May 2025 minutes
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 12th May 2025 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Craig
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Trafford
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Farrington
Councillor George
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
NKDC & LCC Councillor Ian Carrington (arrived 7:15pm)
Absent:
Councillor Catlow
Councillor Watkinson
Councillor Yeates
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
There were no members of the public present.
001/M/25 To elect a Chair for the new council administrative year and for them to sign their Acceptance of Office as Chair.
Cllr Sockell was proposed by Cllr George and seconded by Cllr Farrington. There being no other nominees, it was resolved that Cllr Sockell should be elected as Chair. Cllr Sockell signed the Acceptance of Office as Chair.
002/M/25 To elect a Vice Chair for the new council administrative year.
Cllr Trafford was proposed by Cllr Farrington and seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones. There being no other nominees, it was resolved that Cllr Trafford should be elected as Vice Chair.
The Chair closed the meeting (7:03pm) to enable Public Participation.
Public participation
Thanks were made to Cllr Sockell.
There were no other questions.
The Chair re-opened the meeting (7:04pm).
003/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 Catlow, Watkinson and Yeates. It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to accept these.
Apologies had also been received from NKDC Cllr Goodwin.
004/M/25 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations.
There were none.
005/M/25 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Monday 14th April 2025 and for the chair to sign these as the agreed minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved to approve the April minutes. These were duly signed by the Chair.
006/M/25 To review Terms of Reference for the Employment Committee, including frequency of meetings.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to accept the Employment Committee Terms of Reference.
007/M/25 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 George, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved that the Employment Committee membership will consist of Cllrs George, Trafford, Catlow, Watkinson and Yeates, with Cllr George elected as the Employment Committee Chair.
008/M/25 To review delegation arrangements to committees and officers.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to accept the delegation arrangements, as per the report.
009/M/25 To review arrangements (including legal arrangements) with other local authorities, not-for-profit bodies and businesses.
It was clarified that the only arrangements in place with other organisations is for the parish council as consultee on planning applications and other planning matters with North Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council. It was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved to accept these.
010/M/25 To review representation on or work with external bodies and arrangements for reporting back.
Council noted that Cllr Trafford was appointed to the Pike and Eure and George Walker Educational Foundation in May 2023, and this appointment stands until May 2027. It also noted that Mrs CJ Dunning and Mr DE Chantler were re-appointed as the parish council representatives as trustees on the Garrett’s Charity, with a four-year tenure which commenced in March 2025. It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to confirm these representations.
011/M/25 To review the list of land and assets.
The asset list was reviewed. It was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to accept this.
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington arrived (7:15pm).
012/M/25 To confirm arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insurable risks.
The council’s current insurance arrangements were confirmed, and this was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved.
013/M/25 To review council/staff subscriptions to other bodies.
It was proposed by Cllr Craig, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to re-affirm council’s commitments as per its agreed Training and Development Policy, namely membership of LALC (including its training programme), the Clerk’s SLCC membership, and professional membership for other employees as relevant.
014/M/25 To review Financial Regulations and Standing Orders, in light of recent changes to the model templates.
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to approve the amended Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
015/M/25 To review the following updated documents:
a. Grant Awarding Policy
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to approve the Grant Awarding Policy.
b. Information available under the FOI publication scheme.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to approve the Information available under the FOI publication scheme.
016/M/25 To review the Risk Management register
The Risk Management register was reviewed, and it was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to approve it.
017/M/25 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the April council meeting.
This was noted.
018/M/25 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington, shared the following LCC highlights:
- Reform party gained an absolute majority in the recent County Council elections.
- First meeting of the new council takes place on 23rd May.
- Nothing is yet known about the Reform plans for the council and what impact this may have on money previously committed to projects, such as flood resilience.
NKDC highlights:
- Recent positive social housing inspection.
- Impact of local government reorganisation is not yet known.
Cllr Carrington left the meeting (7:40pm).
Financial matters:
019/M/25 To approve the monthly accounts for March 2025 (2024-25 year-end), including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Bank Reconciliation and Net Position (noting any underspend from 2024-25).
The RFO explained the increase in brought forward balance of £21,477.16 as compared to the previous year brought forward position. This was due to an increase in income from hall hire; receipt of the LCC Zero Carbon Grant (for the previous year); reduction in staff costs (due to a period without a caretaker); good bank interest; and insurance and green space maintenance coming in under budget.
The March bank reconciliation had been checked and signed in advance by Cllr Buckley-Jones.
Bank balances at the end of March were: Co-op current £30,015.24, Unity Trust current £44,298.06, PSDF £48,000, Unity Trust Instant Access £30,052.76.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to approve the March accounts.
020/M/25 To approve the monthly accounts for April 2025, including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Net Position and Bank Reconciliation.
The April bank reconciliation had been checked and signed in advance by Cllr Trafford.
Bank balances at the end of April were: Co-op current £30,015.24, Unity Trust current £98,832.01, PSDF £48,000, Unity Trust Instant Access £30,052.76.
It was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to approve the April accounts.
021/M/25 To note overtime worked in March and paid in April.
This was noted.
022/M/25 To approve a 3-year O2 business contract with Aerial Direct for the emergency contact mobile phone.
Council agreed in February 2025 (minute 202/M/24) to arrange for a mobile phone via Tesco but on further investigation this had not been possible as it required setting up and payment by an individual. An alternative deal had been sourced on a business contract with Aerial Direct, for a similar price. It was proposed by Cllr Sockell, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to proceed with the Aerial Direct contract, and for the regular payments to be made by direct debit.
023/M/25 To approve the schedule of variable direct debits for 2025-26.
It was proposed by Cllr Sockell, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to approve the schedule of direct debits.
024/M/25 To approve the use of BACS payments.
This was proposed by Cllr Sockell, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved.
025/M/25 To approve the use of internet bank transfers.
This was proposed by Cllr George, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved.
026/M/25 To receive an update on previous actions.
The Clerk shared an update on actions, which was noted.
027/M/24 To receive an update on chafer grubs and moles on council land.
Cllr Trafford gave a verbal update. There is no chafer bug damage at the moment. There are ongoing mole hills at Potterhanworth Road, which will need to be raked flat.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
028/M/24 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
a. 25/0443/TCA. Notification of intended works to trees in a Conservation Area. T1 – Removal of 2 lower limbs from the ash tree that is overhanging neighbouring Bramble Lodge. Limbs to be removed back to the stem. The trees are obstructing the neighbour’s garden and there is fear of damage to limbs should fall onto our building. T2 – Removal of 4 lowest limbs of large pine tree that it overhanging neighbouring Bramble Lodge. The limbs will be removed back to the stem. The trees are obstructing the neighbour’s garden and there is fear of damage limbs should fall onto our building. Beckfield Cottage, Station Road, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
029/M/24 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
030/M/24 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 24/1484/HOUS. Erection of shed (retrospective). 14 Almond Avenue, Heighington, LN4 1JW.
Council had no comments.
031/M/24 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 24/1119/LBC. Erection of single storey side extension, reduction of garden store footprint and new external entrance, along with internal alterations to existing ground floor arrangement to include: relocation of kitchen, creation of 5no. internal structural openings and repair of flagstones in main entrance hallway. Park View House, 1 High Street, Heighington. Application approved.
b. 24/1120/HOUS. Erection of single storey side extension, reduction of garden store footprint and new external entrance, along with internal alterations to existing ground floor arrangement to include: relocation of kitchen, creation of 5no. internal structural openings and repair of flagstones in main entrance hallway. Park View House, 1 High Street, Heighington. Application approved.
The planning decisions were noted.
032/M/25 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.
As the Employment Committee meeting had not been quorate, the following agenda items could not proceed.
The Chair therefore closed the meeting at 7:55 pm.
033/M/25 To agree amendments to the Clerk’s Job Description, as recommended by Employment Committee.
This item was deferred to a future meeting as the earlier Employment Committee meeting did not take place due to being inquorate.
034/M/25 To consider any recommendations from Employment Committee following review of staff appraisals.
This item was deferred to a future meeting as the earlier Employment Committee meeting did not take place due to being inquorate.
035/M/25 To consider any recommendations from Employment Committee following review of staff probationary periods.
This item was deferred to a future meeting as the earlier Employment Committee meeting did not take place due to being inquorate.
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.