11 February 2025
NOTICE OF A MEETING OF RUSKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Dear Councillor,
You are hereby summoned to a meeting of Ruskington Parish Council which will be held on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at The Winchelsea Centre at 7.00pm. Members of the public and press are welcome to attend.
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.
Prior to the start of the meeting, members of the public and press may ask questions or make short statements to the Parish Council. These can be submitted beforehand by emailing the Clerk: clerk@ruskington-pc.gov.uk
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Signed: K H Locke Clerk to Ruskington Parish Council |
K H Locke
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Dated: 6 February 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 the notes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 12 November 2024 as accurate Minutes.
4. Financial Matters. (Information circulated prior to the meeting.)
4.1. To approve the payments made and consider the invoices for payment received since the meeting held on 14 January 2025.
4.2. To consider /approve the bank reconciliations for January 2025.
4.3. To receive a financial report from the RFO, including an update on the review of the electric bills and possibility of changing the electricity supplier.
4.4. To receive information on the Parish Agreement (grass verge cutting) for FY 2025-2026 from LCC.
5. To receive “myth-busting” information regarding the Beck and flooding – Environment Caretaker.
6. To receive the Clerk’s report (for information only).
7. To receive reports from the District and County Councillors.
8. To consider / approve the co-option of Miss Susan Elizabeth Hislop to Ruskington Parish Council.
9. To review / adopt the Risk Management Policy
10. To review / adopt the Terms of Reference for the Recreation and Environment Committee
11. To receive an update on flood matters.
11.1. To receive the Community Emergency Plan.
11.2. To consider ways to recruit volunteers to the Community Emergency Plan.
12. To consider correspondence from NKDC regarding green spaces, improving biodiversity, and a social prescribing project on NKDC land located adjacent to First Steps nursery on Meadowbrook, and at Ruskington Green (between Westcliffe Road and Brauncewell Close).
13. To consider the recommendations of the Recreation and Environment Committee working party meeting held on 4 February 2025 as shown below. – Cllr Cox.
13.1. Recommendation to approve a resident’s request to pre-purchase an ashes plot in Sleaford Road cemetery next to the plot of their late daughter. (New West Border Cremation Plot 33.)
13.2. Recommendation to allow the interment of cremated human remains in Sleaford Road cemetery within biodegradable caskets, following an enquiry from Grantham Co-op on 27/1/2025.
13.3. Recommendation to ask the Lions JFC for a donation towards the “Billy Goat” leaf blower which they have shown an interest in. (The leaf blower is not required by Council and has previously been advertised for sale, with no interest shown.)
13.4. Recommendation that letters be issued to all allotment holders regarding the correct use of the compost bins and advising that if they were not used correctly, the compost bins would be removed. This follows continual misuse of the compost bins.
13.5. Recommendation to locate the Sleaford Road Christmas tree within the Garden of Remembrance to improve luminosity of the tree lights. The tree would not be planted.
13.6. Recommendation that the Christmas tree in the Garden of Remembrance be used as a memorial tree enabling residents to hang ribbons in memory of their loved ones.
13.7. Recommendation to plant five fruit trees in Elmtree playing field to create a community orchard, funded by the Coronation Living Heritage Fund and following a successful bid to NKDC. (Council has previously agreed to plant two fruit trees in this location to replace the two silver birch trees that had required felling).
13.8. Recommendation that the notes of the Recreation and Enviornemnt Committee meeting held on 21 October 2024 are accurate Minutes and can be signed by the Chairman of the Committee.
14. To consider the feasibility study for the refurbishment of Parkfield pavilion as reviewed by the Recreation and Environment Committee. – Cllr Ditch
14.1. To appoint a lead Councillor for the pavilion project.
14.2. To appoint members to a cross committee working party to consider all matters pertaining to the pavilion project.
15. To receive an update on the improvement to the playing fields and the quotes received. – Cllr Cox.
15.1. To appoint members to a cross-committee working party to consider all aspects of the playing field improvement, review of the quotes received, and make a recommendation to Council.
16. To receive new planning applications, or to ratify the comments of the Estate Management and Planning Committee, regarding planning applications, received from NKDC since the last meeting.
a. Planning Application Reference: 24/1459/HOUS
Proposal: Erection of two storey rear extension
Location: 19 Cliffe Avenue Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9AU
b. Planning Application Reference: 24/1493/HOUS
Proposal: Erection of single storey rear extension.
Location: 38 Station Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9BZ
c. Planning Application Reference: 24/1467/FUL
Proposal: Installation of a 277 cubic metre storage tank, oil skimmer, matching
replacement of the current storage tank, alterations and upgrades to the existing waste
water treatment plant and any associated pipework.
Location: Pilgrim's UK Ltd Sleaford Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire
d. Planning Application Reference: 25/0125/VARCON
Proposal: Application to vary condition 13 (occupation for holiday purposes only) of
planning permission 19/1378/FUL - Change of Use of land at Priory Lakes for creation of
Holiday Park including stationing of 35 lodges and one unit for office /reception.
Location: Priory Lakes Priory Road Ruskington Sleaford NG34 9DL
e. Planning Application Reference: 25/0095/FUL
Proposal: Erection of detached garden building
Location: 77 Westcliffe Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9AX
f. Application Reference: 24/0588/OUT Proposal: Outline application for the erection of one dwelling with access and layout for consideration. (Amended plans / additional information)
Location: 33 Queensway Ruskington Sleaford
Submitted BNG info and minor change to red line area
16.1 To receive an application from NKDC of Proposed Works to Trees Subject to Tree Preservation Order
Application reference: 25/0116/TPO
Description of works: T1 - Ash - Carry out a full crown reduction on canopy by 1.5-2 metres in height and spread.
Location: 11 Whitehouse Road, Ruskington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9TP
16.2. Notice of planning applications approved by NKDC since the last meeting.
a. Application Reference: 24/1367/HOUS
Proposal: Single storey rear extension and demolition of existing conservatory.
Location: 9 The Sidings Ruskington Sleaford
17. Correspondence - for information only. (Circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting).
a. LALC (via email) - Fortnightly e-newsletter
b. Ruskington Library Management Committee member (by email on 10/1/2025) – Old photos of the parish office property as found during research for the library’s local history “corner”.
c. Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community Covenant Officer (by email on 13/1/2025) – Thank you for sharing details of the Ruskington Veteran’s Group and an offer to attend a Council meeting to discuss the Armed Forces Covenant.
d. LCC (by email on 13/1/2025) – Clarity on public liability insurance requirements for events affecting a LCC highway.
e. NKDC (by email on 13/1/2025) – Snowdrop Event 2025 on 22/2/25, 12 noon-3pm at Whisby Nature Park, Lincoln, in aid of Child Bereavement UK.
f. NKDC (by email on 13/1/2025) – North Kesteven Heritage Strategy consultation and events.
g. LCC (by email on 15/1/2025) – National Highways and Transport Survey for 2025.
h. BHSF (by email on 17/1/2025) - Acquisition of BHSF Occupational Health by Optima Health UK Ltd.
i. Resident (by email on 20/1/2025) – Donation of 300 daffodil bulbs
j. Anwick resident (by email on 21/1/2025) – Copied into an email sent to a district councillor regarding a bio-mass facility proposed for Anwick.
k. Anwick resident (by email on 22/1/2025) – Copied into an email sent to a district councillor regarding a proposed biogas planning application for Anwick.
l. Caring for God’s Acre (by post on 21/1/2025) – Newsletter and information.
m. Resident (by hand on 23/01/25) – Request to pre-purchase an ashes plot in Sleaford Rd cemetery (Agenda item above).
n. Resident (via email on 24/1/2025) – Litter and build-up of shingle in the Beck on Manor Street. (Investigated by the caretaker - the litter was no longer present. Resident signposted to the EA re the build-up of shingle.)
o. LCC (via email on 28/1/2025) – Parish and Town Council newsletter.
p. Resident (by email on 28/1/2025) – Location of a community venue with pictures of local dignitaries. (Signposted to the Winchelsea Centre on 29/1/2025)
q. Resident (via email on 28/1/2025 – Footpath over Fen Road railway bridge. (Signposted to Cllr Wright and Highways).
r. Live & Local (via email on 29/1/2025) – Touring theatre productions for village halls and community venues. (Forwarded to the Village Hall Committee on 29/1/2024).
s. NKDC (by email to the RFO on 29/1/2025) – Successful outcome of bid for five free fruit trees funded by the Coronation Living Heritage Fund. (Agenda item above).
t. NKDC (via email on 3/2/2025) – Supporting nature and green spaces project for Ruskington. (Agenda item above).
u. LALC (by email on 3/2/2025) – January 2025 Training Bulletin
v. Resident (via email on 3/2/2025 and 4/3/2025) – Allotment matter (Agenda item below.)
w. Geo Storm (by email on 5/2/2025) – Section 19 Investigation and proposed site visit to Ruskington on Friday 14th February or Monday 17th February to visit all those who have raised the issue of internal flooding.
x. Resident (by email on 6/2/2025) – Thank you to Council for removing the trees at Elmtree playing field.
18. To receive Members’ Reports – for information only. (Any items raised for decision will appear on the agenda for the next meeting.)
19. To resolve whether to exclude the public and press, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, to discuss the staffing and confidential 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.
20. To consider an extension of the fixed term amendment to sick pay arrangements for Council employees not employed on NJC contracts as recommended by the HR Committee following a meeting held on 4 February 2025 – Cllr Bain.
21. To consider the recommendations of the HR Committee regarding staff helping in an emergency situation outside of their usual working hours.
22. To consider correspondence regarding an allotment.
23. To receive an update on the ownership of land to the north of Northfield Road and agree the next steps for a project concerning the Section 106 Public Open Space Contribution following the development of housing on land on the East of Lincoln Road (Flaxwell Fields).