Draft - Minutes Annual Parish Council Meeting
DRAFT MINUTES OF LUDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
The Annual Parish Council Meeting was held on 21 May 2026 at the Village Hall, Ludford at 7.15 pm.
PRESENT: Chairman Cllr Mrs Ridger
Vice-Chairman Cllr Mrs Hunt
Cllrs: Mrs Brader & Fisher
Also Present: Cllr Fry (ELDC) & 1 Parishioner (Mr Woolley).
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Dr Lofts & Ms Sullivan (Parishioner).
2. Election of Chairman
Nominations were invited for the position of Chairman. Mrs Ridger confirmed that she would be willing to continue in this role for the year and there being no other nominations
Cllr Fisher PROPOSED that Cllr Mrs Ridger be elected Chairman
Cllr Mrs Hunt SECONDED a vote was taken and Cllr Mrs Ridger was elected Chairman.
Cllr Mrs Ridger in the Chair.
The Chairman thanked the Committee for electing her.
3. Election of Vice Chairman
Cllr Mrs Hunt indicated that, she would also be willing to continue in the role of Vice-Chairman for the year and there being no other nominations
Cllr Fisher PROPOSED that Cllr Mrs Hunt be elected Vice-Chairman
Cllr Mrs Brader SECONDED a vote was taken and Cllr Mrs Hunt was elected Vice-Chairman.
4. Minutes of Meeting
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 19 March 2026 were approved and signed.
5. Matters Arising from the Minutes – None.
6. Co-option of Councillor/s
The Committee had read the email from Mr Woolley expressing his interest in being co-opted to the Parish Council and it was
RESOLVED to co-opt Mr Woolley on to Ludford Parish Council as a Parish Councillor.
7. Finance
Annual Audit/Accounts, Yearly Reports. Reviews/Insurance Renewal, etc.
The Clerk presented the year end accounting statements prepared according to proper accounting practices. The Council noted all receipts/payments for the year ending 31st March 2026 and verified the bank reconciliation. The Council considered the Annual Governance Statement and the Accounting Statements for audit for the financial period 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026 and dates for the period of public rights. The Council expressed their appreciation to the Internal Auditor, who had completed the audit.
It was
RESOLVED a) to approve the Annual Governance Statement (Minute 7a);
b) to approve the Accounting Statements for the period (Minute 7b);
c) dates for the Notice of Period of Exercise of Public Rights were agreed and to meet the Notice of Period of Exercise of Public Rights which commence 03/06/26 until 14/07/26, the appropriate documents were to be held by the Chairman for inspection;
d) Insurance and Risks Reviews were made; Zurich Insurance premium increased to £304 (due to the precept causing a change of banding), and was accepted for renewal; the following documents had been circulated & reviewed: Complaints Procedure, Data Protection, Digital, Equal Opportunities, Model Publication, GDPR, Health & Safety, Safeguarding. Press & Media, all were accepted;
e) Grasscutting had commenced with the Contractor approved in January and an invoice was approved for payment;
f) Expenditure & Invoices for Payment
Lloyds-Bank Charge £ 4.25 R Taylor-Accountant £100.00
Green Grass-Grasscutting £127.61 Lloyds-Bank Charge £ 4.25
Zurich-Insurance £277.00 Clerks Salary £357.48
HMRC-PAYE £ 89.50
The Precept of £7000.00 had been received and VAT Refund of £114.58 had been submitted by the Clerk.
All accounts were received and agreed for payment.
The Chairman reported that Ludford-Voue Twinning Committee had wished to pay the residue of their funds (£549.77) to the Parish Council when they disbanded. The money to be “ring-fenced” for use on the defibulators within the village. The Clerk had submitted the cheque, but it was returned “Refer to Drawer”, even though both groups bank with Lloyds. The matter is in abeyance and will be resolved in due course.
8. Correspondence
ELDC Electoral Updates, LALC & Clerks & Councils – all noted.
9. Reports
Village Hall Committee – The Vice-Chairman volunteered to attend the next Meeting if possible. It was noted that the vandalised play equipment had been repaired and the new equipment was a greast improvement. There was a Bingo Night in May and the music events continued. Sound restrictions were in place for the benefit of staff, which included self-closing doors. The idea of an information board about the chalk stream was also mooted.
Speeding/Traffic Calming
The Vice-Chairman reported that 2 speed checks had been completed, the radar gun was working, having been repaired. 28 speeding vehicles in an hour had been noted. The Speed Watch group was once again looking for more members, to enable once weekly monitoring.
Defibrillator
The Vice-Chairman reported that this unit was in full working order, had not been used, but was still awaiting the arrival of the child pads, following the recall.
10. Business
ELDC-Planning Applications
The Committee noted Application 03798/25/PIP had gone to appeal (Clerk had emailed the Inspectorate to advise of the Parish Council’s stance on this application). Application 03893/25/FUL had been approved and 03824/25/FUL was still outstanding (no decision from ELDC to date).
Church Floodlighting Faulty Light Sensor
The Committee discussed this matter, no action at this time was agreed.
Financial Assistance
The Committee had not received any requests for donations, item deferred.
Flag Rope
The Chairman would progress this matter before 14 June for 101 Service.
HRH Bench Installation
The Committee noted that it was expected that the bench was to be installed on 28 May 2026 by Cllrs Fisher, Woolley and a Parishioner.
101 Service
The Chairman reported that she and Cllr Fisher would lay the wreaths for this service (Church Service at 1pm, followed by wreath-laying).
Village Entrance Sign
Cllr Mrs Brader, advised that due to unforeseen circumstances the progress of this item had been delayed. The sign needs repair, and refixing, the matter is “in hand”.
11. Matters for Discussion
Members noted that there appeared to have been some vandalism to some hawthorn bushes and rails within the village, gates forced (crime number noted).
A Parishioner had expressed concerns about a solar farm proposition at a nearby village and queried whether the Parish Council could support objection to this proposal . The Parish Council could not act as a group on this matter, the Vice-Chairman would contact the Parishioner to advise on our position.
12. Date of Next Meetings
Thursday 23 July 2026 at 7.30 pm. Meeting closed 8.45 pm.
Signed ................................... Chairman/Vice-Chairman Date ....................