2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SKILLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Grantham, Lincolnshire

Chair:  Richard Wrigley   Vice-Chair:  Rory Grindey
Councillors:  Adrian Clark, Neville Clark, Paul Elston, Bronwyn Hedley,  Roseanne McKee. 

Parish Clerk:  Pamela Harrison (Mrs), 9 Telford Way, Colsterworth, Grantham, Lincs.  NG33 5GH   
Telephone:  07707 104187   email:  clerk.spc@gmail.com

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 5th February 2024 at 6.30pm at Skillington Village Hall.         

Present: Cllr R. Wrigley (Chair), Cllrs N. Clark, B. Hedley, P Elston, A Clark and R McKee.  

In Attendance:  Cllrs B Green (SKDC) and C Vernon (LCC), Mr D. Beecher, Mr G Herbert and Mrs P. Harrison (Clerk).

1.       Apologies for absence:  Cllr Grindey and Cllr Bellamy (SKDC).                          

2.       Councillors’ Declaration of Interest:  None.

3.       Notes of meeting of the Parish Council on 4th December 2023:  Agreed and signed into minutes.  

4.       Matters arising from the minutes: 

4.1    05.23/13.2     Repairs to the Fish Well: Trevor Whatton is waiting for the weather to improve.

4.2     09.23/11.3     Rubbish accumulating outside the new houses:  The Chair will contact the owners.

4.3     12.23/11.5     Blocked drains:  Recent heavy rain has caused several problems.  Residents are encouraged to use FixMyStreet, which can be accessed by anyone to report an issue. 

5.    Planning applications:

5.1     S23/1134      Mr G Tamblyn Jones, Red Barn, Colsterworth road:   Section 211 notice to remove two Laburnum trees from the verge at the edge of the property and replace them with  two Hazel trees.

Work allowed.

5.2       S24/0114      Mr P Lord, Cotswold Farm, Crabtree Lane: Installation of solar PV to provide clean energy and reduce carbon emissions.  Pending consideration.

5.3       Discussion regarding the proposed Biomass plant at Sewstern: Cllr Vernon stated that no formal application has yet been made.  

5.4        Any further planning applications: None.

6.   Cemetery:                                           

6.1         Infestation of ants:  James Britten advises ‘The ants make medium size mounds, generally around the gravestones , a pest control service would be best so they can treat the whole cemetery with ant bait traps.  They are quite dormant at the moment but will definitely need treating in the Spring.’  The Clerk is to contact pest control companies.

6.2          Cemetery extension: The Chair has produced a measured map of the proposed extension, and sent this to Mr W. Murdoch’s Solicitor for preliminary approval prior to commencement of formal transfer.

6.3          Any maintenance or other matters arising:  None.

7.   Payments and Accounts:

7.1    Bank Balances as at 25th January 2024: 

Virgin Money a/c: £1529.80  after invoices paid.
Melton Mowbray Business 100 Day Notice a/c: £15048.65.

7.2    Income received in December and January: 

8.   Clerk’s Report:   

8.1       The 2024 meeting dates have been confirmed and published. 

8.2        The PC was agreed the precept figures, which have been sent to SKDC.

8.3        The grit bins have all been looked at.  The Middle Street bin was reported as empty.

9.   Matters to be discussed at this meeting:        

9.1       Skillington Life:  The Website was discussed, as the current volunteer needs help to maintain it.  Cllr Wrigley ////////// has been in discussions with LALC.

10.  District and County Councillor’s Reports: 

Cllr Vernon informed the PC that SKDC has a new leader: Ashey Baxter, an Independent member.  

The green bin charge will increase. 

The kerbside battery collection should hopefully be introduced in June. 

The Tree and Woodland strategy is out for consultation.  

Litter on the A1 - it was agreed to prioritise clearing particular areas of concern. 

There is an Apprentice and Employer Champion scheme. Names for possible additions should be forwarded to …….. LCC. 

SKDC is holding a funding day, for which Village Halls and other groups may find useful sources of funding.  

•11.  Any matters arising at the discretion of the Chairman: 
11.1     Mr J Stoneman’s proposal regarding the Paddock has now been withdrawn.
11.2      It was hoped to restore the Pill Box near the Cemetery.  However, there is no further progress.
11.3      Consultation regarding The Drift continues.  
11.4      Sandbags and sand, previously provided by SKDC, are available on Middle Street. Please contact Cllr Wrigley.
11.5      Cllr A. Clark proposed that a mirror attached to the telegraph pole at the Colsterworth Road and Grantham ………………Road junction would be beneficial. Permission may be needed to attach it to the nearby telegraph pole.  
11.6      Cllr N. Clark reported an incident on Colsterworth Road, caused by an agricultural vehicle scraping a car and ………………wall.  Parking problem at this location noted. Cllr Vernon suggested the Police be informed.
11.7      White lines, previously requested, have appeared round the ‘Cross Swords’ corner.

The meeting was closed at 7.35pm.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Monday 4th March 2024 at 6.30pm.  This will be held at Skillington Village Hall.