DRAFT minutes January 2026

CROWTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Crowton Parish Council meeting held on

Tuesday 13th January 2026 at Crowton Village Hall

2025-6 Meeting started 7.pm

Present: Cllr Ralph Oultram, (Chaiman) Cllr Richard Thorne (Vice Chair) (RT) Cllr Sue Dolley (SD), Cllr Kathryn Brennan (KB) Cllr Bob Stubbs (BS), Cllr Joel Rutter (JR)

In Attendance: Clerk - T Whitlow (TW)

PCSO Neil Flanagan

Ward Cllr Lynn Stocks

25/109Apologies for Absence were received & accepted from:

Ward Councillor Gillian Edwards

25/110Declarations of Members’ Interests:

None.

25/111Public Participation:

None present

25/112Approval of the last Minutes:

The minutes of the last Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 25th November 2025 were approved & signed by the Chair.

25/113PCSO Update:

PCSO reported on:

Criminal Damage to fencing on Marsh Lane (01/12/25)

No other notable incidents for Crowton.

Will be present in the village with the speed sign during the month.

25/114Ward Councillor reports:

Written report received from Cllr Lynn Stock, including Devolution, CWAC New Strategies for 2026, Health & Well Being week, Healthy Child Programme, and money still left in the Members budget.

LG to check with Highways over the signage at Poplar Vale.

25/115Matters Arising – from previous minutes (if not an agenda item)

Christmas Tree lighting was cancelled again in December due to extreme weather on H&S grounds. Suggested moving to one week earlier for 2026. Some items had been purchased, some of which will be used next year, others were donated locally. £52.79

New lights were purchased for the tree, as previous ones not working. £59.98

New website: Website nearly complete. Logo discussed – amendment to colour required.

TW suggested having a ‘Village Life’ page, where residents/groups can send items for adding. To include a calendar page of ‘What’s On’ events for each month.

25/116Accounts/Financial:

1.Receipt & Payments to meeting date:

Reviewed and approved. See appendix 1

2.Bank Reconciliation

Bank reconciliation as at 31.12.25 reviewed and approved.

25/117Clerks Report: (unless an agenda item)

Information received regarding signage at Poplar Vale. Discussed, requested TW write to the management committee on the grounds of not in keeping with a rural village, and possible distraction for passing motorist.

25/118Planning:

New Applications since the last meeting:

None

LPA Decisions & appeals notified since the last meeting:

None.

25/119Highways:

•Parking on the verge at the top of Ainsworth Lane: TW awaiting a response from Highways on verge markers.

•Overhanging hedge/trees on Mill Lane, Kingsley. TW to contact Kingsley PC

25/120Millenium Green:

1.Volunteers: Volunteers will be back on 27/11/25. TW to purchase £50 supermarket vouchers to cover the cost of refreshments supplied by a MOP.

2.Replacement Internal Fence – Contractor appointed has not answered emails or phone calls, TW contacted another contractor who has given a cheaper quote of £685. All in favour of using A Worrall & Son in place of the previous contractor. TW to contact A Worral. TW to apply for members budget towards the cost.

3.Path drainage – TW has contacted the contractor, who feels it is water run off from the field. TW to get a quote for inserting drainage pipes.

4.Waste Bins: MOP’s and volunteers have commented on the amount of litter on the MG. Some of it appears to be thrown from passing vehicles. TW has contacted CWAC to request, if the PC supply bins, will CWAC empty. Not anticipating a positive response, as CWAC appear to be removing litter bins throughout the area.

25/121Asset Maintenance & Register:

1.Village Signage, Phone Box – Onston Lane &War Memorial Fence: Work in progress, weather permitting.

2.Memorial Bench – Sketch design circulated. TW to request full drawing. TW suggested applying for Members Budget towards to cost. TW to action

3.Further plaque for the War Memorial area. TW has contacted MOP for information on the plaque in situ but has not yet received the information to enable ordering.

25/122Co-Option:

One member of public has come forward for Co-option. Discussed. Voted unanimously to co-opt Mark Hickson. TW to confirm with him and send relevant paperwork.

25/123Community Resilience Group:

Information received from JCEPT last week. TW to action.

25/124Defibrillators:

TW will have another push this month on the possible locations for other Defibs in the village.

25/125Village Newsletter:

Councillors agreed to assist TW in the production of a Village Newsletter. With the adding of a Village page to the website, The Newsletter can also be uploaded, cutting down on printing costs,

To initially look to produce three editions per year, Easter, Summer & Christmas.

25/126Budget 2026-2027.

Following receipt of the CWAC tax bases, and setting the budget at £11630, it was agreed to set the precept at £11500, slightly less than the budget. This equates to an increase for a band D property of £2.17 this year. TW to complete the paperwork.

25/127Items for next agenda:

Defibs. Memorial Bench, plaque, website, Village Hall Representative.

25/128Date of next meeting: Tuesday 10th February 2025 at Crowton Village Hall.

25/129Staffing:

Resolved to take item to Part B – confidential. Clerk left the meeting.

Clerks annual pay review conducted. Resolved to increase the clerks PayScale by 3 points.