January 2023 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 9th January 2023 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Dziadkiewicz (arrived 7:10pm)
Councillor Farrington (arrived 7:22pm)
Councillor George
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Sowerby
LCC & NKDC Councillor Ian Carrington (arrived 7:42pm)
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
Responsible Finance Officer - Nikki Briscoe
Absent:
Councillor Cerrino
Councillor Hemlin
Councillor Pattle
Councillor Trafford
NKDC Councillor Tinsley
NKDC Councillor Goodwin
There were no members of the public present.
Public Participation
There were no comments.
161/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, Hemlin, Pattle, Trafford.
Apologies were also received from NKDC Councillors Goodwin and Tinsley. NKDC and LCC Councillor Carrington sent apologies he would be late.
162/M/22 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations
There were none.
163/M/22 To approve the draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 12th December 2022 and for the Chairman to sign them as the agreed minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to approve the minutes.
Financial matters:
164/M/22 To approve the monthly accounts for December, including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Net Position and Bank Reconciliation
The Bank Reconciliation had been checked and signed off by Cllr Rushby prior to the meeting.
It was proposed by Cllr Sowerby, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved, to approve the December accounts (List of Payments, List of Receipts, Net Position and Bank Reconciliation).
The bank balances as shared with council were: Unity Trust current account - £83,866.46, Co-op current account - £30,015.24, PSDF (Public Sector Deposit Fund) account - £48,000.00.
165/M/22 To confirm the final precept figure for 2023-24 and for the RFO to sign the precept request form
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to confirm the 2023-24 precept figure as £103,315, which represents a 9% increase on the Band D equivalent (an actual change for Band D properties of £8.04 on last year).
The RFO signed the precept request form to NKDC.
Cllr Dziadkiewicz arrived (7:10pm).
166/M/22 To agree refresh of the General Assistant’s damaged laptop (under Health & Safety grounds)
It was proposed by Cllr Sockell, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to go with the Lenovo ThinkPad with 3-year warranty.
The RFO confirmed this would be funded from the Telecom IT maintenance line and the remainder from contingency.
167/M/22 To agree preventative measures for Chafer bugs and confirm how this will be funded
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Sowerby, and resolved to focus on the bowls green as a priority and go with the recommended two applications of Nematodes at the appropriate times. There is a small amount in the budget which would cover this, but a conversation needs to be had with the Bowls Club regarding a possible contribution and whether there are other preventative measures they are able to take.
Cllr Farrington arrived (7:22pm).
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
168/M/22 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC
a. No applications received.
169/M/22 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
a. No applications received.
170/M/22 To consider planning application received from NKDC
a. 22/1766/HOUS. Conversion of existing garage and storage area to form extension to existing annexe. Ashfield, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
171/M/22 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 22/1675/LDPRO. Single storey rear extension. 17 Garrett Close, Heighington, LN4 1RN. Application approved.
b. 22/1555/HOUS. Erection of single storey rear extension. 8 Bells Meadow, Heighington. Application approved.
The NKDC planning decisions were noted.
172/M/22 To receive the latest report from the litter picker
The summary from the 2022 litter picks is that 52 bags have been collected and over 64 volunteer hours spent collecting.
Council noted the report and passed thanks to the litter picker.
Comments were also raised regarding the level of dog fouling again on Station Road and Potterhanworth Road fields and council will increase publicity again regarding this.
173/M/22 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only)
Update from County Councillor Carrington:
No update was received.
Update from NKDC Councillor Tinsley:
Budget Setting
The District Council have commenced the process of setting the budget for 2023/24 which will include setting of Council Tax and Council house rents.
District, Town and Parish candidates, agents and clerks briefings
A series of briefings will take place for candidates, agents and clerks involved in the upcoming local elections.
For District Council candidates and agents two sessions will be offered:
- Thurs 9 Mar at 6.30pm in the Civic Suite at NKDC
- Tues 14 Mar at 6.30pm online on Teams
For Town and Parish Councillor candidates and interested Clerks:
- Wed 22 Feb at 6.30pm in North Hykeham Town Council offices
- Thurs 23 Feb at 6.30pm online on Teams
- Mon 27 Feb at 6.30pm in the Civic Suite at NKDC
To register, email nk-corporatecivicsupportteam@n-kesteven.gov.uk stating Election Briefing and Date and include number of attendees with contact details for each.
Voter ID legislation
Provisions for this requirement will be in place for the May local elections. NKDC will actively promote the new requirements through various methods.
For those who register to vote at a polling station, a revised poll card will state which type of ID is acceptable.
For those registered to vote but who do not have Photo ID, a Voter Authority Certificate can be obtained through the online portal which opens on 16 Jan 23.
More details can be found at https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/residents/electoral-registration-and-elections/presenting-voter-id-at-elections/
Warm Space Registration
Organisations which have set up warm spaces are asked to register at www.warmwelcome.uk/#register-your-space.
Village Hall Funds
The platinum jubilee Village Hall Fund has opened for applications.
Village halls can apply for a grant to improve and modernise their facilities.
Grants from £7,500 to £75,000 are available and the application window closes on 20 Jan 23.
More information can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/village-halls-to-see-major-revamp-as-platinum-jubilee-fund-opens
Happy New Year everyone!!
174/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 Sowerby, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to move into closed session.
175/M/22 To review insurance quotes and cover (renewal due 21 February).
It was agreed to defer this agenda item to February’s meeting, pending an alternative quote coming through.
NKDC and LCC Cllr Carrington arrived (7:42pm). As the meeting was currently in closed session, Cllr Sockell closed the meeting in order to permit Cllr Carrington to speak.
Cllr Carrington has not yet had a response from Highways regarding an issue of obstruction on the Highway in the village but agreed to chase.
Cllr Carrington requested that councillors and parishioners respond to a current LCC consultation regarding the proposed LCC budget options for 2023-24.
Cllr Carrington agreed to look at a complaint regarding the poor condition of slurry surface recently laid on the footpath outside the Spar, which had deteriorated significantly.
There being no further questions, Cllr Carrington left the meeting (7:46pm).
Cllr Sockell re-opened the meeting (7:47pm).
176/M/22 To review quotes for refurbishment of the wooden floor in the Jubilee Hall
It was proposed by Cllr Rushby, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to invite Hollywood Restoration Services to come out and check the flooring to confirm there is no increase on their quote before proceeding.
177/M/22 To review play area quotes
It was proposed by Cllr Rushby, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to go with Kompan; publicise the planned installation of the play area fence, pathway and accessible boat seat, and in the meantime, speaking to Kompan regarding scheduling of the work.
The meeting closed at 8:07pm.
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.