30 June 2026 - DRAFT Environment & Estate Committee
Ruskington Parish Council
Minutes of an Environment and Estate Committee meeting held on Tuesday 30 June 2026 at the Parish Office at 1pm.
Present: Cllr M Trolley (Chairman of Committee), Cllr O Ditch, Cllr S Hislop, Cllr D Conway, Cllr Cunningham,
Also in attendance: Kathryn Locke (Clerk to Council), Andrew Doughty – Environment Caretaker
One member of the public (a former Chairman of Council) was present and had been invited to attend in relation to agenda item 5, below, a memorial bench for the late Queen Elizabeth II).
At 1pm, the Chairman welcomed everyone and invited the member of public to speak. The member of public thanked the Committee for the invitation to the meeting and reported that they had published six books and had made an approximate profit of £2.00 per book sold. The profit, as previously agreed, would go towards 50% of the purchase cost of a bench for the Garden of Remembrance in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The member of public had been in contact with a manufacturer who could create a bespoke bench within the approved budget. The design, dedication, and materials for the bench were discussed. It was considered that a 2 seater, black metal bench, with a previously agreed “in memory” dedication, would be the most suitable. Feet and fittings to be purchased too, for ease of installation and to secure the bench to the ground. Payment was required before the bench could be manufactured.
The Chairman thanked the member of public who then left the meeting.
1. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.
Dr Cotter was unable to attend the meeting and had sent apologies.
2. 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.
Cllr Hislop declared an interest in agenda item 11.4, below, due to the nature of their employment.
3. To approve the notes of the Environment, Estate Management and Planning Committee meeting held on 2 June 2026 as accurate Minutes.
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to approve the notes of the meeting held on 2 June 2026 as accurate minutes. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Hislop and approved unanimously.
4. To receive the 30 year management plan for Parkfield as a condition of the planning application for the pavilion renovation, from Dr Cotter, if available.
The report was not available.
Action: The Environment Caretaker to contact Dr Cotter and offer assistance in writing the management plan. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.
5. To consider the design and costs of a memorial bench for the Garden of Remembrance to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth II as proposed by a former Chairman of Council. (Councill has agreed expenditure of up to £500 to cover half of the costs.)
This had been considered in the public session above.
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to Council that a two seater black metal bench, with a dedication, be purchased by Council at a cost of £590.00 plus an additional £50 for the feet and installation fittings. The member of public would reimburse Council with 50% of the costs.
The dedication to be: In memory of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II / 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022 / “Forever in our hearts”
Proposed by Cllr Hislop, seconded by Cllr Ditch and approved unanimously.
6. To receive an update on the grounds maintenance schedule and contracts following proposed changes at Parkfield and Horseshoe Hollow and consider any actions and expenditure.
The Environment Caretaker had obtained three quotes, and these had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to approve Quote 1 from RSM at a cost of £1,088.25 to supply the machinery and cut and collect the grass in Horseshoe Hollow, with all the material left on site. The best location for the heap of cuttings to be left in the Hollow was to be confirmed.
The wild strips at Parkfield playing fields were to be cut by the Environment Caretaker and the cuttings left in situ. This was to be reviewed in one year.
6.1. To consider asking the grass cutting contractor not to cut the grass on the mound at Elmtree play area when the wildflowers are in bloom and to consider the best time to cut the grass on the mound.
Action: it was RESOLVED to continue to have the grass mound cut as usual. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.
6.2. To consider the Environment Caretakers recommendation to plant five free fruit trees in Horseshoe Hollow and a free “Isaac Newton” fruit tree in the Community Garden as offered by the Woodland Trust to eligible groups.
The Clerk had made an expression of interest in these trees to the Woodland Trust.
The Environment Caretaker made his recommendation for the tree locations and advised that the Woodland Trust had asked for a map to show the proposed locations for the trees.
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to apply for five fruit trees for Horseshoe Hollow and an Isaac Newton fruit tree for the orchard in the community garden, to be planted where recommended by the Environment Caretaker who would also provide the requested maps. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Ditch and approved unanimously.
7. To receive / consider costs for artificial Christmas trees for the brackets on business premises, if available and agree any recommendations for making to Council.
The Environment Caretaker had obtained quotes for 3ft and 4ft pre-lit and unlit artificial
Christmas trees and, due to cost, recommended 4ft unlit trees. Fifty-three trees would be required, and the existing tree lights could be reused. The costs for purchasing Christmas trees had been approved in the budget.
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to Council the purchase of 53 x 4ft artificial and unlit Christmas trees at a cost of £688.47 but to initially purchase one tree (£17.99) to check its suitability and quality. Proposed by Cllr Hislop, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.
8. To consider the caretaker undertaking a tree inspections and survey course training provided by Lincoln Rural Training at a cost of £450 ex VAT and agree any recommendations for making to the Finance Committee for its consideration on 7 July 2026.
This course would lead to a formal qualification.
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to Council that the Environment Caretaker undertake the tree inspection training at a cost of £450.00, if the budget allowed. Proposed by Cllr Cunningham, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.
9. To review /update Council’s Health & Safety, and relevant policies: Cemetery and Memorial Inspection policy and agree any recommendations for making to Council.
The review of the policy was deferred. The Caretakers would soon be commencing the memorial inspections in the cemetery.
10. To receive an update on the proposed conservation area for Ruskington village centre and agree any actions or expenditure.
There was nothing to report on the conservation area.
11. To consider any planning applications received from NKDC since the Council meeting was held on 12 May 2026.
None received at the time the agenda was published on 24/6/2026.
11.1. Notice of a planning appeal received from NKDC:
Proposed Site at 48 Rectory Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire
Planning Reference 25/0922/LDEXI
Appeal Reference 6007397
Action: The Committee had submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (by email on 11/6/2026) that Council’s comments stand.
11.2. Notification of Local Councils – Receipt of amended details
Planning Application: 25/0698/FUL
Proposal: Erection of secure metal structure to accommodate extra workshop space
for the garage (retrospective) and part change of use from residential amenity space
to be Sui Generis (Car Sales)
Location: Speedway Garage Sleaford Road Ruskington
Details of the amendments are as follows:
Revised plans received showing for provision of through route for delivery vehicles,
customer and staff parking, separation of accesses for retained bungalow and business, as well as relocation of workshop building.
The Committee had reviewed the amendments, but the notice was for information only.
11.3. Notice of applications approved by NKDC.
a. Application Reference: 25/0451/FUL
Proposal: Erection of 15 commercial units for B2, B8 and E(g) use including bakery at units 4-7
Location: Industrial Estate Fen Road Ruskington
Notice of approval received on 17 June 2026.
b. Application Reference: 26/0484/HOUS
Proposal: Proposed garage extension
Location: 24 Legion Way Ruskington Sleaford
Notice of approval received on 17 June 2026.
11.4. To consider any planning applications received after the agenda for this meeting was published.
a. Notification of revised plans received from LCC Planning on 25/6/2026.
Application Reference PL/0016/25
Proposal: 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)
Location:
Land to the West of Moy Park Facility and South of the A153, Anwick
https://lincolnshire.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display?applicationNumber=PL%2F0016%2F25
Action: The Committee had no new comments to make.
12. To receive an update on the requirement for a VARCON planning application for the pavilion to change its use from Class E (commercial) to class C (community) following an on-site meeting with the Assistant Director for Planning & Climate Change at NKDC, on 12 June 2026, and agree any recommendations for making to Council.
Following a meeting at the pavilion with the Assistant Director of Planning from NKDC on 12 June to discuss the planning classification and the plans for the use of the pavilion by the community following its renovation, there was no requirement to apply for a Varcon.
13. To receive an update on the tender process for the pavilion renovation.
The tender application process closed on Friday 25 June 2026 at 12 noon. The Clerk advised that three tender applications had been received.
13.1. To appoint members to a panel to review the tender applications and make a recommendation to Council at its meeting on 14 July 2026.
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to appoint Cllrs Ditch, Conway and Cunningham to the tender evaluation panel.
13.2. To agree the best time on either Wednesday 1 June or Tuesday 2nd June for the tender panel to meet and review the tender applications.
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to hold the evaluation meeting immediately after this meeting due to the availability of the appointed panel. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.
13.3. To consider the matrix of evaluation questions to be used when reviewing the tender applications.
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to use the matrix as published on the Find a Tender website.
- Value for money - 30%
- Fulfilling the requirements of the brief - 30%
- Incorporating accessible and inclusive elements - 30%
- Start time and time scales – 10%
Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Cunningham and agreed unanimously.
14. To confirm the date of the next scheduled Committee meeting as Tuesday 15 September 2026.
Action: The Committee RESOLVED to change the date of the next scheduled meeting from 15 September 2026 to 22 September 2026 to ensure it was quorate at 6.30pm at the Parish Office. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Hislop and approved unanimously.
14.1. To consider if another committee meeting or a working party meeting is required before 15 September 2026, and if so, to agree the date and time.
No additional meetings were required at this time.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.13pm.