2 September 2025 - Recreation & Environment Committee
Notice of a meeting of the Recreation and Environment Committee
Dear Sir/Madam,
I hereby give you notice that a meeting of the Recreation and Environment Committee of Ruskington Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 2 September 2025 at 6.30pm at Ruskington Parish Office, 7-9 High Street North Ruskington, NG34 9DY. Members of the public and press are welcome to the public session commencing at 7pm [lasting no more than 15 minutes] and may ask questions or make short statements to the Committee at this time. Alternatively, questions or statements may be submitted to the Clerk in advance of the meeting: clerk@ruskington-pc.gov.uk
All Councillor Members of the Recreation & Environment Committee are summoned to attend for the purpose of considering and resolving upon the business to be transacted at the meeting, as set out hereunder.
Signed:
K. H. Locke
Clerk to the Parish Council
K. H. Locke
Date:
26 August 2025
Agenda
1. To elect a Chairman for the ensuing civic year.
2. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.
3. To receive declarations of interest and consider applications for dispensations in relation to DPIs. Disclosure of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests is to be in accordance with the Localism Act 2011. The need for Disclosure is to be based upon agenda items or at any suitable time during the Meeting when it becomes apparent to a Member.
4. To elect a Vice-chairman for the remainder of the civic year.
5. To consider correspondence from the Lions JFC regarding the condition of the playing fields and facilities at Parkfield.
6. To approve the notes of the meeting of the Recreation and Environment Committee meeting held on 6 May 2025 as accurate Minutes.
7. To receive an update on the budget and expenditure for environmental projects and maintenance.
7.1. To receive an update on the budget and expenditure for recreation projects and maintenance.
7.2. To receive an update on the budget and expenditure for Council events.
7.3. To receive information on any donations received following external events held at Parkfield playing fields.
8. To receive the Clerk’s report [for information only].
9. To receive the Environment Caretaker’s report [for information only].
10. To consider the following tree work:
10.1. To consider a recommendation and further information from the Environment Caretaker to pollard two trees at the junction of Lincoln Road and the path to Horseshoe Close for recommending to Council.
10.1.1. To consider the quote for this tree work for recommending to Council.
10.2. To consider the tree work required in the closed churchyard following a meeting with the churchwardens on 27 August 2025, if available, and agree the next steps.
11. To consider upgrading the CCTV cameras at the pavilion.
12. To review and revise the following documents for recommending to Council:
12.1. The allotment agreement in accordance with allotment legislation and the revised allotment policy for recommending to Council.
12.2. The allotment policy in accordance with allotment legislation, following allotment training and membership to the National Allotment Society.
12.3. The cemetery regulations and regulations for the ashes scattering area
12.4. The hire agreements for Parkfield playing fields, pavilion and changing rooms.
13. To consider the fees for the following to inform the budget for 2026-2027.
13.1. Burial and cemetery fees
13.2. Fees for the sports teams to hire the playing fields, pavilion and changing rooms
a. The Lions JFC
b. Sleaford Athletic FC
13.3. Fees for non-sporting use of the Parkfield facilities by businesses, charities, for events, for private hire such as birthday parties.
13.4. Allotment fees for the 2027-2028 season [one year’s notice of fees must be provided.]
14. To consider environmental projects and maintenance requirements for informing the 2026-2027 budget, based on evidence of need.
15. To receive an update on the S106 contribution for the Flaxwell Fields development and agree any next steps and projects for recommending to Council.
16. To receive an update and quotes to upgrade the hot water system in the changing rooms. [The current tank does not comply with current regulations and the hot water only trickles from the showers/ taps, possibly due to limescale build up.]
17. To receive/consider the annual ROSPA report following the inspections of the play areas, goal posts and MUGA in August 2025.
17.1. To establish the ownership of the goal posts at Parkfield, including the one abandoned in the hedge so this can be removed, and any remedial work as advised in the RoSPA inspection can be conducted.
17.2. To consider the expenditure to purchase two self-closing gates at Parkfield, one between the playing field and the car park [current gate does not close] and one between the playing field and play area [entrapment hazard], if available. These will be installed by Council’s caretakers.
18. To consider the estimate for Council’s caretakers to install a Hexpave system [and accompanying works] to create a car parking area at Parkfield playing fields, if planning permission is granted.
19. To consider a 5–10-year plan for improving the sporting, recreational, and leisure facilities at Parkfield playing fields, and agree the next steps.
19.1. To consider a public consultation or consultations to include projects for the s106 claim; the pavilion, the play areas, with a focus on Hillside and Beck Close play areas, and an improved surface for the MUGA.
19.2. To consider the need for a working party to consider the consultation questions for recommending to Council.
20. To receive a presentation from Cllr Cox on his proposal for a 3G surface for Parkfield MUGA.
20.1. To consider conducting a feasibility study, scoping review, and a public consultation for upgrading the surface of the MUGA and to evidence the need for a 3G pitch and agree any recommendations for Council to consider.
20.2. To agree the next steps and a timetable for the feasibility study, scoping review and public consultation
20.3. To agree the lead councillor/s for overseeing the scoping review, feasibility study, and public consultation.
21. To consider the possibilities for improving the play areas the play areas with a focus on Hillside and Beck Close for recommending to Council.
22. To consider recreational projects, play and other equipment, and maintenance requirements for informing the 2026-2027 budget, based on evidence of need.
23. To consider community events for organising in FY 2026-2027 – Cllr Harrison.
23.1. To consider the need for an events sub-committee or a working party for recommending to Council.
24. To consider a date or dates and times for Committee meetings to be held before the next scheduled meeting on Tuesday 2 December 2025 at 6.30pm at the Parish Office. [The meeting on 2/12/2025 is to finalise the expenditure for informing the budget and precept for FY 2026-2027].
End of agenda.
Ruskington Parish Council
The Parish Office, 7-9 High Street North, Ruskington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9DY
Tel: 01526 834483 Email: clerk@ruskington-pc.gov.uk
Chairman of Council – Cllr O Ditch I Clerk to the Council - Mrs Kathryn Locke I RFO - Miss Kirsty Sinclair