September 2024 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 9th September 2024 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Craig
Councillor Farrington
Councillor George
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Trafford (Vice Chair – chair for this meeting)
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin
Absent:
Councillor Catlow
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Sowerby
Councillor Watkinson
NKDC & LCC Councillor Carrington
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
There were no members of the public present.
Public participation
There were no public comments or questions.
087/M/24 To receive and accept apologies, where valid reasons for absence have been submitted to the clerk prior to the meeting.
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Catlow, Catterson, Sockell, Sowerby, Watkinson. It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to accept the apologies.
Apologies had also been received from LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington and NKDC Cllr Harrington.
088/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 107/M/24) as a member of the WI.
Cllr Trafford declared an interest in agenda item 20 (minute 106/M/24) as a member of Heighington Bowls Club.
089/M/24 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Monday 8th July 2024 and for these to be signed as the agreed minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Rushby, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved to approve the July minutes. These were duly signed by the chair.
090/M/24 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
A written update had been provided by NKDC Cllr Harrington. Key highlights:
- Improved CCTV coverage in Sleaford
- Restart a Heart Day at Sleaford Leisure Centre, on 16th October
- NKDC Community Champions open for nominations – deadline 16th September
- Prosperity, Potential Plan – a green business event on 12th September
- New mosaic and works to Sleaford’s Monument Gardens
NKDC Cllr Goodwin also added that a new Chief Executive for NKDC is due to be appointed.
091/M/24 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the July council meeting.
This was noted.
Financial matters:
092/M/24 To approve the monthly accounts for July and for August 2024, including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Net Position and Bank Reconciliation
The bank reconciliation for July had been signed off by Cllr Buckley-Jones and the bank reconciliation for August had been signed off by Cllr Craig prior to the meeting.
Bank balances at the end of July as presented were: Co-op (current) - £30,015.24, Unity Trust (current) - £87,597.36 Public Sector Deposit Fund £48,000. Bank balances at the end of August as presented were: Co-op (current) - £30,015.24, Unity Trust (current) - £74,864.97, Public Sector Deposit Fund £48,000.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to approve the July monthly accounts, and then proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to approve the August monthly accounts.
093/M/24 To note overtime worked in June and paid in July and for overtime worked in July and paid in August
This was noted.
094/M/24 To note our insurance revaluations and subsequent credit against this year’s premium
Following our building revaluations, our insurance company has revised the sum insured and this will result in a refund of £57.40. This was noted.
095/M/24 To note the external auditor’s report and certificate for the 2023-24 audit, noting that no matters have been reported and no remedial action is required.
The report was noted, and Council passed on thanks to the RFO.
096/M/24 To note our achievement of the Local Council Award at Foundation level and the positive feedback received from the assessment panel.
The achievement was noted, and thanks were passed to the clerk for the work required in preparing for the award submission.
097/M/24 To consider removal or replacement of certain damaged bins around the village.
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to replace the corroded dog bin on the High Street near the beck, with a slimline bin which could be used for litter and for dog waste.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to replace the topless litter bin at the end of Garratt Close with a dog bin.
The RFO confirmed that there was sufficient budget for this under street furniture maintenance.
Councillors were reminded to check bins and other street furniture on their monthly inspection of their designated areas, and to report back any issues.
098/M/24 To note the recent electrical condition report (EICR) for the Jubilee Hall and remedial action taken (under delegated powers).
This was noted.
099/M/24 To report back on urgent decisions delegated to the clerk and RFO in conjunction with the chair and vice chair due to there being no council meeting in August (minute reference 079/M/24).
The following delegated decisions had been taken:
To contact a solicitor to progress removal of illegal encampment on parish council land. Agreed by Clerk, RFO, Chair, Vice Chair. Expenditure not required in the end, as issue resolved by Police Section 61 notice.
To ask Selmec to progress required remedial works following the 5-year electrical condition check (EICR) of the Jubilee Hall. Agreed by Clerk, RFO, Chair, Vice Chair. Budgetary provision in place for electrical checks, which will cover the quoted works.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to ratify the delegated decisions taken.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
100/M/24 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
a. 24/0856/TCA. Malus Profusion in the front garden. The tree is about 40 years old and is clearly diseased/dying. There was very little blossom this spring and the leaves are dry and falling. We want to have the tree felled. 1 The Old Stackyard, Heighington, LN4 1RF.
Considered offline – council had no comments.
101/M/24 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
102/M/24 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 24/0798/VARCON. Application to vary condition 7 (approved plans) of planning permission 23/1036/HOUS – Erection of a 1.5 storey rear extension and alterations and new front boundary wall with driveway gates – Revised design to porch and increased width to pedestrian access. 17 High Street, Heighington, LN4 1RG.
Considered offline – council had no comments.
b. 24/0702/FUL. Receipt of amended details – for information only. Increase to store floor area through the installation of a timber enclosure, erection of external bin store, new timber fencing and gate and timber cladding to existing building. Part retrospective. True Window Care Ltd, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
c. 24/0841/RESM. Reserved matters application for the erection of 450 dwellings (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to outline consent 16/1564/OUT. Phase 1A Lincoln South East Quadrant Sustainable Urban Extension, north of Canwick Avenue and east of London Road, Bracebridge Heath.
Considered offline – council had no comments.
103/M/24 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 24/0524/HOUS. Erection of garden room outbuilding with covered seating area to garden. Rudgard Farm, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington. Application refused.
b. 24/0798/VARCON. Application to vary condition 7 (approved plans) of planning permission 23/1036/HOUS – Erection of a 1.5 storey rear extension and alterations and new front boundary wall with driveway gates – Revised design to porch and increased width to pedestrian access. 17 High Street, Heighington. Application approved.
The planning decisions were noted.
104/M/24 To note a consultation from LCC on proposed waiting restrictions and bus stop clearway for High Street and Merrycock Lane and agree any comments.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved that council were supportive of the proposals, but queried how the restrictions would be enforced (as the current no parking restrictions are often ignored).
105/M/24 To review the following council documents:
a. Safeguarding Policy (formerly Vulnerable Person’s Policy) – deferred from July meeting.
The clerk confirmed that further work was still required and was consulting LALC to see if they had an updated template. It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to defer this item and bring it back to a future meeting.
106/M/24 To consider a request from Heighington Bowls Club for permission to replace the current wooden railway sleepers edging the bowls green, with recycled mixed plastic beam sleepers.
Cllr Trafford stayed in the meeting as there was no pecuniary interest, although he didn’t vote on this item.
The clerk confirmed that the NKDC Conservation Officer had been contacted to see if there were likely to be any restrictions on these materials as the bowls green falls within the conservation area. Use of recycled materials would meet our green credentials.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to agree the request in principle, subject to any feedback from the Conservation Officer.
107/M/24 To consider a request from the WI regarding the Jubilee Hall hire charge for their Essential Self Defence training event in September.
Cllr Buckley-Jones left the meeting at this point (7:38pm) as there was a potential pecuniary interest.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to charge a reduced hall hire fee of £30 for this event.
Cllr Buckley-Jones returned to the room (7:43pm).
108/M/24 To consider a request from a resident to support traffic restrictions on Park Lane.
Council felt that more information was required about this issue. It was resolved for the clerk to seek further information from the resident about the type and frequency of the traffic, and also to confirm what the process with Highways needs to be, in support of further traffic restrictions.
109/M/24 To receive the latest update regarding Chafer bugs (and moles) on council land (standing agenda item).
Cllr Trafford confirmed there was no chafer bug damage. There are a few mole hills in the corner of the field at Potterhanworth Road, but they are not causing an issue. It was agreed to remove this as a standing agenda item.
NKDC Cllr Goodwin left the meeting (7:51pm).
110/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 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 George, seconded by Cllr Rushby and resolved to move into closed session.
111/M/24 To review security measures at council land and premises and agree any action required.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to implement the security measures as discussed.
112/M/24 To review quotes for various play area maintenance items (as flagged in the annual play inspection report) and agree action required
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Rushby and resolved to progress the purchase of parts for the toddler swing, multiplay junior and spring car, as per the quote from HAGS (£683.30 plus VAT) and to progress repair of Potterhanworth climbing pole base, embankment slide safety surfacing, Station Road cone climber matting and safety surfacing around the climbing frame and swing, as per the quote from EKM (£3350 plus VAT).
There is £3000 in the budget for play area maintenance and the excess will need to be funded from reserves.
113/M/24 To ratify staff appointment(s).
NKDC Cllr Harrington arrived (8:05pm) but as the meeting was now in closed session, left again.
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to ratify the Cleaner’s appointment.
It was proposed by Cllr Rushby, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to re-advertise the Caretaker/Handyperson vacancy.
The meeting closed at 8:14 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.