Full Council Minutes - 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026

Ruskington Parish Council

Minutes of a meeting of Ruskington Parish Council held on Tuesday 8 July 2025 at the Winchelsea Centre, 11 High Street North, Ruskington, NG34 9DY at 7pm.

No members of the public or press were present.

County and District Councillor Wright had sent apologies as he had a prior engagement.

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

Cllr Hislop was unable to attend the meeting and had sent valid apologies. Cllr Tomlinson was not present and had not sent apologies.

Action: Council RESOLVED to accept the apologies of Cllr Hislop. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Bain, 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 Cotter declared an interest in agenda item 20 (staff pay) as she was related to a member of staff.  

3. To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10 June 2025.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the notes of the meeting as accurate Minutes. Proposed by Cllr Cotter, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved with six votes for and two abstentions. (Councillors had not been present at the previous meeting.)

The Chairman signed the Minutes.

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

Cllr Wright and Cllr Waldeck were unable to attend the meeting and no reports were available.

5. Financial Matters

Information had been circulated prior to the meeting.

    5.1. To approve the payments made and consider the invoices for payments received since the meeting held on 10 June 2025.

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

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

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliations for June 2025. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Harrison and approved unanimously.

   5.3. To receive a quarterly review of finances and reserves and consider any recommendations made by the Finance Committee following its meeting held on 1 July 2025.

Finances and reserves had been scrutinised by the Finance Committee at its meeting on 1 July 2025. The RFO presented an overview and answered questions. Recommendations from the meeting were included on the agenda below or would be considered at the next Council meeting on 9 September 2025.

   5.4. To receive information on the non-domestic rateable value for the parish office.

The RFO advised that following the conversion of the flat at the rear of the parish office into office units, the building had required a valuation for non-domestic rates. There would be a single rate for the whole building. A refund on the domestic rates paid for the rear of the property would be backdated to 28 August 2024.

   5.5. To receive information on the revised cost of the insurance premium following valuations of Council property for insurance purposes.

Following valuations of the Council owned property, an additional payment of £451.81 had been made to the annual insurance premium.  

   5.6. To receive a monthly financial report from the RFO, and review its new format.

The RFO had circulated the financial report prior to the meeting using a red, amber, green (RAG) system to show areas of overspend of 10% and over (red), areas of overspend below 10% (amber) and areas where the finances were within the agreed budget (green). The information included comments to explain any over and underspends. Council agreed that this new format was a good starting point, and a vote of thanks was made to the RFO for her time spent creating the new reporting format which made the accounts easier to understand and to spot any anomalies.

   5.7. To consider the recommendation from the Finance Committee to allocate up to £1,300 of the CIL money, to supplement the previously approved costs for the path upgrade in the Garden of Remembrance.

Details and costs of the proposed upgrade to the path had previously been circulated.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to allocate up to £1,300 of CIL money to supplement the previously agreed expenditure for the upgrade of the path. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.

   5.8. To receive an update on the s106 contribution following the development of housing at Flaxwell Fields, and to consider the expenditure of approx. £1,000 to £1,500 for a Deed of Variation, if this was possible, to legally change the criteria for the claim.

The Clerk gave a brief update.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve expenditure of up to £1,500 to request a Deed of Variation, if required.  Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.     .

   5.9. To consider a budget for prizes for the children’s anti-littering poster competition, if funding cannot be obtained.

A donation of three £10.00 vouchers had been offered for prizes (one for each age category).

Action: Council accepted the kind offer of a donation of vouchers. The designers of the winning posters would also be invited to “unveil” their posters once in situ.

   5.10. To consider information on fundraising activities to raise money for council projects – Cllr Bain.

A detailed report by Cllr Bain had been considered by the Finance Committee at its meeting on 1 July 2025 and had been circulated prior to the meeting. Cllr Bain presented an overview of ideas following research.  Ideas for enjoyable, inclusive, and community spirited activities included events, lotteries and prize draws, facility hire and obtaining grant funding.  The Chairman thanked Cllr Bain for his time researching, collating, and producing his detailed report.

Action: To set up a committee to research and plan fund raising ideas with Cllr Bain as the lead councillor.

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

No expressions of interest or application forms for co-option had been received. Council continued to promote the councillor vacancies on its communication channels.

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

This had been circulated prior to the meeting and the Clerk answered questions.

8.  Consider /approve of the following documents as recommended by the Finance Committee at its meeting held on 1 July 2025. (Information previously circulated).

   8.1. Risk Management Scheme

   8.2. Freedom of Information Publication Scheme & Schedule of Charges

   8.3. To review the Community Grant application form

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve and adopt the above polices 8.1., 8.2, and 8.3 with their recommended revisions. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Jennings and approved unanimously.

9. To consider a request from an allotment holder about the possibility of keeping a beehive at the allotments on Horseshoe Close.

In allotment legislation, this was a decision for the Council to make, but it was not included in Council’s current allotment agreement. A member of the Lincolnshire Bee Keeping Association and the allotment holder had been invited to the meeting, but neither were able to attend.

Action: This item was deferred until specialist information on bee keeping had been obtained, including safety, liability, and insurance requirements.  

10. To consider applying to the Feed the Ducks Initiative for a duck food dispenser and agree the location for the dispenser, if required.

Information had been circulated prior to the meeting. A location on High Street South, beside the Beck and opposite Ink and Toner was the only suitable site, but the Parish Council did not own the land.

Action: Council would support the dispenser if the originator of the Feed the Ducks Initiative obtained the relevant consent from LCC Highways.

11. To agree the Council’s arrangements for attending Finley’s Fundraising Day on 19 July 2025 including councillors’ attendance, the information to be shared at the event, and the anti-litter poster competition.

Action: Cllrs Cox, Bain, Conway and Cotter would be available throughout the day. The gazebo, display boards, information, items for the anti- littering poster competition, litter picking equipment and walkie talkies would be left in the pavilion on the day before the event. The tables and chairs from the pavilion would be used for the Council display stand. Information on the pavilion renovation, and council business to be shared at the event, along with a box for comments (as at the Annual Parish Meeting).

12. To agree the arrangements for a cream tea on Saturday 6 September 2025 in the community gardens to celebrate the end of WW2, including timings, councillor attendance, activities, catering arrangements, and budget.

The Winchelsea Centre had been provisionally booked for the day for 11am to 3pm, for the serving of refreshments and in case of inclement weather, a risk assessment had been commenced, a list of suggested activities had been made, and the RFO was researching funding opportunities for the event.

Action: Interested councillors would meet at the Parish Office on Monday 14 July at 11am to discuss the plans for the event. Cllr Ditch would contact a member of the ukulele band to see if they could perform at the event. The booking for the Winchelsea Centre to be confirmed. The gate between the Winchelsea Centre and the community garden (at the bottom of the path to the rear of the Centre as previously discussed and verbally agreed with the PCC) to be costed and installed by the caretakers prior to the event, with the removal of any hedging as required. Expenditure of up to £500.00 was agreed for the event but did not include the work required to install a gate. The RFO to apply for funding for the event, if available. Donations would be invited for the refreshments served. Any money raised from this to go towards the refurbishment of the path in The Garden of Remembrance. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr Cotter and approved unanimously. 

13. To agree the date for the next Community Litter Pick and agree the Councillor to lead this.

Action: As no councillors were available to lead the event in August this was deferred until the September meeting.

14. Recreation Matters:

Information had been circulated prior to the meeting.

   14.1. To consider a 3G surface for the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) – Cllr Cox and possible funding opportunities for this.

Cllr Cox gave an overview of why a 3G surface for the MUGA was required and how this would bring in an income for the Council, advised that he had been obtaining quotes, that the cost would be approx. £30,000, and that Lincolnshire Football Association offered a funding opportunity to cover some of the costs. The 3G surface was discussed at length and included the evidence of need for the surface, its accessibility, the loss of use for the MUGA for other sports and community use, any VAT implications, ongoing maintenance requirements, and the other projects already in discussion for Parkfield playing fields.

Action: Further information, including evidence of need, costs versus benefits, VAT implications and logistics, would be considered within an overall plan for the playing fields by the Recreation and Environment Committee at its meeting on 2 September 2025.

   14.2. To consider suitable projects for the s106 claim.

An update on the s106 claim was awaited from NKDC. An accessible running track and padel court ideas were suggested. Council was keen to enhance the current sports facilities including the pavilion building and would put this forward for consideration if a Deed of Variation was required. 

Action: To await information from NKDC.

   14.3. To consider a public consultation to include the pavilion, projects for the s106 claim, Hillside play area.

This would be considered by the Recreation and Environment Committee to provide ideas, evidence of need for funding bids and the plans for Hillside play area, and to inform the budget for FY2026-2027.

   14.4. To consider an application, if received, to use Parkfield playing fields for a charity football match; to agree the Terms and Conditions and agree the parking arrangements.

The event had taken place on 5 July 2025.

15. To consider appointing a fourth Member to the HR Committee to ensure that committee meetings can take place.

Action: Cllr Cox was appointed to the HR Committee. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.

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

Action: The meeting to take place on Monday 14 July 2025 at 1pm at the Parish Office.

   15.2. To agree the HR Committee members to undertake the Clerk’s annual appraisal.

Action: Cllr Bain and Cllr Jennings (both members of the HR Committee) would conduct the Clerk’s appraisal.

16.  To consider planning applications received from NKDC since the last meeting:

Information had been circulated prior to the meeting.

   a. Planning Application Reference: 25/0693/HOUS

 Proposal:  Erection of two storey rear extension

 Location:   11 Arnhem Avenue Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9EY

Action: Council had no objections to this application.

   b. Application reference:  25/0733/TPO

Description of works:

T1 - Lime -

Reduce overhanging branches 2.5m.

Reduce branches to height of 14-15 metres

T2- Lime - Reduce overhanging branches 2.5m. Reduce branches to height of 14-15 metres

T3 - Lime - Reduce overhanging branches 2.5m. Reduce branches to height of 14-15 metres

Location:  4 Oakland Crescent, Ruskington.

Action: Council had no objections to these tree works if the Tree Officers had no objections.

   c. Planning Application Reference: 25/0499/FUL

Proposal: Relocation of mobile home with new fencing and block paved driveway

Location: 36 Lindum Park Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9EE

Action: Council had no objections to this application.

   d.  Planning Application Reference 25/0499/FUL

Notification of Local Councils – Receipt of amended details 25/0499/FUL

Proposal: Proposed creation of a mobile home plot with siting of mobile home, garage and block paved driveway.

Location: 36 Lindum Park Ruskington Sleaford

Action: Council had no objections to this application as long as the mobile home remains within the boundaries of the site.

   e.  Planning Application Reference: 25/0713/HOUS

 Proposal:  Single storey oak framed front porch, single storey side extension, first floor

rear extension, external alterations including new hipped roof over garage, internal

alterations

Location:   71 Westcliffe Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9AX

Action: Council had no objections to this application.

   16.1. To receive notice of planning applications approved by NKDC.

   a. Application Reference: 25/0358/FUL

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

(Notice of approval received on 18//6/2025).

      b. Application Reference: 25/0455/FUL

 Proposal: Retrospective application for siting an InPost Parcel Locker

 Location: Ruskington Convenience Store 30 - 32 Millview Road Ruskington

(Notice of approval received on 30/6/2025)

16.2. To receive the outcome of a planning appeal, from NKDC.

   b. Planning Appeal by Mr Hugo De Savary

Proposed Site at Land to the Rear Of 48 Rectory Road

Reference 24/0322/FUL Appeal Reference APP/R2520/W/24/3355040

Proposal: Demolition of existing detached garage and erection of 3no. supported housing units (Class C3(b)) including new parking area.

Decision: Appeal dismissed (on 16.6.2025)

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

   a. NKDC (by email on 9/6/2026) – Footbridge at the end of Tomlinson Way

   b. Ruskington Community Library (by email on 10/6/2025) – Summer Reading Challenge

   c. Carre Heritage (by email on 10/6/2025) – The renovation of the lychgate will commence on site or in the workshop on Thursday 12 June 2025.

   d. Cllr Overton / Cliffe Villages Action Group (by email on 12/6/2025) - Objection to the Battery Storage Units at Navenby and Coleby. (The RFO responded to say that Council was waiting for the NKDC Planning Team to formally respond to the questions and concerns raised by the Navenby & Coleby community).

   e. Anwick Parish Council (via email on 12/6/2025) – Approved minutes of a public meeting held in Anwick on 21 May 2025. (The Clerk confirmed receipt of the email and attached minutes.)

   f. Resident (by email on 12/6/2025) - Grass verge cutting on Sleaford Road at the junction with Winchelsea Road. (The Clerk has signposted to FixMyStreet and contacted Glendale.)

   g. NKDC (by email on 13/6/2025) - Pleasure Boat and Boatman Licensing Policy Consultation

   h. Resident (by email on 16/6/2025) – Inconsiderate and dangerous parking on Parkfield Road at its junction with High Street North. (Signposted to LCC’s website to report the nuisance parking issues.)

   i. NKDC (by email on 16/6/2025) - Licensing Act 2003:  Statement of Licensing Policy – Consultation

   j. Stantec (by email on 16/6/2025) – Request for information regarding field drains draining into the Beck. (Environment Agency map to show the main drains draining into the Beck sent).

   k. LALC (by email on18/6/2025) – Information regarding LALC’s information stand at Lincolnshire Show on 18-19 June 2025.

   l. Carre Heritage (by email on 18/6/2025) – Update on the lychgate renovation and photo of the temporary entrance and accessible ramp.

   m. Legal Services Lincolnshire (by email, on 19/6/2025) – Update on the completion of the lease agreement for the public toilets on Church Street.

   n. LCC Highways (by email on 19/6/2025) – Grass verge cutting and ownership of the verge outside 35 Leasingham Lane. (At the request of Highways, whilst LCC’s legal team is investigating, the RFO has asked Glendale to stop cutting this stretch of verge until further notice.)

   o. Resident (by email on 19/6/2025) – Enquiry concerning arranging for an interment of ashes in Sleaford Road cemetery. (The Clerk has sent information.)

   p. NKDC (by email on 19/6/2025) – Parish and Town Newsletter for June 2025.

   q. Legal Services Lincolnshire (by post) – Completed lease for the public toilets on Church Street.

   r. Resident (by email on 25/6/3025) – Vegetation, trees and rats on Parkfield playing field.

   s. NKDC (by email on 25/6/2025) – Town and Parish Newsletter.

   t. NKDC (By email on 26/6/2025) - Register of interest forms and request for questions for Neighbourhood Policing Team.

   u. Resident (by email) on 30/6/2025 – Incident at the MUGA (date unknown)

    v. Springwell solar farm (by email on 30/6/2025) – Information about the proposed solar farm.

    w. LALC (by email on 30/6/2025) – Agenda, papers and link to the LALC AGM on 3/7/2025.

    x. (Ruskington Veteran’s Group (by email on 30/6/2/2025) – Request to sow poppies within the garden, and on outside of the exterior wall, with a request not to mow a strip of grass to facilitate this. The Clerk is obtaining consent from LCC Highways.

   y. Beeswax Dyson (by email on 2/7/2025) – Response to an enquiry made by the Clerk.

   z. LCC Highways (by email on 3/7/2025) – Confirmation that a proposed memorial bench to be placed on hardstanding outside Chaos Discount does not require consent from Highways

   aa. Lincolnshire Bee Keepers Association (by email on 3/7/2025) – Possibility of a representative attending the public session of the ordinary meeting on 9/9/2025.

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

• Cllr Cox advised that a football tournament had taken place at Parkfield playing fields with paid for parking on the north field and asked if risk assessments etc., for the event had been received. They had not. (This would be considered along with hire agreements and a letter to the event organisers by the Recreation and Environment Committee at its meeting on 2 September 2025).
• Cllr Harison advised that he was a member of the Patient Participation Group at Ruskington Medical Centre. The surgery would like to be invited to the next Annual Parish Meeting as they had lots of information to share.
• Cllr Bain advised that the draft letters he had written for Pilgrim Europe and St George’s Academy, to ask about the possibility of parking at the sites for planned Council events, had been finalised and delivered.

19. To resolve whether to exclude the public and press, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, to discuss the following legal and staffing matters below. 

Action: Council RESOLVED to move into closed session to discuss the matters below. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Bain and approved unanimously.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.25pm. The meeting reconvened at 9.25pm.

At this point in the meeting the Chairman asked if agenda item 20 (staff pay) could be moved to the end of the meeting to enable Cllr Cotter to leave the meeting whilst this was considered, without having to return to the meeting.

Action: Council RESOLVED to move agenda item 20 to the end of the meeting. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Cox and approved unanimously.

20. Councillors use of social media – Cllr Ditch

Information on the Code of Conduct and the Social Media Policy had been circulated prior to the meeting. Cllr Ditch reminded Councillors that Council was apolitical and advised Councillors to consider their social media content as personal views could be construed as that of council. He suggested using privacy settings if required.

21. To consider the correspondence and meeting minutes from Anwick Parish Council in response to Council’s letter dated 11 June 2025 and consider any actions.

The minutes of a public meeting had been received from Anwick Parish Council and circulated prior to the meeting. This followed the unfounded and derogatory comments sent in an accompanying letter from Anwick Parish Council.  Ruskington Parish Council had taken specialist advice before responding to the letter; had stated its case, acted within the law, and as advised, requested an apology. At the time of the meeting, no apology had been received.  

At 9.42pm Cllr Cotter left the meeting.

22. To consider a recommendation from the Finance Committee following its meeting held on 1 July 2025, that from 1 April 2026, two staff members be moved up one increment on the NJC pay scale into pay band LC1 (13-17 substantive). – Cllr Ditch.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee with effect from 1 April 2026. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Jennings and approved unanimously.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.50pm.