June 2020 Minutes
The Annual meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 8th June 2020 by video conferencing and commenced at 19.35.
Public Participation
There was one member of the public present. The resident would like to thank the team for their hard work during the lockdown period.
Present: Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Sockell
Councillor Briscoe
Councillor Chantler
Councillor Rushby
Councillor George
Councillor Dziadkiewicz
Councillor Lee
District Councillor Carrington
District Councillor Tinsley
District Councillor Goodwin
Co-Clerk (Finance) J. James
Co-Clerk (Operations) E. Salter
30/M/20 To receive Apologies for Absence, Declarations of Interest and Requests for
Dispensations.
Apologies for Absence:
Apologies were received from Councillor Nicklin, Councillor Cann and County Councillor Oxby.
Declarations of Interest: There were no Declarations of Interest.
Requests for Dispensations: There were no Requests for Dispensations.
31/M/20 To approve notes as minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council on 11th May 2020.
To receive for information the notes from the Property Services Committee meeting on the 18th May 2020.
The notes for the Parish Council meeting on the 11th May 2020 were approved. The notes from the Property Services meeting on the 18th May 2020 were received for information.
Planning Matters
Tree works received from North Kesteven District Council.
There were no Tree works applications received.
Tree works decision notices received from North Kesteven District Council
There were no Tree works decision notices received.
Planning applications received from North Kesteven District Council.
32/M/20 20/0187/FUL 16 Washingborough Road, Heighington, Lincoln. Extensions and alterations to existing dwellings and erection of 2 dwellings. Heighington Parish Council have previously submitted objections to the planning, members had no further comment to make.
33/M/20 20/0662/LBC Stone House, Mill Lane, Heighington Lincoln. Replace all existing windows.
Members had no comments to make on this application.
34/M/20 18/0833/HOUS Lectron House, High Street, Heighington LN4 1JS. Application for a nonmaterial amendment following the grant of planning permission. (Remove existing render and replace with new render, add oak cladding to central part of property covering existing brickwork and around dormer windows and add oak cladding to ground floor elevation) – cover the cheeks and front dormer window with lead rather than oak cladding. Members had no comments to make on this application.
Planning decision notices received from North Kesteven District Council.
There were no planning decision notices received.
35/M/20 Clerk’s Report (for information only).
• Letter sent to the Environmental Warden thanking him for his service.
• Email sent to Lincolnshire County Council highways confirming that the map showing the speed limit consultation was incorrectly named as Heighington Road when it should be Fen Road.
• To note that the grant applied for regarding rate relief from North Kesteven District Council has been confirmed that precepting authorities are not eligible for grant support.
• To note that Co-Clerk (Operations) contacted LALC to arrange training for two Councillors.
• Email has been sent to the volunteers of the Good Neighbour Support Network, thanking them for their support.
• To note that new locks have been fitted at Potterhanworth Road containers.
• To note that the Bowls Club have started using Station Road Pavilion’s outside facilities.
• To note the email circulated regarding asphalt work to the footpaths in Heighington village.
• To note that hand sanitiser has been purchased and is now being used but still waiting for the dispensers.
• The issues at the Tennis Courts involved people playing with a football which resulted in a resident having a broken pane of glass to the greenhouse. The Parish Council have offered to compensate the resident for the cost of replacement.
36/M/20 Correspondence (Read file for Members’ perusal).
• The reports were not received in time for the meeting.
Financial Matters:
37/M/20 To approve the monthly accounts for May 2020. The monthly accounts had been distributed by email to the bank signatories before the meeting and therefore it was resolved to approve the monthly accounts for May 2020.
38/M/20 To note that a grant was applied for from Lincolnshire County Council on the 18th May 2020 to help with purchasing hand sanitising equipment for Jubilee Hall, Station Road and Potterhanworth Road. Members noted that the Parish Council had not received anything to date.
39/M/20 Arrangements for the eventual reopening of the Jubilee Hall.
Members considered various ways forward and it was agreed that all users of the Jubilee Hall would be contacted and invited to a video conferencing meeting of the Recreation Advice Forum on the 22nd June 2020.
40/M/20 To note email received from Came & Co: Insurance regarding extended period of cover for un-occupied buildings. Members noted that all buildings were covered by the new guidelines which are being updated regularly.
41/M/20 To discuss Pike and Eure meetings.
Members noted that a report is produced annually.
42/M/20 To receive an update regarding S106 Garret Rise.
Members have agreed to a meeting with North Kesteven District Council to discuss a way forward by mediation with the developer.
43/M/20 To discuss the Parish Council Hire Agreements for club users.
Members noted that the Hire Agreements would be issued after the wording re charges has been amended. It was agreed that the users would be invoiced on a pro-rata basis depending on use of the facilities.
44/M/20 To note email received from Marie Curie requesting support due to Covid-19.
The Parish Council have received numerous requests for donations. Members agreed that the Parish Council was not able to offer monetary support.
45/M/20 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
County Councillor Ron Oxby.
May 2020 County Report.
This has been the first week that significant parts of the lockdown rules have started to ease. We've seen more people returning to work, socially distanced gatherings allowed with small groups, and some schools starting to welcome back children in some age groups.
Here are the latest updates about council services and useful information:
• We've now had over 23,800 bookings for slots at household waste recycling centres, and have received some really positive feedback about how the new system works. From Friday you will be able to book up to seven days in advance and we've allocated certain days to certain waste types, which are now the same across the county. To find out more please visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/clickandtip
• The majority of schools across Lincolnshire are now beginning to re-open their doors to more pupils, as requested by the government. The decision to re-open or not rests with the schools. Those re-opening have introduced measures to limit the potential spread of coronavirus, such as smaller class sizes or staggered break times, helping to keep pupils and staff safe as they return to the classroom. Where possible we are asking parents/carers to transport children to school, but if they need transport, they can fill in the online form at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooltransport
• Where children are still at home, there are a range of resources available to families allowing children to continue some of their learning. Find out more at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
• Following a delay to the scheme's start date, works at the A17/A153 Sleaford Rugby Club junction officially started on Wednesday 27 May. Throughout the scheme, 12 new traffic signal heads and nearly a mile and half of ducting will be installed, along with roughly 3,500 tonnes of tarmac being used. The rugby club improvements are now set for completion this autumn, with the start of works at Holdingham Roundabout now moved to February 2021. Find out more about these schemes at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/majorprojects
• One of the most difficult things in care settings during lockdown has been maintaining contact between care home residents and their loved ones. I'm delighted that we have been able to provide 30 Facebook Portals to care homes and another 5 to supported living venues this week. The portals have been donated by NHSX as part of a national scheme, and I'm sure this will be a huge support in helping residents reach their families.
• The number of people who can attend funerals remains extremely limited. Residents are being reminded that if attendance has not been pre-arranged, they should not attend funerals and should use online streaming services where they are available, to avoid being turned away and keep everyone involved safe. More information on changes to death registrations and funerals can be found here.
• In addition to opening the grounds of Lincoln Castle to restricted numbers of people at a time, the wall walk and café (for takeaway only) will reopen on Monday. The re-opening has been very well received with visitors maintaining social distancing and respecting the limits on entrance numbers.
• Work will start on Wednesday 10 June on a 13-week project to repaint, repair and protect Boston's Town Bridge. The steel bridge will be blast cleaned and repainted to protect it from the salty tidal water that can corrode the structure. Whilst work takes place, one lane of the bridge will remain open for traffic. The southbound bus lane will be closed, with services diverted. Pedestrians will still be able to cross the bridge while work takes place with social distancing measures in place to help keep them safe.
• I have written to all county council volunteers to thank them for their work as part of National Volunteers’ Week. This year feels particularly pertinent to celebrate the contribution our volunteers make. Anyone interested in volunteering with the council can email volunteers@lincolnshire.gov.uk
• Updated guidance to support the reopening of the retail sector has been published, detailing the measures retailers should take to meet the necessary social distancing and hygiene standards and to become COVID-19 secure. Retail businesses seeking local information, plans and support to the reopening of the High Street, should contact local district councils, visit Business Lincolnshire or call the helpline on 01522 782189.
• We are reminding people using the car parks in the coastal country parks, that overnight stays are prohibited. As people can travel more widely for exercise, the council has opened the car parks in popular coastal beauty spots to avoid on street parking and disruption to residents. However, there have been multiple reports of people breaching both the Covid-19 instructions and the local byelaws and staying overnight in motorhomes in the car parks. These areas are being monitored and enforcement action will be taken where necessary. As always, you can find updates on all our services at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coronavirus and all the latest national guidance at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
District Councillor Carrington
• NKDC continued to run almost all core services (excepting leisure centres and heritage buildings) Plus a wide range of COVID related emergency services with most operation being remote.
• NK was playing a central role in the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (LRF).
• 3) Support being provided to local groups and parish/town councils to assist community action for the vulnerable.
• NK had reached out to 13,000 of its most vulnerable residents by letter and telephone to provide support, advise and assistance.
• Great emphasis was being laid on supporting business and jobs - £18 million of first round small business grants distributed; new round of discretionary grants currently open; business rate and rent reductions arranged; business guidance for retailers and others in next wave of re-openers being given.
• Regular communication to residents, local councils and businesses.
• Intensive planning for demobilisation and recovery, and for a different but hopefully better future.
Staff Matters.
46/M/20 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’.
47/M/20 Unpaid Leave
The General Assistant, Barbara Inman, has requested four weeks unpaid leave because of family problems during the Covid-19 lockdown period. It has been agreed and her last paid day will be Friday 19th June and she will return to work on Monday 20th July 2020. Her employer pension contribution to this period will be paid into her Nest Plan.
48/M/20 Leave entitlement
It was agreed that all employees can carry over a further five days of leave entitlement into the financial year 2020/2021. These additional five days must be taken as single days rather than one block so that annual leave can be managed appropriately, particularly with the office based staff.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.10 hours.