June 2026 Minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 8th June 2026 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Farrington
Councillor George
Councillor Raphael
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Trafford (Vice Chair)
Councillor Yeates
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
LCC/NKDC Councillor Ian Carrington
Absent:
Councillor Watkinson
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
There was 1 member of the public present.
Before the start of the meeting the Chair informed councillors that she had received Angie Driver’s resignation and had thanked Angie for her time on the council.
Public participation
There were no questions.
039/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 Cllr Watkinson. It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to accept this.
Apologies had also been received from the RFO.
040/M/26 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations.
There were none.
041/M/26 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Monday 11th May 2026 and for the chair to sign these as the agreed minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to approve the May minutes. These were duly signed by the Chair.
042/M/26 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington provided the following update:
- Lincolnshire Children’s Safeguarding Week (29 June – 3 July)
- Road resurfacing underway
- North Hykeham relief road underway
- LCC service cuts – potential closure of Swallow Lodge respite care centre in North Hykeham
- LCC are sponsoring the Tour of Britain for £450,000
- LCC Environment Committee have given assurance that all funding avenues are being explored once the central government funding ends for the Groundwater Team.
- Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – further information due before 16 July.
Cllr Buckley-Jones asked if parish councils were likely to pick up more duties after LGR. There is currently no information on this.
Cllr George asked about someone apparently living in a caravan in a field in Heighington. It was confirmed that this had been raised with NKDC Planning Enforcement, who were monitoring the situation.
Cllr Carrington left the meeting (7:14pm).
043/M/26 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the May council meeting.
This was noted.
The Chair agreed to consider agenda item 23 at this point.
044/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).
A representative from Heighington Cricket Club was present and explained the issue of maintaining the playing surface during dry periods and the various potential solutions that had been explored, most of which would be too expensive.
The preferred solution would be a wall-mounted retractable hose connected to the tap in the front toilet, possibly fed through to the outside of the pavilion. There would be a solution put in place for securing the water supply when not in use. The hose could be removed from the bracket on the wall when not required. Whilst in use the hose would be left unattended on the field for a number of hours, and consideration would have to be given to the health and safety implications of this.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to trial this over the summer.
The Cricket Club representative left the meeting (7:28pm).
Financial matters:
045/M/26 To approve the monthly accounts for May 2026, including List of Payments, Summary of Receipts and Payments and Bank Reconciliation.
The bank reconciliation had been checked and signed in advance by Cllr Catterson.
Bank balances at the end of May were: Co-op current £5,000.00, Co-op Instant Access £55,241.12, Unity Trust current £62,635.98, PSDF £48,000, Unity Trust Instant Access £40,827.80.
There were no questions, and it was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to approve the accounts, as presented.
046/M/26 To note overtime worked in April and paid in May.
This was noted.
047/M/26 To note the Annual Internal Audit Report for 2025-26 and agree any remedial actions.
The internal auditor’s year-end report and the completed Annual Internal Audit Report 2025-26 were noted. It was confirmed that the items flagged in the year-end report were all in progress.
048/M/26 To review the effectiveness of the council’s internal controls.
Details of Council’s internal controls were shared. It was proposed by Cllr Yeates, seconded by Cllr George, and resolved that these were adequate.
049/M/26 To approve the Annual Governance Statement for the 2025-26 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), and for this to be signed by the Chair and Clerk.
The guidance from the Practitioner’s Guide had been shared with councillors. The Clerk read through each of the Annual Governance assertions and council responded. It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Raphael, and resolved to approve the Annual Governance Statement, which was duly signed by the Chair and the Clerk.
050/M/26 To approve the Accounting Statements for 2025-26 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) (which has already been approved and signed by the RFO), and for this to be signed by the Chair.
This was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved, and then duly signed by the Chair.
051/M/26 To note the dates for the period for the Exercise of Public Rights, as set by the RFO.
The dates were confirmed as Wednesday 10th June 2026 to Tuesday 21st July 2026. This was noted.
052/M/26 To note the new HMRC mileage rate of 55p per mile (effective 6 April 2026) and agree to pay this current rate (including any back pay if required), as per staff contracts.
It was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to pay the new rate of 55p per mile, applicable to all staff, including any back pay as required. The Clerk confirmed that there was sufficient budget to cover this.
053/M/26 To retrospectively approve expenditure of £45.95 on plants for Jubilee Hall and Station Road (not budgeted for Jubilee Hall).
This was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved.
054/M/26 To review the amended Almond Avenue lease and consider whether to approve it.
Following a lengthy discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to approve the lease.
055/M/26 To review the following policies:
a. Communications Policy
b. Social Media Policy
c. Social Media Policy Supplement
The Clerk confirmed that the Communications Policy would be revised as an Engagement and Communications Policy and will be brought to a future meeting.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to approve the Social Media Policy and Social Media Policy Supplement.
056/M/26 To review the latest Fire Risk Assessments for all three premises and agree any remedial action required.
The Fire Risk Assessments and summary of actions required were reviewed. It was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to note the reports and progress the actions.
057/M/26 To consider a project to take on ownership of and renovate the phone box on the High Street.
It was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved for Cllr George to contact Catton Heritage and Preservation Society to find out more about their renovation project, in particular to find out more about the grant funding available. The results of this investigation will be brought back to a future meeting for consideration.
058/M/26 To consider a proposal for mature trees for Station Road
Cllrs Buckley-Jones and Sockell had visited a local nursey and taken advice on the best type of mature trees to plant and obtained costings. A local farmer has offered to help with the planting. September will be the best time to plant but there would need a commitment to watering once a week in the spring, to give the trees the best chance of survival.
It was proposed by Cllr Raphael, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved for Cllrs Buckley-Jones and Sockell to investigate grant funding, and then bring it back to a future council meeting for consideration if we can’t get funding.
059/M/26 To consider recommendations from the Employment Committee following a review of the Grievance and Disciplinary Policies.
Members of the Employment Committee had reviewed the Disciplinary Policy (no changes required) and reviewed and updated the Grievance Policy.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to approve the reviewed policies.
060/M/26 To agree the Employment Committee Terms of Reference (deferred from May).
Employment Committee had reviewed the Terms of Reference in light of amendments to the Disciplinary and Grievance Policies.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to approve this.
061/M/26 To appoint membership of the Employment Committee for 2026-27 and to appoint a Committee Chair.
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved that the Employment Committee membership for 2026-27 should stay as Cllrs George, Trafford, Yeates, Catterson and Watkinson, with Cllr George as Committee Chair.
062/M/26 To consider co-option application(s) for the current vacancy.
No co-option applications had been received.
063/M/26 To receive an update on previous actions.
This was noted.
064/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 now very long. Ragwort won’t be out until early July.
Cllr Buckey-Jones reported that there was 30mm of rain in May, and the rain to date this year is at 26.29% of the normal annual rainfall.
The updates were noted.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
065/M/26 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
a. 26/0541/TCA. Notification of Intended Works to Trees in a Conservation Area. T1 – Rowan - fell and replace in similar position. 5 the Old stackyard, Heighington, LN4 1RF.
b. 26/0529/TCA. Notification of Intended Works to Trees in a Conservation Area. T1 – Silver Birch – remove to ground level. 26 Back Lane, Heighington, LN4 1RH.
c. 26/0549/TCA. Notification of Intended Tree Works in a Conservation Area. T1 – Apple tree – Remove. Stamford Lodge, Chapel Lane, Heighington.
d. 26/0552/TPO. Application of Proposed Works to Trees Subject to Tree Preservation Order. Reduction of copper beech tree. Reduction of west and south canopy by 2 metres. Stone House, Mill Lane, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
066/M/26 To note tree decision notices from NKDC.
None received.
067/M/26 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 26/0492/FUL. Demolition of two barns, extension of farmhouse through conversion of 3no. remaining barns and erection of 2-storey extension to create single dwelling. Erection of a tractor shed. Installation of ground mounted photovoltaic panels. Change of use of land from agricultural to residential. Location: Land at Blabber Hill Farm, Fen Road, Heighington, LN4 1JH.
Considered offline by council – council had no comments.
068/M/26 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 26/0207/FUL. Conversion of detached double garage to annexe. 6 Washingborough Road, Heighington. Approved.
b. 26/0284/VARCON. Application to vary condition 3 (approved plan) attached to planning permission 25/1461/HOUS to reposition and alter approved single storey side extension. Rhonadene, 2 Beck Lane, Heighington. Approved.
c. 26/0464/HOUS. Erection of single storey ground floor extension. 18 Potterhanworth Road, Heighington. Approved.
d. 26/0330/HOUS. Alteration and demolitions to existing dwelling and proposed 2no. single storey rear extensions and 1no. two story rear extension together with the creation of two bay windows to the front elevation and a new chimney to the side elevation of the existing dwelling. 1 Beck Lane, Heighington. Approved.
e. 26/0406/HOUS. Proposed two story side extension and single storey rear extension. Holmleigh, Fen Road, Heighington. Approved.
The decisions were noted.
069/M/26 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 Raphael and resolved to move into closed session.
070/M/26 To consider quotes for remedial works following the Electrical Condition Reports (EICR) for Station Road pavilion and Potterhanworth Road pavilion.
Quotes were considered for the remedial works. It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to go with Selmec, at both premises (taking Option 1 at the Station Road pavilion), with a total cost of £810 plus VAT. This will be funded from the EICR reserve.
071/M/26 To consider a quote for a structural survey of the bus shelter and agree actions.
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to go with the quote from John Martin-Hoyes Ltd, for £745 plus VAT. This amount will be transferred from unallocated reserves to the street fixture projects budget (cost code 19).
072/M/26 To consider a quote for one-off work to tidy the Jubilee Hall gardens (not in budget), and whether to include removal of the green waste or not.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved to agree to the quote from Square Tree Gardening, for £80. Council will dispose of the waste itself. This work is expected to take place in a few weeks’ time.
As per the RFO’s recommendation, £250 will be transferred from unallocated reserves to a Jubilee Hall open space budget, to cover this and the plant expenditure (as per minute 053/M/26).
073/M/26 To consider recommendations from the Employment Committee for a review of remuneration of the Clerk and RFO roles.
Employment Committee had recommended that the RFO should be moved to the salary range SCP 22 - 25, appointed on SCP 22 from 1 April 2026 (backdated); and the Clerk role should be moved to the salary range SCP 26 - 29, appointed on SCP 26 from 1 April 2026 (backdated). This was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved.
As per the RFO’s recommendation, this will require £4055 to be transferred from unallocated reserves to the staff budget.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8:52 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: