June 2024 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 10th June 2024 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Catlow
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Craig
Councillor Farrington
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Trafford (Vice Chair)
Councillor Watkinson
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington (arrived 7:35pm)
Absent:
Councillor George
Councillor Sowerby
NLDC & LCC Councillor Carrington
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin
There were no members of the public present.
Public participation
There were no public comments or questions.
039/M/24 To receive apologies and valid reasons for absence, these having been submitted to the clerk prior to the meeting.
Apologies had been received from Cllrs George and Sowerby and from NKDC Cllr Goodwin and NLDC & LCC Councillor Carrington.
040/M/24 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations.
Cllr Buckley-Jones declared an interest in agenda item 21 (minute reference 059/M/24), as a member of A Good Yarn.
041/M/24 To approve the draft notes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on Monday 13th May 2024 and for these to be signed as the agreed minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to approve the May minutes. These were duly signed by the chair.
042/M/24 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
The clerk read out an update which had been sent in by LCC & NKDC Cllr Carrington, the summary of which was:
- Thanks to the vice chair for his time talking to the LCC Storm Impact inquiry team when they visited Heighington. Members were extremely interested in the confluence of flood and drainage issues in the village and complexity of possible solutions.
- Reminder to collate any flood related information the council holds, to be shared with the investigation team.
043/M/24 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the May council meeting.
This was noted.
Financial matters:
044/M/24 To review Financial Regulations, following the issue of a new model template by NALC
It was confirmed that the RFO and clerk had spent significant time reviewing and tailoring the new model Financial Regulations. It was proposed by Cllr Rushby, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to approve this document.
045/M/24 To approve the monthly accounts for May, including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Net Position and Bank Reconciliation
The bank reconciliation had been signed by Cllr Rushby prior to the meeting.
Bank balances as presented were: Co-op (current) - £30,015.24, Unity Trust (current) - £103,759.72, Public Sector Deposit Fund £48,000.
The May accounts were proposed by Cllr Sockell, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones, and resolved.
046/M/24 To note overtime worked in April and paid in May
This was noted.
047/M/24 To note the Annual Internal Audit report for 2023-24 and agree any remedial actions
The Annual Internal Audit Report was noted. No remedial actions are required.
048/M/24 To review the effectiveness of the council’s internal controls
The RFO confirmed that internal controls are followed as per Standing Orders and Financial Regulations, and this has also been confirmed as part of our internal audit.
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to confirm the effectiveness of our internal controls are effective.
049/M/24 To approve the Annual Governance Statement for the 2023-24 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) and for the clerk and chair to sign
Each of the governance statements was considered in turn and council gave their responses to each one. It was then proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Rushby and resolved to approve the Annual Governance Statement. This was signed by the chair and clerk.
050/M/24 To approve the Accounting Statement for the 2023-24 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) (which has already been approved by the RFO) and for the chair to sign
The RFO confirmed that the asset value (box 9) for last year has been restated, following the review of assets this year. It was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to approve the Accounting Statement. This was signed by the chair.
051/M/24 To note the dates for the period for the exercise of public rights, as set by the RFO
The RFO confirmed that dates for the period for the exercise of public rights as Wednesday 12th June to Tuesday 23rd July. This was noted.
052/M/24 To review the 2023-24 year-end position, including reserves, and agree any movement of funds as required
The RFO presented the year end-position including reserves.
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Balances carried forward from 2023-24 |
£130,888.90 |
|
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|
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General reserve – 6 month’s running costs |
£57,000.00 |
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General reserve – (NKDC) Election costs |
£7,000.00 |
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Designated reserve – 5 year electrical survey (all sites) |
£1,745.00 |
|
Designated reserve – 5 year tree survey (Station Road/Potterhanworth Road) |
£3,550.00 |
|
Designated reserve – Pipe lagging (Jubilee Hall) |
£3,150.00 |
|
Designated reserve – Speed sign installation |
£350.00 |
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Designated reserve – Shortfall of precept against budget |
£7,000.00 |
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Designated reserve – Fire safety requirements |
£10,000.00 |
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Earmarked reserve – Community Infrastructure Levy |
£1,500.04 |
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|
|
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Total reserves |
£91,295.04 |
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|
|
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Balance unallocated |
£39,593.86 |
It was confirmed that the balance unallocated would have to be used if council were to progress any of the ideas/projects in the Action Plan.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to accept the position as presented.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
053/M/24 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
None received.
054/M/24 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
055/M/24 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 24/0258/HOUS (Amended). Erection of single storey extension with glazed link corridor, internal works and installation of solar panels. The Dovecote, The Old Stackyard, Heighington.
b. 24/0259/LBC (Amended). Proposed single storey extension to the property with fully glazed link corridor to form a new master bedroom accommodation and en-suite bathroom and internal works. The Dovecote, The Old Stackyard, Heighington.
c. 24/ 0293/HOUS (Amended). Removal of existing conservatory and erection of single extension. Little Grange, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington.
d. 24/0548/HOUS. Erection of garden room outbuilding with covered seating area to rear garden. Rudgard Farm, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington.
e. 24/0549/HOUS. Proposed single storey side & rear extension. 12 Martin Close, Heighington, LN4 1RL.
Council had no comments.
056/M/24 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 24/0347/HOUS. Erection of garden shed. Woodbine Cottage, Chapel Lane, Heighington. Application approved.
b. 22/0977/FUL. Erection of 5 no. detached two story dwellings and 2 no. affordable dwellings, with associated garaging including formation of associated access road and junction with Fen Road and provision of footway connection. Land at Holmleigh, Fen Road, Heighington, LN4 1JH. Application refused.
The decisions were noted.
057/M/24 To note the Annual Play Inspection reports and agree actions required
The reports and actions were reviewed. It was proposed by Cllr Craig, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to obtain quotes for the relevant maintenance works as required.
NKDC Cllr Harrington arrived (7:35pm).
058/M/24 To consider a request from Heighington Bowls Club to install a clock and plaque on the outside of the pavilion, in memory of a past club member.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Catlow and resolved to approve this request.
059/M/24 To consider a request from A Good Yarn regarding the knitted tree
A Good Yarn had requested that they are given permission to put the knitted Christmas tree up again this year, but after Christmas then leave the tree up, put a green wrap on it and then decorate it seasonally, opening it up to the local community to help create the decorations.
It was proposed by Cllr Catlow, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to agree to this in principle, subject to confirming responsibilities, especially for health and safety matters.
060/M/24 To receive the latest update regarding Chafer bugs (and moles) on council land (standing agenda item)
Cllr Trafford confirmed that there is currently no Chafer damage. The adults are emerging, currently mating and laying eggs.
This was noted.
At this point the chair invited NKDC Cllr Harrington to give an update from NKDC. (Continuation of agenda item 4 (minute 042/M/24):
- North Kesteven District Council’s two most senior officers – Chief Executive Ian Fytche and Deputy Chief Executive Phil Roberts – will both be leaving the Council later this year.
- Reminder for parish and town councils to the Climate Change Member Champion's survey (closing date 21st June).
- North Kesteven District Council has secured £15,100 in funding for a new community orchard to be planted in Wilsford this autumn.
- NKDC Local Land and Property Gazetteer service has been awarded the Platinum Standard 2024 Exemplar Award for Address and Street Data by Geoplace.
- Citizens Advice Mid-Lincolnshire have now relocated to NKDC offices.
- Cllr Andrew Hagues is the new NKDC Chairman and Cllr Chris Goldson the Vice Chair.
- Ian Williams Ltd has the responsive repair contract for NKDC council and Lafford Homes tenants.
- NKDC have identified more funding opportunities for free trees.
The chair thanked Cllr Harrington for the update.
NDKC Cllr Harrington left the meeting (8:02pm)
061/M/24 CLOSED SESSION. To resolve to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 for the following commercial and staffing 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 Catterson, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to move into closed session.
062/M/24 To approve an interim grass cutting solution, implemented under financial regulation 4.5, and authorised by the clerk and chair.
The clerk clarified that the relevant financial regulation is now 5.18 (in the amended Financial Regulations).
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to:
- Ratify the decision taken by the chair and clerk to engage Glendale for emergency cut of Station Road recreation ground and Potterhanworth Road sports ground.
- See if Glendale are able to continue grass cutting for the rest of the growing season.
- See if a local handyman can continue to cut and strim the Station Road play area.
- Prepare to go out to tender for grass cutting next year.
063/M/24 To revisit fire alarm quotes for the Jubilee Hall and Station Road pavilion
Three companies had been asked to quote; two companies had actually submitted quotes.
Following consideration of the quotes it was proposed by Cllr Rushby, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to go with Lindum Fire for the fire alarm installation at Jubilee Hall (£3184.74 plus VAT) and Station Road pavilion (£3309.48 plus VAT).
064/M/24 To consider the overtime position for the rest of the financial year
Cllr Catterson proposed, Cllr Rushby seconded, and it was resolved:
- For the clerk to produce a costed business case for a contractual increase of office staff hours, and for this to be brought to July’s meeting.
- For ad-hoc overtime to be available, subject to budgetary constraints, for staff attendance at meetings.
The meeting closed at 8:34 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.