March 2024 DRAFT 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 March 2024 commencing at 1900hrs.
Attendance:
Chairman - P/Cllr Mrs J Palmer
Parish Councillors – Mr T Atkinson, Mrs D Bell, Mr R Higgs, Mrs T Manning, Ms J Peacock, Mr C Spencer, Mr K Thorpe
County Councillor – Mr A Key
District Councillors – Mrs C Collard, 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 to the meeting and went through Health & Safety, fire procedures etc
1.2 With regret, the Chairman reported that P/Cllr Dave Long had resigned with immediate effect. He had been a very active Councillor and will be missed for his useful contributions. A by-election would be held on 2nd May, nominations for candidates close on 5th April. The Election for Police and Crime Commissioner also takes place on 2nd May.
1.3 She thanked Fentec for their public spiritedness in not charging for an emergency call out at Christmas to attend to the Christmas Tree lights which had been tampered with.
1.4 The History group had had its inaugural meeting which had gone very well. P/Cllr Mr C Spencer will give further updates as and when appropriate.
1.5 Emergency work was having to be carried out on the Playing Field access road due to a broken and dangerous manhole cover.
2. To receive apologies for absence
2.1 Apologies received and accepted from P/Cllr Mr A Garlick and P/Cllr Mr N Stanley
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 26th February 2024
5.i Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mrs D Bell it was resolved that the minutes of Monday 26th February were approved and signed.
5.i.1 Vote result – Unanimous
5.ii Matters arising
5.ii.1 P/Cllr Mrs J Palmer reported that the new notice board is now up on the Community Hub building and the old one had been donated to Little Hale Chapel. The office laptop has been purchased. The new defibrillator has been researched and the order was to be placed. P/Cllr Mrs D Bell reported that the application for funding for the Vicarage Road bench had failed, and alternative funding was being researched.
6. Public Participation
6.1 A member of the public queried the length of time Remembrance wreaths were on display in comparison with surrounding villages, where they are left all year. It was explained that they are removed at the end of February as they start to deteriorate. After much discussion, it was agreed to trial leaving the wreaths on the memorials, they would be monitored by P/Cllr Mrs D Bell, as Chair of Heckington in Bloom.
6.2 A member of the public asked if there had been an update on plans for the Market Place car park in Sleaford – nothing to report.
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 Mrs T Manning
7.i.2 Vote results – unanimous.
7.i.3 Resolved – to approve payments as listed
7.ii To approve emergency repairs
The Chairman requested that P/Cllr Mr R Higgs bring forward his update on the Pavilion & Playing Fields (item 13). He gave a thorough breakdown of the Fire Risk Assessment Report that had been completed for the Pavilion building. Most of the risks highlighted in the report have been or are in the process of being addressed. There was one risk that needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency, that was fireproofing the roof void. New Fire Regulations require roof voids to be compartmentalised every 20 metres. Contractors were sought and the work had been completed. The fire risk to the kitchen area has been eliminated as the tenants have decided this area will be for food preparation only. They have purchased a street food trailer to sell cooked food from, which is subject to its own health, safety and hygiene regulations. A few other recommendations were made but these can be completed in the near future as they are not deemed urgent. The Chairman sought agreement from Councillors to approve the payments for the urgent fireproofing roof work (£2455) and works to fix the broken manhole cover on the Playing Fields access road, reported in opening remarks (£2895 + VAT). The payments for the emergency repairs were unanimously approved.
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 County Council had had an extra ordinary meeting to approve the Greater Lincolnshire County Combined Mayoral Authority. The proposal has gone through in Greater Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and Northeast Lincolnshire and is now with the Secretary of State in Government. If approved, the first election for Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire will be held in May 2025.
9.2 He reported that the Highways manager’s visit to Heckington to look at drains, signs and potholes had been productive.
9.3 He reported that line markings on the A17 between Holdingham and Bicker Bar were due to be done, resulting in overnight closures towards the end of April.
9.4 He reported that the 40 mph speed limit at East Heckington would be coming in very soon and he would continue to push for the enforcement of the reduced limit, with the Road Safety Partnership.
9.5 The Chairman welcomed our new District Councillor, D/Cllr Mrs C Collard, who reported that she had begun her induction training.
9.6 D/Cllr Mrs S Tarry reported that the NK Plan 2024-27 had been approved at the end of February and would be sent to the Clerk to forward to Councillors.
10. To receive a report from the Clerk
10.1 The Clerk reported the late receipt of planning application 24/0311/HOUS Replacement of windows on the ground and 1st floor front elevation and replacement of original front door 15 Church Street Heckington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9RF, circulated to Councillors via email
10.2 She reported the receipt of the LCC Parish Agreement Scheme 24-25 for grass cutting, which is on a rolling contract. The contribution rate that the Parish Council will receive for 2024-25 is £1045.17.
11. To receive reports from Councillor’s relating to their affiliation to local organisations.
11.1 P/Cllr Mr R Higgs reported that the Heckington Area Voluntary Car Service new phone number would be going live on 1st April. The new number (07787 440000) can be found on Notice Boards, Social Media and in the Parish Council office.
11.2 P/Cllr Mrs T Manning reported The Swimming Pool Committee had paid £700 towards the outstanding loan and fund-raising efforts were continuing with a quiz planned for June.
11.3 P/Cllr Mrs D Bell reported as Chair of Heckington in Bloom, that the group continues to work on projects around the village but would not be entering the competition this year. A grant has been submitted to fund the purchase of self watering planters throughout the village.
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. 24/0226/LBC Application to replace existing double-glazed wooden windows with wooden double glazed sash window, widening of pedestrian access and replacement of wooden gate.
Tea Rooms The Mill 6 Hale Road Heckington Sleaford
(2) Applications approved
i. 24/0078/HOUS – Extension of two storey side extension with front and rear porch and widening of gated access The Farmhouse Whitehouse Farm Kyme Road
(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 give update on the Pavilion and Playing Fields
13.1 Discussed at item 7.ii
14. To discuss the maintenance of the Chapel roof.
14.1 The Chairman reported that maintenance was required to the underside arch of the Chapel roof, which was of timber construction. Scaffolding would be required for contractors to assess the level of maintenance required and prepare their quotes. The PC does have a tower, if this is not adequate, scaffold hire costs would be incurred. The Chairman sought agreement to proceed.
14.2 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mr C Spencer, vote result – unanimous. Resolved – to continue with obtaining quotes for maintenance work.
15. To confirm the next meeting as Monday 29th April 2024
16. To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 –
i. Land matters
ii. Cemetery Matters
16.1 Proposed by P/Cllr Mr R Higgs, seconded by P/Cllr Mrs T Manning
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 1948hrs