October 2021 Minutes
A meeting was held on Monday 11th October 2021, in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington and commenced at 19:30.
Public Participation
There were 4 members of the public present. One member of the public informed members under item 3 of the agenda that they had secured another venue and would no longer require the hire of the Jubilee Hall on New Years Eve 2021.
Present: Councillor Buckley-Jones (Chairman)
Councillor Sockell
Councillor Rushby
Councillor George
Councillor Nicklin
Councillor Pattle
Councillor Hemlin
Councillor Grimshaw
District Councillor Tinsley
District Councillor Goodwin
Clerk E. Salter
Responsible Finance Officer N. Briscoe
098/M/21 Chairman’s welcome.
The Chairman welcomed those present and thanked them for coming.
099/M/21 To receive Apologies for Absence, Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations.
Apologies for absence: Apologies were received from District Councillor Goodwin who informed the clerk that she may need to leave the meeting early and County & 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.
100/M/21 To
Following the public participation at the beginning of the meeting, Councillor Sockell informed members of the proposed temporary opening arrangements. Members voted in favour of bank holiday opening. It was resolved to set up a working task and finishing group to review the terms of hire over bank holidays before any events could take place.
Three members of the public left the meeting.
101/M/21 To approve Clerk’s Notes.
The draft notes from the meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 13th September 2021 were taken as read and approved as minutes.
Planning Matters and Tree Works.
- Tree works received from NKDC.
102/M/21 21/1504/TCA 69 High Street, Heighington, Lincoln. T1 Conifer - Reduce height by 6-7ft; T2 Crab Apple – reduce height 6-7ft to give clearance for cables; T3 Maple – reduce height 6-7ft to give clearance for cables. It was resolved to leave this matter to the Tree Officers discretion.
- Tree works decision notices received from NKDC.
- 21/1364/TCA 7A High Street, Heighington, Lincoln. T3 /T4 /T5 unspecified species – fell. Notification from North Kesteven District Council that a TPO is not required.
104/M/21 21/1407/LBC The Manor House, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington, Lincoln. Proposed alterations to existing outbuilding to form residential annex. Members considered this application and had no comments to make.
- Planning decision notices received from NKDC.
No planning decision notices were received.
105/M/21 Clerk’s report (for information only).
- The Parish Council has received notification from Lincolnshire County Council that a definitive map modification order has been made to footpath number 2 under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 53.
- To note that Lindum Construction have started works at Potterhanworth Road sports field, works should be complete by the 15th October.
- To note that the equipment for Station Road recreation ground has been delivered and works will commence tomorrow.
- To note that the community litter pick in conjunction with the Spar which took place on the 10th October was a great success.
106/M/21 Correspondence (Read file for Members’ perusal).
- Environmental Warden’s report
- Neighbourhood Policing Team Newsletter
107/M/21 To review the following policies.
- Grievance Resolution Policy
- Whistle Blowing Policy
- Equal Opportunities Policy
- Working From Home/Lone Worker Policy
- Disciplinary Policy
- Training and Development Policy
The above policies had been distributed prior to the meeting. It was suggested that in future any changes to the policies should be highlighted. Members approved the policies and agreed to collectively review them next year during the summer recess. It was also agreed that policies should not only apply to staff but Parish Councillors as well.
Councillor Hemlin had been contacted prior to the meeting and agreed to attend both services. Councillor Rushby also volunteered to attend the memorial garden on the 11 November.
The clerk informed members that the biggest tree that can be hired is 7ft. Following a brief discussion members agreed for the clerk to investigate the costs for purchasing a rooted tree to plant at Jubilee Hall. It was resolved to purchase a tree for Station Road at a later date.
The members areas document was circulated prior to the meeting. Councillors were advised to walk their areas on a regular basis and asked to report any lighting, highway, or street furniture issues to the clerking team. There was a brief discussion regarding the need for more dog bins in the village. Councillor Tinsley agreed to enquire how the Parish Council would acquire additional bins.
Councillor Grimshaw informed members that the Parish Council had received notification from Lincolnshire County Council that two residents were eligible for the grant, the residents will receive a total of 330 tress which will be supplied with a small tube and stake. Members were informed that the application process is recurring, and the clerk agreed to forward correspondence to Councillor Grimshaw received from Councillor Nicklin regarding other locations around the village that would be suitable for planting.
District Councillor Goodwin left the meeting.
Financial Matters.
112/M/21 To approve the monthly accounts for September 2021.
The monthly accounting statements for September 2021 were approved by Councillor Hemlin before the meeting.
- To note that that the second payment of the precept of £45,630 was received from North Kesteven District Council on 23rd September 2021.
- To confirm that the new RFO is now the contact on the Public Sector Deposit Fund account.
- To note that the litter picking grant application form has been completed and was returned on the 28th September 2021 to North Kesteven District Council.
- To note that a refund of VAT for £444.69 has been received for April, May & June 2021.
113/M/21 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
District Councillors' Report October 2021
Heighington, Washingborough & Canwick
Covid
Date as at 8 Oct 21:
- England 340 positive tests per 100,000
- North Kesteven 386
- Heighington area 388
- Washingborough & Canwick area 362
- 85% of adult population (12 and over) have had 1st dose
- 78% have had 2nd dose
Purple Bins
The first week’s collection of Purple Bins was a great success. 419 tonnes of paper and cardboard were collected and have been sent to the papermill to be recycled.
98.5% of Purple Bins were emptied – meaning 1.5% were uncollected due to the wrong materials being present.
The focus is now on improving the quality of waste placed in the Green Bins. www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/recycling contains information on what can be placed in the Green Bin including an A-Z of individual items. If the wrong materials are present, the Green Bin will not be collected!
NKDC Membership
Following a series of Councillor resignations and movements between political groups, the current political balance of the Council is.
NK Administration Group - 27
NK Independent Group - 11
Unaligned Councillors - 2
Vacancies - 3
By-Elections will take place on 11 Nov 21 in Metheringham and Sleaford Castle Ward to fill the vacancies.
Business Start-Up Grants
Businesses which have started up over the last 5 months, or are looking to start up, are able to apply for a new Start-Up grant established by NKDC. Applications from all sectors will be considered with priority given to those in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sectors.
Lincs NHS Services
A public consultation has commenced to consider the following services.
- Orthopaedic surgery across Lincs
- Urgent and emergency care at Grantham and District Hospital
- Acute medical beds at Grantham and District Hospital
- Stroke services across Lincs
A number of public events will take place over the 12-week consultation period, and all are encouraged to share their views using the consultation questionnaire which can be found on https://www.lincolnshire.nhs.uk
Cllr. Ian Carrington – October LCC briefing note:
Strategic Roadworks
Works on Pelham Bridge and the A15 are now complete. Works to increase capacity at the Holdingham roundabout at the Seaford end of the A15 are ongoing and on time and budget for completion later in the year.
Resident surveys have launched in Sleaford, Grantham, Skegness and Mablethorpe to enable people who travel in those areas the chance to have their say in shaping their local transport network over the next 15 years.
Local on-street traffic surveys are now under way in various locations to assess flows and speeds now the Eastern Bypass is fully open.
Branston Academy - Parking
I have received a consultation on the proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to control dangerous parking near the Academy - see attached details. Before responding as County member, I would value the views of the Parish Council or individual members. Please respond to Cllri.carrington@lincolnshire.gov.uk - I need to get my reply back by October 13th so a timely response would be appreciated.
Gritting Programme
From 1 October Lincolnshire’s gritters will be on call 24/7 until April, keeping the county moving during our coldest months. As usual, the team will be monitoring the weather around the clock, with the gritters ready to hit the road whenever needed.
When temperatures drop, they’ll treat every A and B road in the county - that’s nearly 2,000 miles of highway. They’ll also ensure that, where possible, there’s a treated link to all the main villages, schools, and hospitals. LCC has stockpiled around 25,000 tonnes of salt - enough for the harshest winter. You can keep up to date with the latest news from the gritting team by following @LincsCC_roads on Twitter. For further information about gritting, including a map of treated routes and winter driving advice, visit our website.
Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue
Lincolnshire firefighters who attend medical incidents will all be trained to the same standards in trauma response thanks to a new contract between Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and LIVES. Our firefighters have carried out co-responding duties for more than 20 years in Lincolnshire, and saved hundreds of lives. This training scheme will mean all fire crews have the same enhanced level of training in the latest equipment and techniques, boosting the training they already receive and enhancing the safety of the public.
Thousands of new trees to be planted in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire County Council has been successful in securing a grant to plant trees in non-woodland settings. Funded by Central Government's Local Authority Treescapes Fund, the county council will now work with volunteers, farmers, landowners, and district, town, and parish councils to plant them across the county.
This is part of the council's ambitious plan for tree planting in Lincolnshire – particularly in hedgerows, parklands, along footpaths and riverbanks and in copses and shelterbelts. This can make a huge difference to carbon absorption, flood protection and give great support for biodiversity.
Schemes have already been identified in main towns and also in many smaller communities around the county. We're also looking to plant more trees along the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and on the County Farms Estates. Plans are being discussed to create something special for the Queen's 70th Jubilee.
County Council hosts first ever Lincolnshire Climate Summit
A reminder that local people, organisations, and businesses are being invited to take part in LCC's first ever climate summit taking place on Wednesday 13 October at the Epic Centre. All parish councils have been invited to attend. It will be a day of discovering new ways of working together to reach net zero carbon emissions and finding out about the amazing things going on in Lincolnshire to tackle climate change. It is hoped that this event will bring together like-minded partners and inspire the change necessary to work for a better future and reach our net zero target.
Pandemic Response
The pandemic isn't over, and LCC continues to lead the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum which coordinates the County's response in co-operation with District councils, the NHS, and other bodies. Vaccination take up is very positive including among the young. For example, in our part of Lincolnshire well over 80% of 18 - 30-year-olds have has their first jab and around 75 are double jabbed - national Top Ten figures. However, no vaccine is 100% effective, and LCC carries out all its operations with COVID safety in mind and urges every local organisation and resident to do the same.
114/M/21 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’.
115/M/21 Staff Matters.
The Chairman informed members that the Parish Council had received a letter from the Environmental Operative informing them of her retirement with immediate effect. Members agreed to purchase a bare rooted rose as a thank you gift for her service of 20 years.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:24 hours.
Signed: Date: