May 2026 Minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 11th May 2026 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Driver
Councillor George
Councillor Raphael
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Trafford (Vice Chair)
Councillor Watkinson
Councillor Yeates
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
LCC/NKDC Councillor Ian Carrington (arrived 7:20pm)
Absent:
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Farrington
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
There were no members of the public present.
001/M/26 To elect a Chair for the new council administrative year and for them to sign their Acceptance of Office as Chair.
Cllr Watkinson proposed Cllr Sockell as Chair. This was seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved. Cllr Sockell signed her Acceptance of Office form.
002/M/26 To elect a Vice Chair for the new council administrative year.
Cllr George proposed Cllr Trafford as Vice Chair. This was seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved.
The Chair closed the meeting (7:02pm) to enable:
Public participation
There were no questions.
The Chair re-opened the council meeting (7:03pm).
003/M/26 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 and Farrington.
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to accept these.
Apologies had also been received from the RFO and from NKDC Cllr Goodwin. LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington had said he would be late.
004/M/26 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations.
There were none.
005/M/26 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Monday 13th April 2026 and for the chair to sign these as the agreed minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to approve the April minutes. These were duly signed by the Chair.
006/M/26 To review Terms of Reference for the Employment Committee, including frequency of meetings.
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved to postpone review of the Employment Committee Terms of Reference until June, when members of the Employment Committee should have reviewed the Grievance and Disciplinary Policies and can then ensure the Terms of Reference are consistent with these policies.
007/M/26 To appoint membership of the Employment Committee and appoint a Chair for that Committee for the new council administrative year.
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to continue with the current Employment Committee membership and review this in June, once the Employment Committee Terms of Reference have been reviewed.
008/M/26 To review delegation arrangements to committees and officers.
Delegation arrangements were reviewed. It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to approve these.
009/M/26 To review arrangements (including legal agreements) with other local authorities, not-for-profit bodies and businesses.
These were reviewed, proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved.
010/M/26 To review representation on or work with external bodies and arrangements for reporting back.
Representation on the Pike and Eure and George Walker Educational Foundation and Garrett’s Charity was reviewed. This was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Raphael, and resolved.
011/M/26 To confirm arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insurable risks.
Council is currently in a 3-year agreement with Ecclesiastical via Clear Council. The current policy runs to 20 February 2029 (which is also when the 3-year agreement expires). The Council’s insurance cover was thoroughly reviewed by the RFO and Clerk in February 2026 at renewal time, when Council resolved (minute 214/M/25) to renew for a further three years.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to confirm these arrangements.
012/M/26 To review council/staff subscriptions to other bodies.
Council confirmed its commitment (as per the agreed Training & Development Policy) to membership of Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC) and the LALC Annual Training Scheme, to the Clerk’s membership of the Society for Local Council Clerks (SLCC), and to support other employees by encouraging and paying for professional membership as relevant.
This was proposed by Cllr Driver, seconded by Cllr George and resolved.
013/M/26 To remind all councillors to keep their Register of Interests form up to date.
All councillors were reminded of the need to keep their Register of Interests forms up to date.
This was noted.
014/M/26 To review and adopt Financial Regulations and Standing Orders.
Financial Regulations and Standing Orders were reviewed, and it was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Driver and resolved to approve them.
015/M/26 To review the following updated documents:
a. Complaints Procedure
b. Communications Policy
c. Data Protection Policy
It was clarified that the Communications Policy would be reviewed in June alongside the Social Media Policy and Social Media Policy Supplement.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to approve the Complaints Procedure and Data Protection Policy.
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington arrived (7:20pm).
016/M/26 To note that the following documents are not due for review until 2027 and there are no legislative changes that are required in the interim:
a. FOI Model Publication Scheme
b. Information available under the FOI publication scheme
c. Grant Awarding Policy
This was noted.
017/M/26 To review the Risk Management Register
The Risk Management Register was reviewed. This was proposed by Cllr Driver, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved.
018/M/26 To review the EICR (Electrical Condition Reports) for Station Road and Potterhanworth Road pavilions and agree any remedial action required.
The reports and requirement for remedial work were noted. It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to obtain further quotes for the remedial work and review these at June’s Council meeting.
019/M/26 To agree remedial action required for the bus shelter (due to safety issues flagged).
A report had been received from a local builder on the state of the bus shelter. Whilst two other builders had been approached, no further feedback had been received. The safety concerns were noted, and it was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved to obtain a structural survey in the first instance, before any decisions on the bus shelter’s future can be made.
020/M/26 To re-consider a request from Heighington Cricket Club to install a retractable water hose feed to the cricket square (deferred from March, pending further information).
There was no representative from the Cricket Club in attendance. This item will be deferred until the Cricket Club can confirm that a representative can attend a future meeting.
021/M/26 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the April council meeting.
This was noted.
022/M/26 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington provided the following update:
- LCC flood funding will end at the end of this financial year.
- Feedback from Government on the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is expected on 16th July.
- Food waste collections are going well, with over 80% take-up. Three of the seven districts are currently taking part.
- LCC highway top-dressing is ongoing.
- LCC will be investing £4.4million in new fire engines.
- Main construction on the North Hykeham relief road is underway, with Public Rights of Way diversions now in place.
- Cllr Carrington recently had a walkaround with the highways officer.
- A suggestion of extending the yellow lines opposite the flagpole bus stop on the High Street has been made to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) team.
- Highways now have a project in their programme for 2027-28 to completely dig up and replace the surface of Heighington High Street. This will mean significant disruption whilst the work is ongoing. All affected households will be contacted and there will be full communication with residents.
Financial matters:
023/M/26 To note the Summary of Receipts & Payments and reserves as at March 2026 (2025-26 year-end), acknowledging that the March Bank Reconciliation, Receipts and Payment Lists were approved at April’s meeting.
The Clerk confirmed that reserves information is currently held outside of Scribe, but the RFO is due to attend training on this soon. The financial information was noted.
024/M/26 To approve the monthly accounts for April 2026, including List of Payments, Bank Reconciliation and Summary of Receipts & Payments.
The bank reconciliation had been checked and signed in advance by Cllr Buckley-Jones.
Bank balances at the end of April were: Co-op current £5,000.00, Co-op Instant Access £55,241.12, Unity Trust current £69,498.06, PSDF £48,000, Unity Trust Instant Access £40,827.80.
There were no questions, and it was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to approve the accounts, as presented.
025/M/26 To review the reserves position as at the start of financial year 2026-27.
This was proposed by Cllr Yeates, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved.
026/M/26 To note overtime worked in March and paid in April.
This was noted.
027/M/26 To approve the schedule of variable direct debits for 2026-27.
The schedule of direct debits, as prepared by the RFO, was proposed by Cllr Raphael, seconded by Cllr George, and resolved.
028/M/26 To approve the use of BACS payments.
This was proposed by Cllr Driver, seconded by Cllr George, and resolved.
029/M/26 To approve the use of internet bank transfers.
This was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Yeates, and resolved.
030/M/26 To review expenditure made under the General Power of Competence for 2025-26.
The only expenditure made under General Power of Competence (GPC) was to the Royal British Legion. This was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr George and resolved.
031/M/26 To review the asset register.
The updated Asset Register was reviewed, and this was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Driver and resolved.
032/M/26 To receive an update on previous actions.
The update was noted.
033/M/26 To consider co-option application(s).
No co-option applications had been received.
034/M/26 To receive an update on chafer grubs, moles and Ragwort on council land, and groundwater levels.
Cllr Trafford reported that there were no chafer grubs. There are signs of moles on the lower field at Potterhanworth Road, and the grass there is very rough and may need cutting. Ragwort won’t be out for another month. Only three of the fruit trees planted at Potterhanworth Road have buds on, and the remaining seven trees have failed.
It was clarified that the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have a Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme and that we may be able to speak to them about the unidentified pellets found on Station Road recreation ground.
There are lots of box hedge moths around and these are decimating gardens.
Cllr Buckey-Jones reported that there was 8.4mm of rain in April, and the rain to date is 126% more than normal. Groundwater levels currently stand at 6.87m.
The reports were noted.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
035/M/26 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)a. 26/0475/TPO. Proposed Works to Trees Subject to Tree Preservation Order. Unknown species - Removal of 2 branches from large tree to the rear of property. One snapped branch overhanging green house and one extending over conservatory. 23 Kenyon Close, Heighington, LN4 1GJ.
Considered offline by council – council had no comments.
036/M/26 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
037/M/26 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 26/0330/HOUS. Receipt of Amended Plans/Additional Information. Alteration and demolitions to existing dwelling and proposed 2no single storey rear extensions and 1 no two storey rear extension. 1 Beck Lane, Heighington.
Considered offline by council – council had no comments.
b. 25/1530/OUT. Receipt of Amended Plans/Additional Information. Outline application for up to 15 dwellings with some matters reserved (means of access to be considered). Land West Of Alabala, Park Lane, Heighington.
This application has now been superseded by item c. (below).
c. 25/1530/OUT. Receipt of Amended Plans/Additional Information. Outline application for up to 12 dwellings with some matters reserved (means of access to be considered). Land West Of Alabala, Park Lane, Heighington.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to submit further comments in objection to this application.
038/M/26 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
None received.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8:21 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.
Signed: Date: