December 2023 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 11th December 2023 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Craig
Councillor Farrington
Councillor George
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Sowerby
Councillor Trafford
Councillor Watkinson
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
Responsible Finance Officer - Nikki Briscoe
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin (arrived at 7:04pm)
NKDC & LCC Councillor Ian Carrington
Absent:
Councillor Catlow
There were 3 members of the public present.
Public participation
A member of the public (ex-councillor) read out a statement regarding his failure to be co-opted back onto the council in September.
160/M/23 To receive apologies for absence, these having been submitted to the Clerk prior to the meeting
Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Catlow.
161/M/23 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations
There were none.
162/M/23 To approve the draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 13th November 2023 and for these to be signed as the agreed minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to approve the Parish Council minutes. The minutes were duly signed.
The Chair used her discretion to change the order of the agenda items and move agenda item 17 to here (as permitted under Standing Order 1a).
163/M/23 To consider a request from Branston u3a for use of space at the Station Road pavilion
The Chair invited two members of the u3a Branston & District railway group to elaborate on their request. The group are currently building a replica of the Branston & Heighington station circa the 1940’s and are looking for alternative accommodation. They have already seen the changing rooms at Station Road. Whilst the space is insufficient to have the whole layout on display, they would still be able to work on parts of it. The group would also be willing to supervise any of heritage items should the council want to put these on display. It was acknowledged that some work would be required to the rooms to make them a suitable space.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Rushby and resolved to agree this request in principle, subject to further discussions and costs of any alterations required.
Two members of the public left the meeting (7:12pm).
164/M/23 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only)
NKDC/LCC Cllr Carrington had issued a report in advance but also gave an update on the recent flooding.
Key points regarding the flooding are:
- Ground water issues especially in Heighington will feature in the LCC enquiry, being led by the Flood & Water Management Committee.
- A public meeting was recently held in Washingborough with LCC and the Environment Agency.
- LCC have received a government grant for ground water flooding investigation and also plan to spend money on looking for solutions.
- LCC plan to have a meeting with the Parish Council and residents in the new year.
- LCC will be meeting with the school in the new year.
- Need to fully understand the cause of the flooding and any future flood measures.
The Clerk confirmed that a request had gone in to LCC for more sandbags/sand.
NKDC/LCC Cllr Carrington left the meeting (7:30pm).
165/M/23 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the November council meeting
This was noted.
Financial matters:
166/M/23 To approve the monthly accounts for November, including List of Payments, List of receipts, Net Position and Bank Reconciliation
The RFO confirmed that the November bank reconciliation had been approved by Cllr Watkinson prior to the meeting.
The bank balances as shared with council for November 2023 were: Unity Trust current account - £96,047.96, Co-op current account - £30,015.24, PSDF (Public Sector Deposit Fund account) - £48,000.
The Net Position had been reviewed.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to approve the monthly accounts for November.
167/M/23 To note overtime worked in October and paid in November
The overtime report was noted.
168/M/23 To note an incorrect amount stated in the September Full Council minutes. The Windoworx quote agreed (minute reference 111/M/23) should have read £170 plus VAT.
This was noted.
169/M/23 To agree the 2024-25 budget based on draft NKDC Band D figures and subject to final budget agreement in January following release of the final Band D figures from NKDC
The draft budget and precept figures were reviewed. It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to restrict any increase on the Band D equivalent to 4.21% and any shortfall against the budgeted expenditure to be covered by income received and from reserves. The final figures will be agreed at January’s meeting.
170/M/23 To consider a request from Millfield School to extend our offer of free use of the Jubilee Hall for a February half-term disco and Easter Egg Hunt
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Rushby and resolved that due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the school flooding, to extend free use of the hall for these school activities.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
171/M/23 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC
a. 23/1376/TCA. T1 Holly – crown lift to 2.4m. Land to west of Chapel of Ease, Chapel Lane, Heighington. Considered offline by councillors due to the deadline. No comments.
b. 23/1434/TCA. T1 Cherry – crown lift by 3m. Reduce height and shape by 2,3m. Reshape to suit. 3 The Old Stackyard, Heighington, LN4 1RF. No comments.
172/M/23 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
a. 23/1276/TCA. T1 Plum – removal. T2 Maple – reduce height, 3m crown lift. 65 High Street, Heighington, LN4 1JS. TPO not required.
b. 23/1228/TCA. T2, T3 & T4 – To reduce the height to match work on T1. Hall Barn, 33 Back Lane, Heighington, LN4 1RH. TPO not required.
The decisions were noted.
173/M/23 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration.
a. 23/1292/HOUS. Erection of 2 storey front extension, first floor side extension and single storey rear extension together with widening of existing access and new pedestrian gate. Whitegates, Back Lane, Heighington.
Considered offline by councillors due to the deadline. Comments submitted:
Although Back Lane does not flood, we would like any hard surfaces to be of water permeable materials to aid drainage.
b. 23/1401/HOUS. Erection of extension to outbuilding in rear garden. 63A Washingborough Road, Heighington, LN4 1QW. No comments.
174/M/23 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 23/1142/LBC. Minor amendments to previously approved scheme 21/1407/LBC (proposed alterations and extensions of existing outbuilding to form residential annex to include erection of carport) change crittall door to window. The Manor House, Potterhanworth Road, Heighingon. Application approved.
Noted.
175/M/23 To note LCC planning application PL/0087/23, construction of the North Hykeham Relief Road
This was noted.
176/M/23 To review the Training & Development Policy
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to approve this policy.
177/M/23 To receive an update on the Zero Carbon Parishes project
The following update was provided:
- The bulbs and trees are now in at Station Road – thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the planting
- Cllr Sowerby has acquired a further 100 trees to be delivered in the spring (to be planted in the hedgerow at Potterhanworth Road sports field)
- Installation of the water butt at Jubilee Hall is pending
- More brackets are required for the water butt at Station Road
- Installation of the cycle racks is pending – Cllr Watkinson to contact Lincoln College
- The College may also be able to help with installation of the new benches at Station Road (CiL-funded) – the accessible bench needs to go near the play park path and the other bench to go along the hedge
178/M/23 To receive the latest update regarding Chafer Bugs on council land (standing agenda item)
Cllr Trafford reported there is currently no damage from birds at the moment.
179/M/23 CLOSED SESSION. To resolve to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 for the following items 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 Farrington and resolved to move into closed session.
The two NKDC councillors and member of the public left the meeting (7:56pm).
180/M/23 To consider quotes for pipe lagging at the Jubilee Hall (zero carbon parishes)
No quotes had been received. Cllr Watkinson agreed to contact Lincoln College, to see whether their apprentices are able to quote for this work (and possibly also installation of the cycle racks and new benches). This item to be deferred to January’s meeting.
181/M/23 To consider quotes for tree works required as a result of the annual tree inspection
It was accepted that we’d tried to get three quotes as per Financial Regulation 11.1(h). It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to go with the quote from Daniel Elmhurst to action the work on the Moderate and High Risk trees, as per the inspection report, and in principle to the work on the tree with Ash Dieback, flagged for monitoring. This to be funded from the Open Spaces budget line/designated reserves for tree works.
The meeting closed at 8:07 pm.
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.