2025 Minutes

OSBOURNBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 

Notes of Meeting held on Wednesday 16th July 2025 in the Village Hall

 

Public forum:  One member of the public was present.  She advised that recently there was some police activity down The Drove and that a car was seen taking photos.  She asked who she should contact to report this.  Cllr Baldwin said that there is a phone number to call (101) and had the following information from the Lincs Police website:

Report online or call 101 if you want to report a minor crime or incident, such as:

a stolen item

property damage

a civil dispute

if you suspect drug use or dealing in your neighbourhood

to share information about possible criminal activity in your area

antisocial behaviour

non-urgent enquiries

Your call should be answered within ten seconds. A trained member of staff will ask you what happened and where you are. They may ask you if you need any other emergency services, such as an ambulance. 

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the textphone service on 18000. 

This information will be included in the next newsletter.

Cllr North also advised that she had seen Chris Green who is our local police officer and invited him, once again, to attend the coffee morning held at the village hall on a Wednesday morning.

Cllr Jackson also updated the meeting regarding the dyke to the rear of the new development.  This had been discussed on 2nd July as the dyke has been piped and filled in.  The Planning Enforcement Officer has visited (he is now on leave until 22nd July) and he has also informed the drainage board (IDB) who may take the lead.  He will keep Cllr Jackson informed of any updates once he returns from leave.

 

21. Apologies:  County Councillor Whitaker

22. In attendance:  Cllrs Jackson (chair), North, Dixon, Wright, Bide, Baldwin and Baker

Mrs King – Clerk

23. Notes of meeting held on 7th May 2025, already distributed, were approved.   Proposed Cllr Dixon, Seconded Cllr Bide.

24. Matters Arising:  There were no matters arising which are not on the agenda

25. Chairman’s/District Council Report:  Cllr Jackson had already circulated his report.  He also reported that the food waste collections would start in March 2026.  There is now a smaller fleet of bin lorries for those places which are harder to reach, which in Osbournby is North Street.  The North Street collections will now take place on a Tuesday not Monday. Teenage Market has returned in Sleaford and the next one is Saturday 19th July.

26. County Councillor report:  No report available.

27. Clerk’s Report:  Mrs King reported that she had obtained some dog fouling notices from NKDC for a resident in North Street.  There are a number of these notices available and she will put some up in other areas of the village.  She also reported that she has received lots of positive comments about the grass cutting in the village and also reported that an additional piece of grass had been identified in Saddlers Close which needed cutting and Tidy Gardens and Grounds are now cutting this piece of grass at no additional cost.   Mrs King also asked if she could write to Holton School asking them to cut back the foliage in front of their railings and to clear some weeds.  This was approved.  Cllr Jackson said that later in the year he would arrange a working party to cut back some of the branches on overhanging trees.

Mrs King advised that she and Cllr North would be tending the overgrown garden by the bus stop next week. 

28. Updated Financial regulations/Financial risk assessment.  Non financial risk assessment and Code of Conduct.  These had all been updated and circulated to councillors prior to the meeting.  They were all approved and adopted at the meeting.

29. The Hub:  Cllr Jackson reported that free FTTP has now been installed in the village hall.  Bonline is now cancelled.  Quickline have installed the new wifi only charging an installation charge.  This is a saving of £49.19 per month(£40.99 after VAT).  Cllr Jackson reported that the numbers are low for the Hub.  He believes that people feel it is a class to teach you how to use technology, whereas it is in fact a helping event.  The Hub closes for the school holidays and Cllr Jackson said that he would arrange for a new leaflet to be prepared ready for September.  (Newsletter item).

30. Update from Aswarby Estate:  Mrs King advised that she has sent a number of emails to Mark Jones asking for updates on various items and inviting him to the meeting or to send a report.  No reply has been received.

31. Community Speed Watch:  This is still taking place on a regular basis, although more volunteers are needed.  (This again will be put in the next newsletter).  Cllr Jackson reported that the radar gun is not working well and asked for agreement to purchase a new gun at a cost of approximately £200 (price fluctuates regularly).  This was agreed : Proposed Cllr Baldwin, seconded Cllr Dixon.  Cllr Wright asked whether a speed watch could be done down The Drove and Cllr Jackson said he would look into that. A discussion took place regarding changing the speed limit to 20mph through the village as there are now 3 schools.  Cllr Jackson agreed to take this further.

32. Community Resilience & Emergency Plan Update:  Cllrs Jackson and Bide will review the plan and then send to LCC for comments, it is approximately 90% ready.  Sandbags and sand are now ready in Fern Barn.  It was agreed that the plan would be an agenda item every 6 months as contact details will change.

33. New Play Area:  Although Cllr Jackson and Mrs King met with Mark Jones of Aswarby Estate a few weeks ago, no further information is available.  Mr Jones had advised that there is no title on the Land Registry as to who owns the land adjacent to the new development.  Mr Jones will be invited to the next meeting as usual.

34. New Residents Letter:  Cllr Jackson is going to add some information regarding The Hub and speed watch and then the letter will be ready for sending out to new residents.

35. Bank reconcilation and payments since last meeting:

Parish Council Account  :  £5,874.10.  

Cemetery Account : £33,164.33.  Interest of approximately £20 per month is being received.

A VAT refund of £96.48 has been applied for.

Payments since last meeting:  

19th May:  Gallagher Insurance: £503.76

19th May:   Service Charge: £  4.75

4th June:   Tidy Gardens & Grounds £550.00   (Cemetery £150/Churchyard£100/Verges £300)

17th June:  Service Charge: £  4.75

13th June:  Osbournby Village Hall £  18.00

3 direct debit payments for B.Online wifi totalling £140.97

1st July: Tidy Gardens and Grounds:  £295.00

2nd July:  Mrs E King £642.81 (quarters salary & payment for HMRC, plus reimbursement of refreshments for village tidy day of £12.40 and £5.41 printing)

3rd July:  ICCM membership £105.00

3rd July: R. Jackson £49.19 (final payment to Bonline)

36. Planning Matters:  Tree felling application for 35 High Street had received no objections from the Parish Council.

37. Donations:  No donations had been requested.

38. Correspondence:  No correspondence received which has not been discussed.

29. Dates of next meetings:  10th September, 5th November, 7th January and 4th March.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.32 p.m.