Minutes of Langham Parish Council Annual Meeting held on 26 th May 2026 8.15pm Langham Village Hall
2026/67 Election of Chairman
It was proposed that Steve Catlin be elected as Chairman
All in favour
2026/68 Chairman’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office
This was signed by the Chairman.
2026/69 Election of Vice Chairman
It was proposed that Penny Viner be elected as Vice Chairman
All in favour
2026/70 Parishioner’s representations.
There were no members of the public present at the meeting.
2026/71 Attendance register
Cllr. S Catlin (Chairman)
Cllr. M Appleby
Cllr. A Marshall
Cllr. S Pickering
Cllr. J Taylor
Cllr. A Tilbrook
Cllr. P Viner
C. Cllr. O Hemsley
2026/72 Apologies and approval of absences
The absence of Cllr. Besant was approved.
2026/73 Declaration of member’s interests and consideration of dispensations.
None.
2026/74 To adopt Standing Orders
It was proposed that the Standing Orders be adopted.
All in favour
2026/75 To adopt Code of Conduct
It was proposed that the Code of Conduct be adopted.
All in favour
2026/76 Election of Officers
Planning – Cllr. Viner, Cllr. Appleby, Cllr. Marshall, Cllr. Taylor
Finance – Cllr. Catlin, Cllr. Tilbrook, Cllr. Besant, Clerk.
IT & website – Cllr. Catlin, Cllr. Pickering
Parish Liaison – Cllr. Catlin, Cllr. Viner, Cllr. Taylor
Communication – Cllr. Viner
Allotment liaison – Cllr. Tilbrook
Tree Champion – Min Burdett
School liaison – Cllr. Pickering
Community park -Cllr. Tilbrook, Cllr. Besant
Flood committee – Cllr. Catlin, Cllr. Appleby, Cllr. Besant
Flood wardens – Cllr. Catlin, Cllr. Besant, Cllr. Appleby, Caroline Simpson.
Burial ground inspection – to be completed with park inspection.
2026/77 To agree dates for meetings 2026/27
30 th June
28 th July
29 th September
27 th October
24 th November
26 th January 2027
23 rd February
23 rd March
27 th April
25 th May
2026/74 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 th April 2026
The minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman.
2026/75 Matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 28 th April 2026
a. A broken link on the website was noted and will be restored.
b. It has not been possible to order paint for the equipment direct from the suppliers. Cllr. Tilbrook agreed to obtain alternative supplies.
c. Cllr. Tilbrook has been working on restoration of some damaged verges.
2026/76 Clerk’s report
Nothing to report at this meeting.
2026/77 Correspondence
a. Burial ground mowing – letter received expressing concern that the burial ground mowing may not be completed frequently enough. Cuts are completed on a fortnightly basis as per the mowing schedule. It was agreed to introduce weekly inspections of the burial ground to ensure the maintenance is appropriate.
b. A606 verge – the verge adjacent to the exit from Ranksborough Drive has been cut back by the Munday’s Close Working Group.
c. A606 bank – construction of ‘wall’ by the bridge on the A606 Melton Road was noted. Enforcement against construction of an unauthorised structure lies with the local authority and is therefore being dealt with by Rutland County Council (RCC). C. Cllr. Hemsley will complete an inspection of the brook with the RCC Flood Officer and Highways, including this.
d. Burley Road mirror – report of a road traffic accident at the junction of Mickley Lane with the A606 Burley Road and request that consideration be given to installing a convex mirror. RCC policy specifically prohibits the installation of convex mirrors on the highway, due to insufficient evidence of effectiveness, therefore this request cannot be progressed.
2026/78 Finance
a. To receive the Annual Internal Auditor’s Report 2025/26
This was received.
b. To complete and sign the Annual Governance Statement 2025-2026
This was signed by The Chairman and Clerk
c. To receive and sign the Accounting Statements 2025-2026.
This was received and signed by the Chairman and Clerk.
d. To receive and consider the bank reconciliation 2025-2026.
This was received.
e. To receive and consider the explanation of variances.
This was received
f. To receive and consider the breakdown of reserves held.
This was received.
g. To agree the dates for the period of public rights.
These were agreed.
Proposed Cllr. Tilbrook
Seconded Cllr. Taylor
All in favour
h. CIL return – completed and returned to RCC.
2026/79 Flooding
Cllr. Pickering reported having identified the ditch on the brook close to Ranksborough Drive which requires clearing. He will ask the landowners to clear this and this area will be included in a proposed inspection to be carried out jointly by RCC flood officer and C. Cllr. Hemsley.
2026/80 CIL projects
a. Village sign – it was proposed that the quotation to erect a 2-tier stone plinth with additional aluminium fabrication for post mounting £4118.98 plus £90 be accepted. All in favour.
b. Rewilding – nothing further to report at this meeting.
c. Community Park fencing – one detailed quotation received. More detail of the second being requested and a third quotation for fencing is being obtained.
2026/81 Planning
a. To receive planning applications and decisions since the last meeting. See appendix 1 below.
2026/66 AOB – items for the next meeting
The meeting closed at 8.20pm
Action log:
1.Response to Highways Concern and request for action to lower speed limits awaited from RCC. Matter to be raised with portfolio holder for a response. (OH)
Request to RCC to consider roundabout and traffic calming measures A606. (OH)
2. Flood plan – to be completed and published. Copies to LLR Resilience and LLFA (RB). To be followed up with RCC by C. Cllr Hemsley (OH)
SIM card replaced in monitor. (SC)
3. Monthly review of website content. (PV)
4. Paint repairs to be completed at Community Park (AT). Paint to be ordered.
5. Owners of property adjacent to Well Street verge to be contacted to discuss maintenance of planting. (RB)
6. Contact with RCC forestry & planning enforcement re replacement tree Squires Close Clerk
8. Community Park fence to be replaced. Quotations for metal/mesh fencing to be obtained (Clerk)
10. Damage to verges to be reported. OH & Clerk
Appendix 1.
2026/0540/CAT The Maples, 9 Church Street
T246 Beech Remove x1 limb south over road at 2m to give clearance of 5.2m over highway, T247 Cherry - Fell, T248 Beech crown raise to 5.2m over highway. T249 Cherry Crown raise to 5.2m over highway. T250 Birch crown raise to 5.3m over highway and clear sign where needed. T237. Conifer Crown raise / cut back to 2.4m over path and 5.2m over highway
Recommend approval.
2026/0322/ CAT 3 Fairfield Close
Fell 1 No. Oak tree.
An apparently healthy tree which will grow considerably larger, planted in an inappropriate place for its eventual size. A solution other than felling would be preferable, if there is one
20026/0569/FUL Angel Cottage 14 Church Street
Proposed New Timber Porch to Front elevation, new canopies to rear elevations, new rooflights, replacement flat roof, removal of existing Sitting Room door to be replaced with new window, removal of Kitchen window to be replaced with new double doors, timber cladding, new 1.8m high feather edge boarded fence, proposed replacement gate 300mm wider and repositioned & garage conversion
This application seems well-considered with appropriate materials being used – and should provide the improvements the family seeks while also improving the appearance of the property.
Recommend approval
2026/0563/CAT 4 The Rookery
Fell 1 no. Monterey Cypress
The tree is apparently healthy but has grown very large and is causing the problems to which the applicant refers. As there is no recommendation from a tree professional, it is difficult to know whether the tree could be reduced in size rather than felled.
2026/0445/FUL 25 Lonsborough Gardens
New brickwork to raise top platform and all current steps creating an additional 4th step. Installation of a galvanised handrail along the four steps and on two sides of the top platform (side opposite the door, and side right side to the door when facing the entrance).
Although the application does not say so, presumably the proposed alterations are to increase the safety of the occupant(s} of no 25. On that basis the proposed alterations seem appropriate and will not unduly alter the appearance of the building.
2026/0539/CAT 11 Melton Rd.
Birch tree – fell to ground – outgrown site and light issues.
The tree in question, although apparently healthy, has grown unduly large for its position.
2026/0573/CAT 24 Harewood Close
T1 Birch felled to ground level as outgrown location.
The tree has grown very large in relation to the size of the garden.