June 24 - Parish Council Meeting - DRAFT

Minutes of Langtoft Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 24 June 2025 at 19:15 in the Village Hall
 
Present: Cllrs. Bev Farrington (Chair), Brian Branch, Yvonne McCulloch, Liz Jarman, Steve Valentine, Kevin Payne & Richard Carter
 
In attendance:  3 Members of the public, Andrew Igoeo and Sarah Gresty Parish Clerk.
 
Public Forum: 
 
Andrew Igoeo, SKDC Tree Project Officer gave a presentation on proposed tree planting for this year at Langtoft Recreation Ground.  The idea is to have an avenue of trees to run around the perimeter of the south corner (Truesdale & Mossop Drive corner) Focusing planting trees where people naturally walk in this area.  The orchard trees are planted 3m from the boundary fence, the new avenue will be 12 metres.  The avenue will be planted with large trees alternating oaks and sweet chestnuts.  With 2 ornamental Field Maples planted 7 metres off the play equipment area.
 
Objectives of project:  To increase canopy cover, provide amenities and bio diversity value and provide climate resilience.  
 
Questions:
• Who is going to maintaining the trees and be responsible if the playing fields changes ownership?  
Response: SKDC standard post planting maintenance time frame is 3 years (watering/weeding/maintaining supports and mulch)  After 3 years these trees will be self maintaining. Only after 25 years would some pruning be required.  30-50 year no to low maintenance.  
 
• This is a very windy site.    Some recent hedge planting has failed unfortunately due to the dry conditions.  We need windbreaks.  We need more mature trees on the perimeter?   
Response: A windbreak is achieved by hedging at ground level.  The large trees as windbreaks at higher level.  This remit and budget for this project is to plant trees to create an avenue.  
 
• What is the basis of the design?  
Response:  Where we could fit them in with the constraints of the sports activities.   
 
Outcome of conversation
Majority of those present were aligned with the avenue tree planting.  It was noted that the site is not suitable for a woodland block of trees.  
Principle of more shade to be created by the play equipment would be welcomed by families.
Budget constraints are dictating how many trees can be planted this year.
 
Future Plans
A map was shown of possible future planting areas.   Comments were made regarding the proximity to the Bowls Club and Tennis court with leaves and tree debris.   
Response: Always a balancing act as trees can provide beneficial shade.  Considerations of semi deciduous trees may be an option.
Planting will be done in the Winter by February 26
Agenda
 
25/26-40  
Apologies: 
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Tatam.  These apologies were unanimously accepted.
Other Apologies:  Cllrs. Dilks 
 
25/26-41 
Parish Council Items:
a) Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests. None received.
b) The Councillors Code of Conduct was re-visited by all Councillors and the points duly noted.
c) Local Suppliers: Action:  Finance and GP Working group to draw up a list of preferred suppliers with a view of best value and financial protocols.  It was noted that the Financial Officer was responsible for verifying invoices for payment.
 
 
25/26-42  
Minutes of: 
a) 28 May 2025 Parish Council meeting were presented as a true and accurate record of events. Proposed acceptance Cllr. Carter, Seconded Cllr. Valentine and unanimously vote in favour-RESOLVED.
 
b) Action Tracker.
• Cemetery Gates have been taken to be repainted
• Geese signs are now in place at crossroads and at 30mph coming out of village.  Action:  Cllr. Smith to request one further sign in between the 2 now installed.
• Manor Close restriction zone.  LPC noted a resident had requested LCC Highways to consider ‘resident permits’.  As no formal consultation had taken place of all residents of Manor Close it was felt that LPC could not endorse this request.
 
25/26-43 
Co Option of New Councillors 
 
Proposal: To vote in favour of Chris Palmer being co opted to one of the vacant seats on the Parish Council.   Proposed Cllr. Valentine, Seconded Cllr.  Branch and unanimous vote in favour. RESOLVED.
 
Proposal:  To vote in favour of Darren Scott being co opted to one of the vacant seats on the parish council.   Proposed Cllr.  Valentine, Seconded Cllr. Branch and unanimous vote in favour. RESOLVED.
 
25/26-44
Reports from:
a)County and District Councillors – Report from Cllr. Smith was circulated prior to the meeting.
Additions to the report:
3 months of data from A15 speed cameras had been requested and received.  This cannot be supplied on a regular basis.  Concerns with the potential 2000 additional houses earmarked for Deeping, 280 for Baston will create more pressure on the A15.   Residents should respond to the Local Plan and comment on their concerns.
Quarrying.  Some recent digger activity took place on Kings Street possibly for a bridge to be built before the planning permission elapses.
 
 
 
b)Police  Reports are received and circulated and made available on website/noticeboard upon receipt.
 
25/26-45  
Working Groups
 
a) Amenities 
i)
• Proposal: To employ a company to overhaul the Zip wire for the best price.  Proposed Cllr. Valentine, Seconded Cllr. Carter and unanimously voted in favour-RESOLVED
 
• Proposal: To purchase and have fitted a replacement goal arm at a maximum cost of £400.  Proposed Cllr. Payne, Seconded Cllr. Palmer and unanimously voted in favour. -RESOLVED
 
It was noted that a proposal had been submitted to SKSPF Fund for £14k to cover park repairs and permanent goal mouth surfaces.
 
ii)         Proposal:  To employ PI to undertake ¼ safety inspections of both parks at a cost of £85 per visit.  Proposed Cllr. Valentine, Seconded Cllr. Jarman and unanimous vote in favour--RESOLVED
 
iii)        Storage of marquees.  Action: Plastic boxes would be used to store the 2 marquees in the container. 
 
b) Finance and General Purpose
i) Proposal: Hyde Gardens Dog Waste bin; owned by the Parish Council but being emptied by Liz Jarman as a Resident Volunteer.  Liz Jarman confirmed that she had arranged with SKDC the collection of the waste.  The bins will remain on the LPC asset register. – unanimously NOTED.
 
ii) The signed Volunteer Disclaimer from Liz Jarman for the above purpose was formally received.
Action:  Clerk to request a full bin assessment from SKDC for the village.
 
c) Cemetery Report had been circulated prior to the meeting and noted
 
d) Community Engagement Report had been circulated prior to the meeting and noted
 
i. Grapevine sorting at village hall.   Action: To request LVHMC to consider this to be free of charge.
ii. Agreement on interim communication approvals.   Action:  Cllr. Palmer to work with Cllrs Valentine and Farrington on updating the communication policy and linking with Instagram
iii. Football coaching at EEP.  Action: Finance & GP Working Group to follow up on the legal advice.
 
e) East End Pond Project Report had been circulated prior to the meeting and noted
 
f) Penfield Report had been circulated prior to the meeting and noted
 
g) Emergency Plan – Action: Cllr. Payne to bring a proposal to the next meeting for a practical practice run of a village emergency.   
 
25/26-46 
Current Year 2025/26
 
a)Financial Report to 31 May 25 with bank statements was presented to the meeting by the Clerk.  It was noted that the accounts showsan overspend on VE day costs, the initial grant having been received in last year’s accounts.  The final account for this event will be shown at the next meeting.  Action: Cllr. Jarman to submit a final account to SKDC.
 
  
b&c))The Council NOTED that Income had been received in May totally £4058.56.  The council RESOLVED to AUTHORISE the expenditure for the month of May totally £2933.37 + £29.10 VAT shown on the financial report proposed by Cllr. Payne and Seconded Cllr. McCulloch.   The Financial Report and bank statement were checked by all councillors prior to the meeting and were signed by Cllr. Valentine.  
 
d)Grant Applications.  
 
Proposal: St Michael and All Angels Church.  No proposal was received.
 
Proposal: To donate to Langtoft Pre-School £400 towards maintenance costs.  Proposed Cllr. Scott, Seconded Cllr. Carter and unanimously voted in favour-RESOLVED.
 
Proposal: To donate to Langtoft Players £400 Proposed Cllr. Jarman, Seconded Cllr. Valentine, 1 x abstained, 6 against.   
 
e)VE Day Donations £580.  It was formally acknowledged that LPC hold £580 donations to be given to 2 selected charities when the final account is submitted.
 
Proposal:  At 9.32 to suspend Standing Orders to finish the meeting.    Proposed Cllr. Farrington, Seconded Cllr. Valentine and unanimous in favour-RESOLVED
 
25/26-47 
S106 recommendation 
 
Proposal 1:  To apply for s106 without Lottery funding.   No proposers received.
 
Proposal 2:   To apply to the National Lottery for an additional £20k funding to be match funded by the s106 funding.   Cllr. Jarman, Seconded Cllr. Valentine 
Unanimously voted in favour-RESOLVED.
 
Proposal 3:  for Location for new play equipment. 
   
• Cllr. Jarman proposed Black Bull Green only - Votes Received 3
• Cllr. McCulloch proposed East End Park only- Votes Received 1
• Cllr. Valentine proposed both parks - Votes Received 5
 
Resolved that both Parks would be considered.
 
 
25/26-48 Speeding    This issue would be c/f to an Extra Ordinary Parish Council Meeting.
 
After residents have raised concerns again regarding speeding in village. 
a) To discuss any proposals
b) What support and technology is required
c) Who is required
d) What funding is required?
e) To resolve any outcomes from discussion.
 
25/26-49 
Planning – No new applications received since last meeting 
 
a) Proposal:  Cllr. Payne to circulate a letter of concern to all Parish Councillor for comment before sending to the Enforcement Officer at SKDC.  Unanimously AGREED.
 
25/26-50    Correspondence received from last meeting was noted from the Agenda
 
25/26-51   To receive Items for Future Meetings
• 2025/26 Annual plan review – Cllr. Farrington   next meeting 
 
Meeting closed   21:55
 
 
Date of future meetings:  2025:  2 Sept, 14 Oct, 25 Nov,
2026. 13 Jan, 24 Feb, 7 Apr, 19 May, 7 July, 15 Sept, 27 Oct, 9 Dec   Annual Parish Meeting TBC