March 2026 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 9th March 2026 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Driver
Councillor Farrington
Councillor Raphael
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Trafford (Vice Chair)
Councillor Yeates
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
LCC/NKDC Councillor Ian Carrington
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin
Absent:
Councillor Catterson
Councillor George
Councillor Watkinson
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
There were no members of the public present.
Public participation
There were no questions or comments.
224/M/25 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, George and Watkinson. It was proposed by Cllr Yeates, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to accept these.
Apologies had also been received from the RFO.
225/M/25 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations.
There were none.
226/M/25 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Monday 9th February 2026 and for the chair to sign these as the agreed minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved to approve the February minutes. These were duly signed by the Chair.
227/M/25 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington gave the following update:
- A very long LCC budget-setting meeting resulted in an increase of 2.99%. Some services will be impacted.
- Government consultation is currently open on the Local Government Reorganisation review for Lincolnshire.
- NKDC food waste caddies have now all been delivered.
- Details of LCC Councillor Volunteering Scheme have already been shared via the Clerk.
- NKDC are currently liaising with the resident regarding the future use of the lounge at Clarke Avenue.
- Cllr Carrington and the NKDC Planning Officer were due to have a meeting with the developer of the proposed development at Alabala however this has now been deferred. Anglian Water have objected to the plans and the developer will have to re-think.
The following issues were raised to Cllr Carrington:
- Parking in the vicinity of the flagpole on the High Street, causing congestion, especially for the buses.
- State of the High Street in regard to potholes, which vehicles try to avoid, and this then causes further congestion.
- Parking issues on Park Lane, obstructing pavements and impacting pedestrians.
Cllr Carrington hopes to arrange a Highways walkaround in April and asked for details of the specific issues.
228/M/25 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the February council meeting.
This was noted.
Financial matters:
229/M/25 To approve the monthly accounts for February 2026, including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Bank Reconciliation and Net Position.
The February bank reconciliation had been checked and signed in advance by Cllr Farrington.
Bank balances at the end of February were: Co-op current £5,000.00, Co-op Instant Access £55,015.25, Unity Trust current £34,971.56, PSDF £48,000, Unity Trust Instant Access £40,618.31.
There were no questions, and it was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Driver and resolved to approve the February accounts.
230/M/25 To note overtime worked in January and paid in February.
This was noted.
231/M/25 To consider moving to an alternative phone and broadband provider due to difficulties getting a longstanding issue resolved with our current provider.
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved to move to SoGEA 80:20, 12 months broadband and phone package via SCIS UK Ltd.
232/M/25 To consider purchasing an additional bench and bin to be installed at Station Road in the vicinity of the new swings.
Following discussion it was proposed by Cllr Driver, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to purchase an octagonal picnic table from NBB in locally sourced recycled plastic, for £695 ex VAT and to purchase a blue Elipsa 63 litre bin from Glasdon for £163.97 ex VAT. These will be funded from CiL (Community Infrastructure Levy) and the open space budget.
It is hoped that these can be installed by our Caretaker/Handyperson in conjunction with a local handyman. The office will liaise with our NKDC contact to see if they would consider adding this to the litter bin emptying schedule.
233/M/25 To note the resignation of Sarah Craig from the council and confirm the process and timescales for the councillor vacancy.
The resignation was noted and the Chair thanked Sarah for her time on the council.
The Clerk confirmed we should know after 10th March whether 10 residents have requested a by-election or whether we are permitted to co-opt to this vacancy.
234/M/25 To confirm the schedule of meetings for the administrative year 2026-27.
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved to agree the forthcoming meeting schedule. This will be published on our website.
235/M/25 To consider whether to strengthen Council’s commitment to the Civility & Respect pledge by councillors individually committing to the Councillor Statement of Assurance.
This was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved. All councillors will be asked to sign the Councillor Statement of Assurance.
236/M/25 To consider our solicitor’s feedback on the proposed Almond Avenue play area lease and agree next steps.
The solicitor’s feedback was reviewed. It was proposed by Cllr Raphael, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to request that NKDC insert a break clause in the lease and that an update is provided to a future meeting.
237/M/25 To review the updated Information Available Under the Publication Scheme document.
This was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Driver and resolved.
238/M/25 To consider a request from Millfield Primary School to use an alternative space in the village for sports events whilst the school field is out of action for flood prevention works.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to agree to the request in principle, subject to a meeting with the school to discuss the finer details and address any concerns.
239/M/25 To receive an update from Heighington Cricket Club regarding use of the lower field at Potterhanworth Road and plans for irrigation of the cricket square, and for council to agree any action required.
An email update had been provided by the Cricket Club, who confirmed that as HBW do not intend to use the field other than for Mini Kickers, this will not impact cricket so there is no longer a need to use the lower field.
The Cricket Club have asked council to consider a retractable water hose feed to irrigate the cricket square, instead of laying a permanent underground supply. Council had a number of concerns over this proposal, which needed further clarification, and it was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to bring it back to the new meeting.
240/M/25 To receive an update on the request for padel courts in the village.
No response had been received to our request for further information and an invitation to the requestor to attend the meeting to talk to Council.
241/M/25 To receive an update on previous actions.
The update was noted.
242/M/25 To receive an update on chafer grubs, moles and Ragwort on council land, and groundwater levels.
Cllr Trafford reported that there are no signs of chafer grubs but there are moles at Potterhanworth Road.
Cllr Buckley-Jones reported groundwater levels at 9.46m. February rainfall for Heighington so far is 107.6mm (compared to 89.8mm for Waddington – the long-term average monthly rainfall for Waddington being 38.3mm). We now have a year’s worth of Heighington readings, which will be interesting for future comparisons.
The update was noted.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
243/M/25 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
a. 26/0146/TCA - notification of intended tree works in a Conservation Area. T1 and T3 conifers – fell. T2 Hornbeam – Reduce height to 5m. Reduce other conifers in rear garden to 5m. 27 Back Lane, Heighington, LN4 1RH.
Considered offline - Council had no comments.
b. 26/0195/TCA – notification of intended works to trees in a conservation area. Holly tree – remove. The Willows, 36 Park Lane, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
c. 26/0263/TCA – notification of intended works in a conservation area. T1 Ash – Reduce to hedge height. 21 Back Lane, Heighington, LN4 1RH.
Council had no comments.
d. 26/0255/TCA – notification of intended works in a conservation area. T1 – Norway spruce – remove. T2 – Lawson cyprus – remove. T3 – Lawson cyprus – remove. T4 – Lawson cyprus – remove. T27 Yes – remove. T28 – Sycamore – remove the branch extending towards the existing garage. 65A High Street, Heighington, LN4 1JS.
Council had no comments.
244/M/25 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
245/M/25 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 26/0024/HOUS. Single storey extension to rear and side, first floor extension with flat roof to rear and replace all windows. 31 Fen Road, Heighington, LN4 1JL.
Council had no comments.
b. 25/1569/FUL. Notification of receipt of further details. Change of use of domestic barn to use as a wedding venue and upgrading of access way. Revised site plan (to indicate access/turning and parking), noise management, transport statement and bird and bat box specifications. Claremont Lodge, The Moors, Branston.
Council had no comments.
246/M/25 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 25/1619/HOUS. Erection of a first floor extension over the existing triple garage to form a self-contained annexe, with the addition of a balcony to the west elevation, two storey extension forward of the existing porch and external and internal alterations to the existing layout. Alabala, Park Lane, Heighington.
Application approved.
The decision was noted.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8:07 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.