December minutes
SKILLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Grantham, Lincolnshire
Chair: Adrian Clark Vice-Chair: Currently vacant
Councillors: Emily Clark, Neville Clark, Bronwyn Hedley, Roseanne McKee.
Parish Clerk: Pamela Harrison (Mrs), 45 Newton Way, Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, Grantham, Lincs. NG33 5NP
Telephone: 07707 104187 email: clerk.spc@gmail.com Website https://skillington.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 1st December 2025 at Skillington Village Hall at 6.30pm.
Present: Cllrs N. Clark, E. Clark, R. McKee, B. Hedley (acting Chair), B. Green (SKDC) and C Vernon (LCC)
In Attendance: S. and K Millington, J Selby, P. Crompton and P. Harrison (Clerk).
Open Forum.
Mrs Millington asked that the Fishwell weeds are removed. The padlock key is unavailable - this will be followed up.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs A. Clark, and D. Bellamy (SKDC).
2. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest: None.
3. Notes of meeting of the Parish Council meetings on 30th October and 3rd November 2025:
Agreed and signed into minutes with the following amendments:
Regarding the Extraordinary Meeting: concern was shown about the extra work which would have been created for the Clerk. Cllr McKee objected to the way that meeting’s Chair treated the Clerk.
Voting for the motion – there was some confusion regarding the status of abstentions. One Councillor voted for the audit to take place and two abstained. The Chair supported the motion and stated he would seek clarification from LALC. The potential ramifications were not clear and it was also not clear who would take on responsibility of over 200 points to review. Cllr Vernon suggested a new or revision of the Councillor course might support the work of Councillors.
4. Matters arising from the minutes:
4.1 10.25/8.3 Councillor vacancy: Stuart Millington left the room. Cllr Hedley proposed and Cllr McKee seconded his application and all hands were raised in agreement of his appointment.
4.2 12.24/11.1 Community Orchard/paddock: The application form has been started. More quotes for the cost of trees and guards, fencing and a gate are needed.
4.3 07.25/11.3 Proposed Play area: Minutes of the meetings have been received: The PC is unable to ratify the initial meeting draft minutes, as none of the Councillors apart from Cllr E. Clark, who was note- taker were present. The minutes of the second meeting were ratified. The acting Chair noted that some Councillors were not.informed about the initial Play Area meeting, even though both meetings were deemed to be held in the name of the Parish Council.
4.4 10.25/extraordinary meeting Item 2: Cllr E. Clark said she felt there had been negativity regarding the proposed Internal Audit. The Acting Chair mentioned that Councillors had asked questions and raised issues which were not fully addressed. This did not warrant the negative response which followed. Cllr McKee had verbally resigned during this meeting, because of the way the Clerk was spoken to, but she has since retracted her resignation. The Councillors felt they didn’t have sufficient understanding about the Audit and its implications. Cllr McKee added it was a toxic meeting. Cllr E. Clark said there were areas of concern.
5. Planning applications:
5.1 S25/2265 Mr J Knott, 2 Paddock View: Construction of single storey rear extension. Details to be sent round.
5.2 Any further planning applications: None. Any new planning
6. Cemetery:
6.1 Any maintenance or other matters arising: The Cemetery needs three more bundles of hedging and guards. Quotes are needed. It was noted how much work the Millingtons had put into tidying up the cemetery. The shed needs some more corrugated sheets.
7. Payments and Accounts:
7.1 Bank Balances as at 25th November 2025:
Virgin Money a/c: £1607.39 after invoices paid.
Melton Mowbray Business 100 Day Notice a/c: £12156.18.
7.2 Income received in November:
Date of Receipt Name Details and notes Total Amount £
30.10.25 SKDC Half yearly contribution to Community Cleaners 694.98
03.11.25 Memorial Perfection Inv 200687 re Memorial 100.00
10.11.25 C E Summers Paddock rental 150.00
17.11.25 Robert Holland Inv 200692 Interment of ashes 80.00
25.11.25 LCC Contribution to mowing of village verges 1350.16
7.3 Invoices due for payment on 30th November:
Name Details Date & Minute No. of Approval Total Amount £
Colsterworth and District Parish Council Community cleaner: October 2025 (inc emptying 5 dog bins @£2.50/bin/month) 6.10.14 Page 2091 Item 8.6 175.11
BDG Mowing Contractors Mowing 8th and 29th October, village verges 22nd October. Cemetery hedge 22nd October 5.10.25 Page 2346 Item 8.1 578.40
Community Heartbeat Trust Replacement defibrillator pads Per budget 61.14
7.4 The six-month audit has taken place.
7.5 The annual precept: It was agreed to raise the Precept by 2%. This was proposed by Cllr. Hedley, seconded by Cllr N Clark and agreed by the Councillors.
8. Clerk’s Report:
8.1 Councillor resignation: Cllr A. Clark has sent in his resignation. The Clerk will contact SKDC about the new vacancy. We would like to record our thanks to him for his service on the Parish Council.
8.2 Winter grit: A bag has been ordered, to be stored near the current Stonepit Lane and Buckminster Lane junction grit bin. A pallet was provided for it to sit on. The grit bins need looking at.
8.3 Road closure: Buckminster Lane will be closed for all or part of the period 8.12.25 to 23.1.26 for 300 metres either side of the Cringle Brook culvert, for its reconstruction.
8.4 SKDC are holding some commemorative events - Covid 19 Day of Reflection – 8th March 2026
An opportunity to reflect on the lives lost during the pandemic.
100 years of Queen Elizabeth II – April. The 21st of April 2026 would have been Elizabeth II’s 100th Birthday, we have heard suggestions to hold events which mark the occasion and tell the story of South Kesteven over the last 100 years. SKDC is wondering if the PC is planning any events?
9. Matters to be discussed at this meeting:
It has been noted that a lot of water is coming under the paving at one of the new cottages on Park Lane/Sproxton Road. Previously, the water could escape over grass, but now it is coming over the road and might prove dangerous in icy weather. K. Millington has posted it on Fixmystreet.
There is a hole in the bus shelter roof, which needs attending to. Also, it was suggested that some of the emergency sand and sandbags could be housed at the back of the bus shelter, with the rest at the Village Hall, if that Committee is agreeable. There are also overgrown plants around the shelter.
10. District and County Councillor’s Reports: Cllr Green commented that the Local Government reorganisation has named various ways the area could be split, with SKDC preferring a NK, SK, South Holland and Rutland area. This was amended to remove Rutland from the area.
Cllr Green had proposed a reduction of 10% in the Special Responsibility allowance for District Councillors. This motion was defeated.
Cllr Vernon stated that the LCC preferred option was a separate N and NE Lincs, but the rest of the county combine together.
Cases of local Avian Flu have been found. All birds need a licence. Owners will be contacted.
A consultation on opening hours and days for recycling centres will be taking place.
13 crossings on the A1 have been closed. More are likely to close in the future.
11. Any matters arising at the discretion of the Chair:
Our insurance liabilities with regard to the repaired bench need checking. It may need to be removed.
Part of a hedge on Lords Lane is almost meeting in the road. Cllr N. Clark will speak to the resident.
The Dog Bin on Colsterworth Road needs tightening, as it has slipped down.
Cllr Vernon urged the PC to have an Emergency Plan, which can be enacted during floods, power cuts etc.
She will send a link to the Clerk.
It was noted that the website is not always accessible on a search. This needs addressing.
It was suggested that minutes and Councillor vacancies could be put on Facebook for enhanced publicity.
Cllr E. Clark stated that unlawful activity might be taking place but no details were provided. She stated the older Councillors focussed too much on the Cemetery and Community Orchard and were not as interested in the proposed Play Area. The Chair objected to the ageist comment and asked that all Councillors were treated with respect. Cllr E. Clark apologised for her comments. Cllr E. Clark verbally resigned as a Councillor. The Chair thanked Cllr E. Clarke for the work she has done.
The meeting was closed at 8.15 pm.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 2nd February 2026 at 6.30pm. It will be held at Skillington Village Hall.