March 2021 Minutes
A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 8th March 2021 by video conferencing and commenced at 19:30.
Public Participation - There were 7 members of the public present.
Present: Councillor Buckley-Jones (Chairman)
Councillor Sockell
Councillor George
Councillor Nicklin
Councillor Cann
Councillor Dziadkiewicz
Councillor Hemlin
District Councillor Carrington
District Councillor Tinsley
District Councillor Goodwin
Co-Clerk Operations: E. Salter
Co-Clerk Finance: J. James
186/M/20 Chairman’s welcome.
The Chairman welcomed those present and thanked them for coming.
187/M/20 To receive Apologies for Absence, Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations.
Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received from Councillor Rushby, Councillor Hemlin who informed the clerk that she may need to leave the meeting early due to work commitments, District Councillor Goodwin who would be late and County Councillor Oxby.
Declarations of Interest: There were no Declarations of Interest.
Requests for Dispensations: There were no Requests for Dispensations.
188/M/20 To approve the Clerk’s notes as minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council on 8th February 2021.
The notes having been circulated before the meeting were taken as read and were approved.
189/M/20 To consider the Co-option of three new Councillors.
There have been three candidates who put themselves forward for the positions. It was resolved to Co-opt Mrs Pattle, Mr Grimshaw and Mr Trafford as Councillors.
Planning Matters
Tree works received from NKDC.
There were no tree works received from NKDC.
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.
190/M/20 20/1770/HOUS The Cottage, Beck Lane, Heighington, Lincoln. Erection of conservatory to rear of dwelling. Notification received from North Kesteven District council that this application has been approved.
191/M/20 Clerk’s Report (for information only).
• Following the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on 1st March 2021 it was agreed to amalgamate the Policy & Resources Committee and the Property Services Committee and rename as the Finance and Property Committee from May 2021.
• To note an email received from County Councillor Oxby informing the Parish Council that he has been informed by Highways that there are some proposed improvements to the Pitts Road/Sheepwash Lane junction. Unfortunately, no dates have been given.
• To note that the PHS contract will be terminated on 31st March 2021.
• Following a post on the Nextdoor app regarding a clean-up group in the village, Heighington Parish Council would like to offer their support in any way they can.
• To note an email from Lincolnshire County Council to confirm that we have been awarded £100.00 from the Covid 19 Community Fund Scheme.
• To note that work to eradicate the chafer bugs at Station Road and Potterhanworth Road will be carried out as soon as possible.
192/M/20 Correspondence (Read file for Members’ perusal).
• Environmental Operative reports for February 2021.
• Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team Newsletter.
Councillor Dziadkiewicz joined the meeting.
Financial Matters:
193/M/20 To approve the monthly accounts for January 2021.
The monthly statements were approved by Councillor Ian George. It was resolved to approve the monthly accounts for February 2021.
To note that a payment of £613.53 has been made to LALC for Annual membership.
To note that a payment of £120.00 has been made to Community Lincs for the three-year community buildings membership.
To note that Councillor Ian George has been authorised as signatory at Unity Trust Bank.
To note that a payment of £168.00 has been made to LALC for the 2021/2022 annual training scheme.
The budget will be finalised after the year end account at 31st March 2021 have been prepared. Allocation of some of the budget will be put into the Designated Reserves for projects in the village such as new play equipment and chafer bug treatment of the playing field.
To note that the audit will now take place in May 2021 due to Covid restrictions being in place.
194/M/20 To discuss the hire charges for Council owned facilities.
Following a brief discussion, it was resolved to leave the 2020/21 hire charges for Jubilee Hall in place for 2021/2022 due to groups and clubs restarting after the pandemic. The Parish Council are keen to welcome back regular hirers as soon as it safe to do so, in line with government guidelines.
Members resolved to discuss the sports hire charges at the next meeting of the Property Services Committee where the current hire agreements will also be discussed.
District Councillor Goodwin joined the meeting.
195/M/20 To consider holding the Annual Parish Meeting remotely on Monday 26th April 2021.
No Annual Parish meeting took place last year due to the pandemic. Members resolved to hold the Annual Parish meeting remotely. It was agreed that the meeting would be recorded and posted on social media. Village groups and clubs will be invited to promote themselves and members of the public will be informed of the proposed development of Station Road recreation ground.
196/M/20 To consider holding a joint scarecrow festival with Washingborough Parish Council.
Following a discussion at the Recreation Advisory Forum meeting on 26th October 2020 (minute number 09/A/20) and after seeing Washingborough Parish Councils proposal to hold a similar event, the Parish Council would like to hold a joint festival during the summer. This event would allow all residents to participate and could go ahead even if the weather is unkind or if Covid restrictions remain in place. It was resolved to work with Washingborough Parish Council on this event. District Councillor Goodwin informed members of a similar event that has been held in Bracebridge Heath for the past seven years and offered advice to the Clerk’s on the running of such an event.
197/M/20 To discuss the proposal for the development of Station Road recreation
ground.
Councillor Buckley-Jones gave a short presentation on the development of Station Road recreation ground. Members were informed of the ideas to:
• Move the Parish Council office from Jubilee Hall to Station Road and create a community hub/information centre for residents who have slow/no internet provision.
• Install solar panels to Jubilee Hall and Station Road pavilion.
• Place more play equipment for children and adults on the recreation ground using funds from S106 monies.
• To create an avenue of trees across the field to provide separate areas for seating, sensory garden, and green sward. This could include fruit trees to create a community orchard.
• To place a running path around the field for joggers/runners & children learning to ride cycles.
• To install intelligent lighting.
It was agreed that residents would have an opportunity to put forward their ideas for the use of this area. Members also discussed the requirement to instruct a consultant to carry out the development plans. Members resolved to discuss the proposal further at the Property Services Committee on 22nd March 2021.
198/M/20 To note the changes to:
• Standing Orders
• The Environmental Policy
• Information available from Heighington Parish Council under the publication scheme.
Members resolved to approve the changes to the above polices.
199/M/20 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
March 2021 County Council Report.
At Februarys' full County Council the main topic was this years' Budget proposals. Most were voted for, but with a few surprises. The general rate increase of 1.99% was expected and the proposed 3% extra for adult care was withdrawn. A £12m saving on the previous year had resulted in this proposed increase being now not being required. A proposed £10m increase on road funding was increased on the day to £12.5m and was gratefully received. The winter has taken a toll on our road system resulting in our usual supply of potholes! Currently we have a back log of around 5000 potholes to address, although seemingly a large number, back in 2018 we had 20,000 to contend with but extra teams were brought in to deal with these and are still being used today.
The Business Support Grant announced in February was also given the go ahead. This £12m fund invites between 1000 and 2000 business to apply for grants up to £10.000. This allows those businesses which couldn't apply for the government’s grants announced during the two phases of lockdown, to apply directly to the County Council. Already the first phase was completed at the end of February and further businesses can apply for the second and subsequent phases.
The latest Green Master Plan was also given the go ahead. The council is aiming to be carbon free by 2050 and has already being implementing some of these policies for some time.
Small property flooding incidents will benefit from a new fund now being set up. In the past only larger flooding issues affecting multiple properties have been the priority but now even single issues can hopefully now be addressed.
A review in the Minerals and Waste local plan is being undertaken and most of the current policies will be reviewed and updated where necessary.
A pre-application planning charge is being introduced by the county council. Currently no council is obliged to do this, but most do, and it is recognised that officer time is taken up during this process and a charging policy is being drawn up. The county mainly deals with large applications which will not normally affect householder applications, which normally is dealt with by the districts.
We are now reaching the end of the council four-year term and elections will take place in May. With the Covid situation appearing last year, it has changed the way that parishes, district, and county councils have had to operate. Technology has come to the rescue with 'Teams' meetings and 'Zoom' meetings being now the temporary normal, although I am prevented from using Zoom by the council, I hope my monthly updates have been useful keeping the parishes and county connected during these unusual times.
Next month we will be in 'Purdah' this is the six-week period before the election takes place so information from councillors is restricted, so this is my final 'normal' report to you, next months' may be 'short and sweet'.
DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORT TO PARISH COUNCILS
MARCH 2021
COVID STATISTICS
National
84 positive tests per 100K (4 Mar)
North Kesteven
96 positive tests per 100K (4 Mar)
Washingborough, Canwick, Branston area
36 positive tests per 100K (27 Feb)
Heighington, Potterhanworth, Metheringham
81 positive tests per 100K (27 Feb)
Vaccinations
1ST dose vaccinations continue at pace and 2nd doses are now accelerating in accordance with the Government’s schedule.
North Kesteven District Council meeting – 2 Mar 21
Two key issues were resolved at this meeting.
• Council approved an ambitious NK Plan (2021-24). Key points;
o The plan is fully aligned with the UN Development goals,
o The plan drives forward the Council’s climate change initiative,
o The plan is based on a strong and prosperous local economy.
• Council approved the NK Financial Plan. Key points;
o The plan is prudent but ambitious,
o An increase in Council Tax (£4.95 for a Band D property) was approved but this is underpinned by a safety net for those in financial difficulty,
o The plan contains £230M Capital investment over the next 10 years. This is impressive for a relatively small council and represents economic gain offering social and local benefits.
Pitts Road Junction Washingborough
The Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership have recognised the issues at this junction and have bid for funding to carry out mitigation works. These works should include additional signage and refreshing of road markings as well as further opening up of the approaches by trimming back vegetation. Hopefully, the erection of Stop signs on the Pitts Road, Sheepwash approaches will be considered.
Pre-Election Period Guidance
The period of Purdah for elections taking place on 6 May 21 for Lincolnshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner and any contested local by-elections commences on 22 Mar 21. This means;
• Local authorities should not publish any material which, in whole or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party.
• Normal business should continue unless there are very good reasons why this should not be the case.
Voting on 6 May 2021
Polling stations will be open but with additional safety measures including;
• Wearing a face covering.
• Voters encouraged to bring their own pen or pencil.
• Cleaning hands on entering and leaving the polling station.
• Maintaining social distance at all time.
Postal voters will need to apply by 20 Apr 21.
200/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’.
201/M/20 Staff matters.
The Chair updated all Councillors about progress of the recruitment of the Responsible Finance Officer. Mrs. Nikki Briscoe has been appointed and will take up her role during March at a date to be mutually agreed. Because Mrs. Briscoe was a Parish Councillor until the end of October 2020 she cannot be paid until November 2021.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:54 hours.
Signed: Date: