March 2024 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 11th March 2024 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Catlow
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Craig
Councillor Farrington
Councillor George
Councillor Rushby
Councillor Trafford
Councillor Watkinson
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
Responsible Finance Officer - Nikki Briscoe
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington (arrived 7:26pm)
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin (arrived 7:11pm)
NKDC & LCC Councillor Ian Carrington
Absent:
Councillor Rushby (Vice Chair)
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Sowerby
There were no members of the public present.
In the absence of the Chair and the Vice Chair, it was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved, for Cllr Buckley-Jones to chair the meeting. Cllr Buckley-Jones then took the chair.
Public participation
There were no comments.
231/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 Rushby, Sockell and Sowerby.
232/M/23 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations
There were none.
233/M/23 To approve the draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 11th February 2024 and for these to be signed as the agreed minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Catlow, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to approve the Parish Council minutes. The minutes were duly signed.
234/M/23 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only)
LCC & NKDC Cllr Carrington gave the following update:
- LCC have set a budget increase for 2024-25 of 4.99%.
- Lincolnshire has 5,500 miles of roads.
- £262m has been re-allocated to Lincolnshire from the cancellation of the northern leg of the HS2 project. This will be allocated at approximately £37m per annum, starting in 2025-26.
- Further funding will be available via the Rural Roads Repair Fund.
- Councillors were asked to raise any local items to Cllr Carrington, for consideration.
- The condition of the High Street following the flooding was mentioned.
- There will be a special meeting coming up to consider the Devolution proposal.
- Devolution will bring an elected mayor but will not strip powers from the existing parish, district or county councils.
- Devolution will bring an extra £30m per annum, along with a launch budget.
- £2.2m has already been earmarked to North Kesteven capital projects.
NKDC Cllr Goodwin arrived (7:11pm).
- The flooding enquiry is ongoing, via the Floods Impact Group, which Cllr Carrington is a part of.
- Their report is due out in September/October.
Cllr Buckley-Jones referred to an email received regarding the upcoming Section 19 flood investigations and asked whether the investigators would meet with the parish council as well as affected residents. Cllr Carrington asked to be made aware of relevant names and he will liaise with the investigators.
235/M/23 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the February council meeting
This was noted.
Financial matters:
236/M/23 To approve the monthly accounts for February, including List of Payments, List of receipts, Net Position and Bank Reconciliation
The RFO confirmed that the February bank reconciliation had been checked and signed by Cllr Craig prior to the meeting.
The bank balances as shared with council for February 2024 were: Unity Trust current account - £70,647.72, Co-op current account - £30,015.24, PSDF (Public Sector Deposit Fund account) - £48,000.
It was proposed by Cllr Catlow, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to approve the monthly accounts for February.
237/M/23 To note overtime worked in January and paid in February
The overtime report was noted.
238/M/23 To note the building reinstatement costs valuation report from Eddisons and confirm adequate insurance cover is in place
It was confirmed that the buildings valuation is done every 3 – 5 years, as recommended by our insurers. The valuation report was noted. The RFO will issue this to our insurers for confirmation that the insurance cover is adequate.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
Cllr Catlow declared an interest in the next item and left the room (7:23pm).
239/M/23 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
a. 24/0178/TPO. T1 – Larch – fell. T2 – Pine – fell. 36 Kenyon Close, Heighington, LN4 1GJ.
There were no comments – leave this to NKDC Tree Officer.
b. 24/0243/TCA. T1 – Weeping willox (Salix Babylonica) – Remove lower limb pictured with decay, cut back to trunk. Cut back upper limb to allow access for crane to replace sluice gates in the stream/beck. The Water Mill, Mill Lane, Heighington.
There were no comments – leave this to NKDC Tree Officer.
Cllr Catlow returned to the room (7:25pm).
240/M/23 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
241/M/23 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 24/0201/HOUS. Erection of rear extension with porch. 19 Gail Grove, Heighington, LN4 1QS.
There were no comments.
c. 24/0258/HOUS. Erection of single storey extension with glazed link corridor, internal works and installation of solar panels. The Dovecote, The Old Stackyard, Heighington.
It was resolved to submit the following comments: The hard surfacing must be water permeable so as not to increase the risk of flooding.
d. 24/0259/LBC. Proposed single storey extension to the property wth fully glazed link corridor to form a new master bedroom accommodation and ensuite bathroom and internal works. The Dovecote, The Old Stackyard, Heighington.
There were no comments.
242/M/23 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 24/0006/HOUS. Demolition of existing conservatory and construction of two storey extension. Brook House, Fen Road, Heighington. Application approved.
b. 23/1520/HOUS. Installation of bay window (retrospective) and render to the front elevation. 16 Sunningdale Grove, Heighington. Application approved.
Decisions were noted.
NKDC Cllr Harrington arrived (7:26pm).
The chair invited NKDC Cllr Harrington to give a brief update from NKDC:
- NKDC have approved a 2.68% council tax rise for 2024-25, which equates to £4.95 increase for Band D properties.
- Small grants scheme has been made available to village halls. Between £2000 and £5000 is available for smaller projects such as disability access, toilet upgrades and new kitchens.
243/M/23 To consider registering for the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS)
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to register for the LCAS scheme at Foundation level.
244/M/23 To consider a response to a recent LCC request for suggestions to identify electric vehicle charging locations and also suggestions for sustainable travel and local infrastructure needs
It was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to submit the following suggestions to LCC:
- Consider electric charging points at Jubilee Hall and in the car park of the Garrett’s Charity
- Consider a park and ride scheme, to tie in with the extension of the southern leg of the Lincoln bypass
- Consider a cycle path connection to 5 Mile Lane and existing cycle paths
- Consider possible re-opening the railway station at Heighington
245/M/23 To review the Complaints Procedure
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Catlow and resolved to approve the amended Complaints Procedure.
246/M/23 To receive an update on the Zero Carbon Parishes project
It was confirmed that the grant from LCC was in progress but had not yet been received. A local handyman has been engaged to install the cycle racks, water butts, new noticeboard and new benches and this work will take place in the next few weeks.
247/M/23 To receive the latest update regarding Chafer bugs (and moles) on council land (standing agenda item)
Cllr Trafford confirmed that there was currently no bird damage at Station Road although there were a few yellow patches, which indicate that the chafer bugs are present. There are moles on the upper field at Potterhanworth Road but not on the cricket square.
The meeting closed at 7:49 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.