Annual Parish Council May 2022 minutes
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 9th May 2022 in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington and commenced at 19.30.
Public Participation
There were no members of the public present.
Present: Councillor Buckley-Jones (Chairman)
Councillor George
Councillor Trafford
Councillor Pattle
Councillor Hemlin
Councillor Sockell
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Sowerby
District Councillors Goodwin
District and County Councillor Carrington
Clerk:
Responsible Finance Officer: N Briscoe
Councillor Buckley-Jones as Chairman opened the meeting with a welcome to those present.
001/M/22 Election of Chairperson and receipt of signed Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Councillor Sockell was proposed by Councillor Buckley-Jones, seconded by Councillor George and following a vote Councillor Sockell was elected Chairperson. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed.
002/M/22 Election of Vice-Chairpersons
Councillor Rushby was proposed by Councillor Sockell and seconded by Councillor Trafford and Councillor Pattle was proposed by Councillor Sowerby and seconded by Councillor Rushby. Following a vote both Councillors were elected as joint Vice Chairs.
003/M/22 Apologies for absence, Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations
Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received from Councillor Grimshaw and District Councillor Tinsley. No apologies were received from Councillor Dziadkewcz
There were no declarations of interest.
There were no requests for dispensations.
004/M/22 To approve the draft notes as minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 14th March 2022. To receive draft notes, for information, from the meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum on Monday 28th February 2022
The draft notes from the Meeting of the Parish Council on 14th March 2022 were taken as read and approved as minutes. Draft notes from the meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum of 28th March were received for information and approved.
005/M/22 Appointment of Members to the Property and Finance Committee, confirmation of the terms of reference of that committee and the election of a chairman of that committee. It is proposed that every member of the Parish Council are elected to this Committee
Members resolved that every member of the Parish Council is entitled to attend this meeting. The terms of reference of the Property and Finance Committee were confirmed. Councillor Buckley-Jones was proposed by Councillor Pattle and seconded by Councillor George and following a vote was appointed as Chair of this committee.
006/M/22 Recreation Advisory Forum. To consider whether or not to continue with this forum and to discuss how to continue keeping in touch with Clubs and Societies that use our premises
It was resolved that Clubs and Societies would be consulted about the standing down of this Forum and in its place all Clubs and Societies that use our premises would be invited to send in regular reports of their activities or encouraged to publish them in the Sheepwash Times.
007/M/22 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 as and when required).
Councillors Rushby, Hemlin, Pattle, Trafford and George were appointed to this committee.
008/M/22 Appointment of Members as representatives of the following bodies:
I. The Four Parishes Cluster group.
II. The Pike and Eure Educational Foundation.
Members appointed Councillors Sockell and Trafford to serve as representatives on the Four Parishes Cluster group.
Councillor Sowerby was appointed to serve as our representative on the Pike and Eure Edcational Foundation with Councillor Trafford deputising if necessary.
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 number 157/M/20).
009/M/22 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/22 To authorise the schedule of Routine Expenditure for 2022/2023 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/22 To authorise the schedule of direct debit payments
The schedule of direct debit payments for 2022/2023 was distributed before the meeting. Members resolved to authorise the payments.
012/M/22 As appropriate, to allocate or confirm 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. A revised list of areas will be distributed to all Councillors.
013/M/22 To confirm the Civic Meetings Calendar for 2022/2023
Members resolved to confirm the Civic Meetings Calendar for 2022/2023.
014/M/22 Clerk’s Report (for information only)
• To update Councillors on the Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. It was agreed that the Parish Council will lend Beckfield House ten small tables for their tea party on Friday 3rd June.
• To confirm that the Parish Council has now received the signed Deed of Dedication of Potterhanworth Road Sports Field. This need to be signed and registered with the Land Registry within three months.
• To inform Councillors that the Parish Council has placed an advert in the Gardening Club’s Annual Produce Show schedule at a cost of £7.50 .
• We have received information from LCC about their next tree planting scheme next winter and have been asked for possible sites. It was agreed to investigate land owned by Mr. Scoley adjacent to Potterhanworth Sports Field and also the area adjacent to Millfield Primary Academy.
• A verbal report on the Annual Meeting of the Parish was given.
015/M/22 Correspondence (Read file for Members’ perusal)
• Quarterly newsletter from the Bracebridge Health Neighbourhood Policing Team
• Environmental Wardens report
016/M/22 Routine Financial Matters
The list of payments and receipts made or received by the Council during March and April were distributed electronically prior to the meeting. The bank reconciliation and statements for March were approved and signed by Councillor Rushby and for April were signed by Councillor George. It was resolved to approve these monthly accounts.
• To note the renewal of the certificate for the Information Commissioners Office at a cost of £35.00
• To note the enrolment of Barbara Inman on the Introduction to Local Councils Administration Course (ILCA) and Nikki Briscoe on the Financial Introduction to Local Council Administration (FILCA) at a cost of £120.00 per applicant.
• To note the receipt on 1st April 2022 of £47145.26 from NKDC for the first half of the precent for 2022/23.
• To note receipt of £18.06 income from Alford Storage for the clothing bank in Jubilee Hall car park.
• Following a visit from Andy /Seymour our Internal Auditor on Thursday 28th April 2022 we have received an email confirming that he is happy with our accounts up to and including 31st March 2022.
• The Annual Governance and Accountability Statement will be brought to the full council meeting on 13th June 2022 for approval.
• To note price increase from Ricoh for the printer/photocopier from 1.4.2022 of 8.3%
• To note the price increase from Talk Talk for our telephone and broadband of 3.7%
• To note the new rates from ESPO for our gas standing charges and price per kwh.
017/M/22 Planning Matters and Tree Works
Tree works received from NKDC:
22/0607/TCA TG2 conifers – fell; remaining Yew and spruce in corner group – trim new growth over the whole tree. Greenside, Station Road, Heighington, Lincoln LN 4 1QJ. It was resolved to refer this to NKDC Tree Officer.
Tree decision notices received from NKDC:
No tree decision notices have been received from NKDC.
Planning applications received from NKDC:
22/0408/HOUS Erection of a one and half storey rear extension – 17 High Street, Heighington, Lincoln, LN4 1RG. There were no comments to make about this application.
Planning decision notices received from NKDC:
21/1914/VARCON 18 Washingborough Road, Heighington. Application to vary condition 3 (approved plans) attached to planning permission 20/1194/HOUS – Erection of 2 storey side extension, first floor rear extension, and conversion of existing detached garage to workshop/garden room.
21/1230/FUL The Little Grange, Park Lane, Heighington. Demolition of existing garage and erection of a new dwelling.
018/M/22 To discuss the Environmental Warden services for 2022/2023
It was resolved at this time to dispense with the services of the Environmental Warden who is currently sub-contracted from Washingborough Parish Council for 2 hours per week.
019/M/22 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only)
District Councillors' Report
Heighington, Washingborough & Canwick
May 2022
Covid
Data as at date shown:
• England 133 positive tests per 100,000 (5 May)
• Heighington area 148 (30 Apr)
• Washingborough & Canwick area 226 (30 Apr)
• 92% of adult population (12 and over) have had 1st dose
• 86% have had 2nd dose
• 68% have had the Booster jab.
Ukrainian Refugees
As at 28 Apr 22, 150 Ukrainian refugees have been settled in Lincolnshire in temporary homes provided by 70 sponsor families. At present, sponsors are responsible for finding their own refugees through personal connections or through appropriate charitable organisations. Separately, NKDC is represented on the multi-agency countywide Ukraine coordination group which supports refugees’ access benefits, school registration, healthcare, language assistance and familiarisation with the local area.
Fix My Street
A reminder that the most effective way to report issues is through the website at www.fixmystreet.com. However, the site is not solely for reporting potholes, it can be used to report graffiti, damaged road barriers, faulty street lights and more.
Council Tax Energy Rebate and Scams
NKDC is in the process of distributing the £150 rebate to 47,000 eligible households in North Kesteven. Those who pay Council Tax by Direct Debit will have the rebate credited directly to their bank account. Those without Direct Debits will be contacted by letter with details of how to claim. The deadline for rebates to be paid is the end of September but it is anticipated that NKDC will fulfil this remit well before that date.
Residents should be aware that scammers may well attempt to defraud money out of unsuspecting people using the Council Tax Rebate as a front. Please be extremely cautious if you receive an unexpected approach regarding the Rebate and, if in doubt, call NKDC Customer Services before divulging any personal or banking details. If residents receive a text message which they believe to be fraudulent, the text can be forwarded to 7726 which is a free reporting service provided by phone operators.
020/M/22 To resolve to move into closed session
The Chair 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”.
021/M/22 Staff matters
• Councillors were informed that the new Clerk to Heighington Parish Council would be joining the staff on Monday 23rd May 2022.
• Councillors were informed that flowers and a card had been sent to Emma Salter
• A “Whats App” group will be set up to inform all Councillors of routine information.
• It was resolved that all Parish Council meetings will start at 7.00pm
• It was resolved that Barbara Iman and Nikki Briscoe can work 2 hours per month overtime in order to complete their ILCA and FILCA courses.
The meeting closed at 20:29.
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.
Signed: Date: