2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

HECKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
    
Minutes of the Meeting of Heckington Parish Council held in the Council Chambers, St Andrews Street, Heckington on Monday 29th April 2019 commencing at 1900hrs 

Attendance: 

Chairman -  Cllr Mrs J Palmer 

Councillors – Mr T Atkinson, Mr D Couzens, Mr R Doughty, Mr R Higgs, Mr M Jones, Mr T Pyrah, Mr M West, 

Mr R Woods

County Councillor – Mr B Young

District Councillors – Mr S Ogden

Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms J Hudson

Police Representative – None present

Press Representative – Mr A Hubbert 

Members of the Public – 4  

1.  Chairman’s Welcome and Opening Remarks

i.  The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

ii.  She reported that the construction work to install the new play park on the Playing Fields was progressing very well and it was anticipated to be open for use within the next 2 weeks.  It appeared that the number of positive comments received on social media and elsewhere suggested that it was going to be a very well used facility for children.    

2.  To receive apologies for absence

The Clerk had received and accepted apologies from D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry, P/Cllrs Mr A Garlick and Mr R Kemmett and PCSO Welby-Everard.

3.  To receive any declarations of  interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011

No declarations received

4.  To consider any written requests for dispensations received at or before the start of the meeting.

No dispensations received

5.  Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 25th March 2019 to be approved as Minutes and signed.

proposed by Cllr Mr R Doughty, seconded by Cllr Mr R Woods

Votes results – unanimous

Resolved – the sign the minutes as approved

6.  Public Speaking Time – 15 minutes allocated in total.  Members of the public are each allowed 3 minutes to make representations

i.  A resident suggested (and had done on other occasions) that the Parish Council utilises Facebook and other social media to communicate with residents.  This suggestion was agreed with by 2 other residents present.  It was explained that the Parish Council used to have a Facebook page but the decision had been taken about 2 years ago to discontinue its use following incidents of non-constructive and derogatory comments.  Currently, agendas, minutes and other notices are publicised and displayed both on the noticeboards and on the Heckington Parish Council website.  The meetings have always been on the last Monday of the month (unless a Bank Holiday).  At that time, it had been decided that social media (particularly Facebook) was neither particularly effective nor a productive method. 

ii.  The residents suggested that more consultation regarding the play park should have taken place – referring to a recent Facebook thread.  However it was confirmed that informal consultations had taken place with users of the current play park prior to final decisions.  This gave valuable feedback from current and future users of play park and the suggestions were used to help choose the type of equipment to install (ie climbing, swinging, age-ranges etc), along with professional suggestions and advice from the supplier.  Plans for the park had been discussed openly at various previous Parish Council meetings, and the artists impressions had been on view in Council meetings, the Parish Meeting and the Pavilion.  

iii.  It had been reported that minutes did not appear on the website until ‘a couple months’ after a meeting.  The Chairman confirmed that draft minutes are not usually displayed on the website prior to ratification due to restrictive workloads, however the minutes are usually uploaded within a few days of ratification.

7.  To consider financial Matters

a.  To approve payments as listed separately

The Chairman confirmed that the Village Hall was reimbursing the £29.15 expenditure in full.

Proposed by Cllr Mr R Doughty, seconded by Cllr Mr R Higgs

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved – to approve payments as listed above

b.  To receive end of 4th quarter figures report from nominated Councillor, Mr R Woods, and review end of financial year figures v budget by all Councillors present.

Councillor Mr R Woods confirmed that the end of month figures were accounted for correctly.  The following budget figures were discussed and relevant comments noted.  Comments proposed by Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by Mr R Doughty

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved – to minute the financial discussion and comments as below

c.  To receive results of internal audit.

The Chairman confirmed that the internal audit by Mr Andrew Jeffery had been successful, and that the following items were as a result of the audit -

i.  To approve amendment to minutes 30th April 2018 item 7 – amend mistyped figures for payments made on 3rd April 2018 in respect of Rates Cemetery and Rates Village Green from £55.27 and 80.00 to £555.27 and £480.00 respectively (there is not effect on the total expenditure minuted) Vote results – unanimous to make the amendment.

ii.  To discuss changes to the banking mandate in respect of payments made online (BACS) or by Debit Card – to include setting number of authorised signatories and spend limits. The Chairman confirmed that the RFO was investigating the methods of on-line banking and that Councillors should consider their views and suggestion ready for a proposal to be put at a future meeting.  

d.  To review and approve the Annual Governance Statement 2018/2019

Proposed by Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by Cllr Mr M Jones

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved to approve the Annual Governance Statement 2018/2019 

e.  To review and approve the Accounting Statements 2018/2019

Proposed by Cllr Mr R Woods, seconded by Cllr Mr R Higgs

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved to approve the Accounting Statement 2018/2019

8.  To receive a report from the Police

PCSO not present and no reported information

9.  To receive a report from the County and District Councillors 

The Chairman informed the meeting that the period of election purdah was applicable.  

She then moved to bring item 14 forward in order to have both C/Cllr and D/Cllr present as interested parties.  Agreed by all present.

Item 14 – 

To receive an update on the situation with the tree on Windmill Drive and decide course of action.

C/Cllr Mr B Young reported that the tree was not owned by LCC, Highways nor NKDC.  He recapped that the expert sent by LCC reported that the tree did have dangerous branches and quotes were obtained for pollarding or felling the tree.  The arborist quote from HPC’s professional was considerably more favourable.  It had also been established that it was not HPC owned, but C/Cllr Mr Young suggested that LCC would re-imburse the cost of any action. Comments were made that if pollarded, it was only a temporary measure and the tree would remain in no-man’s land with the same issues of non-ownership.  If felled, a new tree could be planted in an alternative and suitable location, and perhaps a smaller shrub could be planted by the residents should they wish to.  D/Cllr Mr S Ogden commented that this occasion has potentially highlighted problems with the tree management processes of trees planted by developers. Both Councillors were thanked for their assistance with this matter. 

Proposed by Cllr Mr T Atkinson, seconded by Cllr Mr R Doughty

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved – To fell the tree and receive reimbursement from LCC.

C/Cllr Mr B Young gave apologies for the Parish Meeting.  D/Cllr Mr S Ogden will produce a list of NKDC achievements ready for the next meeting.

C/Cllr Mr B Young and D/Cllr Mr S Ogden left the meeting at 7.36pm

10.  To receive a report from the Clerk 

i.  She reported that the 2 planning approvals had not been received in time to be added to the agenda (19/0216/FUL and 19/0257/HOUS) and a further application had been received – 19/0465/FUL – Change of use to residential 21-23 High Street.  Cllr Mr R Higgs commented that the High Street already had a varied mixed use and no further comments were submitted.

ii.  She read a section of a letter from NKDC in respect of a Community Infrastructure Levy allocation to Heckington Parish Council of £4759.11 (15% of the total received).  It should be received before the end of April and a report will need to be sent by December to NKDC as to how the money has been allocated.

iii.  She reported that ‘Dog Warden’ legislation formally used by Heckington Environment Wardens had changed and that tickets could no longer be issued in instance of dog fouling.  It was highlighted that Dog Warden is a different role to environment warden and that there are no Dog Wardens in Heckington A resident volunteer Environment Warden had relinquished his role.  The Wardens now have very few powers.

iv.  She read out a temporary road closure notification concerning Burton Road level crossing scheduled for 0800-1600 hrs on 28th May for Network Rail maintenance  

11.  Receive reports from Councillor’s relating to their affiliation to local organisations.

i.  Cllr Mr R Higgs confirmed that the Swimming Pool work was complete and he invited all Councillors to the opening day on 4th May 2019. He also reported that at the AGM, having stood down from the role a new Chairman was elected – Mr David O’Brien.

ii.  Cllr Mrs J Palmer reported that the Village Hall open day raised over £406.00 and she thanked all who took part in the kitchen painting and hall cleaning.  A community market and breakfast club was being held on 1st June and 6th July.

12.  Planning Matters

(1)  Applications to be ratified 

a.  19/0431/HOUS – Erection of a single storey side extension – 22 Boston Road, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9JE

b.  19/0431/HOUS – Erection of single storey side extension – 22 Boston Road, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9JE – Amended plans reference above application.

(2)  Applications approved 

a.  19/0071/FUL – Erection of a 1.5 storey dwelling with double garage and vehicular access – Land of Howell Road, Heckington, Sleaford

b.  19/0129/HOUS – Erection of extension above existing garage – 2 Colby Way, Heckington, Sleaford

(3)  Applications rejected

a.  None received

(4)  Applications withdrawn

a.  None received

13.   To discuss and consider communication from the Diocese re Swimming Pool Lease – Cllr Mr R Higgs to report

Cllr Mr R Higgs explained that when applying for funding for recent renovation works, he had started liaisons with the Diocese to extend the lease as a funding requirement.  There is still 15 years left.  As funding was unsuccessful and payment for the works was subsequently found elsewhere, he suggested that a lease extension was no longer required, (and it would only be for 2 or 3 years anyway).  A new lease for 25 years may cost in the region of £5,500.

Proposed by Cllr Mrs J Palmer, seconded by Cllr Mr R Doughty

Vote results – 8 x for, 1 abstention (Cllr Mr R Higgs abstained due to involvement with project)

Resolved – to NOT continue with lease extension and to review the situation at the time when the current lease runs out – 15 years. 

14.  To receive an update on the situation with the tree on Windmill Drive and decide the course of action

Item discussed above during item 9

15.  To receive general correspondence

a.  Notification of Merchant Navy Day – 3rd September 2019

16.  To confirm the date of the next full Parish Council meeting as Monday 20th May 2019. 

Date confirmed

The Chairman also reminded all that the Parish Meeting is on Thursday 23rd May 2019 at 630pm for 7, at the Pavilion.  The Clerk confirmed that a copy of the poster had been emailed to Jacki Wright for display on the Heckington Facebook Page.

17.  To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960

Item not required

Meeting concluded at 7.52pm