2026 Minutes

MINUTES OF ANCASTER, SUDBROOK, AND WEST WILLOUGHBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2026 AT 7.30PM IN THE PARISH HALL.

Present Cllr D Sayer (Chair) Cllr Leighton (Vice-Chair)

Cllrs Fleming, Rock, Pearsey, Palmer, Barker, and Hollick

In Attendance County Cllr Martin, one parishioner and Denise Gascoyne Parish Clerk.

Public Forum

The parishioner wished to address the Parish Council re speeding on Wilsford Lane. In the original plans it was believed that the 30mph sign should be moved further up the lane. At present it is still at the end of the original properties before the Bellway Estate. She said that traffic is travelling well beyond 30mph including larger vehicles entering the Bellway Estate. County Cllr Martin agreed to report this to LCC. The parishioner was thanked for bringing this to our attention.

The meeting began at 7.45pm

1.Chair’s Welcome Cllr Sayer welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence with valid reasons had been received from Cllrs Clarke, Ferguson, and Dr Entwistle. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to accept apologies for absence with valid reasons from Cllrs Clarke, Ferguson, and Dr Entwistle.

3.Declarations of Interest Cllr Pearsey 7(c).

4.To approve and accept as a true record the notes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10 February 2026. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to accept the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10 February 2026 and these were signed by the Chair.

5.Report from County Cllr Martin and District Cllr Stokes.

a. County Cllr Martin said that Mercia Drive/Charles Avenue/Arne Close would be assessed by Highways budget dependent but will be maintained if necessary.

b. The proposed 40mph Speed Limit at West Willoughby had still not been implemented. County Cllr Martin agreed to investigate.

c. Nothing further had been receive re the Layby Parking on Rookery Lane. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to defer this until the tourist season had begun.

d. A report was being prepared re the flooding in Ancaster by the Flood Risk Officer at LCC.

The flooding on the Back Lane was substantial, and County Cllr Martin agreed to contact Mr A Savage, Footpaths Officer. Although he felt there would be nothing in the budget to rectify this.

6.Chair Update

a. Two quotations had been received regarding a Fire Alarm. Further quotations were being sought.

b. The Fire Engineers Report had been received with issues being highlighted. The Chair was working through the report and signs etc had been sited.

c. The Gov.uk emails had been ordered. Notification had been received from Parish Online saying they were being prepared login details and invoice for annual subscription would be forwarded.

7.Planning

a. S25/2141 Approval of Details Reserved by Condition Sudbrook House. FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

b. S24/2120 Approval of Details Reserved by Condition Sudbrook House. FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

c. S26/0178 Erection of Dwellinghouse Beechwood House, West Willoughby. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to make no comments on this application.

d. SKDC Planning Policy Notification – Consultations and Local Plan Timetable – circulated to all Cllrs.

e. S24/2066 Outline planning permission for seventy-three residential dwellings together with open space, landscaping, draining, and associated works Land at Wilsford Lane. After a brief discussion, it was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to wait for the actual planning before commenting further.

8.Highways/Policing/Speed Watch.

a. No further correspondence had been received for clearing the footpath Rookery Lane to West Willoughby.

b. Cllrs discussed flooding A153 Willoughby Road where the drainage channels were not working as they should. County Cllr Martin agreed to investigate with Highways. 

c. Cllr Rock reported that the white gates were needing a good clean. After a brief discussion, it was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to send Sudmeister and order in April – the new financial year.

9.Parish Clerk Update

a. No further correspondence had been received re Pads and ChargePaks for defibrillators.

b. Zurich Insurance had been informed of the changes to the annexe. There would be no additional premium.

10.Correspondence

a. Railfuture.

b. LALC e-news – circulated to all Cllrs.

c. NBB Recycled Furniture

d. Elan City Speed signs – circulated to all Cllrs.

e. LCC Town and Parish Newsletter February - circulated to all Cllrs.

f. Glasdon.

g. Clerks & Councils Direct

h. Railwatch

i. The Clerk

11.Cemetery/Newton Meadow/Orchard

a. The Christmas wreaths had been removed. The Community Cleaner would be asked to ensure the green bin is put out for the next collection. 

12.Grass Cutting/Grounds Maintenance.

a. The Clerk confirmed that the LCC grass cutting contribution will be £1423.14 for season 2026-2027.

b. The Clerk confirmed that the grass cutting maps had been received from LCC. One set had been given to the grass contractor and one to Andy Newton. The first cut had also taken place.

13.Parish Hall.

a. White lining had begun on Parish Hall Car park. This would be completed soon.

b. The lease for the annexe was now with the Caythorpe & Ancaster Medical Practice. This would be checked by Cllr Pearsey before occupation takes place.

14.Report from Cllrs. 

Nothing to report.

15.Playing Field.

b. The purchase of play equipment was still being investigated.

Cllr Martin confirmed that SKDC were granting money towards play equipment. He would investigate and report back.

16.Finance

a. The Bank Reconciliations, Bank Transfers and Cashbook to 28 February 2026 had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to accept the Bank Reconciliations, Bank Transfers and Cashbook to 28 February 2026. These were signed by the Chair.

b. The Clerk confirmed that S109 monies amounting to £32039.00 had been received from S.K.D.C and the contractor had been paid for tendered works in the parish hall annexe.

c. The Approval List and Retrospective BACS Payment had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to accept the following BACS Payment and this was signed by the Vice-Chair.

d. 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 £1531.42 and authorise the Clerk to make the payments.

e. The Approval List for BACS/DD Payments had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to accept the following Approval List for BACS/D Payments and authorise the Clerk to make the payments.

f. The 5year Licence Renewal for Epitaph and AdvantEdge had been received. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved to accept the 5-year Licence Renewal for Epitaph and AdvantEdge amounting to £696.60.

17.Training

a. The Clerk confirmed that Cllr Hollick would be attending by zoom the Freedom of Information and Data Protection on 07 May.

b. LALC Training Bulletin for March – circulated to all Cllrs.

18.Date of Next Meeting.

a. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 21 April 2026 at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40pm

Signed ……………………………..

Chair Ancaster Parish Council

21 April 2026