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 July 2019 commencing at 1900hrs 

Attendance: 

Chairman -  Cllr Mrs J Palmer 

Councillors – Mr D Couzens, Mr R Doughty, Mr A Garlick, 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 (from 7.05pm)

Members of the Public – 1  

1.  Chairman’s Welcome and Opening Remarks

i.  The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

ii.  She expressed sadness that the weather for the Heckington Show weekend was very poor and had a detrimental effect on the event, especially as so much hard work had yet again gone into the preparations.

2.  To receive apologies for absence

The Clerk had received and accepted apologies from D/Councillor Mrs S Tarry, P/Cllrs Mr T Atkinson, and Mr R Kemmett

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)b

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

i.  None received

5.  Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 24th June 2019 to be approved as Minutes and signed.

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

Vote results – 8 x for, 0 x against, 2 abstentions (Cllrs Mr M West and Mr A Garlick who had not been at the previous meeting)

Resolved – to approve the minutes as above

a.  Matters arising – no resolutions may be passed under this item.

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

i.  A resident spoke of a noticeable increase in used drugs paraphernalia being found, especially on the Playing Fields – the Clerk to write to Inspector Richardson, with copies to be sent to PCC Marc Jones, and Dr Caroline Johnson, MP.  
Another resident stated that the magazine might do an article on drugs use to highlight issues.

7.  To consider financial Matters

a.  To approve payments as listed separately

Proposed by Cllr Mr M Jones, seconded by Cllr Mr A Garlick

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved – to approve payments as listed above

b.  To review first quarter actual v budget figures – the figures below were considered and discussed as follows -  

•  Cllr Mrs J Palmer pointed out that the invoice listed above for unplanned repairs to the Nilfisk machine (for which she had negotiated a reduction from the original invoiced amount), would take the balance for department M5 over budget.  
These were explained and accepted to be necessary but unplanned repairs.  

•  Cllr Mr T Pyrah asked for clarification of the expenditure figure presented for department F1 fuel.  It was explained that this was the cost of a recent and usual delivery of 500l of diesel used for the Nilfisk combined machine.  The machine running costs cover both grass cutting and sweeping, however the running costs will reduce during the winter season where less grass cutting is required.  

•  No further queries or concerns were raised.
 

8.  To receive a report from the Police

None received

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

The County Councillor reported the following –

•  Given the opportunity, LCC would look to bid for a portion of the £348million funding competition which may be offered to assist local authorities with major highways revamping.
•  That LCC had been ranked as outstanding in respect of Children and Social Care services.
•  The previously reported issue with scaffolding on a residential property on High Street was being actioned.
•  The issue with the area of land and dyke at the front of Millview Surgery was ongoing and that a lot of misleading stories had been heard.
•  He confirmed, in response to a query by Cllr Mr R Higgs, that the Lincoln’s new Eastern bypass was to be a single lane dual carriageway due to funding constraints.  It was mentioned that the death rate on single lane carriageways could be as much as 6 times higher than a double.

C/Cllr Mr B Young left the meeting at 7.26pm

The District Councillor reported the following –

•  He confirmed that the notification of boundary commission changes was being considered.
•  In respect of the previously mentioned drugs use within the village, D/Cllr Mr S Ogden would liaise with the Anti-Social Behaviour team at NKDC to seek advice and possible actions.

D/Cllr Mr S Ogden left the meeting at 7.30pm

10.  To receive a report from the Clerk 

i.  She confirmed that the Fire Brigade had been called to an unattended fire at the allotment sites and that the matter was being followed up.

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

i.  It was reported that although the Heckington Area Voluntary Car Service was doing very well, there is still a shortage of volunteer drivers.

12.  Planning Matters

(1)  Applications to be ratified 

a.  19/0695/FUL – Erection of 4no. fla5ts in a single, two storey block – Land to the Rear of High Street Heckington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9QT – update from last meeting regarding submission of incorrect plans/drawings

b.  190937/TPO – T14 Evergreen Oak – fell – 85 Church Street, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9RJ

c.  19/0824/HOUS – Demolition of existing garage and rear lean-to extension to dwelling and erection of a new single storey rear extension and detached building to provide games room, gym, study toilet and double garage – 34 Sleaford Road, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9QW

d.  19/0982/FUL – Erection of storage building – Pinewarren Kennels, Boston road, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire

(2)  Applications approved 

a.  19//0574/FUL – Erection of 1.5 storey dwelling with double garage & new vehicular access – Resubmission of 19/0071/FUL (amended design) – Land Off Howell road, Heckington, Sleaford – as notified during Clerk’s report item 10ii 24th June 2019

(3)  Applications rejected

a.  None received

(4)  Applications withdrawn

a.  None received

13.  To update and discuss public toilet facilities within the village.  Consider use of hired equipment. 

It was confirmed that at the previous meeting, it had been resolved to fund a new toilet installation in the changing rooms.  Subsequently, concerns had been raised about the safety of (particularly) children entering the changing rooms alone.  
Councillors discussed the option of a hired facility, and were told the cost could be around £38 per week.  It was suggested to build a bespoke outside toilet facility, and also the possible purchase of a second hand cubicle type toilet that could be plumbed into the mains. 

Proposed by Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by Cllr Mr T Pyrah

Vote results - unanimous 

Resolved – Cllrs Mr R Higgs and Mr D Couzens to continue with investigations into options prior to a final decision being made.

14.  To receive general correspondence

a.  Email from NKDC re 75th Anniversary of VE Day 8th May 2020 – information only

b.  Viking Link newsletter – information only

15.  To confirm the date of the next full Parish Council meeting as Monday 30th September 2019. 

Date confirmed and the Chairman reminded everyone that there is no August meeting.

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

Cllr Mr R Higgs requested a short closed sessions so that information pertaining to security and CCTV cameras could be presented.

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

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved – to enter into closed session

Members of the public left the meeting at this time

Cllr Mr R Higgs, reported that the CCTV camera system at the Playing Fields and Pavilion may need reviewing and possibly upgrading, especially with the new play area.

Proposed by Cllr Mrs J Palmer, seconded by Cllr Mr A Garlick

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved – Cllr Mr R Higgs to review the CCTV camera system current use and future requirements and present a proposal with quotes at a later date for Councillors’ consideration   

Meeting concluded at 7.55pm