Welcome to our new parish council website. This site is currently being developed. Check back for the latest updates and information. Please contact the clerk if there is anything you wish to see that is not currently on the site.
Heckington is situated in the area of the south of Lincolnshire on the east coast of England and close to the Wash in the North Sea. The Parish supports a population of some 3,500 with most residents living in the Village and with a few hundred in the surrounding rural area.
The Parish area of 5,300 acres consists mainly of flat agricultural land (although the Village of Heckington is on slightly higher ground) and enjoys a very peaceful rural landscape.
The nearest larger urban settlements include Lincoln (twenty miles), Boston (ten miles) and Sleaford (six miles).
Parish Councils are the part of local government closest to the people. It is not a voluntary organisation, a charity or something to do with the church. It is an elected body made up of Councillors who are volunteers and not paid for the service they give to the community. Parish Councils serve the smallest area and are responsible for the most local matters. Very importantly, Parish Councils can “precept” – raise a sum collected with the council tax each year to improve facilities and service for local people.
Parish Councils were first created under the Local Government Act 1894 and they are still being created. As Parish Councils were created in law, they can only act within the law by exercising those powers and functions, which have been conferred on them by Statute (ie Acts of Parliament).
The Council represents and serves the whole community. Most communities are made up of smaller communities, often with different interest; a Council’s duty is to serve them all. The Council balances the needs of different elements of all the community to get the best results. Frequently, Councils have the difficult task of deciding what the best result might be.
Parish Councils have a number of basic responsibilities in making the lives of local communities more comfortable, many of which are often taken for granted. Essentially these powers fall within three main categories; representing the whole electorate within the parish; delivering services to meet local needs; and striving to improve the quality of life in the parish.
Services
The Council provides several services.
Grounds Maintenance – the Council maintains a number of green areas around the Parish, and our full time Caretaker is also responsible for sweeping some roads in the centre of the village, emptying litter dog bins, and many other ad hoc tasks.
Notice Boards – the Parish Council ustilises 3 notice boards - Parish Council offices on St Andrews Street, the Village Green and outside the Village Hall.
Cemeteries – the Council is responsible for the cemetery on Boston Road.
Streetlighting/Potholes etc - Lincolnshire County Council are responsible for matters on the Highways. Faults to street lighting or road surfaces can be reported directly to them via their website. However, residents who are not able to do this are welcome to report issues to the Parish Council and the Clerk will report the issue on their behalf..
General Information and Signposting - as part of North Kesteven area, the Clerk may be able to signpost residents to services provided by North Kesteven District Council. The office also holds various contact information for other volunteer/social groups within the area.
