February 2025 Minutes
MINUTES OF ANCASTER PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2025 AT 7.30PM IN THE PARISH HALL ANNEXE.
Present: Cllr Sayer (Chair)
Clrs Fleming, Clarke, Hollick, Ferguson, Barker, and Rock
In Attendance: County Cllr P Martin, District Cllr I Stokes and Denise Gascoyne Parish Clerk
Public Forum:
Cllr Sayer told the meeting that a fence had been installed along the railway side, and it was a real mess our side of the fence. The ‘No Dog Fouling’ sign had also been broken off by the contractors. We will contact Network Rail.
A Parishioner asked if there had been any further communication with the Layby on Rookery Lane. A meeting had taken place, but nothing further had been received. County Cllr. Martin agreed to investigate. The Clerk would contact Woodland Waters with an update.
The meeting began at 7.40pm
1.Chair’s Welcome.
Cllr Sayer welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2.Apologies for Absence.
a. Apologies for absence with valid reasons had been received from Cllrs J Leighton, Lovett, Pearsey, and Dr Entwistle. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: that apologies for absence with valid reasons be accepted from Cllr J Leighton, Lovett, Pearsey, and Dr Entwistle.
3.Declarations of Interest. None.
4.To approve and accept the notes of the meeting held on 20 January 2025. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: that the notes of the meeting held on 20 January 2025 be accepted as a true record and these were signed by the Chair.
5.Report from County Cllr/District Cllr.
a. County Cllr Martin had investigated the possibility of mains sewerage at West Willoughby. He said Anglian Water would be the first point of contact and he would investigate.
b. County Cllr Martin said the Ancaster Free School Transport boundary had not been updated in years and virtually split the village. Cllr Martin would be contacting the Education team and asking them to include the whole village in the strategy.
c. County Cllr Martin said the senior planning officer had opened up a case re the rubbish on Copper Hill Roadside Nature Reserve which is an SSSI against the re-cycling plant. The Chair said he believed the camera and blower which were used to clear off the tiny pieces was not being used any more, therefore littering the verges. The mud from the Quarry was also a problem on the High Dyke.
County Cllr Martin said that the speed survey at West Willoughby would be done in the very near future. The sign coming into the village near the gates is covered in mud. Cllr Rock agreed to clean it.
County Cllr Martin confirmed that the County Council Elections will take place on 01 May as well as for a Mayor.
6.Chair Update.
a. The Railway Inn had agreed to have the defibrillator. Quickline had been informed.
b. The Track running from Wilsford Lane to the sewage treatment works had been inspected by SKDC. The track itself was in a fair condition. The fly tipping had been removed. They would look into whose boundary it was with the playing field, the fence needed repairing.
7.Planning.
a. S25/0135 Proposed substation upgrade Works Fir Tree Lodge – FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
b. S24/2192 Approval of non-material amendments Glebe Farm Sudbrook – FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
c. S25/0025 SKDC no objections to vary alcohol hours 70 Ermine Street. FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
d. SKDC Local Development Scheme 2025-2028 had been circulated to all Cllrs. FOR INFORMATION.
8.Highways/Policing/Speed Watch.
a. The Clerk had contacted Unipart and still had no response with the chargers for the Speed Indicator Devises. The Chair agreed to investigate other suppliers.
9.Parish Clerk Update.
a. The Clerk had requested Litter picking kits from SKDC – to date no reply had been received.
b. The Clerk had requested ‘dog fouling’ signs from SKDC – to date no reply had been received.
c. The Calendar of Meetings had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to accept the Calendar of Meetings and a copy would be put on the website.
d. Cllrs discussed the Annual Parish Meeting. This was left in abeyance until the next meeting to discuss the format.
e. The Clerk had requested a quotation for insurance. This could not be done until 90 days before the due date.
10.Correspondence.
a. LALC e-news – circulated to all Cllrs.
b. LCC Town and Parish Newsletter January 2025 – circulated to all Cllrs.
c. Invitation to Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Road had been circulated to all Cllrs.
Cllr Hollick Would attend.
d. Notification of Road Closure Order B6402 High Dyke (between A153 and Heath Lane
03.03.25 to 18.04.25 – circulated to all Cllrs.
e. Notification of Annual level Crossing Closure Sudbrook 11.03.25 from 8.00am-4.00pm
11.Cemetery/Newton Meadow/Orchard.
a.The Cemetery Audit had been completed by Cllr Hollick and Andrew Newton. 8 had
been repaired with adhesive. Those needing attention now had safety warning labels. Any
sunken graves would be levelled during February/March. Information disks had been
re-applied where necessary.
b. The Management Agreement with Natural England was up to date, and funding claimed.
for this financial year.
c. The Christmas Wreaths to be removed by 10 March.
d. Mole traps were now in the cemetery.
12.Grass Cutting/Grounds Maintenance.
a.A meeting was held between the contractor, clerk, and Andrew Newton to discuss the
forthcoming cutting seasons. An additional cut for the cemetery extension was
discussed and added to the contract. A few care points were discussed. The lower mesh
had been damaged, three rolls had been purchased and fitted in front of the Cemetery
extension.
b. The LCC grass cutting agreement and new maps had been received. There seemed to
be changes against the 2024 maps. The Clerk and Andrew Newton would investigate and
report back.
13.Parsh Hall
a. Office Space – Cllr Sayer would update next month.
b. The electrical report had been received. To date no quotation had been received for the
items needing attention.
14. Report from Cllrs
a. Cllr Hollick reported that the raised bed has been assembled, and part filled with
soil/compost from the cemetery bond areas. The new apple tree had been planted and
protected. Wooden posts for the Natural Hedge are now in place.
15. Playing Field.
a. The playing field meeting did not take place. However, the owl and kestrel boxes had
still not been installed. The Chair had said they had nowhere to put them. A new bat box
had been offered from a resident. Cllrs would decide where to install the boxes.
16. Finance.
a. The Bank Reconciliations, Bank Transfers and Cashbook to 31 January 2025 had
been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to accept the Bank Reconciliations, Bank Transfers and Cashbook to 31
January 2025 and these were signed by the Chair.
The Bank statements and Reconciliations were passed to Cllr Clerk for checking and
for him to sign the Bank statements for each account.
b. The Approval List for Staff BACS Payments had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was
proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to accept the Approval List for Staff BACS Payments amounting to £2086.59
and authorise the Clerk to make the payments.
c. The Approval List for BACS/DD Payments had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was
proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to accept the Approval List for BACS/DD Payments and authorise the Clerk
to make the following payments.
A Newton Cemetery Expenses 63.72
Anwick Garden Centre Misc Orchard £90.96
British Gas Electricity £181.84
D G Ancliffe Electrical Check £390.00
D G Ancliffe Switch Replacement £66.25
L.A.L.C Website £64.80
NBB Recycled Raised Bed £420.00
Prowebs Email domain/hosting £130.00
Thorpe Trees Orchard £67.89
Who lets your dog out Dog Bin Emptying £216.00
17.Training.
a. ICCM Online courses – Management of Memorials – circulated to Cllr Hollick and A
Newton.
b. LALC Training Bulletin January 2025 – circulated to all Cllrs. Cllrs were reminded if they
wished to attend any course, to inform the Clerk so she can book a place.
18.Date of Next Meeting.
a. It was confirmed that the date of the next meeting would be 10 March 2025 at 7.30pm
in the Parish Hall Annexe.
19.To resolve to exclude the media, press and members of the public from
the meeting in accordance with S.1(2) Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act
1960 due to the confidential nature of business to be transacted.
a.The Handyman had retired, it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to advertise for a new handyman.
b.S106 monies. Notification had been received that this money, on receipt of three
quotations, could be spent on the Parish Hall, Playing Field, and Pavilion. It was
proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to draw up a wish list.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25pm
Signed ……………………………………..
Chair Ancaster Parish Council
10 March 2025
It is important to understand that the information given above represents notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 17 February 2025 and do not become Minutes of Ancaster Parish Council until accepted or otherwise at the next Parish Council Meeting.