September 2026

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting of Ropsley & District Parish Council held at Ropsley Hall on Wednesday 21st September 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 Vaughan, Councillor Hughes, Councillor Leslie, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Louth, Mr Andrew Jones (Clerk & RFO), Suzanne Cordon

The Chair opened the meeting at 7.15pm

1. WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN (26/33)

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

He also welcomed Suzanne Cordon for attending prior to her co-option onto the Council.

2. APOLOGIES:  TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND TO RESOLVE TO ACCEPT REASONS GIVEN (26/34)

Apology for absence were received from Councillor Henderson: the reason for which was accepted.

Councillor Hill and Councillor Trotter also sent their apologies.

3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION (26/35)

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

4.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES (26/36)

4.1         Councillor Hughes proposed that the Clerk’s notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 29th July be approved as a true record, which was seconded by Councillor Leslie.

Resolved: The minutes of the meeting held on 29th July 2026 were approved and duly signed by the Chairman.

5.            DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS (26/37)

In the absence of Councillors Hill and Councillor Trotter, no reports were received (written reports were received from both Councillors after the meeting and these were forwarded to the Councillors with these minutes).

6.            CLERK’S REPORT (26/38)

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

7.            FINANCE (26/39)

7.1         Members noted income received as follows:

7.2         Councillor Vaughan proposed that the following payments be approved, which was seconded by Councillor Campbell

Resolved: To approve the payments as listed.

7.3         Councillor Ward proposed that the August bank reconciliation be approved, which was seconded by             Councillor Hughes.

Resolved:  To approve the August bank reconciliation.

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

8.            PLANNING (26/40)

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

8.1.1      S26/1244 Demolition of existing conservatory and construction of single storey replacement garden room – Church Farmhouse Braceby NG34 0TA

8.1.2      S26/1378 Stabling for domestic horses and feed – Old Manor House, Little Humby NG33 4HW

8.2         Planning decisions made during this period.

8.2.1      S26/1244 Demolition of existing conservatory and construction of single storey replacement garden room – Church Farmhouse Braceby NG34 0TA – approved 15th September 2026

9.            HIGHWAYS (26/41)

9.1         Councillor Vaughan commented that he had spoken to Councillor Hill and the new parking regulations for the area around the memorial had been agreed by the Highways Agency but no firm date had been announced.

               It is presumed that houses affected will receive a letter with an exact date and so if any Councillor gets to see a copy, could they share with the Council.

Action: Councillors to forward details of start date for yellow line regulations when received

9.2         No progress had been received on the grass triangle removal on Braceby Road (Councillor Hill later informed the Clerk that the removal had been set for mid-October).

Resolved: Grass triangle to be removed in Mid-October

9.3         The Clerk is to chase the speed camera company and look for alternatives if the items are still not in stock.

               Action: Clerk to chase the speed camera supplier

9.4         Mrs Theobald from The Old Bakery, Little Humby contacted the Council re the farm traffic speeding though the village. The Chairman is to contact Mrs Theobald.

10.         CEMETERY (26/42)

10.1       There were no matters to discuss concerning the cemetery apart from the water leak as noted below.Th

10.2       The report had been received re the Water Leak, and it had been located to near the tap by the footpath. The cost of the inspection work was £699 + VAT and it was agreed to be paid.

Wave had quoted for the repair at £1.199 + VAT which the Council thought was excessive, and it was decided that Councillor Louth would ask Ashley Wright if he could carry the work or know of someone who could. If not, we could advertise on Facebook.

Action: Councillor Louth to contact Ashley Wright re the possible leak repair

11.         COMMUNITY UPDATES (26/43)

11.1       The Clerk had circulated the Draft Emergency Plan to the Council for the Councillors to review.

Councillor Vaughan informed the meeting that he was to attend a Resilience Forum with LCC.

The Chairman asked Councillors to think about possible people who could be part of the Response Team on Page 14. Ideally these would be people with different talents or vehicles that could be used in an emergency.

We also need to identify any vulnerable people on Page 23 and it was decided that we could issue a flyer to residents asking them for suggestions.

The flyer would be compiled by The Chairman and Councillor Hughes.

               Action: The Chairman and Councillor Hughes to compile a flyer to obtain the required information to complete the Emergency Plan.

11.2       The changes to the Parish Council website were discussed and it was decided that The Clerk will discuss the input of items onto our current website with Councillor Campbell.

Action: The Clerk to discuss the website with Councillor Campbell

11.3       The Christmas Tree arrangements were discussed.

Councillor Vaughan has the box that will be set into the ground to host the battery for the tree.

The Chairman and Councillor Vaughan to check that the outside lights work with the battery and purchase more if required. Councillor Hughes will purchase more items for the tree if required.

It was decided that the Christmas Tree Light-up would be on Saturday 12th December with refreshments in the Church before-hand and it was agreed to donate £50 to PCC as last year. Arrangements to be discussed at the next meeting.

The Chairman and Councillor Louth to organise the transport of the tree and the digging of the hole

               Action: Councillors Ward, Vaughan and Louth to arrange the tree receipt, planting and lighting.

11.4       Councillor Campbell reported that the 2026/27 is progressing with numerous photographs received and he is to obtain a price for the printing.

               Action: Price to be obtained for the printing of 2026/27 calendars 

11.5       Councillor Vaughan has an IBC and this can be installed when required.

The Clerk reported that the Coronation Orchard Grant has now ended so he is to investigate any other possibilities to replace the lost trees.

               Action: The Clerk to look into the possibility of sourcing trees to replace the lost ones.

11.6       The Summer Event planning is progressing. The Village Hall is still to decide whether they will allow the dog show, but Hall Field could be an alternative venue. The Event would be discussed further at the next meeting.,

               Action: Summer event to be discussed further at the next meeting

11.7       Councillor Vaughan to look at repairing the notice board at Hall Field and Councillor Leslie also stated that the Braceby board is also in need of repair. The Clerk is to repair the Humby notice board.

               Action: Councillor Vaughan and the Clerk to look at the notice boards

11.8       Councillor Louth informed the Council that the School has lost some of it’s grants and they are looking to refurbish their pond. The Clerk will send Councillor Louth a grant form which will be discussed when the completed form is received.

               Action: The Clerk to forward grant form to Councillor Louth

11.9       The next newsletter will be produced in January/February and will be in digital and paper form if required

               Action: Next newsletter to be produced in January

11.10     It had been reported that the hedges at Ropsley Rise Wood were encroaching onto the road and Councillor Louth is to contact Ben at Ropsley Farms to see how much it would cost to trim them back.

               The Clerk will also write to Highways Agency regarding this as well as the overgrown hedges on Humby Road.

               Action: To report the overgrown hedges

12.         PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY (26/44)

12.1       The Clerk gave Suzanne Cordon the Declaration of Office and Declaration of Pecuniary Interest forms, and these will be completed and returned prior to the next meeting.

The Chairman also reminded the Councillors that we still have vacancies if there is anyone else wanting to join the Council.

Action: Suzanne Cordon to return the signed forms

13.         CORRESPONDENCE (26/45)

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

14.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING (26/46)

14.1       The date for the next meeting was set for Monday 2nd November 2026 at 7pm at Ropsley Hall.

The Chair closed the meeting at 9.14pm.