2025 Minutes

Belton And Manthorpe Parish Council

Chairman - Councilor Adrian Charity, 26, Low Road, Manthorpe. NG31 8NQ

Clerk - Chris. Morgan, 10 Manchester Way, Grantham Ng31 8rr

Tel. 07758762811 

 

Draft Minutes of the Belton and Manthorpe Parish Council Meeting held on 13th May 2025 at 7.30pm in the Old School Room, Belton

Present Cllrs A Charity, (Chair) J Ashford, S Thompson R Mansel S Syddall, R. Hallam

In attendance Chris. Morgan (Clerk and Proper Officer). Cllr Ian Stokes, (SKDC) Cllr Paul Martin LCC + 4 members of the public

 

1)Chairman’s Remarks.  The Chair, Cllr Charity, welcomed everyone to the meeting, and confirmed that the meeting was quorate. He was pleased at the turn out for the meeting. He then addressed the meeting stating that 2024/2025 had been a relatively quiet year as far as the Parish Council was concerned AC picked out a number of highlights for the year, as he reviewed the Parish Council’s work. There had been a vast improvement in communication with the National Trust, in particular Ian Cooper, for which we are all grateful AC outlined the National Trust Plans, which had been completed - upgrading the car parking at Belton House, the work on Belmont Tower, improved signage and traffic management matter re the Lighting Festival at Christmas. The P.C. would like to see a one-way traffic system implemented to make the entrance/exit in Belton village safer. This was on the cards in the past but the planning had been withdrawn at that time due to opposition. The P.C. would like to see the proposals reinstated. Speeding traffic on Manthorpe High Rd continued to be a source of complaint from members of the public. The P.C. had invested in new Solar Powered Speed Indicator Devices which it is hoped may address some of the complaints. A Community Speed Watch initiative had also been set up and the P.C. are very grateful for the local parishioners who were involved in this. AC commented that disappointingly the Ash Tree Solar Farm project had been refused planning permission, but that an appeal had been submitted and an outcome on the decision was awaited. The P.C. continues to have positive engagement with Alison Homes over the Manthorpe Chase development. At the moment the PC were in active discussions re an extension to the P.C. Burial Ground and also the Car Park at the Church. The junction at Belton Lane/A607 is awaiting the erection of Traffic Lights but L.C.C. at this time had not been able to give Alison Homes the “Road Space” to complete the works active discussion were ongoing between LCC and SKDC re the issue. Financially the P.C. is in a sound position, helped by the sale of Constable Field in the previous year. The monies saved there could be used to extend the Burial Ground if needed. In closing AC thanked his fellow Councilors for their support and service, and to the Clerk for doing a good job on administration and finance. 

 

2)Apologies for Absence – Cllr M Simpson and National Trust representative Ian Cooper

 

3)Declarations of Interest – Nothing declared by anyone, and there were no matters on the agenda where any councilors present had any pecuniary interest to declare.

 

4)Minutes of the last meeting held 11h February 2025 – It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record, proposed by S.S. seconded by S.T.and the minutes, were, duly signed by the Chairman and Clerk. – Matters arising – All covered by agenda items.

 

5)AGAR/Governance Forms 2024/2025 – C.M had circulated the Forms prior to the meeting. A full discussion took place re the contents of the Forms and the relevant process. RESOLVED 5.1 Certificate of Exemption agreed by all. 5.2 Section 1 Annual Governance Statement approved and agreed by all. 5.3 Section 2 Accounting Statement approved and agreed by all. C.M. to complete and submit the relevant paperwork to PKF Littlejohn, the external auditor.

 

6) Update Re Alison Homes / Manthorpe Chase– AC spoke to this item. AC and CM had, had a recent meeting with Georgina McRea (Alison Homes) and the P.C.’s thoughts and “needs” were fully discussed, with GM being fully engaged with the P.C. In relation to the Church Car Park – Alison Homes did not want the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of this and there was an agreement in principle that this could be handed over to the P.C. and the Church if they would agree to the upkeep and maintenance of this. The final details were yet to be agreed. GM also stated that there was no real objection to handing over some of their land to extend the P.C. Burial Ground, although there was further work needed for the P.C. to get the relevant authority for the change of use of this land. CM to liaise with GM over the relevant process as GM had been involved with a similar matter elsewhere. The had been a Resolution from St John’s Church, P.C.C. (23/3/25) to help and support the Parish Council in this matter. Financial assistance may be possible. AC and RH had attended a “Welcome” event held by Alison Homes at Manthorpe Chase on 8th May 2025, they reported that the site appeared to be working efficiently and was tidy and with the recent good weather the properties were progressing well and it was hoped that the show home and maybe the first property would be ready for occupation by the end of June. Under the Section 106 agreement, a new primary school was earmarked for the estate, however L.C.C. were now saying that a need for a primary school in this area was debatable, and further work and discussions re this was ongoing. A general discussion took place by all present re the traffic issues at Belton Lane/A607 and the Newark Hill (Great Gonerby) junction. Cllr Martin did say that he would lobby L.C.C. to try and get the “Road Space” for the traffic lights at Belton Lane/A607 brought forward as the date given of 2026 was not acceptable for all parties concerned.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

7)Belton Liaison Comm. Ian Cooper had sent his apologies as he had been called away through work, however SS had been able to have an informal meeting with I.C. on 12th May. Belton House is now the 5th (nationally) busiest N.T. property moving up from 13th place. Their spending was to be more focused on people and accessibility, and also restoring nature. SS went on to say that IC was keen to attend the PC meetings and give the NT reports but recently he had been very busy and had not been able to get to the meetings. There was still the commitment from NT to have full engagement with the P.C. and the residents of Belton village.  

 

8) Finance  CM had circulated the Financial Report and updated the meeting on recent income and expenditure. It was agreed to retrospectively agree all the payments as outlined in the Financial Report.

 

9) Speed Indicator Devices -High Road Manthorpe A general discussion took place re the new Solar powered signs. There was some concern that the sign at the Grantham side had been turned round. A full discussion took place on this subject and the decision was made that as per the initial agreement when the signs were to be purchased that it is good practice to move the signs around. CM to put a Notice in the Notice Boards and on the Wed Site re this Policy. Because of the signs there is probably a lack of enthusiasm from the CSW Volunteers to carry on with the checks. AC thanked the volunteers for their commitment to this, and stressed that he felt that checks should still carry on. The data obtained from the signs could assist in targeting more relevant times to complete checks.

 

10) Planning Applications since the last meeting – CM had circulated a paper with all the relevant applications, these had not been controversial and no objections had needed to be submitted. 

 

11) Footpath Hedge Maintenance CM gave an update on this, he had received a number of comments re the hedge that runs from High Rd to Buttercup Meadow and the fact that holly was pulling the hedge over. CM had spoken to the Grounds Maintenance Contractor Andrew Pearsey and sought his advice. A full discussion took place on the issue. RESOLVED to ask Andrew Pearsey to cut the hedge twice a year instead of the present once. This should help resolve the issues and is a cheaper alternative to ripping up and replacing the current hedge.

 

12) Any Other Urgent Business -None notified.

Meeting Concluded 2055

Date and Time of Next Meeting –  7.30pm 5th August 2025 at the Old School House Belton.

                                                      7.30pm 18th November 2025 at The Church Hall, St John’s Church Manthorpe.

 

 

Signed    Chair………………………………………………………Clerk……………………………………………………Date………………………….