October 2019 Minutes
A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 14th October 2019, in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington and commenced at 19.30.
Public Participation
There was 1 member of the public present.
Present: Councillor Buckley-Jones (Chairman)
Councillor Briscoe
Councillor Chantler
Councillor Sockell
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Cann
Councillor George
County Councillor Oxby
District Councillor Goodwin
District Councillor Tinsley
Co-Clerk (Finance): J James
Before the meeting commenced a presentation was given by Jamie Leeson from Fields in Trust. The presentation was very informative, and it was agreed by Members that the registration of the Parish Councils land will be investigated further and discussed in the November Council meeting.
101/M/19 Chairman’s welcome.
The Chairman welcomed those present and thanked them for coming.
102/M/19 To receive Apologies for Absence, Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations.
Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received from Councillor Sargent, Councillor Dziadkiewicz, Councillor Spencer and District Councillor Carrington.
Declarations of Interest: There were no Declarations of Interest.
Requests for Dispensations: There were no Requests for Dispensations.
103/M/19 To approve notes as minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council on 9th September 2019.
The notes having been distributed before the meeting were taken as read and it was resolved to approve them as minutes.
Planning Matters
Tree works received from NKDC.
There were no Tree work applications received.
Tree works decision notices received from NKDC.
104/M/19 19/1205/TCA Heighington Hall, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington LN4 1RJ. Notification received from NKDC a Tree Preservation Order is not required.
Planning applications received from NKDC
105/M/19 19/0729/FUL Mill Stream at Branston Village to Conservation Area. Undertaking of channel improvement works to sandhill Beck incorporating bank reprofiling, pond creation, replacement of culverts, deposition of river gravels and formation of berms and deflectors. Members had no comments to make on this application.
106/M/19 19/1130/HOUS Harby Dale, Fen Road, Heighington, LN4 1JH. Erection of single storey rear extension, detached garage and loft conversion to form first floor accommodation. Members had no comments to make on this application.
107/M/19 19/1274/HOUS (18/1488/HOUS re-submission). 15 Washingborough Road, Heighington, LN4 1QW. Proposed 1.5 storey rear extension with gable pediment roof dormer window and roof light to front elevation. Members had no comments to make on this application.
108M/19 19/1241/HOUS 65a Charity Barn High Street, Heighington. Erection of detached double garage. Members had no comments to make on this application.
109/M/19 19/1242/LBC 65a Charity Barn, High Street, Heighington. Demolition of part existing stone wall to enlarge opening. Members had no comments to make on this application.
Planning decision notices received from NKDC
110/M/19 19/0927/HOUS 14 Martin Close, Heighington, LN4 1RL. Erection of a detached recreation building and (retrospective) fencing. Members noted this application has been approved by North Kesteven District Council.
111/M/19 Clerk’s Report (for information only).
- To note that the second payment of the Precept of £43005.36 was received on the 30th September 2019.
- To note that a grant for Litter Picking was received on the 4th October 2019 from North Kesteven District Council to the value of £653.10.
- VAT claim of £760.56 was submitted to HM Customs & Excise on the 2nd October 2019.
- To note email received from Lincolnshire County Council highways regarding the Highways maintenance contracts which are due for renewal in March 2020.
- To note email received from communityactionssuffolk.org.uk regarding tendering for the renewal of insurance.
- The Council has received an invitation to host a touring cinema in January to show the film Grease and are requesting a local community music or dance group to open the event. This is an agenda item on the Recreation Advisory Forum 21st October 2019.
- To note that the Internal Audit of Accounts was completed on the 14th October 2019. The Internal Auditor was satisfied that this Council is well run and will submit a report in due course.
112/M/19 Correspondence (Read file for Members’ perusal).
- Litter picker’s reports for September.
- Environmental Warden’s reports for September.
- Police Crime Reports 8th August - 9th September 2019.
Financial Matters:
113/M/19 To approve the monthly accounts for September 2019. The monthly statements were signed by Councillor George. It was resolved to approve the monthly accounts for September 2019.
114/M/19 To receive recommendations from the Policy and Resources Committee: amendments to the Constitution and Terms of Reference and Policies.
- Equal Opportunities Policy
- Disciplinary Policy
- Training and Development Policy
- Whistle Blowing Policy
- Working from Home/Lone Worker Policy
Members noted that the policies required no amendments and approved these policies.
115/M/19 To consider the services of the Environmental Warden for 2020/2021.It was resolved to dispense with the services of the Environmental Warden from the 1st April 2020 as the role has changed due to legislation. A letter will be sent to our current contractor informing them of this decision.
116/M/19 Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that the Parish Council can advertise the vacancy to Co-opt a Councillor.
Members noted that an application in writing has already been received. For transparency, it was agreed that the vacancy should be advertised on Social Media.
17/M/19 To consider a replacement on the committees of Pike and Eure and Four Parishes due to the death of Councillor Webster.
Councillor Sockell was appointed to be the Parish Council representative on the Pike and Eure Charity.
Councillor George and Councillor Rushby were appointed to be additional representatives on the Four Parishes Cluster meetings.
118/M/19 To consider updating the Emergency Plan and requesting a volunteer to undertake this task.Councillor Cann and Councillor George volunteered to update the plan. Considerable work has already been completed on the plan, but this requires updating and registering with Lincolnshire County Council after a paper trial run has been completed and undertaken satisfactorily.
119/M/19 To request volunteers to help at the Christmas meal event on the 6th December 2019.Councillors, Buckley-Jones, Sockell, Briscoe, Chantler and Rushby agreed to volunteer.
120/M/19 To request a volunteer Councillor to attend the church service on the 10th November 2019 to lay the Poppy wreath and lay the Poppy wreath on the 11th November at 11am in the memorial garden.Councillor Chantler agreed to volunteer to lay the Poppy wreath on both of these days.
121/M/19 To discuss the assignment of Members areas to walk the area assigned periodically and report any faults direct to the office.Members agreed on their area and confirmation of the area and maps for individual Councillors will be provided once updated.
122/M/19 To discuss the costings of emails with our current provider to Microsoft Windows.After a brief discussion it was agreed that we need to explore other options as the proposed solution to our current capacity issues is considered not to be suitable. Councillor Cann and Councillor George will investigate the Parish Councils current email system and report at a future meeting.
123/M/19 To note the quote received from Forum Computers for a Charge Station. Members agreed that the quote received was expensive and that other options should be explored.
124/M/19 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
County Councillor Ron Oxby:
County Council Report October 2019
Work progresses with the Eastern By-pass. Currently a giant crane is lifting the four sections of the road bridge which will span the river Witham and the Drain. A further extension to the road closure has been applied to the C113 road (Heighington to Canwick) which was due to reopen this month. The extension is to the 31st January and is to cover possible delays to this section of the road.
Fire safety is having an innovative way to show who is most a risk. SHERMAN highlights seven key factors,smoking,hoarding,elderly people or those who live on their own ,mental health issues,alcohol misuse, drugs/medication dependence,needing care or support.
Members of the County, North East Lincolnshire Council, North Lincolnshire are joining forces to better serve our residents with more efficient services
The recycling trial in some areas is going well. On the 23 September over four tons of clean dry paper and cardboard have been collected which will go directly to paper processors to be recycled in to paper-based goods. The next collections will be in Boston and South Holland in October.
The Collection will feature treasures from the legacy of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The exhibition will run from the 5Th October until January.
The new website announced last month is going well and users are asked to give their feedback. The site address is; pre.lincolnshire.gov.uk.
District CouncillorsTinsley and Goodwin:
NK Community Champions Award 2019:
On the 9th October, we celebrated our annual Community Champion Awards in the Bomber Command Centre, where we thanked a number of people from across the district who work tirelessly in their communities for the benefit of, or to help others. Nominations for the 2020 awards will open in January.
Spires and Steeples Challenge:
13 or 26 miles trail that follows footpaths, bridle ways with check points across the way. The race was started by Cllr Richard Wright, who was raising money for the chairman’s charity ‘ Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance’. 350 runners and walkers participated, an excellent turn-out despite the atrocious weather conditions.
Local Democracy Week:
North Kesteven District Council invited all secondary schools in the district to participate in Local Democracy Week (LDW). Local Democracy Week is a European initiative held usually in October, which is supported by the Council of Europe. The initiative promotes participation, decision making and democracy with a special emphasis to youth participation. The overall aim of the annual project is to increase people's knowledge of local democracy, their local council and promote the idea of community engagement. Each year we hold one event for schools in the south of the district, and one in the north; these are aimed at year 9 students (13/14 years old). This year we are hosting two ‘mini-election’ events in the north and south of the District (Carre Grammar School in Sleaford and Sir William Robertson School in Wellbourn) with students taking on roles such as candidates, agents, press, residents, elections staff etc.
Empty Homes
In North Kesteven there are 685 homes empty for longer than 6 months. 110 for more than 2 years. NKDC has an empty homes officer who helps owners bring homes back into use - 20 last year. Contact Stewart_james@n-Kesteven.gov.uk if you see homes empty and unfurnished for long periods.
New Council Homes
9 new council houses have been finished at a long-abandoned school in Sleaford - they are really great quality. This takes the total of council houses owned by NKDC to 3,800.
Electoral Integrity Pilot - Evaluation Review
At the May elections, a trial was undertaken to provide voter ID in polling stations. The trial was considered a success.
In terms of broadening confidence in the integrity of the electoral process a council consultation of almost 1500 residents shows a 64% positive feeling in support of voter ID, 29% neutral and 5.6% negative.
The NK electorate were well informed of the change in process and 99.6% of electors presenting ID on polling day is testament to the extensive work undertaken on the communications awareness plan. The turnout for the election was 30.8%; this was one of the highest in Lincolnshire.
Staff Matters.
125/M/19 Closed Session.
The Chairman moved that the remainder of the business be held in ‘Committee’ and that the public and press be excluded there from for reason that the business to be transacted or advice tendered is of a confidential nature, which could be prejudicial to the public interest to publicise. Members resolved to proceed on that basis, ‘in Committee’.
126/M/19 To consider a proposal to appoint a General Assistant. To approve the Terms of Employment for a General Assistant.
Further to Minute number 20/R/19 a suitable candidate for the role of General Assistant was selected at interview on 12th October 2019. References have been sought. Subject to satisfactory references members resolved to appoint Barbara Inman as General Assistant of the Council from 1st November 2019 on terms set out at this meeting. The appointment shall be subject to a six month probationary period. Members thanked Councillors Buckley-Jones, Sockell and Rushby for their work on this matter.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20.42 hours.
Signed: Date: