September 11th 2025 Minutes
Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Heckington Parish Council on Thursday 11 September 2025 at 7.00pm in the Parish Council Chambers, St Andrews Street, Heckington
1. Chair’s Welcome (25/106)
The Chair, Councillor Spencer (hereafter referred to as the Chair) welcomed the members of the public and councillors to the meeting. He delivered the usual health and safety announcements and asked members of the public to silence their mobile devices.
2. Public Forum (25/107)
The Chair of Heckington in Bloom introduced stating that her presence at the meeting is to formally request an appeal against the decision to not allow the organisation to renew the tenancy agreement at the allotments. She went on to speak about the work the organisation does around the village and their affiliations with local groups, clubs and businesses. She said that the efforts of the organisation have long outgrown a back garden; they need a safe, secure place to nurture plant, store equipment and collect water. She said that progress this year at the allotments had been hampered with operations running from two different premises. She said that the decision regarding the tenancy should not be based against one person but the organisation.
The Chair thanked the representative for her comments. The Chair stated that the allotments are run by an Allotment Management Committee. The Chair advised Mrs Bell that there is an appeals process and that will be followed.
A member of the public asked about an investigation in relation to Star Fen. The Chair offered that there was no information to report.
A member of the public enquired about ‘dog walking’ signage that had recently been installed at the Pavilion. The Chair explained that this is designed to keep dogs off the playing surfaces to the periphery. He asked what arrangements there are for those with accessibility requirements.
Action: Clerk to report back on the Conveyance dated 7 September 1964.
3. Councillors present (25/108)
Councillor Spencer, Chair
Councillor Atkinson
Councillor Davison
Councillor Garlick
Councillor Gower
Councillor Malone
Councillor O’Connor
Councillor Stanley
Councillor Thorpe
Councillor Wright
4. Apologies (25/109)
None
5. To receive any reports of member’s interest, pecuniary or otherwise in relation to the agenda and any dispensations in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 (25/110)
None
The Chair proposed that item 8 is moved forward due to a listing error on the agenda. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Wright and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
6. General Items (25/111)
a) Appointment of Councillor Malone to the Finance Committee
Councillor Davison proposed that Councillor Malone is appointed to the Finance Committee. The Chair seconded the proposal and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
b) Window Installation, Pavilion
Members had reviewed correspondence received from the Supplier dated 21 August 2025, 1 September 2025 and 2 September 2025 in relation to invoicing and payment for the window installation at the Pavilion which was circulated to all Councillors ahead of the meeting.
The Chair informed the meeting that the Supplier has finally provided the documentation requested which would determine whether an outstanding payment of £110.00 would be paid; in the meantime the Supplier has decided to lodge a claim with the Small Claims Court.
The Clerk said that the documentation now received by Councillors, had been requested from the Supplier on multiple occasions and had this been furnished, the Supplier would have received payment many weeks prior. She added that payment should now be made but the details surrounding the matter should be recorded.
The Chair noted that the production date on the order is 23 July 2024 leaving a window of 2-days to during which the order could have been cancelled. Councillor Gower added that reasonable requests by the Parish Council went unanswered.
The Chair proposed that the Clerk speaks to the Small Claims Court to find out whether a complaint has been lodged and what the process is in relation to paying the outstanding fee to ensure that all fees arising are met. If nothing has been lodged with the Small Claims Court, the fee will be paid. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Davison and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
7. Date and time of the next meetings (25/112)
Finance Committee Meeting, 15 September 2025 at 7.30pm
Allotment Management Committee Meeting, 1 September 2025 at 7.00pm
Staffing Committee Meeting TBC
Cemetery Committee Meeting, 13 November 2025 at 7.30pm.
Pavilion Committee Meeting, 2 October 2025 at 7.30pm.
Monday 29 September 2025
Monday 27 October 2025
Monday 24 November 2025
8. Questions from the public (25/113)
A member of the public asked why the windows at the Pavilion were boarded up. The Chair explained that this was done from a safeguarding perspective and to protect the glazing from damage. Councillors Garlick and Stanley added that the installation of the windows had not been completed which left the building insecure.
The Chair closed the meeting at 19.53pm in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Garlick and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
9. Closed session (25/114)
a) Pavilion tenancy agreement
The Clerk informed the meeting that she and the solicitor are corresponding about the wording relating to the contractual and lease term. Once this has been resolved, the solicitor will make contact with the tenant or their solicitor with a view to signing the lease.
There was further conversation about compliance and it was agreed that the Clerk will make further enquiries with Chatterton’s, Arion and the Insurers.
b) Future financial model for the Pavilion and development
Councillor Davison presented the following options:
Financial Model – Options:
1) Charge a peppercorn rent only. This will inevitably lead to a precept increase.
2) Increase the rent (commercial tenancy rates £10-15k pa).
3) The Parish Council run the Pavilion – research has shown that the responsibility for this option typically falls to the Clerk.
Development Options:
1) Maintain the building – no enhancement.
2) Redevelopment – investigate grants (not the Parish Council).
3) Sale of the building - there is a Conveyance relating to the first playing field.
There was lengthy debate; members agreed that there was little appetite for the third options in both categories with the majority leaning toward a rent increase with maintenance. It was agreed responsibilities would need to be identified for January 2027 and the rent would need to be raised in line with advice from a Commercial Letting Agent. There will also be meaningful discussion with the current tenants.
Members discussed the benefits of reaching compliance by January 2027 and discussed what had already been spent as well as the sums required to reach compliance and how this might be funded including the precept and a PWLB.
Councillor Davison proposed that he, the Chair and Councillor Stanley form that working group to set the ground rules for going forward from 2027, to identify how much money is needed to attain compliance by January 2027 and where the money comes from. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Thorpe and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the council.
c) Pavilion Budget 2026/27
Member noted the budget proposed of £35,000.00 set by the Pavilion Committee on 1 September 2025 for consideration by the Finance Committee and Parish Council.
d) Complaint received dated 4 September 2025 in relation to cemetery maintenance
An email was received from a member of the public dated 2 September 2025 in relation to the ‘state’ of the cemetery. The complainant was informed that the complaint will not be pursued any further.
e) Security at the Cemetery
Councillor O’Connor proposed that the original locking mechanism is reinstated and the barrel of the lock is changed. The Caretaker will act as a key holder and there will be additional key holders. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Gower and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. The chair voted against the proposal expressing concern for emergency service access.
The Chair closed the meeting at 9.00pm.