July 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 meeting held on Monday 7th July 2025 at Skillington Village Hall at 6.30pm.
Present: Cllrs A. Clark, E. Clark, B. Hedley (Note taker), P. Elston, R. McKee,
In Attendance: Mr R. Wrigley.
Open Forum: Richard Wrigley had several questions.
I. Has the PC taken any action regarding the damaged bench on The Square? His understanding was that it was the property and responsibility of the PC.
II. Had the original Whats App report, which identified who had damaged the bench, been followed up?
III. What was the status of the informal meeting held at the Village Hall about the proposed Play Area. Was this minuted and will they be available?
IV. The availability of Agendas and Minutes of the PC meetings on the main website have not been consistent and the website is not very accessible.
V. The status of Green spaces, Conservation Areas and the Neighbourhood Plan – have these and the legalities been considered and published by the Parish Council?
Responses:
I. The Chair stated that the ownership and responsibility needs to be clarified and the Clerk has been trying to find contact details for the relations of those named on the bench plaque.
II. The Whats App group is not accessible to the Clerk, so this will need to be followed up by a Councillor.
III. The informal group was to gauge interest and the idea is now going to be extended to the wider village Paperwork will be completed and an application submitted.
IV. The Agendas and Minutes are available on the website and are always put on there in good time. The layout of this is not ideal. The Clerk will try and move them to a more prominent position.
V. The Chair responded that he was in contact with the Chair of the Planning Committee and will follow it up. Mr Wrigley left the meeting.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs N. Clark, B. Green (SKDC) D. Bellamy (SKDC), C. Vernon (LCC). P. Harrison (Clerk).
2. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest: Cllr Jackson (4.1)
3. Notes of meeting of the Parish Council AGM on 2nd June 2025: Agreed and signed into minutes.
4. Matters arising from the minutes:
4.1 12.24/11.1 Community Orchard/paddock: Cllr Clark has kindly agreed to provide some fencing. However, a meeting is needed after the Covenant and lease have been checked. The ‘Wildlife Aspect’ … ………………… .needs to be addressed. Cllr Jackson stated he objected to the procedures and a more transparent process should be followed. He suggested the ‘No car parking’ stipulation be changed.
The rubble had not been removed, despite the Clerk contacting Buckminster Estate.
4.2 05.25/8.1 Clerk’s Appraisal: Cllr Hedley has agreed to perform the appraisal.
5. Planning applications:
5.1 Any new planning applications: None.
6. Cemetery:
6.1 Any maintenance or other matters arising: BDG Mowing have mown the new area. This cost £65.00.
Cllr Hedley reported that the shed bolt is not working.
7. Payments and Accounts:
7.1 Bank Balances as at 25th June 2025:
Virgin Money a/c: £2692.50 after invoices paid.
Melton Mowbray Business 100 Day Notice a/c: £12156.18.
7.2 Income received in June:
Date of Receipt Name Details and notes Total Amount £
02.06.25 Cherished Memorials Memorial for M Smith 100.00
05.06.25 HMRC VAT reimbursement 466.39
17.06.25 C. Thornton Quarterly Paddock rental 150.00
7.3 Invoices due for payment on 30th June:
Name Details Date & Minute No. of Approval Total Amount £
Colsterworth and District Parish Council Community cleaner: May 2025 (inc emptying 5 dog bins @£2.50/bin/month) 6.10.14 Page 2091 Item 8.6 175.11
BDG Mowing Mowing 5th and 17th June. Village verges 11th June and new cemetery area on 17th June 2.3.20 Page 2224 Item 8.1 444.00
Mrs P Harrison Clerk’s salary and expenses 4.6.18 Page 2183 Item 4.4 914.56
8. Clerk’s Report: The Clerk has nothing to report.
9. Matters to be discussed at this meeting:
9.1 A question arose regarding cheque signing, when assigned Councillors are absent – There are now four signatories, so this should not happen.
9.2 It was requested that more details be are added to invoices. The Clerk will explain how they have to conform to fit the website, at the next meeting. The invoices are available for general view.
9.3 The Fish Well: The Clerk contacted the Mason and it has now been repaired.
10. District and County Councillor’s Reports:
Cllr Green sent an update: To cut costs the current bin collection days may change. A letter will go out in August.
………There are new National Grid proposals – South of Twyford Wood to North Witham. No veto from SKDC.
310 Housing Association dwellings are planned for the area. Possibly for Colsterworth. Open consultations are due to start on the Neighbourhood Plan.
11. Any matters arising at the discretion of the Chair:
11.1 Cllr McKee reported that the Fishwell repair has been to a good standard.
11.2 Cllr E. Clark (re 10) related experiences of using a click container food waste system which were not always fit for purpose and can attract vermin.
11.3 Play area: The Chair will be leading this initiative, undertaking research and updating the PC. Possible locations could be Stonepit Lane or The Square. This may tie in with a proposed 20mph speed limit. An ……………..informal meeting was held to gauge interest, then a Declaration of Interest form submitted to SKDC.
Other details are to be looked at. Cost in region of £7k, with a grant application made.
11.4 Hedges on Sproxton Road, Middle Street and the top end of the Paddock need cutting. These are not the responsibility of the Parish Council.
11.5 Sandbags are currently held at Home Farmhouse. Mr Wrigley has looked into accessibility recently.
11.6 A Councillor suggested the number of Parish Councillors be increased from 7 to 9. This was not an Agenda item, therefore it will need to be added to the Agenda for September’s meeting.
The meeting was closed at 7.31 pm.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 1st September 2025 at 6.30pm. It will be held at Skillington Village Hall.
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