October 2022 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 10th October 2022 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Cerrino
Councillor Dziadkiewicz (arrived 7.27pm)
Councillor George
Councillor Pattle
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Sockell (Chairman)
Councillor Sowerby
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
Responsible Finance Officer - Nikki Briscoe
LCC & NKDC Councillor Ian Carrington (arrived 7.47pm)
Absent:
Councillor Hemlin
Councillor Trafford
NKDC Councillor Glenn Tinsley
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin
There were 2 members of the public present.
The session commenced with a presentation from Lincolnshire Rivers Trust on a potential project for Heighington Beck, as part of their ‘Bringing the Limestone Becks Back to Life’ project.
A representative from Lincolnshire Rivers Trust, supported by a representative from the Environment Agency shared information on this project, which has been running since 2017 and is funded by the Environment Agency. The importance of limestone becks (which are not as high profile as chalk streams) was stressed – the becks are important for fish, water voles and other wildlife, and provide resilience in periods of drought. Project plans and funding bids will need to be produced in January-February. Lincolnshire Rivers Trust work closely with the local community, including the school eco council and local landowners to put forward suitable plans to be considered. Examples of work on the becks in other areas were shared and this included berms to increase the water flow, reducing the steepness of the banks, digging out in places to produce a more sinuous flow to the beck, wildflower planting along the banks. Nettleham had set up a beck working group, and this was something Lincolnshire Rivers Trust were keen to develop in other villages.
A question was asked regarding the overgrown banks on the part of the beck which runs through the village, and its potential impact on flooding in recent years. The Environment Agency confirmed that this does not impact the flood risk as the flooding in the village is caused by the underground reservoir.
A further question was asked about which specific area of the beck is being considered for this project. Lincolnshire Rivers Trust confirmed that the project could look at minor changes to the beck in the centre of the village or it could be more major works downstream. This would be determined following community engagement and looking at potential options.
Council thanked the guests for sharing this information.
Cllr Dziadkiewicz arrived at 7:27pm.
The members of public left the meeting at 7:43pm.
Public Participation
There were no public questions.
094/M/22 To receive apologies for absence, these having been submitted to the Clerk prior to the meeting
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hemlin and Trafford.
Apologies were also received from NKDC Councillors Glenn Tinsley and Carola Goodwin.
095/M/22 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations
There were no Requests for Dispensations and no Declarations of Interest.
096/M/22 To approve the draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 27th September 2022 and for the Chairman to sign them as the agreed minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Pattle, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to approve the minutes.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
097/M/22 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC
No applications received.
098/M/22 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
No decision noticed received.
099/M/22 To consider planning application received from NKDC
No applications received.
100/M/22 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 22/1137/HOUS. Demolition of study/entrance to rear and erection of single storey extensions to the front and rear of the dwelling. 97 Washingborough Road, Heighington. Application approved.
The NKDC planning decision was noted.
Financial matters:
101/M/22 To approve the monthly accounts for September
The RFO confirmed that the second precept payment had now been received. It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved, to approve the September accounts.
102/M/22 To agree a S.137 grant of £50 for the memorial wreath
This was proposed by Cllr Rushby, seconded by Cllr Pattle and resolved.
103/M/22 To review fees and charges and terms and conditions for hirers (room hires)
Cllr Buckley-Jones clarified that a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) requirement was just not for the sale of alcohol, but also covered the provision of regulated entertainment and late-night refreshments, however the booking form question only related to alcohol and therefore may need reviewing further.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Pattle and resolved to:
- Delegate discretionary powers to officers to vary the hire charge from the tariff, or to waive the charge under specific circumstances and powers
- Amend the booking form to cater for other circumstances in which a TEN may be required, as per the comment above from Cllr Buckley-Jones
- Amend the terms and conditions of hire and the booking form to cater for the music licence requirements, so that hirers in these circumstances would either have to arrange for their own music licence or pay an additional charge to the council
- Amend the terms and conditions of hire and booking form accordingly, dependent on the feedback received from our insurance company regarding the use of bouncy castles by hirers
104/M/22 To review the revised Risk Register
The amended Risk Register was reviewed. Cllr Buckley-Jones requested further clarification on the amber items, particularly identification of those items which the parish council can influence, as opposed to those it cannot. It was proposed by Cllr Cerrino, seconded by Cllr George, and resolved to approve the Risk Register and for this to be reviewed 6-monthly, in October and May.
105/M/22 To agree sign up to the Civility and Respect pledge for the local council sector
Councillors had received a briefing on the Civility and Respect project being run by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), and One Voice Wales (OVW). It was proposed by Cllr Sowerby, seconded by Cllr Dziadkiewicz and resolved, to sign up to the pledge.
106/M/22 To receive provisionally costed options for potential zero carbon parishes grant spend and agree the priority ideas to be progressed
Cllr Buckley-Jones produced a provisionally costed list of potential projects. As we are currently waiting for further quotes and for feedback from the LCC Zero Carbon Parishes project team as to which of our ideas could qualify for the grant, it was resolved to feedback to council once all this information has been received, so that the priority ideas can then be determined.
107/M/22 To agree a councillor to attend the Remembrance Service and lay a wreath on behalf of the parish council
Cllr Rushby volunteered, subject to clarification of the two remembrance events.
108/M/22 To consider whether to hold a festive event for parishioners this year
Cllr George proposed, Cllr Sockell seconded, and it was resolved to agree to hold this event in principle, subject to a date being set and sufficient volunteers available.
109/M/22 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only)
Update from County Councillor Carrington:
Cllr Carrington’s report was due to be issued in the next few days. Cllr Carrington agreed to chase Highways for an update on the proposed improvements to the Sheepwash Lane/Washingborough Road junction.
Update from NKDC Councillor Tinsley:
Heighington, Washingborough & Canwick - October 2022
Covid
Covid cases have begun to rise as winter approaches as shown below.
Data as at date shown:
- England 90 (1 Oct) positive tests per 100,000 compared to 53 (Sep)
- Heighington area 80 (1 Oct) compared to 68 (Sep)
- Washingborough & Canwick area 145 (1 Oct) compared to 43 (Sep)
The autumn rollout of Covid booster jabs and Flu jabs is now underway.
Annual Household Canvas
All households in NK have now received communication regarding changes to occupancy to inform Electoral Services. Those who have yet to respond will receive either a phone call or a physical call from an appointed NK Electoral Services Canvasser, throughout Oct/Nov, to encourage completion of the relevant information. Canvassers will always carry official ID. It should be noted that Ukrainian citizens are not eligible to vote and should not be included on canvass forms.
Central Lincolnshire Local Plan (CLLP) - Progress
The CLLP contains planning policies that are intended to be applied in Central Lincolnshire and is used to make decisions on planning applications. It contains site allocations to meet the growth needs to 2040.
The new CLLP has been submitted for examination. On 3 Oct, the Local Plan Inspectors issued their Matters, Issues and Questions which form the questions to which they require answers and which will frame the examination hearing sessions.
The Local Plan Hearing Sessions press release can be found at:
https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/UKNORTHKESTEVEN/2022/10/07/file_attachments/2292149/Local%20Plan%20Hearing%20Sessions%20Press%20Release.pdf
Breastfeeding-Friendly Project
The Council has commenced a Breastfeeding-Friendly project which aims to make parents feel welcome, safe and protected whilst feeding their baby. The project aims to break down the barriers surrounding public breastfeeding and a sticker is available to businesses and venues who wish to support this initiative.
Stickers can be obtained through: partnershipsteam@n-kesteven.gov.uk
LCC and NKDC Councillor Ian Carrington left the meeting (8.22pm).
110/M/22 CLOSED SESSION. To resolve to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 for the following commercially sensitive item(s) on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
It was proposed by Cllr Sockell, seconded by Cllr Pattle and resolved to move into closed session.
111/M/22 To review facilities management options for health & safety checks at council premises
It was proposed by Cllr Sockell, seconded by Cllr Pattle and resolved to continue with Selmec for this year and review for next year.
The meeting closed at 8.28pm.
Please be advised that these are notes of the meeting taken by the Clerk and cannot in any way be regarded as the official minutes of Council proceedings until they are approved and signed at the next meeting.