2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

HECKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of Heckington Parish Council held in Heckington Parish Council, Heckington Village Hall, High Street, Heckington on Monday 26th June 2023 commencing at 1930hrs

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 N Stanley, Mr K Thorpe
County Councillor – Mr A Key
District Councillor – Mrs S Tarry
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, in particular Cllr Mrs D Bell to her first meeting, and went through Health & Safety, fire procedures etc

2.    To receive apologies for absence 

2.1   Apologies received and accepted from D/Cllr Mr S Ogden

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.   To receive Cllr Mr D Long Declaration of Acceptance of Office as per 22/05/23 2.vi

Cllr Mr D long stood and read out the Declaration of Acceptance of Office  

6.   Co-option of a Councillor

Applications were received for the remaining seat on the Council. Following two withdrawals, one applicant remained, Mr C Spencer who gave a presentation to Councillors. It was unanimously agreed to co-opt Mr C Spencer, he then stood and read the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and took his seat on the Council.
   
7.   Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 22nd May 2023

7.i   Proposed by Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by Cllr Mr T Atkinson it was resolved that the minutes were approved and signed. 8 for, 2 abstained (as not present at the meeting held on Monday 22nd May 2023).

7.ii   Matters arising 

7.ii.1   The bin next to the NHS bench on Church Street has now been re-sited, following a request from a resident at the meeting of Monday 22nd May.

7.ii.2   No further progress has been made with NKDC regarding the trees on Limetree Walk. Heckington Parish Council have instructed the Arborist to liaise with NKDC. The Chairman requested D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry chase up the Tree Department, to which she agreed.  

8.   Public Participation 

8.1   A resident asked what is happening with The Pinfold on Sleaford Road/High Street. The Chairman explained that due to vandalism and incidents of anti-social behaviour, the Police have asked for it to remain closed. Heckington Parish Council continue to maintain the area, they have planted 4 hazel trees and carry out weed control measures.

9.   Financial Matters 

9.i   To approve payments as listed separately – payments as listed in document tab were approved

Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mr D Long

Vote results – 9 for 2 abstained

Resolved – to approve payments as listed

9.ii   To advise AGAR completion – the internal audit has been completed and approved, the AGAR has now been sent off to the external auditor, PKF Littlejohn

9.iii   To approve essential repairs to the lift – 

Proposed by Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by Cllr Mrs D Bell

Vote results – unanimous

Resolved – to approve essential repairs to the lift

10.   To receive a report from the Police – none present. 

Following the increase in antisocial behaviour incidents that resulted in one of our residents getting injured, the Chairman had again written to the Chief Constable to highlight the issues and future lack of policing, as referred to at the last meeting. More information can be found on HPC website. NKDC had also been sent a letter to question their housing allocation.

11.   To receive a report from the County Councillor and District Councillors – 

C/Cllr Mr A Key reported attending the Lincolnshire Show and said that Heckington Allotment Association was well represented by their young Chairman, who put on a fantastic presentation in the Potting Shed segment.

C/Cllr Mr A Key commented on recent training he had been on, regarding scams and cybercrime, and asked everyone to raise awareness amongst the wider community as it was proven that anyone could fall victim to this type of crime.

D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry reported that things were getting back to normal at NKDC following the recent elections.

D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry left the meeting at 2020hrs

12.    To receive a report from the Clerk  

12.1   The Clerk reported late planning notifications had been received and forwarded to Councillors. Amended details for the development to the rear of 68 Sleaford Road were discussed, HPC opinion remains unchanged, the entrance/exit is dangerous. C/Cllr Mr A Key to raise concerns with Highways.

12.2   Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds of £6563.39 had been received from NKDC.

13.   To receive reports from Councillor’s relating to their affiliation to local organisations.

13.1   A request was made for volunteers to paint the railings around the Village Green following Heckington in Bloom’s preparation of same. Monday 10th July will be the date of judging for Heckington in Bloom.

13.2   Cllr Mr D Long has undertaken an inspection of all plots at the Allotment – action required.

13.3   Cllr Mrs T Manning gave an update on the Swimming Pool. The Diocese are to be approached to enquire about funding to provide disabled toilet access. The access could potentially be achieved by altering the landscaping alongside the side entrance within the school grounds.     

14.   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.   23/0669/TCA Tilia x europaea - Crown lift to maximum of 3m; Tilia x europaea x6 - Crown lift to maximum of 6m; Tilia x europaea x3 - Remove; Taxus baccata x2 - Clear street furniture; Taxus baccata x2 - Clear property/boundary; Malus sylvestris - Crown lift to maximum of 3m; Tilia x europaea - Clear property/boundary; Fagus sylvatica purpurea - Clear highway; Taxus baccata x3 - Clear highway; Aesculus x carnea - Clear highway; Prunus ceracifera nigra - Clear highway Location: St Andrews Church, St Andrews Street, Heckington, Sleaford

This work was required, as detailed in the report that was commissioned by the Parish Council, prior to the handover of the churchyard . NKDC now have this responsibility and therefore need to have the works carried out.

ii.   23/0648/HOUS Proposed rear extension 60 Kyme Road Heckington Sleaford NG34 9RS

(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.   22/0324/FUL Proposed Site at Barn South of Littleworth Drove and North of  A17 Heckington Fen Sleaford NG34 9NA Appeal Ref APP/R2520/W/23/3318148     

15.   To approve use of policies and risk assessments for year 2023/2024 as listed seperately

15.1   Policies were reviewed and adopted for year 2023/2024

Proposed by Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by Cllr Mr D Long

Vote result: 9 for, 2 abstained

Resolved - To approve use of policies and risk assessments for year 2023/2024 as listed separately
 
16.   To approve replacement of play equipment and fencing on Mayflower Drive

16.1   After much discussion and Cllr Mr R Higgs extensive research, it was proposed and unanimously agreed that the play equipment decision be deferred.

16.2   Regarding the derelict fencing, it was decided that this would be replaced.

17.   To approve Insurance Renewal

Due to market diligence the Council had all the buildings revalued last year as previously reported, this has resulted in an increase in the insurance premium, the Councillors unanimously agreed to approve the Insurance Renewal.   
   
18.   To confirm the next full council meeting as Monday 31st July 2023

Meeting confirmed as above, the Chairman thanked everyone for coming and wished Heckington Show success this year.

19.   To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (admissions to Meetings) Act 1960

i.   To discuss land and lease business

19.1   Proposed by P/Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by P/Cllr Mr C Spencer

19.2   Vote result – unanimous

19.3   Resolved to go into closed session as above

Members of the public left the meeting at 2054hrs

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 2141hrs

HECKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL POLICIES & PROCEDURES