2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

HECKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Precept Meeting of Heckington Parish Council held in Council Chambers, St Andrews Street, Heckington on Monday 22nd January 2024 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
County Councillor – None present
District Councillors – None present
Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms T Williams
Police Representative – None present
Press Representative – None present
Members of the Public – None present

Please also refer to Appendix A and B.

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 the sad news that Mr Ray Kemmett, had recently passed away. He served this Council for many years and I am sure those of us who worked with him, remember him with great respect.

2.       To receive apologies for absence 

2.1   Apologies were received on behalf of P/Cllr Mr K Thorpe

3.   To receive a declaration of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011

3.1   P/Cllr Mr R Higgs declared an interest in item 5.ii.d (treasurer for HAVCS)

4.   To consider any requests for dispensation received at or before the start of the meeting 

4.1   None received

5.   To consider financial matters – see Appendix A

i. To discuss and agree financial budget spending for 2024/2025 (except staff salaries which will be discussed in closed session)

The proposed budget for 2024/2025 was discussed and agreed, based on current overspends and estimated future costs for each cost code. The proposal would mean a budget requirement of £114,745.00 and therefore a precept request requirement of £110,745.00, equating to an increase of 0.92%, or £0.79, on a Band D property.  Proposed by Cllr MR D Long, seconded by Cllr MR R Higgs.  Vote results - unanimous.  Resolved – to request a precept from NKDC of £110,745.00 to cover expected expenses by HPC for the financial year 2024/2025 – subject to staff salary discussions in closed session.

Ringfenced reserves were discussed, and it was proposed to ringfence a further £53,000.00 bringing the total reserves to £131,935. Proposed by Cllr Mr C Spencer, seconded by Cllr D Long. Vote results – unanimous.    

Cllr Mrs J Palmer sought agreement from Councillors to open a deposit account specifically for Ringfenced Reserves. Proposed by Cllr Mrs J Palmer, seconded by Cllr Mr C Spencer. Vote results – unanimous. Resolved – to approve the opening of a deposit account for Ringfenced reserves.

ii. To discuss and agree any increases to the following: 

a.   Allotment rents (including water) 

Proposal - to increase allotment rents to £86 - full plot, £45 - half plot, £23 - quarter plot. 
Proposed by Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by Cllr Mr N Stanley
Vote result – nine for, one against. Motion duly carried.

b.   Cemetery charges – see Appendix B

Proposal - to increase cemetery charges as detailed in Appendix B. Charge for use of the Cemetery Chapel to remain the same - £50 
Proposed to approve ‘en bloc’ by Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by Cllr Mr D Long
Vote result – Unanimous.
     
c.   Rental charge for use of Village Green for annual fun fair and other users (eg charity events)

Proposal - to remain the same £205. To make no charge for local, low key, registered charity events so long as relevant insurances are in place.
Proposed by Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by Cllr Mr C Spencer
Vote result – Unanimous.
         
d.   Donations made under Section 137, LGA 1972 (which states ‘A local authority may, subject to the provisions of this section, incur expenditure which in their opinion is in the interests of, and will bring direct benefit to, their area of any part of it or all or some of its inhabitants’.)

Proposal to donate £1,000 to Heckington Area Voluntary Car Service, £800.00 to LIVES, £300.00 to Lincolnshire Blood Bikes and up to £200 to Royal British Legion for purchase of wreaths and poppies for annual Service of Remembrance.

Proposed by Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by Cllr Mr C Spencer

Vote result – 9 for, Cllr Mr R Higgs, (as Treasurer for HAVCS), abstained from the vote of item 5.ii.d

Resolved – to approve 5.ii.a-d increases as detailed.    

iii.  To review and approve Asset Register

It was noted that the assets listed for the Swimming Pool required updating. It was proposed to accept the Asset Register with amendments.    
Proposed by Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by Cllr Mr N Stanley.
Vote results – unanimous
Resolved – to approve and accept asset register with amendments.    
   
iv. To approve payment methods as follows – Standing Orders for HMRC (variable NIC payments), Salaries (variable monthly/weekly payments as calculated by the HMRC PAYE Tools), NEST Pensions (monthly payment). Direct Debits for Anglian Water (variable quarterly payment x 2 cemetery and allotments), Daisy Communications (variable monthly phone charges), Information Commissioner’s Office (annual subscription), Public Works Loan Board (half yearly payments based on agreed schedule), EDF (variable for cemetery and Chambers), WCF chandlers (purchase of fuel as required).

BACS payments for all other invoices where possible, subject to Financial Regulations.

Proposed by Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by Cllr Mr D Long.
Vote results – unanimous
Resolved – to approve payment methods as detailed.

6.    To confirm the next full Parish Council monthly meeting as Monday 29th January 2024

6.1   The next meeting date was confirmed as above.

Cllr Mr R Higgs requested it be recorded in the minutes that the Clerk/RFO had worked extremely hard on the budget and had done an excellent job. 

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

i. Staff Salaries/bonus payments/overtime occasions   

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

7.2   Vote results – Unanimous

7.3   Resolved – to go into closed session for the purposes of discussing Staff Salaries/bonus payments/overtime occasions. 

The Clerk left the meeting at 2018hrs, the Chairman P/Cllr Mrs Palmer took minutes in the Clerk’s absence.

Proposal to re-open the meeting, proposed by Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by Cllr Mr C Spencer, unanimously agreed. Clerk re- entered the meeting 2024hrs.

8.    To give final approval to the agreed Precept requirement for 2024/2025

8.1   Proposed by Cllr Mr A Garlick, seconded by Cllr Mr C Spencer 

8.2   Vote results – unanimous

8.3   Resolved – that the Budget requirement for 2024/202 will be £114,745.00 (using the NKDC Precept calculator, this equates to a Precept requirement of £110,745.00).

8.4   Additional information – equates to a £0.79 increase, year on year, for a Band D property (↑0.92%). 

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 2026hrs

Council Expenses

Utilities

Vehicle Maintenance

The Budget requirement for 2024-2025 will be £114,745.00

Using the NKDC calculator this equates to a Precept requirement of £110,745.00

£0.79 increase, year on year, for a Band D property, (↑0.92%) £85.62 to £86.41 Approved Monday 22nd January 2024

Appendix B

5.b

Cemetery Fees (all fees are doubled for non-residents)

1. INTERMENTS (excluding digging of grave):

                                                                                                                            2023/24   2024/2025

(i) A still-born child, or a person whose age at the time of death did                                                                                                          

                not exceed one month -                                         no charge  no charge          

(ii) A person whose age at the time of

                death exceeded one month but did not

                exceed 12 years -                                                                              57.00                     58.00

(iii) A person whose age at the time of

                death exceed 12 years –

                Interment of body                                                                           128.00                   130.00

                Interment of cremated remains                                  94.00                     96.00  

2. EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS OF BURIAL IN EARTHEN GRAVES

For the exclusive right of burial for a period of 99 years –

                (a) In an earthen grave 6 feet by 3 feet -                150.00                  153.00                

                (b) In a cremated remains plot 3 feet by

                      2 feet -                                                                                           129.00                  132.00

3. MONUMENTS, GRAVESTONES, TABLETS AND MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS

For the right to erect

                (a) A flat stone occupying a 2 ft wide x 3 ft maximum

                     on an ordinary grave

                  Or 14” x 14” in the cremated remains section                                      

                     Or a Headstone 2 feet 3 inches in height Total of 2 feet 6inches from ground level to top of memorial.

                  Or a Headstone in the cremated remains section : single headstone 18 “ x 18” or Double Headstone 2 ft x 18” high.

                  Or Footstone

                     Or Tablet

                     Or additional inscription                                                        75.00                     80.00                                                                                                                                                                                  

                (b) A Vase

                                (i) Not exceeding 12 inches in height                       60.00                    65.00

4. CREMATED REMAINS

To spread Cremated Remains on the surface

of a grave or designated area                                                                      60.00                     65.00  

5. USE OF CEMETERY CHAPEL                                                     50.00                      No increase

Fee is the same for residents and non-residents