November 2022 Minutes
HECKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of Heckington Parish Council held in Heckington Parish Council, Council Chambers, St Andrews Street, Heckington on Monday 28th November 2022 commencing at 1900hrs
Attendance:
Chairman P/Cllr Mrs J Palmer
Parish Councillors – Mr A Garlick, Mr R Higgs, Mr D Long, Mr M Jones,
Mr T Atkinson (from 1910hrs)
County Councillor – Mr A Key
District Councillors – Mr S Ogden, Mrs S Tarry
Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms T Williams
Police Representative – None present
Press Representative – None present
Members of the Public – 3
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 The Chairman thanked everyone who helped with the Remembrance Day Service.
1.3 The Chairman reported that the Parish Council, as a one off, had covered the cost of the hire of the Village Hall for a fitness initiative, outsourced by North Kesteven District Council. The taster session was well received (42 attendees), with a lot of interest from residents for future sessions, hopefully to be offered by NKDC in the New Year.
1.4 The Chairman reported having a very productive meeting with C/Cllr Key and Highways. A few days after the meeting some potholes were repaired on St Andrews Street, with the hope further repairs will follow.
1.5 The Chairman reported that the New Notice Board had been installed on the Village Green, the lights were up and the Christmas tree would follow shortly.
2. To receive apologies for absence
2.1 Apologies received and accepted from P/Cllr Mrs A Cooke, P/Cllr R Woods, P/Cllr R Kemmett and P/Cllr Mr M West
3. To receive a declaration of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011
3.1 None received
4. To consider any requests for dispensations received at or before the start of the meeting.
4.1 None received
5. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held Monday 31st October 2022
5.i Proposed by Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by Cllr Mr M Jones it was resolved that the minutes were approved and signed. Unanimous vote.
5.ii Matters arising
5.iii The Chairman reported that P/Cllr Higgs had organised the flag poles, they have now been delivered and waiting to be put up.
5.iv P/Cllr Higgs reported that he had applied under the Freedom of Information Act for a copy relating to District Council’s involvement in Operation London Bridge but was told it is still officially sensitive, further investigation has revealed this is not the case. It also came to light that a temporary road closure could have been put in place for the reading of the Proclamation, under Special Measures detailed in Operation London Bridge, had the District Council passed the information down. P/Cllr Higgs sought help from the District Councillors in obtaining the information that should have been made available to the Parish Council.
6. Public Participation
6.1 P/Cllr Higgs reported that some residents who had attended the Tai Chi session at the Village Hall were under the impression it was a one off, although this event had been advertised as a taster session to gauge interest. P/Cllr Higgs raised the question with D/Cllr Tarry why future sessions couldn’t be funded from the Wellbeing budget mentioned in NKDC’s newsletter. D/Cllr Tarry to check the criteria for spending under the Health, Wellbeing and Resilience Fund.
6.2 A member of the public raised the point that an ‘action’ column should be added to the minutes to clarify when items are discussed, what action needs to be taken and by whom. It was explained that Parish Council minutes had to follow a set format. However we will seek guidance from SLCC (Society of Local Council Clerks).
6.3 A member of the public asked how Operation London Bridge relates to Heckington at a Parish Council level. It was explained that it was a plan that told each level of organisation what they were required to do upon the passing of The Queen. Unfortunately, the level above Parish Council did not pass down what the Parish Council was required to do under that plan.
7. Financial Matters
7.i To approve payments as listed separately – payments as listed in document tab were approved unanimously
7.ii Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mr D Long
7.iii Vote results – unanimous
7.iv Resolved – to approve payments as listed
8. To receive a report from the Police – none present
9. To receive a report from the County Councillor and District Councillors
9.1 C/Cllr Key reported attended the Cathedral Service for Remembrance Day. He also attended the memorial for the Canadian Plane crash, manned by both Canadian and British air crew, at South Kyme Golf Course.
9.2 C/Cllr Key reported that he continues to work with Highways to get work done on roads and pathways in the area. It is not yet known what money there will be to spend next year, so it is a matter of prioritising works.
9.2 C/Cllr Key urged everyone to take part in the consultations, which are still open, regarding proposals for the new Reservoir. The Heckington consultation was well attended with the impact on roads being widely discussed. Details for consultation dates can be found on Anglian Water Authority’s website.
9.3 D/Cllr Tarry reported that Anglian Water held a Councillors Pre-application Planning Forum with the Planning Committee, allowing Councillors to ask questions, more information can be found on North Kesteven District Council website under planning. D/Cllr Tarry to provide Heckington Parish Council with the District Council’s response to Anglian Water’s non statutory consultation, pending approval.
9.4 D/Cllr Tarry to send the details of how organisations in the village can register as a ‘warm space’.
9.5 C/Cllr Key asked if the Coronation could be added to the next agenda.
10. To receive a report from the Clerk
10.1 The Clerk reported receiving planning matters after the agenda had gone out. Details of the following had been emailed to Councillors:
10.2 Planning application 22/1630/FUL Proposed change of existing roof material from concrete tile to Eternit Fibre Cement Tile (Natural Slate appearance) and change of boundary treatment on the southern side boundary 3 High Street Heckington Sleaford
D/Cllr Tarry and D/Cllr Ogden left the meeting at 1944hrs
11. To receive reports from Councillor’s relating to their affiliation to local organisations.
11.1 P/Cllr Mr A Garlick reported an intermittent fault with the SID device on Sleaford Road, potentially a battery issue. P/Cllr Garlick to investigate further and contact the supplier of the device with his findings to resolve the fault.
12. Planning Matters (The Parish Council does not have the power to approve nor reject applications – it is merely a consultee and can submit comments)
(1) Applications to be ratified
i. 22/1476/HOUS Replacement of 3 first floor windows, Acorn Cottage 82 High Street Heckington Sleaford Lincolnshire
ii. 22/1492/FUL Extension to existing commercial premises 5 Boston Road Heckington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9JD
iii. 22/1615/HOUS Alteration of existing wooden gates to suit automation, installation of underground motors and soakaway and replacement of existing timber windows to UPVC to number 65 (rear and roadside elevation) 63-65 High street Heckington Sleaford
(2) Applications approved
i. 22/1239/HOUS Proposed alterations to outbuildings and associated development to create a residential annexe (part retrospective) 18 Kyme Road Heckington Sleaford
(3) Applications refused
i. None received
(4) Applications withdrawn
i. None received
(5) Prior notifications received (information only – no action required from HPC)
i. None received
(6) Planning appeals
i. APP/R2520/W/22/3304328 Proposed site at Land to The Rear of 21 Eastgate Heckington Sleaford
13. To discuss the East Heckington Notice Board
13.1 P/Higgs reported that the price of the Notice Board, after it was decided it would be painted green, had doubled in price from £521+VAT to £1082+VAT since the initial quotation. Therefore, he had sourced an alternative for £628.80+VAT. P/Cllr Higgs suggested that we ask Great Hale if they wanted it to be a joint notice board and contribute to the cost as it will be situated on their border. The Chairman asked for an agreement for P/Cllr Higgs to proceed with the purchase with or without Great Hale’s involvement.
13.2 Proposed by P/Cllr Long, seconded by P/Cllr Jones
13.3 Vote result - unanimous
14. To discuss the proposed office hours open to the public
14.1 The Chairman sought agreement from Councillors to reduce the hours the office is open to the public to 3 mornings a week, Monday, Thursday and Friday as of January 2023.
14.2 Proposed by P/Cllr Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Garlick
14.3 Vote result - unanimous
15. To discuss the updated communication regarding the solar park at East Heckington
15.1 The Councillors had received further targeted consultation information from Ecotricty regarding Heckington Fen Solar Park. It had previously been said that this was a better alternative for the area than the wind farm. The Councillors had no comments regarding this consultation.
16. To confirm the next full council meeting as Monday 30th January 2023
16.1 Meeting confirmed as above, the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and wished everyone compliments of the season.
17. To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (admissions to Meetings) Act 1960
i. To discuss cemetery matters
17.1 Proposed by P/Cllr Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Atkinson
17.2 Vote result – unanimous
17.3 Resolved to go into closed session as above
Members of the public left the meeting at 1957 hrs
17.4 Various issues were raised with reference to the Cemetery Regulations, especially regarding some memorials which may be considered inappropriate to the traditional feel of Heckington Cemetery. It was agreed that the Regulations be revised.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 2014 hrs