2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SKILLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Grantham, Lincolnshire
Chair:  Adrian Clark  Vice-Chair:  Paul Elston
Councillors:  Neville Clark,  Bronwyn Hedley, Mike Jackson,  Roseanne McKee. 
Parish Clerk:  Pamela Harrison (Mrs), 9 Telford Way, Colsterworth, Grantham, Lincs.  NG33 5GH   
Telephone:  07707 104187   email:  clerk.spc@gmail.com

Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 4th November 2024 at Skillington Village Hall at 6.30pm.        

Present:  Cllrs N. Clark, A. Clark, B. Hedley, M. Jackson, R. McKee, B. Green and D Bellamy (SKDC) C. Vernon (LCC).                  
In Attendance:  Mr S. and Mrs K. Millington, Miss T. Seager, Mrs E. Clark and Mrs P. Harrison (Clerk).

Mr and Mrs Millington were present to report a streetlight which is on all day, on Middle Street.  Cllr Bellamy will inform the appropriate body.  Miss Seager spoke about how busy Skillington was, when the A1 is closed.  Cllr Vernon stated there will be a meeting in South Witham in due course.  This will be to ask for local views. Details will be sent to the Clerk, who will forward them.

1.       Apologies for absence:  Cllrs P. Elston.

2.       Councillors’ Declaration of Interest:  None.

3.       Notes of meeting of the Parish Council on 7th October 2024:  Agreed and signed into minutes.  

4.       Matters arising from the minutes: 
          4.1   Councillors will meet on Saturday 23rd November at 10am, to clean the bench and trim the Cemetery path.  Supplies of cleaning and trimming equipment will be needed.
          4.2   The Chair asked the prospective Councillor to leave the room.  We have had one nomination for the position of Parish Councillor.  It was agreed to appoint Emily Clark.  New Councillor forms were completed for both her and Cllr Jackson.
                 
5.    Planning applications:
          5.1    S24/1391  Mr S Close, Housesmartins, 3 Fish Well Close:  Section 211 notice for removal of Ash Tree.    
          5.2     Any new planning applications: None.                            Work allowed. 

6.   Cemetery:                                            
          6.1         Infestation of ants:  There is still an ant infestation.  We have been informed by a Pest Control company that there are now no chemical insecticides which may be used.  Nematodes may be used in the spring, but it may take many applications to completely clear the ants.  Rolling may help.
             6.2           Cemetery extension:  The Clerk will chase Pert and Malim.
             6.3           Any maintenance or other matters arising:  See 4.1.

7.   Payments and Accounts:                
            7.1    Bank Balances as at 25th October 2024: 
                  Virgin Money a/c: £62.87  after invoices paid.
                  Melton Mowbray Business 100 Day Notice a/c: £15084.44.
          7.2    Income received in October: 

      
           7.3      Invoices due for payment on 31st October:

      7.4          The Clerk will arrange the half-yearly audit.
      7.5          Cllrs Hedley and A. Clark will be added to the accounts and ex-Cllrs Wrigley and Grindey taken off.

8.   Clerk’s Report:   
       8.1       Parish Council, Neighbourhood Plan Group and Local Stakeholder Workshops: The information has been sent round to the Councillors, so they may take part in a workshop regarding a number of issues.
       8.2         Limited free car parking is available before Christmas in South Kesteven, to encourage shoppers.  Councillors should respond to the survey asking for opinion on the plans.
       8.3          The Drift:  Andy Savage (Highways) has informed us that only days after The Drift work was completed, a track was made by motorbikes going over private land and going through a hedge to gain access. A lengthy discussion took place.  Perhaps if residents are in the vicinity and they see motorbikes present, they could take a note of number plates or photograph the vans bringing them and inform the police on 101.  No motorbikes are allowed on the Viking Way.
      
9.   Matters to be discussed at this meeting:   
       9.1    Grit bin audit:  Each Councillor has been asked to look at how full the grit bin nearest them is.

10.  District and County Councillor’s Reports: 
          Cllr Green spoke about his disappointment and cost of the extra work on the Drift which will now be needed.
          The Devolution white paper hinted that there may only be one layer of local Government, rather than LCC and SKDC.   Cllr Green will chase our Prosperity Fund application.
          Cllr Bellamy informed the PC that the Sewstern Anaerobic digester plant will come to planning in December.  The vehicles should use the B676, then an upgraded access road.  Concern is that some lorries may not obey this instruction. Cllr Vernon reiterated that if eligible, residents            are encouraged to claim for Pension Tax Credits.  This will then qualify them for the Winter Fuel Allowance.
          There is an initiative to provide Smart Wristbands to those living with Dementia.  A poster will be produced.
           Elections for the Lincolnshire Mayor will take place on 1st May 2005.
           Is there any interest in assisting with Community Speedwatch?  Or, joining up with other Councils?

11.  Any matters arising at the discretion of the Chair: 
        11.1     Cllr McKee mentioned that there is also a streetlight coming on at odd times in Fishwell Close.  This will also be reported in due course.  Sometimes they take a few days to sort themselves out, after the hour change.

The meeting was closed at 7.25 pm.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 2nd December 2024 at 6.30pm.  It will be held at Skillington Village Hall.