November 2024 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 11th November 2024 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Catlow
Councillor Farrington
Councillor George
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Sowerby
Councillor Trafford (Vice Chair)
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
Absent:
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Craig
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Watkinson
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin
NKDC & LCC Councillor Ian Carrington
There were two members of the public present.
Public participation
There were no public questions or comments.
130/M/24 To receive and accept apologies, where valid reasons for absence have been submitted to the clerk prior to the meeting.
Apologies and valid reasons for absence had been received from Cllrs Catterson, Craig, Rushby and Watkinson. It was proposed by Cllr Catlow, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to accept these.
Apologies had also been received from NKDC Cllr Goodwin and LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington.
131/M/24 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations.
Cllr Trafford declared an interest in agenda item 16 (minute 145/M/24) as a member of Heighington Bowls Club.
132/M/24 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Monday 14th October 2024 and for the chair to sign these as the agreed minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Sowerby and resolved to approve the October minutes. These were duly signed by the Chair.
133/M/24 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
NKDC Cllr Harrington gave the following update:
• NKDC has passed a resolution to disagree with government’s reduction in the winter fuel allowance.
• Devolution is still going ahead, with Mayoral elections in May 2025. Four representatives will be agreed from the seven district councils.
• £2m in year one will be available for North Kesteven under the new mayor, although there are no further details what this will be for.
134/M/24 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the October council meeting.
This was noted.
Financial matters:
135/M/24 To approve the monthly accounts for October 2024, including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Net Position and Bank Reconciliation
The bank reconciliation for October had been checked and signed off by Cllr Catlow prior to the meeting.
Bank balances at the end of October as presented were: Co-op (current) - £30,015.24, Unity Trust (current) - £119,868.91, Public Sector Deposit Fund £48,000.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Sockell and resolved to approve the October monthly accounts.
136/M/24 To note overtime worked in September and paid in October.
This was noted.
137/M/24 To consider purchase of a small fridge for the parish office
This was proposed by Cllr Catlow, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved, to be funded from reserves.
138/M/24 To consider purchase and installation of a noticeboard for the bus shelter.
This was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Sowerby and resolved, to be funded out of reserves.
139/M/24 To consider replacing two of the noticeboards inside the Jubilee Hall, which have become difficult to use due to hardening of the backboard.
This was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved, to be funded out of the Jubilee Hall building maintenance budget.
140/M/24 To note that the local government pay claim for 2024-25 has now been agreed and employers are encouraged to pay this (back paid to 1 April 2024) as soon as possible.
This was noted.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
141/M/24 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
a. 24/1270/TPO. T1 Sycamore – Fell, suspected Crytosrama Corticale. 2 The Manor House, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
b. 24/12713/TCA. T2 – Beech – Radial reduction of 2m to clear electric cable. Shape the rest of the tree to maintain a balanced canopy. 2 The Manor House, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
142/M/24 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
143/M/24 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 24/0657/HOUS. Receipt of amended plans/additional information. Replace all existing windows (including insertion of conservation roof light), removal of secondary staircase, raise ground and first floor levels to Utility and reorder ground and first floor layout to existing dwelling together with conversion of outbuilding into annexe/home office space plus siting of solar panels and erection of garden pergola (Amended description). 7 High Street, Heighington.
Considered offline – council had no comments.
b. 24/0658/LBC. Receipt of amended plans/additional information. Replace all existing windows (including insertion of conservation roof light), removal of secondary staircase, raise ground and first floor levels to Utility and reorder ground and first floor layout to existing dwelling together with conversion of outbuilding into annexe/home office space plus siting of solar panels and erection of garden pergola (Amended description). 7 High Street, Heighington.
Considered offline – council had no comments.
c. 24/1100/HOUS. Installation of external wall insulation and render. Cladding to contrasting brickwork and new sofits and fascias. 61 Canterbury Drive, Heighington, LN4 1SX.
Considered offline – council had no comments.
d. 24/1141/FUL. Proposed change of use of part of JNE Trading site from Class E use to a car workshop, MOT centre and car sales. JNE Trading, Potterhanworth Road, Heighington.
Considered offline – council had no comments.
e. 24/1177/LBC. Upgrade existing boiler and cylinder system to a natural gas A rated system boiler with a 210l unvented cylinder. Installation of flue to outside wall and internal alterations. Stone House, Mill Lane, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
f. 24/1100/HOUS. Amended details – for information only. Installation of external wall insulation and render. Cladding to contrasting brickwork and new sofits and fascias. 61 Canterbury Drive, Heighington.
Amended details noted.
144/M/24 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
None received.
Cllr Trafford left the meeting (7:20pm).
145/M/24 To consider a request from Heighington Bowls for permission to apply for a Club premises licence.
Cllr Sockell invited the members of the public (representatives from the Bowls Club) to explain this request.
Many bowls clubs provide alcohol for members and guests. The Club had taken advice from NKDC licensing team, who visited the premises and couldn’t see any reason why a licence would be refused. The Club were now asking the parish council for permission to proceed with the licence application.
It was confirmed that:
• The Club would not be competing with local pubs.
• Alcohol would only be available to members and their guests and visiting clubs.
• They would take police advice on any other measures they would need to take.
• They will involve the parish council in any further discussions.
• No large quantities of alcohol or cash will be kept on site.
• The Bowls Club celebrates its 90th anniversary next year and they plan a number of celebrations.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Catlow and resolved to give permission.
Cllr Trafford returned to the meeting (7:27pm).
146/M/24 To consider a request from the Heighington Christmas Market Committee to allow stall-holder parking at the Station Road recreation ground.
Following discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to allow this, subject to a review of ground conditions and final decision on Thursday 28th November and an area being marked off where vehicles are not allowed to park or cross.
Cllr Trafford offered to open and lock the gates at the specified times.
147/M/24 To consider proposals from the Cricket Club regarding grass cutting at Potterhanworth Road sports ground.
It was clarified that we now have arrangements in place with our contractor for the winter. If the weather is mild the grass will be cut once a month as long as ground conditions allow. If there is a harsh winter, the grass will not grow. The contractor will monitor the situation.
The Clerk was asked to confirm whether the Cricket Club have now got somewhere to store their mower and if they now intend to keep it.
148/M/24 To review the Risk Register.
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to approve the reviewed Risk Register.
Two members of the public left the meeting (7:50pm).
149/M/24 To consider the parish council’s response to the government consultation on powers to attend meetings remotely and on proxy voting.
The consultation questions were reviewed but this raised more questions regarding the practicality of how this would work. It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved that council supports the proposals in principle, to be used in exceptional circumstances, but more detail is required.
NKDC Cllr Harrington left the meeting (8:02pm).
150/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 item 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 Catlow, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to move into closed session.
151/M/24 To ratify a staff appointment.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to ratify the Caretaker/Handyperson appointment.
Cllr Sockell asked for thanks to be minuted to the staff and councillors who have picked up the Caretaker duties for the last few months.
The meeting closed at 8:06 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.