Minutes 2025

Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council held at the Community Building, Spring Lane Playing Field on Monday 10 November 2025.

Present:  Chair:  Jenny Bailey

Councillors:  Angie Adams, Callum Chambers, Linda Melloy and Steven Milligan

Also in attendance:  Cty Councillor Richard Wright

In attendance:  Mr Eddie Findlay, Clerk to Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council

4 members of the public were in attendance.

At 7:00 pm the Chair declared the meeting open.

120.  To receive apologies for absence and reasons given, i.a.w. Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 40.Cllr Hibberd was unable to attend and their reasons were made known to the Council.
Cllr Hibberd was unable to attend and his reasons were made known to the Council.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the reasons for absence from Cllr Hibberd.
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Adams and approved unanimously.

Cllr Arnold’s absence was noted.

121.  To receive declarations of interest and to consider dispensation applications in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
None were declared at this time.

122.  Public Forum and reports from District and County Councillors.
Prior to opening up the item to the public, the Chair read out the following;
We as a Parish Council will not reply to keyboard warriors who makes comments about the Parish Council on Facebook.
As a Parish Council, we have to adhere to processes set down in our Standing Orders and Financial Regulations so no one member can make a decision without authorisation from a resolution by the Parish Council, at a Parish Council meeting.

Parish Councillors do this as volunteers to better the village as a whole.  We all work, or have other commitments outside of these roles and as such, some people may think we are dragging our feet, when in fact we are merely doing what the regulations require of us.

Representatives from Busy Bees attended and gave details of the current floor issues, which appears to be the main doorway allowing water to leak in under the door and into the floor board.  The boards are a bonded material and appear to be soaking up water as there is no effective seal along the bottom.  There was also water entering the building in areas from the roof/ceiling and Stamford Storage had already been engaged to attend 28-Nov-2025 to survey the roof and clear the gutters etc.  With the door/floor issues, they would be requested to attend as soon as possible.

A recent site meeting with Stamford Storage had resulted in a plan to replaced some floor boards already damaged by water ingress and it was hoped this work could be arranged to minimise disruption to Busy Bees operation.  Once the second visited had been carried out, the Council would sit down with Busy Bees and Stamford Storage to devise a repair schedule.

A Junior Football Club representative gave a brief update on the ongoing pitch repairs in that two games had been played on the main pitch and the second pitch was nearly ready.  He asked about the availability of rabbit repellent.  It was advised that that matter was on the agenda for consideration, as was the Pitch Report.

Cty Cllr Wright confirmed that the bypass had got the full go ahead, which was good news for all the area.

LGR submission deadline was 28-Nov-2025, with NKDC confirming their papers at a meeting

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on Tuesday 11-Nov-2025.  Central Government would then review the submissions and a decision, which should have been March 2026, was now not likely before Summer 2026.

He had secured another speed review via the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, along with the Collision Team.  Cllr Wright has asked that they are mindful of the current ‘artificial’ speeds of some vehicles based on what might be entering, or exiting, the temporary housing development access.  Despite the results, it is hoped that support might be available for a further reduction to 40mph from the beyond the Lincoln Road junction to Holdingham roundabout.

123.  Notes of the ordinary meeting of Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council held at the Community Building at the Playing Field on Monday 13 October  2025 to be approved as Minutes.
Action:  Council RESOLVED that the notes of the ordinary meeting of Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council held at the Community Building at the Playing Field on Monday 13 October 2025 be approved as Minutes.
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

124.  Receive reports from the Councillors and the Clerk in relation to the minutes and other Council matters.
No resolutions may be passed under this item but requests for matters to be placed on the next agenda can be made.

Councillors.

i.  Cllr Adams had attend the recent Village Hall meeting and other than the car park resurfacing, which was still an ongoing issue, there was little else to report.

ii.  Cllr Milligan mentioned that the Village Hall had been trying to contact the Clerk, with no success.  The Clerk confirmed that no email or telephone communications had been received.  It is possible they may be using the old email address.  Cllr Milligan would ask.

iii.  Cllr Bailey had laid the Poppy Wreath on behalf of the Parish Council on Sunday.  Whilst she was there is was mentioned about the possible purchase of ‘Tommy’ or Poppy lamppost decorations for next year.

Norman and Zena Anderson had been confirmed as nominees of an NKDC Community Champions Award.

Clerk.

i.  The query from a resident with regard to persistent and problematic parking on the grassed lane between Bishops Road and Roxholm Lane.  LCC have confirmed that they are not responsible for, or owners of that strip of land.  They next step would be an application to Land Registry.

ii.  An offer from Sleaford Rotary Club had been received, offering to plant a number of crocus bulbs on the grassed verge, between Washdyke Lane and Moor Lane.  LCC have sent a link to request a permit, which includes requiring a New Roads and Street Works Accredited (NRSWA) supervisor and operative, JUST to plant a few bulbs on a grass verge.

iii.  Busy Bees had raised a concern of a section of flooring lifting, creating a trip hazard and allowing the floor underneath to get wet and spongey.  The loose lino panel in the main hall was also an issue.  Along with the Chair and Vice-Chair, we attended with Stamford Storage.

As an interim measure, Busy Bees were authorised to purchase suitable flooring to cover both areas and a plan to replace the floor panels near the door and then re-cover the main hall with new flooring at a suitable time.

iv.  It was also agreed to engage Stamford Storage to come and inspection the roof and clear the gutters soon, rather than waiting until February.

125.Financial Matters.
a.  Approve payments made since the last meeting.

Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the payments made since the last meeting.
Proposed by Cllr Adams, seconded by Cllr Melloy and approved unanimously.

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b.  Approve the payments of invoices etc. as listed on the Payments to be Authorised sheet.

Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the payments listed.
Proposed by Cllr Milligan, seconded by Cllr Melloy and approved unanimously.

c.  Approve the bank reconciliation for October 2025.
During November we received the usual rent from Busy Bees, plus £464.69 form NKDC, to go towards Litter Picking.  There was also £34.98 gained in interest.
At the end of October 2025, the bank accounts stood at £70,994.60 which included £24,675.35 on behalf of the Community Benefit Fund and £ 5,228.55 of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), leaving £41,090.70 as Council money.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation for October 2025.
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Adams and approved unanimously.

d.  Consider any Community Benefit Fund applications received.
Only one application had been received so far on behalf of the Community Benefit Society (Duke of Wellington).
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the Community Benefit Fund application for the full requested amount of £500.00.
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Melloy and approved unanimously.

e.  Consider the purchase of a water pump and suitable hosing for the front of the Community Building.
To allow for the outside area to kept as clear of standing water as possible, a drain pump was considered a suitable measure to help move the water away.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the purchase of a Titan pump and suitable hosing, for no more than £100.00, (ex-VAT).
Proposed by Cllr Adams, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

f.  Consider the purchase of suitable rabbit repellent for the Sports Field.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the purchase of pet and child friendly rabbit repellent for use by the Junior Football Club Groundsman.
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

126.  Planning Matters.
a.  25/1136/VARCON - Application to vary Condition 5 (approved plans) to extend the garage from a double, to a triple re planning permission 24/0637/HOUS (Proposed 1.5 storey garage extension to replace existing garage and store, 2 storey side and rear extension, porch extension and rendered external skin) at 16 Rookery Lane, Leasingham.  Approved by NKDC 07-Nov-2025.

127.  Correspondence.
a.  LALC E-news.  Circulated 28-Oct-2025.
b.  Crocus Bulb planting.  Circulated 28-Oct-2025.
c.  NKDC Parish and Town Council Forum.  Circulated 28-Oct-2025.
d.  Town and Parish Council Newsletter.  Circulated 29-Oct-2025.
e.  LALC E-news 07/11/2025.  Circulated 10-Nov-2025.

128.  Receive a report from Cllr Milligan with regard to the meeting with Lincolnshire FA and improving the pitches at Spring Lane and to consider any costs that might be required.
Cllr Milligan had circulated the comprehensive report from the Pitch Power Football Ground Assessment.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to await additional input from Leasingham Junior Football Club.  Funding would be considered for the budget for FY2026-2027.
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

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129.  Receive a report on the condition of the Community Building floor and possible remedial actions.
The recent wet weather had exacerbated the floor issue near the main door.  It appeared that water was sitting on the door sill and being absorbed into the boards under the lino.  The request to Stamford Storage had neem made urgent it their attendance was being hastened by both the Council, and Busy Bees.
Once an assessment has been carried out the Council would work, in conjunction with Busy Bees, to work out a suitable timeline for remedial work to be undertaken would be agreed to reduce the business disruption to Busy Bees as much as possible.
In the meantime, it was suggested to utilise the 10°C to try and mitigate the condensation that forms on the walls during really cold weather.

Action:  Council RESOLVED to awaiting further information from Busy Bees and Stamford Storage re the floor but to accept the increase in electricity usage during the cold winter months.
Proposed by Cllr Milligan, seconded by Cllr Chambers and approved unanimously.

130.  Receive a report from Cllr Bailey on the Emergency Storage facility leaflet delivery.
Cllr Bailey had previously produced a map of the village and allocated areas between the Councillors.  Areas were again allocated.

131.  Community Speed Watch promotion.
The Community Speedwatch Team were struggling to get sufficient training sessions for new members.  The Clerk would investigate with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.

132.  Confirm the date of the next meeting.
The next meeting is planned for Monday 08 December 2025.

133.  To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act  1960, as amended by Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972 to discuss the following matters.
a.  Employment matters – Employee Contracts.
b.  Grounds Maintenance contract review.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED to go into Closed Session to consider the items above.
Proposed by Cllr Milligan, seconded by Cllr Chambers and approved unanimously.

This part of the meeting closed 8:15 pm.

The meeting continued in the absence of press and public at 8:15 pm.

(Not for publication by virtue of section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the items being of a confidential nature.)

Confidential Minutes

a.  Employment matters – Employee Contracts.
The Clerk reported that both Employees had agreed with the contents of their contracts and had signed them.

b.  Grounds Maintenance contract review.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED approve the amended Grounds Maintenance contract, to include two cuts to the far bank and right side.  The Clerk would now put this out to tender.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

The meeting closed at 8:25 pm.

Signature:  Original Signed

Printed Name:  Cllr Jenny Bailey

Date:  08 December 2025

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