January 2024 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 29th 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, Mr K Thorpe
County Councillor – Mr A Key
District Councillors – Mrs S Tarry
Minute Taker – Clerk, Ms T Williams
Police Representative – None present
Press Representative – None present
Members of the Public – 11
1. Chairman’s welcome and opening remarks
1.1 The Chairman welcomed everyone to the 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
3.1 P/Cllr Mrs J Palmer declared an interest in planning application 24/0078/HOUS (see Item 10.)
P/Cllr Mr C Spencer declared an interest in planning application 24/0012/HOUS (see Item 10.)
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 November 2023 and minutes of the Precept meeting held on Monday 22nd January 2024
5.i Proposed by P/Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs it was resolved that the minutes of Monday 27th November 2023 were approved and signed.
5.i.1 Vote result – unanimous
5.i.2 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr C Spencer, seconded by P/ Cllr Mr D Long it was resolved that the minutes of the Precept meeting held on Monday 22nd January 2024 were approved and signed.
5.i.3 Vote result – 10 for, 1 abstained as not present at that meeting, motion duly carried
5.ii Matters arising
5.ii.1 None to report.
6. Public Participation
6.1 A member of the public brought to the council’s attention that a barrier had been removed from the pedestrian pathway on Alexander Walk. The Clerk will report to NKDC.
6.2 A member of the public enquired about the Heckington Area Voluntary Car Service. It was explained that the service is available to everyone in the local area, covering 4 parishes, transporting residents to medical appointments, fees apply. The service can also assist with the loan of some mobility aids. Contact number can be found online.
6.3 A member of the public requested an update on funding for a potential extension to the play park at the playing fields. It was reported that funding research is ongoing and would be reviewed during the next financial year.
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 A Garlick, seconded by P/Cllr Mr D Long
7.i.2 Vote results – unanimous.
7.i.3 Resolved – to approve payments as listed
7.ii.1 To approve the 3rd Quarterly figures
7.ii.2 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mr D Long
7.ii.3 Vote results – unanimous.
7.ii.4 Resolved – to approve 3rd Quarterly figures
7.iii.1 To ratify the emergency expense at The Pavilion – Councillors had been informed that the boiler at The Pavilion had been condemned and replaced as an emergency on health and safety grounds.
7.iii.2 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by P/Cllr Mrs D Bell
7.iii.3 Vote results – unanimous.
7.iii.4 Resolved – to approve the emergency expense at The Pavilion
8. To receive a report from the Police – none present
9. To receive a report from the County Councillor and District Councillors
9.1 C/Cllr Mr A Key reported that the consultation period for the Greater Lincolnshire devolution proposal would end at midnight. It would then go back to County Authorities to progress it. If successful, the first Mayor for Greater Lincolnshire would be elected next year. Part of the agreement is 30 years of extra funding for the Greater Lincolnshire area.
9.2 He reported that the County Council budget meetings were coming up, the proposed rise is 4.99%.
9.3 He reported that the speed limit at East Heckington will be reduced to 40 mph within the next few months, awaiting signage.
9.4 D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry reported that NK’s annual report for 2022/23, which covers key achievements is available to read on the website. News NK has been distributed to residents. And budget discussions were in progress, with a proposed rise of 3% or £5, whichever is higher, being considered.
D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry left the meeting at 1921hrs
10. To receive a report from the Clerk
10.1 The Clerk confirmed 2 more planning applications not itemised on the agenda due to late receipt.
24/0078/HOUS Erection of two storey side extension with front and rear porch and widening of grated access, The Farmhouse Whitehouse Farm Kyme Road Heckington Fen Sleaford
24/0012/HOUS Erection of two storey side extension (part retrospective) 7 Lambourne Way Heckington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9TT
A declaration of interest has been recorded for each, see item 3.
11. To receive reports from Councillor’s relating to their affiliation to local organisations.
11.1 P/Cllr Mr D Long reported on various allotment matters following his attendance at the Allotment Association AGM last week. He explained the difficulty of the Association not having its own bank account. It was unanimously agreed the funds of approximately £100 could be held in the Parish Council account, on behalf of the Allotment Association and managed under a separate cost code. 30 trees have been sourced for free for the communal plot at the Allotments and a scarecrow competition has been planned.
11.2 P/Cllr Mrs T Manning reported that a bid through NKDC was being explored, for the swimming pool. The quiz night at the Village Hall had been a great success and raised £1430.87 for Swimming Pool funds.
11.3 P/Cllr Mrs D Bell reported as Chair of Heckington in Bloom, that the planter on Boston Road had been paid for by a grant from the NKDC lottery fund and requested permission to display signage on the planter for at least 6 months, as per the grant requirements. Councillors were shown a photo of the proposed signage, concerns were raised that its current location could breach traffic regulations.
It was proposed in principle, if accepted by Highways, by P/Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by P/Cllr Mrs J Peacock
Vote result – 10 for, 1 abstained (due to interest), motion duly carried
Resolved - to approve signage, in principle subject to Highways approval
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. 24/0005/FUL – Erection of agricultural building and associated hardstanding Mile Cottage Boston Road Heckington Sleaford Lincolnshire
ii. 24/0101/TCA – T1 - Eucalyptus - Fell tree, remove stump and grind out the root base. 25 High Street, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9RA
iii. 24/0094/TCA - T1 - Oak - Fell to prevent outgrowth of location. Tree is showing signs of significant damage caused during the construction of the house which is positioned very close to the tree. Homeowners are worried about potential damage to foundations now and in the future as well as it's likelihood of failure due to existing damage. T2 - Ash - Reduce Eastern side of Ash by approx 3m and Western side by approx. 2m, removing lower lateral limb to balance, as per annotated picture enclosed. T3 - Walnut - Trim crown by 1m all round to prevent outgrowth of location. 7 Banks Lane, Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 9QY
(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
It was agreed that P/Cllr Mr A Garlick would have a look at the condition of the Oak planning application 24/0094/TCA
13. To update on the Pavilion and Playing Field
13.1 P/Cllr Mr R Higgs reported that the handover of the Pavilion and Playing Field to the new licensees had gone well. Electrical works were ongoing, and inspections would follow.
13.2 He also reported that the group that purchased the defibrillator at the Pavilion have requested that the Parish Council adopt it. The Parish Council would then be responsible for routine inspections and the purchase of pads and batteries, as required.
Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mt T Atkinson
Vote result - unanimous
Resolved – to adopt the defibrillator at The Pavilion & Playing Fields
14.a To discuss the affiliation to the Pavilion & Playing Fields
14.a.1 P/Cllr Mr A Garlick proposed to move this item into closed session, seconded by P/Cllr Mr D Long
Vote result - unanimous
Resolved – to move item 14.a into closed session
14.b To discuss the Beacon Fen Solar Park
The Chairman reported that the proposed Beacon Fen Solar Park would be holding a drop-in exhibition at the Village Hall on 22nd February. A large-scale map and detailed information can also be viewed at Heckington Library until 3rd March. Residents will have received a survey regarding solar projects from Caroline Johnson MP. The Chairman urged everyone to respond to the survey, whatever their views.
15. To Confirm the next meeting as Monday 26th February 2024
16. To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (admissions to Meetings) Act 1960
i. To discuss item 14a
16.1 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr D Long, seconded by P/Cllr Mr C Spencer
16.2 Vote result – unanimous
16.3 Resolved to go into closed session as above
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and members of the public left the meeting at 1951hrs
16.4 The Chairman gave an explanation as to why P/Cllr Mr N Stanley and P/Cllr Mr K Thorpe were not invited to be on the interview panel for the new licensees of the Pavilion & Playing Fields.
There was much discussion about the way forward, however, due to the emergency procedures which had had to be carried out, the forward plans were on hold. The immediate work in hand was to ensure the correct certificates and licences etc were in place as required by law. Once these have been completed, a 5 year plan can be drawn up. P/Cllr Mr R Higgs is overseeing these works and will report back to Council upon completion.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 2018hrs