Meeting July 2025

 

The Parish Council Meeting was held on 24 July 2025 at the Village Hall, Ludford at 7.30 pm.

 

PRESENT:      Chairman Cllr Mrs Ridger

                        Vice-Chairman Cllr Mrs Hunt

                        Cllrs Mrs Brader, Fisher & Dr Lofts

                        Also Present:   Mr Round (Biscathorpe),

                                                Ms Jacklin (LVHC),

        Mr Stanley.

 

1.         Apologies-None.

 

The Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 20 March 2025 and

8 May 2025 were approved and signed.

 

3.         Matters Arising from the Minutes – None.

 

ELDC-Electoral Update, Clerks & Councils, LALC  News (received via email), Lloyds-Decrease in Interest Rates-all noted.

 

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

                 Brit Gas-Lighting                    £ 18.07            TQ-Grasscutting          £144.00

                 Lloyds-Bank Charges            £4.25                D Smith-Wreaths         £37.86

                 Lloyds-Bank Charges            £4.25                Brit Gas-Lighting        £16.97           Clerks/WH Smith-Box Files         £ 20.00            Clerks Salary               £432.90

                 Income-VAT Refund               £623.92                      

                 All accounts were received and agreed for payment.

 

   Cllr Mrs Brader reported that Mr Brader had obtained a metal pole for the village sign at a more reasonable price. The Clerk requested that Mr Brader submitted the invoice for payment as soon as possible.

                       

Village Hall Committee – The Chairman updated on the Lindy Hop that was to take place on the 26/07/25 and the Table Top Sale on 09/08/25. The Vice-Chairman advised that she was happy to hold a CPR Session at this event. It was also noted that this group were looking for a new Communications PR Persons, a Treasurer and Booking Secretary.

 

The Chairperson of the Village Hall Committee (Ms Jacklin) had reported during the Open Forum that due to the grass-cutting contractor not attending, she had no option that to engage a local contractor to cut the football and playing field grass because it had become a fire hazard during the recent very dry period.

 

The Vice-Chairman reported that the Speed Calming team had been on duty twice, but due to resurfacing work could not complete the national speed watch because LCC Highways did not remove their signage. Three new volunteers were being trained, and it was reported that 12% are still speeding in excess of 40 mph. Seven drivers were doing 40+ and this is reported to Police for action. Interactive signage was discussed, and the Vice-Chairman will obtain a quote and Cllr Dr Lofts will try to access grant funding.

 

The Vice-Chairman reported that the defibulator has not been used, but is still in working order.

 

The Committee had received a letter from ELDC regarding a breach of con. 3 on Planning Ref: EC/02/02133/25 Brooklyn, Magna Mile and noted the comments that this area is being monitored to ensure that the above condition is complied with.

 

The Parish Council had accepted a quote for the financial year commencing

1 April 2025  from a new contractor, although there was some hesitation, due to the contractor being outside of the locality. This contractor was engaged on a 6 month trial and had initially cut the grass satisfactorily, but a lack of attendance has since resulted. The Clerk and Chairman had tried the contractor via email and mobile, but despite initial re-assurances blamed on the extreme heat and concerns for the welfare of his staff, he has not responded to either form of communication and no further cuts have been made. Cllr Dr Lofts had been approached by Parishioners who were unhappy with the current length of the grass, as had other Members. The Village Hall Chairperson had had to make alternative arrangements for cutting of grass in  the area surrounding the Hall to meet insurance requirements for fire safety reasons. The Clerk had already emailed the contractor again and, if a satisfactory response was not forthcoming, there was no alternative than to end the contract, and it was

 

RESOLVED  to terminate the contract with TQ Services should a satisfactory response not be forthcoming and obtain a quote from a suitable, reliable local contractor to resolve this issue without further delay.

 

The Vice-Chairman had requested this item for discussion to ascertain what position the Parish Council wished to take on the plans for fracking for oil in the above area, which was located close to Ludford. During the “Open Forum” Mr Round (SOS Biscathorpe Rep) advised that this group were opposed to fracking at Biscathorpe, the group had taken H E Yates to the High Court to stop any fracking and they had won, but H E Yates could go back to court to overturn this decision and SOS Biscathorpe would have to go through the process again. Thus, it is only a temporary cease in fracking. Mr Round advised that there should be a new consultation in September and asked that the Parish Council engage with Parishioners to ascertain their thoughts on this issue and advise him. Cllr Dr Lofts advised that it was necessary to be factual in any papers circulated to Parishioners for consultation. The Vice-Chairman advised that Ludford should be fully informed and take this matter up if that was the wish of Parishioners. It was

 

RESOLVED  to put this item on the September Agenda after consultation with Parishioners.

 

Cllr Fisher advised that he had retreated the bench, he had also obtained a quote for the hardstanding, which at £387 was unduly expensive. He would endeavour to improve upon the price currently quoted. Cllr Fisher had donated a brass plaque for the bench and advised that the old bench needs removing due to it being beyond further use.

 

Following discussion, it was agreed that a sum of up to £90 could be expended on a Christmas tree and Mr Brader had volunteered to obtain a tree at the appropriate time.

 

Hedges were a matter of concern. During the “Open Forum” Mr Stanley advised that he had noted a number of hedges that required attention, this was also the observation of other Parishioners and Councillors themselves. Two trees near the War Memorial encroach the footpath (believed to be the responsibility of the County Council-Highways) and the hedge directly opposite the entrance to Playing Field Lane urgently needs attention, because it obstructs the sign for the Village Hall. The overgrown/hanging hedges are causing pedestrians to have to walk on the road, which is unacceptable.

 

The Clerk advised that if a property owner does not attend to their hedge and it is reported to the District Council (ELDC). They (ELDC) will write to the owner and if action is not taken, will undertake the work themselves and recharge the owner, which can be costly. Parishioners should ensure that they hedges are properly maintained and do not force other Parishioners to either step off a pavement to get round them or have to “duck” under them.

 

The Vice-Chairman reported that a litter pick in the Louth direction would be undertaken shortly. It was noted that the memorial grass was currently cut by a Parishioner, but this maybe subject to change.

               

9.         Date of Next Meetings

Thursday 18 September 2025 at 7.30 pm.     

 

Meeting closed 9.30 pm.

 

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