Ruskington Parish Council 

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of Ruskington Parish Council held on Tuesday 12 December 2023 at the Winchelsea Centre, High Street North Ruskington, NG34 9DY at 7pm. 

District Councillor Waldeck was in attendance for part of the meeting. 

Information on flooding was available at the meeting. 

One member of the public was in attendance (the Council’s Environment Caretaker) and a resident arrived during the meeting at 7.20pm.  

At 7.00pm the Chairman welcomed the delegates and members of the public and opened the public session. No comments were made, or questions raised.   

The Chairman opened the Council meeting at 7.01pm.  

1. Apologies for absence.  

Cllr Cotter and Cllr Cox had been unable to attend the meeting and had sent valid apologies. 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve Cllr Cotter and Cllr Cox’s apologies. Proposed by Cllr Jennings, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously. 

2. To receive Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011- being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests. 

None were declared at this time.  

3. To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Tuesday 14 November 2023.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the notes of the meeting as accurate Minutes. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously. 

The Chairman signed the Minutes.  

Cllr Tomlinson joined the meeting at 7.04pm. 

4. Financial Matters  

(Information previously circulated). 

   4.1. To consider approval of payments made since the last meeting held on 14 November 2023. 

A query was raised regarding the water bill and Council had been made aware that not all the renovation work on the invoice from the contractor appeared to have been completed.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve all the payments with the exception of the invoice from Newman Moore. This would be paid subject to confirmation that the work had been completed, otherwise this would be deferred to the January meeting. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously. 

   4.2. To consider approval of the bank reconciliations for October and November 2023. 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation for October 2023. Proposed by Cllr Jennings, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously. 

Due to ongoing issues with the Edge financial software the bank reconciliation for November was not available.  

   4.3. To receive the quarterly financial report as prepared by the RFO. 

These had been circulated prior to the meeting and scrutinised by the Finance Committee at its meeting held on 5 December 2023.  No questions were raised. The Council was working within its budget. 

   4.4. To consider the recommendations below from the Finance Committee for the hire of the sports facilities at Parkfield playing fields in FY 2024/2025 following a meeting on 5 December 2023. 

Information had been circulated prior to the meeting. 

   a. The fees for 20204-2025 for sports clubs to use the pavilion, MUGA, playing field and changing room to remain the same as the current year.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED that the fees would stay the same as for 2023-2024. 

   b. Fees for the Lions Junior Football Club to use the pavilion, pavilion kitchen and playing fields to remain the same as the current year (£1,500). 

Action: The Council RESOLVED that the fees would remain the same as the current year (£1,500).  

   c. Fees for Ruskington Athletic Football Club to use the Changing Rooms and a pitch to remain the same as the current year (£500.00) 

Action: The Council RESOLVED that the fees would remain the same as the current year (£500.00). 

   d. Hire of the Pavilion and Parkfield facilities for non-sporting activities. 

Action: The Council RESOLVED that the hire fees would be agreed on application by non-sporting organisations and individuals.   

Agenda items 4.4.a to 4.4.c, above, were proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved with six votes for and one abstention.  

4.5. To consider the recommendations of the Finance Committee for fees for the following: 

Information had been circulated prior to the meeting.  

   a. To increase the cemetery fees in line with inflation for FY 2024/2024. 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to increase the cemetery fees in line with inflation for 2024-2025. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously. 

   b. To increase the allotment fees from £25.00 to £27.50 per plot from 1 October 2023 to reflect the cost of maintenance and water bills. 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to increase the allotment fees to £27.50 per plot from 1 October 2023. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Jennings and approved unanimously. 

4.6. To consider the company recommended by the Finance Committee for the hire of the Mercedes-Benz Evito L2.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED to hire the Mercedes-Benz Evito L2 on a 48-month lease, with an upfront cost of £4,655.52 and monthly costs of £387.96 per calendar month. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously. 

At 7.20pm, during the above agenda item, a member of the public arrived.  

4.7. To consider the quote recommended by the Finance Committee for the superfast broadband for the Parish Office and office spaces at the rear of the property. 

Information had been circulated prior to the meeting following a meeting with BT.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the quote from BT for the superfast broadband for the parish office and offices at the rear of the property. Proposed by Cllr Jennings, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved with six votes for and one abstention.  

4.8. To consider the recommendation of the Finance Committee to round up the £ 930.69 remaining CIL money to £1,000 for replacing all the tubs beside the Beck with tubs made of recycled materials.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED to round up the remaining CIL money to £1,000 and replace all the tubs beside the Beck with tubs made of recycled materials. Proposed by Cllr Jennings, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously. 

4.9. To consider the allocation of up to £500.00 for the purchase of two second-hand desks and two chairs for the offices at the rear of the parish council and then review requirements in six months as recommended by the Finance Committee. 

The offices would be offered as furbished or unfurnished. No VAT was payable on renting an unfurnished office.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED to purchase two second-hand desks and chairs at a cost of no more than £500.00. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Jennings, and approved unanimously.  

4.10. To consider the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the internal audit for 2023/2024 be arranged via the Lincolnshire Association for Local Councils (LALC). 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to arrange the internal audits for 2023/2024 via LALC at a cost of no more than £400.00.  Proposed by Cllr Conway, second by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously. 

4.11. To consider the recommendation for replacing the goalposts at Parkfield playing field as the current posts have reached their end of life. 

Action: Council RESOLVED to replace the two sets of goal posts on the north field at a cost of £2,253.62 including VAT and a movable set for the south field at a cost of £1,892.74.  Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Jennings and approved with six votes for and one abstention.  

4.12. To consider the revised superfast broadband quotes from BT as recommended by the Finance Committee following their meeting on 5 December 2023. 

This had previously been resolved at agenda item 4.7. above.  

4.13. To consider the recommendation of the Finance Committee to allocate £3,000 to the budget for 2024/2025 for the purchase of an interactive speed sign for Lincoln Road. 

This was deferred until the housing developments along Lincoln Road were completed and further information and updated costs were known. 

4.14. To consider membership to Caring for God’s Acre for specific advice on the rewilding and maintenance of churchyards at a cost of £100.00 per annum.  

Action: The Committee RESOLVED to subscribe to the membership. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Tomlinson and approved unanimously. 

4.15. To consider the expenditure to improve the path at the Memorial Garden. 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to improve the path at a cost of £1,870.50. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Jennings and approved unanimously. 

4.16. To consider a request for purchasing equipment for the Emergency Plan and general use at a cost of £281.09 (excluding VAT). 

Action: The Committee RESOLVED to purchase the equipment. Proposed by Cllr Bain, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously. 

4.17. To consider the quotes to replace the 2 council owned defibrillators which were out of warranty.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED to replace the two defibrillators at a total cost of £2,150.00. The defibs could be altered for use on adults and children. Proposed by Cllr Jennings, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously. 

4.18. To consider a quote from the air-conditioning company to relocate one of the air-conditioning units, if available.  

This was deferred until the renovation contractor could confirm if this cost were already included in the renovation costs. 

4.19. To review the use of Edge software for the Council’s financial accounting. 

A list of ongoing issues with the software had been sent circulated prior to the meeting. This was causing delays with financial reports for meetings. 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to accept help from Edge for the RFO but to seek legal advice in case the contract had to be ended before its term with a view to reverting to Quickbooks. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously. 

4.20. To consider the draft budget for 2024-2025 following a meeting of the Finance Committee held on 5 December 2023. 

This had been circulated prior to the meeting but required a decision on pension contributions. 

5. To receive an update on co-option to Ruskington Parish Council. 

No expressions of interest or applications had been received.  

6. To receive the Clerk’s report – for information only.  

The report had been circulated prior to the meeting. No questions were raised. 

7. To consider / approve the policy documents below: 

The policies had been circulated prior to the meeting. 

   7.1. Annual Investment Policy following review by the Finance Committee on 5 December 2023.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED to adopt the policy. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously. 

   7.2. Salting and Gritting Policy 

Advice from the Council’s insurance had been sought. 

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to adopt the policy. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Jennings and approved unanimously. 

8. To approve the Terms of Reference for the Finance Committee as recommended by the Finance Committee. 

The Council RESOLVED to adopt the Terms of Reference. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously. 

9. To appoint Members to the following joint committees: 

   9.1. Recreation and Environment 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to appoint Cllr Cotter, Cllr Cox, and Cllr Tomlinson to the joint committee. The Environment Caretaker and members of the public could also be members of this committee. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously. 

   9.2. Estate Management and Planning 

The Council RESOLVED to appoint Cllr Trolley, Cllr Tomlinson, and Cllr Conway to the committee. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously. 

10. To consider obtaining legal advice for the review and update of the Council’s byelaws. 

Information on enforcing byelaws from Lincolnshire police following an engagement event had been circulated. The local authority was responsible. Dog fouling could be referred to NKDC.  NKDC would be able to support with the review of the byelaws.   It was agreed to ask the Admin Assistant to create publicity to encourage the school children to design a poster to help deter dog fouling for displaying around the village. 

11. To consider the recommendation from the Finance Committee following a meeting held on 5 December 2023 to stop publishing the Signpost Magazine after the Spring 2024 edition. 

The Signpost Magazine cost in excess of £2,000 per year to publish with no advertising revenue being received to help cover the costs. Distributing venues were requesting fewer copies. 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to end the publication of the Signpost magazine with the Spring 20204 edition being the last one published. This information to be made clear on the front cover and any feedback reviewed. Proposed by Cllr Bain, seconded by Cllr Jennings and approved unanimously. 

   11.1. To consider the Communication Working Party reviewing how residents wanted to receive council news and local information, such as by a newsletter via Mailchimp or a 4-sided newsletter as a hardcopy.    

Action: The Communication Working Party to consider a newsletter that could be shared on social media and printed on request. Council agreed that Cllr Conway could approach the publisher of the Local Lincs magazine to ascertain the possibility and costs of inserting Council information in the magazine as either an article or an insert.  

12. To consider the Estate Management Committee researching the fees and booking system for hiring the offices spaces at the rear of the office property once the building work is completed. 

Action: The Estate Management Committee to investigate the fees and an online and payment booking system for hiring out the office spaces. The office spaces to be advertised prior to their completion so they could be occupied as soon as completed.  

1. To consider the Estate Management Committee having devolved powers of expenditure to an agreed limit. 

Council did not consider that the Committee required spending powers. 

Action: Council to consider the increasing the expenditure the Clerk could authorise in emergencies such as urgent repairs.  

13. To consider the recommendation from the Finance Committee following a meeting on 5 December 2023 regarding the request from a resident to repair their garden fence which borders Parkfield carpark.  

The information and quotes had been circulated prior to the meeting. 

Action: No further action would be taken. NKDC were aware of the matter and the resident had previously been advised of this by letter.  

14. To consider leasing the pavilion to the Lions Junior Football Club on a full repairing lease for a peppercorn rent following a feasibility study and consultation with the football club.   

Action: The Recreation & Environment Committee to consider the pavilion, the community café and the feasibility of a lease agreement with the Lions JFC at its next meeting.  

15. To consider the opening hours for the parish office.  

Currently residents could call into the office between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 12 noon on Fridays, could attend evening meetings, or could contact the council by phone, email, social media, post, or via a councillor or member of staff. However, there were times when the office was closed due to staff taking lunch together away from their desks, being out in the community, or on training or annual leave.  The difficulties of set openings times due to staff working flexible hours to meet the needs of council, and never turning residents away was also discussed. To increase interaction between council and its community, councillors and/ or staff could consider holding surgeries or drop-in coffee mornings and attend local coffee mornings and events such as the Warm Space Hub. Set opening times could also be trialled. Staff to leave a note on the door if they had to leave the office unattended advising of the reopening time.  

16. To consider a request from South Lincs Church for the parish office to become a distribution centre for warm packs to be collected by referring agencies.   

Information previously circulated. 

Action: The Clerk to seek further information on what the warm packs entailed, their size, any storage requirements and the times they were required to be available. 

17.  To consider responses to the review of communication between Council and its Members. 

Only two councillors had responded to the review.  WhatsApp and Teams were suggested in addition to emails.  

Action: Communication by email to continue with a WhatsApp alert sent to inform councillors of urgent emails and emergencies.  

18. Planning applications received from NKDC since the last meeting.  

   a. Planning Application Reference: 23/1254/FUL 

Proposal: Change of use from residential to mixed use of residential and dog training 

facility including the erection of a timber dog training building. 

Location: Fontmell Fen Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire 

Action: Council had no objections to this application.  

   b. Application Reference: 23/1232/FUL 

Proposal: Erection of 3no detached bungalows and 4no detached houses with garages 

on Plots 138-144 (formerly 6 pairs of semi-detached houses Plots 135-146) and revised 

bungalow types (Plots 111 and 188) 

Location: Flaxwell Fields Off Lincoln Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincs 

Action: Council had no objections to this application. 

   c. Application Reference: 23/1367/HOUS 

Proposal: Replace existing wooden windows with UPVC double glazed windows 

Location: Brook House 42 Manor Street Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire 

   18.1. Application for work to a tree subject to a Tree Protection Order (TPO) 

Application reference: 23/1358/TPO  

Description of works: T1- Lime - Reduce lime tree by 2 metres in height and 1.5 metres in spread. Remove any large diameter deadwood Location: 7 Brauncewell Close, Ruskington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9EG Parish: Ruskington 

Action: Council had no objections to this TPO. 

   18.2 Planning application withdrawn by applicant 

Application Reference: 23/0756/VARCON  

Proposal: Application to vary conditions 2 (approved plans), 3 (materials) and 13 (occupancy) and removal of condition 14 (register of occupancy) attached to planning permission 19/1378/FUL (allowed under appeal ref: APP/R250/W/20/3250667)  

Change of Use of land at Priory Lakes for creation of Holiday Park including stationing of 35 lodges and one unit for office /reception - to allow for residential occupancy for persons over 50 Location: Priory Lakes Priory Road Ruskington  

Please note it has now been withdrawn by the applicant and no further action will be taken. 

19.  – For information only. (Circulated prior to the meeting.) 

    a. LALC (via email) – Fortnightly newsletter 

    b. NK Talk Planning – Adoption of the Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document by the Central Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee, and Transport Strategy. 

    c. Resident (via email) – Request for a parking permit for Walnut Close (Deferred to County Councillor Wright.) 

    d. Resident (via email) – Notice of fence and hedge work at Larch Close bordering Elmtree play area. 

   e. Fairfield Community Farm (via email) – Request for support for a planning application. (Council had already submitted supportive comments to NKDC and was unable to help further.) 

   f. Methodist Church (via email) – Thank you letter following donation towards the Warm Space Initiative.  

    g. Broken IX Cricket Team (via email) – Withdrawal their request to use an area of Parkfield playing fields. 

   h. South Lincs Church (via email) – Request for Council to be a collection point for warm packs. Packs funded by the Winter Pressures budget.  

   i. NKDC Corporate and Civic Support (via email) - Public consultation on the Polling District and Polling Place Review 2023. 

   j. Resident (via email) – Thank you for the Remembrance Sunday service and suggestion for an improved sound system. (Request sent to the Parish Church as the organiser of the sound system.) 

  k. Resident (via email) - Request for no parking sign on Walnut Close. (Referred to County Councillor Wright.) 

   l. Resident of nearby village (via email) – Request for double yellow lines on both sides of Sleaford Road between the mini-roundabout and the pedestrian crossing. (Information forwarded to County Councillor Wright). 

   m. Resident (via email) – Request for Council to consider the purchase of land on Manor Street to extend Horseshoe Hollow flood basin. (No information on the sale of the land found.) 

   n. Lincolnshire Voluntary Engagement Team (Via email) – Information regarding webinars for warm pack distribution centres. 

   o. LALC (via email) - Notification of School Admission Policy Consultations 2025/26 for St Peter and St Paul Catholic School in Lincoln.  

   p. Ruskington Methodist Church (via email) – Thank you to the Council for the village Christmas trees and the tree for the Methodist Church.  

  q. NKDC (via email) – Precept information and calculator for fiscal year 2024-2025. 

   r. Leasingham Resident (via email) – Questions re flooding in Leasingham. (Signposted to Leasingham Parish Council.) 

   s. NKDC (via email) - Public path extinguishment order and notice for footpath No.2 in the Parish of Ruskington running from Rectory Road at Point A (OSGR TF 0791 5091) in a southerly direction for approximately 141 metres to Hurn Close at Point B (OSGR TF 0791 5077). Information published as requested.  

20. To receive Councillors’ reports for information only and items for inclusion on the next agenda.  

• Cllr Tomlinson reported the sodden condition of the playing fields and advised that the drainage ditch running to Whitehouse Road and Tomlinson Way was full of litter and rubbish. 

• Cllr Bain advised that he had been unable to report the poor condition of the footpath running between Ruskington and Sleaford as this was not an option on Fix my Street. 

• Cllr Ditch asked if the reports from district and county councillors could move up to nearer the beginning of the agenda.  

21. To receive District and County Councillors’ Reports – for information only.  

Cllr Waldeck had left the meeting to deal with NKDC business. No district or county councillor reports were available. 

The Environment Caretaker left the meeting.  

22. To resolve whether to exclude the public and press, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, to discuss staff pay and pay scales and pensions below.   

Action: The Council RESOLVED to exclude the public and press. Proposed by Cllr Bain, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously. 

The Chairman advised the member of the public that they had arrived after the meeting had commenced but invited them to make a comment or ask a question. The residents advised that they wished to research funding to buy a plot of land on Manor Street. 

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.49pm and the resident left the meeting. The meeting re-convened at 8.56pm.  

23. To consider the recommendation of the Finance Committee that staff pay was in line with the published inflationary increases, and the annual incremental pay point advancements for all staff were appropriate.   

The pay awards for 2024/2025 as agreed by the NJC and government are not yet known.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the pay and pay points for all staff members as all were appropriate.  Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously. 

The Clerk left the meeting at 8.57pm.  

24. To consider enrolment of staff members into the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) from 1 April 2024.  

This was an action from the council meeting held on 14 February 2023. 

   24.1 The Clerk and RFO as local government officers with local government contracts who have previously requested this enrolment for consideration.  

   24.2. The Admin Assistant who was enrolled into the LGPS in their last employment and had requested continuation with this scheme be considered.  (Please see letter dated 1/2/2023). 

   24.3. All other eligible staff, following consultation.  

Action: The Council RESOLVED to seek independent advice on the pensions, to consider alternative pension solutions, including other pension providers, and to determine the reasons for the discrepancies between the LGPS pension calculation guidelines and those by the local provider of the LGPS.   

25. To adjust the draft budget as required.  

This would be considered and finalised once the pension information had been received and agreed. 

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.59pm and the Clerk was invited to return to the building. 

Meeting date: 12 December 2023

Author: Kathryn Locke – Clerk to Council

Purpose of report: To provide an update report from the Clerk on business conducted since the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 14 November 2023.

Actions completed from the meeting held on 14 November 2023.

Min ref 4.3 - £1,000 CIL money has been allocated to the Community Garden budget. The remaining £930.69 rounded up to £1,000 must be spend on a project that supports that majority of residents in the village (not just those affected by the recent flooding.) A project was considered as an agenda item at the Finance Committee meeting held on 5/12/23).

Min ref 4.4 - A subscription to Amazon Prime (business) has been paid for the fast sourcing of items not available locally.

Min ref 4.6. – The hand grass trimmer and garden vacuum have been purchased.

Min ref 8.1 - The Finance Committee had formed and held its inaugural meeting on 5/12/23 to discuss the budget setting for 2024-2025.

Min ref 9.2 – All councillors and staff are now part of the emergency Plan WhatsApp group.

Min ref 11 – The kitchen has not yet been ordered as the kitchen is not yet prepared for its installation. 

Min ref 14 – Quotes are being obtained to dredge the ditches on Parkfield playing field. (Please see LALC news date 8/21/23 re raised ground water levels.)

Min ref 16 – Currently there is access to the community garden via the yard due to the renovation works. 

Min ref 19 – Publicity on the calendar competition has been shared on Council’s media platforms and website by the Admin Assistant. This will be published 3 times per month. No entries received to date.

Other Council Business:

Allotments – There is one outstanding payment for 2023-2024 for two plots which have not been maintained.  3 attempts to contact the lease holder have been made in writing (no email address and no phone number available.) The plots will be reallocated.  There are two people on the waiting list.

Air conditioning units – The annual service of both units was conducted by Spalding Air Conditioning on 7/12/2023. A quote was obtained for relocating the unit above the RFO’s desk.

Broadband – Quickline are keen for us to sign a contract although they are still discussing with LCC if the work will be permitted. A representative from BT met with Cllr Trolley and the Admin Assistant on 29/11/23 to review options. (An alternative provider must be found as the current provider is going out of business. From 31 December no back office support will be available and from March 2024 there will be no broadband, phone lines or phone number if a move to another provider is not made) (Agenda item)

Community garden –

• The planned Quickline presentation was cancelled by Quickline the day before the event. Information and a “before” photo has been sent as requested. They will visit again once the work is completed and take “after” photos for publicity purposes.
• Both NKDC and Lincs Co-op have been “chased” regarding a possible pedestrian entrance gate from Pinfold Lane as discussed at the site visit on 11 October 2023. Planning consent has been approved for a bungalow on the land at Pinfold Way – although this is out of date.

Changing Rooms and Pavilion – A heating engineer made a site visit to both buildings to investigate hot water and heating systems.  Upgrades to more efficient systems and cheaper to run systems were recommended. The heating system in the pavilion was installed in 2002 and requires a valve replacing. Council had previously agreed to undertake all works required as part of the refurbishments of the pavilion / sports facilities.

Co-option – No applications for co-option have been received.

Ditches – Quotes are being obtained to dredge the ditch on Parkfield playing field and Tomlinson Way.  

Edge Software – Difficulties using and inaccuracies with the financial software continue (Agenda item).

Emergency Plan – The Environment Caretaker attended Emergency Plan training in Lincoln on 22 November 2023 and received an update template for the Plan.

Electric Charging Point – This will be installed as soon as the electric meter is in its final location.

Flooding – Flood warnings for the Beck were received on 27/112023 and 4/12/23. The Environment Caretaker monitors the water levels in the Beck. It was noted that Horseshoe Hollow acts as a flood basin, as it should. Information on the flooding on 20 October has been shared with Cllr Wright for informing the Section 19 enquiry by LCC.

FOI request – The Clerk responded with immediate effect to a query dated 7/12/23 regarding the cost of the lights on the Christmas tree outside the Memorial Garden. The lights cost £26.00 each and were purchased in 2023. A link to the financial information on the website was also sent.

Garden of Remembrance – Positive feedback on the garden has been received, with thanks for the caretakers from a resident who attended the Service of Remembrance on 12 November 2023.

Horseshoe Hollow – The grass cuttings too wet to be baled. The Environment Caretaker sent out a request for volunteers on social media for help raking the grass into piles.  

Parish Office Renovation and Conversion –

• Roof – A roofing contractor will contact us with a date for the roof work. Ideally this will coincide with Newman Moore removing and cleaning the Perspex porch.
• Building work is on hold whilst Newman Moore obtain the smoke shaft. They promise they will then issue a schedule of works. A meeting with the contractor is being arranged for w/c 10/12/23.

Parkfield play area – The Wicksteed contractor visited Parkfield on 29/11/2023 to complete the outstanding works. They were met by the RFO and Cllrs Trolley and Conway to ensure the contractors were aware of all the work required including to the zip wire. Discussion between RPC, the contractor and Wicksteed took place regarding the steps for the monkey bars. A compromise has been agreed to make the bars more usable but still comply with relevant health and safety standards. All work has been completed at no cost to Council.

Police Engagement Event – The Admin Assistant, representing Council attended the Police and Crime networking event on 7/1/223 via Zoom. Although there was no time to raise a question on behalf of Council, an email has been sent to the organiser for information concerning the enforcement of Council’s byelaws areas for the enjoyment of pleasure grounds, public walks, open spaces, and dog control/fouling. The response was the local authority enforces the byelaws and the police provided a link to the NKDC website. People who let their dogs foul will be written to by NKDC.

Remembrance Sunday (12 November 2023) – Feedback has been received that an improved sound system is required (the Church are aware). Road closure feedback has also been received and circulated to the relevant individual. 

LCC Highways - LCC Highways repainted the road markings (white lines) on the High Street on 6/12/23.

LCC Highways commenced work to replace the damaged drain outside the Elite chip shop/ red Lion on 11/12/23.) This should prevent the surface flooding in this area.

Scout Hut – The Scouts are using the Pavilion on Monday evenings until the Scout Hut is usable again following the flooding on 20 October 2023.  

Solar Panels for the Parish Office – The installation has been delayed from 9/12/23 as Western Power has not given consent for the erection of scaffolding due to electricity cables in the vicinity of the office. They will arrange to visit and cover the cables. Imp Electrical now hope to install the panels w/c 18/12/23. LCC has given permission for the scaffolding on the pavement.

Staff matters -The Clerk and RFO attended the Clerk’s networking day on 22 November 2023 at Cranwell Village Hall. There was a focus on staff mental health and wellbeing at work and staff development via SLCC training such as the CILCA. The NALC awards for Councils was also presented.  (Information on wellbeing circulated and also available in the online staff “wellbeing” folder).

Village Hall / Parkfield carpark - The police advised that no further action would be taken in connection to an incident reported to RPC on 31/10/2023 at approx. 5.30am (Incident number 332/02/11/2023. Evidence received was in opposition to the those stated.)

• Residents reported a “suspicious” vehicle parking overnight on Parkfield carpark with a person possibly sleeping in the van. This was reported to Aurora. Residents adjacent to the carpark were made aware and asked for any information. Following this the owner of the vehicle made contact and has moved the van.

Date for January meetings - Please note the next ordinary meeting takes place on Thursday 18 January 2024.

• A date for the Finance Committee meeting to be held before 18 January 2023 to be confirmed