January 2026

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Ropsley & District Parish Council held at Ropsley Hall on Monday 12th January 2026.

Public Forum

There were no members of the public in attendance.  Members resolved to suspend the Standing Orders to allow the meeting to commence at 7.15pm

In Attendance

Councillor Ward (Chair), Councillor Marshall (Vice-Chair), Councillor Hughes, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Vaughan, Councillor Leslie, Councillor Sarah Trotter (SKDC), Mr Andrew Jones (Clerk & RFO), Wendy Henderson

The Chair opened the meeting at 7.15pm

1. WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN (25/61)

The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance.

2. APOLOGIES:  TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND TO RESOLVE TO ACCEPT REASONS GIVEN (25/62)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Louth and Councillor Hill (LCC): the reasons for which were accepted.

3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION (25/63)

No declarations of pecuniary interest or requests for dispensation were made.

4. CO-OPTION (25/64)

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman had met Wendy Hendeson who had agreed to be co-opted as a Councillor.

Mrs Henderson left the room, and the Chairman proposed her appointment which was seconded by Councillor Marshall. The Council voted on the co-option, and this was passed unanimously.

Action: Councillor Henderson to complete Declaration of Acceptance of Office and Declaration of Pecuniary Interest forms and to return these to the Clerk.

Action: Clerk to arrange for a Parish Council email for Councillor Henderson

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (25/65)

               Councillor Marshall proposed that the Clerk’s notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12th November be approved as a true record, which was seconded by Councillor Leslie.

Resolved: The minutes of the meeting held on 12th November 2025 were approved and duly signed by the Chairman.

6. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS (25/66)

Councillor Hill is unable to attend and forwarded his report via email as follows:

The Highways had not yet visited re the parking and yellow lines situation which was disappointing – this will be covered later in the minutes.

The new executive at LCC is proposing to put up council tax by the maximum 5% next year which Councillor Hill is minded to oppose.

The long running Fair Funding campaign has finally delivered, and the new government distribution formula will give the council an extra £36m next year and similar additional amounts for the next 2 years. Also, the reduced employer pension contribution decided by actuaries will save £9m a year. £45m equates to 10% on council tax.

This is currently subject to consultation.

Councillor Trotter reported that she had been in contact with Inspector Hilton at Lincs Police as the situation had not improved.

The Clerk had received correspondence from a parishioner who had also commented on the continuing problem, together with the number of untaxed and abandoned vehicles and he had also contacted SKDC and the police. The Clerk is to reply following our meeting to keep him up to date with the situation.

Councillor Trotter thought it would be useful to ask Highways to come out for a visit when they could look not just the parking but also other matters such as yellow lines, Speed signs, Braceby Road triangle etc.

On other SKDC business, there was concern raised over the number of HMOs in Grantham.

There is also discussions taking place re ceasing green bin collections in January and February to save money although whether this would lead to refunds to householders is not clear.

It was confirmed that the Police and Crime Commissioner position would cease in May 2028 and the present incumbent had also changed from Conservative to Independent.

Action: The Clerk to contact Highways re a possible visit to discuss parking etc.

7. CLERKS REPORT (25/67)

Councillors noted the contents of the Clerk’s Report with regards to actions from previous minutes.

Actions required from the Clerk’s Report are covered under the relevant points later in this meeting.

8. FINANCE (25/68)
   1. To note income received since the last meeting:

There was no income received since the last meeting

8.2         Councillor Hughes proposed that the following payments be approved, which was seconded by Councillor Campbell.

Resolved: To approve the payments as listed.

8.3         Councillor Marshall proposed that the December bank reconciliation be approved, which was seconded by                Councillor Leslie.

Resolved:  To approve the December bank reconciliation.

8.4         Members noted the budget monitoring statement showing expenditure and income against the 2025/26 budget to date. 

8.5         The 2026/27 Precept was discussed and the 2026/27 budget was agreed by the Council. It was agreed that the required Precept for 2026/27 is £15,000 which is a 4.2% increase over 2025/26.

Resolved and Action: The Precept for 2026/27 was agreed as £15,000 and The Clerk is to complete the required documentation.

8.6         The Annual audit had taken place, and their Annual Report has been received by the Clerk. This is to be reviewed with the Chairman, and the Clerk is to organise a meeting.

               Action: Clerk to meet with the Chairman to review the Audit Report

8.7         It was agreed that a donation of £50 be made to Ropsley PCC for the use of Ropsley Church prior to the Christmas Tree Lighting evening.       

9. PLANNING (25/69)

9.1         To consider the following planning applications received since the last meeting:

9.1.1      S25/2289 first floor extension – 3 Chapel Hill, Ropsley NG33 4BW

9.1.2      S25/2059 construction of gates to driveway – 16 Crown Hill, Ropsley NG33 4BH

9.2         To note the following planning decisions:

9.2.1      S25/1965 Reduce apple tree – 8-10 Chapel Hill, Ropsley NG33 4BP – approved 1st December 2025

9.2.2      S25/1691 Pollard large weeping willow – 23-25 Grantham Road, Ropsley NG33 4BX – refused 1st December 2025

10. HIGHWAYS (25/70)
    1. The digital speed cameras were discussed, and it was decided to purchase one from Elan City.

We would have to erect the required poles and the Clerk is to enquire whether we could then move the sign between the poles as we wish.

If this is possible, it was decided that we would purchase one sign initially.

1. As discussed earlier in the minutes, the parking and untaxed vehicles problem was again discussed, including an email from a parishioner voicing their concerns, and this had been reported to Lincs Police and SKDC. As agreed, the Clerk is to contact Highways to ask for a visit and walk around the village to highlight the problems.

Action: Clerk to contact Highways for a visit

11. CEMETERY (25/71)
    1. It was noted that some of the older graves at the front of the cemetery needed some attention with trees growing out of them. The Clerk is to investigate who the owners are to see if these can be tidied up. If the owners cannot be located, then The Council would carry out the necessary maintenance.

Action: The Clerk to investigate the ownership of the relevant graves

1. The Clerk reported that despite informing Wave about the suspected water leak in the cemetery, they still had not responded. The Clerk is to take a new reading and contact them to investigate as a matter of urgency.

Action: Clerk to take a water meter reading and contact Wave                               

1. There were no other matters to raise re the cemetery.

12. COMMUNITY UPDATES (25/72)
    1. The Christmas Tree lighting turn-on happened on the for 13th December and had been a great success. The possibility of brighter or more lights was discussed. Also the use of mains electricity would be explored and Councillor Vaughan to investigate this possibility. This would be carried forward for discussion later in the year.

Action: Councillor Vaughan to explore the possibility of using mains electricity for the lighting of the tree

1. Councillor Campbell reported that the sales proceeds of the 2026 calendars totalled £760 to date with a profit of £185 so far.

It was decided that we could advertise the calendars at the Christmas Tree lighting next year to increase the numbers sold.

12.3       The Clerk is to look at the Community Emergency Plan and produce for review.  

               Action: Clerk to produce the Emergency Plan

12.4       The purchase of a 1000 litre IBC for the watering of the Coronation Orchard was put on hold until the Spring.

               Action: Carry forward to the next meeting that an IBC is purchased in the Spring

12.5       The date of a Volunteer’s evening was discussed and it was decided to ask Councillor Louth whether he feels one is required or whether we can express our thanks in another way

               Action: Councillor Louth to give his thoughts on the Volunteers Meeting  

12.6       The defibrillators were discussed and the Clerk explained that there were two websites that had to be completed for each defibrillator. One used by the volunteers which highlighted any supplies required  and one completed by the Clerk that the Ambulance service use to ascertain whether the defibrillators are in use. Both these are being completed and the necessary supplies sourced.

12.7       Councillor Vaughan enquired whether “Beware Deer” signs should be displayed on the local roads. It was felt that this was a matter for the local deer group and Councillor Vaughan is to ask Councillor Louth if they have any signs that they can put up.

               It was also thought that it may be useful if we could post an article on our Facebook page to inform parishioners what to do if you hit a deer. The Clerk is to ask Councillor Louth if he could draft an article for the Facebook page.

               Action: The Clerk to contact Councillor Louth re an article for the Facebook page

12.8       The refilling of the Grit Bins were discussed, The Clerk is to look at these and require them to be filled by Highways if required.

               Action: Clerk to look at the Grit Bins

13.         CORRESPONDENCE (25/73)

13.1       Members noted all general correspondence circulated for information since the November meeting.

14.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING (25/74)

14.1       The date for the next meeting was set for Monday 16th March 2026 at 7pm at Ropsley Hall.

               The Chair closed the meeting at 8.41pm.