Minutes 13th January 2025
Minutes of the Meeting of Ropsley & District Parish Council held at Ropsley Hall on Monday 13th January 2025.
Public Forum
There was one member of the public in attendance. He was concerned about the number of vehicles parked all around the village especially close to the Peck Hill/Chapel Hill junction, and also the Paddock Close junction. He stated that his concerns were shared with a number of other parishioners who were not able to attend the meeting.
Their concerns were that the vehicles are parked dangerously, parked without being moved for extended periods, blocking pavements, untaxed and without MOTs and being illegally parked close to junctions.
They had informed the authorities but the problem does not get resolved.
The Chairman stated that the powers of the Parish Council are limited in this respect, and they should continue to contact the authorities with any infringements.
We have been in contact with SKDC who feel that a meeting of all relevant parties would help the situation and hopefully provide a solution. Once we have further information of the meeting, we will advise relevant parties.
The Chairman stated that we are all looking to find a solution as soon as possible.
The member of the public then left the meeting.
In Attendance
Councillor Ward (Chair), Councillor Marshall (Vice-Chair), Councillor Leslie, Councillor Louth, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Vaughan, Mr Andrew Jones (Clerk & RFO), Councillor Trotter (SKDC)
The Chair opened the meeting at 7.15pm
- WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN (24/74)
The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance.
- APOLOGIES: TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND TO RESOLVE TO ACCEPT REASONS GIVEN (24/75)
Apologies were received from Councillor Hill (LCC): the reason for which was accepted.
- DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION (24/76)
No declarations of pecuniary interest or requests for dispensation were made.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES (24/77)
Councillor Marshall proposed that the Clerk’s notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 11th November be approved as a true record, which was seconded by Councillor Campbell.
Resolved: The minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2024 were approved and duly signed by the Chairman.
- DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS (24/78)
Councillor Trotter reported the following:
Following the recent adverse weather, a major flooding incident was declared by SKDC in Rippingale, Billingborough and Grantham.
A meeting is to be held so that an emergency planning plan for Ropsley and Somerby can be compiled. The Clerk is to attend in February.
There may be changes to the make up of the councils in Lincolnshire whereby there will be one unitary council to cover the whole of Lincolnshire. Further clarification is still to be received.
A letter has been received from SKDC re an extension to the Ropsley Conservation Area following a review. There appears to be some confusion about this extension, as it is not clear which Ropsley Rectory they are referring to in the review.
Councillor Trotter is to contact SKDC for further clarification over the review and which properties it covers.
Action: Councillor Trotter to contact SKDC re the Conservation Area Review
- CLERK’S REPORT (24/79)
Councillors noted the contents of the Clerk’s Report with regards to actions from previous minutes.
- FINANCE (24/80)
7.1 Members noted income received as follows:
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Remitter |
Purpose |
Amount £ |
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7.2 Councillor Marshall proposed that the following payments be approved, which was seconded by Councillor Ward.
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Payee |
Purpose |
Amount £ |
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Employment costs |
November 2024 |
592.55 |
|
Autela Payroll Services Tidy Gardens |
Payroll costs Cemetery cutting |
75.05 273.00 |
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Xmas tree expenses Ropsley Village Hall Employment Costs Wave LALC
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Xmas tree expenses Room Hire December 2024 Quarterly Water bill Annual subscription
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77.08 23.65 592.35 509.38 276.10
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Resolved: To approve the payments as listed.
7.3 Councillor Louth proposed that the December bank reconciliation be approved, which was seconded by Councillor Ward.
Resolved: To approve the December bank reconciliation.
- Members noted the budget monitoring statement showing expenditure and income against the 2024/25 budget to date.
- The 2023/24 Internal Audit Report had not yet been received from the Auditor and so it would be revisited at the next meeting.
- The 2025/26 Precept was discussed and the 2025/26 budget was agreed by the Council. It was agreed that the required Precept for 2025/26 is £14,250 which is a 2.5% increase over 2024/25,
Resolved: The Precept for 2025/26 was agreed as £14,250 and The Clerk is to complete the required documentation.
- The 2024/25 NALC Pay Rates have been released and the Clerk’s hourly rates has increased from £14.95 to £15.58. It was agreed that the Clerk’s hourly rate be increased to £15.58 backdated to 01.04.24.
Resolved: Clerk’s hourly pay to increase to £15.58
- PLANNING (24/81)
8.1.1 S24/1919 Single Storey Extension, 9 The Chase, Ropsley NG33 4AN
8.1.2 S24/2187 Erection of dwelling behind 23-25 Grantham Road Ropsley NG33 4BX
8.2 To note the following planning decisions:
8.2.1 S24/1724 Tree works – 8-10 White Cottage, Chapel Hill, Ropsley NG33 4JP approved 18th November 2024
8.2.2 S24/1743 Tree works – Gorse Farm House, 12 Chapel Hill, Ropsley NG33 4BP approved 12th November 2024
8.2.3 S24/1861 New Electricity sub-station 4 High Street Ropsley approved 25th October 2024
8.2.4 S24/1821 New first floor window, 1 Peck Hill, Ropsley NG33 4BL approved 18th December 2024
8.2.5 S24/1921 Outbuilding conversion, 1 Peck Hill, Ropsley NG33 4BL approved 30th December 2024
- PL/007/24 Ropsley Quarry Extension deferred pending site visit – Now referred to Planning and Regulation Meeting
9. HIGHWAYS (24/82)
9.1 No further response has been received from LCC re the proposed 20 mph speed zone near School and so the Clerk is to contact them again.
Action: The Clerk is to chase LCC to discuss the matter further.
9.2 With regards the updates from LCC
Grass triangle on Braceby Road – LCC investigating
Action: The Clerk to await further information from LCC.
10.1 The Clerk is to contact Crimson Kings to look at the two remaining trees in the cemetery in the new year.
Action: The Clerk to contact Crimson Kings in the new year re the cemetery trees.
10.2 Tidy Gardens have agreed to cut the cemetery hedge and tidy up the cemetery once the weather improves
Resolved: Tidy Gardens to cut the cemetery hedge.
10.3 After one of the recent burials, due to the recent wet weather, the grave has subsided slightly. Although we are not responsible for this, the Clerk will inspect the grave and report back.
Action: The Clerk to inspect the grave
11. COMMUNITY UPDATES (24/84)
11.1 The Christmas Tree Light Up was a great success and was very well attended despite the weather and a £20 donation was authorised to Ropsley PCC for the refreshments in the Church,
It was agreed that we would go ahead again next year. However, two trees would be purchased, one for decorating and another to plant for use in future years. There was also the issue of using mains electricity supply for the lights. The Clerk is to contact SKDC to enquire whether this is a possibility.
Councillor Vaughan also to look into other solutions should the mains electricity not be possible.
Action: £20 donation to Ropsley PCC and the Clerk to contact SKDC re the possibility of mains electricity for next year.
Councillor Vaughan to look at other possibilities for getting power to the tree.
11.2 Bulb Planting – Councillor Louth has received the bulbs at a cost of £40.99 and these have been distributed for planting.
11.3 Storage container – The Clerk is to chase SKDC for a response on the siting.
Action: The Clerk to chase SKDC re the siting of the storage container.
11.4 Coronation Orchard trees have been confirmed and will be delivered to us in January/February.
Action: The Clerk to report back at the next meeting when a date for delivery of the trees will be known.
11.5 Hedgehog Scheme – the Hedgehog gateways have been received and Councillor Marshall to arrange their distribution.
Action: Councillor Marshall to distribute the Hedgehog Gateways.
11.6 New Bench – It was agreed to replace the bench opposite the garage and The Clerk to inform Lee-Anne Docherty at The Green Man of this decision.
Action: To inform The Green Man that this can go ahead
11.7 SK Community Awards – Unfortunately, Margaret Rowbotham didn’t win the Lifetime Achievement Award but we have received a certificate re her nomination and The Clerk is to pass this on.
Action: Clerk to pass on to Margaret
11.8 The Defibrillators require someone to look after these. The Clerk to contact Margaret to find out who is currently looking after these.
Action: Clerk to confirm who is looking after the defibrillators.
11.9 2005 Calendars - these have now been printed and are being distributed. Councillor Campbell will report further at the next meeting.
Action: Councillor Campbell to report at the next meeting
11.10 March Newsletter - Councillor Marshall requested articles for the Newsletter with a deadline of the end of February.
Action: Councillor Marshall to collate the March Newsletter
11.11 Grit Bins – some of these are empty and the Clerk is to contact the Council to refill where necessary.
Action: Clerk to contact LCC Highways for refills where necessary
12. ON-STREET PARKING CONCERNS (24/85)
12.1 See Public Forum notes above.
Further to the discussion, the vehicles parked on the short slip road to the west of the memorial are a particular problem, both as a road safety hazard but also because of their close proximity to the houses.
It was wondered whether it would be possible to have double yellow lines just on this section of the road.
The Clerk is to contact LCC Highways to enquire whether this is possible.
We will await further correspondence from SKDC re the proposed meeting of all relevant parties.
Action: The Clerk to contact LCC Highways re possible double yellow lines.
13. PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY (24/86)
13.1 A drop-in meeting was held at the Village Hall on the 28th November, and a further meeting is planned for later in the year.
14. CORRESPONDENCE (24/87)
14.1 Members noted all general correspondence circulated for information since the November meeting.
15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING (24/88)
15.1 The date for the next meeting was set for Monday 10th March 2025 at 7pm at Ropsley Hall.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8.45pm.