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Leven Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 5th May 2026 at 7pm
Location: Church Meeting Room
Councillors Present and Attendees
Cllr. S. Mathison, (chair) Cllr. J. Richardson (Vice Chair), Cllr. L. Burrows, Cllr. A. Fearnall, Cllr. I. Lamping, Councillor. G. Oldroyd, Cllr. D. Robins
Present: A. Woodward (Clerk and RFO)
No members of the public were present
26/27
Apologies
Cllr. G. Jones, Cllr. K. Roydhouse
16. Election of a chairman and vice chairman for the ensuing year
Proposed by Cllr. Lamping, Seconded by Cllr. Robins that Cllr. Mathison should be re-elected as chair. The Council voted unanimously that Cllr. Mathison be re-elected as chair for 2026/27.
Proposed by Cllr. Oldroyd and seconded by Cllr. Lamping that Cllr. Richardson should be re-elected as vice chair. The Council voted unanimously that Cllr. Richardson should be re-elected as vice chair for 2026/27
Cllr. Mathison took the chair.
17. Declaration of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests
None declared for this agenda
18. Approval of minutes of the last meeting as a true record
Proposed: Cllr. Lamping, seconded Cllr. Burrows, Minutes AGREED
19. Report from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) – Cllr P. Smith
Cllr. Smith could not attend but had spoken earlier to the clerk. He indicated it may be useful to the Parish to seek clarity on the future panel of the Routh Wind Farm post boundary changes planned at the next election. It was AGREED that the clerk would contact the Panel for guidance.
20. Report from the local police team – Humberside Police PCSO Legard
The office did not attend
21. To receive and approve the Clerk’s Report
A -The clerk reported that the Parish needs to apply for accreditation from ERYC to progress its bid to the commuted sums.
B -The clerk reported that after this meeting and its approvals of the final accounts for 2025/6 at this meeting she would send the relevant returns to the External Auditor.
C -The clerk reported she would undertake internal audits for both Brandesburton and Leconfield Councils after requests received from their respective clerks.
D -The clerk has received several letters from residents regarding the footpath to the canal.
22. To consider the Action Tracker and report updates
The tracker was discussed and updated accordingly.
23. To note and, if required, AGREE action related to correspondence
A – A resident had contacted the clerk regarding the new bus shelters. She voiced concern that a wheelchair user would not fit into the shelter if it was busy. She contacted the supplier in a personal capacity to see if the shelters could be adjusted (seat removal) to accommodate a wheelchair user. It was AGREED the council would enquire directly with the supplier to ascertain the cost of any adjustment. The Parish can then consider if this is something that can be done within budget constraints.
B – A resident had enquired about the planting of a memorial tree and sought permission for this to be done. It was AGREED, as the suggested location was on church land that this be referred on to the Church Warden.
C – The Council has received formal notice from Tickton and Routh Parish Council to agree a reciprocal arrangement for emergency Clerk cover as part of business continuity planning. It was AGREED to write back confirming the support of this Council to support Tickton and Routh Council by providing Clerk cover in the event of the clerk being unable to work for a period of 4 weeks
D – An email has been received from ERYC regarding winter maintenance in 2026/27. All ERYC salt bins will receive a maintenance check to ensure they are in good condition and fully stocked. It was AGREED for non ERYC bins grit would be sourced locally.
24. To consider and respond to ERYC planning applications
A – Listed building consent for replacement roof tiles to the existing main building to make it watertight; replacement of existing roof rafters where identified; replacement of timber decorative guttering; replacement of rendered up-stand to the lower ground floor principal elevation and returns. The New Inn, 44 South Street.
Proposed by Cllr. Robins and seconded by Cllr. Fearnall the Council AGREED unanimously to strongly support the application.
B – Erection of a single story porch extension to front – 14 Nursery Walk
Proposed Cllr. Richardson seconded Cllr Burrows – AGREED to support the application
C Construction of extensions to existing dormer windows to front and rear 56 Barleygate
Proposed: Cllr. Fearnall, seconded Cllr. Richardson AGREED to support the application
25. To note ERYC planning decisions
None
26. Finance
A – To consider the budget monitoring report
NOTED
B – To APPROVE the bank reconciliation
Noted and APPROVED
C – To consider and AUTHORISE payments and note receipts outlined in the attached appendix
Payments AUTHORISED
D Internal Audit Report 2025/26
The report was considered and discussed it recommended the financial risk assessment should be reviewed. This review has now been undertaken and is presented later on this agenda. The chairman thanked the internal auditor for the report.
E Insurance quotes A full quote for Zurich Municipal was £614.89 a further quote for Clear Councils was received for between £600/£700. It was AGREED to renew with Zurich Municipal. This quote will be for a 3-year period.
Proposed by Cllr. Richardson, Seconded by Cllr. Lamping and unanimously AGREED
27. To discuss, identify and AUTHORISE training and development
Deferred until after the audit process.
28. Council Reports/policies to discuss, AGREE and ADOPT
A Business Continuity Policy and Plan – AGREED unanimously
B ICT Policy – AGREED unanimously
C Financial risk assessment – review – AGREED unanimously
D Privacy Notice – AGREED unanimously
29. Community groups/ representative update
A discussion was held on the governance of community groups, especially those bidding for commuted sums. AGREED that the clerk accesses the Charity Commission website to find the relevant information.
30. To discuss and, if agreed, AUTHORISE expenditure related to the following matters
A – Commuted Sums – Both the Recreational Hall and the Playing Fields Association have had bids approved for capital works. This is very good news for those groups and the community. ERYC officers have asked the Parish to complete accreditation related to their bid for information boards and approval of the landowner to locate the second new board.
B – Replacement notice board – Cllr. Oldroyd presented 3 quotes It was AGREED to go ahead with a quote from The Parish Notice Company at a cost of £1308 inc. VAT. Proposed, Cllr Robins, seconded, Cllr Richardson unanimously AGREED.
C – Love Leven Sponsorship 2026 – The clerk has prepared letters and invoices for the sponsorship scheme and will send out when the audit is completed
D – Council vacancies – 2 residents have completed applications for co-option to the council. Both applicants have been invited to attend the meeting on the 2nd June.
E. Grass cutting tender. Tender invitations were sent to 3 contractors with a deadline of the 1st of May. Only one company responded, Phils Grass Cutting Service. It was AGREED to award the contract to this applicant for a 2 year period. Price per cut is £50. Proposed by Cllr. Lamping and seconded by Cllr. Burrows. AGREED unanimously.
31. Date and Time of Next scheduled meeting
Tuesday 2nd June in the Church Meeting Room 7pm
Appendix – Finance
Payments
| Month | Who | What | Amount £ inc VAT |
| March | Reighton Nursery | Plants | £418.50 |
| April | Scribe | Subscription | £37.20 |
| April | Adobe | Software | £19.97 |
| April | Lloyds Bank | Charge card fee | £3 |
| April | Clerk | Salary | £877.01 |
| April | Handypersons | Salary | £585.11 |
| April | HART | Donation | £200 |
| April | Amberol | Planter | £579.54 |
| April | Leven Church | Room Hirex4 | £80 |
| April | Ms J. Gibson | Internal Audit | £100 |
| May | Unity Trust Bank | Bank Charges | £6 |
Receipts
| May | Sponsor Donation | For planter on Barleygate | £499 |
Signed_______________________________________
DATE_____________________________________