Minutes 2025

Present:                       Cllr Lucy Robb, Cllr Martin Smith, Cllr Robert Broadbent

Also Present:               Nicky Bush (Clerk), Cllr Murray Turner (SKDC)

Public Forum:              2 members of the public        

Meeting started 7.15 pm

25/215 Appointment of chair and vice chair.

It was proposed by Cllr LR, seconded by Cllr RB that Cllr Martin Smith would take the position of Chair.  Cllr MS accepted and completed the declaration of office.

25/216 Apologies for absence and reasons given.

Cllr Ann Booth and Hannan Weston Smith gave apologies. It was resolved to accept the apologies.

25/217 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

25/218 Draft minutes of the meeting held on 21-11-25 to be confirmed and signed as minutes.

It was resolved to accept the above notes as minutes.They were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

25/219 Financial matters: Accounts for payment and budget figures, including report, up to 10.01.25.

Bank Balances

Lloyds Treasurers account     £   3,511.85

Lloyds Savings account            £13,563.62

Natwest account                      £   1,000.00

It was resolved to accept the accounts for payment. 

The actual expenditure was reviewed against the budget to date.

The clerk confirmed that the precept request has been submitted.

Action: Clerk to make outstanding payments.

25/220 Planning:

S25/0025 – Trees in a conservation area – Westgate House West Street

No comments or concerns

S24/1401/1402 – Resubmission of application - Low Farm, Spring Lane

No comments or concerns

S24/2032 – Discharge of conditions – 21 Market Place, Folkingham

No comments or concerns

S24/2043 – Tree works in conservation area – The Old Workhouse. 8 West Street, Folkingham

No comments or concerns – permission granted 07/01/25

Action: Clerk to pass comments onto the planning dept

25/221 Correspondence

Action: None.

25/222 Clerks report.

Action: None

25/223 Updates from LCC/SKDC

County elections are due in May and Cllr Martin Hill has asked Angela Raynor if she would delay the elections.

Following the floods in Billingborough, Cllr Murray Turner stated that if there is anything he can do to help anyone affected in the village, to let him know.  Two skips have been provided in Billingborough and a team have been to each house to ask residents if they need help.  If anyone needs help in Folkingham, then please ask.

The clerk reported that no acknowledgement has been received regarding the grant application for the telephone box. Cllr MT asked that an email be sent to him stating when the application was submitted, and he will investigate.

Action: Clerk to email Cllr MT with details of the grant request.

25/224  Pavilion/CCTV –

Now the Pavilion has been tested, it is safe to use but will need cleaning so we will need to obtain quotes, a discussion took place regarding how to promote it for use for sports club.  Cllr MT gave suggestions of who we could contact, and Cllr LR will have a look at the condition and see if she can find a cleaner. 

It is for the good of village and it was agreed that this would be added to the agenda for the Annual Parish meeting in March to see what residents want from it.

25/225 Playing field/Allotments

Allotment 8 has changed hands, there is a problem with the key so additional keys have been cut, and Cllr LR will drop off a new key

Treasurer of Brocklesby trust now has all the costings, and we are awaiting a decision on the funding.

Asda foundation are offering funding for play areas, but unsure if we are in their catchment area.

Action: Clerk to check catchment area for Asda foundation

25/226 Neighbourhood plan

At the final stages now and we need to send it out to the village, Cllr MS has started a website for it, and it was suggested that a presentation take place at the Annual Parish meeting.

Action: Presentation at Annual Parish meeting.

25/227 Flooding in the village

Cllr MT stated that a Flood committee that has been set up in Billingborough by Cllr Middlebrook and they are having a meeting on Wednesday 22 January 2025, it was resolved that she be contacted to say we would like to be involved and assist where possible.  Ideally, we need representation on the flood committee, however we are currently very short on Councillors but this could possibly be a resident that reports back to council. Cllr MT also asked if there is somewhere sandbags and a supply of sand could be kept.  An emergency plan needs putting in place, which is a lot of work, however this can be done in stages starting with the floods and build it up gradually. 

Cllr Martin Hill did say at the last meeting that section 31 reports from last year’s flood have been received by LLC but not yet distributed.  It was resolved that the clerk would follow this up with Cllr Hill

Action: Clerk to chase up section 31 reports and look at the Emergency plan template with a view to getting this underway.

24/228 Tree review – update on works

The two full days for tree removals have now taken place, however one of the worst trees they were unable to take out due to its advance state, meaning it is not safe to climb and closeness to buildings.  To remove this tree safely a MEWP will be required to remove it sectionally.  Quote has been received for this of £800 plus VAT, however this would be based on it being done on a set date, when the MEWP is already being hired and so therefore the hire cost shared. It was resolved to accept the quotation as the tree needs to come down before further storms.

Action: Clerk to notify Charrington Tree services

24/229 Community Orchard Fund

The clerk confirmed that the funding has been awarded with regards to the Orchard, however the timeline for completion including submitting final project documents to release the final fund, which has to be approved by the panel, is 31 March 25.  If it is not completed by that time, then the funds issued can then be recalled.  Due to the diminishment of the number of Councillors to arrange this and the short timeline it was resolved that we would withdraw from the funding request.

Action: Clerk to notify SKDC that the project is not going forward

24/230 Grass Cutting Tender

The clerk presented the grass cutting tender draft for approval before it is published. It was resolved to agree the draft document and it be published.

Action: Clerk to publish the Tender invitation

25/231 Other village matters.

Cllr RB raised concerns regarding markings on the roads and pavements and that they appeared to be permanent markings including in the Market Place and whether they are going to be cleaned up. It was resolved that the clerk would contact highways with regards to this and copy in Cllr MH.

Lamp post – this is now working again, we have tried setting it to motion, but this has not worked

Horse poo on footpath, this is a bridleway.  Clerk to contact Highways to see if it their responsibility. 

Cllr MS commented on the streetlights in Market Place and that they are all different.  Cllr MT will look into it as he thought they had been replaced.  Cllr MS to email Cllr MT

Action: Clerk to contact highways regarding markings in the market place and horse poo on the footway, Cllr MS to email Cllr MT regarding the lighting

25/232  Date of next meeting:

                20 March 2025 7.00 pm

25/233 Co-option of Councillor

No applications have yet been received for the positions, it was resolved that more promotion of the position needs to be put in place to encourage residents to apply

Meeting Closed 9.15 pm

Signed:                                                                                       (In the chair)