Minutes September Meeting
MINUTES OF LUDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council Meeting was held on 18 September 2025 at the Village Hall, Ludford at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: Chairman Cllr Mrs Ridger
Vice-Chairman Cllr Mrs Hunt
Cllr Dr Lofts
Also Present: Cllr McGonigle (LCC)
The Chairman welcomed Cllr McGonigle to the meeting.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs Brader, Fisher & Cllr Fry (ELDC).
2. Minutes of Meeting
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 24 July 2025 were approved and signed.
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes
The Committee noted that the issue relating to a hedge at a property near the war memorial, cut by LCC, had been resolved. Although LCC had not returned to collect the debris.
4. Correspondence
Clerks & Councils, LALC News (received via email)-noted.
Cllr McGonigle (LCC) was invited to give a brief update on the Local Government Re-organisation and advised that LCC Councillors were asked for their input on this matter. Following this consultation, the result of which was that some boundaries would remain unchanged and keep the same services, whilst N & NE Lincs would combine.
5. Finance
The Clerk distributed a statement of Income and Expenditure which met the
Council’s approval.
Brit Gas-Lighting £16.97 Lloyds-Bank Charges £4.25
Brit Gas-Lighting £22.13 GreenGrass-Mowing £66.00
Brit Gas-Lighting £11.27 GreenGrass-Mowing £63.80
Clerks Salary+backdated £466.24 HMRC-PAYE £18.97 Lloyds-Bank Charges £4.25
The Clerk advised that the NALC had agreed the new salary scales for Clerks, and it was
RESOLVED to accept the new salary scale for Clerks backdated to 1 April 2025 with immediate effect.
All accounts were received and agreed for payment.
The Clerk advised that SBA had confirmed receipt of the audit.
6. Reports
Village Hall Committee – The Chairman reported that the Village Hall had agreed to pay for their own grasscutting, the football club already cut their own grass. Cllr Dr Lofts reported that the Village Hall have been successful in obtaining some grant funding and were in the process of dealing with the finance matters. The grant was to buy new play equipment, but further funding would be needed. The Chairman reported that they will also be having a token slot at both the Co-op and Tesco in Market Rasen to raise funds towards the full cost of the equipment.
The following events were taking place: Village Hall Com - AGM, Lincolnshire Night 03/10/25, Bingo 30/10/25, Xmas Fair 29/11/25, Clairvoyant 19/12/25 & Burns Feast 25/01/26. A Rock & Roll Club will be holding regular events at the Hall, including on New Years Eve. It has been noted that these events have been quite noisy. The Village Hall has also been serving burger & chips and have got LCC (fix my sign) to move the Village Hall sign to a more visible location.
Speeding/Traffic Calming
The Vice-Chairman reported that the Speed Calming team had been out 4 times recently. 12% of vehicles were still exceeding the speed limit. Inspector Precious (Lincs Police) is now based locally and has advised that if notified in advance, he will send an Officer out to support the Speed Watch Group next time they do a watch. There is a new volunteer, and training will take place shortly. The Chairman and Cllr Dr Lofts both stated that the traffic levels seem to be increasing.
Cllr Dr Lofts had tried to access grant funding for an interactive signage but had not found a successful funding avenue to date. He thanked the Vice-Chairman for the work she had done in obtaining the quotes for him to put in grant forms for 2 signs. Cllr McGonigle (LCC) said that he was a member of the Road Safety Group (LCC). Cllr Dr Lofts queried whether Cllr McGonigle’s role within the Road Safety Group role included financial support for the Parish Councils’ speed signs initiative and Cllr McGonigle advised that it did not. Cllr Dr Lofts reported that he would be submitting an Expression of Interest for a grant for 30mph speed signs to The Road Safety Trust on 23/09/25 when the grant bid round opened. It was noted that the speed gun requires servicing, Clerk & Vice-Chair to attend to item.
Members brought to the attention of Cllr McGonigle (LCC) that “cats’ eyes” removed when work was carried out on main road, had not been re-installed. Cllr McGonigle reported that they were being replaced with a new type of “cats’ eye”, which caused less damage to tyres.
Defibulator
The Vice-Chairman reported that the defibulator was in working order and the Café defibulator would soon be installed in a safety box.
7. Business
ELDC – Planning Applications
The Committee noted the Planning Permission for 02124/25FUL-Change of use & alterations to existing agricultural store to form a holiday cottage & provision of vehicle parking & access-Store adj. Saddle House, Wykeham Hall Farm, E. Wykeham.
Biscathorpe Fracking for Oil
The Committee thanked the Vice Chair for producing the work on the Biscathorpe leaflet, but reported that following advice from Biscathorpe it was
RESOLVED to carry out a leaflet drop of the village and let Parishioners give their opinions direct to Biscathorpe should they wish to.
HRH Bench-Item deferred until next Meeting
101 Service
The Chairman advised she would request the road closure for the 2026.
Grasscutting
The Clerk had written to TQ Services terminating their contract, but had not received any response, they seemed to be incommunicado. However, GreenGrass Contracting had provided a quote which had been accepted. Cutting had commenced, with two cuts being made to date, much to the relief of the Parish Council and Parishioners. The Parish Council also extended their appreciation for the cut that told place, whilst new arrangements were made.
Christmas Tree/Lights
Arrangements had been made at the last meeting for the purchase and collection of the tree. The Chairman would check the lights and socket to assess if any repairs were needed.
Village Entrance Sign
The Chairman reported that Mr Brader had the fibre glassing to complete and the sign would then be ready for installation.
8. Matters for Discussion
The Chairman reported that the meter box door and surround required urgent
repair and she would send a letter to Ms Brocklebank for attention. This had also been noted by the Clerk when she had taken the meter reading this week.
The Chairman kindly volunteered to organise wreaths for Remembrance Sunday.
The Clerk circulated letters from LCC Highways relating to temporary traffic restrictions and winter salt bag requests. The Chair would check on the locations of salt bins and whether they needed refilling and where the salt bag should be delivered to.
The Vice-Chair reported that a final clearance had been carried out on Viking Way Field. The chalk stream in the village is world-wise rare, and the Chalk Stream Group would now be testing chalk streams and data analysis would be kept.
9. Date of Next Meetings
Thursday 6, November 2025 & 15 January 2026 at 7.30 pm.
Meeting closed 9.25 pm.
Signed ................................... Chairman/Vice-Chairman Date ....................