Annual Council May 2021 Minutes
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 17th May 2021, in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington and commenced at 19:30.
Public Participation There were 2 members of the public present.
Present: Councillor Buckley-Jones (Chairman)
Councillor George
Councillor Trafford
Councillor Grimshaw
Councillor Pattle
Councillor Hemlin
District & County Councillor Carrington
District Councillor Goodwin
Clerk E. Salter
Responsible Finance Officer N. Briscoe
Councillor Buckley-Jones as Chairman opened the meeting with a welcome to those present.
001/M/21 Election of Chairman and receipt of signed Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Following a vote Councillor Alison Buckley-Jones was elected Chairman. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed, witnessed by the Clerk.
002/M/21 Election of Vice-Chairman.
Councillor Susan Sockell was elected Vice-Chairman.
003/M/21 To receive Apologies for Absence, Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations.
Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received from Councillor Sockell, Councillor Rushby, Councillor Hemlin, Councillor Dziadkiewicz, Councillor Nicklin and District Councillor Tinsley.
Declarations of Interest: There were no Declarations of Interest.
Requests for Dispensations: There were no Requests for Dispensations.
004/M/21 To approve Clerk’s Notes
The draft notes from the meeting of the Parish Council on 8th March 2021 were taken as read and approved as minutes. Draft notes from the meeting of the Property Services Committee of 22nd March 2021 were received for information.
005/M/21 Appointment of Members to the Property and Finance Committee, confirmation of the terms of reference of that committee and election of a chairman of that Committee.
Members appointed to serve and vote on the Property and Finance Committee were Councillor Buckley-Jones, Councillor Sockell, Councillor Rushby, Councillor Pattle, Councillor Grimshaw and Councillor George.
The terms of reference of the Property and Finance Committee were confirmed. It was agreed that a Chairman of the Property and Finance Committee would be appointed at first meeting on Monday 28th June 2021.
006/M/21 Appointment of Members to the Recreation Advisory Forum, confirmation of its terms of reference and the election of a chairman of that body.
Members appointed to serve on the Recreation Advisory Forum were Councillor Rushby, Councillor Sockell, Councillor Nicklin, Councillor Trafford, Councillor Hemlin, Councillor Dziadkiewicz and Councillor Cann. The terms of reference were confirmed. Councillor J Rushby was elected to serve as Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Forum.
007/M/21 Appointment of Members to the Employment Committee and confirmation of the terms of reference of that committee.
(This committee only meets on an ad hoc basis when required)
Members appointed to serve and vote on the Employment Committee were Councillor Nicklin, Councillor Cann, Councillor George, Councillor Hemlin and Councillor Pattle.
The terms of reference were confirmed.
.
008/M/21 To confirm appointments to outside bodies .
I. Four Parishes Cluster Group.
II. Pike and Eure Educational Foundation.
Members appointed to serve as representatives on the Four Parishes Cluster Group were Councillor Buckley-Jones, Councillor Nicklin and Councillor Trafford.
Councillor Sockell was appointed to serve as representative on the Pike and Eure Educational Foundation.
It was noted that Jane Dunning and Dennis Chantler had already been appointed to serve a four-year term on the Garretts Charity in January 2021 (minute no 157/M/20).
009/M/21 To reconfirm the Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, and the Code of Conduct for this Council.
The Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and the Code of Conduct were distributed before the meeting. Members resolved to confirm the Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, and the Code of Conduct of this Council.
010/M/21 To authorise the schedule of Routine Expenditure for 2021/2022 in accordance with the process set out in the Financial Regulations.
The schedule of Routine Expenditure was distributed before the meeting. Members resolved to authorise the payments.
011/M/21 To authorise the schedule of direct debit payments for 2021/2022.
The schedule of direct debt payments for 2021/2022 was distributed before the meeting. Members resolved to authorise the payments.
012/M/21 As appropriate, to allocate or reconfirm Members’ assignment to areas of the Parish.
A revised document setting out the proposed assignment of areas to Members and staff was circulated before the meeting. It was resolved to confirm the Members assignment to areas of the Parish.
013/M/21 To confirm the Civic Meeting Calendar for 2021/2022.
Members resolved to confirm the Civic Meeting Calendar for 2021/2022.
014/M/21 Clerk’s Report (for information only).
• This year the audit will be different due to the pandemic. The year-end accounts will be brought to a subsequent meeting in accordance with the auditor’s requirements.
• The year-end accounts have been submitted to the internal auditor. We are awaiting his report.
• As expected, the Parish Council has received the payment of £45,630.96, which represents the first half of the precept.
• We understand the Heighington Christmas Festival is scheduled to take place on Sunday 28th November 2021.
• The Parish Council has received notice from the North Kesteven Environmental Health team following a complaint from a local resident, the complainant has suggested that the vendors operating from Jubilee Hall front carpark are causing noise and odour disturbance. We have asked the vendors to try to limit the noise. We understand that NKDC will continue to monitor the situation.
• To note that we have received £101.40 from ASTCO clothing bank since it was installed in January.
015/M/21 Correspondence (Read file for Members’ perusal).
• Environmental Operative report for March 2021.
• Environmental Operative report for April 2021.
• Bracebridge and Cliff Villages Neighbourhood Policing Team Newsletter.
Financial Matters:
016/M/21 To approve the monthly accounts for March 2021 and April 2021.
The monthly accounting statements for March and April 2021 were approved by Councillor Buckley-Jones prior to the meeting. It was resolved to approve the monthly accounts for March and April 2021.
Planning Matters and Tree Works
Tree works received from NKDC.
There were no tree works received from NKDC.
Tree works decision notices received from NKDC.
017/M/21 21/0252/TCA 39 High Street, Heighington. T1 Pear – Fell.
Notification from North Kesteven District Council, that a Tree Protection Order is not required.
Planning applications received from NKDC.
018/M/21 21/0389/HOUS 8 Millers Close, Heighington. Remove existing conservatory and replace with wrap around single storey extension to provide additional living space and small annexe.
Members had no comment to make regarding this application.
019/M/21 21/0490/FUL 1 Eastmills Court, Heighington. Application to render and replacement cladding to front elevation.
Members had no comment to make regarding this application.
020/M/21 21/0579/HOUS & 21/0580/LBC The Manor House, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington. Erection of single storey and first floor rear extension together with internal alterations to existing dwelling.
Members had no comment to make regarding this application.
021/M/21 ` 21/0662/FUL 40 Fen Road, Heighington. Demolition of existing timber outbuilding and erection of block and render outbuilding to be used as a home salon.
Members showed concern regarding parking at the site. Fen Road is already a busy road into the village and parking on the footpath/highway is already an issue.
Planning application decision notices received from NKDC.
022/M/21 21/0111/HOUS 20 Daniel Crescent, Heighington. Erection of a single storey rear extension.
Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that this application has been approved.
023/M/21 21/0332/FUL Land to the rear of 45 Washingborough Road, Heighington. Erection of three residential dwellings with associated access road and landscaping and including alterations to 45 Washingborough Road. (Resubmission of 20/1654/FUL) Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that this application has been approved.
024/M/21 To consider quotations for the repair of the stone walls at Jubilee Hall.
The stone walls at Jubilee Hall have deteriorated over the past year due to the wet & cold weather. The Parish council has been advised that pantiles should replace the stone at the top of the wall to stop the water ingress. Quotations had been circulated prior to the meeting. Members resolved to use the quotation of £3,920.00 nett from R W Pinkett Building Contractors Ltd. The Clerk is to enquire if planning permission is required to change the existing top stones to pantiles.
025/M/21 To consider the reopening of Council owned properties following the pandemic.
Councillor Trafford gave a short report informing members that a small working party meeting took place on 29th April 2021 to discuss the reopening of Council owned buildings.
The working party suggested that Station Road and Potterhanworth Road reopen on 17th May 2021 in line with government guidelines. It was noted that Jubilee Hall would require a cleaner before it could open its doors to the public and regular hirers. Some Regular hirers have expressed wishes to return after the summer. It was agreed that Jubilee Hall will reopen on Monday 6th September subject to covid restrictions. The position of a cleaner/caretaker will be discussed at the Parish Council meeting in June 2021.
026/M/21 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
A copy of the County Councillors report for April 2021 had been circulated before the meeting. The Parish Council would like to thank Mr Oxby for his service over the years and wish him good luck in the future.
The following report was circulated before the meeting.
DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORT
17 MAY 2021
COVID 19
As of 16 May 21, the rate of people testing positive in North Kesteven was 15 per 100,000.
The National rate is 24 per 100,000.
The figure for our local area is so small that the Gov.UK website does not provide a reading!
Vaccinations continue at pace and many people are having their second jab advanced to within 12 weeks.
Today, 17 May 21, we reach the penultimate milestone of the Government’s roadmap with indoor hospitality allowed within limits. Cautious, responsible behaviour is the mantra!
NKDC has distributed £35m in Covid Business Grants throughout the pandemic. Congratulations to the Economic Development and Business Rates team supported by the Business Support and Customer Services for their hard work.
Remote Meetings
Councillors will be aware that remote meetings, at which decisions are made, are no longer allowed. Lateral Flow Tests before attending physical meetings are encouraged.
The District Council offices do not have the capacity to allow full Council or Planning meetings and therefore, until restrictions are lifted, reduced numbers on the Planning and Planning Sub Committees will remain in force.
The Audit Committee will meet this evening in the Council Chamber – hence Councillor Tinsley’s absence from the HPC.
The Hub
The National Centre for Craft & Design, hereon in known as The Hub, will open today in Sleaford following its £1.2m re-modelling including an extended café and redesigned gallery space and a new accessible dance and workshop space.
Recent Elections
The Conservative Party Candidate won the Bassingham and Brant Broughton Ward District Councillor election thereby creating the following seat allocation at NKDC:
NK Administration Group – 22
Lincolnshire Independents – 15
Unaligned Independents - 6
Congratulations to Councillor Carrington (this report was drafted by Councillor Tinsley!) on being elected as the County Councillor for the Potterhanworth and Coleby Division.
Purple Bins
Following last year’s successful trial, the Council is now seeking the views of residents regarding the separate collection of recyclable paper and card. This process will allow recyclable material to be kept separate from other ‘green bin’ contents and will reduce the chance of contamination which decreases its use and value. The survey closes on Mon 24 May 21 and can be accessed via a hyperlink on the Members Link publication.
Fly Tipping
The incidence of Fly Tipping has increased by 2/3rds over the past year. 1405 incidents were reported in the 12 months ending in Mar 21. Lincolnshire agencies have therefore formed a county-wide Environmental Crime Partnership to reduce and prevent Fly Tipping across Lincolnshire.
County & District Councillor Carrington gave a short verbal report, a written report will follow.
Councillor Buckley-Jones informed Councillor Carrington of an email received from a concerned resident regarding the recent discovery of a large volume of British domestic plastic waste that had been exported to Turkey for dumping or illegal burning. Councillor Carrington informed members that North Kesteven District Council is a waste collection authority, and much leftover waste goes to the waste plant at North Hykeham where it is safely incinerated, and the heat produced is used to generate electricity.
Councillor Buckley-Jones informed Councillor Carrington of an email that had been received by a resident after making a complaint to NKDC about a tree that had been damaged during telecommunication works on Clarke Avenue. Councillor Carrington asked the clerk to forward the relevant emails so that he could investigate further.
027/M/21 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’.
028/M/21 Staff matters.
To note that the Environmental Operative is currently off sick and has reduced her hours from 6 hours per week to 5 hours per week from 1st April 2021.
To note that our self-employed contractor will receive at least the same minimum hourly rate as the Environmental Operative from 1st April 2021, depending on what equipment he has to use.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:30 hours.
Signed: