2020 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 14th December 2020 by video conferencing and commenced at 19:30.

Public Participation                                                                                                                           

There were 4 members of the public present. A member of the public would like to pass on the appreciation from Heighington Bowls club to Councillor Chantler and Councillor Briscoe for all their support and help over the years.

Present:         

Councillor Buckley-Jones (Chairman)

Councillor Sockell

 Councillor Chantler

 Councillor Cann

 Councillor George

 Councillor Nicklin

 Councillor Dziadkiewicz

 District Councillor Carrington

 District Councillor Tinsley

Co-Clerk Finance:                   J. James

Co Clerk Operations:             E. Salter

Administration Assistant      B. Inman

124/M/20 Chairman’s welcome.

The Chairman welcomed those present and thanked them for coming.

125/M/20 To receive Apologies for Absence, Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations.

Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received from District Councillor Goodwin and Councillor Rushby.

Declarations of Interest: There were no Declarations of Interest.

Requests for Dispensations: There were no Requests for Dispensations.

126/M/20 To approve notes as minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council on 9th  November 2020.

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.

127/M/20 20/1698/TCA The Willows, 36 Park Lane, Heighington, Lincoln. T1 Walnut – fell. It was resolved to leave this matter to the discretion of the tree protection officer.

Tree works decision notices received from NKDC.There were no Tree Works decision notices received from NKDC.

Planning applications received from NKDC.

There were no Planning Applications received from NKDC.  

Planning application decision notices received from NKDC.

128/M/20 20/1155/HOUS 1 Sandra Crescent, Washingborough, Lincoln. Single storey side extension and new porch to existing dwelling. Notification received that this application has been approved by North Kesteven District Council.

129/M/20 Clerk’s Report (for information only). 

• To note that adverts have been placed on social media for a school crossing patrol at Millfield Primary Academy.
• To note email received regarding PC coaches funding and the number 10 bus service.
• To note that Talk Talk are increasing the basic boost charges by £2.00 per month from the 23rd January 2021.
• Audit scheduled for the 10th December 2020 has been cancelled due to government guidelines regarding the pandemic.
• The Parish Council are looking at planting trees in the village, we would ask that if you are aware of any spaces that could be infilled, please contact the Parish Council Office.
• To note that the Lincoln Eastern Bypass official opening is this weekend.

130/M/20 Correspondence (Read file for Members’ perusal).

• Environmental Operative reports for November 2020.
• Washingborough Environmental operatives report.
• To note the email received from North Kesteven District Council that the Parish Council are not eligible for either the Local Restriction Support Grant or the Additional Restriction Grant.

Financial Matters:

131/M/20 To approve the monthly accounts for November 2020. The monthly statements were approved by the bank signatories. It was resolved to approve the monthly accounts for November 2020.

132/M/20 To note the resignation of Councillor Briscoe. Details have been forwarded to the Monitoring Officer at North Kesteven District Council and the vacancy has been posted on social media. Members would like to thank Councillor Briscoe for their participation of the Parish Council.

133/M/20 To consider a replacement bank signatory for Unity Trust Bank, Co-operative Bank and PSDF Bank. Councillor George agreed to be a signatory for the Parish Council bank accounts and the relevant forms will be completed in the new year.

134/M/20 To discuss the recruitment of a replacement Responsible Finance Officer from the 1st April 2020. It was agreed that Councillors, Buckley-Jones, Sockell, Rushby and George would form a working party to discuss the required job description and adverts.

135/M/20 To acknowledge receipt of S106 monies and to discuss the progress of distribution of the funds to the relevant projects. Funding has finally been agreed by Lindum Construction and work will commence shortly on the trackway at Potterhanworth Fields. The irrigation system at Heighington Bowls Club will be installed by a professional company. It was also agreed that the remaining funds would be allocated to purchasing play equipment. Heighington Parish would like to thank District Councillor I. Carrington and Mr S Priestley, Housing Strategy Manager, North Kesteven District Council, for their help in pursuing the funding.

136/M/20 To consider the re-structuring of the Parish Council committees. Councillor Buckley-Jones and Councillor Sockell have agreed to work together to consider the Parish Council’s committee structure. It was discussed that the Policy and Resources committee and Property Services committee could amalgamate for a trial period.

137/M/20 To consider the report regarding the flooding which occurred October 2019-January 2020. After a brief discussion it was felt that not much progress had been made over the last year and it was agreed that the draft letter be sent to Anglian Water and to invite them to discuss at a high level with Lincolnshire County Council local Flood Authority the issues that continue within the Parish.

138/M/20 To consider the Accessibility statement for the Parish Council regarding the new web site. Heighington Parish Council agreed to adopt the Accessibility statement that is required for the new website.

139/M/20 To consider the three quotations received regarding redecoration of the toilets at Jubilee Hall. The Property Services Committee had previously agreed that a limit of £700.00 would be allocated for the redecoration. Accordingly, John Burling, a local contractor will be instructed to carry out the work as per their quotation dated 29th October 2020.

140/M/20 To consider the Property Services recommendations to remove the hand dryers at all three sites. It was agreed accept the quotation of £206.60 plus VAT from M. Gladwin Electrical Ltd dated the 6th October 2020 to remove 13 hand dryers from the Parish Council’s three sites.

141/M/20 To consider the refurbishment of the village notice boards. It was agreed to proceed with the refurbishment of the notice boards as per the quotation of £200.00 dated 7th December 2020 from John Burling, a local contractor.

142/M/20 To note that Millfield Primary Academy pupils plan to give rather than receive by donating festive boxes for those on their own or in need to residents in Heighington this Christmas. The pupils of Millfield Primary Academy have donated 20 parcels of food which will be delivered throughout the village. The Parish Council would like to thank the pupils for their very kind thoughts and the many donations received.

143/M/20 To consider the email received from So Kneady Pizza. Members agreed that So Kneady Pizza should be contacted to ask them to commence trading on a fortnightly basis to fit in with the scheduled dates of Curry Jacks take away.

144/M/20 To consider the email received from ASTCO who provide a textile recycling container. Members agreed that a recycling container could be located in the rear car park at the Jubilee Hall. Members discussed that monies raised could be used to fund the purchase of play equipment for the children of Heighington and to give some to a local charity.

145/M/20 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).

County Councillor Ron Oxby:

Decembers 2020 County Council Report.

As this year draws to a close, we all know the Covid situation has been the main topic of conversation, let's hope that with the announcement of a vaccine that within a few months we can get back to some sort of normal.

Disappointment at being in level 3 has come as a bit of a shock, but with Lincolnshire’s hospitals having two and a half times the people in their wards suffering from Covid than at the earlier peak we can see why.

At the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny meeting discussions amongst other things were the possibility of making homes built to last a person or persons lifetime. This was discussed some years ago and has been mentioned again. This is where, as people get older their needs to stay in their home may change, wider doorways, lower windows sills and bathroom adaptation are somethings that could need to be altered to enable these people to stay in their homes as their needs increase. Discussions included these to be 'built in' as the homes were being constructed.

The Council has 'block purchased beds' to be used to help those recovering from the effects of Covid 19. Rather than placing these people straight in to care homes when they are discharged, they will be placed in these intermediate facilities to prevent the possible spread in to care homes. Currently the government has given the County Council £45m to assist with Covid 19 issues. 

The Council has objected to the possible application of over three thousand homes being built on the Western Growth corridor as concerned were voiced that the proposed road alterations were not enough to carry the extra traffic it would produce.

The Usher Art Gallery talks with Lincoln City Council are still ongoing but it would appear that these are producing more issues than can be addressed and are taking their time.

A new assistant chief fire officer is being closer to being appointed, the current assistant officer has moved to acting chief fire officer as the previous chief has move to another job within the county council.

The County Council planning scrutiny panel is looking at the current 106 agreement system to see if there is a possibility of improving it to give better uses for the monies it generates.

Although Lincolnshire’s bid for Devolution has not got past the first hurdle. It is still having talks with both North Lincs and North East Lincs to see if there is a possibility of collaborative working. Highways, waste management, public transport and social care could be discussed. 

At todays' Public Protection and Community Safety Scrutiny, (9/12/2020) annual reports from the Fire and Rescue service, Road Safety Partnership and the Coroners Service annual report were presented, we also met the new acting coroner Mr Paul Smith who took over from Mr Timothy Brennand back in August.

Later in the month the new Chief Constable will be selected from a short list of three.

 Finally I hope you will have a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year

Regards Ron

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS TO PARISH COUNCILS

Heighington, Washingborough & Canwick Ward

Cllr Ian CARRINGTON, Cllr Carola GOODWIN, Cllr Glenn TINSLEY

December 2020

There being no further business the meeting closed at 20.42 hours.

Signed:                                                                                                 Date: