November 2022 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 14th November 2022 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor George
Councillor Hemlin
Councillor Pattle (Vice Chair – Chair for the meeting)
Councillor Sowerby
Councillor Trafford
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
NKDC Councillor Goodwin
Absent:
Councillor Cerrino
Councillor Dziadkiewicz
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Sockell
Responsible Finance Officer - Nikki Briscoe
LCC & NKDC Councillor Carrington
NKDC Councillor Tinsley
There were no members of the public present.
Public Participation
There were no public questions.
112/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 Cerrino, Rushby and Sockell.
Apologies were also received from the RFO, LCC & NKDC Councillor Carrington and NKDC Councillor Tinsley.
113/M/22 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations
There were none.
114/M/22 To approve the draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 10th October 2022 and for the Chairman to sign them as the agreed minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Sowerby, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to approve the minutes.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
115/M/22 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC
No applications received.
116/M/22 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
a. 22/1275/TCA. T1 Magnolia. Prune and re-shape. The Granary, High Street, Heighington, LN4 1RG. Decision – TPO not served.
b. 22/1307/TCA. T1 Laburnum – fell; T2 Laburnum – crown lift to give statutory highway clearance. Maple House, Mill Lane, Heighington, LN4 1RQ. Decision – TPO not required.
c. 22/1439/TCA. T1 unknown species – remove new growth. Hall Barn, 33 Back Lane, Heighington, LN4 1RH. Decision – TPO not required.
The decisions were noted.
117/M/22 To consider planning application received from NKDC
a. 22/1432/DISCON. Application to discharge conditions 3 (boundary treatment), 4 (arboricultural method statement), 6 (soft landscaping), 7 (external lighting), 8 (bird & bat boxes), 9 (Construction Method Statement), 10 (Hard & soft landscaping) attached to planning permission 21/0332/FUL – Erection of three residential dwellings with associated access road and landscaping and including alterations to 45 Washingborough Road (resubmission of 20/1654/FUL).
Council had no comments/objections.
118/M/22 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 22/1250/HOUS. Erection of a single storey and first floor rear extension. Brookfields, Park Lane, Heighington. Application approved.
b. 22/1260/HOUS. Erection of detached garage. The Stables, The Old Stackyard, Heighington. Application approved.
c. 22/1424/PNH. Single storey rear extension 5.5m in length from the original wall, eaves height of 2.1m and maximum height of 3.5m. 24 Stoyles Way, Heighington, LN4 1TW. Prior approval is not required.
The NKDC planning decisions were noted.
Financial matters:
119/M/22 To approve the monthly accounts for October
It was proposed by Cllr Hemlin, seconded by Cllr George and resolved, to approve the October accounts.
Cllr Sowerby declared an interest and left the room at this point (7:08pm).
120/M/22 To agree payment of £114.37 expenses to Cllr Andy Sowerby for materials required to fit out the telephone box as a book and seed swap, as agreed at September Full Council (minute reference 087/M/22)
This was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved.
Cllr Sowerby returned to the room (7:09pm).
121/M/22 To consider continuing with the electricity contract as per the ESPO procurement framework (Total Energies Gas & Power) for 2024-2028 (our current contract runs to September 2024)
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to continue with the electricity contract as per the ESPO procurement framework.
122/M/22 To review the proposed room hire charges for 2023-24
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Trafford, and resolved that the room hire charges for 2023-24 should be:
• No change to the current hourly rates for regular hirers
• £1 per hour increase for private hire, including non-regular commercial users
123/M/22 To approve the revised Terms of Reference for the Employment Committee
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Hemlin and resolved, to approve the revised Terms of Reference for the Employment Committee, with the additional amendment that the minimum number of councillors on the committee should be 3 and the maximum number should be 5.
124/M/22 To approve the updated Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme and Information Available Under the Publication Scheme documents
it was proposed by Cllr Sowerby, seconded by Cllr Hemlin and resolved to approve the updated Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme and Information Available Under the Publication Scheme documents.
125/M/22 To consider a request from Firehouse Pizza to site outside the Jubilee Hall every other Friday
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to grant the request from Firehouse Pizza, subject to a trial period, hours between 5:30pm and 7:30pm, and to fit in around dates already agreed with Curry Jacks.
126/M/22 To receive the litter picker’s report for the period July - September
The report was noted.
127/M/22 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only)
Update from County Councillor Carrington:
Cost of living
LCC has a comprehensive information service for residents highlighting various forms of assistance, some directly involving County and District councils, others being delivered by central government or other entities. LCC will continue to act both as a direct provider and a sign-posting agency to make sure our residents can access all available help, and we are working with partners to co-ordinate efforts. Further details on the LCC and NKDC websites.
Keeping children and young people safe online
Two free information events, hosted by the Stay Safe Partnership’s online safety officer Dan Hawbrook, aim to give parents, carers, and professionals the tools to keep children and young people safe online. Register your place and find out more about each session through the following links: A Date with Dan Tickets, Wed 7 Dec 2022 at 18:00 | Eventbrite and Ask Dan Anything - Professional Q&A Tickets, Wed 14 Dec 2022 at 16:00 | Eventbrite.
Lincoln Castle Christmas Market illuminated walk
Tickets are available now for the Lincoln Castle Illuminated Wall Walk.
From Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 December, Lincoln Castle will welcome tens of thousands of visitors for the city’s annual Christmas Market.
Make your Lincoln Christmas Market visit more magical by walking the castle walls
Recycling
I chair the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee at the County Council. We recently heard of some emerging changes to the way residents are using recycling pre-and post-lockdown. Overall the amount of refuse being disposed has fallen (which is good) but the proportion being recycled has fallen slightly too – which is not good! We need to understand the background to get recycling rates back on an upward track, and my Committee will investigate. On a positive note the purple-lidded bins for paper and card have been a great success with the North Kesteven collection being over 99% pure – and that makes a financial contribution towards running the refuse service.
North Hykeham Relief Road
We are now doing detailed ground investigations along the route. With the contractor appointed we’re looking at the planning application being made next year ahead of construction getting under way in 2025 and completion scheduled for 2028.
Summer Road Repairs
In addition to major road repair/rebuilding schemes such as Branston and Harmston junction, during the summer LCC successfully completed over 300 surface dressing projects across the County. If you see any defects that need attention please continue to report them using Fix My Street, or the direct link on the LCC website at https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/faults-maintenance .
National awards success for Lincolnshire Young Voices
Lincolnshire Young Voices (LYV) was among the winners at the National Association for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities sixth annual awards for their work in helping pupils. LYV scooped the award for Co-Production with Children and Young People and their Families for its accessible and impactful e-learning resource The Rough Guide – A Guide to Not Putting Your Foot In It. The training is designed for any practitioner or professional nervous about understanding how best to communicate with, and support, a child or young person with additional needs. LYV has led the way in enabling others to understand how to support young people with additional needs to live the lives they want to live.
National awards success for Lincolnshire Young Voices
Tourism Awards
Lincoln Castle and The Collection Museum and Usher Gallery (which are owned by the County Council) have received welcome accolades, recognising them as among the best visitor attractions in the country. Congratulations also to the International Bomber Command Centre in Canwick which has also been awarded a ‘best in country’ tourism prize.
Update from NKDC Councillor Tinsley:
Covid
Data as at date shown:
• England 54 (5 Nov) positive tests per 100,000 compared to 90 (Oct)
• Heighington area 46 (5 Nov) compared to 80 (Oct)
• Washingborough & Canwick area 90 (5 Nov) compared to 145 (Oct)
The autumn rollout of Covid booster jabs and Flu jabs is now underway.
Warm Space Registration
A register of warm spaces is being developed at warmweather.uk. Warm spaces are being set up by various organisations to assist those attempting to find respite from cold weather, struggling to heat their own homes or seeking company during the ongoing cost of living challenge.
Resources will be made available to those warm spaces which register.
NK Community Champions
Several members of our community are finalists in this year’s Community Champions awards. They are;
Peter Dryburgh (Heighington) in the Contribution to a Better Environment category for litter picking, improving the village environment and enhancing habitats for wildlife.
Brian Davies (Washingborough) in the Longstanding Contribution to a Group or Organisation category for extensive commitment to veterans through SSAFA and its client group.
Robert and Gillian How (Heighington) in the Good Neighbour category for thoughtful acts in cheering up the community.
A celebration event will take place on 16 Nov at the Hub in Sleaford to acknowledge the finalists.
Policing in Lincolnshire
The Police and Crime Commissioner is inviting residents to participate in an online survey about how the county should be policed. The survey is at habit5research.questionpro.com.
Voter ID – May 2023 elections
The requirement to bring acceptable photographic ID to vote has now been laid in legislation. Those without appropriate ID will be able to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. A voter awareness campaign will be undertaken at National and Local level over the next months.
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 examination will commence on 15 Nov.
The Local Plan Hearing Sessions press release can be found at:
A councillor queried why a tree had been chopped down near Bell’s Meadow and asked whether this would be replaced. Cllr Goodwin agreed to find out.
NKDC Cllr Goodwin left the meeting at this point (7:30pm).
128/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 staffing and 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 George, seconded by Cllr Sowerby and resolved to move into closed session.
129/M/22 To review quotes for LED lighting at the Jubilee Hall
Three quotes for LED lighting at the Jubilee Hall were discussed.
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to go with the Selmec option without the spotlights, recognising that the quote was subject to the results of the recent asbestos survey, which are due soon. This will be funded from the LCC Zero Carbon Parishes grant.
130/M/22 To review options for propose inclusive play equipment and play area fencing at Station Road recreation ground and agree the way forward, noting Financial Regulations requirements
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Hemlin and resolved that the priority should be fencing around the play equipment, an inclusive boat seat, and new path to the play equipment. As required by Financial Regulations, the council will need to ensure we have three quotes for consideration at a future Full Council meeting.
131/M/22 To note the agreed NJC pay award for 2022-23, applicable from 1 April 2022
The 2022-23 NJC pay award was noted.
132/M/22 To agree the approach for the cost-of-living increase for 2023-24
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved that staff who are on NJC rates should be paid the current rate until the 2023-24 national agreement is made, and to review the 2023-24 rates for staff not on the NJC agreement, by March 2023.
133/M/22 To consider various employment matters (as delegated to the Clerk for investigation)
A confidential report was discussed. It was proposed by Cllr Hemlin, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to note actions delegated to the Clerk (as per minute 093/M/22) and agree contractual recommendations as per the report.
The meeting closed at 7:54pm.
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.