2026 Minutes

Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir

Parish Council

Minutes of a Parish Council Meeting held at Woolsthorpe Social Club

Monday 19th January 2026 at 19.00

Present Cllr. C. McCallion - Chair

Cllr. M. Bunn

Cllr. P. Hill

Cllr. K. Price

Julie Gillies - Clerk

Guests DC Rob Leadenham

5 residents

Welcome from the Chair

Cllr. McCallion welcomed everyone to the meeting.

147/26 To receive apologies for absence 

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. A. Hill, Cllr. Litchfield and Sarah Turtle (VPG).

148/26     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.

149/26 To receive the resignation of Cllr. S. Hardcastle.

Cllr. S. Hardcastle’s resignation was received and accepted. Thanks were made to Cllr. Hardcastle for his support and contribution to the Parish Council.

The meeting adjourned at 19.04 for the Public Forum.

Defibrillator – It was confirmed that Community Heartbeat were not ceasing but were restructuring and will continue supporting communities with defibrillators. The current unit remains operational, with the battery valid until 2028 and pads until 2027; however, it is out of warranty and future replacement of parts will not be covered.

The Chair had submitted an application to the British Heart Foundation for a free replacement unit. If unsuccessful, the Parish Council will need to consider purchasing a new defibrillator. Cllr. Leadenham volunteered to organise fundraising and donate a sum towards a new defibrillator if required.

The kiosk to be repainted once the weather improves.

Concerns regarding the 2024/25 accounts were raised. The resident stated a request would be submitted to inspect the accounts.  

The meeting re-convened at 19.19

150/26 Report from Cllr. Leadenham

• The Borough Council will be proposing a 2.99% increase in the Council’s share of council tax, which is the maximum allowed without consultation or referendum. The County Council is proposing a 4.99% increase.

• Food waste recycling will commence on Monday 13th April with weekly collections and will include a 5 litre caddy for indoors, a larger outdoor bin and biodegradable bags.

• An SKDC funding workshop will be held on 21st January 2026 to offer guidance on applying for funding. The workshop is open to all village organisations but pre-booking is required.

• A planning application for an additional 195 houses at Barrowby has been submitted and the action group formed in October 2025 was actively opposing, supported by £20,000 of residents’ funding.

• After two years of work with the County Council, a 40mph speed limit at Harlaxton came into force today and efforts continue to reduce the limit from Denton due to heavy traffic from Belvoir Estate.

• Green bin collections will continue in January and February but charges will rise by £2 per year from April.

• Parking enforcement details have been circulated to all Parish Councils and confirmation of enforcement responsibility is awaited.

The meeting adjourned at 19.26

It was asked if the road markings have been changed at Harlaxton. It was confirmed they have and community speedwatch can now take place.

The meeting re-convened at 19.28

151/26 Approval of Minutes 

A comment was received that minute reference 143/25 was factually incorrect, noting that not all residents are required to sign a Section 8 document when moving into an Estate-owned property. It was agreed that an addendum would be added rather than amending the minutes, as the content of minute reference 143/25 reflected what was said at the meeting. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 11th November 2025 were therefore agreed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chair.

152/26 Finance

a) Resolved - To accept the bank reconciliation, payments and monies received (appendix I and II) and to approve invoices for payment:

BWP Creative Ltd – Email hosting and support for website £108.00 (VAT £18.00)

BWP Creative Ltd – Domain renewal for website £14.40 (VAT £2.40)

Glasdon – Dog waste bins and posts £874.08 (VAT £145.68)

Salaries and PAYE have also been paid.

The meeting adjourned at 19.32

Queries were raised regarding the amount of reserves held, their permitted use, and the maximum allowable amount. It was confirmed that £3,000 is currently held in reserve and, as it is not ringfenced, it can be used for any purpose. Advice will be sought on the maximum amount of reserves that can be held.

The meeting reconvened at 19.37

b) Resolved – To accept 2025/26 budget to actuals (appendix i)

c) To discuss quote for new toddler swing

A quote for a new toddler swing was presented for £360.89. 

It was noted that Denton has recently installed a new play area, with Cllr. Leadenham securing £24,000 in funding for the project. It was recommended to explore options for a larger, all-inclusive swing. Quotes will be sought and checks will be made to confirm whether the existing frame is suitable for this type of swing. 

ACTION: Cllr. McCallion to obtain quotes for an all-inclusive swing.

d) To approve precept recommendation for 2026/27

A budget meeting had been held and the budget recommendations were circulated. It was proposed that a precept of £13,000 be requested, which was no increase from 2025/26 – see budget 

Discussion took place on the suggestion of increasing the precept by 10% to build up reserves should they be required in the future.

153/26 Planning Applications and Decisions

a) Planning Applications

S25/2392 – Land to West of the Junction of Belvoir Road and Cliff Road

Discharge of Conditions (Planning) – Submission of details reserved by conditions 4 (Tree Root Protection Measures), 5 (Noise Management Plan) and 7 (Traffic Management Plan) of planning permission S23/0710 (Change of use of grazing land to events venue)

COMMENT – Cllr. Bunn to respond to the application. 

ACTION: Cllr. Bunn to respond to the application.

b) Planning Applications received and delegated:

S25/2248 – The Old Chapel

Submission of details reserved by condition 3 (proposed joinery works) of planning permission S22/2346 – Conversion of chapel to form independent dwelling, along with extensions and alterations.

PC – No comment

S25/2263 – The Old Chapel

Discharge of Conditions (Planning) – Submission of details reserved by conditions 3 (proposed joinery works) and 4 (hard landscaping) of planning permission S22/2346 – Conversion of chapel to form independent dwelling, along with extensions and alterations.

PC – No comment

S25/2330 – The Croft, 65 Main Street – Proposed change of use from Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to Class C2 (residential care home) (Resubmission of S25/0852)

PC – No comment

S25/2362 – The Cottage, 103 Belvoir Lane

Erection of rear extension, replacement chimney, removal of chimney and buttresses.

PC – Comments submitted

c) Planning Decisions 

S25/2058 – Woolsthorpe by Belvoir Castle Farm 

The installation of a 5m extension to existing lattice mast to accommodate 3 replacement antenna and ancillary radio equipment, along with ancillary works thereto.

APPROVED

154/26 Playground

Cllr. McCallion reported on his enquiries about the signing of the lease. The Duke has signed but the Duchess has not yet signed. 

Quotes for repairs have been obtained, including one from Tom Porter for £4,369.00.

The meeting adjourned at 20.31

A question was raised regarding grants for repairs and it was explained that funding applications cannot proceed until the lease is secured, as a minimum period remaining is required and the Estate will only grant a three-year lease.

There was also a query about moving the play area and progress on enquiries on incorporating the allotment area. It was explained that the play equipment could not be moved until the future plans of the Estate for the village were known and that no response has been received regarding the allotment area.

The meeting re-convened at 20.35

155/26 Village Maintenance

a) Overgrown hedge and village maintenance

The Estate has been requested to cut back the hedge on Sedgebrook Road towards the village hall but a response has not been received. 

It was reported that the property next to the shop has removed the hedge as it had collapsed.

The meeting adjourned at 20.39

A query was raised about ownership of the piece of land between Cobleas Cemetery and the bungalow, noting that the previous occupier had fenced it in but it now appears abandoned.

The meeting re-convened at 20.41

ACTION: Cllr. McCallion will approach the Castle regarding ownership.

b) Speed Signage/Stop Signs on Cliff Road

Nothing to report. 

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

Discussion took place regarding the purchase of another bin to be placed at the far end of Sedgebrook Road where the footpath ends. Blue signs were also required.

AGREED: To purchase a dog waste bin.

ACTION: SKDC to be asked to empty the new bin and the bin near Cobleas.

d) Flooding issues and gullies

It was requested that road sweeping take place during the daytime when fewer cars are parked. 

ACTION: The Clerk to email Cllr. Leadenham to request road sweeping and specify the areas that need attention.

.

The meeting adjourned at 20.48

A parishioner requested that the grass verges could be tidied up.

Cllr. Leadenham responded that it was the responsibility of the County Council but he was unsure if they still carried this out. 

The meeting re-convened at 20.50.

156/26 Community Speed Group

Due to the resignation of Cllr. S. Hardcastle, a new coordinator is required and it was suggested to open the role to the village.

It was noted that only two areas of the village are authorised for Speedwatch activities.

ACTION: Cllr. Leadenham to provide posters to request volunteers and arrange further training for new volunteers. Cllr. Leadenham will also organise volunteers from Denton to assist with the first Speedwatch session. 

ACTION: The position to be advertised on social media, the website, noticeboard and other areas around the village. 

157/26 Vale Parish Group (VPG)

Nothing to report.

The meeting adjourned at 20.55

A query was raised on communication from Melton Borough Council regarding a ‘spider’ for an event at the Castle. It was confirmed that no communication had been received.

Concerns were raised about potential ‘rogue’ taxi drivers.

The meeting re-convened at 20.57

157/26 Emergency Plan

A template to be obtained and circulated.

158/26 Correspondence received and circulated

SKDC PATROL, SKDC Design Code Consultation, Local Government Reorganisation Briefing, Local Government Reorganisation Proposal.

159/26 Any other business

• Defibrillator – Discussed earlier in the meeting.

• Councillor Surgery – Cllr. Litchfield had offered to carry out a surgery in the village. It was suggested this could take place before the Parish Council meeting in March.

• Belvoir Castle Estate Tenancies – Discussed earlier in the meeting.

• The Rectory, Rectory Lane – to be directed to the Diocese Office at Lincoln.

160/26 Dates of next meeting 

2nd March 2026

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.09.