April 2025 minutes
The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 14th April 2025 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington.
Present:
Councillor Buckley-Jones
Councillor Craig
Councillor Sockell (Chair)
Councillor Trafford
Councillor Watkinson
Clerk – Elaine Atkin
RFO – Nikki Briscoe
NKDC & LCC Councillor Ian Carrington
NKDC Councillor Reece Harrington
Absent:
Councillor Catlow
Councillor Catterson
Councillor Farrington
Councillor George
NKDC Councillor Carola Goodwin
There were 3 members of the public present.
A minute’s silence was observed in memory of Denis Manning, former employee, who recently passed away.
Public participation
There were no questions.
227/M/24 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, Catterson and Farrington and it was resolved to accept these.
Apologies had also been received from NKDC Cllr Goodwin.
228/M/24 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 17b (minute 243/M/24) as a neighbour of the property concerned.
229/M/24 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on Monday 10th March 2025 and for the chair to sign these as the agreed minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr Trafford, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved to approve the March minutes. These were duly signed by the Chair.
230/M/24 To receive reports from County and District Councillors (for information only).
LCC/NKDC Cllr Carrington, shared the following LCC highlights:
- The first meeting of the new Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority has taken place, and the mayor is due to be elected on 1 May.
- LCC have signed a co-operation agreement with an area in Ukraine.
- A new care facility for the elderly has been agreed.
- 87% of pupils have been allocated with their first choice of secondary school.
- No further news regarding the Hykeham Relief Road.
- Discussions ongoing with a new Highways area manager regarding the Pitts Road/Sheepwash junction.
- Clarification that reporting on FixMyStreet does result in action by the appropriate authority.
- Hydrologists’ report on the flooding is due end of April/early May.
Cllr Carrington left the meeting (7:25pm).
NKDC Cllr Harrington provided the following NKDC update:
- Town and parish council forum held last week at NKDC offices was successful and there are plans to hold this on a regular basis.
- Ongoing consultation on a reservoir (which doesn’t affect this area).
- New Lincolnshire Farm Support Programme launched by Business Lincolnshire.
The updates were noted.
231/M/24 To note the list of correspondence and meetings since the March council meeting.
This was noted.
232/M/24 To approve amendments to Standing Orders, Co-option Policy and Records Retention Policy, as per resolution made at the March meeting (minute 222/M/24).
This was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved.
233/M/24 To review the Health & Safety Policy.
The amended Policy was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Trafford and resolved.
Financial matters:
234/M/24 To approve the monthly accounts for March 2025, including List of Payments, List of Receipts, Net Position and Bank Reconciliation.
The RFO confirmed that the year-end accounts are not yet ready and will be on the agenda for approval at the May meeting.
235/M/24 To note overtime worked in February and paid in March.
This was noted.
236/M/24 To formally respond to the Garrett’s Charity on their proposal to update the Scheme.
One of the Garrett’s charity trustees re-iterated the proposal to update the Scheme, clarified that the use of the Chapel will not change under the proposal, and confirmed previous consideration and support given by the parish council, as evidenced by historical council minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr Craig, seconded by Cllr Watkinson and resolved to support the proposal to update the Scheme. The Clerk will issue a formal letter to the Trustees to that effect.
237/M/24 To receive an update on previous actions.
The Clerk presented an update on the status of recent purchases. A request was made to add ‘target date’, and to have the action update as a standing agenda item in future. The update was noted.
238/M/24 To receive an update on chafer grubs and moles on council land.
Cllr Trafford gave a verbal update. Chafer grubs should not be a problem now until the autumn, due to their lifecycle. All that realistically can be done regarding the moles is to rake and roll the mole hills. The update was noted.
239/M/24 To note an update from our volunteer litter picker on rubbish collected between January and March 2025.
The litter pick report was noted. Everyone present was reminded that our next community litter pick will be held at 10:00am on Sunday 27th April.
240/M/24 To consider co-option applications.
Three applications (for the one vacancy) had been received. Two of the applicants were present at the meeting and were asked if either of them wanted to say any more about why they wanted to join the Council, but both declined. Cllr Buckley-Jones proposed, Cllr Trafford seconded, and it was resolved to consider all three nominations. A vote was then held, as per Standing Orders and the council’s Co-option Policy. One candidate received the required majority of votes, and it was proposed by Cllr Watkinson, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved to co-opt Debbie Yeates onto the council. Debbie signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office and then joined the meeting.
Planning Matters and Tree Works:
241/M/24 To consider tree works applications received from NKDC (including those considered between meetings)
a. 25/0337/TCA. Notification of intended works to trees in a Conservation Area. T1 – Apple – Re-pollard, 3-4ft reduction in both height and width. T2 – Re-pollard, 3-4ft reduction in both height and width. T3 – Re-pollard, 3-4ft reductions. T4 – Re-pollard, 3-4ft reductions. T5 – Lower limb removal to stem as it is over the outbuilding. T6 – Remove lower limbs to the stem. T7 – Lower limb removal to stem away from care home. T8 – Radically reduce crown by 2ft in width and 4ft in height. T9 – Spruce – Remove. Bramble Lodge, 4 grange Lane, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
242/M/24 To note tree decision notices from NKDC
None received.
243/M/24 To note the planning applications received from NKDC for consideration (including those considered between meetings).
Cllr Trafford left the meeting at this point (7:50pm).
a. 25/0275/LDEXI. Application for a lawful development certificate (Section 191 Town & Country Planning Act 1990, as amended) for an existing use – dwellinghouse. Blabber Hill Farm, Fen Road, Heighington.
Council had no comments.
b. 25/0311/PNH. Prior notification householder development. The purpose of the Prior Notification procedure is to determine whether or not any further prior approval is required, therefore, it is not subject to the usual consultation process as the Council is only provided with 42 days in which to make a decision. Single storey rear extension 8.0m in length from the original wall, eaves height of 2.6m and maximum height of 3.4m. 7 Scholars, Way, Heighington.
Council had no comments but asked for further clarification as to why this has come through as a Prior Notification and not as an ordinary planning application.
A member of public (one of the co-option applicants) joined the meeting (7:52pm). The Chair was asked and confirmed that the co-option agenda item had taken place and confirmed the co-option result. The member of public left the meeting (7:53pm).
Cllr Trafford returned to the meeting (7:55pm).
244/M/24 To note planning decision notices from NKDC
a. 25/0019/VARCON. Application to vary condition 6 (approved plans) change of rear elevation Juliette doors to window, addition of ground floor window and door to eastern elevation and omission of window to first floor front elevation, re planning permission 20/0650/HOUS (Erection of a two-storey rear and side extension). 48 Park Lane, Heighington. Application approved.
The planning decision was noted.
245/M/24 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 Craig and resolved to move into closed session. The two members of public and NKDC Cllr Harrington left the meeting.
246/M/24 To consider options regarding grass cutting.
Two quotes for grass cutting had been obtained. It was proposed by Cllr Buckley-Jones, seconded by Cllr Craig and resolved to ratify a decision to continue with Glendale.
247/M/24 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.
248/M/24 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.
249/M/24 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.
The meeting closed at 8:02 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.