March 2026

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Ropsley & District Parish Council held at Ropsley Hall on Monday 16th March 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 Hughes, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Vaughan, Councillor Henderson, Councillor Louth, Councillor Martin Hill (LCC), Mr Andrew Jones (Clerk & RFO),

The Chair opened the meeting at 7.15pm

1. WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN (25/75)

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 (25/76)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Marshall, Councillor Leslie and Councillor Trotter (SKDC): the reasons for which were accepted.

3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION (25/77)

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

4. CO-OPTION (25/78)

The Clerk reported that Councillor Henderson has signed and returned the Declaration of Office and the Declaration of Pecuniary Interest and these have been signed and approved by the Chairman.

The Clerk had arranged a Parish Council email for Councillor Henderson.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (25/79)

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

Resolved: The minutes of the meeting held on 12th January 2026 were approved and duly signed by the Chairman.

6. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS (25/80)

Councillor Hill reported as follows:

The LCC had agreed on a 2.9% rates increase for 2026/27.

Central Government have given LCC an extra £35M over each of the next 3 years which takes the pressure off funding for a while.

The local government reorganisation is still going ahead with the new council being on place in 2028.

Ropsley Quarry has asked to continue quarrying up to the A52 and they are also looking at coming towards Ropsley but this has not been approved yet.

The meeting was informed that the lorries from the quarry had been using the road to Ancaster which was forbidden and Councillor Hill is to raise this with the company.

The Highways Agency had visited re the parking and yellow lines situation on the 20th January and are to return in February.

DVLA and Lincolnshire Police had also been out and removed a few vehicles.

The preferred solution is double yellow lines around the memorial, and the enforcement would then be up to Lincolnshire Police.

We will therefore now await the report from the Highways Agency  with their comments and plan.

There was no report from Councillor Trotter who had forwarded her apology.

Action: The Clerk to forward the report from the Highways Agency when received.

7. CLERKS REPORT (25/81)

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 (25/82)
   1. To note income received since the last meeting:

Remitter                                                           Purpose                                                                                Amount £

National Power                                              Wayleave                                                                                       24.04

Robert Holland                                               Cemetery Fees                                                                              70.00

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

Resolved: To approve the payments as listed.

8.3         Councillor Campbell proposed that the February bank reconciliation be approved, which was seconded by                Councillor Vaughan.

Resolved:  To approve the February 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 had been submitted to SKDC by the Clerk for £15,000 as agreed at the last meeting.

9. PLANNING (25/83)

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

9.1.1      S25/0289 first floor extension and minor alterations – 3 Chapel Hill, Ropsley NG33 4BW

9.2         To note the following planning decisions:

9.2.1      S25/2059 Reduce apple tree – 8-10 Chapel Hill, Ropsley NG33 4BP – approved 6th January 2026

9.2.2      S25/0257 Application for a premises licence – 29a Grantham Road, Ropsley NG33 4BX – approved 19th February 2026

10. HIGHWAYS (25/84)
    1. The digital speed cameras were discussed, and it was decided to purchase one from Elan City but, at the moment, there is a delay in them becoming available until June. The Clerk is to contact Elan re advice on locations, poles etc. and whether they could easily be moved throughout the village.

Action: Clerk to contact Elan

1. As discussed earlier in the minutes, the parking and untaxed vehicles problem was again discussed and the Highways Agency have indicated that they will visit the area to make a report.
2. It was also noted that the removal of the green triangle at the end of Braceby Road is still on the list and we are awaiting a decision from the Highways Agency.
3. There were various instances of fly-tipping around the Parish and the Clerk is to contact SKDC

Action: Clerk to contact SKDC re fly-tipping.

11. CEMETERY (25/85)

11.1       The Clerk is to look at some of the older graves in the cemetery and remove the weeds etc as well as look at the Tremlett grave and re-fill if necessary.

Action: The Clerk to look at the cemetery graves

1. The Clerk has reported the suspected leak to Wave and will compete the necessary form etc.

Action: Clerk to compete the leak forms to Wave                                          

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

12. COMMUNITY UPDATES (25/86)
    1. The possibility of brighter or more lights and or 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

12.2       Councillor Campbell reported that the 2026 calendars had made a profit of £165.87. 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 is to be organised by Councillors Campbell and Louth.

               Action: Councillors Campbell and Louth to procure the IBC

12.5       The possibility of a Volunteer’s evening was discussed and Councillor Louth felt that this was not required at this time.

12.6       Councillor Vaughan thanked Councillor Louth for erecting the “Beware Deer” signs on Humby Road.

12.7       Councillor Marshall has indicated that due to work commitments, she would like to handover the production of the Newsletter.

               Councillor Vaughan volunteered to take this on, and he will contact Councillor Marshall to discuss.

               Action: Councillor Vaughan to contact Councillor Marshall re the Newsletter handover.                                                                                                                                    

13.         CORRESPONDENCE (25/87)

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

13.2       The Clerk had received a Planning Policy Consultation and Local Plan Timetable from SKDC which had been circulated to the Councillors.

13.3       Councillor Henderson started a general discussion about the possibility of holding a summer event for the Parish, and it was decided that this discussion will be carried forward to a future meeting.

               Action: Item to be carried forward to a future meeting

14.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING (25/88)

14.1       The date for the next meeting was set for Monday 1st June 2026 at 7pm at Ropsley Hall.

This will commence with the Annual Parish Meeting to be followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting.

               The Chair closed the meeting at 8.27pm.