December 2025 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 8th December 2025 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Craig
Councillor Driver
Councillor Farrington
Councillor George
Councillor Raphael
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Trafford (Vice Chair)
Councillor Yeates
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
LCC/NKDC Councillor Ian Carrington
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin (arrived 7:04pm)
Absent:
Councillor Watkinson
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
There were no members of the public present.
Public participation
A councillor shared the latest groundwater levels report produced by our local weatherman. As at that morning, the groundwater levels were at 9.68 (where 10.00 is the point we start to get groundwater flooding). By 6th December we’d had 53% of the usual December rainfall. The local weather station we now have in Heighington is providing more accurate readings for Heighington than the ones we used to get from Waddington.
NKDC Cllr Goodwin arrived at 7:04pm.
156/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 Cllr Watkinson. It was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to accept these.
157/M/25 To receive Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and receive Requests for Dispensations.
Cllrs Buckley-Jones, Yeates, Catterson and Trafford declared interests in agenda item 20 (minute 175/M/25), as members of various groups affected by the fees and charges..
158/M/25 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Monday 10th November 2025 and for the chair to sign these as the agreed minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr George and resolved to approve the November minutes. These were duly signed by the Chair.
159/M/25 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington gave the following update:
- Highways issues today due to oil spillage on the bypass, which caused multiple accidents.
- Low bus fares of £1.50 and late-night buses now secured until 31 March 2027.
- 6 different proposals under local government reorganisation submitted. Next steps will be in April when government feeds back.
- New LCC Chief Executive appointed.
- Work starts on the North Hykeham relief road in February.
- Report going to next LCC Audit Committee on the feasibility of putting solar panels on the roofs of LCC buildings.
160/M/25 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the November council meeting.
This was noted.
Consideration of further free trees will be explored next year, following an assessment next spring of whether the trees planted this year have survived.
Financial matters:
161/M/25 To approve the monthly accounts for November 2025, including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Bank Reconciliation and Net Position.
The November bank reconciliation had been checked and signed in advance by Cllr Buckley-Jones.
The RFO confirmed that no large payments have been made and there are no concerns with performance against budget.
Bank balances at the end of November were: Co-op current £29,915.24, Co-op Instant Access £30,100.01, Unity Trust current £59,872.39, PSDF £48,000, Unity Trust Instant Access £40,399.98.
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to approve the November accounts.
162/M/25 To note overtime worked in October and paid in November.
This was noted.
163/M/25 To retrospectively approve a payment of £746 (plus VAT) from Imp Electrical for installation of a new (compliant) disabled toilet alarm at Jubilee Hall and Station Road pavilion, approved by the Clerk and RFO under delegated powers as per Financial Regulation 6.9.i.
This was proposed by Cllr Catterson, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved.
164/M/25 To consider a draft budget proposal for 2026-27.
The RFO presented the draft budget proposal for 2026-27, clarifying the assumptions that have been made when determining the budget figures.
Following discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to agree the draft budget, with one correction as flagged.
The final budget proposal is due to be agreed at January’s Full Council, followed by agreement of the precept demand for 2026-27.
165/M/25 To review the Training & Development Policy.
It was proposed by Cllr Craig, seconded by Cllr Catterson and resolved to approve this.
166/M/25 To receive an update on previous actions.
The update was noted.
167/M/25 To receive an update on chafer grubs, moles and Ragwort on council land.
Cllr Trafford confirmed that Station Road and Potterhanworth Road grounds were very wet at the moment. There are a few molehills at Potterhanworth Road and no evidence of crow damage (chafer bugs) at either site, although some damage had been reported in the vicinity of Almond Avenue.
The update was noted.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
168/M/25 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
a. 25/1368/TPO. T1 – Cherry- Reduce by up to 4m on the top and by up to 2.5m on the sides and thin canopy by approx. 15%. T2 – Sycamore – Reduce by up to 3m on the top and by up to 2.5m on the sides. T3 – Sycamore – Recue by up to 3.5m on the top and by up to 2.5m on the sides. 13 Lindrick Close, Heighington, LN4 1TN. Considered by Council offline between meetings – No comments.
b. 25/1460/TPO. T1 – Willow – Reduce northern side of canopy by a maximum of 1.5m and reduce long ends throughout the canopy to bring back in line. Thin canopy by approx. 20%. 5 The Old Stackyard, Heighington, LN4 1RF. Council had no comments.
169/M/25 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
170/M/25 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
a. 25/1303/HOUS. Erection of 1.5 storey side extension and rear extension to form continuation of existing single-storey element. 2 Bramley Grove, Heighington, LN4 1FZ. Considered by Council offline between meetings – No comments.
171/M/25 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 25/1128/LBC. Proposed internal alterations -new kitchen arrangement, replacement of rotting skirting boards, levelling of garage floor using a self-levelling screed & installation of kitchen units in annexe forming a new kitchenette. 3 High Street Heighington. Application approved.
The decision was noted.
172/M/25 To note a letter confirming that Lindum Homes intend to submit an outline planning application to develop the land off Alabala Lane for 9 dwellings.
Council discussed concerns regarding flood and drainage risk but will formally comment once the outline application is submitted.
The letter was noted.
173/M/25 To note a Breach of Conditions Notice issued in reference to 21/0332/FUL, 45 Washingborough Road, Heighington, LN4 1QW.
This was noted. It was confirmed that details of the breach have not been published.
174/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 George, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to move into closed session.
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington and NKDC Cllr Goodwin left the meeting (7:56pm).
175/M/25 To consider 2026-27 proposed fees and charges, noting implications for some of our hirers.
The Clerk confirmed that advice had been sought, and the various elements of the proposed fees and charges could be dealt with separately, allowing councillors with declared interests to stay for the elements they have no interests in.
a. Ad-hoc Jubilee Hall hire fees.
It was proposed by Cllr Yeates, seconded by Cllr Buckley-Jones and resolved to approve the proposed ad-hoc Jubilee Hall hire fees.
Cllrs Yeates, Buckley-Jones and Catterson left the meeting (8:02pm).
b. Regular hirer Jubilee Hall fees.
It was proposed by Cllr Craig, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved to approve the proposed regular hirer Jubilee Hall hire fees and that:
i. Games Group are consulted to see if they would be willing to be involved in a council Warm Space proposal.
ii. The commercial rate is applied to the Pilates group, but this is phased in over two years.
It was proposed by Cllr Farrington, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved that:
iii. The Lung Cancer Support Group could continue with free hires.
iv. The u3a Railway Group usage of the Station Road pavilion will be revisited following the outcome of the Fire Risk Assessment (to be organised).
Cllr Trafford left the meeting. Cllr Yeates, Buckley-Jones and Catterson returned to the meeting (8:20pm).
c. Sporting hires.
It was proposed by Cllr Raphael, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved to approve the proposed sporting hire fees.
Parish Council staff will notify the relevant groups/hirers of the agreed fees and charges applicable from 1 April 2026.
Cllr Trafford returned to the meeting (8:32pm).
176/M/25 To consider staff recommendations from the Employment Committee following a re-grading exercise on the Cleaner and Caretaker/Handyperson roles.
A review of the job descriptions for these two roles had been completed by members of the Employment Committee, adding in person specifications. The Clerk will be reviewing these with the relevant staff members.
A job-match exercise had also been completed, comparing these with similar roles.
Employment Committee have recommended that the Cleaner’s role is designated at SCP 3 – 6 and the Caretaker/Handyperson role at SCP 6 – 9. Council was asked to agree which SCP each role should be on.
It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Farrington and resolved to appoint the Cleaner on SCP 4 and the Caretaker/Handyperson on SCP 7, effective from 1st January.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8:41 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.