Minutes 2026

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 08 June 2026.

Present:  Chair:  Jenny Bailey

Councillors:  Graham Arnold, Steve Brown, Callum Chambers, Linda Melloy and Steven Milligan.

Also in attendance:  Cty Cllr Richard Wright, D/Cllr Jim Clarke and D/Cllr Andrew Hagues

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.

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

69.  To receive declarations of interest and to consider dispensation applications in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
Cllr Brown declared an interest in minute ref: 74.g. page 23-2026.

70.  Public Forum and reports from County and District Councillors.
A representative form the Junior Football Club stated that he had recently filled in over 100 holes, created by rabbits.  He had purchased a couple of ultrasonic rabbit repellent devices, which were having some success.  Council would consider these at minute ref: 74.h. page 23-2026.  The Football Club representative would pass on details of those that he had purchased.

Cllr Milligan had previously emailed Melbourne Holdings but they had responded stating they do not consider there to be any basis for them as the developer, to undertake additional boundary works.  Other measures would be discussed further at the next meeting.

The Football Club representative also reported that the Grounds Maintenance contractor had visited 30-Jun-2026 but did not carry out cutting.  The Clerk confirmed that other areas were also showing signs of not having been cut.  The Clerk would contact the contractor.

They also again asked about the arisings being collected when cut and disposed of offsite.  The Chair explained that this was cost prohibitive but the representative stated that Cranwell use a contractor who collects all arisings.  The Clerk will contact the Cranwell Clerk.

Cty Cllr Wright reported that the Local Government Reorganisation was still on track.  £11M had been authorised to upgrade the A15/A46 roundabout and was now in the planning stage, with work starting in 2027.

D/Cllr Hagues had circulated a written report.

D/Cllr Clarke gave details on the upcoming Mid-Summer Festival, 20-Jun-2026.

71.  Notes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held at the Community Building at the Playing Field on Monday 11 May 2026 to be approved as Minutes.
Action:  Council RESOLVED that the notes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held at the Community Building at the Playing Field on Monday 11 May 2026 be approved as Minutes.
Proposed by Cllr Melloy, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

72.  Consider any application for Co-Option as a Parish Councillor.
None had been received to date.

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73.  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 Hibberd, in his absence had submitted a report that he tidied and cleared the two plaques in the Village ( (near flagpole and south entrance)/  He had cleaned the benches at St. John’s, St. Andrew’s, Washdyke and the playing field on outside the pay area, as the others, inside, were in use.
ii.  Cllr Milligan had been successful in his bid for tree and hedge packs from the Woodland Trust.  Delivery was due around Nov-2026.  Council would discuss possible locations at the next meeting.
A meeting with Busy Bees was to be set up to discuss changes to the outside area.
Following some recent heavy rain, a number of leak spots had been identified.  These would be reported to Stamford Storage.
iii.  Cllr Chambers reported that there was an overgrown hedge at no. 14 Chapel Lane, which was encroaching over the footway.
iv.  Cllr Bailey had requested a quote from a contractor to remove the derelict building within the bowls club area.

Clerk
i.  On 30-May-2026, the Clerk had submitted a VAT 126 return, covering 01-Jan-2025 to 31-Mar-2026 and had already received payment from HMRC as of 05-Jun-2026.

74.  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 Arnold, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

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 Chambers, seconded by Cllr Arnold and approved unanimously.

c.  Approve the bank reconciliation for May 2026.
As per minute ref: 73. Page 22-2026, £2,437.60 had been received from HMRC on 05-Jun-2026, relating to VAT payments, which would show on the June 2026 reconciliation.
At the end of May 2026, the bank accounts stood at £89,469.13 which included £22,727.22 on behalf of the Community Benefit Fund and £5,228.55 of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), leaving £61,513.36 as Council money.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation for May 2026.
Proposed by Cllr Arnold, seconded by Cllr Melloy and approved unanimously.

d.  Consider the Internal Auditor Report in relation to the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2025/26 Form 3, page 3.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to accept the report and would look to implement the recommendations in the coming year.
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

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e.  Confirm acknowledgement of Section 1, the Annual Governance Statements in relation to the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2025/26 Form 3, page 4.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to answer YES to all Statements at Section 1.
Proposed by Cllr Brown, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

f.  Consider the Accounting Statements, Section 2, in relation to the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2025/26 Form 3, page 5.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the figures as shown on the Accounting Statements, Section 2, in relation to the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2025/26 Form 3, page 5.
Proposed by Cllr Arnold, seconded by Cllr Bailey and approved unanimously.

g.  Consider any Community Benefit Fund Applications.
3 applications had been received as follows;
a.  Replacement flags for the village flagpole.
b.  Community Speed Watch to replace signs.
c.  Scouts, to send representatives to the World Jamboree.  (Cllr Brown declared an interest so left when this application was discussed at 7:50pm).
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve a. (no more than £240.00 inc. VAT) and b. (no more than £250.00 inc VAT)
Proposed by Cllr Arnold, seconded by Cllr Chambers and approved unanimously.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve c. for £500.00.
Proposed by Cllr Melloy, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved by the remaining Cllrs.

Cllr Brown rejoined the meeting at 7:55pm.

h.  Consider the purchase of additional topsoil for the sports field and other pest deterrent measures.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the purchase of two bags of topsoil and 4 ultrasonic rabbit repellent devices.
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

75.  Planning Matters.
None received at this time.

76.  Correspondence.
a.  NKDC Cllr Andrew Hagues.  Flood Risk Management Systems.  Circulated 14-May-2026.
b. CC Highways LALC Conference Presentation Preview.  Circulated 16-May-2026.
c.  NKDC Register of Interest Forms update.  Circulated 16-May-2026.
d.  NKDC Planning – Notice of Decision.  26/0362/HOUS Rosemary Cottage  22 Moor Lane Leasingham.  Approved by NKDC 20-May-2026.  Circulated 22-May-2026.
e.  NKDC Parish and Town Council Forum – Tuesday 30-Jun-2026.  Circulated 22-May-2026.
f. KDC Parish and Town Council newsletter.  Circulated 26-May-2026.
g.  LALC enews and Summer Conference Programme.  Circulated 26-May-2026.
h.  LCC Town and Parish Council update.  Circulated 26-May-2026.
i.  LALC Training Bulletin.  Circulated 29-May-2026.
j.  D/Cllr Hagues Monthly Newsletter.  Circulated 04-Jun-2026.

77.  Receive a ‘wash up’ report from Cllr Brown re the Annual Parish Meeting.
Cllr Brown reported that 56 people had attended, with at least 15 members of the public, not involved in any of the invited groups.
Very good feedback had been received overall and planning would start soon in time for next year’s event.

78.  Donations to the Parish.
a.  Consider the potential offer of a new bench to the parish and a possible location.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to defer the item to allow the Woodturners Association Committee to discuss and decide, in case they had a preferred location.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

b.  Consider the offer of a tree, to be planted in memory of a beloved Mother and Father.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve the offer in principle, with the public open space behind the Church, or at St. Andrew’s Crescent, subject to approval from the landowner, in both cases being NKDC.
The Clerk would inform the family.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

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79.  Confirm the Parish Council Solicitor details re Village Hall land acquisition.
Looking through some historical emails, Cllr Milligan and Cllr Arnold stated that Sills and Betteridge, in Sleaford had represented the Council previously.
The Clerk would look to confirm what was required and approach Sills and Betteridge for guidance.

80.  Confirm the date of the next meeting.
The next Council meeting is planned for Monday 13 July 2026.

81.  LALC.
a.  Consider an attendee (via Zoom) for the LALC AGM 09-Jul-2026.
Cllr Bailey volunteered to attend the Zoom AGM.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve Cllr Bailey to represent Leasingham and Roxholm Parish Council at the LALC AGM.
Proposed by Cllr Milligan, seconded by Cllr Arnold and approved unanimously.

b.  Consider the cost for Councillors, or Officers, to attend the LALC Summer Conference 14-Jul-2026.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve Cllr Arnold, Cllr Adams and the Clerk to attend at a cost of £45.00 per attendee.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

82.  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.  Consider the terms of contract for the hiring of the Community Building by Busy Bees.
b.  Consider the terms of contract for the hiring of the Playing Field and Community Building by Leasingham Junior Football Club.
Action:  The Council RESOLVED to go into Closed Session to discuss the matter listed above.
Proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

This part of the meeting closed 8:20 pm.

The meeting continued in the absence of press and public at 8:20 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.  Consider the terms of contract for the hiring of the Community Building by Busy Bees.
Action:  Council RESOLVED to approve a rise of around 3.45% per hour on the current rate.
Proposed by Cllr Milligan, seconded by Cllr Chambers and approved unanimously.

b.  Consider the terms of contract for the hiring of the Playing Field and Community Building by Leasingham Junior Football Club.
Action:  Council RESOLVED that due to the amount of work currently being undertaken by the football club in trying to maintain the pitches in a safe and usable condition that there would be no increase in their annual charge.
Proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Milligan and approved unanimously.

The meeting closed at 8:40 pm.

Signature:  Original Signed

Printed Name:  Cllr Jenny Bailey

Date:  13 July 2026

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