9 September 2025
NOTICE OF A MEETING OF RUSKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Dear Sir/Madam,
I hereby give you notice that a meeting of Ruskington Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 9 September 2025 at 7pm at the Winchelsea Centre, 11 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 members of the Parish Council 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 Ruskington Parish Council |
K H Locke
|
Dated: 3 September 2025 |
Agenda
1. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.
2. To receive declarations of interest and to 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 and to consider any applications for dispensations in relation to DPIs. 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.
3. To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 8 July 2025.
4. To receive the District and County Councillors’ reports – for information only.
5. Financial Matters
5.1. To approve the payments made and consider the invoices for payment received since the meeting held on 8 July 2025.
5.2. To consider /approve the bank reconciliations for July and August 2025.
5.3. To receive a monthly financial report from the RFO and consider any recommendations.
5.4. To consider /agree the arrangement and expenditure for a mid-year internal audit (due in November 2025) and agree an internal auditor.
5.5. To receive an update on the s106 contribution following the development of housing at Flaxwell Fields.
5.6. To consider seeking funding to update the hot water system in the changing rooms as recommended by the Recreation and Environment Committee.
5.7. To consider the expenditure of up to £2,000 to install two new self-closing gates at Parkfield to improve safety. One between the playing fields and the car park and the second at the entrance to the play area from the south playing field.
5.7.1. To consider using virement to transfer £1,700 from the community garden budget to the Recreation budget for the purchase of the self-closing gates for Parkfield. (Agenda item 5.7, above.)
5.8. To consider the expenditure for the following staff training:
a. Operational Play Equipment Inspection qualification for the Play Equipment Caretaker, at an approximate cost of £500.00 (including the exam.)
b. IOSHH Training for Managers, for the Clerk at an approximate cost of £145.00.
5.9. To consider the expenditure to create an overflow carpark at Parkfield playing fields (if planning permission is gained.)
5.10. To receive the draft final invoice for the renovation of the lychgate and consider the additional cost of £4,347 which is above the amount funded.
5.11. To consider the expenditure for upgrading the wood chipper for use by the Environment Caretaker for informing the budget setting for FY2026-2027.
5.12. To consider increasing the fees for an allotment to £40.00 per plot with effect from 1st April 2026. (One year’s notice of fee changes must be provided in advance.)
5.13. To consider charging a £50.00 deposit per plot only for new allotment tenants and existing tenants who lease additional plots, with effect from 1 October 2025.
6. To receive an update on co-option to Council.
7. To receive the Clerk’s report - for information only.
8. To consider/approve of the following documents as recommended following review:
8.1. Revised allotment policy and tenancy agreement as recommended by the Recreation & Environment Committee
8.2. Lone Working policy as recommended by the HR Committee
8.3. Training and Development as recommended by the HR Committee
8.4. Safeguarding Policy as recommended by the HR Committee
8.5. The Clerk’s appraisal form as recommended by the HR Committee
8.6. Staff (other than the Clerk’s) appraisal form as recommended by the HR Committee
8.7. Council – clerk- staff relations.
9. To consider separating the Recreation, Environment & Events Committee into two committees. A Recreation and Events Committee, and an Environment Committee (or to include the Environment Committee with the Estate Management & Planning Committee.)
9.1. To confirm the members of the Recreation & Events Committee and appoint new committee members as required.
9.2. To confirm members of the Environment Committee or the Estate Management, Planning & Environment Committee, and appoint new committee members as required.
9.3. To appoint a councillor to be the subject lead for event planning.
10. To consider the appointment of a member to the following outside agencies:
10.1. Ruskington Area Veteran’s Group
10.2. The Patient Participation Group (PPG) at Ruskington Medical Centre.
11. To consider a request from an allotment holder about the possibility of keeping a beehive at the allotments on Horseshoe Close. (In allotment legislation, this is a decision for the Council to make, but it is not included in Council’s current allotment agreement). Deferred from the meeting held on 8 July 2025 as further information was required.
12. To consider the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday on 9 November 2025 and agree the Councillor in be charge on the day, and a councillor to make a reading at the Church Service as invited by Rev’d Jenkins.
12.1. To consider paying a staff member to oversee the road closures and deliver, erect, and remove the road closure barriers on 9 November 2025.
13. To receive feedback from the Ruskington Remembers Village Celebrations to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of WW2, held on Saturday 6 September, including the winning entries for the anti-littering poster competition.
14. To agree the date for the next Community Litter Pick and agree the Councillor to lead this.
15. Recreation Matters: To consider the recommendations from the Recreation and Environment Committee following a meeting held on 2 September 2025. – Cllr Cox.
15.1. To receive an update on the feasibility of a 3G surface for the Parkfield MUGA and agree the next steps.
15.2. To receive information on the costs for Council’s caretakers to install an overflow carpark at Parkfield playing fields, if planning permission is approved, and consider the recommendations of the Committee.
15.3. To consider a public consultation to include the pavilion and extension to Parkfield carpark, projects for the s106 claim, improving the surface of the MUGA, the play areas, and ways to improve sport, recreation and leisure at Parkfield playing fields over the next five to ten years.
15.4. To appoint members to a working party to create the public consultation, a time line for the consultation, and agree a time frame for the consultation to be available for recommending to Council.
15.5. To consider/approve the hire agreements for the use of the facilities at Parkfield.
15.6. To consider future events and any expenditure required. – Cllr Harrison.
16. To consider planning applications received from NKDC since the last meeting, and ratify any comments made by the Estate Management and Planning Committee.
a. Planning Application Reference: 25/0765/FUL
Proposal: Siting of an In Post Parcel Locker (retrospective)
Location: Black Bull 10 Rectory Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire
b. Planning Application Reference: 25/0823/HOUS
Proposal: Erection of a rear/side extension to accommodate a ground floor bathroom and
sunroom.
Location: 11 The Paddock Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9GY
c. Planning Application Reference: 25/0451/FUL
Proposal: Industrial Development B2, B8 and E(g) of small factory units comprising:
Plots 1-3 (324m2), Plots 8-11 (428m2) and Plots 12-15 (428m2) and Wholesale Bakery and
Bread Making Plots 4-7 (623m2) with on site parking
Location: Industrial Estate Fen Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire
d. Planning Application Reference: 25/0698/FUL
Proposal: Erection of secure metal structure to accommodate extra workshop space for the garage (retrospective) and change of use of land from residential to business
Location: Speedway Garage Sleaford Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire
e. Planning Application Reference: 25/0948/HOUS
Proposal: Single storey flat roof infill extension to side & rear
Location: 36 Parkfield Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9HS
f. Planning Application Reference: 25/1018/HOUS
Proposal: Proposed first floor side extension and single storey rear extension
Location: 22 Elmtree Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9BT
16.1. To consider a response to a pre-planning application consultation for a mobile phone base station installation at cs_308586, land at Pilgrim's Ruskington, Sleaford road, Ruskington, Lincolnshire, NG34 9BW (NGR: E508367, N350252) Sent from Perry Williams Town Planners and received on 15/8/2025.
16.2. To consider an Application for a Lawful Development Certificate – Section 191 Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and a request from NKDC for information on the use of the site for the last ten years. Application Reference: 25/0922/LDEXI
Proposal: Application for a lawful development certificate for use of building and land
for supported living accommodation (Sui generis). Location: 48 Rectory Road Ruskington Sleaford
16.3. To received notice of planning applications approved by NKDC.
a. Application Reference: 25/0693/HOUS
Proposal: Erection of two storey rear extension
Location: 11 Arnhem Avenue Ruskington Sleaford
(Notice of decision received on 23/7/2025)
b. Application Reference: 25/0713/HOUS
Proposal: Single storey oak framed front porch, single storey side extension, first floor rear
extension, external alterations including new hipped roof over garage, internal alterations
Location: 71 Westcliffe Road Ruskington Sleaford.
(Notice of decision received on 28/8/2025)
17. Correspondence - for information only. (Circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting).
a. LALC (by email) – Fortnightly newsletter.
b. LALC (by email on 10/7/2025) – LALC Summer Conference
c. Railfuture East Midland (by post on 14/7/2025) – Six Shires Rail newsletter (East Midlands and Lincolnshire)
d. Carre Heritage (by email on 21/7/2025) – Delay to the completion date for the lychgate renovation. (Information shard with the National Lottery Investment Manager.)
e. LCC Flood and Water Team (by post on 21/7/2025 – Information and A3 poster on how to report a flood. [Displayed on noticeboard.]
f. LALC (by email on 28/7/2025) – Notice of and costs for an Operational Inspector & Maintenance Course in spring 2026. (Agenda item, above.)
g. Lions JFC (by email on 28/7/2025) – Condition of the football pitches and pavilion at Parkfield.
h. MOD (by email on 28/7/2025) – Transferal of deed ownership for a military grave (WO Finnis) in Sleaford Road cemetery. (Dealt with by the Clerk on 28/7/2025).
i. LCC Highways (by email on 28/7/2025) – Advance notice of roadworks on Westcliffe Road in August 2025.
j. LCC Flood Risk Team (by email on 29/7/2025) – Update on the flood risk investigations and modelling for Ruskington. (WO Finnis
k. LCC (by email on 29/7/2025) – Town and Parish newsletter for July.
l. NKDC (by email on 29/7/2025) – Update on the Meadowbrook community space (owned and managed by NKDC) and a request for Council to install a bin due to dog fouling.
m. NKDC (by email on 29/7/2025) – Arrangements to deliver the plaque for the fruit trees awarded by NKDC.
n. Resident (by email on 29/7/2025) – Entry for the children’s anti-littering poster competition.
o. Resident (by email on 31/7/2025) – Query regarding tennis provision in Ruskington (advised about the MUGA).
p. Ruskington Walking Football Club member (by email on 1/8/2025) – Interest in using a 3G pitch if one was provided at the MUGA.
q. Resident (by email on 4/8/2025) – Regrowth of silver birch tree at Elmtree. (Advised that the stump grinding will take place in winter 2025/26).
r. LALC (by emails on 4/8/2025) – E-news, August training bulletin, training course information.
s. LCC Highways (by email on 5/8/2025) – Amendment to the end date for roadworks on Westcliffe Road. (The end date will be advertised, once known, on the road work signage.)
t. LCC Highways (by email on 5/8/2025) – Unable to locate a safe location for the installation of benches on either side of the Priory Road railway bridge, so consent for benches would not be given.
u. Members of the public (via email between 8/8/2025 and 11/8/2025) – Thirty-five identical emails requesting a 3G pitch for the Parkfield MUGA. [Information collated.]
v. Architect (by email on 11/8/2025) – Update on the pavilion planning application.
w. member of public (by email on 11/8/2025) – Request for information to create a family “memory book”. [Signposted to the village social media sites with advice to be cautious of sharing personal details.]
x. Resident (by email on 14/8/2025). Graffiti on the play equipment at Elmtree play area. [Reported to the Police and NKDC ASB team and removed by the Caretaker for Play Equipment.)
y. Resident/local business (by email on 15/8/2025) – Request to use the bales following grass cutting and baling at Horseshoe Hollow. [Advised that this would be acceptable if they can remove the bales and the person baling the grass does not want them).
z. Resident (by email on 18/8/2025) – The hedge between Parkfield playing field, and a property on Tomlinson Way, clearance of the ditch, and litter left by football teams and spectators around the playing fields.
aa. Resident (by email on 18/8/2025) – Suggestions for Parkfield (toilet and pop-up café).
bb. Resident (by email on 26/8/2025) – Request for an ash tree seedling to be removed from the cemetery / Lindum Park fence line. (The Environment Caretaker asked to inspect and take the appropriate actions.)
cc. Resident (by email on 26/8/2025) – Possible donation of a metal bench for the community garden or elsewhere, if considered suitable and it can be transported to its new location.
dd. Resident (by email on 1/9/2025) – Request for a speed activator sign for Lincoln Road (near the Flaxwell Fields development) to reduce speeding on entry to the village.
ee. Resident (by email on 1/9/2025) - Request to relocate the bin from outside the church to the opposite side of the bridge and removal of weed growth.
ff. Resident (by email on 1/9/2025) – Photos of the tree and vegetation growth on the path between Lincoln Road and Horseshoe Hollow that is restricting access and preventing a resident from maintaining their fence panels.
gg. Business owner (by email on 3/9/2025) – Questions about the flags erected as part of the Village Celebration.
hh. NKDC (by email on 3/9/2025) – Invitation to the Clerk and Councillors to attend the next NKDC Parish Forum on 6 November 2025, 10am to 12 noon at the NKDC Offices.
18. To consider holding Councillor surgeries at the Parish Office and agree the format and next steps.
19. To receive Members’ Reports – for information only. (Any items raised for decision will appear on the agenda for the next meeting.)
20. To resolve whether to exclude the public and press, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, to discuss the following legal matter below. Should this resolution be passed, members of the public and press will be required to leave the meeting. The meeting will end, and a further meeting of the Council will be convened immediately.
21. To consider / approve the following items following a meeting of the HR Committee held on 14 July 2025.
21.1. Draft letter to staff following post appraisal comments.
21.2. To consider the proposed amendments to job descriptions following appraisals and suggestions for staff. (Consultations with staff members will be required.)
21.3. To Council’s contribution to staff pensions for FY 2026-2027.
21.4. To consider a request for non-caretaker staff uniform items.
22. Powers and Duties of the Council, Councillor, and Clerk – Cllr Ditch.
End of agenda.