June 2025 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 9th June 2025 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Catlow
Councillor Craig
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Trafford
Councillor Farrington
Councillor Watkinson
Councillor Yeates
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin (arrived at 7:03pm)
Absent:
Councillor Catterson
Councillor George
NKDC & LCC Councillor Ian Carrington
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
There was 1 member of the public present.
Public participation
There were no questions.
036/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 and George. It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Catlow and resolved to accept these.
037/M/25 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations.
There were none.
038/M/25 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Monday 12th May 2025 and for the chair to sign these as the agreed minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to approve the May minutes. These were duly signed by the Chair.
039/M/25 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
NKDC Cllr Goodwin had sent through a report, the highlights of which are:
- New weekly food waste collection service is beginning in 2026 as part of a government mandate to help households recycle more and reduce environmental impact.
- Sleaford’s RiverLight Festival is back for 2025 (14th – 20th June), a celebration of Sleaford’s rich culture and heritage.
- LCC has a survey out and is keen to hear your views to help shape the future of Lincolnshire’s children and Young People’s Nursing (CYPN) service. The survey is open until 3 July.
- National Trading Standards Scams Team is running a SCAMnesty campaign to encourage everyone in the UK to send in any scam email that they receive.
NKDC Cllr Goodwin arrived (7:03pm).
There were no comments or questions.
040/M/25 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the May council meeting.
The Chair commented on how good the Millfield Academy official re-opening was last week. The update was noted.
Financial matters:
041/M/25 To approve the monthly accounts for May 2025, including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Bank Reconciliation and Net Position.
The May bank reconciliation had been checked and signed in advance by Cllr Catlow.
Bank balances at the end of May were: Co-op current £30,015.24, Unity Trust current £91,368.17, PSDF £48,000, Unity Trust Instant Access £30,052.76.
It was proposed by Cllr Catlow, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to approve the May accounts.
042/M/25 To note overtime worked in April and paid in May.
This was noted.
043/M/25 To note the Annual Internal audit Report for 2024-25 and agree any remedial actions.
This was noted. There were no remedial actions required. Council passed on thanks to the RFO and Clerk.
044/M/25 To review the effectiveness of the council’s internal controls.
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved that there are adequate internal controls in place.
045/M/25 To approve the Annual Governance Statement for the 2024-25 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), and for this to be signed by the Chair and the Clerk.
Council reviewed each of the governance statements in turn and the RFO updated the Annual Governance Statements page of the AGAR. This was then proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Catlow and resolved, and was signed by the Chair and Clerk.
046/M/25 To approve the Accounting Statements for the 2024-25 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 Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Catlow and resolved, and was signed by the Chair.
047/M/25 To note the dates for the period for the exercise of public rights, as set by the RFO.
The RFO confirmed that the dates for the period for the exercise of public rights would run from 11th June to 22nd July (inclusive), with the official notice to be published on the website and council’s noticeboard at the Spar.
048/M/25 To review the 2024-25 year-end position, including reserves, and agree any movement of funds as required.
The year-end position had been shared with council at a previous meeting. The RFO confirmed we have unallocated funds of £56,316.06, with various possible projects identified. It was proposed by Cllr Sockell, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to hold a further 4-year plan working group to discuss further and then bring back to council.
049/M/25 To consider purchase of additional bench(es) with CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funds.
The RFO confirmed that we currently have £1160.04 in CIL funds. If was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Catlow and resolved to buy an additional bench for Potterhanworth Road and one for Station Road.
050/M/25 To consider actions required from the annual play inspection reports for the Station Road, Potterhanworth Road and Almond Avenue equipment and note the equipment valuations provided.
A summary of findings from the annual play inspection reports had been shared, along with the play equipment valuation produced alongside the annual reports. There were no moderate or high risks identified. Once the lease with NKDC is agreed, we may need to increase the Almond Avenue play area maintenance budget to facilitate the potential works required. Many of the very low and low risk actions can be resolved by the Caretaker/Handyperson. It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to progress actions identified and also to note the play equipment valuation.
051/M/25 To receive an update on previous actions.
The Clerk confirmed that the new mobile phone had now arrived; the sensory boards were provisionally scheduled for installation on 16th June, and the three new dual use bins had now been installed by NKDC. Other actions are outstanding. This was noted.
052/M/25 To receive an update on chafer grubs and moles on council land.
Cllr Trafford reported that there were currently no chafer grubs and there were fresh molehills at Potterhanworth Road. The updated was noted.
053/M/25 To consider co-option application(s) for the vacancy created by the resignation of Andy Sowerby.
There were two co-option applications received. One of the applicants was present. The Chair invited the applicant to say a few words in support of their application. It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to consider both applications. Following a vote as per the council’s Co-option Policy, a majority vote was achieved and Cllr Watkinson proposed, Cllr Trafford seconded, and it was resolved to co-opt Diane Raphael to the council. Diane signed her Acceptance of Office form and joined the meeting.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
054/M/25 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
a. 25/0606/TCA. Various tree works. Orchard House, 2 Grange Lane, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
b. 25/0583/TPO. Various tree works. 21 Gail Grove, Heighington, LN4 1QS.
Council had no comments.
c. Notification that seeking confirmation for N777 Tree Preservation Order at 6 Albert House, Heighington, LN4 1RG will be considered at Planning Committee on 12th June 2025. Anyone wanting to register to speak at this meeting must do so by 12 noon on 10th June.
Council did not want to attend or speak at this meeting.
055/M/25 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
056/M/25 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 24/0558/HOUS. Single storey rear extension and alterations to existing house. 9 Wentworth Close, Heighington, LN4 1SU.
Council had no comments.
b. 25/0613/VARCON. Application to vary condition 2 (approved materials) and condition 3 (approved plans) of planning permission 24/0549/HOUS – Proposed single storey side and rear extensions – change of colour of vertical cladding from black to grey and make extension 1.0m deeper due to main water sewer position. 12 Martin Close, Heighington, LN4 1RL.
Council had no comments.
057/M/25 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 25/0275/LDEXI. Application for a lawful development certificate for an existing use – dwellinghouse. Location: Blabber Hill Farm, Fen Road, Heighington. Application approved.
b. 24/1120/HOUS. Erection of shed (retrospective). 15 Almond Avenue, Heighington. Application approved.
The planning decisions were noted.
058/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.
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to move into closed session.
NKDC Cllr Goodwin left the meeting (7:40pm).
059/M/25 To agree amendments to the Clerk’s Job Description, as recommended by Employment Committee.
This was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved, with Cllr Yeates agreeing to put this in writing to the Clerk.
060/M/25 To consider any recommendations from Employment Committee following review of staff appraisals.
The Clerk confirmed that the RFO has now obtained her ILCA qualification. It was proposed by Cllr Catlow, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to ratify the recommendations made by Employment Committee.
061/M/25 To consider any recommendations from Employment Committee following review of staff probationary periods.
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to confirm successful completion of staff probationary periods and for the Clerk to confirm this in writing.
The Chair closed the meeting at 7:41 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.