11 November 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 11 November 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: 6 November 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 14 October 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 14 October 2025.
5.2. To consider /approve the bank reconciliations for October 2025.
5.3. To receive a monthly financial report from the RFO and consider any recommendations.
5.4. To consider the invoice for £200.00 received by hand from the developer of Flaxwell Fields on 17/10/2025 for the s106 Deed of Variation.
5.5. To consider donating to the Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire following their donation request.
5.6. To consider the cost of a battery pack for the lights on the Sleaford Road Christmas tree.
5.7. To receive an update on the electricity supplier.
6. To receive an update on co-option to Council.
6.1. To consider the co-option of Peter Cunningham 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.
8.1. IT and Communication policy including social media
8.2. Accessibility (as found on the website)
8.3. Privacy Statement (as found on the website)
8.4. Volunteer policy as recommended by the HR Cttee following its meeting on 20 October 2025.
8.5. Terms of Reference for the Events Committee following amendment
8.6. Data Protection Policy
8.7. Document Retention Policy
8.8. Scheme of Delegation
8.9. Complaints Policy
9. To consider the appointment of Councillors to committees, as required.
9.1. To consider the co-option of Maggie Harris to the Events Committee as a non-councillor member, following an expression of interest.
10. To consider/approve the Council meeting dates for 2026.
10.1. To consider/ agree the meeting date for the Annual Parish Meeting (between 1 March 2026 and 1 June 2026), and consider the most appropriate venue, and format for the meeting.
11. To consider the outcome of a consultation with the allotment holders and a risk assessment following a request to keep a beehive at the allotments and agree the next steps.
11.1. To consider the removal of the compost bins at the allotments following misuse and the costs of removing the waste items.
12. To review the current Microsoft Office 365 package and consider using applications available including Teams and Planner to aid with communication and workflow.
13. To receive an update and recommendations from the Event Committee meeting held on 7 November 2025.
13.1. To confirm the dates and Councillor attendance at the following events:
a. Community litter pick.
b. Councillor surgeries or attendance at village events such as the Warm Space events at the Methodist Church.
13.2. To consider the invitation for a Council representative to attend a meeting of the All-Saints Ladies Club, at the Winchelsea Centre on a Wednesday evening at 7.30pm, to talk about the Council.
14. To consider the following Highways matters:
14.1. Speeding into the village on Lincoln Road (B1188) from Dorrington (as raised by a resident at the Councillor Surgery on 10 October 2025.
14.2. Correspondence from a resident regarding traffic concerns and damage to property from larger vehicles on Station Road, Ruskington. [LCC Reference--118846-44978].
15. Recreation & Environment Matters – Cllr Cox
15.1. To receive information on a 2G surface for the MUGA.
15.2. To receive the report from the Football Association, if available, following a meeting with their representatives on 22/10/2025 regarding possible funding for upgrading the changing rooms (not just the hot water system and showers), an alternative surface for the MUGA, and the possibility of the Lions JFC applying for funding to improve the ground at Parkfield playing fields.
15.3. To receive an update on the flood investigation works in Ruskington conducted by LCC /Stantec, the new Environment Agency flood warning system, and a Red Cross flood preparation project.
15.4. To receive feedback from the Remembrance Sunday service and procession on 9 November 2025.
15.4.a. To consider the purchase of 50 reusable lamp post poppies from the Royal British Legion at a cost of £250.00, for use at future Remembrance Day events
16. To consider correspondence from the Village Hall Management Committee regarding an emergency exit pathway for the village hall. (Information previously circulated.)
17. To receive an update on Estate Management and Planning Matters – Cllr Trolley
17.1. To consider the planning applications received from NKDC since the last meeting held on 14 October 2025, and ratify any comments made by the Recreation & Planning Committee.
a. Planning Application 25/1249/PNAGRW
Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 1995, Schedule 2,
parts 6 and 7 - Application for prior notification of agricultural or forestry development.
Proposal: Proposed erection of 7no. silos on agricultural holding (Schedule 2, Part 6,
Class B, clause (b)).
Location: Wood Farm Wood Lane Ruskington
b. Planning Application Reference: 25/1198/HOUS
Proposal: Extension to front of existing garage, addition of sectional garage and replace
leylandii hedge with fencing.
Location: 1 Priory Close Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9ED
c. Planning Application Reference: 25/1273/HOUS
Proposal: Erection of a single storey rear extension and alterations.
Location: 21 Parkfield Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9HS
d. Planning Application 25/1113/FUL (Receipt of amended details)
Proposal: Single storey side and rear extension and demolition of existing garage.
Change of use class from C3 to mixed C3 and E as a sports therapy treatment room to form part of the extension. Location: 3 Ashtree Close Ruskington Sleaford
Application has changed from a Householder to a Full as the applicant is also applying for change of use
17.2. To receive notification of a withdrawn planning application
Reference: 25/0502/HOUS
Proposal: Erection of a 2 storey rear extension and front porch.
Location: 49 Westbeck Ruskington Sleaford
17.3. To receive notice of applications approved by NKDC
a. Application Reference: 25/0969/HOUS
Proposal: Proposed garage conversion and side extension
Location: 11 Rectory Road Ruskington Sleaford
Notice of approval received on 13/10/2025
b. Application Reference: 25/1249/PNAGR
Proposal: Proposed erection of 7no. silos on agricultural holding (Schedule 2, Part 6, Class
B, clause (b)).
Location: Wood Farm Wood Lane Ruskington
Prior approval is not required for the application.
c. Application Reference: 25/1120/HOUS
Proposal: Erection of single storey side/rear extension
Location: 35 Roxholm Close Ruskington Sleaford
(Notice of approval received on 31/10/2025)
17.4. To receive notice of a planning application refused by NKDC
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.
Notice of decision received on 20/10/2025.
18. Correspondence - for information only. (Circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting).
a. LALC (by email) – Fortnightly newsletter.
b. Church Warden (by email on 10/10/2025) – Request for the Winchelsea Centre hedge to be cut between the Winchelsea Centre and the Parish Office.
c. Organiser of Finley’s Fundraiser (by email on 10/10/25) – Support for a 2025 fundraiser and concern that a member of Council had contacted an organiser at work. [The clerk agreed to investigate this.)
d. Lions JFC (by email on 13/10/2025) – Response to letter from the Clerk regarding the poor condition the pavilion had been left the previous week.
e. Member of public (by email on 14/10/2025) – Request for information on British Sign Language (BSL) lessons in Ruskington. [Admin Assistant signposted to local BSL classes].
f. Resident (by email on 14/10/2025) – Appeal for an old photo of Ruskington water tower. [Admin Assistant signposted to a Ruskington Memories Facebook post about this and agreed to put the appeal in the newsletter.]
g. Environment Agency (by email on 14/10/2025) – Notification of routine works in the area.
h. Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire (by email on 20/10/2025) - Donation Request. (Agenda item above).
i. Resident (by email on 21/10/2025) – Expression of interest in co-option to the Event Committee. (Agenda item, above.)
j. Ruskington Village Hall Chairman (by email on 21/10/2025) – Emergency exit pathway for the village hall. (Agenda item, above).
k. Resident (by email on 22/10/2025) – Traffic issues on Station Road and comments from LCC. LCC Reference-118846-44978. (Agenda item, above).
l. Community Resilience officer (by email on 22/10/2025) – Red Cross Flooding Tool Project. (Agenda item, above.)
j. LCC Flood Team, (by email on 22/10/2025) – Date for a meeting to discuss the overview of the flood investigation work and contacting local landowners. [Meeting arranged for 29/10/2025].
k. British Red Cross (by email on 23/10/2025) - Response to questions regarding the Flood Preparation Project / App. (please see item k, above.)
l. Lincolnshire Community Resilience (by email on 20/10/2025) – Status of the Community Emergency Plan a request for a copy.
j. Clerks & Councils Direct (by post on 29/10/2025) – November 2025 newsletter.
k. Resident (by email on 3/11/2025) – Inconsiderate parking on Parkfield Road at weekends. [RFO signposted to the Parking Enforcement Team at LCC]
l. LCC (by email on 4/11/2025) – Avian Influenza in South Holland information.
m. Chairlady of the All Saints Ladies Club (by email on 5/11/2025) – Invitation for a Council representative to attend a meeting of the Club to talk about Council services. (Agenda item 13.2, above.
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 the staffing matters and recommendations from the HR Committee following its meeting held on 20 October 2025.
21.1. To review the letter to staff from the HR Cttee following appraisals.
21.2. To consider the recommendations for changes to the following job descriptions following annual appraisals and informal consultations with the relevant staff members.
a. Admin Assistant
b. RFO/Deputy Clerk job descriptions
21.3 To agree the HR Committee member to undertake the staff consultations with the Clerk, if required, to discuss the proposed changes to their job descriptions.
21.4. To consider the recommendation of the Committee following a request from a staff member to increase their working hours to full time.
21.5. To consider the requirement for a third caretaker.
21.6. To consider the recommendations of the Committee regarding staff pay from 1 April 2026.
21.7. To consider the Committee’s recommendation to increase Council’s contribution to staff pensions for FY 2026-2027.
22. To receive an update on the lychgate renovation and agree the next steps.
23. To receive a reminder of the 7 Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles) for elected, co-opted and employed members of local government.
End of agenda.