June 2021 Minutes
A meeting was held on Monday 14th June 2021, in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington and commenced at 19:30.
Public Participation: There was one member of the public present.
Present: Councillor Buckley-Jones (Chairman)
Councillor Sockell
Councillor Rushby
Councillor George
Councillor Nicklin
Councillor Trafford
Councillor Grimshaw
Councillor Hemlin
District & County Councillor Carrington
District Councillor Tinsley
Clerk E. Salter
Responsible Finance Officer N. Briscoe
General Administrator B. Inman
029/M/21 Chairman’s welcome.
The Chairman welcomed those present and thanked them for coming.
030/M/21 To receive Apologies for Absence, Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations.
Apologies for absence: Apologies were received from District Councillor Goodwin, Councillor Pattle and Councillor Dziadkiewicz. Apologies were not received from Councillor Cann.
Declarations of Interest: There were no Declarations of Interest.
Requests for Dispensations: There were no Requests for Dispensations.
031/M/21 To approve Clerk’s Notes.
The draft notes from the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 17th May 2021 were taken as read and approved as minutes. Draft notes from the meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum on Monday 24th May 2021 were received for information.
Planning Matters and Tree Works.
Tree works received from NKDC.
032/M/21 21/0851/TCA 71 High Street, Heighington. T1 Acer negundo – radially reduce from 7m to 4m and reduce in height from 13m to 8m. T2 Acer platanoides – reduce house side from 4m to 2m and reduce in height from 12m to 8m.
The Council had no comments to make, and it was resolved to refer back to the Tree Officer.
Tree works decision notices received from NKDC.
033/M/21 21/0761/TCA 10 Park Lane, Heighington. T1 false Acacia – crown lift to 5m above ground level, crown reduction by 3m, remove epicormic growth from main stem, remove deadwood, cut stump next to tree to ground level. Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that a Tree Protection Order is not required.
Planning applications received from NKDC.
There were no planning applications received from NKDC.
Planning decision notices received from NKDC.
034/M/21 21/0308/FUL 16 Washingborough Road, Heighington. Erection of 1 detached dwelling & partial demolition and two storey side, single storey rear and linked double garage to front extension (resubmission of 20/0187/FUL). Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that this application has been approved.
035/M/21 20/1660/OUT Land off Park Lane, Heighington. Outline application for residential development of 3 no. dwellings with details of access and layout. Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that this application has been refused.
036/M/21 21/0389/HOUS 8 Millers Close, Heighington. Remove existing conservatory and replace with a wraparound single storey extension to provide additional living space and small annexe. Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that this application has been approved.
037/M/21 21/0490/FUL 1 Eastmills Court, Mill Lane, Heighington. Application of render and replacement cladding to front elevation. Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that this application has been approved.
038/M/21 Clerk’s report (for information only).
• The Parish Council has received notification from North Kesteven District Council that an appeal has been made to the Secretary of State following the refusal of planning permission for the widening of the access only. (Extension previously approved 20/1158/HOUS) 10 Park Lane, Heighington.
• To note an email received informing the Parsh Council that the notice board and other street furniture on Canterbury Drive could be sited on private property.
• To note that the Heighington and Washingborough Scarecrow Festival will take place from Monday 23rd to Monday 30th August 2021.
• To note that Lindum Construction plan to start the works at Potterhanworth Road within the next few weeks, with a view to completion by the end of July 2021.
• The Clerk is to contact Hurricane Sports Foundation to arrange two sporting fun days during the summer holidays. The Parish Council also hope to provide an outdoor arts & craft day during August.
039/M/21 Correspondence (Read file for Members’ perusal).
• Environmental Operative report for May 2021.
• Bracebridge and Cliff Villages Neighbourhood Policing Team Newsletter.
040/M/21 To approve and sign the Annual Governance Statement for 2020/2021.
We have received and noted the internal audit report for 2020/2021. It was resolved to approve and sign the Annual Governance Statement for 2020/2021. The statement was signed by the Chairman & Clerk.
041/M/21 To approve and sign the Accounting Statements for 2020/2021.
The accounting statements for 2020/2021 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
042/M/21 To appoint an internal auditor for the financial year 2021/2022.
It was resolved that Mr Andy Seymour from asap Accountants and Business Advisors be appointed as internal auditor for 2021/2022. An interim audit has been arranged for October 2021.
Financial Matters.
043/M/21 To approve the monthly accounts for May 2021.
The monthly accounting statements for May 2021 were approved by Councillor Trafford prior to the meeting. It was resolved to approve the monthly accounts for May 2021.
044/M/21 To note changes to the Unity Trust Bank current account fee from 1st July 2021.
We have received notification from Unity Trust Bank that our bank charges will be increasing from the 1st July, we will now also incur a 15 pence charge for each individual credit and debit transaction.
045/M/21 To elect a Chairman of the Property and Finance Committee.
Councillor Sockell had shown willingness to be considered, it was unanimously agreed that Councillor Sockell be elected as Chairman of the Property & Finance Committee.
046/M/21 To consider supporting the Lincolnshire Rivers Trust to develop a habitat improvement project along the beck.
Following an article from the Lincolnshire Rivers Trust in the Sheepwash Times, residents have expressed an interest to work alongside the trust to improve the habitat along the beck. The Trust would like the Parish council to support the project by promoting the community-based approach. The Trust would also look at potential funding to carry out any project. Councillor Nicklin expressed interest in this project and the Clerk agreed to forward all the relevant information. Councillor Nicklin will report back to the clerking team in due course with more information about the project.
047/M/21 To consider the recruitment of a village caretaker.
Members were informed that the former cleaner at Jubilee Hall retired in July 2020 and due to the pandemic, a replacement had not been sought. It was agreed that Jubilee Hall will reopen on 6th September subject to covid restrictions, (Minute no 025/M/21) with this in mind the Parish Council wish to appoint a village caretaker/cleaner. Following a brief discussion members agreed to the recruitment of a village caretaker/cleaner for 20 hours per week. A working party will meet to put together a suitable job description and discuss the application process, the recommendations will then be put to full council for ratification.
048/M/21 To discuss the installation and agree a budget for new equipment on Station Road recreation ground.
The vote for the new piece of play equipment took place at Millfield Primary Academy on Wednesday 9th June and the results show the winner to be the Rota Net with 132 votes followed in second place by the Roundabout with 105 votes. The General Administrator had contacted Sovereign Play Equipment for a quotation to install the Rota Net along with the wooden trail, adult arm & pedal bicycle, and the adult double health walker, the cost including delivery and excluding VAT is £14,701.44. Members agreed to a maximum budget of £10,000 with a 10% leeway, not including the section 106 monies. It was agreed that further quotations be obtained, and these will be discussed at the Property and Finance Committee meeting on 28th June 2021.
049/M/21 To consider quotations for the installation of solar panels at Station Road pavilion.
Further to minute no 35/F/20 from the Property Services Committee meeting on 16th November 2020, the Clerk has now secured further quotations for the installation of solar panels at Station Road pavilion. The quotations had been circulated prior to the meeting and it was resolved to use the quotation from UK Eco Energy Solutions Ltd, for £7,995. District and County Councillor Carrington is to enquire if planning permission is needed due to the pavilion being located in the conservation area.
050/M.21 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
District Councillors' Report
Heighington, Washingborough & Canwick June 2021
Covid
North Kesteven (13 Jun 21)
• no deaths within past 28 days
• 19 positive tests per 100,000 (65 per 100,000 in England)
• 81.6% of adult population have had 1st dose.
• 62.8% have had 2nd dose.
The Pfizer vaccine is now available at the Lincolnshire Showground Mass Vaccination Centre which will allow under 40s to access the recommended Pfizer vaccine at a convenient location.
Last of the Covid Business Grants: Restart
30 June is the final deadline to apply for the Restart Grant – up to £18,000 - for any small business in retail, hospitality, leisure, and personal care.
https://smallbusiness.co.uk/where-to-get-your-small-business-restart-grant-worth-up-to-18000-2552317/
Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries
The Boundary Commission for England has launched the 2023 review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries. There are currently 533 constituencies in England and there is a recommendation to increase this to 543 with the East Midlands region increasing by one.
Boundaries included in the North Kesteven region will be those currently in effect as the results of the recent BCE review need to be laid before Parliament before they are adopted in 2023.
The consultation stage is open for comments until 2 Aug 21. An information page is available on the NKDC website.
EU Settlement Status
30 June is the final deadline for EU, EEA or Swiss residents and their families to get settlement status in the UK. Applicants will need to download the app onto their phone, scan their passport and complete the form, including their NHS number.
Deposit Return Scheme
Keep Britain Tidy is heading a drive for the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme for drink containers of all sizes and materials. Drink’s containers make up 75% of litter found on our streets. The scheme is at the consultation stage and a link is as follows: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/deposit-return-scheme-and-extended-producer-responsibility?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Battery Power in Action
The UK’s first battery powered excavator is being used on the current Holdingham roundabout improvement scheme. With zero emissions, the excavator is as efficient and powerful as similar diesel-powered excavators.
Cllr. Ian Carrington – June LCC brief:
Election Results:
The May election delivered an overall Conservative majority. There are 70 county councillors:
• Conservatives – 54
• Independent Candidates – 5
• Labour – 4
• Liberal Democrats – 3
• South Holland Independents - 3
• Lincolnshire Independents - 1
During the election period there was a very strong message from the public that they continue to be concerned with potholes and fly-tipping, so we will be targeting these areas with more support. And we will continue to provide strong, effective support for our most vulnerable residents of all ages where it is needed. We will also be campaigning to secure more funding for the authority. It is essential we get a fairer deal from government to help us fund the services people deserve.
Business – Greater Lincolnshire LEP:
We are promoting the work, benefits & support of the LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) widely through social media and ask that you tag and share them too at @GreaterLincsLEP. You can follow latest news and updates at www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk and www.businesslincolnshire.com and also follow us on @GreaterLincsLEP and through LinkedIn.
Children's Services gain national recognition:
Congratulations to Children's Services who have got through to the final of the national Management Consultancies Association (MCA) Awards with consultants Impower. Their work in Reframing High Needs and SEND support has seen them shortlisted in the Change and Transformation in the Public Sector category. The winner will be announced in November.
National Carers Week 7- 13 June:
National Carers Week is a chance to recognise the contribution carers make to families and communities and raise awareness of the challenges they face. This year's theme is Make Caring Visible and Valued.
The vital role they play has been particularly highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has meant many adults, children and young people taking on more responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support.
In Lincolnshire there are an estimated 84,000 carers, including around 8,000 young carers. The county council greatly values the role that carers play and offers them a range of support. The council is running virtual groups for young carers and there is a Facebook page for young carers and their families.
For further information on the support available to carers, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/support-carers.
Help us to shape the Your Wellbeing Services:
Lincolnshire County Council want to understand people’s experiences of the services they provide to support a person’s wellbeing. Your views about these services are important whether positive or negative as they will help Lincolnshire County Council plan and deliver services that make a difference to people’s lives.
The services involved are Wellbeing Lincs; One You Lincolnshire; Lincolnshire Carers Service and Connect to Support.
There is a short survey that we would like you to complete to tell us if you have heard about these services and if you have used them, what you think about these services, and did they meet your needs?
The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/5WGPKM9
LCC is particularly interested in the views of people who may have extra needs including Physical and Learning Disabilities, Autism and Mental Health, they are equally interested in family members or carers who support a person with these conditions.
If you need assistance in completing this survey, please contact Tim by email: tim@hwlincs.co.uk or by phone: 07436 581995 who will support and help in sharing your views.
Women's Health Strategy: Call for Evidence
This call for evidence is seeking the collect views on women's health. It will run for a period of 14 weeks, but it has already started and is open to everyone aged 16 or over.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/womens-health-strategy-call-for-evidence
County Council heritage sites re-open:
As lockdown restrictions ease, it is great news that our heritage sites have re-opening.
The Collection Museum and Usher Gallery, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre, Museum of Lincolnshire Life and Lincoln Castle are all open.
Please note that some of the opening days and times have changed. Booking is essential for Lincoln Castle and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre, while pre-booking is strongly advised for the other sites.
For more detailed information, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/history-heritage.
There was some discussion about potholes and the issues that arise from applying top dressing to roads.
The Chairman enquired if there had been any update on the Pitts Road/Sheepwash Lane junction. Councillor Carrington informed members that he had met with officers in late April to discuss the measures on how to slow the traffic. It is hoped that the road markings will be replaced soon. Councillor Carrington hopes to meet with officers again and will report back to the Parish Council with any updates.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:34 hours.
Signed: