DRAFT MINUTES OF THE DALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 29th SEPTEMBER 2026
Present: Councillors N. Harding (Chair), J. Gray (Vice-Chair), M. Gray-Smith, P. Ridley
Mrs. I. Marchant (Parish Clerk/RFO)
District Councillor N. McLaren (part)
Members of the public
Dallington Parish Council were saddened to hear of the recent death of Judy Jeremy. Judy played a large and important part in Dallington life.
She was a member of the Parish Council for several year, was on the Village Hall Committee and was very active within the WI and the Dallington Dramatic Society.
She will be sadly missed and Dallington Parish Council send their sincere condolences to her family.
1. Disclosure of interests
None declared.
2. Dispensations
None requested.
3. Apologies for absence
None required.
4. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting(s)
RESOLVED: that the draft minutes of the DPC meeting held on 22.07.26 be confirmed as being an accurate record of the proceedings. Councillor Gray proposed and Councillor Gray-Smith seconded; the voting was unanimous.
5. Open Forum
5.1 County Council report (ESCC) – report not available.
5.2 District Council report (RDC) – Councillor N. McLaren
- Local Government Reorganisation has been paused and there will be RDC elections next May.
- Planning, there is a new national scheme of delegation.
The Government has a belief that Planning Committees get in the way of development.
Schedule 1: officers only to decide, including reserved matters.
Schedule 2: everything else.
- RDC have a new Draft Local Plan, which is vital for a local voice.
- Councillor McLaren advised again that DPC should produce a Parish Profile Statement.
6. Dallington Recreation Ground
- There was a discussion with Dallington’s RAYNET representative about a Business Radio Licence, this will be in the region of £75/100 yearly.
He is to fill in the form on DPC’s behalf and will do so using the DRG Charity.
- There was a discussion and a general agreement about hedging the car park. The Chair is looking into available grants. Precise measurements will be taken.
- The Members also considered CCTV for the pavilion, current legislation will be checked.
- It was agreed that the pavilion door locks will be changed. Keys will only be issued to Members, the Clerk and Dallington’s RAYNET representative. The Clerk will keep a list of keyholders.
7. Dark Skies Project
- There will be a Dark Skies afternoon event in the Village Hall on 24.10.26.
- Light meter readings are continuing.
8. DPC transition to .gov.uk
This is now complete and has been published on our website. DPC would like to thank Uniserve for their efforts on this matter.
9. GDPR Training – Assertion 10.
Members completed this training on 05.10.26 with Breakthrough Communications.
10. Planning
10.1 RR/2026/0950/HOU – Cripps Farm, Padgham Lane
DPC will respond to this application using the Clerk’s delegated authority.
10.2 No other planning matters for discussion.
11. Enforcement
11.1 No Dallington items on RDC’s most recent enforcement list.
11.2 No other enforcement matters for discussion.
12. Highways/Rights of Way
12.1 The situation at the Woods Corner junction continues to be monitored.
12.2 The Clerk has contacted the resident at Woods Corner, damage to house by water hitting it due to vehicles. She is waiting for an update after rainfall.
12.3 No other Highways/RoW matters for discussion.
13. Finance
13.1 Bank balances at 31.08.26
- DPC deposit account – £17,426.50
- DPC current account – £1,815.87
- DRG current account – £386.91
13.2 RESOLVED: to approve the following payments. The Chair proposed and Councillor Gray-Smith seconded; the voting was unanimous.
- Clerk salary/HO Aug/Sep 2026 – £1,151.00
- DRG top-up funds – £500.00
- *Parish Online subscription – £42.00
- *AIRS hire of PAT testing equipment – £48.00
*already paid
13.3 The UT mandate form for Councillor Gray Smith (full authorisation) was signed by two existing signatories.
14. Dates of next meetings
- 20.10.26 – Full Council Meeting (provisional only)
- 17.11.26 – Full Council Meeting