October 2023 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 30th October 2023 commencing at 1900hrs.
Attendance:
Chairman - P/Cllr Mrs J Palmer
Parish Councillors – Mr T Atkinson, Mrs D Bell, Mr A Garlick, Mr R Higgs, Mr D Long, Mrs T Manning, Mr C Spencer, Mr N Stanley, Mr K Thorpe
County Councillor – Mr A Key
District Councillors – Mrs S Tarry
Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms T Williams
Police Representative – None present
Press Representative – None present
Members of the Public – 9
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 apologised to Councillors for any confusion on the agenda which was due to a technical glitch with the office computer. The Digital Maintenance Contractor is looking into this.
1.3 She reported the sad news that Gill Ogden, wife of D/Cllr Stewart Ogden had recently passed away. Condolences have been sent on behalf of this Council.
1.4 She reported that the Brass Band who had approached us to play on the Village Green on 1st December have now declined. However, Heckington Singers are coming and the Rangers/and or Scouts are going to be selling mince pies for their funds.
1.5 She reported that we had received lovely thank you letters from the school head and the children, thanking us for the provision of equipment and the access for all path etc that we provided as part of the Coronation Project.
1.6 The commemoration for Remembrance Day has been arranged. There will be the usual service at the Village Green at 10.45am followed by a service in Church. Both to be led by Rev Stephen Huckle and Charles Pinchbeck.
1.7 The Small Business Saturday, for 2nd December is going ahead. Heckington has been selected for NKDC to launch their initiative to support this national event.
2. To receive apologies for absence
2.1 Apologies received and accepted from D/Cllr Mr S Ogden and P/Cllr Ms J Peacock
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 25th September 2023
5.i P/Cllr Mr N Stanley requested an amendment to the wording of item 11.2, from ‘an update to the Pavilion Tenancy’ to an ‘update on the affiliation to the Pavilion and Playing Fields’. After some discussion it was suggested that the approval and signing of the minutes was deferred while the request was being reviewed.
5.i.1 Proposed by Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by Cllr Mrs D Bell
5.i.2 Vote result – unanimous
5.i.3 Resolved – to defer the approval and signing of the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held Monday 25th September 2023
5.ii Matters arising
None to report
6. Public Participation
6.1 A member of the public reported that Public Liability and Criminal Damage Insurance has now been arranged for the NHS Bench.
6.2 A member of the public asked if there was any capacity to increase the size of the Play Park at the Playing Fields. The Chairman advised that there weren’t sufficient funds in the current budget.
P/Cllr Mrs D Bell volunteered to carry out some research into grant funding available to Parish Councils.
6.3 A member of the public referred to the meeting of 25th September to query how an affiliation to the Pavilion and Playing Fields agreed at the May meeting could be changed without it being brought back to full Council. P/Cllr Mr N Stanley handed out a copy of the minute from the May meeting recording the wording of the affiliation in question, for all Councillors to see. The Chairman reported that this matter could not be discussed at present.
7. Financial Matters
7.i To approve payments as listed separately – payments as listed in document tab were approved.
7.i.1 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mr C Spencer
7.i.2 Vote results – unanimous.
7.i.3 Resolved – to approve payments as listed
7.ii To approve 2nd Quarterly Figures – figures as listed in document tab were approved.
7.ii.1 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mr C Spencer
7.ii.2 Vote results – unanimous.
7.ii.3 Resolved – to approve 2nd Quarterly figures as listed
7.iii To report on AGAR completion
7.iii.1 The Chairman reported the AGAR has been completed and returned, the accounts have been accepted. The auditors noted the increase in the valuation of assets, this is due to the building valuation surveys undertaken in 2022 to bring the building values up to date.
8. To receive a report from the Police – none present
The Chairman reported that we had received the annual Policing Priorities Survey from Lincolnshire Police & Crime Commissioner. Councillors discussed policing and agreed to put forward the following priorities: 1, Police presence. 2, Speeding. 3, Police feedback following the reporting of incidents.
9. To receive a report from the County Councillor and District Councillors
9.1 C/Cllr Mr A Key suggested that the local Policing team could be invited to have a stand at the Small Business Saturday in December and the Police & Crime Commissioner could be invited to attend the Annual Parish Meeting next year.
9.2 He also reported that a dropped kerb had been repaired in Boston Road, benefiting all residents with mobility issues and pushchairs. C/Cllr Mr A key will continue to push to get work done as the Heckington Pathway Survey has shown a lot of work is required.
9.3 D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry advised Councillors of the Flourishing Scale survey, which identifies areas that are thriving and areas of greatest needs. She will send the link for anyone who would like to complete the survey.
D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry left the meeting at 1937hrs
10. To receive a report from the Clerk
Nothing to report.
11. To receive reports from Councillor’s relating to their affiliation to local organisations.
11.1 P/Cllr Mr A Garlick reported that he had put the memorial plaques onto the Bembridge Close signs. He also reported that the plaque at Freeston Road had been damaged.
11.2 P/Cllr Mrs D Bell reported that Heckington in Bloom would be replacing the planters on Vicarage Road with new self watering ones.
11.3 P/Cllr Mr R Higgs reported that Heckington Area Voluntary Car Service would be holding its AGM on Wednesday 22nd November, 7pm at the Council Chambers.
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. None received
(2) Applications approved
i. 22/1760/FUL – Proposed development for 6 residential dwellings. Land rear to 68 Sleaford Road Heckington
(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. None received
12.1 Councillors discussed road safety concerns regarding the proposed development to the rear of 68 Sleaford Road. The need for traffic lights or a mini roundabout was discussed, C/Cllr Mr A Key was asked to speak with LCC Highways on the Parish Council’s behalf.
13. To advise a request for Carol Singing at the Village Green on 18th December
13.1 The Chairman reported that Heckington Singers would like to sing on the Village Green on 18th December and hold a collection for charity. They have been told that this would have to be a registered charity. The Chairman sought agreement from Councillors to approve the request to collect for a registered charity on the Village Green.
13.2 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by P/Cllr Mr A Garlick
13.3 Vote result – unanimous
13.4 Resolved to approve the request to collect for a registered charity on the Village Green.
14. To Confirm the next meeting as the 27th November 2023
15. To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (admissions to Meetings) Act 1960
i. Matters relating to the Pavilion and Playing Fields
15.1 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by P/Cllr Mr C Spencer
15.2 Vote result – unanimous
15.3 Resolved to go into closed session as above
Members of the public left the meeting at 1944hrs
15.4 The price for the tree works on the corner of Limetree Walk was accepted £975.00
Proposed by P/Cllr R Higgs, Seconded by P/Cllr D Long, 8 for, 2 abstained
15.5 The Chairman reported that, due to a change in Government guidelines, an NIC underpayment of £2989 for 2022-23 was due.
The meeting was halted for a short interlude with the arrival of the local Police Beat Manager. Questions were asked and noted. He then left and the meeting resumed.
15.6 P/Cllr R Higgs reported that the interviews for the license of the Pavilion and Playing Fields had been concluded. Ten applicants had been interviewed initially, with four being short listed for a second interview, and the panel’s decision was to offer the license to Ms A Ogden, Mr J Warrilow and Mr J Ogden Jnr.
Proposed by P/Cllr Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr J Palmer and unanimously agreed
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 2012hrs