Ruskington Parish Council

Minutes of a meeting of Ruskington Parish Council held on Tuesday 10 February 2026 at the Winchelsea Centre, 11 High Street North, Ruskington, NG34 9DY at 7pm.

Cllr Tomlinson had advised prior to the meeting that he would be ten minutes late joining the meeting.

Also present: Three members of the public.

Public session: At 7pm the Chairman welcomed the delegates and members of the public and invited the members of public to speak.

A member of public spoke about their planning application (agenda item 15.c., below), the history of the property, its connections to a long-standing business, the reasons for the planning application, the main details of the application, and the benefits of the application for the local area and street scene. Cllr Cunningham declared an interest in this planning application as he lived a short distance away from the property. The member of public and their spouse answered questions from Council. The application had been considered by members of the Estate Management & Planning Committee who had raised no objections to the application. A query had been raised concerning conflicting information between the biodiversity net gain report and the site plan. The property owners advised that this may have been due to part of application for a car parking area being withdrawn for consideration at a later date.

During the public session Cllr Tomlinson joined the meeting at 7.05pm.

No other questions were raised or statements made.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.12pm.

1. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.

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

Action: The Council RESOLVED to accept Cllr Conway and Cllr Jenning’s apologies. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Harrison and approved unanimously.

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.

Cllr Tomlinson declared an interest in agenda item 11.3 (Proposed lease agreement for the Lions JFC) as he was the Chairman of the Lions JFC.

3. To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Tuesday 13 January 2026.

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

The Chairman signed the Minutes.

4. To receive the District and County Councillors’ reports – for information only.

The District Councillors and County Councillor were not present at the meeting, and no reports had been received.

5. Financial Matters

The information had been circulated prior to the meeting.

    5.1. To approve the payments made and consider the invoices for payment received since the meeting held on 13 January 2026.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve all the payments made and invoices received since the last meeting. Proposed by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously.

   5.2. To consider /approve the bank reconciliations for January 2026.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliations for January 2026 Proposed by Cllr Bain, seconded by Cllr Sheldon and approved unanimously.

   5.3. To receive a monthly financial report from the RFO and consider any recommendations.

The report had been circulated prior to the meeting and the RFO gave an overview, explaining that large payments had been made for the renovation of the lychgate and the new air conditioning unit. Council was working within its budget and there had been no need to transfer monies from the Dudley building society account, and there was no expectation that a transfer was required in the remainder of the fiscal year.

6. To receive an update on co-option to Council.

No applications or expressions of interest had been received. The vacancies for co-option continued to be advertised.

7.  To receive the Clerk’s report - for information only.

This had been circulated prior to the meeting. The Clerk responded to questions regarding the mole activity at Parkfield playing fields.

8. To consider the adoption of the two Council owned and maintained defibrillators by SHOCK Sleaford. The defibs are located at the Winchelsea Centre and Ruskington Medical Centre.

The information had previously been circulated.

Action. The Council RESOLVED for SHOCK Sleaford to adopt the two Council owned defibrillators. Proposed by Cllr Cunningham, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.

9. To consider an alternative date in May for the Annual Parish Meeting (APM), hosted by the Chairman, as the Methodist Church is not available on Monday 1 June 2026.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2026. Proposed by Cllr Sheldon, seconded by Cllr Hislop and approved unanimously.

   9.1. To consider the focus for the APM as being updates on the flood prevention investigations and measures and community emergency planning, if the organisations are able to attend.

Action: The Council agreed to focus the APM on updates on the flood prevention measures and the community emergency plan. Village groups and venues would still be invited to have information stalls.

10. To consider a verbal request from the Ruskington Area Veteran’s Group to hold their annual Tommy Sleep Out in the Garden of Remembrance overnight on Saturday 28 March 2026, and if approved, to agree any conditions for the use of the Garden.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the request from the Veteran’s Group to hold a Tommy Sleep Out in the Garden of Remembrance overnight on 28 March 2026. The usual conditions would apply. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously.

A Member of public left the meeting.

11. To receive a report and recommendations from the Recreation and Environment (RE) Committee. Cllr Cox gave an update and advised that the new surface for the MUGA would be 4G not 3G.

   11.1. To receive a report from a meeting with the Football Association (FA) on 30 January 2026 regarding funding for a 3G surface for the MUGA.

Cllr Cox advised that the funding application to Lincolnshire Football Association (FA) for the 4G pitch was underway with the support of a FA representative.

   11.1.a.  To consider allocating additional funds from the Flaxwell Fields S106 claim for a 3G surface to cover any shortfall in funding from the FA.

Cllr Cox advised that due to the size of the 4G project this complied with the FA’s criteria for a small grant and therefore the FA would only fund up to £25,000 of the total project costs. This meant that an additional £6,400 of s106 money was required to cover the balance of the 4G surface.  Council had resolved at its meeting on 13 January 2026 to claim £10,000 of the s106 money for the new surface.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to claim an additional £6,400 of s106 money for the 4G pitch (a total of £16,400). Proposed by Cllr Cunningham, seconded by Cllr Hislop and approved unanimously.

   11.2. To consider the recommendation of the Committee for the current grass cutting contractor to continue cutting the grass at Parkfield playing fields for the FY 2026-2027 until the lease agreement for the Lions JFC is in place, and they have successful obtained funding for the ground maintenance machinery and equipment. 

The cost had been obtained and there was no difference to the amount already being paid.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to ask Glendale, the current grass cutting contractor, to continue cutting the grass at Parkfield, until 31 March 2027.

   11.3. To consider the recommended ten-year lease agreement for the Lions JFC to undertake the grass cutting at Parkfield playing fields, following review and revision.

This had been circulated prior to the meeting. A couple of further amendments were required.

Action: The Council RESOLVED that Cllr Ditch make the required amendments to the lease agreement. This would be circulated to Council for its approval, and if by 4pm on Friday 13 February 2026 no emailed votes against the revised lease were received, the agreement was fit for purpose. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Harrison and approved unanimously.

   11.4.  To receive the outcome of a public consultation for Hillside play area and consider the recommendations of the RE Committee.

A four-week survey had been undertaken, and 61 replies had been received. Cllr Cox advised that the play equipment was beyond economical repair, the demographics of the area had changed, the play area was infrequently used and would continue to be infrequently used. The recommendation of the RE committee was to close the play area with immediate effect, decommission the play area and explore ideas with NKDC (the landowner) regarding future collaborative projects for the area, such as a nature reserve or trim trail. A discussion took place on whether the play area should be kept open, with raised awareness of its location to increase its use, or to close the play area.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to close the play area, to obtain costs for its removal, and to liaise with NKDC regarding future collaborative projects to enhance the area. Proposed by Cllr Cox seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved with five votes for and four votes against.  (Post-meeting note: NKDC has been advised and they have shared the information with their Asset Management team for review to review any legal implications and will take the proposal to the Asset Management Board for confirmation and recording.  They may also need to be checked with NK Planning. An NK Property Officer to deal with this has been appointed.)

12. To receive a report from the Events Committee - Cllr Harrison.

Cllr Harrison provided an update on the events planned to date: The Duck Hunt and Garden Party on 4 May 2026, the Youth Day in August and the Christmas market on 5 December 2026.

Cllr Harrison, Cllr Sheldon and the caretaker for Building and Play Areas had walked around the village. The location for the noticeboard at Elmtree play area and the shelving and hooks for the displaying of Remembrance wreaths in the memorial shelter had been agreed, plus the location for the market stalls for the Christmas market had been noted.

   12.1. To confirm Councillor attendance for the Duck Hunt and Garden Party on (Bank Holiday) Monday 4 May 2026 at the Winchelsea Centre and Community Garden, and support in advance of the event including setting up, clearing away.

Discussions on performers and a PA system took place. It was mentioned here that the Co-op were considering the community garden as a green space project for a “tidy up” project, which would be open to members of the public to take part in.  

Action: Cllr Hislop, Cllr Bain and Cllr Sheldon offered support. Councillors who could help in advance or on the day were to let the Events Committee know of their availability.

13. Councillor attendance at events:

Information had been circulated prior to the meeting.

   13.1. To consider holding a Councillor’s Surgery and agree the date, time, and the Councillor.

It was noted that the councillor surgeries had been poorly attended but interaction with residents had been successful at the Warm Space events attended.

Action: The Council agreed that rather than holding surgeries at the parish office that councillors attend the Warm Space events held at the Methodist Church on Fridays during term time, with prior agreement with the Methodist Church.

   13.2. To consider recommencing the Community Litter Picks and agree the date, time and Councillor to lead the next litter pick.

None had not been held during the winter months.

Action: Cllr Harrison agreed to lead the litter pick on 25 April 2026. Cllr Bain and Cllr Sheldon advised that they may also be able to lead litter picks, but the dates were to be confirmed.

The two members of public left the meeting.

14. To receive a report from the Estate Management and Planning Committee following its meeting on 20 January 2026.- Cllr Trolley

Cllr Trolley gave an update from the committee meeting and the pavilion project. Discussion with the architect regarding the building control plan continued. It had been agreed to set up a pavilion project working party to concentrate on the building specification, interior design, and the tender documents, and to have these ready for Council’s consideration on 10 March 2026. It was also hoped to obtain ball park costs for the renovation project.

   14.1. To appoint Members to a Pavilion Working Party.

The Committee had previously appointed Cllr Conway to lead the working party and the pavilion project.

Action: The Council appointed Cllr Cunningham, Cllr Cox and Cllr Sheldon to the pavilion working party along with the members of the Estate Management and Planning Committee. The first meeting would take place on 24 February 2026 at 10.30am at the Parish Office.

15.  To consider the planning applications received from NKDC since the last meeting held on 9 December 2025, and ratify any comments made by the Committee. – Cllr Trolley.

The information had been circulated prior to the meeting and Cllr Trolley gave an overview.

      a. Planning Application Reference: 26/0021/HOUS

Proposal: Single storey rear extension and conversion of existing garage with wrap

around hipped roof

Location: 28 Cliffe Avenue Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9AU

The Committee had no objections to this application.

Action: Council had no objection ns to the application.

      b. Planning Application Reference 25/1557/HOUS

Town & Country Planning Act 1990

Planning Application: Notification of Local Councils – Receipt of amended details

Proposal: Conversion and extension of existing detached garage to form annex

ancillary to the existing dwelling

Location:   136 Westcliffe Road Ruskington Sleaford

Amendments for Council’s information only.

The amendments were viewed by the EMP Cttee, but no response was required from Council.

      c. Planning Application Reference: 26/0106/FUL

Proposal: Demolition of existing dwelling and garage and proposed replacement dwelling and associated works.

Location: 11 Chapel Street Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9DX

This had been discussed in the public session above.

Action: The Council had no objections to this application but clarification to be sought on the BNG information.

   15.1. To receive notification of planning applications approved by NKDC, if received.

No notifications of approved applications had been received since the last meeting.

16. Correspondence - for information only. (Circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting).

   a. LALC (by email) – Newsletters and January 2026 training bulletin.

   b. Clerks and Councils Direct (by post on 8/1/2026) – January 2026 newsletter.

   c. Halo Bakes (by email on 12/1/2026) – Request to locate a cake shed at Parkfield. (Considered by the Recreation & Environment Committee on 3/2/2026)

   d. LCC Highways (by email on 13/1/2026) -Parish Grass Cutting Agreement for 2026. (Information submitted as requested on 13/1/2026.)

   e. Halo Cakes (by email on 13/1/2026) – Cake Shed location

   f. Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (by email on 15/1/2026) - Telemetry Installations

   g. UDLive (by email on 15/1/2026) - Project Groundwater Greater Lincolnshire (On 22/1/2026, Council members and staff attended an online tutorial about the project and have signed up to receive the data and alerts.)

   h. Member of public (by hand with the Hillside survey on 15/1/2026) – Condition of the footpath between the railway bridge and Fen Road.

  i. Member of public (16/1/2026) – Fen Road pedestrian safety concerns and comments regarding a Road Traffic Order from LCC (County Cllr Wright aware.) Agenda item, above.

  j. Member of Public (by email on 16/1/2026) – Memorial tree, bench, or plaque. (Considered by the Recreation & Environment Committee on 3/2/2026).

  k. Local business (by email on 22/1/2026) – Proposed business signage for Council feedback. (Details of the signs not yet provided.)

  l. Member of public (by email on 27/1/2026) – Overgrown tree on the junction of Chestnut Street and High Street South. (The tree had been reported to LCC. Ownership of this tree is apparently unknown, but work has been carried out to remove branches hanging over the road. The resident remains concerned about the height of the tree and has also emailed LCC.)

  m. LCC Flood Team (by email on 4/2/2026) – Update on the flood reduction investigations, a map to show the extent of the watercourse surveying, and a letter regarding a threshold survey of the parish office.

   n. Resident (by email on 5/2/2026) – Request to place a purchased residents’ and visitors’ only parking sign on the communal space to make people aware that there is no unallocated parking anywhere in the cul-de-sac (Sessile Close). (Sign posted to LCC Highways).

All correspondence had been responded to.

Action: The Council RESOLVED that correspondence be included in the Clerk’s report or as an appendix to the agenda. Items that required Council’s consideration would be included on the agenda. Proposed by Cllr Ditch, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously.

17. To receive Members’ Reports – for information only.

• Cllr Cox enquired about the ownership of the land near the railway bridge as it was filled with litter and asked about the plastic fencing that was propped up against the wooden fencing on the same bridge.
• Cllr Ditch requested suitable ideas for the £480 that had been donated to Council by the pupils St George’s Academy in 2024 as it had not been possible to create a scrape at Parkfield. A willow tree was suggested.

18. 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 contractual matters below. 

Action: Council RESOLVED to exclude members of the public and press to discuss the staffing and contractual matters below. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Cunningham and approved unanimously.

The meeting closed at 8.51pm and re-convened at 8.51pm.

19. To receive a report and recommendations on staffing matters from the HR Committee following its meeting on 26 January 2026 and agree any next steps.

Cllr Bain gave a brief overview of HR matters and advised that he would be undertaking consultations with relevant staff members on Thursday 12 February 2026 regarding changes to job descriptions and Council’s change of pension provider.   

20. To consider the quotes for a sand infilled 3G surface for the MUGA, as obtained by Cllr Cox, and agree the contractor to undertake the works.

Three quotes had been circulated prior to the meeting, and Cllr Cox made a recommendation on behalf of the Recreation and Environment Committee.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to accept the recommended quote from Fosse Contracts Limited for £41,320 for a 4G sand-infilled surface for the MUGA. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.

21. To consider the future Chairman’s position – Cllr Ditch.

Cllr Ditch advised that he had been chairman of council for three years and was offering an opportunity for another councillor to take on the role before the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council in May 2026.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.14pm.

Meeting date: 10 February 2026

Author: Kathryn Locke – Clerk to Council

Purpose of report: To provide an update report from the Clerk on business conducted since the last meeting of the Parish Council held on 13 January 2026.

Min ref 5.1: All approved payments and invoices have been paid by the RFO.

Min ref 5.4: The internal audit of Councils’ finance and governance will be conducted on Thursday 26 February 2026 by an auditor allocated by LALC.

Min ref 5.5: Council has joined the LALC Annual Training Scheme 5.7for FY 2026-2027. Payment will be made after 1 April 2026

Min ref 5.7: The renovation of the lychgate has now been completed. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has approved the final project report and evaluation, the final payment has been received, and the contractor has been paid. (The total amount of funding received is £26,116.00)

Min ref 5.9: The RFO submitted the precept request to NKDC for FY 2026-2027 on 22/1/2026.

Min ref 7: The Environment Caretaker has dealt with the moles and mole runs at Parkfield playing fields.

Min ref 9: The Full Council Working Party meeting was held on 22 January 2026. A report has been circulated and is available on the Councill’s website.

Min ref 10.1. The Clerk has contacted NKDC regarding the lead time for s106 payments once claims have been approved by the NKDC Panel. The response has been circulated.  Both the renovation of the pavilion with the creation of an overflow car park and a contribution towards FA funding for a 3G surface for the MUGA are eligible projects for the s106 Deed of Variation claim.

Min ref 10.2.1: The lease agreement for the Lions to have non-exclusive use of the playing fields has been revised following comments made by Council and the Lions JFC. This was received buy the Recreation and Environment Committee at its meeting on 3/2/2026. (Agenda item.)

Min ref 10.3: The Building’s Caretaker is investigating the creation of wreath holders in the shelter in the Garden of Remembrance.

Min ref 11.2: The Methodist Church is unavailable on the 1 June 2026. Tuesdays are the best evenings to hire the venue. A provisional date of Tuesday 26 May 2026 has been agreed with the Methodist Church. (The meeting must be held between 1 March and 1 June)

Min ref 12.1. Two further air conditioning contractors have been approached regarding an estimate to replace the faulty unit. One quote was received and was for over the agreed expenditure of £1,800 excl VAT. The third firm advised that they no longer installed or serviced air conditioning units. Update: The air con unit was replaced by Spalding Air Conditioning on 27/1/2026 within the agreed budget of £1,800 excluding VAT.

Min ref 13. Council’s comments on planning applications were submitted to NKDC on 15/1/2026.

Min ref 17: The Clerk signed the Statutory Document for the lease agreement with the Co-op regarding the grass land at Ruskington Co-op for continued use as the community garden. This was witnessed by an independent solicitor (Burton & Co, Sleaford) on Wednesday 21 January 2026 at 10am at a cost of £5.00.

Min ref 18: Staff members have been advised by the RFO that Council has agreed to enrol eligible staff members onto the Local Government Pension Scheme from 1 April 2026 following consultations and with the staff members agreement. They can stay with the existing pension provider if they prefer. Staff have been advised to seek independent financial advice on their pensions. The RFO is in touch with the relevant adviser at the Lincolnshire/West Yorkshire pension Fund so Council and staff can be advised of the process and given accurate information at their pension consultations.

Other Council Business:

Council Business

Audit – The mid-year internal audit will be undertaken on 26 February 2026 by the auditor allocated by LALC. The audit covers both finance and governance.

Precept - The precept request for FY was submitted to NKDC by the RFO on 22 January 2026.

Co-option - No expressions of interest or applications have been received. The two vacancies continue to be advertised on social media, the website, and in the monthly newsletter.

Council’s Microsoft Office 365 package and the use of Teams and Project Management Tools. On investigation, Councillors do not have Teams as part of their MSO365 package, and due to internet issues and other work priorities, this has yet to be achieved.

Parish Van - This is booked in for its service on 10 February 2026 at Intercounty Truck and Vans, Boston.

Estate Management and Planning

Proposed Conservation Area for the village centre – Cllr Hislop has created a detailed proposal which may be a future agenda item following further research and feasibility. Two conservation officers from NKDC will be meeting members of the Committee on 16 February 2026 at 1.30pm to walk around the proposed area and discuss the proposal. They are also undertaking their own research. (Future agenda item.)

Office Units – Office no 2 will be let, following a satisfactory credit check, to a local business on a six-month contract from 2 March 2026. All office units will then be occupied.

Broadband for the office units – The RFO has contacted Royal Mail and the Street Naming Officer at NKDC about the need to provide different addresses for each of the office units so they can have broadband installed. The rear of the property was renamed, with immediate effect, on 27/1/2026 as Office 1, Office 2, Office 3 and Office 4.

Parish Office – The faulty air conditioning unit in the front right-hand office was replaced on 27 January 2026 by Spalding Air Conditioning Ltd.

• The PIR lights will be fitted over the drive and rear patio doors by Imp Electrical on 16 February 2026.

Pavilion planning application –

• Pavilion hot water for handwashing - Quotes to install three electric boilers in the ladies’ and gents’ toilets and the kitchen in the pavilion to heat the water for handwashing are being obtained.

Public toilets – On 14/1/2026, Imp Electric fitted sensors on the lights in the ladies’ and gents’ public toilets at a cost of £150.00. (The lights had been staying permanently on.)

Cemetery Noticeboard – This has been brought into the workshop for refurbishment by the Buildings’ Caretaker. Due to decay of the wood, it will need replacing in the 2027 -2028 financial year.

War Memorial in the Cemetery – The Building’s Caretaker is in the process of cleaning the war memorial and removing the moss and lichen. He is unable to re-do the lettering.

Recreation & Environment

Changing rooms – A single phase rather than a three-phase immersion heater had been mistakenly installed in the changing rooms. The required three-phase immersion was fitted by the contractor on Friday 23/1/2026. The electrician will complete attaching the immersion heater to the solar panels by 12 February 2026. (There was unexpected additional work required.)

Community garden – The Clerk is planning on asking the Co-op volunteers to help tidy up the garden.

Ditch at Parkfield playing fields – The Clerk is obtaining quotes for the ditch behind Tomlinson Way to be cleared as soon as possible.

Flooding and Flood investigations – LCC commenced Phase 4 of the camera work and drain jetting on 27/1/2026.

• Cllrs Ditch, Hislop and Harrison, the Clerk, RFO and Caretakers and Admin Assistant attended an online tutorial with a representative from UDlive on 22/1/2026 regarding the Ground Water project for Greater Lincolnshire. New flood sensors to measure water levels are currently being installed in Ruskington, (Westcliffe Road, Manor Street, Sleaford Road and Fen Road) in addition to those owned by the Environment Agency and based on evidence of need from the s19 report. Council and residents can sign up to the new system to receive the data. It is hoped to invite representatives from LCC to provide an update on the flood reduction measures for Ruskington to the Annual Parish Meeting when a new date has been agreed. (Agenda item.)

Garden of Remembrance - The Caretakers have reinstalled a long stone slab that topped the low wall separating the drive from the grass verge that may have been displaced by a vehicle. The stone topping slabs are cracking and will require replacement.

Hedge at the Village Hall - The Clerk has asked the VH to cut the overgrown hedge following complaints made to the Council.

MUGA - 3G surface – A representative of the Football Association met with the RFO and members of the Recreation and Environment Committee on Friday 30/1/2026 to discuss the funding application for the 3G pitch.  The RFO has commenced funding application.  NKDC has advised that the s106 claim can be put towards the costs of the 3G pitch but to seek advice from the funder to ensure that this meets their own criteria. The FA has advised that they will accept s106 monies.

Parkfield playing fields – The Buildings’ Caretaker has crushed the rubble spoil from the memorial garden path and laid this on the field at the entrance from Northfield Road, which was muddy and waterlogged. No further rubble can be laid as there is no drainage in on Northfield Road side of the gate, and the field cannot be made higher than the road surface.

Play areas – The four-week public consultation for Hillside Play area closed on Friday 23 January 2026. The results have been circulated and were reviewed by the Recreation & Environment Committee at its meeting on 3/2/2023.  (Agenda item.)

S106 public consultation - The survey has been hand delivered to all properties in Ruskington by the Local Lincs team within the February edition of the Local Lincs magazine. The closing date is 20 March 2026. The Admin Assistant has shared a social media post reminding residents of the criteria for the s106 claim (improve, build, or take care of village facilities such as recreational and green spaces.)

Tree work – Tree work is outstanding in the closed church yard, cemetery, path between Lincoln Road and Horseshoe Hollow.  An external contractor may be required to undertake the work.

Tree at the junction of Chestnut Street with the High Street – A large tree is overgrowing the pavement. The ownership of the tree is unknown although anecdotally, LCC has carried out work on the tree in the past. LCC has said it is not their tree and will not be conducting any works. A resident has emailed LCC directly to ask if something can be done.

Vegetation growing out of the Beck walls along the High Street – The RFO reported this to the Environment Agency on 3/12/2026. They have raised this as an incident. (The walls of the Beck are the responsibility of LCC).

Water leaks - Anglian Water has resolved longstanding water leak on High Street South and Millview Road.

Training and attendance at events - The Clerk and RFO attended a local Clerks’ networking day on 27/1/2026 at Anwick to share best practice.

• Cllr Harrison will be attending online Canva training on 3 March 2026.

Committee meetings held since the last ordinary meeting –

• Tuesday 20 January 2026 – Estate Management & Planning Committee.
• Monday 26 January 2026 – HR Committee meeting.
• Tuesday 3 February 2026 – Recreation & Environment Committee

Dates for upcoming scheduled meetings –

• Tuesday 24 February 2026 – Events’ Committee
• Tuesday 3 March 2026 – Estate Management & Planning Committee
• Tuesday 10 March 2026 – Council meeting at 7pm at the Winchelsea Centre.