May 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), 45 Newton Way, Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, Grantham, Lincs. NG33 5NP
Telephone: 07707 104187 email: clerk.spc@gmail.com
Notes of the Parish Council Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 7th May 2025 at Skillington Village Hall.
Present: Cllr A. Clark (Chair), Cllrs N. Clark, E. Clark and B. Green (SKDC).
In Attendance: Mrs P. Harrison (Clerk).
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs P. Elston, R. McKee, B. Hedley, M. Jackson, C. Vernon (LCC) and D. Bellamy(SKDC). 2. Election of:
2.1 Chair: The Clerk took the Chair. Cllr A. Clark was proposed by Cllr N. Clark and seconded by Cllr E. Clark and unanimously elected. Cllr Clark will sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office. He resumed the ……………..Chairmanship of the meeting.
2.2 Vice-Chair: Cllr Elston was proposed by Cllr E. Clark and seconded by Cllr N. Clark and unanimously elected. Cllr Elston will sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
3. Notes of meeting of the Parish Council on 7th April 2025: Agreed and signed into minutes.
4. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest: 12.2 M. Jackson
5. Review of:
5.1 Standing Orders
5.2 Financial Regulations
5.3 Appointment of Internal Auditor
5.4 Terms of reference and appointment of Councillors to the Planning Committee
5.5 Register of Fixed Assets
5.6 Risk Management
5.7 GDPR - The new Councillors each received a GDPR Security Compliance checklist, which should be completed and returned to the Clerk.
5.8 Code of Conduct
5.9 Complaints procedure
5.10 Accounts held with Virgin Money Store and MMBS and the signatories to these accounts
5.11 Subscriptions to other bodies The above policies and documents were all discussed, reviewed and signed by the Chairman. The new versions will be circulated.
6. Determining the dates of ordinary meetings of the full Council. The schedule was circulated and agreed. It will
be displayed on the Notice Board and our new website.
7. Insurance for the year to 31st May 2026: We have a long-term (3 year) agreement for this insurance which runs until 2026.
8. Matters arising from the minutes:
8.1 05.24/8.1 Clerk’s appraisal. It was agreed to do this every second year. Cllr Hedley will be asked to perform this task in the next few weeks.
9. Planning applications:
9.1 S25/0261 Mr J Stoneman: Manor Farm House, Middle Street- Section 211 notice to T1 Sycamore – to reduce western side branch back to main stem. T2 – Weeping Ash, reduce large ………………………… branch on western side by 2.5 metres – Work allowed.
9.2 S25/0556 Mr P Lord: Beeches, Park Lane – Section 211 notice in relation to fell three Ash trees with Ash dieback. Work allowed.
9.3 Any further planning applications.
10. Cemetery:
10.1 Cemetery extension: The PC wishes to thank Cllr N. Clark for his excellent fencing work and donation of hedging whips. The PC will obtain and plant the last section of hedging in the Autumn.
10.2 Infestation of ants: The groundsman has stated that rolling will not improve the ant infestation, but Cllr N.Clark will try and eradicate the remainder of the ants.
10.3 Any maintenance or other matters arising: Cllr A. Clark has been in contact with Mr W. Murdoch regarding .the Pill Box. It was agreed that the Pill Box could be cleaned.
11. Payments and Accounts:
11.1 Bank Balances as at 25th April 2025: Virgin Money a/c: £5742.24 after invoices paid.
Melton Mowbray Business 100 Day Notice a/c: £12156.15.
11.2 Income received in April:
Date of Receipt Name Details and notes Total Amount £
03.04.25 SKDC Annual Precept 5360.00
17.04.25 SKDC Half-yearly contribution to the Community Cleaners 694.98
11.3 Invoices due for payment at the end of April:
Date and Name Details Date & Minute No. of Approval Total Amount £
Colsterworth and District P C Community Cleaner: April 2025 (inc.
emptying 5 dog bins @ £2.50 p/bin/month) 6.10.14 Page 2091 Item 8.6 175.11
BDG Mowing Village mowing 9 and 22.4 LCC mowing 14.4 2.3.20 Page 2224 Item 8.1 366.00
Zurich Municipal Annual Insurance Per budget 241.00
11.4 The annual accounts have been submitted for audit.
12. Clerk’s Report:
12.1 The Clerk has had numerous reports of a foul smell coming from the lagoon. A resident is keeping a log of dates and times when this occurs in the future.
12.2 Cllr Jackson has requested he rent a small area of the Paddock, in order to enable an awkward corner to be temporarily added to his drive. The Parish Council has no objections, as long as the paddock tenant is …………………..happy with this and an agreement is drafted, which states it must be returned to its original condition, …………………..should his house be put up for sale.
13. Matters to be discussed at this meeting:
13.1 The Methodist Church has asked about a green bin. The Clerk will ask how often it would be used.
14. District and County Councillor’s Reports:
Cllr Green stated that the packs of hedging and trees comes in packs of 250, which would be sufficient to finish the Cemetery extension hedge. We will apply for a pack when they are advertised in November.
LCC and Mayoral elections have taken place. Cllr Vernon retained her seat.
15. Any matters arising at the discretion of the Chairman:
15.1 Cllr E. Clark noticed two motorcyclists trying to enter the Viking Way. She challenged them and they went away. It would be helpful if residents could try and be vigilant and report anyone trying to enter the …………………Viking Way. Cllr Green confirmed that motorbikes are banned on the Viking Way TRO.
15.2 Cllr A. Clark mentioned that there was still brick rubble around the repaired wall in the paddock. The Clerk will ask the resident concerned to remove it.
15.3 Cllr A. Clark has requested permission to remove an overhanging branch. This was granted.
The meeting was closed at 7.22pm.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 2nd June 2025 at 6.30pm. It will be held at Skillington Village Hall.