April 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 24th April 2023 commencing at 1900hrs
Attendance:
Chairman P/Cllr Mrs J Palmer
Parish Councillors – Mr T Atkinson, Mrs M Cooke, Mr R Higgs, Mr D Long, Mr R Woods
Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms T Williams
Police Representative – None present
Press Representative – None present
Members of the Public – 12
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 reminded everyone that the meetings are recorded.
1.3 The office will be closed on Friday 12th May. The Library and office will then be closed 15th and 16th May for new carpet to be fitted.
1.4 A representative from LIVES will be a guest speaker, (other speakers still to be confirmed) for the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday 11Th May in the Village Hall.
1.5 The Chairman confirmed that a meeting had been arranged with NKDC to discuss numerous complaints that had been received about the Churchyard.
2. To receive apologies for absence
2.1 Apologies received and accepted from C/Cllr Mr A Key, D/Cllr Mr S Ogden, D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry, P/Cllr Mr A Garlick, P/Cllr Mr M Jones, P/Cllr Mr R Kemmett, P/Cllr M West
3. To receive a declaration of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011
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 27th March 2023
5.i Proposed by Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by Cllr Mr R Woods it was resolved that the minutes were approved and signed. Unanimous vote.
5.ii Matters arising
Cllr Mr D Long reported that he had attended the Allotment Association Meeting. The potato growing competition for the Coronation had been abandoned. A barbecue for the Coronation will be held on Monday 8th May, more details to follow on Facebook. Cllr Mr T Atkinson to attend the next Allotment Association Meeting on 17th May.
6. Public Participation
6.1 Representatives from Heckington Junior Football Club sought permission to continue with their aim to improve the area near the Pavilion by placing a commercially built shed to house all equipment. This had the full support of the Council and it was agreed that they will continue to liaise with P/Cllr Higgs over the logistics.
6.2 Former clerk Julie Hudson thanked current Councillors due to stand down and welcomed the new Councillors due to take office in May, some of whom were present. She also congratulated Mrs Jo Marriott on the Coronation window display on the High Street. The Chairman presented flowers to Mrs Marriott as a token of appreciation for the superb display.
6.3 A member of the public thanked the Parish Council for installing the new litter bin by the NHS bench on Church Street. Also, questioned if the Parish Council would once again look into the possibility of installing electric vehicle charge points in the village. The Chairman confirmed that it was something that could be researched in the near future.
7. Financial Matters
7.i To approve payments as listed separately – payments as listed in document tab were approved unanimously
Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mr D Long
Vote results – unanimous
Resolved – to approve payments as listed
7.ii To approve building surveys and carpet payments
Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mr R Woods
Vote results – unanimous
Resolved – to approve building surveys and carpet payments
8. To receive a report from the Police – none present
9. To receive a report from the County Councillor and District Councillors – none present
10. To receive a report from the Clerk
10.1 The first half of the Precept (£54,688) had been received from NKDC
10.2 The Community Hub Grant Agreement had been signed. The grant award for 2023-24 is £5,167.
10.3 Lincolnshire County Council have issued a Public Notice to inform of the proposed order to restrict vehicles to a 40MPH speed limit in East Heckington, plans can be viewed online.
10.4 Plans for the Ecotricity Heckington Fen Solar Park have been accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate, plans can be viewed online.
11. To receive reports from Councillor’s relating to their affiliation to local organisations.
None received.
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
None received
(2) Applications approved
i. 23/0027/FUL Retrospective application for the retention of existing garden building for use as beauty salon, together with proposed conversion of existing garage to form beauty salon and construction of additional parking area to front of dwelling for use in association with the beauty salon/business use 7 Churchview Close Heckington Sleaford
ii. 22/1492/FUL Extension to existing commercial premises 5 Boston Road Heckington Sleaford
iii. 23/0132/LBC Installation of Anti-Bird Chimney Cowl 63-65 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 update on Playground Inspections
13.1 P/Cllr Mr R Higgs had reviewed the findings of the Playground Inspections report and highlighted that some of the issues raised in the report had been installed by an accredited company therefore beyond Heckington Parish Council’s control.
14. To discuss the Coronation
14.1 The Chairman thanked Mrs Jo Marriot for the Coronation window display on the High Street. Letters of thanks had been written to the lady who kindly made the Orb, Sceptre and Crown and to the property owner for the use of his premises.
14.2 The children of Heckington St Andrews Primary School have produced some Coronation artwork, which we have laminated to be hung as bunting on the Village Green and Village Hall Railings.
14.3 A resident has kindly volunteered to raise the flags on the Council Chambers and Village Hall for the Coronation.
14.4 The Gardening Club have organised a sunflower competition with the school, this was funded by the Parish Council.
14.5 The Coronation pin badges have arrived for the children of the village which will be presented by the Parish Council.
15. To discuss proposal from Heckington in Bloom
Heckington in Bloom (under the leadership of Mr Whitehead) are interested in taking on the maintenance of the small section of woodland at the entrance to Limetree Walk. This was unanimously agreed in principle. However the area needs to be assessed regarding the safety of trees and the possibilities of TPOs, prior to granting volunteers access.
16. To confirm the next full council meeting as 22nd May 2023
Meeting confirmed as above, the Chairman thanked everyone for coming.
17. To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (admissions to Meetings) Act 1960
i. To discuss correspondence from a resident
15.1 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Woods, seconded by P/Cllr Mr D Long
15.2 Vote result – unanimous
15.3 Resolved to go into closed session as above
Members of the public left the meeting at 1944hrs