Minutes 8.9.25
MINUTES of the Meeting of Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard's Leap Parish Council held at Cranwell Village Hall, Old School Lane, Cranwell Village, NG34 8DF on Monday 8th September 2025.
Present: Chair: Cllr D Graves
Councillors: Cllrs. A Youle, J Bhunnoo, L Boden, O Curtis, S Daley, G Fox, and S Liivet
Also in attendance: D/C J Clarke, C/C R Wright and Lesley Frances (Clerk/RFO), Ian Whitehead of the RAF plus nine members of the public.
Ian Whitehead advised that things will be a bit busy this Thursday, 11th September. The building works at the far end of the Camp should not be causing any issues. The RAF representatives are having a meeting on site at Sycamore Drive tomorrow re the planning application for 28 new homes and will then respond to NKDC. Regarding the new lights causing problems for properties on College Road, he is taking this up with Infra again.
C/C Wright – LCC has cancelled Local Transport Boards and also the Flood Committee. The LRSP team has said that speeding is considered in relationship to accidents and any deaths or serious injuries that are speed related will be looked into. The A15 and A17 are raising issues. East Midlands Railway and Network Rail are setting up a new timetable and more trains will be running; also safety at stations is being considered, including Sleaford.
D/C Clarke – NKDC wreaths are available if required. There is a £5,000 grant for fruit trees. Alan Oliver is the Planning Officer in charge of the Sycamore Drive application – as there are not many objections so far, it is likely it may be approved.
Public: One member of the public spoke on behalf of residents in the Sycamore Drive area who are concerned about the planning application. A number of matters were raised and will be considered when the PC submits their response. They were advised that all residents should each submit their concerns to NKDC planning by 20th September.
Residents from the Willow Lane/North Road area are still very concerned at the overgrowth of trees and hedges and are seeking further help from the PC. Unfortunately, as there is an Enforcement Notice in place we cannot do anymore; however, the Clerk will chase LCC to progress the matter. It causes great distress for those living in the vicinity as there are now a large number of rats as well.
Willow Lane/North Road also needs sweeping/cleaning as all the debris from the foliage will be very slippery once the autumnal weather hits. However the sweeper can’t get anywhere near the side of the road due to the overgrowth.
Meeting commenced at 7.40 pm
1. Apologies for absence had been received from D/C A Hagues and Cllr P Liivet. Cllr Liivet is away on business and it was resolved to accept his reason for absence.
2. To receive declarations of interest and to consider applications in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. There were none.
3. The Notes of the Meeting held on 14th July had been read and it was unanimously agreed that they be approved and signed.
4. Financial Matters;
a. It was unanimously resolved to approve the payments made since the last meeting. Appendix A
b. It was unanimously resolved to approve the payment of invoices as listed on the “Payments to be Authorised” sheet – Appendix B
c. It was unanimously resolved to approve the bank reconciliations as at 31.7.25 and 31.8.25.
d. It was unanimously resolved to accept the latest Summary of “Reserves” balances.
e. It was unanimously resolved to accept the budgets -v- actual spreadsheet at 31.8.25.
f. It was unanimously confirmed and resolved that the insurance was correctly placed with CAS Ltd Ansvar at a cost of £2,196.15 with a 3-year agreement.
g. Clerk confirmed that she had accepted a new contract with BT for the office Broadband at £25.95 month increasing by £3 month in April 2026 and then again in April 2027.
h. Clerk advised that the new cost for internal audits through LALC is £335 for the coming year; if we book for two years this price will remain the same and we will get the same auditor. Resolved to go with the two-year option.
5. Planning applications:
25/0525 - application for retrospective consent for a pergola
at 68 St Edmunds Road – approved. 25/0680 – 47 Edmunds Road – change
of use of room to work therapy space – approved. 25/0932 – 18 dwellings at land off
Sycamore Road – this was discussed at length and comments from the public taken into
account. Clerk will prepare a response and seek approval from the Chair before
submission to NKDC.
6. Road Safety and Highways matters:
SID information needs downloading and Cllr Daley will liaise with Cllr Graves on this matter. At the last CSW meeting, 11 cars were speeding and reported.
DMMO/375 footpath alongside playing field to North Road – there is no legal right of way from the gate in the playing field to the Bristow Estate. However, there is a public right of way from said gate to North Road and Oxenford Farm is aware of this.
Willow Lane/North Road overgrowth – see public time notes.
7. Defibrillators
Fulbeck has its PC meeting this Thursday and we will then know whether they will take on responsibility for the defibrillator at Byards Leap. Still looking into whether adult pads can be used on children.
8. Village Hall – Clerk gave an update of the position regarding the status of the village hall, having taken Legal Advice. We will need to provide a new Lease but it has been recommended that we first have a survey of the buildings carried out so that we know our likely upkeep costs, going forward. It has also been said that the Village Hall has far more opportunity, as a Charitable institution, to get grants for works required. Once the results of the survey are considered then we can look at a new lease. Resolved to pay £1,200 exc VAT for the survey. New Lease is likely to cost £1,200 as well. Also have a survey of the Old School House roof at the same time.
9. CCTV – S Furphy of the Social Club Committee has asked if he could be a nominated person to have access to the CCTV system housed in their office. It was resolved that he could. However, he will need to confirm the agreement of the new Chair of the Social Club before he is given training on the use of the computer system.
10. Play area: Chase Steve Riley regarding the painting of the play area fencing. Discussion took place regarding the trees sited at the end of the play area and it was agreed that the dead trees should be removed and will not be replaced. Cllr Youle gave the clerk his play area inspection reports.
11. Reports from councillors – the Beavers have requested use of our litter picking equipment for them and Scouts to do a litter pick – this was approved and Cllr Daley will liaise with them to collect equipment. It was agreed that Cllr Liivet can prune the Christmas tree again. The hedge along Thorold Avenue needs trimming – Cllr Graves to get information on contact for the original builders to get this done. The problem with cars on the road at De Gravel Drive/Willow Lane has now been resolved by DVLA and Police. There is a caravan and two vans parked in the field opposite the Premier Store – Cllr Youle to investigate.
12. Date of next meeting: 13th October 2025.
Note Clerk away for two weeks commencing 22nd September.
Meeting closed at 8.55 pm.
Receipts and Payments made - August 2025 APPENDIX A
PAYMENTS
PAYMENTS MADE August 2025
29.08.2025 £878.25 £0.00 £878.25 29.08.2025 Clerk's Salary Lesley Frances
28.08.2025 £16.64 £3.33 £19.97 29.08.2025 Adobe AcroPro Adobe
28.08.2025 £92.84 £4.65 £97.49 Electric bill Old School House Valda Energy
20.08.2025 £21.00 £0.00 £21.00 20.08.2025 Anglian Water Playing Field Acc Anglian Water / Wave
12.08.2025 £7.75 £0.39 £8.14 20.08.2025 Electric Bill for Village Green EDF Energy
06.08.2025 £389.33 £0.00 £389.33 20.08.2025 Grounds Maintenance Steve Riley
05.08.2025 £315.00 £63.00 £378.00 20.08.2025 External audit PKF Littlejohn LLP
10.08.2025 £4.25 £0.00 £4.25 20.08.2025 Bank charges Lloyds Bank PLC
RECEIPTS IN August 2025
11.08.2025 £17.41 £0.00 £17.41 29.08.2025 Interest
12.08.2025 £24.43 £4.89 £29.32 20.08.2025 Printer Toner
07.08.2025 £0.00 £257.73 £257.73 20.08.2025 VAT Refund
06.08.2025 £29.64 £0.00 £29.64 20.08.2025 Cranwell JFC electric and water
APPENDIX B
PAYMENTS TO BE AUTHORISED – August 2025
Payment awaiting authorisation 29.8.25
30.07.2025 £25.88 £5.17 £31.05 20.08.2025 Printer Toner Epson UK Ltd