2025 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

NOTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF LEADENHAM

Held on Tuesday 13th May 2025, 7.05 pm at Leadenham Village Hall.

PRESENT: Chair: Cllr Melanie Nelstrop, Vice-Chair: vacancy Councillors: Cllr Martyn Everett, Cllr Spencer Hall, Cllr Karin Willgoose, Cllr David Nelstrop

Sharon Johnson (Clerk/RFO).

Also present DCllr Lucille Hagues (part meeting).

1 member(s) of the public present

1.ELECTION OF CHAIR AND RECEIVE DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.

It was unanimously RESOLVED that Cllr M Nelstrop be appointed Chair for 2025-26. The Acceptance of Office form was signed by Cllr M Nelstrop and countersigned by the Clerk.

2.ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR AND RECEIVE DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.

It was unanimously RESOLVED that Cllr S Hall be appointed Vice-Chair for 2025-26.

3. Co-option for Vacancies 

Applications had been received from 1 person

It was unanimously RESOLVED that Mr Peter Linacre be co-opted to the vacant seat. Mr P Linacre signed the Acceptance of Office, countersigned by the Clerk, and joined the meeting as Cllr P Linacre. Additional papers to complete will be issued to Cllr D Nelstrop, including the RoMI which must be returned to the Clerk within 28 days

19:07 DCllr Lucille Hagues arrived

4. Councillor Responsibilities Areas of responsibility for Councillors were agreed as follows:

• Highways: Cllr M Everett
• Planning: Cllr P Linacre
• Personnel/Staff: Cllr K Willgoose / Cllr M Nelstrop
• Play Area: Cllr M Everett
• SWRA: Cllr M Everett
• War Memorial/Conservation: Cllr S Hall
• Primary School: Cllr K Willgoose
• Village Hall: Cllr M Nelstrop

5. Apologies for Absence None

6. Declaration of Interests None

7. Public Forum None.

8. Minutes It was unanimously RESOLVED that Notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 8th April 2025 be approved as a true record and signed as Minutes.

9. Planning Applications and Issues a) Applications received: None b) Decisions received: None

10. Village Hall No update from LVH200 regarding lease/operational arrangements were received. ACTION; Clerk to investigate accounts review

11. Solar Farms Cllr M Everett reported that ongoing meetings were taking place. Action: DCllr Lucille Hagues to report back on Brant Broughton’ position

12. Reports of Representatives 

1. District Councillor (DCllr Lucille Hagues, Cllr M Overton). District news – click here.
2. County Councillor (Cllr M Overton). Newsletters can be found here.

13. Parish Clerk The Parish Clerk’s Report was considered.

a. Tree works – No update

b. Circulated information

1. Preliminary Solar hearing invite 07/5/25
2. North Kesteven Parish and Town Council Forum – 10th July 10-12pm
3. LALC E-news

c. Consider Insurance renewal - Clear councils £612.80, last year £514.87. £567 budgeted. £500 quote Zurich. It was unanimously RESOLVED to instruct Zurich for 2025-26 insurance

Agenda Items

9a. Tree Works in conservation area REF: 25/0551/TCA

Works: x1 Silver Birch (right of shed) x3/4 trees (unknown species left side of shed) - Removal of all trees due to damage to current shed and to create space to replace shed

Location; 33 High Street, Leadenham, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 0PP - Noted

17. Play Park

1. Benches – 4 quotes received for standard benches. ACTION It was agreed to obtain quotes from the 2 contact’s supplied for fitted 2 picnic tables/benches in current location to include a hard standing base or fast dek fitting. Obtain picnic benches quotes for next meeting

19:54 Cllr Lucille Hagues left the meeting

14. Correspondence

Email MOP – who to contact to arrange stone in graveyard – contact vicar

NKDC - Our Vice Chair, Councillor Goldson, has asked me to pass on his thanks for yesterday’s memorial event – he truly enjoyed being there. Noted

15. Financial Matters The Financial Report was considered

FINANCIAL MATTERS MAY 2025

1. To approve the Statement of accounts and bank reconciliation at 08/05/2025.

1. Statement of Accounts at 02/04/2025:

Lloyds Treasurer’s Account (****9760)                                  £17,013.54

Lloyds BB Inst (savings) Account (****7762)             £35.511.38

Equals Account (****9509)                                                     £79.92

Total                                                                                        £53,752.94

Royal Fund                                                                             £331.80

Incl Interest accrued: (April)                                       £29.16

Income included in balances: None                          

Transfers: None

2. To ratify payments made between 08/04/2025 – 30/04/2025:

3. To consider any payments at 09/05/2024:

A Smith, Internal Audit fee £45.00

Insurance - £612.80 Clear Council or Zurich - £500 – ZÜRICH

Balance of accounts at 02/04/2025:

INCOME/GRANTS for note only:

CIL

Ringfenced for election costs £3,000

S137 £10.81 per elector. x310 = £3,351.10

It was unanimously RESOLVED that the bank reconciliation, statement of accounts and payments be approved

2. AGAR 2024-2025.

It was RESOLVED that the following documents be approved and signed as required

1. Annual Internal Auditors Report.
2. Governance Statement. Chair and Clerk to formally approve and sign, noting the minute reference 15 b) ii.
3. Accounting Statement. Signed and dated by the RFO prior to presenting for approval. Chair to formally approve and sign, noting the minute reference 15 b) iii.
4. Bank reconciliation as at 31/03/2025.
5. Notice of Public Rights will be posted onto the website for at least 30 working days.
6. Explanation of Variances.
7. To note that the above documents will be submitted to the External Auditor and will be posted onto the PC website, including:
   1. Asset list as at 31/03/2025

16. Memorials 

a) Old Memorial - Complete

b) Updates regarding the War Memorial, NKDC funding, and agreed actions were deferred to next meeting.

17. Play Area 

a) see clerk report

b) Discussions on phase 2.ACTION: Clerk to seek advice on funding options and obtain 3 quotes for replacement Rope walk and Slide including a refresh from the previous supplier.  

c) The play area report was reviewed.

18. Grants & Funding Information on grants and funding available via the website - Find A Funder | LCVP was discussed.

19. Agenda Items for Next Meeting None

20. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 10th June 2025.

There being no further business the Chair ended the meeting at 20:20

Please be advised that these are notes of the meeting taken by the Clerk and cannot in any way be regarded as the official minutes of council proceedings until they are approved and signed at the next Parish Council meeting.