June 2026

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting of Ropsley & District Parish Council held at Ropsley Hall on Monday 1st June 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 7.30pm.

In Attendance

Councillor Ward (Chair), Councillor Hughes, Councillor Louth, Councillor Vaughan, Councillor Leslie, Councillor Henderson, Mr Andrew Jones (Clerk & RFO), Councillor Martin Hill (LCC) and Councillor Sarah Trotter (SKDC)

The Chair opened the meeting at 7.30pm

1. ELECTION OF CHAIR & DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE (26/01)

Councillor Hughes proposed that Councillor Ward be re-elected as Chairman, which was seconded by Councillor Leslie.Councillor Ward indicated that he was happy to stand and there were no other candidates.The Chair will duly sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

2. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR & DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE (26/02)

Councillor Ward proposed that Councillor Vaughan be elected as Vice-Chair, which proposal was seconded by Councillor Louth.  Councillor Vaughan indicated that he was happy to stand and there were no other candidates. The Vice-Chair will duly sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

3. WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN (26/03)

The Chairman welcomed returning Members to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance and hard work during the past year.

4. APOLOGIES:  TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND TO RESOLVE TO ACCEPT REASONS GIVEN (26/04)

Apology for absence were received from Councillor Campbell: the reasons for which was accepted.

5. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION (26/05)

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

6.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES (26/06)

6.1         Councillor Louth stated that his name had been missed as an attendee in the minutes. The minutes were amended. Councillor Hughes proposed that the amended Clerk’s notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 16th March be approved as a true record, which was seconded by Councillor Vaughan.

Resolved: The minutes of the meeting held on 16th March 2026 were approved and duly signed by the Chairman.

7.            ANNUAL PROCEDURES (26/07)

7.1         The Clerk advised that he had reviewed the Financial Regulations and Standing Orders against the model documents and there were no significant changes. 

               Resolved: The Chairman approved the Financial Regulations and Standing Orders

8.            ANNUAL RETURN (26/08) 

8.1         A representative of LALC will perform the Annual Audit and this was approved as External Auditor for 2025/26.

8.2         The Chairman read each statement of Section 1 of the Annual Governance Statement in turn and Members indicated their agreement to each question.  Councillor Vaughan proposed that the Section 1 of the Annual Governance Statement was approved, which was seconded by Councillor Hughes.

Resolved:  To approve Section 1 of the Annual Governance Return.

8.3         Members considered the Annual Accounting statements contained in Section 2 of the Annual Return, which had previously been circulated along with supporting documents.  This showed that gross income for 2025/26 was £16,641 and gross expenditure was £19,065. Councillor Hughes proposed that they be approved, which was seconded by Councillor Louth.

Resolved:  To approve Section 2 of the Annual Governance Return.

8.4         Councillor Ward proposed that the Council declare exemption from External Audit as its income and expenditure were below £25k in 2025/26 and all other conditions were met, which was seconded by Councillor Leslie.

Resolved: To declare exemption from external audit.

Action: The Annual Governance Return and Certificate of Exemption was signed by the Chairman and Clerk. The Internal Audit report to be reviewed at the next meeting when completed by the External Auditor.

9.            DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS (26/09)

Councillor Trotter informed the meeting that the AGM of SKDC was held on the 21st May.

The new waste depot had been opened cost although the refuse site in Alexandra Road is still open at present.

The new bins have commenced and although a few had been missed, overall, these appear to be just teething problems.

The CCTV operation has now moved into the Police Station.

There had been two recent prosecutions for fly-tipping – suspended sentences were given out.

Councillor Trotter reported that there was concern over the number of HMOs in Grantham. The Council is to look at the smaller HMOs in particular to see if they are considered fit for purpose.

Councillor Hill reported that he had visit the Food Waste plant near Helmswell.

This plant produces gas, electricity and the residue is made into Feed cake for farmers.

The Grantham Bypass was progressing slowly and is expected to open in 2028.

Councillor Hill reported that he had chased the Highways Agency re the grass triangle on Braceby Road.

The resurfacing and surface dressing on High Street Ropsley is to take place w/c 08.06.

There was no further movement on the extension of the Quarry towards Ropsley but the number of lorries using the local roads was discussed. Councillor Louth gave Councillor Hill some examples of lorries which had been using the road to Ancaster instead of the A52. Councillor Hill to contact the quarry.

The owners of the planned solar farm at Oasby had put in an appeal against the rejection of planning permission.

Plans had also be lodged to convert the Houblon Arms in Oasby to residential dwellings.

10.         CLERK’S REPORT (26/10)

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

11.         FINANCE (26/11)

11.1       Members noted income received as follows:

11.2       Councillor Ward proposed that the following payments be approved, which was seconded by Councillor Hughes

Resolved: To approve the payments as listed.

11.3       Councillor Ward proposed that the April bank reconciliation be approved, which was seconded by       Councillor Louth.

Resolved:  To approve the April bank reconciliation.

11.4       Members noted the budget monitoring statement showing expenditure and income against the 2026/27 budget to date. 

11.5       It was agreed that the National Minimum Wage increase to £12.71 per hour be implemented.

12.         PLANNING (26/12)

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

12.1.1    S26/0794 Window replacements etc – Corner House Farm, Little Humby NG33

12.2       To note the following planning decisions:

12.2.1    S26/0289 First floor extension and minor alterations – 3 Chapel Hill, Ropsley, nG33 4HW – approved 9th April 2026

12.2.2    S26/0371 – Tree Works – Holly Cottage, Ropsley NG33 4BD – approved 30th March 2026

13.         HIGHWAYS (26/13)

13.1       The new parking regulations for the area around the memorial had been issued by the Highways Agency and advertised around the village with any comments to be sent direct to them.

Once the consultation period has expired then, we will await further developments from the Agency.  The enforcement of the new restrictions will of course be the most important part.

13.2       Councillor Leslie commented on the poor visibility when accessing Braceby Road and it was hoped that this would be improved once the grass triangle had been removed.

13.3       The Clerk informed the meeting that the speed cameras were coming back into stock in June and he would chase the supplier. Councillor Trotter said that Welby may be able to help re the siting and the Clerk will contact them.

               Action: Clerk to chase the speed camera supplier

14.         CEMETERY (26/14)

14.1       The Clerk is to visit the cemetery and tidy up some of the very old graves which have become overgrown.

Action: The Clerk to visit the cemetery to tidy up some of the old graves

14.2       The Clerk had contacted Wave re the possible water leak in the cemetery and is awaiting their response.

Action: Clerk to chase Wave re the water leak

15.         COMMUNITY UPDATES (26/15)

15.1       Councillor Vaughan commented that the best solution for the Christmas Tree lights would be a battery in a box in the ground close to the tree. This would cost approx. £190. Councillor Vaughan will source ater in the year.

               Action: Councillor Vaughan is to source the battery.      

15.2       Councillor Louth is to liaise with Councillor Campbell for the purchase and transportation of the IBC for watering the Orchard.

               Action: Councillor Louth to arrange the purchase of an IBC.

15.3       In the absence of Councillor Campbell, the 2026/27 Calendars will be discussed at the next meeting.

               Action: 2026/27 calendars to be discussed at the next meeting

15.4       The Emergency Plan is to be drafted by the Clerk and sent to the Chairman to review.

               Action: Emergency Plan to be drafted

15.5       Following the resignation of Councillor Marshall, Councillor Vaughan volunteered to take on the production of the Newsletter.

               Various discussions then took place as to whether the Newsletter should remain printed or digital or both,

               It was thought that a printed version is essential but that a digital one should also be posted on the Council’s website and Facebook page.

               The Clerk is also to ensure that the admin rights for the WhatsApp page is changed to the Clerk from Councillor Marshall.

               Action: Councillor Vaughan to organise the Newsletter going forward

15.6       The possibility of organising some form of Summer Event was discussed, and it was decided to carry this forward and to arrange a date at the next meeting.

               Action: To discuss further at the next meeting

15.7       The Flower boxes on Grantham Road required planting and painting and the Chairman is to look at this.

16.         PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY (26/16)

16.1       There is still a vacancy on the Council and it was discussed whether we should advertise this on the Council’s Facebook page or even do a letter drop.

               Action: The vacancy to be advertised.

17.         CORRESPONDENCE (26/17)

17.1       Councillor Louth gave the Clerk an invoice to service the mower used by Mr Rogers to cut the grass, This was agreed to be paid by the Councillors.

               Resolved: Clerk to pay for the service of the mower

18.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING (26/18)

18.1       The date for the next meeting was set for Wednesday 29th July 2026 at 7pm at Ropsley Hall.

The Chair closed the meeting at 9.16pm.