Alvingham Parish Council
Minutes of Annual Parish Council Meeting
Held on 6th May 2025
Present: Councillor N Ashley
Councillor V Stratford
Councillor G Cummings
Councillor S Shucksmith
In Attendance: Councillor E Mossop
Clerk: Mrs S McFarland / Mrs T Bradshaw
Apologies Councillor A Graves was unable to attend
Election of Officers
Cllr Mossop took the chair and asked for nominations for the chairperson of Alvingham Parish Council. Cllr Cummings nominated Cllr Ashley for the role and this was seconded by Cllr Stratford. Cllr Ashley was happy to accept the role of Chairperson, commenting that it was a pleasurable role due to the support & co-operation of the local community, and all other councillors were in agreement.
Cllr Ashley returned to the chair and invited nominations for the role of treasurer. Cllr Ashley proposed Cllr Cummings for the role and Cllr Stratford seconded this. All other councillors agreed and Cllr Cummings was happy to continue in the role of treasurer.
Minutes of meeting held on 11th March
The minutes from the previous meeting on 11th March 2025 were read and Cllr Stratford proposed they be approved and Cllr Cummings seconded this. Cllr Ashley signed them as a true copy.
Matters Arising
Mrs Suzanne McFarland stepped down from the role of Parish Clerk having served Alvingham Parish Council for the last 10 years. Cllr Ashley thanked her for her service. Mrs Terri Bradshaw accepted the role of Parish Clerk from 6th May 2025.
Christmas Tree – there is a deep hole left in the grass verge where the Christmas tree support post was erected, which is currently marked by an old traffic cone. This has been raised as a hazard. Cllr Shucksmith advised he would ensure this was filled in as soon as possible.
The planters made by ‘The Alvingham Knob Polishers’ are to be located in the village, at White Barn Corner, at the corner where High Street meets Church Lane, and by the Stocks. Cllr Ashley requested that Mr A Tasker is consulted as he maintains the area around the Stocks.
Pot Holes – some works have been carried out, but to a poor standard. Cllr Cummings was shown the job sheet by the workmen and confirmed they had instruction just to ‘fill & whack’, not to cut out the tarmac and perform a proper repair. Previously Cllr Alex Hall had advised that Highbridge Road had been designated for resurfacing next year. Following the election results, the matter will be raised now with Cllr Nick Hastings. Cllr Ashley requested a letter of thanks be sent to Cllr A Hall for all his assistance whilst in office, towards Alvingham PC.
The Alvingham Cup – Cllr Ashley is still investigating costs of plaques to have engraved each year. The Cup should be displayed in the bar at the Community Hall, together with a sign detailing what it stands for.
Treasurers Report
Cllr Cummings confirmed that the current balance in the account stands at £6,656.45. The AGAR form has to be sent off to the external auditors, deadline 30th June 2025.
Rent for the hall was paid at £120 for the period 1st January – 31st December 2025.
Correspondence
Ivy Cottage Footpath – the new owners of Ivy Cottage have tidied up the public footpath and have no issue with allowing use. They have however encountered verbal abuse from an individual attempting to cycle along the footpath, and had a member of the public stray from the path to peer into their kitchen window. There is no legal right to cycle on a public footpath, but it is not a criminal offence. Whether it is acceptable to ‘walk’ a bike along the bike is a grey area. Cllr Ashley proposed LCC were asked to provide signage to define it was a ‘foot path’, and not a cycle route. Cllr Mossop advised the wait for this might be considerable. Cllr Cummings proposed that Alvingham Parish Council purchase two appropriate signs and gift them to the owners of Ivy Cottage for them to display on their property. Cllr Stratford seconded this, and all other Cllrs were in agreement.
Any Other Business
VE Day – Cllr Ashley proposed a donation of £120 to the AVCH towards the cost of food at the evenings celebrations. Cllr Cummings seconded this.
Defibrillator – the annual maintenance of the village defibrillator is managed by LIVES, but no invoice or correspondence has been received for this. Parish Clerk to chase.
War Memorial – works to the chapel are nearing completion, and the original War Memorial has been uncovered but requires refurbishment. Some of the lettering is missing making names etc. difficult to read. Cllr Cummings proposed instructing a stonemason to assess the memorial, and to quote for required works. Cllr Ashley seconded this, and will arrange.
Churchyard – Villagers David Shucksmith & David Allen have been maintaining the churchyard, and renovating and cleaning headstones in order to document the graves. There are some headstones in need of major repair, re-erecting, etc. They have contacted the Parochial Church Council who have suggested they ‘crowd fund’ to raise the money required. All Cllrs agreed that the Parish Council does not need to get involved.
Next Meeting Tuesday 10th June 2025 7.30pm
Cllr Ashley thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.45pm