June 2021 Minutes
HECKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of Heckington Parish Council held in Heckington Village Hall, High Street, Heckington on Monday 28th June 2021 commencing at 1930hrs
Attendance:
Chairman - P/Cllr Mrs J Palmer
Parish Councillors – Mr T Atkinson, Mr R Doughty, Mr A Garlick, Mr R Higgs, Mr M Jones, Mr R Kemmett, Mrs S Tucker, Mr M West, Mr R Woods
County Councillor – Mr Andrew Key
District Councillors – Mrs S Tarry, Mr S Ogden
Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms J Hudson
Police Representative – None present
Press Representative – None present
Members of the Public – 2
1. Chairman’s welcome and opening remarks
1.1 The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and went through Healthy & Safety, fire procedures etc.
2. To receive apologies for absence
2.1 None received.
3. To receive a declaration of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011
3.1 None received
4. To consider any requests for dispensation received at or before the start of the meeting
4.1 None received
5. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 24th May 2021 to be approved as Minutes and signed.
5.1 Proposed by P/Cllr Mrs S Tucker, seconded by P/Cllr Mr M West
5.2 Vote results – 8 x for, 2 abstentions (AG and MJ were absent) – majority
5.3 Resolved – To approve minutes as above
5.4 Matters arising
5.4.1 The Chairman confirmed that the letters regarding St Andrews Churchyard had now been distributed to all households in Heckington Parish and that circa 90% of the comments received indicated that residents were grateful for having been made aware of the situation. Information gathering was ongoing.
5.4.2 Cllr Mr R Higgs reported that he had carried out initial research into the pedestrian gates at the Boston Road Cemetery and that he had experienced some difficulty manouvering a mobility scooter through the gap. He had approached local blacksmith Nick Marshall, but was told there is a long delay in obtaining raw materials which would be needed to increase the size of the entrance. Research ongoing, and Cllr Mr S Tucker suggested that residents are made aware of the current situation.
5.4.3 Cllr Mr R Higgs reported that research was also ongoing into security systems for the cemetery/workshop. Unfortunately, likely due to current restrictions, it was proving extremely difficult to gain quotes, although he had managed to secure 2 quotes so far. He suggested a likely cost of £300 installation and £40 per month monitoring fee, but would present findings to the Council on receipt.
6. Public Participation – 15 minutes will be set aside for Members of the Public to make comments or suggestions. The Chairman reserves the right to limit each individual to a maximum of 3 minutes. No decisions will be taken on any issues raised, and items may be carried forward to the next meeting’s agenda.
6.1 None received.
7. Financial Matters (all relevant documents previously emailed to Councillors for their information)
7.i.1 To approve payments as listed –
7.i.2 Proposed by Cllr Mr R Woods, seconded by Cllr Mr R Higgs
7.i.3 Vote results unanimous
7.i.4 Resolved – to approve payments as listed above
7.ii To minute receipt of email from Daisy Comms regarding 4.5%price rises effective 1st July 2021 (as a result of increased charges by BT Openreach.
7.ii.2 It was agreed that other users had also received this notification.
7.iii To approve restrospective amendment to minutes of July 2020 (7.8) and November (7.2, 7.4i, 7.4ii and 7.4iii) as a result of Internal Audit. Ie - to formally note the difficulty in obtaining the required 3 estimates and the inclusion of contractor names.
7.iii.1 Proposed by Cllr Mr R Woods, seconded Cllr Mr A Garlick
7.iii.2 Vote results – unanimous
7.iii.3 Resolved – to amend minutes as detailed above
7.iv To approve the removal of Financial Regulations point 6.10 – duplication
7.iv.1 Proposed by Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by Cllr Mr R Higgs
7.iv.2 Vote results – unanimous
7.iv.3 Resolved – to amend Financial Regulations as detailed above
8. Receive a report from the Police
8.1 No specific police report had been provided, although the Chairman confirmed that the pop up surgery event held on the Village Green on Sunday had been very successful.
8.2 The Chairman reported that PCSO Woolerton had confirmed that 3 people had been arrested in connection with the recent burglaries in Heckington.
8.3 The Chairman also confirmed that further pop up events were scheduled for Friday 30th July 2021 and Saturday 21st August 2021, both from 10am until 2pm
9. Receive a report from the County and District Councillors
9.1 County Councillor Mr A Key presented the following report –
‘Highways Manager Visit - Rowan Smith, our local Highways Manager met with myself and Jan Palmer on Thursday 3rd June. We toured the village and looked at some of the outstanding issues. Coincidentally contractors were in attendance near the Co-op effecting repairs to the pavement. We complimented them on an excellent job done. After the meeting I summarised the matters outstanding and communicated them to Rowan and Jan.
Some of the Outstanding Matters - Surface Dressing works around the Godson Avenue area and surrounding roads. Due to the recent hot temperatures the road surfaces were reaching 45-50 degrees, causing the newly and previously laid dressings to become tacky. Highways requested the contractor to attend and undertake some light dusting with a fine aggregate to settle the tacky areas down. Temperatures have since cooled, with a period of rain showers – however, once the weather improves they will reassess and carry out a further application if required. There will also be an additional sweep undertaken during July – August.
Kyme Road & High Street footways – one of the engineers will assess these, and if suitable they will be included on a future works programme.
I understand that Heckington as a whole is down for assessment therefore these sites may form part of a larger programme of works in the area. No timescales as yet though, but I know we will be keeping our eye on it.
Churchill Way & Godson Avenue have been put forward as part of the carriageway reconstruction programme. These sites are currently identified to start between January – March, subject to any unforeseen circumstances.
Rural Roads - Additional problems are caused on the most rural roads by vehicles driving on the grass verges, causing channels to develop with the result that the edges of the roads are undermined and washed away.
Trials are taking place to put white lines down the sides of the roads to encourage drivers to remain on the carriageway. These are thought to be effective and we may have a couple our roads similarly marked up as part of this trial.
Friday 18th June Heavy Rainfall - The village suffered prolonged rainfall on this date causing some surface water problems, the one on Banks Lane leading to a call to the Police. I did take photographs of the standing water at this place (although it had subsided somewhat by then) and also the water by the Co-op, both caused by, it appeared, blocked drains. These were sent to the Highways Department who have assured me they will take the appropriate action. I have also asked for an update on the Church Street periodic flooding.
Speed Reduction - I am keen to support all efforts to reduce speeding on our village roads, especially at the entrances and exits.
I have obtained survey figures from Sleaford Road from 2014 that showed an average speed just above the legal maximum of 30mph. But we have all seen individual drivers far exceeding that.
I therefore wish to encourage and support the Speed Watch Initiative and have volunteered myself to take part. I encourage everyone else worried about this issue to come forward too.
I also suggest that the Parish Council looks into the Village Gateway idea of installing gates at the entrances to the village. These have the effect of slowing traffic. Villages like Branston have done so and I know they make me check my speed as I go through them. Whilst the PC have to fund their installation, insurance and upkeep, Highways are very supportive when issuing the necessary consents.
Councillor Induction - I continue to be bombarded with information as a new councillor and have attended one Scrutiny meeting already and will be going to County Hall for the first time tomorrow as Vice Chairman of the Adults Scrutiny Committee who are meeting in the Council Chamber.
As always, I will do all I can to promote and support efforts to improve the village for the benefit of all.’
END OF REPORT
9.2 District Councillor Mrs S Tarry invited anyone to contact either herself or DCllr Mr S Ogden should there be another occasion of issue with the emergency flooding phone lines. She confirmed that NKDC were working on a contingency to ensure that the difficulties in contact are not experienced again.
9.2.1 DCllr Mrs S Tarry also confirmed that she would chase up the Asset Management meeting results in relation to the suggestion from HPC that the grassed area be used as additional off road parking on Church Street.
10. Receive a report from the Clerk
10.1 The Clerk confirmed receipt of newsletter from both Rail Lincs and LIVES, which can be viewed in the office.
10.2 The Clerk confirmed that following the resignation of Mr D Couzens as Councillor, NKDC had confirmed that NO election had been called and that Co-option is now possible.
10.3 She confirmed that to date, 2 applications had been sent out with one having been returned already.
10.4 The closing date for applications is 12th July 2021.
10.5 The Co-option procedure was explained at Cllr Mrs S Tucker request, and she suggested that the position be advertised more widely.
11. Receive reports from Councillors relating to their affiliation to local organisations
11.1.1 Cllr Mr A Garlick (Member for Trees), reported that the local group Trees for Heckington might be asking permission to plant a donated Oak tree on the open space on Godson Avenue between Oak Way and Mulberry Walk.
11.1.2 It was reported that this requested location was very near to the sub-station, and it was known to have a lot of pipework and cable running across the area.
11.1.3 The hedgerow running through the middle of the two plots is recorded as being a mediaeval hedgerow and was therefore of significant value, albeit that it is made up of many elders.
11.1.4 The Chairman reminded the meeting that trees must be planted with consideration to the mowing of the grass.
11.1.5 Cllr Mr A Garlick to visit the site to investigate the possibility of allowing the tree to be planted near to the hedgerow, or another suitable site.
12. Planning Matters
12.1 Previous applications to be ratified
12.1.1 T1 Lime – Fell – the Laurels, 15A High Street, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire
12.2 Applications approved
12.2.1 None received
12.3 Applications rejected
12.3.1 None received
12.4 Applications withdrawn
12.4.1 None received
12.5 Prior notifications received (Information only – no action required by HPC)
12.5.1 None received
12.6 Planning Appeals
12.6.1 APP/R2520/W/21/3269185 – Appeal by NJA Property Managerment Ltd and RJW Property Management – Land to the North of Boston Road, Heckington, Sleaford – Erection of 4 no. dwellings – Appeal dismissed.
13. To discuss HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2nd June 2022
13.1 The Chairman suspended the formal meeting to allow Mr A Key to speak regarding previous events for HM the Queens Silver Jubilee in 1977.
13.2 He described the previous event which involved street parties, a ‘float’ vehicle parade around the village and various other events.
13.3 It was discussed that the Platinum Jubilee will be held over 4 days and Cllr Mr Key reported that Great Hale Village Hall had already started to plan events on Friday evening and Sunday during the day.
13.4 Any events should involve the whole village and other organisations and liaisons with Great Hale etc should be ongoing to ensure that events do not ‘clash’.
13.5 The Chairman reminded the meeting that in previous years the children were given commemorative mugs (for the 90th birthday in 2016).
13.6 The Chairman encouraged all Councillors to get involved in some way.
13.7 Cllr S Tucker offered to lead the arrangements.
13.8 Proposed by Cllr Mrs J Palmer, seconded by Cllr Mr R Woods
13.9 Vote results – unanimous
13.10 Resolved – Cllr Mrs S Tucker to be the Parish Council lead in organising village events to mark the occasion of HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
14. To discuss maintenance work to fire escape at the Pavilion and agree way forward
14.1 Cllr Mr R Higgs outlined the situation background as follows
14.2 In Sept 2020 a contractor had quoted for the works and in Dec 2020, after obtaining verbal work references, the contractor was appointed.
14.3 Due to external issues with the licencee of the Pavilion, neither the work for the licencee nor the work contracted by the Parish Council had been completed.
14.4 Cllr Mr R Higgs confirmed he had started to source other quotes for the work, but in the meantime the original contractor had re-contacted Mr Higgs to express agreement to continue with the HPC work.
14.5 It was agreed that the contractor would continue, however a time frame for completion was stipulated.
14.6 This time frame has now elapsed and therefore on informal legal advice, the contract has been broken by the contractor, and this had been confirmed in writing to him.
14.7 Cllr M R Higgs explained that no other contractor had been willing to ‘finish’ work already started, and he was therefore researching a whole new fire escape.
14.8 Fire escape kits are available to purchase and ‘self–install’, however it was suggested that this would not give the Council suitable liability and insurance protection.
14.9 A company in Scunthorpe was in the process of providing a quote, following phone calls to several other companies who had not yet responded.
14.10 Cllr Mr R Higgs to report back to the Council once quotes received, but expected to be in the region of £3-4000.
14.10 He went on to confirm that out of several phone calls to suitable companies locally, only one (J Harthill, regular supplier) had bothered to respond with a quote of £400 to demolish boiler room and remove the rubble.
14.11 Proposed by Cllr Mrs J Palmer (within financial limit), seconded by Cllr Mrs S Tucker
14.12 Vote results unanimous
14.13 Resolved to accept quote of £400 from J Hartill to demolish boiler room and remove the rubble on the basis that –
i. J Harthill is on the regular supplier list for village maintenance work
ii Local business
iii Previous work is of excellent quality
iv Out of phone calls to strive to obtain 3 other quotes, J Hartill was the only response.
v. the price was considered generally reasonable and acceptable.
15. To discuss village drainage system
15.1 The Chairman noted that although this topic had been discussed during previous items, the village drainage system was a considered an ongoing and serious issue.
15.2 Following the recent flooding on both Banks Lane and Church Street, she again reported the difficulties arising from the emergency telephone floodlines.
15.3 Cllr Mr T Atkinson also reported that the long-term issues with blocked gullies along both Hale Road and Station Road were still outstanding.
15.4 County Cllr Mr A Key stressed the importance of reporting all highway issues via the internet on Fix My Street.
15.5 Although the system had experienced some technical problems previously, Mr Key reported that it was regularly reviewed for efficiency and adjustments made to the system.
16. To discuss/confirm the process/venue/timing of the next Parish Council meeting
16.1 The next Parish Council meeting was confirmed as being held in Heckington Village Hall on Monday 26th July 2021 at 7.30pm.
17. To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 (if required)
19.1 Item not required
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 2039hrs