September 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 25th September 2023 commencing at 1900hrs
Attendance:
Chairman - P/Cllr Mrs J Palmer
Parish Councillors – Mr T Atkinson, Mr R Higgs, Mr D Long, Mrs T Manning, Ms J Peacock, Mr C Spencer, Mr N Stanley, Mr K Thorpe
County Councillor – Not present
District Councillors – None present
Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms T Williams
Police Representative – None present
Press Representative – None present
Members of the Public – 8
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 reported attending a meeting with the Deputy Chief Executive at NKDC, Head of ASBO and the Head of housing allocation regarding recent troubles in the village. It was a very positive meeting and hopefully matters are now resolved.
1.3 She reported that herself and P/Cllr Mrs T Manning had attended a planning meeting at NKDC regarding the Ecotricity Solar Park at East Heckington. It was very informative; Councillors have agreed to send it onto the next stage. Although the final decision is made by the Secretary of State.
1.4 She congratulated Heckington in Bloom on receiving their Silver Award for their endeavours in the village.
1.5 She reported that the project at Heckington St Andrews Primary School for the Coronation is now complete. The ‘access for all’ pathway has been installed by Balfour Beatty in partnership with LCC.
2. To receive apologies for absence
2.1 Apologies received and accepted from C/Cllr Mr A Key, D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry, P/Cllrs Mrs D Bell and Mr A Garlick
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 July 2023
5.i Proposed by Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by Cllr Mr D Long it was resolved that the minutes were approved and signed.
Vote results - Unanimous
5.ii Matters arising
None.
6. Public Participation
6.1 A resident asked if the Parish Council had or were intending to purchase the land on Church Street/Churchill Way. The Chairman reported that the Parish Council were not allowed to buy the land but have just agreed a 15-year lease on the land which will protect it.
6.2 The NHS Bench and tree on Church Street were discussed. The NHS Bench belongs to the people of Heckington and not the Parish Council, therefore it will not be moved from its current location. The tree will remain, and a resident has kindly offered to continue to clean the bench.
6.3 A resident reported that the walkway between Willow Close and the High Street is overgrown with weeds. The Clerk to contact the responsible parties.
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 D Long
7.i.2 Vote results – Unanimous
7.i.3 Resolved – to approve payments as listed
7.ii To approve the cost of emergency roofing repairs. Councillors had received a report via email regarding various issues with the roof that had come to light by the Builder working on the brickwork. The Chairman explained that it was economically advantageous to have the roof repairs done whilst the majority of scaffold was already in place, saving significantly on scaffold hire. The repairs and extra lift of scaffold would be £1207
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 the cost of emergency roofing repairs
7.iii To approve the cost of a basketball backboard and hoop for the Playing Fields. P/Cllr R Higgs reported that despite the Play Park inspection report stating the basketball backboard was damaged, it is not and doesn’t need to be replaced. All that was required was nets, purchased for £8.99. Unanimously agreed that this was acceptable.
8. To receive a report from the Police – none present
9. To receive a report from the County Councillor and District Councillor – none present
10. To receive a report from the Clerk
The Clerk reported receiving a planning approval notification and intended tree works application, which had been circulated to Councillors.
11. To receive reports from Councillor’s relating to their affiliation to local organisations.
11.1 P/Cllr Mrs T Manning reported that the Swimming Pool had received a donation of £250 and potential funding opportunities were being pursued to help with the cost of heating and chemicals for next season. She also reported that volunteers were desperately needed.
11.2 P/Cllr Mr N Stanley requested clarification on the affiliation to the Pavilion and Playing Fields.
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. 23/0908/FUL Installation of photovoltaic solar array to existing south facing pitched tiled roof 3 High Street Heckington Sleaford NG34 9RA
(2) Applications approved
i. None received
(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 resolution made to investigate the re-siting of the NHS Bench and report on information received
13.1 Discussed at item 6.2. As the bench will not be moving P/Cllr Mr R Higgs proposed the previous resolution be declared null and void, seconded by P/Cllr Mr D Long
13.2 Vote Result – 7 for, 2 abstained
13.3 Resolved – to void the resolution made to investigate the re-siting of the NHS Bench
14. To agree the purchase of the usual annual Christmas Tree
The Chairman reported that the Christmas Tree for the Village Green had been ordered. The newly formed Heckington Brass Band have approached us with a view to playing at the light switch on evening. The purchase of the Christmas Tree was unanimously agreed.
15. To update on Heckington Junior Football Club’s proposed storage facility
15.1 P/Cllr Mr R Higgs presented Councillors with sketches of the proposed storage facility and compound. The orientation and dimensions were discussed, as was the disposal of the existing containers. Councillors unanimously agreed that Heckington Junior Football Club should continue with their plans for the proposed storage facility.
16. To discuss quotations for Mayflower Drive Park
16.1 Councillors had previously received the quotations and equipment specifications for Mayflower Drive Play Park. P/Cllr Mr R Higgs and P/Cllr Mr C Spencer made their recommendation taking into account cost, accessibility for all and lay out of equipment. P/Cllr Mr R Higgs proposed to accept the Playdale quote £13055.00, seconded by P/Cllr Mr C Spencer.
16.2 Vote Result - Unanimous
16.3 Resolved – to accept Playdale quote £13055.00
17. To discuss the opportunity to apply for grant funding
17.1 Funding to support a youth project in the village was discussed. Preliminary enquiries amongst young people revealed a lack of interest for a Youth Club. After much discussion the Chairman proposed further research was undertaken – unanimously agreed.
18. To report on a request from NKDC regarding Small Business Saturday
NKDC have requested the use of The Village Green to hold ‘Small Business Saturday’, a market for local businesses, on 2nd December. The initiative will be funded and organised by NKDC. No objections raised by Councillors.
Items 19 & 20 were re-ordered at the discretion of the Chairman.
19. To report on the creation of a village directory of organisations (was item 20)
The Chairman reported that the Council office and the library have frequent enquiries from residents requesting information of events in the village. The office is now in the process of compiling a directory of organisations. No objections raised by Councillors.
20. To confirm the next full Council meeting as Monday 30th October 2023 (was item 19)
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 1954hrs