Annual Parish Meetings

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held Thursday, 21 May 2026 at 7:14pm in the Parish Rooms.  There were 11 people who attended the meeting.

1. Welcome. Cllr Gillian German (GG) welcomed those present to the Annual Parish Meeting and explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for residents to raise local issues, hear reports from village organisations and review the work undertaken by the Parish Council during the previous year. Parish councillors in attendance introduced themselves.

2. To receive the previous minutes held 3 April 2025.  The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting were approved as a true record. They were proposed by Mr Appleby, seconded by Mr Counter and signed by the Chair.

3. Covenham Parish Council (CPC). Cllr Gillian German reported the following.

Meetings.  Parish Council continued to meet bi-monthly and thanked councillors for their commitment and attendance throughout the year. Only one meeting had been cancelled due to being inquorate but for good reason.  It coincided with the Awards Night when Covenham Village Volunteers (CVV) received this year’s Community-led Project Ambassador Award, and with particular recognition given to Nicky Gulley Brown who was highly commended for Outstanding Service. These awards are a great boost to the village and all volunteers whether it be CVV, St Barts Trust or St. Mary’s Church.  Without these volunteers’ things would close and the village would have nothing.

Thanks were also expressed to the Parish Clerk for her successful grant applications for the accessible toilet project and for maintaining effective administration and financial management. 

Appreciation was extended to district and county councillors for their continued support, particularly Cllr Hastings whose assistance had helped secure highway improvements and progress on several local issues including the reflective bollards installed outside the open ditch near Ambleside, Grange Lane flooded drains and footpath works between Grange Lane and Birketts Lane.

She also thanked those who gave her tremendous support during her very difficult personal loss and reiterated that Covenham is a lovely village to live in especially when groups work together.  This was the essence of village life.  

Public Participation.  The Chair noted that public attendance at Parish Council meetings remained low and encouraged residents to participate more actively. 

Councillors and Vacancies.    There are currently eight serving councillors and three vacancies remain available. Anyone interested in helping out and has some time to attend the meetings should contact the parish clerk or any of the parish councillors for further information.

Policies.  All statutory policies continue to be reviewed to ensure legal procedures are followed and considered best practice.

The Parish Council contact email address has moved to a Gov.uk email address as required and was provided free of charge.  Parish councillors do not have the same gov.uk email addresses as this costs money but have a dedicated email address purely for parish council business.

Covenham Parish Council continue to be a member of the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils and signed up to the annual training scheme. The Parish Clerk attends the annual meetings to represent the council.

Planning.  Only two planning applications had been considered during the year and both were approved. The Parish Council continues to oppose the proposed National Grid pylon scheme. 

The Parish Rooms.  CVV is now on its second year of lease for the parish rooms and significant progress has been made including the release of the restrictive covenant and purchase of the outbuilding last December to facilitate the accessible toilet project. 

The Parish Council was grateful to the £5,000 donation from the anonymous donor which was used to pay for the release of the covenant.

There will be a social event for the unveiling with the funders when the accessible toilet is completed.

Amenities.  The Council also continued to maintain village amenities with a gardening contractor for St Mary’s and a grant to St Barts for closed churchyard maintenance, tree inspections, installation of a new dog bin, and additional speed awareness signs. 

Work to secure reinstatement of the Covenham Reservoir Steps remains ongoing. She thanked those residents who provided evidence of use.

Remembrance Sunday continue to be commemorated with a short service and laying of a wreath.  The Parish Council purchased 6 large poppies which were installed on lamp posts for the event.  Refreshments were served in the Parish Rooms afterwards. The event remained well attended.

Newsletter.  None published in the last year.  But the parish council paid for pages in the CVV newsletter for parish council news to save on costs and delivering to every household.

She thanked attendees for listening and reiterated that the parish council will continue to serve the residents as best it can.

4. Financial Report for FY2025/26 by Mrs Nadine Must, Responsible Finance Officer. It was unfortunate that a PowerPoint presentation could not be shown due to technology malfunction.  

Total income for the year amounted to £54,836, comprising reserves brought forward, precept income, grants for the accessible toilet project and other receipts.

Expenditure totalled £20,653 against a budget of £15,155, with overspends arising mainly from gardening services, National Insurance contributions and costs associated with the Parish Rooms project. Most project expenditure was covered through specific grant funding.

For 2026/27 the Council has set a precept of £10,386. Year-end reserves stood at £34,182. Members were advised that the Annual Governance and Accountability Return had been reviewed by the internal auditor and would be submitted to the external auditor.  Due to income and expenditure levels exceeding the exemption threshold, a limited assurance review will be required from the External Auditors.

5. Covenham Village Volunteers.  Angela Quinton reported on another successful year for CVV. Since taking on the lease of the Parish Rooms, substantial improvements have been completed including installation of central heating, refurbishment works, a new kitchen and accessibility enhancements.

Work on the accessible toilet is expected to commence shortly. Future plans include improvements to the garden area, development of a community workspace and exploration of a dog café concept. Applications have also been submitted for an alcohol licence and Community Interest Company status.

The group continues to run a wide range of activities including the Community Café, fitness classes, walking groups and craft sessions, attracting over 50 visitors each week. Additional volunteers are always welcome.

6. St Bart’s Heritage Trust.  Diane Seddon presented a report on behalf of the Trust. Tree management within the churchyard has remained a priority, while attention continues to focus on securing funding and approvals for major roof and drainage works.

The Trust is working with Historic England and the Lottery Fund on future development proposals. A conservation skills course organised by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) is scheduled for July and will include opportunities for public engagement. The Trust expressed its gratitude for the Parish Council grant towards churchyard maintenance.

7. Monthly Lunches. Mrs Gillian German reported that the monthly lunches continue to be popular and well attended. Donations have covered running costs and enabled the purchase of additional equipment and furnishings. Positive feedback has been received and the lunches remain an important social occasion within the village.

8. Eleemosynary Charity. Mr Ernest McCready advised that no requests for financial assistance had been received during the year, which was viewed positively. Rental income from the charity’s land holdings continues to be received regularly and future rent reviews are being considered.

The annual community lunch was successful, although attendance was lower than hoped. Savings from the event enabled a contribution towards the accessible toilet project.

9. St Mary’s Church.  Mrs Anne McCready who is Churchwarden and DCC Secretary reported that monthly services continue with support from retired clergy and lay readers. A new café-style church service has been introduced and will continue later in the year.

The church community was saddened by the death of long-serving Churchwarden Sheila Larter. Gillian German has since been appointed as Churchwarden. During the year there was one wedding and two funerals with one burial in the cemetery

The quinquennial inspection identified a number of repair works that will need to be undertaken. Quote for works still being awaited.  Community events including Open Gardens, Harvest celebrations, bingo evenings and the Christmas Fair continue to support both church finances and village life.

She thanked Ernest McCready for re-arranging furniture as required and also all those who have helped or attended any of the events which are vital to church finances.

10. Lincolnshire County Council- Cllr Nick Hastings, Division Member thanked residents and councillors for their support since his election. He highlighted progress on verge repairs, drainage works, pothole repairs and the installation of safety bollards.

However, he expressed disappointment at the lack of progress on reinstating the Covenham Reservoir Steps and other unresolved highway matters, including speed limit requests and winter gritting arrangements.

He will await the completed nomination form for the Volunteer Scheme to help with the topple testing of memorials.

11. East Lindsey District Council.  Apologies were received from Cllr Edward Mossop. No written report was submitted.

12. Open Forum.  Residents discussed ways of increasing attendance at future Annual Parish Meetings. Suggestions included combining the meeting with social activities such as a cheese and wine evening, musical entertainment or a village pub night. Members agreed that attracting wider community participation remains a challenge.

The meeting closed at 8 pm.