May 2025 DRAFT Minutes
HECKINGTON
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
12 MAY 2025
The Chair of the Parish Council, Councillor Spencer acting as Chair for the Annual Parish meeting welcomed 23 members of the public to the meeting and delivered the usual health and safety announcements. He reminded the meeting that this is a meeting for the parish, not a Parish Council meeting.
With the agreement of those present, the Chair signed and dated the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting date 9 May 2024 and the Parish Meeting on 19 August 2024 as true and accurate records of those meetings.
Chair’s Opening Remarks, Parish Council
The Chair stated that the Parish Council has seen many changes in the last 12 months with five new Councillors and one vacancy for which there will be a by-election in June. The details have been published on the Parish Council website for any interested applicants.
Councillor Spencer said that since he was elected Chair in September 2024, the Parish Council have been working tirelessly make improvements to how the Parish Council is run for the betterment of the village. The Parish Council now has a number of committees to facilitate progress and although this might not be as rapid as some would like, the Parish Council is working at capacity. The Parish Council is directing its attention to previously neglected assets such as the Pavilion. He said that there are more committees to come and he spoke about an event working group. The Parish Council are looking for members of the public to get involved, so that the Parish Council delivers more of what the community wants, rather than what the Parish Council thinks the community wants.
He updated the meeting on the sale of Star Fen; the sale is in progress, and the details will be made public once the sale has been finalized.
The Chair informed the meeting that the Parish Council now holds bi-monthly coffee mornings where members of the public can come in and meet Councillors to have an informal chat and raise any issues or ask any questions. The Parish Council continues to hold monthly Parish Council meetings.
Presentation
The Chair handed over to Mr Mervyn Head, a Climate Change Champion and Councillor from North Kesteven Council. Mr Head delivered a presentation about community resilience in respect of climate and environmental change and the Government’s drive for net zero.
Questions
A member of the public asked Mr Head a question about recycling; her recycling is no longer collected by the local authority. Mr Head said that he will make enquiries on behalf of the members of the public.
A member of the public asked Mr Head if he could assist the Parish Council to address the emissions and odours emanating from the Roasting Company particularly further to the service of a Community Protection Notice served on the company in 2020; this led to lengthy discussion. It was noted that a planning application had been submitted by the company to NK to erect a 19m chimney. Mr Head said that his understanding is that a stack must be in excess of 50m in height for odours to be dispersed. A member of the public said that this isn’t just about odours; it is also about the particulates that are potentially damaging to health. Mr Head advised that the member of the public liaise directly with the Environmental Health Department at NK.
The Chair of Heckington Railway Museum addressed the meeting. He said that the organisation has now reached the stage where a committee is required to move forward with the running of the museum or it faces closure. He has asked whether anyone present might be interested or knows of someone who is interested in volunteering. He extended an invite to their next open day on 31 May, and he listed their regular opening days. He explained that opening hours are limited due to volunteer capacity and running costs. He explained that the railway museum has no real source of income or funding. He said that the Railway Museum has their own Facebook page and their website will be launched soon. The Chair, Councillor Spencer said he has been to the museum and it is well worth a visit. The Windmill has kindly assisted in promoting the attraction.
The Chair reminded the meeting that the next Parish Council coffee morning is Saturday 19 May 2025.
The Chair closed the meeting at 9.17pm.