October 2021 Minutes
Minutes of the meeting of Heckington Parish Council held in Heckington Village Hall, High Street, Heckington on Monday 25th October 2021 commencing at 1930hrs
Attendance:
Chairman - P/Cllr Mrs J Palmer
Parish Councillors – Mr T Atkinson, Mrs M Cooke, Mr R Doughty, Mr A Garlick, Mr R Higgs, Mr M Jones, Mr R Kemmett, Mrs S Tucker, Mr M West,
County Councillor – Mr A Key
District Councillors – Mr S Ogden, Mrs S Tarry
Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms J Hudson
Police Representative – None present
Press Representative – None present
Members of the Public – 8
1. Chairman’s welcome and opening remarks
1.1 The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and went through Health & Safety, fire procedures etc
1.2 She notified the meeting that emergency tree work had been carried out on the Burton Road green space.
2. To receive apologies for absence
3.1 Parish Councillor Mr R Woods had presented his apologies.
3. To receive a declaration of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011
3.1 None received at the time of asking, but subsequently (when questioned by a Member of the Public), P/Cllr Mr R Doughty confirmed his interest in item 7.ii
3.2 The Chairman re-iterated the legal requirement and importance of all Members declaring interests.
4. To consider any requests for dispensation received at or before the start of the meeting
4.1 None received
5. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 27th September 2021 to be recorded as accurate.
5.i Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Kemmett and seconded by P/Cllr Mrs S Tucker
5.i.1 Vote results – unanimous
5.i.2 Resolved – To approve minutes as above
5.ii Matters arising – The Chairman confirmed that research was ongoing into the siting of village gateways.
5.ii.2 She confirmed that both the Christmas Tree and new Christmas lights had been ordered.
5.iii.3 The Clerk confirmed that letters had been sent to the relevant residents to conclude the process in both the damage to Pavilion gates and the boundary query on Mulberry Walk
5.iii.4 The Chairman reported that the Village Green noticeboard had now been removed as agreed, and she thanked the resident who had helped carry this out.
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 A member of the Speedwatch team thanked the Parish Council for considering and actioning a number of the suggestions previously raised by the team. He further suggested that more checks were needed at Kyme Road, Hale Road and Side Bar Lane in order to analyse traffic issues in these locations.
6.1.1 The Chairman suggested a full Archer report might be beneficial as it had been some years since the last one.
6.1.2 It was noted that P/Cllr Mr A Garlick would be presenting more details at item 7.iii regarding the purchase of a new speed awareness sign.
6.1.3 The Chairman formally thanked the Speedwatch team for their time and efforts.
6.1.4 The Clerk to investigate whether more frequent reports could be obtained to outline the further actions taken against drivers who had been recorded.
6.1.5 It was noted that more volunteers are required to join the team.
6.1.6 The Clerk to establish whether a joint training session with neighbouring parishes can be arranged.
6.2 A member of the public questioned whether there were Councillors who were also members of the bowls club and thereby should have declared an interest in item 7.ii
6.2.1 P/Cllr Mr R Doughty acknowledged his interest and Councillors agreed to accept the late declaration, with the Chairman re-iterating the requirement for all Councillors to declare interests where appropriate.
6.3 A member of the public described large potholes on Godson Avenue and asked when they were to be repaired.
7. Financial Matters (all relevant documents previously emailed to Councillors for their information)
7.i.1 To approve payments as listed – (please go to next page)
7.i.2 No queries raised. Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mr M West
7.i.3 Vote results – unanimous
7.i.4 Resolved – to approve payments and account balances as detailed.
7.ii.1 To consider request from Heckington Bowls club for donation.
7.ii.2 The Clerk had previously emailed a copy of the request letter. She explained that there are legal requirements to adhere to regarding donations and reasons/specified uses of donations.
7.ii.3 The Clerk to clarify financial situation with the Bowls Club and it was agreed without opposition that P/Cllr Mr R Higgs include the request within his current research into the Section106 monies before any decision is taken.
7.ii.4 No proposal was put forward and therefore the item is ongoing.
7.iii.1 To discuss Evolis speed sign and locations and consider purchase – verbal report by P/Cllr Mr A Garlick.
7.iii.2 P/Cllr Mr A Garlick reported that following the last meeting whereby the decision had been taken to purchase a second speed indicator device, he had been liaising with the Evolis company and discovered the unit can be mains wired or solar powered.
7.iii.3 He suggested and proposed that the current, authorised Sleaford Road location (inbound from the Western junction with A17) would be ideal to have a permanent unit.
7.iii.4 He explained the versatility and benefits of the new unit, which were agreed to be over and above those of the current Speed Indicator Device (SID) and the likely cost would be circa £1969 for the solar version.
7.iii.5 It was noted that there was still no response from Unipart Dorman, who were the suppliers of the original SID.
7.iii.6 Proposed by P/Cllr Mrs J Palmer, seconded by P/Cllr Mr A Garlick
7.iii.7 Vote results – unanimous
7.iii.8 Resolved – to accept quote once received from Evolis on condition the quote is circa £1969, with a margin of 10%.
7.iv.1 To update BT complaint
7.iv.2 The Clerk confirmed that the complaint had finally been completed satisfactorily and that the phone line account had now been closed with a nil balance.
8. Receive a report from the Police
8.1 None received – although the Chairman reported that there had been reports of a break-ins to sheds on the allotment site, and that there had been some suspicious activity reported on Willow Close – both of which had been reported to the police.
9. Receive a report from the County and District Councillors
9.1 C/Cllr Mr A Key reported that he was due to attend a briefing the following week in connection with the recently announced solar panel installation at East Heckington.
9.2 He reported that an initial grant had been offered towards the dualling of the A17, but that the process would take many years.
9.3 He reminded everyone to continue to report Highways issues on Fix My Street.
9.4 D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry confirmed that both District Councillors were in ‘Purdah’ due to up coming election and therefore may not be able to contribute fully.
9.5 P/Cllr Mrs S Tucker highlighted an issue to the D/Cllrs regarding the social centre on Willow Close. She stated that local residents had reported to her that they were missing out on social activities due to its continued closure.
9.5.1 P/Cllr Mrs S Tucker reported that she had been in contact with NKDC over the last few weeks to establish reasons for the continued closure. She thanked D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry for her help.
9.5.2 NKDC’s Covid Risk Assessment indicated it should remain closed for the safety of residents, with a review scheduled for February 2022.
9.5.3 P/Cllr Mrs S Tucker questioned the results of NKDC’s Risk Assessment, particularly when compared with the fact that many national social restrictions had been lifted.
9.5.4 She highlighted the fact that many other public facilities and events were now open to groups of people, and that it appeared NKDC actions were detrimental to residents/tenants and discriminated against the elderly and vulnerable.
9.5.5 It was confirmed by the Chairman that NKDC had stated that subsequently the review date was to be moved to an earlier date and that the fee charged to residents (even though the facility was closed) would also be looked into.
9.5.6 P/Cllr Mrs M Cooke offered to assist P/Cllr Mrs S Tucker, which was agreed by all.
9.6 D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry referred to item number 10.4 from minutes of 27th September, and confirmed that NKDC acknowledge that the letter to residents should have been printed on both sides of the paper, reducing paper waste.
9.7 She confirmed that there was to be a briefing session for District Councillors the following week in relation to the proposed Solar panel installation at East Heckington.
9.8 P/Cllr Mr A Garlick suggested that following reports of suspicious activity in Willow Close, PIR lights be sited, if possible, to illuminate pedestrians and visitors to the bungalows after dark.
9.8.2 D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry will take this forward to the housing department.
The District Councillors and 2 Members of the Public left at 8.20pm
10. Receive a report from the Clerk
10.1 The Clerk reported that two-way radios had been secured for use on Remembrance Sunday and as had a live bugler.
10.1.2 Additional volunteer marshals were still required.
11. Receive reports from Councillor’s relating to their affiliation to local organisations 11.1 None received
12. Planning Matters
12.1 Previous applications to be ratified
12.1.i 21/1300/FUL – change of use from agricultural (grass field) to car park (retrospective) – Abbey Parks Farm Shop, Boston Road, East Heckington, Sleaford
12.1.ii 21/1439/FUL – Proposed construction of a commercial ‘day fishing’ pond – Brickyard Farm and Fisheries, Star Fen, Heckington, Sleaford, NG349ND
12.1.iii 21/1428/HOUS – Proposed single storey front and side extensions and two storey rear extension and sunroom modification – Eastfield House, Boston Road, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire
12.2 Applications approved
12.2.i 21/0857/FUL – Restoration works to Heckington manor to form a single dwelling house including demolition of pervious extensions and erection of 4 detached dwellings – Heckington Manor and Land to Rear of 7-9 Cowgate, Heckington
12.3 Applications rejected
12.3.i None received
12.4 Applications withdrawn
12.4.i None received
12.5 Prior notifications received (Information only – no action required by HPC)
12.5.i None received
12.6 Planning Appeals
12.6.i 20/0945/FUL Appeal reference APP/R2520/W/21/3272725 – Proposed site at Land Off Burton Road, Heckington, Sleaford
13. Cricket pitch update – deferred from Sept meeting
13.1 P/Cllr Mr R Higgs reported that the cricket square itself had been re-dressed at a cost of £4,477.20 (paid for entirely by the Cricket Club) and that a report on soil samples was still not back.
13.2 He reported that the outfields were due for the usual spraying treatment, which the tenants of the Pavilion were responsible for. Date to be confirmed.
14.0 To discuss Ecotricity proposal for solar farm on Heckington Fen (site approved for Wind Farm) – details circulated to all Councillors visa email – Cllr Mr M West to lead/report.
14.1 It was agreed unanimously with no objections that P/Cllr Mr M West be the lead Councillor for this project, acting as a conduit to the Council, because he is the Member for East Heckington and had also been the lead Member when the site was under application for the Wind Farm.
14.2 P/Cllr Mr M West confirmed details contained with the leaflet published by Ecotricity that the first stage of the proposal was that a Development Consent Order was required for the 1,450-acre site and that the full application was to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in January 2023.
14.3 Due to the size of the site and proposed energy output, it will be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and as such, the Secretary of State will be the only one to make the final decision on whether to approve the Development Consent Order.
14.4 A reminder was made to all present that the first stage of the application was to engage with local residents until 17th December 2021, where interested and affected residents can have their say.
14.5 P/Cllr Mr M West agreed to attend informative meetings and report back to the Parish Council as and when necessary.
15. To discuss old play area and access to Manor – report by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs
15.1 With reference to the report by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, which had previously been circulated to Councillors, he confirmed that during a conversation with owners of the Manor, access would be required for a crushing machine during the demolition of the development process.
15.2 He proposed that the council arranges for the removal of the old roundabout, as part of the continued dismantling and removal of the old play area.
15.3 No objections raised.
16. To discuss/confirm the process/venue/timing of the next full Parish Council meeting
16.1 The Clerk confirmed the next full meeting is scheduled for Monday 29th November 2021, at the Village Hall from 7.30pm.
17. To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 if required.
17.1 Proposed by P/Cllr Mrs A Garlick, seconded by P/Cllrs Mr R Kemmett
17.2 Vote results – unanimous
17.3 Resolved – to go into closed session as detailed above
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and Members of the Public left at 8.39pm
17.i To discuss Section 106 expenditure in relation to potential Playing Field development, to include review of private business accounts (subject to confidentiality)
17.i.2 Councillors were reminded that Section 106 monies received relating to the Boston Road development, totalled £87,101.97 and was now available to claim in order to be spent ‘towards the formation of strategic formal playing fields in accordance with LP24 of the Local Plan’.
17.i.3 It was confirmed that the Tenant of the Pavilion is contracted to maintain certain conditions and was continuing to fulfil these conditions.
17.i.4 A general discussion ensured about developing the playing fields area further for current and new sports, potentially using the available Section 106 funds.
17.i.5 No formal decisions were made, other than a unanimous agreement to appoint P/Cllr Mr R Higgs as the Section 106 ‘researcher’.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at hrs 2050hrs