March 2025 Minutes
Minutes for Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 13 March 2025 at 7.00 PM
Location: Village Hall, Lincoln Road, Fulbeck, NG32 3JW
MINUTES
Welcome and open the Council meeting.
- The meeting commenced at 7.00pm.
- Present: Councillors June Hutchinson (Chair), Peter Hughes (Deputy Chair), Alix Fane, Ollie Crowder, Jane Hodcroft, Rosie Siddans; Dermot Daly (Clerk); Eight members of the public.
- The Chair welcomed everyone on this cold night.
24/25/139 Suspend Standing Orders to allow:
- a presentation on a memorial for RAF Fulbeck,
- a short presentation on a University of Lincoln history project, and
- the Public Forum (the latter limited to no more than 15 minutes).
- A presentation By Darren Bond on a memorial for RAF Fulbeck: proposing to erect a memorial for the 82nd Airborne on the 82nd anniversary of an accident on the station in June 1946. To remember the people that were killed in accidents supporting those fighting on the fronts and in the air. They seek the blessing of the Parish Council to support the installation of the memorial and the care of in perpetuity. The Parish Council indicated its support in principle.
- A presentation on a University of Lincoln history project by Adam Page relating to the protest against dumping nuclear waste in 1980’s. They would like to interview people and collect residents' personal memories to create an archive covering the protest. There was an offer of significant information from several councillors and members of the public. It was suggested that the contact details for Adam be placed on Facebook and in the next edition of News & Views.
- Public Forum (limited to no more than 15 minutes);
Issues relating to Lime Tree Close – the matter is being dealt with by the District Council and the Police.
Tulips will be coming out before the next meeting.
24/25/140 Receive County and District Councillor reports and reinstate Standing Orders.
- Apologies from both the County and District Councillors. The associated reports will be provided following the meeting.
24/25/141 Receive and approve any apologies for absence.
- It was noted the apologies for Cllr Nick Harrison.
24/25/142 Receive disclosures of interests from Councillors on matters at this meeting.
- None.
POLICY & PROCESS
24/25/143 Approve the recommended Dignity at Work Policy which is aligned to the previously approved Code of Conduct.
- It was RESOLVED to defer the item to the next meeting as some Councillors could not access the online Councillor Library.
24/25/144 Approve the Grant Policy together with the included Grant Application Form.
- It was RESOLVED to defer the item to the next meeting as some Councillors could not access the online Councillor Library.
24/25/145 Review and approve the Risk Management Policy together with the Risk Log ahead of the Annual Parish Council Meeting.
- It was RESOLVED to defer the item to the next meeting as some Councillors could not access the online Councillor Library.
MEETINGS
24/25/146 Approve the Minutes for the Parish Council meeting held on 9th January 2025.
- It was RESOLVED to defer the item to the next meeting as some Councillors could not access the online Councillor Library.
24/25/147 Approve the Minutes for the Parish Council meeting held on 23rd January 2025.
- It was RESOLVED to defer the item to the next meeting as some Councillors could not access the online Councillor Library.
PLANNING
24/25/148 Discuss and agree response to any last minute planning applications and provide any updates on planning decisions.
- It was reported that the decision on S24/1418 Fulbeck Heights Pottergate Road was permission refused.
FINANCE
24/25/149 Review the Financial Report for the period.
- Question raised over the spend on litter picking. Agreed to reduce to £500 with an associated volunteer litter pick. We need to review the risk assessment and insurance cover.
ACTION: Clerk to circulate the 2025/26 budget to Councillors.
24/25/150 Review and approve the Accounts for Payment.
- It was RESOLVED unanimously to approve the accounts for payment as circulated.
24/25/151 Review and agree quote for Grounds Maintenance for current season.
- BDG need to update their quote wording to 3 Greens from 4 Greens.
- It was RESOLVED unanimously to continue with the current grass cutting using BDG.
- ACTION: The Clerk to request Public Liability insurance cover from BDG.
- It was RESOLVED unanimously to go out for contract quotes on grounds maintenance for next season
- ACTION: Cllr Rosie Siddans to provide list of areas to be mown to enable the Clerk to build a tender specification.
GENERAL
24/25/152 Discuss and agree associated actions in relation to the new memorial outside RAF Fulbeck.
- It was RESOLVED unanimously to agree in principle to the new memorial but that the proposers bring their plan in advance of a successive meeting for final approval.
24/25/153 Discuss and agree format and date of the Annual Parish Meeting.
- ACTION: All Councillors to provide availability for Thursdays in May.
- It was RESOLVED unanimously to provide refreshments.
- Items to be included are: Airborne Trail (SKDC, Debbie Nicholls), Solar farm projects, Biodiversity - Verges and Greens (Cllr Rosie Siddans), Community Speed Watch project (Cllr Ollie Crowder).
24/25/154 Approve £400 spend on grass cutting for the Church.
- ACTION: Clerk to contact the Parochial Church Council (PCC) regarding the grant application form.
24/25/155 Discuss and agree actions for the management of the website.
- It was RESOLVED that Cllr Ollie Crowder is to assist with website content regarding village initiatives.
- ACTION: Clerk will provide information on appropriate training courses.
- ACTION: Clerk will investigate the cancelling of the current LALC content management service.
24/25/156 Discuss and agree actions relating to Social Media for the Parish Council.
- There has been some internal debate as to whether to have a dedicated Facebook page or to have an exposure on an existing site with two councillors allowed to post content agreed at a meeting.
The working groups could use social media to communicate.
- ACTION: Cllr Ollie Crowder to provide a social media report to the next meeting.
REPORTS (for information only)
24/25/157 Update on the Airborne Trail.
- Nobody in attendance to give report.
24/25/158 Update on VH&PF Committee.
- Work on the disabled toilet in the Sports & Social Club is almost complete.
- Looking at the installation of solar panels to the rear of the clubhouse.
- Replenishment of the loose play surface in the children's play area; needs to upgrade to a coarser hardwood fill estimated at £3,400. Current material lasts 3-4 years – hardwood lasts 5-8 years. Looking for a grant to assist the project to complete by June 2025.
- Wi-Fi installed in village hall.
- 23/3/2025 will see a Dolly Parton tribute.
- Village Fete on Sunday 29th June being planned.
- The Clerk will circulate any contractual documentation held on the village hall to the Councillors.
24/25/159 Update on domain name provision and email setup.
- Information on current email addresses to be provided to contractor by the Clerk.
24/25/160 Update on Community Speed Watch and Road Safety matters.
- Site meeting has been arranged with the County Councillor on Saturday 15th March at 1pm at Village Hall.
- LRSP unable to identify receipt of payment through the LCC system.
- Currently identifying location of speed gun. Four need to be risk assessed.
- Using current six volunteers to move forward.
- Scotts Hill has hedges encroaching on road from private dwellings.
- Ditches dug out on Brant Road which has taken out the passing places and concern over where the water from the road will flow.
24/25/161 Update on Biodiversity initiative.
- Works need to be underway by end of March 2025.
- Wildflower seed to be planted on main road verge on playing field side for 70m; merging openings still mown for 1m; LCC Highways are reviewing the risk assessments for granting of licence to work on the verge.
- Information signage is intended together with bird boxes, insect hotels, etc.
- It was agreed in principle to approve £2,500 spend including £419 for wildflower seed; £973 for signage; and £965 for boxes/feeders/hotels. These are SKDC-approved suppliers. Signage has been specified by SKDC.
24/25/162 Clerk's Report.
- Issues relating to Lime Tree Close parking are being dealt with by the appropriate Authorities.
- Damage caused around the Sewage Treatment Plant on Beck Lane being dealt with by water Authority and Highways.
- Aqua-sacs are available (£3.80 each - hold 13L water).
- Road closure - Sudthorpe Hill -03/03/2025 - 05/03/2025 - Vegetation clearance.
- Grant for Space for Nature (biodiversity project) has been received.
- A Land Registry search was needed for Memorial land at entrance to RAF Fulbeck – it belongs to the Parish Council – we are now in possession of the deed and proof.
- There is a requirement to respond with information for the environmental impact assessment for the solar farm proposal.
NEXT MEETING
24/25/163 Consider agenda items for the Annual Parish Council meeting on Thursday 8th May 2025 commencing 7.00pm.
- Support for RAF Fulbeck memorial
- Insurance cover and risk assessment including approach for all sub contractors.
- Biodiversity to be earlier in running order.
- All deferred items from this meeting.
- Concerns regarding Parish boundary [AF].
Close meeting.
- The meeting was closed at 9.16pm.
LEGEND
Cllr - Councillor
LALC - Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils
LCC - Lincolnshire County Council
LRSP - Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership
PCC - Parochial Church Council
SKDC - South Kesteven District Council
VH&PF - Village Hall and Playing Fields