Meeting 2025

Minutes of the Annual meeting of Kirkby Underwood Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Monday 12th May 2025.

Present:Chair J Ashwood, Cllr L Green, Cllr D Dodds, Cllr M Walker, Clerk L Davies, Cllr R Birdsall & Cllr N Robbins

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Annual Parish Meeting – Agenda
The Annual Parish Meeting will commence at 7.00pm as per the agenda below.
1. Welcome by the Chairman and  Annual Report.
231. Good Evening, thank you for coming along to this meeting.
We are aware of the uncertainty as to local council reorganisation so having a local  parish council as a first point of contact is more important today.
During this last year we experienced changes in electoral boundaries, giving us a
new MP who also represents Rutland and Stamford. Alicia Kearns told us that she
will read all emails sent to her and respond as appropriate.
This year the Parish Council has been maintaining its physical assets, the Phone
Box and the village notice board have been painted and there are plans for
maintenance to the village pump which will include adding a plaque
Concerns have been raised about the increase in volume of traffic through the village
and in some cases a clear disregard of speed limits. 20% of the houses in Kirkby
Underwood Parish are outside the village envelope and are therefore not covered by
the 30MPH limit.
This year we experienced some flooding in the village which was short term with no
lasting damage. We have agreed to keep a check on drains and have asked
residents to do the same so that any excess water can readily escape.
We are all lucky to live in such a supportive community
The Parish Council has supported local events, funding a Christmas tree and part
funding an afternoon tea for the seniors of our village; we wish to support events for
all helping to prevent feelings of isolation which can occur in a rural community.
The Merrison fund, still has a healthy balance and is there to support residents with
the cost of travel to attend hospital appointments.
If anyone has thoughts on how we might conserve or improve our village life then
please feel free to talk with us either individually or as a group.
We look forward to seeing you at future meetings.

2. To approve Minutes of last Annual Parish Meeting
232. The previously circulated minutes of last years meeting was approved as a true record of the meeting. Resolved
3. Receive Reports from Police, County & District Councils
233. Cllr Robbins reports that the recent election has been taking up the time. 
4. Questions & Proposals from the Public
234. None
Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council – Agenda
1. Apologies for absence.
235. None
2. Councilor Acceptance of Office.
236. Each Councillor was asked if they wished to remain in office. All agreed to remain. 
3. Councilor Declarations of Interest.
237. No new declarations of interest
4. Election of Chairman.
238. Cllr Ashwood remains Chair
5. Election of Vice chairman.
239. Cllr Green due to personal reasons did not wish to stand for election, it was voted and agreed that Cllr Birdsall would take up the position 
6. Approve Minutes of last Council Meeting (23rd May 2024) (All)
240. See 232
7. Parish Matters:
Agenda
Commences on conclusion of the public Forum. Press &Public welcome to observe. 
1. Apologies for absence: To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons have been given to the clerk prior to the meeting. 
240. See 235
2. To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011, being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on members register of interests. 
241. See 236
3. To approve Minutes of last Council Meeting (20th January 2025) (All)
242. The previously circulated minutes were agreed to be true and accurate of the meeting. Resolved
4. Receive External Group updates 
        4.1 County & District Council Reports - as available
        243 See 233

5.Parish Matters:
5.1 To consider application to the Merrison fund. 
244. None
5.2 To receive an update on the reconditioning of the notice board.
245. The work has now been completed and is lovely to see it refreshed and back up. Invoice received and to be passed for payment. Resolved
5.3 To receive an maintenance of the pump
246. A quote has been received, which seemed reasonable at £136. Asked for a second quote to be obtained. Action Cllr Walker to get second quote
5.4 To consider a remembrance project for the village for 2025
247. The Project has moved forward with VH & The Church having purchased a Tommy & Nurse, which were used for the VE Day Celebrations. As these have been purchased it was agreed that the PC would purchase an airman. Cllr Birdsall has contacted Highways and the figures are able to be placed on the green during the remembrance period which was agreed to be 14 days prior to the 11th November and 14 days after. Storage of the figures has been offered by the VH. It was also meant that it should be noted the success of the VE day, really well supported by the community. This was thanks to the SKDC community funding, Cllr Birdsall headed the project. Email of thanks to volunteers. Action Clerk to purchase Airman from the Royal British Legion. Email to of thanks for VE volunteers
5.5 To Discuss what can be actioned in regards to the recent flooding in the village
248. Though no homes were affected, it still needs to be addressed that the drains in front of the properties are kept free of leaves. Also the dykes around the village need to be maintained. Clerk to speak with Highways to discuss a walk about to discuss maintenance of dykes and roads of the village . Long term does an emergency plan need to be created, for actions to leave the village etc? Action Clerk to contact Highways for walk about 
5.6 To consider village speed limits 
249. It has been raised by a few members of the community and has raised concerns about the speed of vehicles through the village and large good vehicles gaining access. It was raised that the straw hauliers are regularly speeding through the village. The farmers are aware and are stressing to the drivers to watch speed limits. Would it be possible to place a weight limit on the roads? Cllr Dodds advised the weight limits are non discriminatory, so would affect farmers. Action Clerk to speak with Highways

6. Financial Reports:
6.1. FY 2025/26 Accounts to date; Approval of expenditure (All)
 
250.The previously circulated payments were passed, including the £260 for the notice board refurbishment. Action Clerk to pay
6.2 To review AGAR
251. The Annual Governance & Accountability Return, has been completed and is required to be signed. Cllrs agreed a true reflection of the accounts. Action Signed and Clerk to submit.
7. To Receive any Urgent Reports.
252. A community member has requested an update on the footpath. Village hall committee actioned seniors lunch, which came under that £50, it was agreed that the Pc would still honour the £50 donation. Cllr Birdsall raised payments for the hall hire needs to be considered.
Cllr Dodds requests that in the newsletter, could a reminder be given about placing dead flowers in the dog poo bins, as they are splitting the bags, which is making it tricky to empty. 
8.  Public Forum.
Next meeting: General meeting 15th September 2025 in the Village Hall.

Laura Davies 
Clerk to Kirkby Underwood Parish Council