Ruskington Parish Council

Minutes of a meeting of Ruskington Parish Council held on Tuesday 10 June 2025 at the Winchelsea Centre, 11 High Street North, Ruskington, NG34 9DY at 7pm.

No members of the public or press were present.

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

Cllr Bain and Cllr Jennings were unable to attend the meeting and had sent valid apologies. Cllr Tomlinson was unable to attend the meeting and had sent verbal apologies via Cllr Cox.

Action: Council RESOLVED to accept the apologies of Cllr Bain, Cllr Jennings, and Cllr Tomlinson. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Cox, 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 Cox declared an interest in agenda item 11 (fundraising event) as he was related to a member of the organising committee and would not take part in the discussion or voting.

3. To approve as a correct record the notes of the Annual Meeting of Ruskington Parish Council held on Tuesday 13 May 2025.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the notes of the meeting as accurate Minutes. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Harrison and approved with six votes for and one abstention (had not been present at the previous meeting).

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

Cllr Wright and Cllr Waldeck were unable to attend the meeting.

5. Financial Matters

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 May 2025.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve all the payments made and invoices for payment received. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Hislop and approved unanimously.

   5.2. To consider /approve the bank reconciliations for May 2025.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliations for May 2025. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.

   5.3. To receive a financial report from the RFO.

This had been circulated prior to the meeting.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the RFO’s recommendation to use virement to transfer £6,000 from the salaries budget to the toilet cleaning budget following the cleaning being allocated to a contractor. Proposed by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr Hislop and approved unanimously.

   5.4.  To ratify the automatic renewal of the parish van’s motor insurance with Aviva on 10 June 2025 at a cost of £704.00. (An increase of £42.00 from last year.)

The renewal quote had been received after the agenda for this meeting had been published. To enable the vehicle to remain insured the insurance was automatically renewed.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to ratify the automatic renewal of the insurance for the parish van. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Ditch and approved unanimously.

   5.5. To consider the quotes for signage for the office units at the rear of the parish office. (To be located on the exterior wall of the office alongside the drive.)

Information and quotes had been circulated prior to the meeting. A further quote was awaited.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve expenditure of up to £400.00 for a suitable exterior sign. Business owners renting an office and requesting a business sign would be asked to cover the cost of their “insert” into the sign. Proposed by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.

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

No expressions of interest or applications for co-option had been received.

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

This had been circulated prior to the meeting. The Clerk answered questions on the report.

8.  Consider /approve of the following documents, consider any amendments recommended, if available, and agree a date for their review: -

The documents had been circulated prior to the meeting.

   8.1. Terms of Reference for the Finance Committee following amendment.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the amended Terms of Reference. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Hislop and approved unanimously.           .

   8.2. Environment Policy

The Council RESOLVED to approve the Environment Policy which had been revised to include the planting of only native and fruit trees on Council owned and managed land. Proposed by Cotter, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.

   8.3. Memorial Management Policy

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the Memorial Management Policy. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.

9. To appoint Cllr Cox and Cllr Tomlinson to committees.

Cllr Cox had expressed a written interest in joining the Recreation and Environment Committee. Cllr Tomlinson was not present at the meeting.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to appoint Cllr Cox to the Committee. Proposed by Conway, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.

   9.1. To appoint additional members to the Recreation and Environment Committee.

Councillor Harrison had expressed a written interest in joining the Recreation and Environment Committee.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to appoint Cllr Harrison to the Recreation and Environment Committee. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Cox and approved unanimously.

10. To consider feedback received from the groups, venues, and attendees of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 20 May 2025 to inform next year’s meeting and other Council events.

This had been circulated prior to the meeting. Feedback was positive and a couple of suggestions to improve the meeting had been made.

Action: Council to consider ways to improve the Annual Parish Meeting and to invite comments from members of the public about what they would like to see at the meeting.

11. To ratify the decision to purchase the event insurance for the organisers of Finley’s Fundraiser event following a majority vote in favour (received by email) on 23/5/2025 at a cost of £171.00.

This insurance included public liability insurance and followed advice from Council’s insurance company. The insurance was in the name of the lead organiser for the event.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to ratify the decision to donate £171.00 to pay for one day event insurance for the fundraising day on 19 July 2025. Council asked that the organisers publicly recognised the Council as a sponsor of the event (a usual condition of its grants and donations policy). Council would provide litter pickers, and four walkie talkies for the event. Council also agreed to have an information stand at the event. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Hislop and approved with six votes for and one abstention. (The Councillor had declared an interest in this item.)

   11.1. To agree the Terms and Conditions for the use of the pavilion and playing field for the event.

The event organisers had received a draft copy of the Terms and Conditions and had not suggested any amendments.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the Terms and Conditions. Proposed by Cllr Hislop, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.

12. To consider the quote for the renewal of the MUGA maintenance contract.

The quote received had been for a five-year contract and as Council was considering upgrading the surface of the MUGA, a five-year contract was not considered necessary at this time.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to arrange for the MUGA maintenance to be undertaken as required. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.

13. To consider the request from Chaos Discount to install a bench (no larger than 600mm (depth) by 1800mm) on Manor Street beside the store, in memory of a member of staff.

The Clerk advised that LCC had not given permission for the bench to be located in a recess on Manor Street, beside Chaos Discount, as this would impede pedestrians using the pavement.  Chaos was aware of this decision.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to permit a memorial bench to be located in the village, would assist Chaos in finding a suitable location, and would submit the information to LCC Highways for approval. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.

14. To receive a report on Sleaford Road cemetery to extend its expected life span.

The information circulated prior to the meeting.

   14.1. To consider the recommendation of the Estate Management and Planning Committee to maximise the number of interments for cremated remains in Sleaford Road cemetery. (Option 2 in the report entitled “New Plot Creation for Ashes Interments”, page 2.)

The location of the central path for ashes interments has previously been approved.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the recommendation to maximise the number of plots available for the interment of cremated remains in the cemetery as detailed in the report. Proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.

   14.2. To consider the creation of an interment area for cremated remains along the South Border of the cemetery on Sleaford Road (to be used before the previously agreed central path behind the War Memorial), as recommended by the Estate Management & Planning Committee.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to create an area for the interment of cremated remains alongside the South Border in Sleaford Road cemetery. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.

   14.3. To consider no longer permitting the interment of cremated remains of non- residents into new plots.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to no longer permit the interment of cremated remains of non-residents in Sleaford Road cemetery, unless they had recently moved out of the village for their care needs. The Council gave the Clerk devolved powers to make decisions regarding the residency entitlement to be interred in the cemetery. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Cox and approved unanimously.  [Please note that the burial of non-residents has not been permitted since 1 September 1990, except where an exclusive right of burial has been granted for a period of twenty years]. 

15. To consider holding a cream tea in the community garden and parish office open day on Saturday 6 September 2025 to commemorate the end of WW2, and agree the expenditure for this.

Council had previously agreed to purchase additional “Tommy” signs for the lampposts and to spend up to £250.00 for the signs and any event agreed to commemorate VJ 80 day or the end of the war. Correspondence from a staff member was considered but the date of 6 September was considered to be the most suitable for this commemorative event. During the discussion, Cllr Cox commented that the community garden was looking tired and uncared for. Council agreed to suspend the meeting and visited the garden. The Clerk and Cllr Conway remained in the building. On return to the meeting no comment was made about the condition of the garden.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to hold a cream tea and parish office open day in the community garden on Saturday 6 September 2025 to commemorate the end of WW2, with an expenditure of up to £250.00 (to include the lamppost signs). The Clerk to ask the Ruskington Veteran’s Group and Parish Church if they would like to be involved with the event. To consider hiring the Winchelsea Centre in case of inclement weather and installing a gate to enable access between the car park at the Winchelsea Centre and the community garden. [A gate had previously been discussed with and verbally agreed by the PCC.]

16. To agree a date for the next HR Committee meeting.

This was deferred as only one member of the HR Committee was present at the meeting.

   16.1. To appoint two members of the HR Committee to conduct the Clerk’s annual appraisal.

This was deferred as only one member of the HR Committee was present at the meeting.

17. To consider an anti-littering poster competition as suggested by a resident. 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to hold a “for fun” poster competition for primary school aged children, to take place before the school summer holidays commenced. The winning poster would be displayed in areas known to have problems with littering. Children would be encouraged to create an anti-littering poster at Finlay’s Fundraiser on Saturday 19 July 2025 at the Parish Council information stand. Cllr Ditch, Cllr Cox, and Cllr Harrison would be the judging panel, and the posters would be reviewed over the summer holidays. The winner would be announced at the cream tea event on Saturday 6 September 2025.

18. To consider correspondence from Anwick Parish Council regarding Council’s comments on the planning consultation for the proposed bio-gas plant for Anwick. 

The letter, dated 20 May 2025, had previously been circulated to Council and considered by the Estate Management & Planning Committee at its meeting on 3 June 2025. Following advice from LALC, the Committee’s recommended response and draft letter had been circulated to Council prior to the meeting.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the letter for Anwick Parish Council without amendment. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Cotter and approved unanimously.

19. To consider correspondence from The Chestnuts Retirement Home.

The correspondence concerned a current planning application for the Retirement Home to extend into an adjoining property (2 Holme Lane) on which Council had raised concerns about parking and access due to the location of the Retirement Home.  The letter and a revised planning application had previously been circulated and considered by the Estate Management & Planning Committee at its meeting on 3 June 2025. The applicant had attended the committee meeting and satisfactorily answered the committee’s questions regarding parking, deliveries to the Retirement Home and access for emergency vehicles. It was noted that revised provision for carparking had been made and there was access to overflow car parking nearby, if required.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the recommendation of the Estate Management & Planning Committee to support the planning application. Proposed by Cllr Ditch, second by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.          

20. To consider planning applications and amendments to planning applications received since the last meeting:

   a. Planning Application Reference: 25/0498/VARCON

Proposal: Application to vary condition 18 (approved plans to plot 111 including garage) attached to planning permission 20/0391/FUL - Residential development of 190 no. dwellings (comprising 152 no. open market dwellings and 38 no. affordable housing dwellings) with associated open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage infrastructure (Central Lincolnshire Local Plan residential site allocations CL957 and CL4710) - Plot 111 changed from Bungalow Type P to Bungalow Type T

Location: Land To The East Of Lincoln Road (B1188) And North Of Springfield Road, Ruskington.

Action: The Council had no objections to this application to vary condition 18.

   b. Planning Application Reference: 25/0477/FUL

 Proposal:  Siting of an InPost Parcel Locker (retrospective)

 Location:   Red Lion 107 High Street North Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire

Action: The Council had no objections to this retrospective application.

   c. Planning Application Reference: 25/0529/FUL

Proposal:  Change of use to dog exercise paddock, siting of a storage container for use

as a welfare and storage facility and creation of parking area and upgraded access

 Location:   Land Off Sleaford Road Ruskington Sleaford NG34 9BL

Action: The Committee had no objections to this application subject to the responses from NKDC’s Economic Development Services.

   d. Application Reference: 25/0358/FUL

Notification of Amendments to an Application

Proposal: Proposed change of use and conversion of existing dwellinghouse (use class C3) to form extension to existing retirement home (use class C2)

Location: 2 Holme Lane Ruskington Sleaford

This had been discussed in depth in agenda item 19 above.

Action. The Council supported this amended application.

   20.1. To receive notification of planning applications approved by NKDC.

   a. Application Reference: 24/1158/HOUS

Proposal: Erection of single and two storey front extension, single storey side extension

forming a new porch, conversion and extension of existing stable block to form Annex

ancillary to the existing house. (Amended Description)

Location: 1 Manor Street Ruskington Sleaford

   b. Application Reference: 25/0300/HOUS

Proposal: Erection of porch

Location: 46 Hillside Estate Ruskington Sleaford (Notice of approval received on 19/5/2025)

   c. Application Reference: 25/0125/VARCON

Proposal: Application to vary conditions 2 (approved plans) and 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 (Notice of approval received on 21/5/2025)

   d. Application Reference: 24/1369/FUL

Proposal: Erection of 8 starter units

Location: Land Adjacent To Industrial Estate Fen Road Ruskington (Notice of approval received on 23/5/2025)

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

1. LALC – (via email) - Fortnightly e- news and May 2025 training bulletin.
2. Local historian (by email on 10/5/2025) – Copyright requirements for using and sharing information and concern that correspondence had been received from an individual councillor, not the Clerk.
3. National Allotment Society (by post on 10/5/2025) Allotment magazine.
4. NKDC (by email on 12/5/2025) – Attendance at the Annual Parish meeting to talk about the Section 19 flood report and recommendations for Ruskington.
5. NKDC (by email on 13/5/2025) – Future of Hillside Estate and play area – NKDC has no plans to develop the site in the foreseeable future and have offered to support any Council plans for the location, such as suggesting contractors to carry out any works required.
6. Mail Distribution Service (.gov.uk) (by email on 13/5/2025) - Examination Timetable for the proposed Springwell Solar Farm.
7. NKDC (by email open 15/5/2025) – Parish and Town newsletter
8. Ruskington Area Veteran’s Group (by email on 19/5/2025) – Updated risk assessment to include lone working.
9. Resident (by email on 19/5/2025) – Lilac tree and vegetation in the closed churchyard affecting their property. (Environment Caretaker met with the resident on 22/5/2025 to discuss and arrange the work required.)
10. NKDC (by email on 19/5/2025) – Confirmation of Cllr Conway and the Clerk’s attendance at the next Parish and Town Council Forum.
11. Finley’s Fundraiser organiser (by email on 19/5/2025) – Information regarding the event.
12. Cllr R Wright (by email on 20/5/2025) – County Councillor Annual Report for 2025
13. Meadow (Wellbeing Hub) (by email on 21/5/2025) – Thank you and positive feedback following the Annual Parish Meeting on 20/5/2025.
14. Architect (by email on 21/5/2025) – Updates from NKDC regarding the pavilion planning application. A 30-year biodiversity management plan will be required.
15. Resident (by email on 21/5/2025) – Regrowth from the stump of a silver tree at Elmtree playing field. (Resident advised that the stump will be removed during tree works later in the year.)
16. Finley’s Fundraiser organiser (by email on 21/5/2025) – Update on the event and risk assessment.
17. LCC Flood and Water Team (by email on 21/5/2025) – Overview of works planned for Ruskington.
18. Anwick Parish Council (by email on 23/5/2025) – Proposed biogas plant for Anwick. ((Estate Management & Planning Committee agenda item on 3 June 2025 and agenda item above.)
19. Resident (by email 29/5/2025) – “Trashing” of Parkfield play area at weekends, photos of sharp strips of plastic litter, and request for CCTV and weekend patrols. (Caretaker had removed the litter during his routine inspection and litter pick. Resident thanked, advised accordingly and assured there is CCTV.)
20. Organiser of Finley’s Fundraiser (by email on 27/5/2025) – Thank you to Council for purchasing the event insurance on behalf of the organisers. The insurance is in the name of an organiser.
21. LCC (By email on 27/5/2025) – Town and Parish Council newsletter
22. Chestnuts Retirement Home (by email on 27/5/2025) – Planning application and issues with parking. (Estate Management & Planning Committee agenda item on 3 June 2025 and agenda item above. Representative of the Home invited to attend the committee meeting or June Council meeting.)
23. LCC Property Lawyer (by email on 27/5/2025) – Confirmation of receipt of the signed lease agreement for the public toilets.
24. Resident (by email on 2/6/2025) – Thank you for clearing brambles in the cemetery. (Comments passed on to the Environment Caretaker.)
25. Lincolnshire Wildlife Park (by email on 2/6/2025) – Poster to promote June events.
26. Resident (by email on 3/6/2025) – Poor general condition of Hillside play area and bird poo on equipment. (Caretakers asked to inspect and put right).
1. Resident (by email on 3/6/2025) – Recurrent dog fouling on the path between Pinfold Way and the High Street. (Signposted by the Admin Assistant to the Environmental Team at NKDC.)
2. LCC Legal Services (by email on 3/6/2025) – Signed undated lease for the public toilets.
55. Resident (by email on 3/6/2025) – Information and concerns regarding a tree on the path between Lincoln Road and Horseshoe Close that may affect their future planning application.

During a review of the correspondence above, although not an agenda item, a brief discussion on the s106 claim for the Flaxwell Fields development was discussed and the Clerk was asked to contact Cllr Wright for an update on why the creation of playing fields was the eligibility criteria.

22. To receive Members’ Reports – for information only. (Any items raised for decision will appear on the agenda for the next meeting.)

• Cllr Harrison reported that the village planters were in a poor state. (The Clerk advised that the compost and plants had only just been delivered and the Environment Caretaker would be attending to the tubs as soon as possible).
• Cllr Harrison advised that he like to volunteer to plant the flower tub outside the public toilets and to donate the plants, and that he would be interested in taking the lead if Council agreed to locate bee hives on its land. [This had been a suggestion from a resident at the Annual Parish Meeting.]
• Cllr Cotter shared information on honey bees and advised that solitary bees, such as bumble bees and miner bees, should be encouraged.
• Cllr Hislop reported motoring issues at the junction of Manor Street with High Street North as there were frequent minor accidents at the junction. It was noted that LCC recommended reporting parking and driving issues to the Police.
• Cllr Conway advised that an action of the Estate Management and Planning Committee was to arrange an onsite meeting with a heating engineer to discuss the issues with the hot water system at the changing rooms; and that a meeting with a quantity surveyor would be useful to obtain a ball-park figure for the renovation of the pavilion.
• Cllr Trolley reported issues with the footbridge linking Tomlinson Way to the field behind the housing that was earmarked for development by Rippon Homes. Ownership of the bridge had been sought but neither LCC or NKDC owned the bridge or had any responsibility for the bridge.
• Cllr Cox advised that local businesses had approached him to offer help to Council with the renovation of the pavilion. The type of support provided would need to be discussed at a meeting with the Clerk present to ensure it was possible.  

23. To resolve whether to exclude the public and press, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, to discuss the confidential matter below. 

Action: The Council RESOLVED to move into closed session to discuss the confidential matter below.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.09pm, and the meeting re-convened at 9.09pm.

24. To consider correspondence from a councillor, if received.

Correspondence from a councillor had not been received. Therefore, this could not be considered at this meeting.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15pm.

Meeting date: 10 June 2025

Author: Kathryn Locke – Clerk to Council

Purpose of report: To provide an update report from the Clerk on business conducted since the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held meeting held on 13 May 2025.

Min ref 7: NKDC has been informed of the co-option of Cllr Harrison and Cllr Harrison’s Register of Interests have been submitted to NKDC for display on their website.

Min ref 10.2. The Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee has been informed that Cllr Conway has been delegated as the Representative to the Village Hall. Details of their meetings and up to date contact details have been requested.

Min ref 11.2. The RFO has made all the payments.

Min ref 11.5. The RFO has transferred £10,000 from the current account into the building society account. Update: The RFO Has advised that this has bounced back.

Min ref 11.6 & 11.7. External audit – The RFO has submitted the end of year/AGAR information to the external auditor, PKF Littlejohn, within the timeframe (Tuesday 1 July 2025). Relevant financial information will be displayed on Council’s noticeboard as prescribed.        

Min ref 11.8. Cardinus commenced insurance valuations of the parish council owned properties (parish office and outbuildings, pavilion and changing rooms) on 27/5/2025. The Clerk answered questions and provided information and photos to aid this process.

Min ref 11.9. The RFO and Corona’s legal team are dealing with Pozitive Energy re exit fees and the transfer from one electricity supplier to the other.

Min ref 11.11. The Clerk has emailed Cllr Wright with information regarding the s106 eligibility criteria (for the Flaxwell Fields development) with a request for help to clarify the matter.

Min ref 11.12. The successful contractor will commence the work to the wall outside the public toilets in July 2025 (actual date TBC).

Min ref 12.5. The Ruskington Area Veterans’ Group has been issued with the approved volunteer policy. They plan to commence a tidy up of the Garden of Remembrance on XXX. Following discussion, between the Clerk and a Committee member, the Group has amended its risk assessment to cover lone “working” and stipulate that volunteers must volunteer in pairs or groups.

Min ref 13: The Annual Parish Meeting took place on Tuesday 20 May at Ruskington Methodist Church.

Min ref 14: No information or request to hold a park run at Parkfield playing fields have been received.

Min ref 14.1. Fund raising day. The Clerk has sought advice from its insurance company and is in communication with the organisers. A detailed risk assessment for the event has been provided. Agenda item.

Min ref 15.1. The outcome of the Little Book Stop application is not yet known.

Min ref 19: Council comments on panning applications have been submitted (via email) to NKDC’s Planning Team.

Min ref 21: Cllr Bain will be drafting a letter for the Clerk to send to the Pilgrim factory, St George’s Academy and Winchelsea Primary School regarding possible use of their car parks for event parking.

Min ref 23. The approved and signed lease for the public toilets on Church Street was posted to LCC legal services on 14/5/2025 (signed for). The Buildings’ Caretaker has completed the work highlighted in the Condition Report produced by NKDC following an inspection of the toilets.

Other Council Business:

Allotments – The agreement and policy still require amending. This has commenced.

Annual Parish Meeting on 20 May 2025 at 6.30pm at Ruskington Methodist Church – The following groups attended and had information tables at the event: Ruskington WI, One You Lincolnshire, Sleaford Rural Policing Team, All Saints Parish Church, South Lincs Church, Ruskington Methodist Church, Ruskington Parish Council, Ruskington Community Library, Ruskington WI, Witham Archaeology, and Ruskington area Veterans’ Group.  Councillor Wright was unable to attend and had sent apologies and his county councillor report form 2024-2025. Councillor Waldeck attended and presented his report.  LCC’s Flood and Water manager and Senior officer were the guest speakers. Ruskington Co-op donated £30.00 worth of refreshments for the event (tea, coffee, milks, sugar, biscuits and buns). Approx. 30 residents attended the event, and feedback has been very positive. The Admin Assistant has thanked the attendees on behalf of Cllr Ditch and asked for feedback on the event, and the Clerk has thanked the Co-op and LCC Flood Team.

Attendance at events – The Clerk and RFO are attending the LALC conference at Lincoln Showground on 16 July 2024 (9.30am to 4pm).

Beck – The Environment Agency (EA) were working in the Beck on 20/5/2025 removing vegetation growing in and through the sides/banks of the Beck.

Bench – Staff from Chaos Discount have approached Council about installing a bench in memory of a colleague in one of the recesses on Manor Street alongside the store. (w3w: shoulders.remotest.rejoin). On 27/5/2025 the Clerk returned the application form and 2 signed agreements to LCC Highways for its approval. Ref no:  WEST/JWIL/4203730/MM/W30-25. Chaos have provided details of the bench. (Agenda item.)  Update: on 4/6/2025 LCC suggested that a recess would not be large enough for a bench. Measurements of the recess and bench have been submitted to LCC for further consideration.

Book Access Point for the community garden – The outcome is not yet known.

CCTV - Lincolnshire Police viewed CCTV with the RFO on 15 May 2025 following an alleged incident at Parkfield car park involving a car and a mobility scooter.

Cemetery – A second area for the interment of cremated remains has been identified on the south border. The Clerk and Environment caretaker are reviewing how many cremation plots can be created in the cemetery and the expected lifespan of the cemetery. (Agenda item.)

• Renovation of the lychgate should have commenced on Monday 2/6/2025 by Carre Heritage. However, the oak had not yet been delivered. A temporary, accessible entrance will be made to the left of the current entrance using an existing gap in the hedge. The Admin Assistant has shared information about this on social media and the cemetery noticeboard. The Clerk has emailed funeral directors, stone masons, and the grass cutting contractor with the information. Update on 6/6/2025 – Carre Heritage will commence the renovation on 9/6/2025. Update on 10/6/2024 from Carre Heritage – the work will commence on site or in the workshop on Thursday 12 June 2025.
• Carre Heritage has supplied a revised (following comment from the Estate Management and Planning Committee) renovation and repair risk assessment and method statement, and other Health and Safety documentation. The National Lottery has to be kept informed of progress and invoices submitted as the work progresses.

Changing rooms – Information from Cllr Tomlinson is awaited regarding the updated requirements to provide hot water for the sinks and showers in the changing rooms. Cllr Tomlinson and the Buildings’ Caretaker met at the changing rooms to discuss the issues. A contractor was meant to have met them but was unable to attend. Cllr Tolinson made a video call with the contractor to discuss / show the issues and current water tanks.

Closed churchyard – The Environment Caretaker met with residents whose property adjoins the churchyard on 23/5/2025 to discuss the lilac tree, ivy, and other vegetation which is impacting on their Grade 11 listed property. Work to reduce and remove the vegetation was agreed with a view to complete removal and sewing grass seed in the future, to make an easier to maintain and less invasive grass area. This would require permission from the Church as the landowner.

Co-option – There have been no expressions of interest or applications for co-option received.

• The “Become a Councillor” campaign continues on Council’s communication channels.

Community litter- pick – The second, successful, litter pick took place on Saturday 7 June 20025, led by Cllr Cotter. The age of the volunteers ranged between 10 years and 76 years.

Donations to Council – The Sleaford Kesteven Rotary Club has sponsored a tub beside the Beck.

• A donation of £200 has been received from a business to sponsor a flower tub beside the Beck. The Building’s Caretaker has affixed a plaque, supplied by the business, to the tub.

Electricity provider- Issues concerning exit fees for with leaving the current provider are being dealt with by the RFO and the new provider’s legal team.

Fire extinguisher inspections – Firestop has been asked to undertake the annual inspections in June 2025.

Football tournament – The Clerk has sent the Lions JFC Terms & Conditions for the use of the Parkfield playing fields and the pavilion for the football tournament on 28/29 June 2025. A signed agreement is awaited.

Garden of Remembrance – The Ruskington Area Veterans’ Group (RAVG) completed their first tidy up of the garden on Saturday 24 May 2024. Garden waste was left for the Environment Caretaker to collect. The Clerk was advised that 3 x 30 litres of compost and a selection of plants were donated to the garden.

Horseshoe Hollow – Simpsons Arboriculture carried out pre-agreed work to a tree on the path between Lincoln Road and Horseshoe Hollow on 22/5/2025.  

Lychgate Renovation – Carre Heritage met with Cllr Ditch, the Clerk and caretakers on 21/5/2025 to agree the temporary entrance to the cemetery. (This will use an existing gap in the hedge (widened slightly) and a non-slip ramp will be installed. Further decay of the lychgate was noted. Update on 6/6/2025 – The work will now commence on Monday 9 June 2025, not 2nd June as previously advised.

The Clerk has written to all the individuals and groups, and venues who wrote letters of support for the renovation to say thank you and to advise of the funding awarded and the start date for the work.

MUGAs – The MUGAs at Parkfield and Elmtree were cleaned and moss treated and the lines repainted w/c 12 May 2025. The contractors have done an excellent job and have been thanked.

Office Units – Two offices remain available. These are being marketing on Mundy’s website and Council’s noticeboard. A local business has expressed verbal interest in office no 3 and has been signposted to Mundy’s if they wish to let the office.

• Waiting area furniture arrived on 13/5/2025 (coffee table and three chairs). The RFO is costing signage that allows for business names to be inserted and removed as required.

Parkfield fence - NKDC has treated the tree stumps on the boundary fence after replacing a resident’s fence.

Parkfield playing fields – The Buildings and Play Equipment Caretaker has replaced matting under the basket swing at Parkfield play area. This appeared to have been pulled out of place and was a trip hazard.

Parish Office – The RFO has ordered the window decals and has agreed a reduced price with Display Pro. (Approved in the budget form 2025-2026).

• The emergency fire exit lights on the front and rear staircases keep showing red. Batteries are being replaced. The Clerk has emailed Newman Moore to ask their advice as the lights are “hard wired” into the electricity and to ask if the system needs to be checked. Update: On Friday 30 May 2025, Newman Moore replaced the emergency exit lighting unit on the rear staircases and made changes to the light in the parish office. Both are now showing green lights. The emergency lighting is checked every day that the parish office is open.

• Caretakers are planning to remove the old strip light from the front of the office as bits fall off it and to replace the decayed wood behind the office sign.  The light has been isolated by an electrician. A platform will need to be hired, and the pavement will need to be “coned off” during the works.
• Valuation of the parish office for non-domestic rating value – The Valuation Office Agency (part of HMRC) commenced a desktop valuation of the parish office and outbuildings on 16 May 2025, as the request of NKDC. The Clerk has provided information, descriptions, measurements and photographs to aid this process.
• A formal complaint has now been made against Pozitive Energies and another request for clarity. The RFO has chase Corona regarding the solar panel feed in and if this has now been actioned since submitting the export meter details to them.

Parish Van – The insurance is due for renewal on 10 June 2025. The quote arrived after the Council meeting on 13 May and requires renewal before the meeting on 10 June. Therefore this will automatically renew and will be ratified at the meeting on 10 June. (Agenda item.) The Parish Caretaker has been removed from the policy as they are no longer employed by Council and the RFO has been added.

• The decals for the van have been ordered from Display Pro. (Approved in the budget for 2025-2026.)

Pavilion planning application: The outcome from NKDCC is awaited. The closing date for consultee comments (tree officers and ecologist) following the final BNG and small sites assessment was 27 May 2025. The ecologist has made a condition - Council has to produce a habitat management plan to ensure the biodiverse sites will be maintained for at least thirty years.  The ecologist will provide a template, and Cllr Cotter and the Environment Caretaker will produce the management plan for approval by Council and the NKDC. This will be embedded within Council’s polices.

Public toilets –The successful contractor was advised on 15/5/2025 that their quote had been approved by Council and a start date for the work was requested. Update on 27/5/2025 - Work to commence on Monday 21 July 2025. The LCC legal team has issued the signed but undated and amended lease agreement and are waiting for NKDC to seal the lease. This must take place before the extended deadline of 1 July 2025.

Section 19 Flood Report – Representatives of LCC Flood team and Stantec met with the Parish Council on 13/5/2025. This was followed by a walk around the village to visit the sites known to flood. The Water and Flood Team Manager and Senior Flood Officer also attended the Annual Parish Meeting on 20/5/2025 to share information on the upcoming investigation, modelling, and proposed works. No date for the investigation to commence in Ruskington is yet known.

Section 106 contribution - The Clerk has emailed Cllr Wright with information concerning the eligibility criteria and asked for this to be clarified to allow suitable projects for the claim to be considered. The outcome of this is not known at the time of this report.

Social media - Councillors are requested to be mindful when sharing information on social media to ensure that their personal comments and beliefs cannot be perceived to be the views of Council.

Staff Matters – All appraisals have been conducted apart from the Clerk’s.

• Clerk’s annual leave – The clerk will be on A/L between Monday 16 June and Friday 20 June (inclusive). Emails will be forwarded to the RFO for timely responses and appropriate actions.

Tomlinson Way / Whitehouse Road footbridge – A couple of residents have reported the footbridge over the ditch behind Tomlinson Way as being unfit for purpose. This was reported on Fix My Street by Environment Caretaker. LCC advised that it was not their bridge; the path is not a proven right of way and therefore is not maintained. The Admin Assistant then contacted NKDC who also advised that this bridge was not owned or maintained by them. It is not the property of the Parish Council and is not on land owned or maintained by the Parish Council.

Training – The May 2025 training bulletin from LALC was circulated on 27 May 2025.

• Cllr Hislop attended new councillor training on 8 May 2025.
• Cllr Harrison attended Finances for Councillors (online) on 3 June 2025 and will be attending in person Councillor training 8 July 2025 (1pm-4pm) at the LALC office.
• Cllr Conway will be attending Finance for Councillors (online) training on 10 July 2025.
• The RFO will be attending VAT for Councils training on 24 June 2025.
• The Clerk attended online AI training for Councils on 3 June 2025 (Part 1 of 3 sessions).
• The Environment Caretaker and Admin Assistant attended First Aid training (in person) on 10 June 2025 at the LALC office.

Trees – NKDC has given permission for the five fruit trees in Elmtree playing field to be relocated by the Environment Caretaker to Horseshoe Hollow following damage to tree branches. Update: On 4/6/2025, the Environment Caretaker relocated the five fruit trees to Horseshoe Hollow, at the following location:

OS Grid Reference: TF 07721 51237. The trees are in what is currently a patch of nettles, which will help to stop them being damaged. Once they are settled in the Environment Caretaker will cut the area back and establish pathways to it. The Caretaker then intends to plant a circle of crab apple trees around them, as there are some left over from hedge planting. The commemorative plaque for the mini orchard from NKDC is awaited.

• On 22 May 2025, Simpsons Arboriculture completed work to a tree on the path between Lincoln Road and Horseshoe Hollow that was casting shade into a resident’s property.
• Following correspondence from resident the Environment Caretaker met with a resident on 6/6/2025 to discuss trees and planned tree work on the path between Lincoln Road and Horseshoe Hollow. This was followed up by sending the information in an email.

VJ Day 80 - Service of Commemoration - Saturday the 16th of August 2025 at 11am - All Saints Church

The Clerk spoke with Rev’d Jenkins on 23/4/2025 about a garden party being proposed by the PCC for VJ day and the use of the community garden for the event. A celebration of the end of the war could be celebrated in September 2025.  At the Council meeting on 13 May, Council considered holding a cream tea in the community garden. (Agenda item.)

Dates for upcoming meetings –

TBC - HR Committee Meeting

Tuesday 1 July 2025 – Finance Committee Meeting (quarterly review of finances) at 6.30pm at the Parish Office.

Tuesday 8 July 2025 – Ordinary Council meeting at 7pm at the Winchelsea Centre.