March Minutes
SKILLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Grantham, Lincolnshire
Councillors: Neville Clark, Bronwyn Hedley, Roseanne McKee, Stuart Millington, Joanne Selby.
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 2nd March 2026 at Skillington Village Hall at 6.30pm.
Present: Cllrs R. McKee, B. Hedley, S. Millington (acting Chair), J. Selby.
In Attendance: K Millington and P. Harrison (Clerk).
Open Forum
Mrs Millington stated that she and Cllr Millington have been clearing the paddock. There appears to be grass cuttings, hedge trimmings and other garden waste being dumped. The PC agreed to post signs at strategic points, to discourage this practice. To assist with this, it was agreed to alter the Paddock tenancy, so that the PC can ensure it is in good order each year, before a further term is agreed. We may also add a couple of extra clauses within it.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllrs D. Bellamy and B. Green (SKDC), C. Vernon (LCC) and Cllr N. Clark.
2. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest: None.
3. Notes of meeting of the Parish Council meetings on 2nd February 2026:
Cllr Selby noted that the point about the tree on the green had not been minuted. This is now included in point 4.2. Therefore the notes were agreed and signed into minutes.
4. Matters arising from the minutes:
4.1 12.24/11.1 Community Orchard/paddock: The application was successful. When the money is received, the posts and other items will be purchased. The trees have arrived.
4.2 02.26/9.1 Tree planted on the Green without permission. A Village Greens Tree and Shrub Management and protection policy was proposed by Cllr Millington and seconded by Cllr Hedley and adopted into the Parish Council policies, with immediate effect. This policy will not allow plaques and other adornments on trees or around the greens.
5. Planning applications:
5.1 R25/1967 P Elston, Tylers Farm, Colsterworth Road: Internal alterations (including removal of partitions) and general repair/maintenance including timber structure, lime ash floors plaster and render. Reapplication of Listed Building Consent S21/0915 - Lapsed 1st July 2024 - No changes. Granted 26.2.26. 5.2 S25/1968 P Elston, Tylers Farm, Colsterworth Road: The insertion of new external door, replace timber windows and structural stonework and general repair/maintenance works. Granted 27.2.26.
5.3 S25/2265 J Knott, 2 Paddock View, Construction of single storey rear extension. Granted 23.1.26.
5.4 S26/0245 CWB (N Doughty) Trust, Skillington House, Park Lane: Removal and replacement of conservatory with limestone and hardwood garden room. Comments needed by 13th March.
5.5 Any further planning applications.
6. Cemetery:
6.1 The shed needs some more corrugated sheets.
6.2 Planning permission for change of use of agricultural land to cemetery extension has been submitted.
6.3 Any maintenance or other matters arising: The grave with rabbit damage needs to be kept under surveillance, to ensure this doesn’t worsen. The mole situation does not appear to have deteriorated. An eye will also be kept on this.
7. Payments and Accounts:
7.1 Bank Balances as at 25th February 2026:
Virgin Money a/c: £1461.71 after invoices paid.
Melton Mowbray Business 100 Day Notice a/c: £12156.18.
7.2 Income received in February:
Date of Receipt Name Details and notes Total Amount
04.02.26 E Gill and Sons Inv 200693 Re: Memorial 100.00
09.02.26 SKDC First 75% of Community Orchard grant 522.11
7.3 Invoices due for payment on 28th February:
Name Details Date & Minute No. of Approval Total Amount
Colsterworth and District Parish Council Community cleaner: February 2026 (inc emptying 5 dog bins @£2.50/bin/month) 6.10.14 Page 2091 Item 8.6 175.11
LALC Annual subscription Per budget 166.96
R. V. Roger Fruiting trees for the Community Orchard. As per SKDC application 295.50
8. Clerk’s Report:
8.1 Great British spring Clean is from 13th to 29th March. The PC will be clearing the paddock and getting the posts and trees ready for the Community Orchard.
8.2 The Internal Audit has been begun by Cllr Hedley and the Clerk. Currently, we are ensuring all necessary policies are up to date.
8.3 LCC has confirmed that Skillington Parish Council is now accessible on searches.
9. Matters to be discussed at this meeting:
9.1 Cllr Selby has agreed to list and check the village benches. She will report back.
9.2 The drains in Fishwell Close are still blocked and a lot of water is flowing down the road in wet weather. It has been posted on Fixmystreet by many people, but no action is forthcoming. The Clerk will contact Cllr Vernon.
9.3 Some of the trees need pruning in the paddock. Planning permission has now been applied for.
10. District and County Councillor’s Reports: Cllr Bellamy’s report: The administration passed their budget at last Thursday’s full council meeting and the SKDC share of the council tax will go up by the maximum allowed which is 2.99%. Having high-lighted potential savings Ben and myself along with our group tried to amend the budget to 1.99% but were out-voted.
11. Any matters arising at the discretion of the Chair:
The Clerk was asked to get quotes for the twice-yearly strimming of the new Community Orchard, when it has been fenced round.
The meeting was closed at 7.45 pm.
The next meeting of the Parish Council is the Annual Parish Meeting and will be held on Monday 13th April 2026 at 6.30pm. It will be held at Skillington Village Hall.
Page no.2354