2021 Property & Finance Committee Minutes

A meeting of the Property and Finance Committee was held on Monday 6th December 2021 in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington and commenced at 19:30 hours.

Present:               Councillor Sockell (Chairman)

                              Councillor Buckley-Jones

                              Councillor George

                              Councillor Grimshaw

Clerk                                                   E Salter               

Responsible Finance Officer        N Briscoe

Public Participation

There were 2 members of the public present.

29/G/21              Chairman’s opening remarks and welcome.

The Chairman welcomed those present and thanked them for coming. Members were informed that item 14 on the agenda would now be discussed in closed session.

30/G/21              Apologies, Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations.

Apologies:  Apologies were received from Councillor Rushby and Councillor Pattle.

Declarations of Interest:  There were no Declarations of Interest.

Requests for Dispensations:  There were no Requests for Dispensations.

31/G/21              To approve the Clerks notes from the meeting of the Property and Finance Committee on Monday 27th September 2021. To receive the draft notes, for information, from the Recreation Advisory Forum meeting on Monday 25th October 2021.

The notes for the Property and Finance Committee meeting on Monday 27th September 2021 had been distributed beforehand and were taken as read and approved as minutes. The draft notes from the Recreation Advisory Forum meeting on Monday 25th October were received for information.

Planning Matters:

• Tree works received from NKDC.

32/G/21 21/1780/TPO 4 The Old Stackyard, Heighington, Lincoln. T1 willow – re-pollard and reduce by 2m; T2 Willow – fell. Members had no comment to make, and it was resolved to refer to the Tree Officer.

33/G/21 21/1800/TCA The Cottage, Beck Lane, Heighington, Lincoln. T1 Birch – reduce height 2m -spread 1m; T2 Ash – fell. Members had no comment to make, and it was resolved to refer to the Tree Officer.

34/G/21 21/1838/TCA 60 High Street, Heighington, Lincoln. T2 Birch – reduce lowest branches by 1m all round; T3 Rowan – crown lift to 15 feet. Members had no comment to make, and it was resolved to refer to the Tree Officer.

• Tree works decision notices received from NKDC.

35/G/21 21/1621/TCA Harvest House, Chapel Lane, Heighington, Lincoln. Reduce line of conifers on north-western boundary to 5m. Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that a TPO is not required.

• Planning applications received from NKDC.

36/G/21 21/1722/HOUS 5 Fen View, Heighington, Lincoln. Erection of flat roofed single storey extension to existing bungalow. Members considered this application and had no comment to make.

• Planning application decision notices received from NKDC.

37/G/21 21/1406/HOUS & 21/1407/LBC The Manor House, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington, Lincoln. Proposed alterations and extension of existing outbuilding to form residential annex including erection of car port. Notification received from North Kesteven District Council that this application has been approved.

38/G/21                             Clerk’s report (for information only).

• Heighington Parish Council would like to thank Blakemore Foundation for their kind donation of £40.00 towards the festive tea and cake afternoon, which will take place on 15th December in the Jubilee Hall.
• To note that the refurbishment of the telephone box on the High Steet is now complete.
• Works to repair the stone walls at Jubilee Hall took place week commencing 15th November, this work is now complete.
• The new equipment has been installed at Station Road recreation ground and the old equipment has been repainted.
• The autumn weed and feed treatment was carried out on 30th November at Potterhanworth Road sports ground.
• The annual draining down maintenance work of the irrigation system at the bowling green was carried out on the 18th November by Maddison Water Technology.
• To note a delay in the supply of the column for the additional CCTV camera that is due to be installed at Station Road.
• The picnic bench at Station Road has been vandalised, this has been reported to the local policing team and the bench has been put behind the fencing for the winter.
• To note that following a review of the Civic Calendar, no meetings will take place in January 2022.
• Following the recommendation from the Recreation Advisory Forum that we will be taking part in the Scarecrow festival next year.
• To note that the key safe has now been installed at Jubilee Hall. The working party is still to meet to discuss how bookings will be serviced if the caretaker is unavailable.
• To note that repairs to the emergency lighting will be carried out on the 9th December.
• To note that an emergency repair was carried out to ladies toilet at Station Road pavilion at a cost of £55.00.

39/G/21              To consider the quotations for the installation of a ramp and repairs to the bowling green footpath.

Further to minute number 33/F/20, Three quotations had been obtained for the installation of a ramp and repairs to the footpath at the side of the bowling green. Members resolved to use the quotation of £3220.00. The Clerk is to contact the builder to enquire if the quotation is valid as it was obtained in May 2021.

40/G/21              To discuss the location of the new notice board on Station Road recreation ground.

The new notice board has now been delivered and the old one removed from Canterbury Drive, following a brief discussion members resolved to install the notice board on left hand side of the entrance gate.

41/G/21              To consider the installation of a dual waste bin on Station Road.

The Clerking team had received an email from a Branston resident requesting that a new dog waste bin be placed on Station Road where it meets Branston Road. Members had been provided with a bin location map prior to the meeting and following a brief discussion it was resolved to seek the caretaker’s advice on removing the dog bin on Millstream Road and relocating it on Station Road to replace the existing bin.

42/G/21              To consider new signage for Station Road play equipment.

The Parish office has received several complaints regarding dogs on the Station Road recreation ground, close to the play equipment. One resident had witnessed a dog urinating up the new wooden equipment, while another had seen an owner throwing a ball up the slide for the dog to fetch. Members resolved to obtain signage to be placed near to the children’s play area. The General Administrator is to obtain quotes before any purchases are made.

43/G/21              To discuss the refurbishment of the kitchen area at Potterhanworth Road pavilion.

Appointments have been made for companies to come out and measure up for the installation of a new kitchen. The Clerk is to obtain quotes for suitable flooring. A small working party is to work on this project once quotations have been received.

44/G/21              To discuss the Parish Council’s insurance renewal for 2022.

The Clerking team has received a renewal questionnaire from Gallagher Insurance, it was noted that none of the play equipment is insured. Following a brief discussion, it was resolved to contact Gallagher to arrange for a site visit to obtain a more accurate quotation to include the newly installed CCTV, Solar Panels, play equipment and irrigation system.

45/G/21              Financial Matters.

• To note the annual subscription to Scribe of £468.00, the increase from last year is due to multi users.
• The six-monthly internal audit was carried out on 11th November at a cost of £150.00. the auditor can conclude that all appears to be complete and correct up to the 30th September 2021.
• To note the electricity prices for all three sites from 1st October 2021 to 30th September 2022.

46/G/21              To consider giving the General Administrator access to the Unity Trust Bank on a view only basis.

It was agreed that the General Administrator would be given the authority to view payments on the Unity Trust Bank account.

47/G/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.’

50/G/21              Date of Next meeting.

Monday 23rd May 2022.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:05.

Signed:                                                                     Date: