March 2020 Minutes
A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 9th March 2020, in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington and commenced at 19.30.
Public Participation
There were six members of the public present. One member of the public expressed their concerns regarding the notification from LCC Highways that the temporary traffic lights situated at the end of Heighington top road/Canwick Hill were to be operated on a part time basis. An update had been received by the Parish Council on the 9th March 2020 that the temporary lights were to remain until further notice.
Present: Councillor Buckley-Jones (Chairman)
Councillor Sockell
Councillor Briscoe
Councillor Chantler
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Dziadkiewicz
Councillor George
County Councillor Oxby
District Councillor Tinsley
District Councillor Goodwin (arrived later)
Co-Clerk (Finance) J. James
Co-Clerk (Operations) E. Salter
177/M/19 Chairman’s welcome.
The Chairman welcomed those present and thanked them for coming.
178/M/19 To receive Apologies for Absence, Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations.
Apologies for Absence:
Apologies were received from Councillor Spencer and District Councillor Carrington.
No apologies were received from Councillor Cann.
Declarations of Interest: There were no Declarations of Interest.
Requests for Dispensations: There were no Requests for Dispensations.
179/M/19 To approve notes as minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council on 27th January 2020. To receive for information the notes from the Property Committee meeting on the 24th February 2020.
The notes for the Parish Council meeting on the 27th January 2020 were approved. The notes from the Policy & Resources meeting on the 14th February 2020 were received for information.
Planning Matters
Tree works received from NKDC.
180/M/19 20/0238/TCA The Cloisters, 31 Back Lane, Heighington. T1/T6-reduce to 5m finished height, finished width approximately 3m. 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.
181/M/19 20/0187/FUL 16 Washingborough Road, Heighington LN4 1RE. Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling and erection of 2 number dwellings. After a brief discussion, members agreed to contact NKDC to submit planning objections:
Vehicle access
New drive wide enough for two cars (4.1m) will be constructed along the site with access across an existing pavement. The sight line as cars egress out of this proposed development will not be sufficient to enable drivers to see pedestrians or other pavement users until they are actually in the pavement area. This is a busy section with school children and accompanying adults going to and from Millfield Priory Academy and other pedestrians walking to and from the bus stops at the junction of Canterbury Drive/Washingborough Road. This access road would be detrimental to highway safety.
Green Issues
Despite the applicant stating that this site will encourage green travel and is ideal for walking it is planned for sufficient space at each proposed dwelling for a double garage – this will only encourage car travel.
The applicant states that “The dwellings may be appropriate for solar power technologies to be installed due to the relatively open southern aspect. However, the possibility of installing a heat exchange unit or rainwater harvesting or any other green technologies can also be reviewed. Rainwater harvesting could also be introduced via water butts”. In the light of North Kesteven’s declaration on Climate Change Emergency Heighington Parish Council is disappointed in that the solar power technologies, ground source heat pumps, and rainwater harvesting and other green technologies are not incorporated into the design of the dwellings and are only considered an additional “add-on” at some undefined future date.
Washingborough Road
Heighington Parish Council would like to keep the open aspect of Washingborough Road as this defines the entrance to the area of the village that marks the beginning of the conservation area. The houses in this part of Washingborough Road have traditional large gardens and if this application was successful it would facilitate the infill of all of these gardens to the detriment of the visual aspect of the village. It would also diminish a valuable green space for wildlife.
Tandem Development
A planning application for a similar development (2 Washingborough Road, Heighington) was refused due to “tandem development being out of character with the existing development in the immediate area and although it exists elsewhere it is nature of this form of development at this location”.
182/M/19 20/0229/HOUS Brook House, Fen Road, Washingborough LN4 1AE. Proposed outbuilding/annex. Members had no comments to make on this application.
Planning decision notices received from NKDC. There were no Planning Decision notices received from NKDC.
183/M/19 Clerk’s Report (for information only).
• VAT refund of £949.99 received on the 28th January 2020 from HMRC
• Letter from resident regarding planting of trees. This was referred to the Climate change meeting on the 5th March 2020.
• Letter dated 6th February 2020 from Andrew McDonough NKDC regarding S106 Garret Rise, the intention is to pursue the matter at a higher level within the organisation. An email gas been sent requesting an update.
• Concerns from residents regarding the traffic lights at the junction of Heighington top road and Canwick Hill.
• Email from resident stating that Lincoln City Council had referred the resident to Heighington Parish Council regarding the deer that have been killed on Heighington top road,
• Lincoln Transport Strategy 2020-2026. Reports are in the Parish Council Office. A brief outline is, to enhance our transport network, improve choice and inclusive accessibility and support the continued growth of the city and surrounding area.
184/M/19 Correspondence (Read file for Members’ perusal).
• Litter picker’s reports for January and February 2020.
• Environmental Warden’s reports for January and February 2020.
• Police Crime Reports November, December 2019 and January 2020.
Financial Matters:
• 185/M/19 To approve the monthly accounts for January and February 2020. The monthly statements were signed by Councillor Sockell. It was resolved to approve the monthly accounts for January and February 2020.
• To note that transfers between cost centres will be made in preparation for the financial year end in consultation with the Chair of Council and the Chair of Policy and Resources and Property Services.
• To note that the deposit for the marquee for Picnic in the Park was paid on the 17th February 2020.
• The Parish Council would like to thank the Bowls Club for their donation towards upkeep of the bowling green.
186/M/19 To consider the Co-option of new Councillors.
There were two candidates who put themselves forward for the positions. It was resolved to co-opt Mrs Nicklin and Mrs Lee as a Parish Councillor.
187/M/19 To note payment of the Council’s Insurance Policy Premium through Came & Co.
Councillors noted that a three year contract, subject to an annual rise of inflation, had been agreed with Came & Co for the Council’s insurance.
188/M/19 To review the Risk Management Register for the Parish Council.
Councillors were aware that the Risk Management Register required updating. This work will be carried out over the coming weeks and presented to full Council for approval.
189/M/19 To review the hire agreement and charges for all clubs and hire charges and booking forms for Jubilee Hall. In principle, Councillors agreed the revised hire agreements and hire charges. Further minor amendments were required to clarify the agreement. Councillors approved the minor amendments and revised charges to the Jubilee Hall booking forms.
190/M/19 To review the Civic Meetings Calendar for 2020/2021
Members approved the Civic Meetings Calendar for 2020/2021, which will be circulated to all Councillors, District and County Councillors.
191/M/19 To consider the Property Services Committee recommendations to accept the quotation for the repointing of the stone wall at Chapel Lane.
Members approved the quotation for the repointing of the stone wall. It was noted that a Heritage Grant has been applied for and the Council are waiting for the result of the application.
192/M/19 To note that the bench which was donated by Heighington Wives in 1992 has been removed from Clarke Avenue for safety reasons. After a brief discussion it was agreed that the bench would not be replaced. However, if complaints were received regarding the removal of the bench, the situation would be discussed by the Council.
193/M/19 to discuss the location of the picnic bench currently stores at Station Road Pavilion.
Councillors agreed to a trial period of placing the picnic bench at Station Road ground over the Easter period. It would be placed away from the Pavilion. The Council will monitor the situation and should any anti-social behaviour increase at Station Road ground the bench will be removed.
194/M/19 To agree volunteers to help with Picnic in the Park on the 4th July 2020. Some Councillors offered their assistance. Local user groups would be approached for volunteers.
195/M/19 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only). County Councillor Ron Oxby. March 2020 County Report Conformation of last month’s report has confirmed the 3.5% increase in council tax, including extra monies for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, Highways and flooding. Further announcements will see £350,000 for a 'green masterplan' to enable the council to become carbon neutral by 2050 or before if possible.
The Greater Lincolnshire Pub Development Project is to develop more accommodation as part of an initiative run by the County Council. Two workshops for pub owners will be held on24th March at the Hare and Hounds, Fulbeck and on the 25th March at the Advocate Arms Market Rasen. More information contact; nichola.shepheard@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Former England rugby star Rory Underwood will be the guest speaker at 'How to Recruit, Retain and Motivate' aimed at Lincolnshire businesses find and keep the best talent for their workforce
Tax free childcare may be available for some, up to £500 every three months for each of your children. For every £8 the government will add £2 up to the value of £2000 per child per year (up to £4000 for disabled children) more information visit; https://www..childcarechoices.gov.uk/how-to-use-tax-free-childcare/
The Highways port-folio-holder Cllr Davies and highways officers will be touring areas looking for areas of concern
District Councillor C. Goodwin. The Council agreed the Corporate Plan, bringing our plan up to speed, stating what we want to do- taking into consideration climate change. Set the Financial Plan for the next year Council Tax gone up by 10p/week for a band D property This results in a balanced budget that enables us to do what we need to. Targeting £100.000 for the environment to be used on new initiatives. Also £100.000 for the wellbeing agenda ie more to do for physical and leisure activities. Brown bin has gone up by £5 which helps paying for the services. Remember, this is a fairness tax as it is not a statuary duty- only people who use it pay the fee. Electoral Review. We have agreed a new warding pattern to ensure that the no of residents represented is better balanced. Our agreed position now goes to the Boundary Commission who will make the final decision. There will be no major change for Heighington. There will be a change in Waddington, where upon the PC’s request, the 2 wards get joined together The Council is keeping in constant contact with Public Health England for the latest advice ref the Corona Virus. We have also put plans into place to keep services for our most vulnerable people going.
196/M/19 To resolve to move into 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’.
Staff Matters:
197/M/19 The Chairman brought Councillors up to date with the current situation.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20.52 hours.