November 2025 Minutes
Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir Parish Council
Minutes of a Parish Council Meeting held at Woolsthorpe Social Club
Monday 17th November 2025 at 19.00
Present Cllr. C. McCallion - Chair
Cllr. M. Bunn
Cllr. A. Hill
Cllr. P. Hill
Cllr. K. Price
Cllr. B. Hardcastle-Waugh
Julie Gillies - Clerk
Guests DC Rob Leadenham
Sarah Turtle, VPG Representative
2 parishioners
133/25 Welcome from the Chair
Cllr. McCallion welcomed everyone to the meeting.
134/25 To receive apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. S. Hardcastle.
135/25 To Receive Declarations Of Pecuniary Interest In Accordance With The Localism Act 2011
No declarations of Member interests in relation to agenda items were received.
No requests for dispensations from Members were received.
The meeting adjourned at 19.03 for the Public Forum.
Cllr. Leadenham asked for Belvoir Castle Fireworks Display to be added to the agenda and advised that Cllr. McCallion should declare an interest in this item.
The meeting re-convened at 19.25
136/25 Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15th September 2025 were agreed to be a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chair.
137/25 Finance
a) Resolved - To accept the bank reconciliation, payments and monies received (appendix I and II) and to approve invoices for payment:
Cllr. McCallion - £10.80 for purchase of Post Crete for installation of dog waste bins.
AGREED: To pay the above invoice and to approve the bank reconciliation.
b) Resolved – To accept 2025/26 budget to actuals (appendix i)
The meeting adjourned at 19.06
A parishioner discussed the location of the litter bins and that the asset register was not on the Parish Council website.
The meeting re-convened at 19.10.
ACTION: Cllr. McCallion to update the Risk Register and forward to the Clerk to add to the Parish Council website.
AGREED: To accept 2025/26 budget to actuals.
138/25 Planning Applications and Decisions
a) Planning Applications
S211 Notice to reduce Honey Locust Tree (T1) by 50% in height
Applewell, Main Street, Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir
PC - No Objections
b) Planning Decisions
S24/1622 – Conversion of existing barns to form 4 dwellings.
Barlows Farm, Sedgebrook Road – Conversion of existing barns to form 4 dwellings
GRANTED
S25/0937 – Erection of single dwelling, detached garage and wall to front boundary adjacent to road.
The Workshop, Chapel Hill – Approval of details reserved by conditions
GRANTED
It was noted that both applications had previously received planning permission, but this had since lapsed.
139/25 Playground
It was reported that the playground remained closed as the lease had not been fully signed off. Although the Duke had signed the lease, it was advised that the Duchess must also sign it and is currently out of the country.
A formal letter would be drafted and sent to Mr Haslam at the Castle requesting an explanation for the delay, as repairs to the play equipment cannot proceed until the lease is in place.
Repairs to the fencing and some items of play equipment have been carried out and two quotes for the remaining repairs had been circulated. Cllr. A. Hill to provide contact details to Cllr. McCallion for a further quote.
A quote had been circulated from Wicksteed for a swing and chain at a cost of £260.00. Cllr. McCallion to forward the necessary paperwork to the Clerk.
Efforts would continue to ensure the reopening of the playground.
The meeting adjourned at 19.18
A parishioner informed the Parish Council that Sports England is offering grant applications with small match funding.
The meeting re-convened at 19.20.
Cllr. McCallion will investigate this opportunity.
It was noted that when the Duke signed the lease, it had been backdated to 1 January. The letter to request that the lease term run for three years from the actual date of signing rather than the backdated date.
It was confirmed that as payment had already been made for rental, the Council will seek either a refund or a credit note.
Concerns were raised about funding challenges with only a three-year term; options for a rolling three-year or a five-year lease will be explored.
ACTION: To write to Mr. Haslam requesting an explanation for the delay in signing the lease, the lease term and reimbursement for the rental already paid.
ACTION: Cllr. A. Hill to provide contact details to Cllr. McCallion for a further quote for repairs.
ACTION: Cllr. McCallion to forward the paperwork for the swing and chain.
ACTION: Cllr. McCallion to investigate the opportunity of grant funding from Sports England.
140/25 Village Maintenance
a) Overgrown hedge and village maintenance
It was reported that some hedges have been cut, however, the hedge on Sedgebrook Road towards the village hall, near the stables in an unlit area, remains overgrown. This was confirmed as the responsibility of the Castle. If, after requesting that the hedge be cut back, no action is taken, the matter would be referred to LCC, who will carry out the work and invoice the Castle
The meeting was adjourned at 19:23
A parishioner requested that the Castle also be asked to cut back the hedge by the allotment and tidy the allotment area.
The meeting reconvened at 19:24.
A discussion took place on the allotments and the proposed annual charge of approximately £250 per plot by the Castle. It was suggested that the size of the play area could be increased by incorporating the allotment land.
ACTION: Cllr. McCallion to request the hedge on Sedgebrook Road be cut back.
ACTION: Cllr. McCallion to request the hedge by the allotment be cut back and the allotment area tidied up.
ACTION: Cllr. McCallion would ask the Castle about the possibility of incorporating the allotment land with the play area.
b) Speed Signage/Stop Signs on Cliff Road
All speed signs were working except for the sign on Cliff Road, which is under LCC’s responsibility. Cllr P Hill volunteered to trim back the tree in the hedge to allow the sign to charge.
Stop signs at the crossroads will continue to be pursued.
The meeting adjourned at 19.25
A parishioner explained the difficulties with vision due to the overgrown hedge by the crossroads.
The meeting re-convened at 19.26.
ACTION: Cllr. Lichfield to be contacted about the stop signs.
ACTION: Cllr. Lichfield to be contacted about the overgrown hedge by the crossroads.
c) Dog Waste Bins
New bins have been installed. A request was made for an additional bin by the canal. There are two spare posts available, and it was suggested to purchase another bin and Post Crete for installation. It was queried whether responsibility lies with the Canal and River Trust; Cllr Leadenham will ask the Canal Society to contact the Trust.
Cllr. Leadenham to forward signs to the Parish Council.
Query was raised as to the responsibility for emptying the dog waste bins and it was explained it must be paid for by the Parish Council. SKDC will be asked to empty the bin near Cobleas, and when the next bin is installed, it will be added to the route.
ACTION: SKDC to be asked to empty the bin near Cobleas.
ACTION: The purchase of another bin will be included on the agenda for the next meeting.
d) Flooding issues and gullies
A parishioner had registered a problem with flooding at the crossroads and had received notification that the work had been undertaken.
It was reported that all drains around the village, with the exception of one, had been cleared out.
The meeting adjourned at 19.31
Parishioners were advised to report every drain flooding through Fix My Street.
The meeting re-convened at 19.33.
It was noted that the road sweeper had been observed driving without its brushes engaged.
Cllr Leadenham requested that he be emailed the details, as this falls under his remit.
ACTION: Cllr. A. Hill to email details to Cllr. Leadenham.
e) Christmas Tree
The history of the Christmas tree by the picnic table at the shop was noted, along with the donation towards electricity for the shop.
Cllr A Hill volunteered to decorate the tree and Cllr P Hill will obtain quotes.
A 10ft tree was suggested with a budget in the region of £60.
ACTION: Sarah Turtle to provide details of a supplier. Cllr. P. Hill to obtain quotes.
141/25 Community Speed Group
It was acknowledged that the group needs to schedule and conduct the checks and it was agreed to take a proactive approach next year by identifying event dates and planning sessions accordingly.
. Cllr Leadenham advised that checks would be most effective if carried out at the same time as Denton, particularly when events are taking place.
A discussion took place regarding speeding traffic and it was noted that no further incidents involving bikes have been reported. Members were reminded to report any such incidents to 101.
142/25 Vale Parish Group (VPG)
Concern was raised about the number of children’s homes across the Vale, many of which appear not to have planning permission.
Sarah Turtle reported that Community Heartbeat would no longer be covering maintenance and servicing so an alternative provider may need to be found.
Sarah also asked the Parish Council to notify her of any matters they wished her to raise at the upcoming meeting on 1st December.
ACTION: Councillors to inform Sarah Turtle of items for her to raise at the VPG meeting.
143/25 Emergency Plan
The need for an Emergency Plan was discussed.
The meeting adjourned at 19.45
Sarah Turtle highlighted that events at Belvoir could have impacted emergency access, noting that emergency services would not have been able to enter the village during recent events.
Cllr. Leadenham stressed the importance of having an Emergency Plan.
The meeting re-convened at 19.47
Cllr. McCallion declared an interest in discussions surrounding events at the Castle.
Concerns were raised about the recent fireworks event, which was described as chaotic due to poor planning and lack of organisation. Issues included incorrect field selection and an inexperienced team, traffic congestion affecting surrounding villages, lapse in ticket scanning resulting in no accurate attendance figures, lack of high visibility presence due to abuse from attendees, and mud creating road safety hazards.
It was explained that the events were permitted under an outdated licence originally issued for the CLA Game Fair at the Castle, which would not be granted under current regulations.
Discussion took place on the large-scale events being held without sufficient planning, which raised public safety concerns, as well as the difficulties due to dual licensing authorities.
The Parish Council was advised to submit a formal response to Melton Borough Council’s licensing team.
A request was made for representatives from the Castle to be invited to a Parish Council meeting to answer questions from the Parish Council and parishioners.
Further concerns included non-registered taxis and the need for a joint task force with Melton Borough Council for next year’s event, with licensing officers conducting roadside checks.
It was reported that the latest Forbidden Forest plans include a swimming pool, hot tubs and a new stage (Arcadia). It was acknowledged that this year’s event had worked well but was not a sell out and next year’s event was expected to be the largest yet.
Cllr. Leadenham raised concerns about Councillors’ interests where they work for or live in estate properties, stressing the need to publicly record interests.
It was noted that Section 21 notices were being phased out but residents sign a Section 8 document when moving in, giving the estate multiple avenues for eviction.
ACTION: The Parish Council to submit a formal response to Melton Borough Council’s licensing team.
ACTION: Representatives from the Castle to be invited to a Parish Council meeting.
144/25 Correspondence received and circulated
Neighbourhood Alert Survey 2025, Crime and Policing Survey, Lincolnshire County Council Permit Scheme (LiPS) Variation Proposal, Avian Influenza near Corby Glen, Parish Council/Parish Meeting Local Government Reorganisation meetings, Ward meeting, Fireworks signs, Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation letter, Winter Salt Bags offer.
145/25 Any other business
• An invitation sent to the owner of the Children’s Home to attend a Parish Council meeting had not received a response. It was noted the situation had improved although some incidents were still occurring.
• A village sign near Castle Farm had been reported as damaged and has since been replaced.
• Cllr. Leadenham provided an update following the Belvoir Ward planning meeting, attended by four Parish Councils. Significant planning activity was reported, particularly in Barrowby, where 225 houses were proposed under Regulation 18 with a further allocation of 485 being considered and potentially another 300. This has raised considerable concern in Barrowby and was expected to have a knock-on effect across the ward. The proposal for the development of employment land in Allington was reported, which would impact the A52 and surrounding villages.
• Local Government Reorganisation was discussed – the proposal to move towards unitary authorities, replacing Borough and County Councils. The minimum baseline for a unitary authority is a population of 300,000 and although SKDC covers the largest land area, it only has 163,000 residents so have proposed joining with North Kesteven and South Holland, creating a combined population of 362,000.
A ’donut’ option was discussed, where the City of Lincoln would remain separate with surrounding villages (approximately 400,000 population), with the north of the County, including Grimsby and the East Coast, forming another unitary.
At least three Unitary Councils were expected, meaning SKDC would be dissolved.
Elections for the new unitary authorities were expected in 2027 and concerns were raised about reduced services and a significant reduction in Councillors (from 380 to around 70-80). Parish Councils will remain but may assume additional responsibilities, such as grass cutting.
The Government was expected to make a decision by 26th July 2026.
• Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) were becoming problematic; policies are being developed and licensing requirements were discussed.
• Carol Singing will take place on 20th December around the Christmas Tree by the shop and will continue at the Village Hall and Social Club, to raise funds for the church.
146/25 Dates of next meeting
19th January 2026
2nd March 2026
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20.32.