November 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 27th November 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, Ms J Peacock, Mr C Spencer, Mr N Stanley, Mr K Thorpe
County Councillor – None
District Councillors – None
Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms T Williams
Police Representative – None present
Press Representative – None present
Members of the Public – 7
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 Roadphone at Bourne for lending radios for the road closure management on Remembrance Day. She also thanked the Bugler and all Councillors that helped on the day. Heckington, Helpringham and the Hales raised £2832.43 for the Royal British Legion.
1.3 She congratulated Ruby’s Plaice for winning a national award, brilliant for them and another thing that puts Heckington on the map.
1.4 She reported the arborist has been working on the shrubbery at Limetree Walk, as well as necessary tree works, he has built a hedgehog habitat and will be donating Portuguese Laurels for some additional bird cover.
1.5 She reported that the 15-year lease has been signed for the land at the corner of Church Street and Churchill Way.
1.6 The Chairman reported that it was hoped that the Christmas tree would be up with the lights on ready for the switch on event on Friday 1st December.
2. To receive apologies for absence
2.1 Apologies received and accepted from C/Cllr Mr A Key, D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry and D/Cllr Mr S Ogden
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 and Monday 30th October 2023
5.i Proposed by P/Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by P/Cllr Mr N Stanley it was resolved that the minutes of 25th September 2023 were approved and signed.
5.i.1 Vote result – unanimous
5.i.2 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr N Stanley, seconded by P/ Cllr Mr D Long it was resolved that the minutes of 30th October 2023 were approved and signed.
5.i.3 Vote result – unanimous
5.ii Matters arising
5.ii.1 P/Cllr Mrs D Bell reported her findings into funding for playgrounds, following a resident’s enquiry at October’s meeting. There are a number of factors and a public consultation to take into consideration. The Chairman suggested putting the item on the agenda in the Spring. Councillors agreed.
6. Public Participation
6.1 A member of the public brought to the council’s attention an incident of antisocial behaviour and asked what is being done by the Police. The Chairman reported that the Council office has regular contact with the local community beat manager. He has informed us that such incidents are passed to and dealt with by the ASBO team at NKDC, who have been very proactive in dealing with these matters effectively. The Chairman urged everyone to keep reporting incidents to the Police for them to be channelled to the relevant authority.
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 A Garlick
7.i.2 Vote results – unanimous.
7.i.3 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 None present. The Chairman reported the news that Greater Lincolnshire will be appointed a mayor which would mean more funding for the local area. C/Cllr Mr A Key to report on this at the next meeting.
10. To receive a report from the Clerk
10.1 The Clerk reported that the CIL report had been submitted to NKDC for the reporting year 2022/2023. Councillors received a copy. No CIL monies had been spent during the reporting year but all monies have been allocated, during this financial year, to the replacement of Mayflower Play Park, as agreed 25/09/23 16.3.
10.2 The memorial bench requested by a resident has been installed on Godson Avenue/Mulberry Walk open space. All costs have been reimbursed to the Parish Council. The resident is very pleased with the bench and has written a letter of thanks.
10.3 Heckington Swimming Pool has made a payment of £1000 towards their outstanding loan.
11. To receive reports from Councillor’s relating to their affiliation to local organisations.
11.1 P/Cllr Mrs T Manning reported that a grant application for the Swimming Pool had been completed and was to be submitted to NKDC that week. The Chairman thanked the Chairman of the Swimming Pool committee for the loan payment.
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. 23/1302/FUL – Erection of glasshouse extension and hydrotherapy pool to existing tortoise house and erection of new tortoise Westfield House Sleaford Road Heckington Sleaford
ii. 23/0834/FUL – Demolition of existing farmhouse and erection of a replacement dwelling Garwick Farm Boston Road Heckington Sleaford Lincolnshire
iii. 23/1313/HOUS - Erection of two storey side and rear extension, single storey rear extension, erection of a quad carport and renovation of outbuilding/garden store
61 High Street Heckington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9QU
iv. 23/1353/TCA - T1 - Ornamental Cherry - Very minor canopy lift and shape. Remove branches overhanging the neighbouring boundary. T2 - Coffee Berry - Light prune, remove branches overhanging the neighbouring boundary. T3 - Crab Apple - Reduce to previous reduction point. T4 - Holly - Reduce by 10% and shape the canopy. 13 St Andrews Street, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9RE
(2) Applications approved
i. 23/0908/FUL – Installation of photovoltaic solar array to existing south facing pitched tiled roof. 3 High Street 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. None received
13. To discuss the affiliation to the Pavilion & Playing Fields
13.1 P/Cllr Mr N Stanley sought to clarify and resolve any confusion over the affiliation to the Pavilion and Playing Fields with a suggested 5-point resolution. Various details were discussed. As much of the discussion concerned the operation of a commercial venture, it was agreed to continue discussions in closed session. No resolution was made.
14. To discuss a sign for the Arboretum
14.1 The Chairman sought agreement from fellow councillors to erect a sign, on a brick-built plinth, to be in keeping with the memorial aspect of the Arboretum and to explain why it was there. She reported that she had been working on the idea with P/Cllr Mr A Garlick, he has suggested the following inscription:
THE ARBORETUM
These 31 trees were planted in 2018 by the Parish Council and the children of St Andrews C of E school to commemorate the 31 local men who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War of 1914 - 1918
It was agreed that P/Cllr Mr A Garlick would continue researching this project up to an agreed budget. A budget of £750 was proposed by P/Cllr Mr D Long.
14.2 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs
14.3 Vote result – unanimous
14.4 Resolved – to approve a budget up to £750 for a sign at the Arboretum
15. To Confirm the Precept meeting as Monday 22nd January 2024 and the next meeting as Monday 29th January 2024
16. To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (admissions to Meetings) Act 1960
i. Pavilion Lease
16.1 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by P/Cllr Mr D Long
16.2 Vote result – unanimous
16.3 Resolved to go into closed session as above
The Chairman wished everyone a Merry Christmas and members of the public left the meeting at 1941hrs
16.4 The annual fee of the Pavilion and Playing Fields was discussed. P/Cllr Mr R Higgs suggested it remains at £150 for 2024 and 2025, then increases to £175 for 2026 and 2027.
16.4.i Proposed by P/Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by P/Cllr Mr D Long
16.4.ii Vote results – unanimous.
16.4.iii Resolved – to approve the annual fee as suggested
16.5 Councillors reviewed and discussed the details of the lease. It was agreed that Councillors would receive a copy of the lease by email, with a deadline of 7 days to submit their comments/suggestions.
16.6 Traders on the Village Green were discussed, this area is for parking only and cannot be used for trade. Alternative locations were considered.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 2007hrs