2026 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 13th April 2026 at Skillington Village Hall at 6.30pm, held after the Annual Parish Meeting.  The meeting commenced at 7.30pm.

Present:  B. Hedley (acting Chair), S. Millington, J. Selby, N Clark.

In Attendance:   K Millington, T. Seager, P. Elston and P. Harrison (Clerk). 

                                                                                Open Forum

Mrs Millington stated that there is a need for a dog poo bin more centrally in the village.  The site will be discussed.  There is a broken man-hole cover in the paddock which needs replacing.
Mr Elston mentioned about the possibility of the pub closing.  Cllr Bellamy will send further details regarding ‘a community asset’.

1.       Apologies for absence:  Cllr R. McKee.

2.       Councillors’ Declaration of Interest:  None.
 

3.       Notes of meeting of the Parish Council meetings on 2nd March 2026: 
           The notes were agreed and signed into minutes. 
4.       Matters arising from the minutes:

          4.1      12.24/11.1  Community Orchard/paddock: The first three quarters of the money has been received, fencing and posts have been purchased and erected.  No charge was made for all the labour.  Thank you to                                            Stuart and Kate Millington.  We need quotes for a galvanised gate.

          4.2      03.26/9.1    Cllr Selby has checked the five village benches.  They are all sturdy and sound.

          4.3     03.26/9.2    Fishwell Close drains:  Cllr Vernon will chase this.

          4.4     03.26/9.3    Pruning of paddock trees:  Permission has been granted and work will take place tomorrow.

5.    Planning applications:

         5.1     S26/0245     CWB (N Doughty) Trust, Skillington House, Park Lane:  Removal and replacement of conservatory with limestone and hardwood garden room.                                         Approved 14.4.26.

         5.2     S26/0373     Skillington PC:  Section 211 notice to reduce Sycamore tree and two Hazel trees back from wall                                                                                                                          Work Allowed.                           5.3    PL/0012/26  Skillington Quarry, Lane to the east and west of Skillington Road, Colsterworth: Variation of planning permission S18/2237 New conditions to which a mineral site is to be subject –to amend.                                                     condition 9 (hours of operation)                                                                                                                                                                                                           Comments needed by 7.5.26.

           5.4    S26/0459     Mr P Lord, Cotswold Farm, Crabtree Road:  Extension to an existing wood chip storage building.                                                                                                 Comments needed by 27.4.26.
         5.5     Any further planning applications.

  6.   Cemetery:                                                      

          6.1      The shed needs some more corrugated sheets:  Three quotes are being sought.
          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:  None.

   7.   Payments and Accounts: ­­                  

            7.1    Bank Balances as at 25th March 2026:  

                  Virgin Money a/c:  £184.84 after invoices paid.

                  Melton Mowbray Business 100 Day Notice a/c: £12156.18, plus interest of £273.51.

          7.2    Income received in March:

           7.3      Invoices due for payment on 31st March:

            8.   Clerk’s Report: 
                  8.1          The Internal Audit is being undertaken by Cllr Hedley and the Clerk.  Currently, we are ensuring all necessary policies are up to date.

                  8.2           A further signature is needed on the bank account

                  8.3           It has been agreed to alter the October meeting to the following week (12th). 

           9.    Matters to be discussed at this meeting:

                  9.1     The Clerk will scan and send out the maintenance schedules to the Councillors.

                  9.2     Cllr Millington has been looking at having a paddock waiting list application form. 

             10.   District and County Councillor’s Reports:  Cllr Green reminded us that the food waste caddies are beginning to be used this week. 

        ……      There is an old tree stump on the top Green, near the Methodist Church.  Cllr Green has offered to donate a Rowan tree.  Councillors will decide whether to replace it.

                    Plans for a unitary Council have been suspended.  Discussions are ongoing.
                    Cllr Vernon made it known that a survey on Childcare is taking place on  letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk

           11.    Any matters arising at the discretion of the Chair:  
                     Friends of St James’ Church has received funding for a new drainage system.  

                     Skillington Clockeaters is a group who raises funds for good causes.

                     Cllr Selby suggested putting items on the WhatsApp group.  There are reservation about this.  It will be discussed further.  

          The meeting was closed at 8.35 pm.

The next meeting of the Parish Council is the Annual General Meeting and will be held on Monday 6th May 2026 at 6.30pm.  It will be held at Skillington Village Hall.