February Minutes
SKILLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Grantham, Lincolnshire
Chair: Adrian Clark Vice-Chair: Paul Elston
Councillors: Emily Clark, 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 3rd February 2025 at Skillington Village Hall at 6.30pm.
Present: Cllrs N. Clark, E. Clark, B. Hedley, M. Jackson, P. Elston, R. McKee, D Bellamy (SKDC) C. Vernon (LCC).
In Attendance: Mrs P. Harrison (Clerk).
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs A. Clark and B. Green (SKDC)
2. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest: None.
3. Notes of meeting of the Parish Council on 2nd December 2024: Agreed and signed into minutes.
4. Matters arising from the minutes:
4.1 12.24/4.2 Grit bins: Lords Lane is half full. The one near the Chapel is almost empty. Councillors will check the rest of the bins.
4.2 12.24/10.1 Prosperity Fund application for Notice Board. Cllr Bellamy to see if this is going through.
4.3 12.24/11.1 Community Orchard: Councillors will meet on Sunday 9th February at the Paddock gate, to look at the size needed and access.
4.4 12.24/11.4 Village Hall access: Cllr Elston will request to have a key available for meetings.
5. Planning applications:
5.1 Any new planning applications: None.
6. Cemetery:
6.1 Infestation of ants: There is still an ant infestation. Rolling may help and nematodes may be used in the spring, but we need to wait for the weather to improve.
6.2 Cemetery extension: The Chair and Clerk will see the Solicitor, to sign the transfer document.
6.3 Any maintenance or other matters arising: None.
7. Payments and Accounts:
7.1 Bank Balances as at 25th January 2025:
Virgin Money a/c: £1467.54 after invoices paid.
Melton Mowbray Business 100 Day Notice a/c: £12084.44.
7.2 Income received in December and January:
Date of Receipt Name Details and notes Total Amount
28.11.24 C Thornton Quarterly paddock rent 150.00
10.12.24 LCC Reimbursement of Village mowing 1327.27
23.12.24 Shepherd Memorials Grant of right of memorial re: D Pickup 90.00
14.01.25 Melton Mowbray BS Transfer to current account 3000.00
7.3 Invoices due for payment on 31st January:
Name Details Date & Minute No. of Approval Total Amount
Colsterworth and District Parish Council Community cleaner: Dec 2024 and Jan 2025 (inc emptying 5 dog bins @£2.50/bin/month) 6.10.14 Page 2091 Item 8.6 334.08
Community Heartbeat Trust Village Emergency Telephone system Annual subscription Per budget 120.00
LALC Annual subscription Per budget 155.88
Pert and Malim Solicitors fees Re: Cemetery 02.09.24 Page 2323 Item 6.2 984.00
Mrs P Harrison Clerk’s salary and expenses 04.06.18 Page 2183 Item 4.4 895.20
8. Clerk’s Report:
8.1 Flooding on Middle Street: Drains were blocked and Barn End flooded. Cllr Vernon will send a link regarding the reporting of flooded properties.
8.2 Request by VH to plant a tree in memory of Emma Clark: There were no objections to the proposal, but the PC will have to have knowledge of the precise intended site, before giving permission.
8.3 Viking Way: The PC has had correspondence from Buckminster Estate regarding the state of the Viking Way. It was suggested that all the Councillors have a look at it before the next meeting.
8.4 The Paddock: A request by C Thornton to have a further pony in the Paddock was refused, as the conditions of the paddock mean it is only suitable for one horse.
8.5 Annual Training Scheme: This may be feasible if all the New Councillors would like to go on a course during this financial year.
8.6 The Annual Precept has been increased by 2% and the form returned to SKDC.
8.7 Proposed meeting dates for 2025 were sent round and the Councillors asked to consider whether one further meeting date should be dropped.
9. Matters to be discussed at this meeting:
9.1 A1 meeting with our MP: Cllr Vernon and others attended the meeting. Some crossings may be closed, as a result of this consultation.
9.2 Streetlights: One opposite the Church is still on all day. Cllr Vernon will report it.
9.3 Mud on Sproxton Road: There was a huge amount of mud on Sproxton Road. Farmers do have a duty to clean up after themselves, but the weather also didn’t help. The situation has now improved.
9.4 It was noted that the arrangement with the Village Hall being reimbursed to hold the Community Cleaners bin bags had not operated for the last year or so. The clerk will contact the Village Hall Committee.
10. District and County Councillor’s Reports:
The Anaerobic Digester plant proposal at Sewstern has been refused, but an appeal may be made.
Council Devolution: District Councils are likely to be abolished. The elections for Mayor may be delayed.
LCC Council tax will increase by 2.99% this year.
There will be some A1 Southbound closures at night.
Nominations for Citizen of the Year Award are requested.
Lincs Fire and Rescue would like people to register their appliances, so recalls can take place.
Lincolnshire is looking to develop five SEND school hubs – one possibly at Gonerby Hill Foot. Cllr Hedley asked whether these were all Government schools. There is a website regarding this: letstalk.lincs.gov.uk.
11. Any matters arising at the discretion of the Chair:
None.
The meeting was closed at 7.45 pm.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 3rd March 2025 at 6.30pm. It will be held at Skillington Village Hall