14 October 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 14 October 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.
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Signed: K H Locke Clerk to Ruskington Parish Council |
K H Locke
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Dated: 8 October 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 9 September 2025.
4. To receive the District and County Councillors’ reports – for information only.
5. Financial Matters (Information circulated prior to the meeting.)
5.1. To approve the payments made and consider the invoices for payment received since the meeting held on 9 September 2025.
5.2. To consider /approve the bank reconciliations for September 2025.
5.3. To receive a monthly financial report from the RFO and consider any recommendations.
5.4. To receive an update on the s106 contribution following the development of housing at Flaxwell Fields.
5.5. To receive the outcome of the Clerk’s application to NKDC for a Litter Picking Grant for FY 2025-2026.
5.6. To receive / consider the end of year external audit report for FY 2024-2025 from PKF Littlejohn. (Information circulated prior to the meeting and displayed as prescribed.)
5.7.a. To consider the length of time to display the Notice of Conclusion of Audit, along with the certified AGAR (Sections 1, 2 & 3), as recommended by the Finance Committee and RFO. The previous statute required 14 days.
5.8. To receive the review the accounts and schedule of reserves at the mid-point of the financial year. (Information circulated prior to the meeting.)
5.9. To review the Annual Investment Strategy and consider any recommendations made by the Finance Committee following its meeting on 7 October 2025.
5.10. To consider adding Cllr Harison to the list of bank signatories as recommended by the Finance Committee.
5.11. To consider the recommendations of the Finance Committee for awarding grants to Ruskington community groups following the review of applications by the Finance Committee on 7 October 2025.
5.11.a. 1st Ruskington Scouts.
5.12. To receive an update on the s106 and the Deed of Variation for the development of Flaxwell Fields.
5.13. To consider a 3.5% increase in all cemetery fees, rounded up to the nearest pound, for all cemetery fees for FY 2026-2027, as recommended by the Recreation and Environment Committee.
5.14. To receive/consider the decision submitted to the Energy Ombudsman regarding their decision on the fees to exit the contract from the outgoing electricity provider as recommended by the Finance Committee at its meeting on 7 October 2025.
5.15. To review the draft budget for FY 2027-2027 as recommended by the Finance Committee at its meeting on 7 October 2025.
6. To receive an update on co-option to Council.
6.1. To consider the co-option of Lydia Sheldon to Council, following receipt of an application form and completion of all co-option policy requirements. (Information previously circulated.)
7. To receive the Clerk’s report - for information only.
8. To consider/approve the following documents and their review dates as recommended following review by the relevant committee.
8.1. Cemetery regulations following review by the Recreation & Environment Committee
8.2. Regulations for the ashes scattering area in Sleaford Road cemetery following review by the Recreation & Environment Committee.
8.3. Health & Safety Policy following review by the Estate Management & Planning Committee on 30 September 2025.
8.4. Flushing & Purging Policy following review by the Estate Management & Planning Committee on 30 September 2025.
8.5. Salting & Gritting Policy following review by the Estate Management & Planning Committee on 30 September 2025.
8.6. To review the Advertising Guidance Policy.
8.7. To review/ approve the draft Terms of Reference for the Event Committee.
8.8. To review / approve the draft Terms of Reference for Councillor Surgeries and Attendance at Events.
8.9. To review / approve the Terms of Reference for Working Parties.
9. To appoint members to the following committees.
9.1. Events Committee
9.2. Recreation & Environment Committee
9.2.a. To consider appointing Dr Sheena Cotter to the Recreation & Environment Committee as a non-councillor member, following correspondence requesting to join the Environment Committee.
10. To consider a proposal from a member of the Ruskington Area Veteran’s Group to replace the hedge in the Garden of Remembrance with “Wall of Remembrance” made using engineered bricks. (The hedge has reached the end of its natural life and was to be replaced with a beech hedge.)
11. To consider correspondence from the organisers of Finley’s Fundraiser (held in 2024) with a request to support an event in 2025. (Information circulated prior to the meeting.)
12. To consider the request from an allotment holder to keep a bee hive at the allotments.
13. Estate Management and Planning - Cllr Trolley.
13.1. To receive the outcome of the change of use planning permission application for Parkfield pavilion and the creation of an overflow carpark.
13.2. To consider the quotes for a structural engineer to assess the load bearing walls in the pavilion.
13.3. To consider the quote from the architect to draw plans of the pavilion to show the drainage plan and any other required building regulations and submit the full plans application to building control at NKDC.
13.4. To consider the next steps in the renovation of the pavilion.
14. To confirm Councillor Tomlinson’s availability, for the Community Litter Pick on Saturday 18 October 2025 (10am to 12 noon).
15. Recreation and Event Matters:
15.1. To consider the town and parish council sport provision survey sent from Knight, Kavanagh & Page Ltd, to inform NKDC and the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, and agree who will complete this on behalf of Council.
15.2. To consider ways to celebrate Christmas 2025.
16. To consider the planning applications received from NKDC since the last meeting held on 9 September 2025, and ratify any comments made by the Estate Management & Planning Committee.
a. Planning Application Reference: 25/0969/HOUS
Proposal: Proposed garage conversion and side extension
Location: 11 Rectory Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9AE
b. Planning Application Reference: 25/1120/HOUS
Proposal: Erection of single storey side/rear extension
Location: 35 Roxholm Close Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9EF
c. Planning Application Reference: 25/1113/HOUS
Proposal: Single storey flat roof extension to side & rear of property and demolition of
existing detached garage.
Location: 3 Ashtree Close Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9BW
d. Application Reference: 25/0698/FUL (Amended plans/additional information received.)
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
Revisions to application including relocation of workshop building, changes to
access arrangements, description of development and proposed boundary treatments/ landscaping.
16.1 To receive notification of planning applications approved by NKDC since the last meeting.
a. Application Reference: 25/0499/FUL
Proposal: Proposed creation of a mobile home plot with siting of mobile home, garage and block paved driveway.
Location: 36 Lindum Park Ruskington Sleaford
Notice of approval received by email on 5/9/2025
b. 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
Notice of approval received on 16/9/2025.
c. Application Reference: 25/0948/HOUS
Proposal: Single storey flat roof infill extension to side & rear
Location: 36 Parkfield Road Ruskington Sleaford
18/9/2025.
d. Application Reference: 25/0765/FUL
Proposal: Siting of an InPost Parcel Locker (retrospective)
Location: Black Bull 10 Rectory Road Ruskington
Notice of approval received on 2/10/2025
e. Application Reference: 24/1453/FUL
Proposal: Change of use to multi-purpose pavilion to include cafe (class E) with internal alterations and extension to existing pavilion and extend car parking with access from Northfield Road.
Notice of approval received on 3/10/2025.
f. Application Reference: 25/1018/HOUS
Proposal: Proposed first floor side extension and single storey rear extension
Location: 22 Elmtree Road Ruskington Sleaford.
Notice of approval received on 6/10/2025.
17. Correspondence - for information only. (Circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting).
a. LALC (by email) – Fortnightly newsletter.
b. Parish Councillor (by email on 3/9/25) - Resignation from Council and a request to join the Environment Committee as a non-councillor member.
c. Resident (by email on 3/9/25) – Update on the street lights for Lincoln Road. (LCC contacted for an update.)
d. Business (by email on 4/9/25) - Ongoing correspondence re Union flags for business properties along the High Street.
e. Dental Practice (by email on 4/9/25) -Request for a Union flag for the practice property. [Advised that all the available Union flags have been erected in the vicinity of the Winchelsea Centre for the Ruskington Remembers event on 6/9/2025.)
f. NKDC (by email on 5/9/35) -Town & Parish Newsletter.
g. LCC (by post on 6/9/25) - Publicity for LCC’s government reorganisation proposal.
h. Clerks & Councils Direct (by post on 6/9/25) – Latest newsletter
i. Resident (by email on 8/9/25) - Thank you and positive feedback for the Ruskington Remembers event held on 6 September 2025.
j. Resident (by email on 8/9/25) - Request for guidance on flag flying regulations and concerns about the height of and noise from a particular flag. [Signposted to NKDC, and the Government website for guidance on flag flying.]
k. Resident by email on 10/9/25 – Dog fouling around the village.
l. Resident (via email on 10/9/25) – Ownership of a tree on communal land that requires work. [Signposted to Fix My Street].
m. Village Hall Committee (by email on 12/9/2025)
n. Member of the public (by email on 12/9/2025) – Invitation to memorial church service.
o. Resident (by email on 10/9/2025) – Update on a memorial Christmas Tree [Advised that a memorial Christmas tree is being purchased for the Garden of Remembrance.]
p. LCC (by email on 12/9/2025) - Integrated Lifestyle Service consultation for promotion.
Rev’d Jenkins (by email on 12/9/2025)- Remembrance Sunday church reading and thank you and positive feedback regarding the Ruskington Remembers on 6/9/2025.
q. LCC (by email on 18/9/2025) – Offer of a one tonne salt/grit bag. (RPC does not require any salt at this present time.)
r. Local business (by hand on 18/9/2025) – Card and chocolates and biscuits for those who helped locate and relocate the memorial bench in memory of a member of their staff.
s. Resident (by email on 19/9/2025) – Plans to improve the grass area at the junction of Silver Steet and Station road.
t. Resident (by email on 22/9/2025) – Request for permission to alter / improve an area of grass verge outside their property. (Signposted to LCC and NKDC.)
u. Resident (by hand on 23/9/2025) – Letters for individual councillors regarding the misuse of Parkfield carpark, and other items.
v. NKDC Elections Team (by email on 26/9/2025) – No valid request received to call an election following the resignation of S. Cotter, and therefore Council may now proceed to co-opt to fill the vacancy.
w. NKDC Food Waste (by email on 27/9/2025) – Acceptance of invitation to attend the Council meeting on 11 November 2025 to raise awareness of the food waste collections from 30 March 2026.
x. NKDC Anti-Social Behaviour (by email on 29/9/2025) – request for the Community Speed Team to consider including Millview Road in its scheme following complaints of speeding along this road. (Information forwarded to the CSW scheme co-ordinators on 29/9/2025.]
y. LCC (by email on 29/9/2025) – Information from the Local Government Reorganisation consultation event and link to the public consultation on this.
z. Member of Ruskington Veteran’s Group (by email on 29/9/2025) – Proposal for a “Wall of Remembrance” in the Garden of Remembrance instead of replacing the current hedge with a beech hedge. (Agenda item, above.)
aa Energy Ombudsman (by email) on 29/9/2025 – Decision and options. (Agenda item, above.)
bb. Organiser of Finley’s Funday (by email on 30/9/2025) – Feedback from the event and a request for Council to support an event in 2025. (Agenda item, above.)
cc. Knight, Kavanagh & Page Ltd (by email on 2/10/2025) – Town and parish council sport provision survey to inform the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan. (Agenda item, above.)
dd. Health Watch Lincolnshire (by email on 2/10/2025) – September newsletter.
ee. NKDC (by email on 3/10/2025) – Local Government Reorganisation and link to survey.
ff. Architect (by email on 6/10/2025) – Outcome of pavilion planning application and planning conditions.
gg. Contractor (by hand on 6/10/2025) – Invoices, information and photos. (Agenda item, above.)
hh. Resident (by email on 7/10/2025) – Incident on Parkfield Road whereby a dog was kicked. [Resident had already reported to the ASB team at NKDC.]
ii. LALC (be email on 7/10/2025) – Links to a webinar and information regarding Martyn's Law (Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
jj. Architect (by email on 7/10/2025 and 8/10/2025) – Invoice and information regarding building regulations drawings for the pavilion.
kk. Electricity provider (by email on 8/10/2025) – Early termination fee. (Agenda item, above.)
18. To receive feedback from the Councillor Surgery held at the Parish Office on 10 October 2025 – Cllr Conway.
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 staffing and contractual matters 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 extending the payment of sick pay from day one of sick leave for eligible employees. – Cllr Bain.
22. To receive an update on the lychgate renovation and agree the next steps.
End of agenda.