November 2025 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 10th November 2025 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Farrington
Councillor Raphael
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Trafford (Vice Chair)
Councillor Watkinson
Councillor Yeates
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
LCC/NKDC Councillor Ian Carrington
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
Absent:
Councillor Craig
Councillor George
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin
There were 2 members of the public present.
Public participation
There were no questions or comments.
133/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 Craig and George. It was proposed by Cllr Yeates, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to accept these.
Apologies had also been received from NKDC Cllr Goodwin.
134/M/25 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations.
Cllr Trafford declared an interest in agenda item 20 (minute 152/M/25). Cllrs Catterson, Yeates and Buckley-Jones declared an interest in agenda item 22 (minute 154/M/25).
135/M/25 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Monday 13th October 2025 and for the chair to sign these as the agreed minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to approve the October minutes. These were duly signed by the Chair.
136/M/25 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington gave the following update:
- Work is due to start on the North Hykeham Relief Road in February 2026.
- A positive meeting has been held with the Floods Minister.
- A multi-agency meeting was held at Washingborough and discussed sewage contamination during flooding and stressed the need for parish councils to have early warning, even if there are issues further upstream.
- LCC consultation open on Household Waste Recycling Centres.
- Local Government re-organisation – proposals are due to be submitted to Government this month.
A query was raised with Cllr Carrington following a resident’s concern last month, about the speed limit on a stretch of the B1190, which falls partly in Heighington’s parish and partly in Washingborough’s. Cllr Carrington will be in touch with LCC Cllr Cawrey and Highways officers regarding this.
137/M/25 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the October council meeting.
This was noted.
Financial matters:
138/M/25 To approve the monthly accounts for October 2025, including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Bank Reconciliation and Net Position.
The October bank reconciliation had been checked and signed in advance by Cllr Catterson.
The RFO noted some larger payments this month, in relation to remedial works on fire doors and installation of CCTV at Station Road and Jubilee Hall.
Bank balances at the end of October were: Co-op current £29,915.24, Co-op Instant Access £30,100.01, Unity Trust current £66,267.07, PSDF £48,000, Unity Trust Instant Access £40,399.98.
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to approve the October accounts.
139/M/25 To note overtime worked in September and paid in October.
This was noted.
140/M/25 To consider improvements to public wi-fi at the Jubilee Hall (a previous decision being taken more than 6 months before, as permitted under Standing Order 7.6).
It was proposed by Cllr Yeates, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to go with the public wi-fi proposal from our existing IT supplier, Forum Computers, at a cost of £1879.70 plus VAT, plus £45 per month (plus VAT) for ongoing monitoring and management. The installation and setup costs to be funded from reserves and the ongoing costs will be factored into the budget.
141/M/25 To review the following updated documents:
a. Equality & Diversity Policy
This was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved.
b. Health & Safety Policy
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to approve this with the following amendment: Reference to the hirer’s document which specifies how to report an accident.
c. Disciplinary Policy
This was proposed by Cllr Yeates, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved.
d. Data Breach Policy
It was proposed by Cllr Raphael, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to approve this with the following amendment: The need to do a risk assessment and assess the seriousness of a data breach before it is reported to the ICO.
e. Lone Worker Policy
This was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved.
It was also confirmed that the Safeguarding Policy is outstanding, and LALC have been asked for an updated template.
142/M/25 To consider a request from Heighington Cricket Club to install irrigation to the cricket pitch at Potterhanworth Road.
A member of Heighington Cricket Club was permitted to speak by the Chair.
A few years ago, the Cricket Club made a request, and the Parish Council gave consent, for installation of a water supply to the cricket square. The Club did not progress this due to the risk of the chafer grubs taking hold. It was confirmed that the very dry conditions this year had put some of their matches at risk and the Club would once more like to request permission to install either a pop-up watering system or a lockable, below surface stop tap. The Cricket Club will fund this. Following discussion, it was suggested that the water pressure may not be sufficient for the pop-up system.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to give permission for installation of a suitable system, clarifying that a separate water meter would be required, so that the Parish Council can claim an exemption from sewerage charges for the water consumed.
143/M/25 To consider a request from Heighington Cricket Club regarding potential reinstatement and use of the bottom field at Potterhanworth Road.
A member of Heighington Cricket Club was permitted to speak by the Chair.
The bottom field was originally used by HBW United (football) for training, until damage caused by crows searching for chafer grubs took the field out of action some years ago. HBW now play on the upper field, as do the Cricket Club. The Cricket Club have requested that consideration be given to re-instatement of the field, for use by either football or cricket, so the two sports can be kept on separate fields.
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to arrange a meeting with representatives from the football and cricket clubs to discuss the various options and constraints, with a view to potentially bringing the bottom field at Potterhanworth Road back into use.
A member of public left the meeting (7:50pm).
144/M/25 To consider co-option application(s) for the vacancy caused by the resignation of Steve Catlow.
Two applications for the vacancy had been received and these had been shared with councillors in advance of the meeting. One of the applicants was present and the other had sent apologies. The applicant present was invited to say a few words.
It was proposed by Cllr Raphael, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to consider both applicants.
Following a vote as per the council’s Co-option Policy, a majority vote was achieved and Cllr Watkinson proposed, Cllr Farrington seconded, and it was resolved to co-opt Angela Driver to the council.
It was agreed that the Declaration of Acceptance of Office would be signed at a later date and the new councillor left the meeting (8:00pm).
145/M/25 To receive an update on previous actions.
This was noted.
It was confirmed that we still have a supply of ‘Check your speed’ wheelie bin stickers available, despite advertising them. Cllrs Yeates and Buckley-Jones agreed to deliver these to properties on the High Street and Fen Road respectively.
146/M/25 To receive an update on chafer grubs and moles on council land.
Cllr Trafford confirmed that there are signs of chafer grubs and moles on Potterhanworth Road and chafer grubs at Station Road.
This was noted.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
147/M/25 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
None received.
148/M/25 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
149/M/25 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
None received.
150/M/25 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 23/0387/FUL. Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of a replacement dwelling and garage. The Willows, Park Lane, Heighington. Application approved.
The decision was noted.
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington and NKDC Cllr Harrington left the meeting (8:05pm).
151/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 Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Yeates and resolved to move into closed session.
Cllr Trafford left the meeting (8:06pm).
152/M/25 To consider quotes for new flooring for Station Road bowls lounge and kitchen.
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to commission Lincs Flooring at a cost of £2121.56 plus VAT, subject to clarification that repair of the corridor floor and disposal of the old carpet was either included in the quote or would cost no more than an additional £500.
This is to be funded from reserves.
(It was clarified after the meeting that the repair and disposal were included).
Cllr Trafford returned to the meeting (8:12pm).
153/M/25 To consider options and quotes for additional play equipment at Station Road.
A number of options were debated.
Following advice from the manufacturer it was confirmed that the two free-standing basketball hoops cannot be modified to be fixed in position. Council will consider their disposal and possibly investigate a fixed basketball option in the future.
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to purchase a two bay, three seat swing with wetpour safety surfacing from Wicksteed, at a cost of £11,920.50 plus VAT. This is to be installed near the adult exercise equipment, taking advice from the supplier on the most appropriate location.
This is to be funded from reserves.
Cllrs Catterson, Yeates and Buckley-Jones left the meeting (8:25pm).
154/M/25 To receive an update on the structure of current Jubilee Hall hire fees and seek Council’s views, in preparation for proposals for 2026-27 fees being presented to Council at December’s meeting.
A report had been prepared by officers, setting out the current charging structure and historical discrepancies in charging, which was debated.
It was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved that the 2026-27 fees and charges proposal to Full Council in December should include options and justifications.
Cllrs Catterson, Yeates and Buckley-Jones returned to the meeting (8:48pm).
155/M/25 To consider Council’s views on payment of National Minimum Wage and of payment for holding the emergency phone/out of hours on call, prior to work on the draft 2026-27 budget (to be agreed by Full Council in December).
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Raphael and resolved that as members of the Employment Committee are currently looking at reviewing job descriptions, person specifications and grading for the remaining roles, this will include a review of out of hours and callout provision.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8:56 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.