Draft minutes of the meeting of Folkingham Parish Council held on 26th March 2026.

Present:                       Cllr Lucy Robb, Cllr Hannah Weston Smith, Cllr Robert Broadbent, Cllr Christopher Smith, Cllr Kathy Farley, Cllr David Simpson

Also Present:               Clare Proudfoot (Clerk), Nicky Bush (Clerk), Cllr Murray Turner (SKDC), Cllr Martin Hill (LCC)

Public Forum:              2         

Meeting started 7.00 pm.

1. Chair`s remarks – Vice Chair Cllr Hannah Weston Smith chaired the meeting.

Martin is away.

Passing of outgoing Clerk Nicky Bush was very sad news. She had been an asset to the village. Her brilliant work benefitted the parish council and got everything in line. She was very much appreciative as a village Clerk and will be missed. Our condolences were passed on to the family.

2. Apologies for absence and reasons given.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cllr David Simpson

3. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensations
4.  

Public forum: Drain is blocked outside the pub; this has been reported multiple times to LCC Highways. Told it had been cleaned with a road sweeper; the problem is deeper down.

The bin outside the shop is now over the road, people are asking why. There used to be two bins, the one outside the shop got moved as was having problems with it being emptied. Children are causing a lot of rubbish when they get off the bus.

4. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 15.01.26 to be confirmed and signed as minutes.

Confirmed

5. Financial matters: Accounts for payment and budget figures, including report.

Hold payment for BK Garden

Nicky has been paid.

Wood chip payment authorised.

All payments authorised.

6. Correspondence

Art Group.

Emergency hub – Nationwide if a significant emergency.Wanted permission, and happy for it to be used.

Churchfields – sprouting of mattresses, Environmental health hazard has been raised.No record of any payment of mattresses being paid for to be removed, and environmental health are trying to get these removed.

7. Clerks report.

Banking is now up and running – in process of removing Clare.

8. Updates from LCC/SKDC

Murray – In March passed the budget, current administration stands for another year.End of tax year USPC tax comes to an end but have another 1000k in SKDC unity fund – can get up to 5k.

Planning last week – JJ mac track – planning was granted.Condition that they must tidy the entrance.

Wrote to RSN on everyone’s behalf about heating oil as it has doubled in price.They are talking to Defra on our behalf.Still waiting for the criteria.

New food caddy waste bins been delivered, some streets have been missed.

Cllr LCC – Set budget 2% from April which is in line with inflation – fair funding campaign, succeeded from 33million in base budget for the next 3 years which will take the financial pressure of.Additional money coming in for flood work, which is good, company doing surveys.

Been to cadets, Sleaford fire cadets set up they will meet every Thursday, up to 18. 7-9.

Scheme of narrowing of the A15 if the money is there it is going ahead. Quickline have been doing surveys.

County have objected due to flood risk to glamping site.

Drain on west street which is still causing issues and blocked further down. The road is flooding, opposite side to the pub. Noted there is a bit of a problem.

When will they resurface Billingborough road, it is dangerous. Will take this up.

How are we going to stop people parking on the verge opposite outside the Millenium green. Highways have had a look, but they did say to let them know when an event is on. Can get some cones and put these out.

Update when traffic regulation is going to be done – southside, been approved for nearly a year on the A15. Will investigate this.

9. Planning

S25/0024 - Use of land as glamping site including 3no. ecofriendly glamping pods, utility building, creation of car parking area and associated landscaping - 8 Bourne Road, Folkingham, Lincolnshire, NG34 0SQ.

No objection – Chris

Kathy -Object, property opposite, visually different intrusive, traffic, road floods, access, water drainage on site, dangerous road traffic.

No objections

Robert – Not providing any benefit, low farm already has camping and off and out the way. Value the look of the village.

Confirmed by Murray that there is a need for it, but understand concerns raised.

It will be seen with the approach to the village, and noise does carry.

S25/0024 - proposed development of a Glamping Site at 8 Bourne Road Folkingham,

Emal that came in today – Painted windows came in today, no issues.

Six poultry – amended details to the above. We did object to this previously. – Check to see if this has been approved.

10. Pavillion

Dave and Chris went but have not been back since they have done the work. Booking system needs to be up and running. We need to liase with Ropsley about this,

Speak to David about the pavilion and football club update.

Parking, mud is a mess,

Ask community grant info for Kathy to apply.

Martin Hill – ask about if they would give free road chipping.

11. Playing field/Allotments

New tenant for plot 10. Check deposit for NM plot 10 - £20.

Keys back for plot 1 – TP

Playing fields – need to look at a play area for older children. We have a growing number of children. Consultation to the village of what they would like to see, Kathy will put some questions together.

Fencing will be done shortly.

Two water supply boxes are broken, just as a deterrent. Robert will have a look. Padlocks to have numbers and not keys, generic key for all padlocks instead.

12. Highways

Market place will start June/Julu

Resurfacing is bad as lorries are rattling the houses.

13. Project Groundwater

Initial testing got alerts for Sleaford, and Alton towers due to surnames. Not recommended do not need a village consultation.

14. Agree Tender for grass cutting.

It has increased slightly due to last year.

All in agreement with the tender, unanimously resolved.

Lalc -

15. To appoint internal auditor and arrange.gov.uk emails

Check amount.

16. Telephone box

Results have been sent out, eleven responses, there were not any none supporters, couple needed more information, feedback from resident is very strong – do you want to go ahead. All agreed.

Need to look at grant with Kathy.

Agreed to be a seedbank

17. Neighbourhood plan

Not discussed

18. Other Village matters

Bourne skip hire – Last weekend of the easter holidays. 18, on west street. Same as last time (big one)

Sign for low farm outside the chocolate shop, as it was on parish council it should have been approved by us. The pub is interested and decided it should be 50/50 for them.

Pub have sign going up the hill and low farm have the sign going down the hill.

Pub and garden around the back with a gate and alleyway that goes to the church. They are saying it is a fire exit to the pub but not being maintained. Have told to speal to the church about the overhanging trees.

This used to be access for parking, all residents have access. This maybe a shared access.

19. Date & time of next meeting 28 May 2026 – date changed 14th May.

27th June - festival

Meeting closed 20.41