May 2022 Minutes
A meeting of the Property and Finance Committee was held on Monday 24th May 2022 at 7:00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones (Committee Chairman)
Councillor George
Councillor Grimshaw (arrived 7:20pm)
Councillor Hemlin
Councillor Pattle
Councillor Sockell
Councillor Sowerby
Absent:
Councillor Dziadkiewicz
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Trafford
Clerk E Atkin
Responsible Finance Officer N Briscoe
Public Participation
There were no members of the public present.
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01/G/22 Chairman’s opening remarks and welcome.
The Chairman welcomed those present and introduced Elaine Atkin, the newly appointed Clerk.
02/G/22 To receive apologies for absence, declarations of interest and requests for dispensations.
Apologies: Apologies were received from Councillor Rushby and Councillor Trafford.
Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.
Requests for Dispensations: There were no requests for dispensations.
03/G/22 To approve the draft minutes of the Property and Finance Committee meeting held on 6th December 2021.
It was resolved to approve the notes from the Property and Finance Committee meeting on 6th December 2021 as the formal minutes.
04/G/22 Planning Matters – Tree works
None received.
Planning applications received from NKDC:
05/G/22 Reference 22/0488/HOUS. The White House, Fen Road, Heighington. Erection of a detached garage with playroom/home office.
No objections.
06/G/22 Reference 22/0603/HOUS. 27 Fen Road, Heighington, LN4 1JL. Alterations to front extension and provision of a new entrance porch.
No objections.
07/G/22 Reference 22/0645/HOUS. 53 Millstream Road, Heighington, LN4 1TY. Erection of first floor side extension and ground floor rear extension.
No objections.
08/G/22 Reference 22/0601/HOUS. 81 Washingborough Road, Heighington, LN4 1QP. Single storey rear and side extension.
No objections.
09/G/22 Clerk’s report (for information only).
- The boiler at Station Road pavilion has had its annual service.
- The footpath alongside the bowling green at Station Road has been replaced and is now slabbed with a ramp for ease of access. This has been funded from the 2021/2022 budget.
- The pavilion at Potterhanworth Road Sports Field has been deep cleaned and all the hirers of this facility have been contacted, asking them to maintain this level of cleanliness. Committee passed on thanks to the Caretaker and Administrative Assistant for their cleaning efforts.
- A drill and strimmer have been purchased for the Caretaker. This has been authorised by the Chair and Clerk, as per Financial Regulation 4.1 (Budgetary control).
10/G/22 Budget for 2022/2023 – to discuss the increased running costs and their impact on the budget for 2022/2023 and how our reserves will be designated and apportioned according to Parish Council spending priorities.
The RFO briefed committee on the impact current price increases could have on this year’s budget. Whilst some increases were factored in when the budget was set, the situation will need to be monitored closely. Committee resolved to review the position further at the half-year position and if necessary, options will need to be considered to cater for the impact of rising prices on budgets.
General reserves of £58,00 are held, as per best practice, to cover 6 months’ running costs in case of emergencies. This includes £5,000 allocation in case an election is called. £40,000 of other reserves are held, potentially earmarked for the Station Road redevelopment, building electrical survey (due in 2025), tree survey (due 2023), and buildings budget.
11/G/22 Refurbishment of the pavilion at Potterhanworth Sports Field – to review the extent of the refurbishment programme of the pavilion and the cost implications. Items to be considered include new flooring, instant hot water heater, repainting and wall corner protectors.
It was resolved to:
- obtain quotes for a new water heater
- authorise purchase of wall corner protectors
- earmark £2,000 next year towards replacement flooring in the pavilion
Cllr Grimshaw arrived (7:20pm).
12/G/22 Village flagpole refurbishment or replacement (reference minute 21/G/21) – to consider whether to refurbish the village flagpole or to replace it with an aluminium pole.
It was resolved to commission Flagmakers to complete a site survey to determine whether the flagpole could be refurbished or requires replacement.
13/G/22 Station Road development – To schedule the next phase of the Station Road development. Items to be considered include fencing around the children’s play area; tree planting to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and drawing up plans for the Parish Council’s office move to the pavilion. To consider the quotes regarding the repair of the bowling green gate.
It was resolved:
- to approve the quote from MC Joinery to replace the bowling green gate
- for plans to be drawn up for the office relocation
- for the Clerk to arrange potential site visits to similar facilities in other parishes with the Station Road Development Working Party
- for the Clerk to investigate options for a local architect to draw up a vision for the Station Road space so that the community can then be consulted
14/G/22 Central heating pipework in Jubilee Hall - to consider whether or not to replace the automatic air vents connected to the Jubilee Hall central heating system.
It was resolved to get further clarification and a quote from the plumber for removal of the vents.
15/G/22 Lower field at Potterhanworth Road Sports Field – to discuss the condition of the lower field at Potterhanworth Road Sports Field and consider how it can be improved.
It was resolved to ask our usual contractor to cut and roller the lower field more frequently over the summer and then review whether it is in a playable condition, fit for hiring out for football practice sessions over the winter.
16/G/22 To consider the Parish Council’s priorities regarding maintenance and development of its facilities – to start to compile a list of potential projects and assign budget lines and time scales.
It was resolved for the Clerk and committee chair to draw up a list of potential future projects for consideration.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8:20pm.
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.