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 24th June 2019 commencing at 1900hrs 

Attendance: 

Chairman -  Cllr Mrs J Palmer 

Councillors –Mr R Doughty, Mr A Garlick, Mr R Higgs, Mr M Jones, Mr R Kemmett, Mr T Pyrah, Mr R Woods

County Councillor – None present

District Councillors – Mr S Ogden, Mrs S Tarry

Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms J Hudson

Police Representative – None present

Press Representative – Mr A Hubbert 

Members of the Public – 12  

1.  Chairman’s Welcome and Opening Remarks

i.  The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

ii.  She explained that much improvement had been carried out at the Pavilion and Playing Fields over the last few years and that the recent addition of the new play park had been received with very positive comments.

2.  To receive apologies for absence

The Clerk had received and accepted apologies from C/Councillor Mr B Young, P/Cllrs Mr T Atkinson, Mr D Couzens and Mr M West

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

i.  Cllr Mr R Higgs declared an interest in item 12 (1)a

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

i.  Cllr Mr D Couzens had requested permission to provide details concerning items 7e. 13 and 14 and would not vote, however he was not present at the meeting and therefore dispensation was not required.

5.  Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 20th May 2019 to be approved as Minutes and signed.

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

Votes results – unanimous

Resolved – the sign the minutes as approved

ii.  To approve the publication of DRAFT minutes of the Parish Meeting held on Thursday 23rd May 2019. 

Proposed by Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by Cllr Mr R Woods

Vote results unanimous

Resolved – to approve publication of DRAFT minutes

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

i.  A resident reported that the Planning item 12(1)b included documents/plans that were not up to date and that an extension was missing.  He reported that the drains were incorrectly marked on the plans.  He also expressed concerns that there was no pedestrian provision proposed and that car parking was insufficient for the numbers of vehicles expected, meaning that parking on the High Street will likely increase.  A second resident reported on the same application that the plans of his property were also incorrect.

D/Cllr S Tarry made notes of the details reported and would liaise with the Planning Department regarding incorrect plans.

ii.  A number of residents expressed concerns regarding Planning item 12(1)a as follows – 

• The proposed access via Church Street is not suitable for heavy vehicles during the construction phase and will be detrimental to the residents of that street; 
• If the walled entrance is altered, then Cowgate vehicles will have difficulty pulling out
• There is no footpath on Cowgate
• Perhaps consideration could be made to using an alternative construction access/exit route via Howell Road and the old play park area. 

iii.  A resident expressed concerns that mowing machinery was being stored in the area adjacent to the new playground and that it could cause a Safety Issue for children.  He commented that the area was very unsightly and should be fenced off.

Cllr Mr R Higgs explained on behalf of the Pavilion and Playing Fields, that the area was ‘work in progress’ and that he would pass on the resident’s comments.

iv.  A resident reported an area of severe flooding on Hale Road which was affecting his sewerage system and property.  A local dyke appeared to require attention but responsibility was unknown.  This is likely the same area that Cllr Mr T Atkinson has commented on before.

Clerk to report to LCC and email C/Cllr Mr B Young (as he was not in attendance) with information. 

v.  The Clerk spoke on behalf of a resident and employee of Millview Medical Centre. The resident was championing ‘Social Prescribing’, whereby treatment of social isolation/loneliness and depression was by social interaction and conversation rather than medication.  The recent reports received concerning the ‘Happy to Chat’ bench was very much in keeping and supported the idea of Social Prescribing, and the resident had wished to give a brief presentation in person, but unfortunately was unable to attend.   

7.  To consider financial Matters

a.  To approve payments as listed separately

Proposed by Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by Cllr Mr R Kemmett

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved – to approve payments as listed above

b.  To discuss and approve Burdens invoice for repairs

The Chairman reported that following an unexpected NILFISK machine breakdown, the recovery and repair costs amounted to £929.35+VAT.   She was in the process of liaising with Burdens regarding the overall amount, however the amount had not been budgeted for.  The machine is vital for work around the village.

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

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved – to approve payment of invoice as detailed above, which is over and above annual budget figure of £500.00 and with Chairman to liaise with Burdens prior to actual payment.
  
c.  To discuss and approve final payment for Play Park – Invoice not received – item deferred to a future meeting.

d.  To consider request from resident to refund £24.90 for purchase of Litter Pickers

The Clerk reported that NKDC offered a free loan of Litter Picking equipment.

Proposed by Cllr Mr R Woods, seconded by Cllr Mr T Pyrah

Vote results – 7 for, 1 against

Resolved – to continue to use free NKDC service when required and therefore to not refund the money to the resident.

e.  To consider funding the cost of fitting new public toilet at Pavilion and Playing Fields (estimate £1,500)

With the new play park being used so much, the lack of toilet facilities has become apparent.  Cllr Mr R Higgs explained on behalf of the Pavilion and Playing Field that a toilet could be plumbed into the ‘away team’ changing room and that the majority of work can be carried out in house to minimise cost.  The majority of the cost will be to run the pipes to connect to mains.  The responsibility to clean the toilet is still to be decided.

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

Vote results – 6 x for, 2 x abstentions

Resolved – to fund installation of new public toilet facilities up to the cost of £1,500

8.  To receive a report from the Police

The PCSO not present and the Clerk reported on his behalf that there had been an increase in lead thefts and phone scams in the area and residents should remain vigilant and not divulge information over the phone.

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

The County Councillor was not present and the Clerk reported on his behalf that following the re-surfacing of Boston Road and Sleaford Road, LCC Highways have confirmed that the middle section (ie the High Street) is also on the list to be re-surfaced, but as yet no date has been scheduled.

D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry reminded the meeting of the public consultation of the Local Plan – details can be found on the NKDC website.  She also reported that NKDC had a new promotion to report incidents of fly-tipping.

D/Cllr Mr S Ogden reminded the meeting that nominations are still being received for the Community Champion Awards and residents can nominate those individuals who they believe have contributed to the community.  Further details can be found on the NKDC website. 

10.  To receive a report from the Clerk 

i.  She reported that a planning approval had been received too late to add to the agenda concerning the redesign of a dwelling on land off Howell Road 

ii.  She updated the meeting on the SpeedWatch progress, with over 1,500 having passed the manned locations and that 102 of these had been reported as doing over the allowed speed.

iii.  She reported that LCC had emailed the details of road restrictions for the period of Show weekend, and that details had been posted to the HPC website.

iv.  She reminded the meeting that Dr Caroline Johnson, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham was holding a Q+A session at the Village Hall on Friday 19th July 2019 and that all are welcome.

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

i.  None presented

12.  Planning Matters

(1)  Applications to be ratified 

a.  19/0606/FUL – Conversion and refurbishment and part demolition and rebuild of existing manor building into two semi-detached dwelling houses, conversion and refurbishment and part demolition and new build on existing annex building into single detached dwelling, demolition works to building and demolition and part rebuild of existing boundary wall and erection of 12 new build two storey detached dwelling to new highway provision – Heckington Manor, Cowgate, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

The Chairman allowed open public discussion on this matter, however having declared a non-pecuniary interest, Cllr Mr R Higgs will not vote on this item.