Meeting January 2026

 

The Parish Council Meeting was held on 15 January 2026 at the Village Hall, Ludford at 7.30 pm.

 

PRESENT:    Chairman Cllr Mrs Ridger

                        Vice-Chairman Cllr Mrs Hunt

                        Cllr Fish

           Also Present Fisher Fry (ELDC)

 

      Cllrs Dr Loft & McConigle (LCC).

 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 November 2025 were approved and signed.

 

3.         Matters Arising from the Minutes – None.

 

ELDC-Electoral Update, LALC News (received via email), Clerks & Council Lloyds Bank-Interest Update-all noted. Letter from Parishioner noted-on Agenda.

 

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

            Brit Gas-Lighting          £19.76           Lloyds-Bank Charges   £4.25

            Brit Gas-Lighting          £23.56           Lloyds-Bank Charges   £4.25

            Brit Gas-Lighting          £22.80           West-Xmas Tree           £100.00

            West-Metal Pole/etc    £150.00          Clerks Salary-Jan         £386.48           Playsafety-ROSPA      £96.00   LALC-Subscription    £179.16

            Lloyds-Bank Charges  £4.25

           

            All accounts were received and agreed for payment.

                               

Village Hall Committee – The Chairman reported that the Christmas Fair and Clairvoyant Evening had been successful, there is a Burns Night on 25/01/26, the Rock & Roll, Country & Western Meetings continue. The play equipment had been installed and fencing was being removed. If a second grant is successful older play equipment will be purchased.

 

The Vice-Chairman reported that the Speed Calming group were resting for the winter, but will re-start monitoring in Spring. The speed gun needs servicing. Nothing to report on interactive signage at this Meeting.

 

The Vice-Chairman reported that the unit was in working order, but replacement paediatric pads were still unavailable. Fortunately, it was possible to use adult pads in the event of an emergency.

 

The Chairman reported that the electric to the lighting is in 3-year fixed contract. The lighting is working, it is a fault on the light sensor, due to water ingress in the heavy rain-needs isolating.

 

 

The Committee considered the grasscutting quote and it was

 

             RESOLVED  to accept the grasscutting quote from Green Grass Contracting for the new financial year 2026/2027. Chairman to consult with the Village Hall regarding how they will refund for the cutting of their areas. (Clerk emailed confirmation to Green Grass).

 

The Committee noted the amended draft Budget, along with the grasscutting quote, electricity, and the general increase in all running costs. Following discussion, there was no option other than to increase the Precept by a considerable amount and it was

 

RESOLVED  i)         to accept the draft Budget, with the Precept remaining at £7000.

 

            The Committee noted a letter from ELDC Planning in respect of EC/00002/26 Erection of porch without Planning Permission-Campion Cottage, Kiln Hill. ELDC had not yet made a decision on application 03824/25/FUL Thorpe Top, Thorpe Le Vale. The Committee considered application 03798/25/PIP, which had only been sent out on 30 December 2025, but stated a reply was expected by 14 January 2026 (less than 28 days), Clerk to contact ELDC express concern at short consideration time. It was

 

RESOLVED  to object most strongly on the following grounds;

           The Committee noted in respect of the planning permission for the chicken farm that the bungalow built appeared bigger than expected, with dormer windows in the roof and a large high fence had been erected near the road.

 

The Chairman advised that Service would be on Sunday 14 June 2026 and she in the process of completing the documentation. Cllr Fisher extended his apologies, he would not be able to attend on that date, as he had initially wished.

 

Cllr Fisher reported that he would attend to the matter in Spring when the weather improved. The old bench needs to be dismantled first, the Vice-Chairman offered to organise some footballers to assist with the heaving lifting.

 

The Clerk reported to the Committee on the number of emails she had received over the Christmas/New Year period and another the evening before the Meeting. Members noted that the Parish Council had no authority on this matter, although the Clerk had tried to contact Platform Housing during the period prior to New Year, but their offices were closed. In these matters, it is always imperative for the person concerned to keep a log of the activities they wish to report, then send the log in to the appropriate authority for their consideration and action, where appropriate. The Committee considered the matters raised and it was

 

RESOLVED  that the Clerk would write to the authority concerned asking them to investigate the matter fully and make every effort to resolve this matter.

 

The Chairman reported that electric box/door belonged to the Church because it was in the Church wall. It was in urgent need of repair because in its current state of disrepair water could enter into the electrics and was thus dangerous on the grounds of human safety. It was further noted that the wall itself was starting to collapse. Clerk to write to the Diocese of Lincoln (copy to Ludford PCC) and Chairman to notify the Parochial Church Council.

 

The Committee noted that the salt bins had been filled and the salt bag delivered. However, despite exact instructions to drop on the concrete on the old glass bin site, the bag had been placed in the wrong place -LCC aware.

 

            The Chairman reported that she was organising a new flag.

 

Vice-Chairman reported the Oil Company had pulled out in respect of development site at Biscathorpe, but they should be encouraged to return the site to its original state and relinquish the licence.

 

The Vice-Chairman had taken a water sample from the spring and concern was noted at the number of nitrates in the sample at that location. Thanks were expressed to the Vice-Chairman for continuing to carry out this work.

               

11.       Date of Next Meetings

Thursday 19 March 2026 at 7.30 pm & 21 May 2026 (AGM) at 7.00 pm.  

 

Meeting closed 8.58 pm.

 

 

Signed ................................... Chairman/Vice-Chairman        Date ....................