109.98 has been paid. The decorator has been paid for the work on the kitchen and toilet at £1,230 (This will be re-imbursed by the insurance company). Payment received from WLDC for the use of the hall for the election. The AGAR documentation has been submitted and acknowledged and the ’Exercise of Public Rights’ (the right of access to and comment upon) the AGAR documentation including the accounts ends on the 18 July.
6. CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence received in the past month.
7. PARISH, DISTRICT, COUNTY MATTERS
7a. Parish Matters.
Book swop – There is interest in establishing a village book swop. This was discussed and it was agreed that with consideration of storage, staffing, opening times etc, the village hall might be used. This will be on the agenda of the next meeting when it is hoped that interested parties will be able to attend.
Bus stop the top of the village B1398- The damaged bin by the Fillingham bus stop has been taken away by LCC, despite their assertion that it does belong to the village. Discussions are ongoing LCC re this issue. The signed has been reinstated.
Defibrillator - This has been temporarily out of action but is now back in service.
7b and 7c District and County Matters
No reports available
8. AOB
Smart Meters – Some villagers are having issues with lack of access to smart meters for gas and electricity. Following discussion is was agreed that it might be helpful to use Village WhatsApp group to identify the extent of the problem as there has been no progress with the various suppliers over a long period for some individual households. A possible collective complaint to Ofgem, the regulator, might then be considered. Progress GC/DG
Village Hall capacity - It was confirmed that the capacity of the village hall is 50 persons.
Monthly coffee morning – It was suggested that a rota be drawn up to cover the catering and share the delivery. In addition, it was noted that Glentworth have also been holding coffee mornings on the last Friday in the month, so it was suggested and agreed that the Fillingham Coffee morning be moved to the first Friday in the month with effect from September. The suggestion of a lunchtime soup and sandwich should replace the coffee morning in the colder months of the year was shared. This was agreed.
LCC resilience planning - Kimberly Pickett joined the meeting in her capacity as the LCC Community Resilience Officer for resilience planning for the County. She explained that a toolkit and training along with grants are available for the exercise and requested that Fillingham Parish be used as a pilot village for the roll out of the exercise. It was agreed that Kimberly would come to the next coffee morning to talk with residents.
Hedges on the High Street – Overgrown hedges along High Street are limiting access to the pavement for those with mobility aids. Using the road is not a safe option as the ability to move quickly in response to approaching vehicles is not always possible. A request for assistance to resolve this was made.
Playground equipment – It was agreed that the equipment does need cleaning before the Summer holidays start. Progress Margaret and Ray.
New legislation – ‘Martyn’s Law’ was raised and it was confirmed that this will form part of the Resilience Planning exercise.
White Gates at Brattleby - White ‘gates’ at the site of the Brattleby 30 limit signs have recently been installed. It was suggested that the village might consider doing the same. It was agreed that it might be prudent to check with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership before taking and decision.
Photography at village events - The issue of permission prior to taking photos was raised at a recent event. It was agreed that an announcement will be made at the beginning of events to ask people to let the photographer know if they do not wish to have their photos taken.
Damp in the walls of the village hall - Water is seeping through in two corners of the building. It was agreed to get the exterior of the wall re-pointed, as pr the quote obtained in January.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – There will be no meeting in August. The next Parish Meeting, will be on Monday 8 September at 7.30pm