Meeting July 2026

 

The Parish Council Meeting was held on 23 July 2026 at the Village Hall, Ludford at 7.30 pm.

 

PRESENT:    Chairman Cllr Mrs Ridger

                      Vice-Chairman Cllr Mrs Hunt

                      Cllr Mrs Brader & Woolley

         Also Present 1 MOP.

 

      Cllrs Fisher & Fry (ELDC).

 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 May 2026 were approved and signed.

 

3.         Matters Arising from the Minutes – None.

 

ELDC-Electoral Update, E-news, LALC News (received via email), Clerks & Councils, Glasdon brochure-all noted.

 

The Clerk had received an email on behalf of the Village Hall Committee regarding an overgrown hedge on the road leading down to the village hall and that they had received complaints that it was impeding traffic access to the hall. Members agreed that the lane and bridge into the car park is narrow and has always been a single vehicle lane. The access has remained unchanged for many years, and any resolution would need widening of the access from the bottom (taking away some of the grassed area) of the car park to the bridge.

 

The Clerk advised that in the first instance (under Gov.uk guidelines) a complainant should contact their neighbour directly to advise of the issue and request that the hedge be trimmed. If the property is rented, then the landlord/rental agent should be contacted. Parish Council’s had no authority in these matters. A complainant should give reasonable time for the work to be carried out, particularly dependant on the time of year. The website advised not to attempt to trim a hedge that is not on your property. All is explained on the above website.

 

Members agreed that a simple solution to resolve traffic being stuck/reversing back up the lane, would be to have some traffic management assistants from the Village Hall Committee to control the flow of vehicles when there are large events. Clerk to respond respectfully detailing these suggestions.

 

             The Clerk distributed a statement of Income and Expenditure which met the Council’s approval.

             GreenGrass-Cutting    £66.00           Zurich Ins-Amended Fee        £304.00           Lloyds-Bank Charges             £4.25          

             D Smith-Wreaths         £40.95           R Taylor-Reclaration               £25.00            GreenGrass- Grass Cutting    £127.61

Lloyds-Bank Charges £4.25             Clerks Salary-Jul+Box Files    £366.78

All accounts were received and agreed for payment.

               

Mrs Stuart had contacted the Clerk to advise that she had been given a £5.00 donation for the defibrillator, which she had kindly paid into the Parish Council Account (Clerk has thanked Mrs Stuart via email). Ludford Twinning cheque still with Ms Feit) to be used for defibrillator on receipt. Brit Gas Lite, floodlighting account is still in credit due to an error on their part.

               

The Clerk had not received any enquiries regarding the filling of the current vacancies, which were now two in number, but any interested person needs only to email/write to the Clerk, giving a brief outline of their interest and experience for the consideration of the Parish Council at their next Meeting.

 

The Clerk had received a resignation letter from Dr Lofts and it was with much regret that the Committee accepted the resignation. Members noted that Dr Lofts enthusiasm and knowledge in trying to attain grants to assist some of the project in the village had been much appreciated.

 

Village Hall Committee – The Vice-Chairman reported that she had attended the meeting as the Parish Council’s representative, due to the Chairman being unavailable. The Chairman had informed the VH group of this substitution. There had been a long-standing agreement for there to be a Parish Council representative on the Village Hall Committee and the Vice-Chairman offered to continue in this role, if the Chairman agreed. The Chairman welcomed the offer, as she had been in this role for many years and a new representative could be beneficial for both groups. It was noted that Village Hall Minutes were not being received by the PC representative and they had previously been regularly.

 

The Vice-Chairman reported that the Speed Watch Group had undertaken some surveys and the reports had been sent in. Chairman is unsure of who the Traffic Representative is at present. There are only 6 members, due to 2 being unavailable for the time being. New members are welcome and training is completed on Zoom and sessions only take an hour.

 

Dr Lofts had suggested that the Parish Council approach Mr Donner for funds towards traffic calming/flashing signs. Dr Lofts had indicated that he would still be willing to assist in this area, he has all the documentation for this Project.

 

The Vice-Chairman reported that she continued with the maintenance routine and the unit was working, but she still had no news from the manufacturers regarding the recall of children’s pads.

 

The Committee were advised that ELDC had not made any decision on applications: 03824/25/FUL Thorpe Top, Thorpe Le Vale or application 00810/26/OUT Outline Erection of 13 no. dwellings, the Parish Council had no objections to these applications. The Committee noted the Appeal for application 03798/25/PIP-Land of Redhill Lane had been allowed and an amendment to 00752/26/RVC-to vary section 73 & condition 6-Park Homes, Tyes Close-the Committee objected to original application and continued to object to amendment.

 

The Chairman advised that the previous rope had not been strong enough and she was trying to find a suitably strong rope that would endure the high winds during the winter months.

 

There had been some discussion between Meetings and the Committee had agreed a new location , on the corner by the “shack”. It was noted that the Ranshaw family had permission to put a plaque to commemorate Tony on “Tony’s Walk”. The Vice-Chairman had discussed the matter with a family member, who supported this proposal. The Vice-Chairman will progress this matter and get this seat installed as soon as possible.

 

The Chairman reported that the service went very well, the signage did arrive just in time and were put out by Mr Brader. Volunteers carrying out the road closure did see the representative from LCC. The Chairman reported that she would be passing all the organisational arrangements over to the 101 Association for next year.

 

The Committee agreed that they would like Mr Brader to continue to obtain a tree and the Chairman would check the lights, which are in the village hall. The Vice-Chairman would recruit her Son to take the tree down and chip it.

 

             Cllr Mrs Brader advised that progress was being made.

 

               

11.       Date of Next Meetings

Thursday 17 September, 19 November 2026 & 14 January 2027 at 7.30 pm.

 

Meeting closed 9.35 pm.