2 December 2025 - Recreation & Environment Committee
Minutes of the Ruskington Parish Council Recreation and Environment Committee meeting on Tuesday 2 December 2025 at 6.30pm at Ruskington Parish Office.
Present: Cllr G Cox (Chairman of the Committee), Cllr L Tomlinson, Cllr D Conway, Cllr M Trolley and Cllr P Cunningham
In attendance: Kirsty Sinclair (Deputy Clerk & RFO), Andrew Doughty (Environmental Caretaker) and Dr S Cotter (Co-opted Non-Council Member)
No members of the public or press were present.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 6.30pm and welcomed the delegates.
1. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.
Dr Cotter had informed the committee she may arrive late to the meeting due to other commitments.
Action: It was resolved to defer all environmental items until Dr Cotter arrives. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.
2. To receive declarations of interest and to consider applications for dispensations in relation to DPIs.
Cllr Tomlinson declared and interest in items 15, 18 and 19.
3. To approve as a correct record the notes of the last meeting held on 2nd September 2025.
Due to only one member being present from the last meeting, the committee were unable to approve the minutes as accurate record.
4. To receive an update on the budget and expenditure for environmental projects and maintenance.
4.1. To receive an update on the budget for recreation projects and maintenance.
The RFO provided an update on finances for items 4-4.1. Although expenditure remains within budget on most lines, there are a couple of areas of overspend. This is to be monitored closely over the remaining months of this financial year.
5. To receive an update and consider the quotes for replacing the water tank in the changing rooms and connecting this to the solar panels for recommending to Council. (Council agreed at its meeting on 11/11/2025 to use CIL money to cover the costs.) - Cllr Conway.
Cllr Conway contacted the contractors that had quoted previously who confirmed no increase to original quotes. The initial work of installing a new cylinder has been scheduled for 8th and 9th December. Following this work another contractor will connect the system to the solar panels as approved by full council. Date to be confirmed.
6. To consider the continuation of the gas contract for the pavilion in view of the showers not being used, the cost of the standing charges, and the upcoming renovation of the pavilion.
Action: It was resolved to remove the gas meter and have the system purged at a cost of up to £675. RFO to instruct contractor to purge the system and supplier to remove and cap the meter. Proposed by Cllr Tomlinson, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.
7. To receive the Clerk’s report (for information only).
Report was received.
8. To receive the Environment Caretaker’s report (for information only).
Deferred until after item 15.
9. To consider the Adjacent Parish Council Notification for Planning Reference: PL/0016/25
Development: For proposed erection and operation of biogas plant (biogas generated on site upgraded to biomethane, with a range of by-products for export) including connection to the national gas transmission system, associated highway modifications (including new road link to Moy Park facility from the a153), proposed landscaping and associated development (including pipeline connections)
Location: Land to the west of Moy Park facility and the south of the A153, Anwick
Grid reference: 510848 350225 (Information previously circulated.)
https://lincolnshire.planning-register.co.uk/
a. Regulation 25 - Covering Letter 07/11/2025
b. Regulation 25 - Biodiversity Net Gain Metric 07/11/2025
c. Regulation 25 - Environmental Statement Addendum 07/11/2025
d. Regulation 25 - Proposed Site Layout Plan 07/11/2025
The planning application was discussed. Items included concerns over noise, transport and air quality.
Action: It was resolved that Cllr Cunningham forward comments made to the office for discussion at the next full council meeting. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.
10. To consider the creation of a tree inspection policy as required for insurance and health and safety purposes.
Deferred until after item 15.
11. To consider ways to develop the community garden such as participation by the community and items for funding bids.
Deferred until after item 15.
12. To consider upgrading the CCTV cameras at the pavilion. (Deferred from the meeting on 2/9/2025.)
Action: It was resolved to reconsider the CCTV upgrades as part of the future pavilion renovation. Proposed by Cllr Tomlinson, seconded by Cllr Cox and approved unanimously.
13. To consider the purchase of two radar speed indicator devices (powered by solar) for Lincoln Road and Sleaford Road at a cost of £2,500 each, for informing the budget for 2026 onwards.
Action: It was resolved to recommend to full council the purchase of one speed indicator device for Lincoln Road, if the 2026-27 budget would allow for the additional expenditure. Permission from LCC would also need to be obtained prior to purchase. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Cunningham and approved unanimously.
14. To consider ways to reduce/ prevent the parking issues in the vicinity of Parkfield playing fields when the facilities are in use.
Cllr Tomlinson gave an update on the measures being taken by the Lions JFC to help mitigate the parking issues at Parkfield. These included staggering kick off times, moving some teams to a Saturday league for the 2026-27 season and promoting car sharing. It was requested that on the busiest fixture days, that the area between the changing rooms and pavilion be used for car parking. The committee approved this request providing the weather permits, the footpath was not blocked, and no vehicles were to encroach on other areas of the field.
Action: It was resolved to allow the Lions to park on the area discussed in line with the noted terms. Clerk to contact the Lions JFC to confirm these conditions in writing and obtain a list of dates this area may potentially be used, if available. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved with 4 votes for and 1 abstention.
15. To consider a request from the Lions JFC to use Parkfield facilities for a football tournament on Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June 2026 and agree the Terms and Conditions.
Action: It was resolved to approve the request for the football tournament in June 2026. There were some suggested amendments to the draft lease agreement. RFO to make the suggested amendments and present to full council at its next meeting. Proposed by Cllr Cunningham seconded by Cllr Conway and approved with 4 votes for and 1 abstention.
Dr S Cotter joined the meeting at 7.27pm.
8. To receive the Environment Caretaker’s report (for information only).
Andrew Doughty was thanked for his comprehensive report.
The report was received, and discussions were held regarding the following actions: The water leaking into the Beck outside of OneStop on High Street South is still ongoing and to be chased with Anglian Water again. Further quotes are required for cutting and collecting grass in Horseshoe Hollow and the committee would like the Admin Assistant to share an article regarding the approximately 3000 hedge plants and trees planted with the village in the last few years.
10. To consider the creation of a tree inspection policy as required for insurance and health and safety purposes.
Action: The Environment Caretaker to liaise with the Clerk to produce a document for review at the next committee meeting.
11. To consider ways to develop the community garden such as participation by the community and items for funding bids.
Action: RFO to check the date of expiry on the lease for the Community Garden and look at possible funding sources for further development of the garden for consideration at the next committee meeting.
16. To consider a 5–10-year plan for improving the sporting, recreational, leisure, and play facilities at Parkfield playing fields, and agree the next steps including any public consultations.
Deferred until after item 19.
17. To consider eligible projects for the S106 contribution, following receipt of the Deed of Variation, for the Flaxwell Fields development for recommending to Council and submitting to NKDC for review and feedback, and agree any next steps.
Deferred until after item 19.
18. To receive an update from Cllr Cox following a meeting with the Football Association (FA) to discuss the funding opportunities below and agree any next steps.
18.1. A 2G, or other surface for the MUGA, following environmental concerns raised about a 3G surface.
18.2. Improving and maintaining the playing fields and the possibility of the Lions JFC applying for funding from the FA to achieve this.
18.3. Improving / renovating the changing rooms, as already noted by the FA as a project they would fund.
Deferred until after item 19.
19. To receive / consider a formal proposal from the Lions JFC to arrange a ten-year lease agreement for Parkfield playing fields.
19.1. To receive / consider the draft lease agreement from the Lions JFC for non-exclusive use of Parkfield playing fields, if available, and make any suggestions for revision.
Some suggested amendments to the lease included changes to the map which shows the areas to be cut and to remove the wild strips, following updated measurements from the Environmental Caretaker, from around the perimeter of the fields as previously identified by council. These areas would require cutting a couple of times a year and the cuttings removed, under a separate contractor. The Lions JFC would like their current annual hire amount to be offset by the work they would be carried out to maintain the fields. Cllr Cunningham had not had sight of the proposed lease document and was invited to review and add comments before the January full council meeting.
Action: It was resolved for the map and draft agreement to be amended as above and presented to council for further comments in January. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved with 4 votes for and 1 abstention.
Dr Cotter left the meeting at 8.19pm.
16. To consider a 5–10-year plan for improving the sporting, recreational, leisure, and play facilities at Parkfield playing fields, and agree the next steps including any public consultations.
A draft consultation was presented and a couple of amendments suggested.
The consultation document was reviewed and a couple of amendments suggested. The document to include a QR code to the online survey and to be circulated to the public via a flyer in the Local Lincs magazine, the e-newsletter and on our social media site. Closing date to be determined by how soon the consultation could be sent out by Local Lincs but the committee suggested no longer than 4 weeks. Paper copies will also be available in the office.
Action: It was resolved to recommend to council that, following the suggested amendments, the public consultation document be approved and sent out to the public with a closing date of 4 weeks from being distributed via Local Lincs. Proposed by Cllr Tomlinson, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.
Action: It was resolved to draft a separate short survey for Hillside play area to gage usage and support for either closing or renovating the play area. Copies to be posted to households in the streets surrounding the area but would also be available online or in the office for other residents in the village. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.
17. To consider eligible projects for the S106 contribution, following receipt of the Deed of Variation, for the Flaxwell Fields development for recommending to Council and submitting to NKDC for review and feedback, and agree any next steps.
Potential projects to be discussed at a later date following the outcome of the above public consultation.
18. To receive an update from Cllr Cox following a meeting with the Football Association (FA) to discuss the funding opportunities below and agree any next steps.
18.1. A 2G, or other surface for the MUGA, following environmental concerns raised about a 3G surface.
Cllr Cox had received a message prior to the meeting from a representative of the FA to confirm the quotes for the 2G and 3G pitch all looked suitable for the funding available. Cllr Tomlinson spoke about a 5G pitch which would not require infill.
Action: Cllr Cox to obtain information and quotes regarding the 5G surface and confirm with the FA if this would also be suitable for the funding. A report and recommendation including a table on the different surface types, the cost of these surfaces, whether they would be eligible for funding, maintenance costs for each surface and any other information including environmental impact to be produced for presenting to full council when available.
18.2. Improving and maintaining the playing fields and the possibility of the Lions JFC applying for funding from the FA to achieve this.
In order for the Lions JFC to apply for funding from the FA, they would require a 10-year lease for the fields. This was discussed under item 19.
18.3. Improving / renovating the changing rooms, as already noted by the FA as a project they would fund.
More information is required from the FA including the funding criteria, the level of funding available and the next steps required by council before this can be considered further by the committee.
Action: RFO to look online to find any information available. Cllr Cox to speak to the FA representative to obtain more information.
20. To consider any other environment or recreational projects or maintenance requirements for informing the budget setting for FY 2026-2027.
No other projects were considered.
Cllr Cunningham raised concerns over the vegetation growing in the Beck wall and the growth behind the public toilets. Vegetation to be reported to the EA and the Environmental Caretaker had the work behind the public toilets scheduled cutting back over winter.
21. To consider /agree the dates and times for the required four committee meetings to be held in 2026. (Additional meetings can be held as required.)
The dates for the 2026 meetings were approved as Tuesday 3rd February, Tuesday 5th May, Tuesday 1st September and Tuesday 1st December.
Additional meetings may be held throughout the year to discuss on-going projects and consultation results.
The meeting closed at 8.58pm.