February 2024 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 12th February 2024 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Catlow
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Craig
Councillor George
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Sowerby
Councillor Trafford
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
Responsible Finance Officer - Nikki Briscoe
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin (arrived 7:04pm)
NKDC & LCC Councillor Ian Carrington
Absent:
Councillor Watkinson
Councillor Farrington
There were no members of the public present.
Public participation
There were no comments/questions.
204/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 Cllrs Watkinson and Farrington.
205/M/23 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations
There were none.
206/M/23 To approve the draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 8th January 2024 and for these to be signed as the agreed minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Catlow, seconded by Cllr Rushby and resolved to approve the Parish Council minutes. The minutes were duly signed.
207/M/23 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only)
LCC Cllr Carrington provided the following update:
- Remedial works at Millfield School following the flooding:
- At a recent meeting the school expressed how grateful they were to the parish council for their help
- 11 portacabins are in place and the children are due to move in after half-term
- LCC ground water flooding team and specialist consultants are talking to the school about possible solutions for the building
- They will be looking at hydrological conceptions and village modelling, producing an options appraisal
- LCC are running an enquiry into the flooding county-wide. Cllr Carrington is part of this and Heighington will be one of the flood locations investigated. All the evidence will be reviewed and LCC will engage with the parish council after that.
- Various meetings are ongoing with the drainage boards and Environment Agency.
- Cllr Buckley-Jones had a suggestion for storing of excess water in the area and agreed to send this information through to Cllr Carrington.
- Investigation into the crossing point of Branston Road (near the Sheepwash junction), which is used daily by students travelling to and from Branston Academy. The pink surface at the crossing point is badly worn but Highways do not use this type of surface anymore. Highways are now considering options.
- No progress with the redesign of the troublesome Sheepwash/Canwick Road/Pitts Road junction. It has now been discovered that the potential design allowed inadequate space to turn a lorry, and this is frustrating. The Highways portfolio holder will be coming out to visit the junction again.
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington left the meeting (7:30pm).
NLDC Cllr Harrington provided the following update:
- Brown bins will be going up to £45 per annum
- Rural England Prosperity fund
- NK Cycling Hub will be promoting ‘Wheels for Life’
208/M/23 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the January council meeting
This was noted.
Financial matters:
209/M/23 To approve the monthly accounts for January, including List of Payments, List of receipts, Net Position and Bank Reconciliation
The RFO confirmed that the January bank reconciliation had been checked and signed by Cllr Sowerby prior to the meeting.
The bank balances as shared with council for January 2024 were: Unity Trust current account - £82,758.34, Co-op current account - £30,015.24, PSDF (Public Sector Deposit Fund account) - £48,000. (The RFO confirmed that PSDF were currently having technical issue with their online service however they had confirmed our balance).
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Catlow and resolved to approve the monthly accounts for January.
210/M/23 To note overtime worked in December and paid in January
The overtime report was noted.
211/M/23 To note the new insurance cover for 2024-25 (part of the agreed three-year arrangement)
The council agreed to move to BHIB Councils Insurance (now Clear Councils) in February 2023, and agreed a three-year arrangement for our local council cover.
Our 2024-25 renewal has come in with a total premium payable of £1943.69, which is less than the budgeted amount.
The RFO and Clerk have reviewed the policy details and are happy that the cover is correct and adequate for the council’s needs. There is one outstanding query regarding the key man cover. Any councillor is welcome to inspect the documentation held in the office if required.
Council noted there is an adequate level of cover, and that payment is in progress.
212/M/23 To agree the purchase of a replacement litter bin cover (bin cover missing)
It was noted that this was the second bin top council have had to replace, after they have gone missing and not been found.
It was proposed by Cllr Sowerby, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to purchase a replacement bin top (approximately £200 plus VAT).
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
213/M/23 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC
a. 24/0019/TPO. T1 – Ash. Half Acre, 42 Fen Road, Heighington, LN4 1JL.
No comments.
214/M/23 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
a. 24/0019/TPO. T1 – Ash. Half Acre, 42 Fen Road, Heighington, LN4 1JL. TPO approved.
Noted.
215/M/23 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 23-1520-HOUS. Installation of bay window to front elevation (retrospective). 16 Sunningdale Grove, Heighington, LN4 1SP. Considered offline – no comments.
b. 24-0040-DISCON. Application to discharge condition 3 (materials details and design) of planning application 23/1036/HOUS – Erection of a 1.5 storey rear extension and alterations and new front boundary wall with driveway gates. 17 High Street, Heighington. Considered offline – no comments.
c. 24-006-HOUS. Demolition of exiting conservatory and construction of two storey extension. Brook House, Fen Road, Washingborough. Considered offline – no comments.
216/M/23 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 23/3/1401/ HOUS. Erection of extension to outbuilding in rear garden. 63A Washingborough Road, Heighington. Application approved.
Noted.
217/M/23 To review the amended Financial Regulations (new procurement thresholds)
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to approve the amended Financial Regulations. These will be revisited again in May, as required by Standing Orders.
218/M/23 To note the litter picker’s report for October to December, including the 2023 summary
Council noted that the volunteer litter picker had collected 33 bags of rubbish in 2023 and thanked him for donating 41.75 hours litter picking.
219/M/23 To consider the purchase of a sand bin and sand, for use by residents to fill sandbags
A report was shared, detailing a sand bin and sandbags which had been put in place by another local council, and which would be accessible to residents in the event of the likelihood of local flooding.
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Catlow and resolved to purchase a similar sand bin, sand and combination padlock (approximate cost £530 plus VAT). The bin would be located at Jubilee Hall, filled with sand, sandbags and a shovel. The bin would be unlocked in the event of a local flood warning and residents would be able to fill their own sandbags. This would provide immediate access to a limited supply of sandbags and would be in addition to the current arrangement we have with a local farmer.
220/M/23 To consider options for celebrating D-Day 80 on 6th June
Correspondence from the D-Day 80 Pageantmaster has been shared. The D-Day 80 Lamp Light of Peace was not deemed suitable due to it being fuelled by paraffin and requiring constant supervision. The Ringing Out for Peace bellringing was agreed as a good idea and it was resolved to liaise with the churchwardens to see if this was planned, and also to look to see if any D-Day 80 flags or bunting were available.
221/M/23 To consider a pre-Easter tea and crafts event for adult residents
Options for a pre-Easter tea and crafts event for adults were discussed. This included an option for providing Easter card kits, which attendees could then make. It was acknowledged that not all attendees would want or be able to get involved in the craft session and we would need to know numbers in advance in order to prepare the materials.
Volunteers would be required, to help out with the refreshments. Councillors would leaflet-drop, which proved successful for the Festive Tea.
Due to the upcoming office building works, the only possible date would be Wednesday 27th March.
It was proposed by Cllr Rushby, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to agree the event in principle, subject to further details being confirmed.
NKDC Cllr Goodwin left the meeting (8:00pm).
222/M/23 To consider an invitation to attend the regular coffee mornings at Beckfield House again
A number of councillors would be willing and available to attend these coffee mornings on a rota basis, with possibly two councillors attending each time.
223/M/23 To agree a date for the next Four Year Plan workshop
It was resolved to hold the next Four Year Plan workshop on Monday 26th February at 6:30pm.
224/M/23 To consider a request to hold a Fun Charity Dog Show in Heighington
A request had been received for permission to organise a charity dog show at the end of June on one of the council’s fields, raising funds for Cash for Kids. The organiser has put on previous such events before and has undergone extensive training in organising safe and well executed events.
It was proposed by Cllr Sowerby, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved to agree to the use of Potterhanworth Road sports field, as long as there is no clash with existing use by our sporting clubs.
225/M/23 To review proposed hire fees for 2024-25
The proposed hire fees for 2024-25 were discussed. It was noted that the last increase of Jubilee Hall hire rates for our regular groups and clubs was in 2021 and that the commercial hire rate has remained unchanged since it was first introduced in 2022.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to:
- Increase all Jubilee Hall hire rates by £0.50 per hour with the refundable deposits staying the same.
- Increase sports hire agreements by 5%, for hire of the cricket pitch, bowling green and (half size) football pitch, with the respective pavilion hire charges staying the same.
226/M/23 To review the Risk Register
The Risk Register was reviewed, and amber risks noted. It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Rushby and resolved to accept the reviewed Risk Register.
227/M/23 To receive an update on the Zero Carbon Parishes project
Cllr Buckley-Jones provided the following update:
- Our grant claim has been submitted and LCC have confirmed that it will be paid. The total claim was for £3839.69 and covered:
- LED Lighting for the Jubilee Hall
- Water butts for Station Road and Jubilee Hall
- Cycle racks for Station Road and Potterhanworth Road
- Thermal blinds for Station Road
- Tree protectors and canes (for the free trees) for Station Road
- Mixed daffodil and narcissus bulbs for Station Road
- More free hedgerow trees are due this week and will be planted at Potterhanworth Road
The Chair gave thanks to Cllrs Buckley-Jones and Sowerby for all their effort.
228/M/23 To receive the latest update regarding Chafer Bugs on council land (standing agenda item)
Cllr Trafford reported that there was no evidence of chafer bugs or crow damage at either Station Road or Potterhanworth Road.
NKDC Cllr Harrington left the meeting (8:15pm).
229/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 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 Rushby and resolved to move into closed session.
230/M/23 To consider quotes for pipe lagging/boxing at the Jubilee Hall
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Rushby and resolved to go with the quote from JKBS Ltd for £3150 plus VAT.
The meeting closed at 8:23 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.
Correspondence and meetings since January 2024 meeting