Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference - Environment & and Estate Committee

Ruskington Parish Council

                           Terms of Reference for Committees

Name: Environment & Estate Committee (This Committee includes Planning)

Status: A standing committee subject to the rules of the Council’s Standing Orders.

Environment – Areas of Responsibility

  1. Grounds maintenance schedules and contracts.
  2. Litter picking and dog fouling within the 30mph speed limit.
  3. Liaising with other agencies to ensure the cleanliness of the Parish.
  4. Identifying the need for and arranging tree inspections and other surveys and public consultations in relation to improving the environment and recreational facilities.
  5. Managing contracts for amenity and grass verge cutting, hedge cutting, tree inspections and tree work.
  6. Cemetery regulations and burial fees, allotment fees, and allotment lease agreements.
  7. Overseeing the work of the Council’s caretakers.
  8. Advising Council, its committees and working groups, and the public on ways to improve the environment and enhance biodiversity.

Estate - Areas of Responsibility

1. All buildings, land, trees, and infrastructure owned or managed by Ruskington Parish Council:

  • The Parish Office, its outbuildings, and grounds (including the community garden)
  • Public toilets on Church Street
  • Wreath shelter in the Memorial Garden
  • Cemetery, lychgate, and the closed churchyard
  • The war memorial in the cemetery
  • The Pavilion and Changing Rooms
  • Horseshoe Hollow
  • The Beck (in liaison with the Environment Agency)
  • The Garden of Remembrance
  • The allotments
  • The naturalisation of the closed churchyard (in liaison with the PCC)

 

2. To oversee the maintenance, repairs, and renovation of Parish Council owned and managed property, including dealing with tenders, architects, contractors, and project managers. 

 

3. To review documents relating to property and land, owned or managed by Council for recommending to Council and seek advice as required.  

4. To liaise with Council’s solicitors as required.

5. To explore the feasibility of Estate’s Management related projects, including financial cost, staff requirement, equipment requirements.

6. To consider, on a case-by-case basis, offers of donations of benches or other memorial items to the village and make recommendations to Council regarding the siting of such items.

7. To consider the environmental impact of all projects and planning applications pertaining to the Committee, explore ways to improve the environment and improve biodiversity, and create an environment impact statement for all projects.  To include - transitioning to pollinator-friendly mowing regimes, preventing pesticide use and installing bird and bat boxes on Council buildings and trees.

8. Preparing, implementing, and monitoring environmental action plans for its buildings and other assets.

9. Oversee health & safety for the Council

Planning - Areas of Responsibility

  1. To consider planning applications and make comments to the appropriate planning authority on behalf of Council.
  2. To authorise, organise, and participate in formally convened public meetings in response to contentious planning applications.
  3. To manage any planning applications relating to Council owned property or land. 
  4. Scrutinise applications for habitat loss and seek confirmation that developments provide at least 10% biodiversity gain where BNG requirements apply.
  5. Support site and building design that benefits biodiversity through the conservation and integration of existing habitats or provision of new habitats.

 

Spending powers

To spend within its allocated annual budget on projects and maintenance as agreed by Council.

 

Membership 

All members of the Parish Council are eligible to become members.

Members of external organisations and volunteers may be co-opted. Non- councillor members are not able to vote.

 

Quorum   

A Quorum shall be 3 members of the committee membership.

 

Meetings         

The Committee shall meet as often as required with no less than 4 meetings per fiscal year.

 

 

 

Chairman

At the first committee meeting following the Parish Council’s Annual Meeting, a Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be elected.

           

The Chairman shall be responsible for: -

 

  • The conduct of meetings.

 

  • Liaising with the Clerk to ensure works, repairs, and maintenance is taking place within agreed timeframes and to a high standard.

 

  • Presenting the minutes of committee meetings / reports to full Council and seeking recommendation for or ratification of proposals made.

 

  • Ensuring a Councillor represents the Parish Council at Planning Authority meetings, as required.

 

  • Ensuring the Chairman of Council and in their absence the Vice Chairman of Council is informed of matters of concern.

 

The Chairman of the Committee, or a representative, shall be a member of the Finance Committee.     

 

 

Adopted by Ruskington Parish Council on 14 April 2026

Min ref: 8.5., page 15-2026