January 2026 Minutes
HECKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Heckington Parish Council meeting held Monday 12 January 2026 at 7.30pm in the Parish Council Chambers, St Andrews Street, Heckington
1. Chair’s Welcome (25/166)
The Chair welcomed Councillors and members of the public to the meeting. He delivered the usual health and safety announcements and asked those present to silence their mobile devices.
Councillor Wright reminded the meeting that the Parish Council coffee morning will be held on Saturday 24 January 2026 at 10.30am.
2. Public Forum (26/167)
There were four members of the public present.
3. Councillors present (26/168)
Councillor Spencer, Chair
Councillor Atkinson
Councillor Cocks
Councillor Davison
Councillor Gower
Councillor Malone
Councillor O’Connor
Councillor Wright
4. Apologies (26/169)
Apologies were received from Councillor Garlick, Vice Chair. The reasons for his absence were noted and accepted.
Councillor Thorpe failed to submit his apologies. His absence was not accepted.
5. Member’s interest, pecuniary or otherwise in relation to the agenda and any dispensations in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 (26/170)
None.
6. Finance (26/171)
a) Nilfisk Mower
The Chair proposed the sale of the Nilfisk mower/sweeper for the best price available. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Davison and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. The Clerk informed the meeting that Euromec have offered a price of £12-13k.
The Chair proposed that the funds received from the sale are directed to general reserves to be used as and when necessary. The proposal was seconded and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
b) Budget 2026/27
i) Review of Reserves
|
Record of ring-fenced/general reserves |
2026/27 |
|
Capital Equipment |
10,000.00 |
|
Elections |
7,000.00 |
|
Legal Fees |
10,000.00 |
|
Chamber Maintenance |
2,000.00 |
|
Memorials |
0.00 |
|
Verge Maintenance |
0.00 |
|
Lift |
0.00 |
|
Rates |
0.00 |
|
Trees |
0.00 |
|
Coronation Balance |
0.00 |
|
Cemetery 2025/26 Carry forward (variable) |
14,482.11 |
|
Cemetery |
10,000.00 |
|
Emergency Building Repairs |
0.00 |
|
General Reserves |
15,000.00 |
|
TOTALS |
68,482.11 |
Members discussed the elections and legal fees figures but they remain unchanged from the draft budget previously reviewed.
The Chair proposed that reserves for 2026/27 are set at £68,482.11. The proposal was seconded Councillor Davison and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
ii) Review of Income
|
INCOME SOURCES (excluding Precept) |
2026/27 |
|
LCC Litter Picking Grant |
1809.00 |
|
Cemetery Fees |
3000.00 |
|
Library LCC |
5167.00 |
|
Library Fines |
80.00 |
|
Fair |
300.00 |
|
Room Hire |
100.00 |
|
Wayleave |
174.60 |
|
Interest |
800.00 |
|
TOTAL |
11,430.60 |
The Chair proposed that the income figure of £11,430.60 is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Wright and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
|
CEMETERY FEES 2026/27 |
|
|
|||
|
|
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS OF BURIAL (TABLE 1) |
Resident |
Non-resident |
|||
|
|
|
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
|
|
|
For the Exclusive Right of Burial for 99 years in an earthen grave 6ft by 3 feet |
210.00 |
221.00 |
363.00 |
381.00 |
|
|
|
For the Exclusive Right of Burial for 99 years in a cremated remains plot 3ft by 2 feet |
162.00 |
170.00 |
294.00 |
308.00 |
|
|
|
If a larger plot is required, 2 standard grave spaces will be required (Parish Council, 31 October 2016). |
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|
INTERMENT (TABLE 2) |
Resident |
Non-resident |
||||
|
|
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
||
|
A still-born child whose age does not exceed one year |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
A child under the age of 15 years |
115.00 |
120.75 |
173.00 |
182.00 |
||
|
Adults (aged 16 years and above) |
187.00 |
196.00 |
317.00 |
333.00 |
||
|
Cremated remains (burial) |
126.00 |
132.00 |
222.00 |
233.00 |
||
|
Cremated remains (spreading on the surface of a grave or other designated area) |
80.00 |
84.00 |
145.00 |
162.00 |
||
|
The right to bury cremated remains in a grave space already having been used for a burial shall only be allowed provided the recently deceased is listed on the Exclusive Right of Burial or, a transfer of ownership will be required. |
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|
These fees exclude the digging of the grave. This must be arranged separately or via the Funeral Director. |
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|
MEMORIALS & TABLETS (TABLE 3) |
Resident |
Non-resident |
||||
|
|
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
||
|
For the Exclusive Rights to erect a headstone for 99 years. Single |
90.00 |
95.00 |
180.00 |
189.00 |
||
|
Double* |
|
142.50 |
|
283.50 |
||
|
Kerbs* |
|
50.00 |
|
100.00 |
||
|
For the Exclusive Rights to erect a tablet for 99 years |
80.00 |
84.00 |
160.00 |
168.00 |
||
|
TRANSFER OF EXCLUSIVE RIGHT OF BURIAL (TABLE 4) |
|
|
||||
|
Administration Fee |
10.00 |
|||||
|
Exclusive Right of Burial Administration Fee |
10.00 |
|||||
|
Interment Application Administration Fee |
10.00 |
|||||
|
Application to Erect a Memorial Administration Fee |
10.00 |
|||||
|
Surrender of Exclusive Right of Burial Administration Fee |
10.00 |
|||||
|
Transfer of Exclusive Right of Burial Administration Fee |
25.00 |
|||||
|
Search of the Register of Burials |
0.00 |
|||||
|
Chapel Hire |
25.00 |
|||||
(5% increase approved at the November Meeting of the Parish Council)
The Chair proposed the burial fees are accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Cocks and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
iii) Draft Budget 2026/27 - Review of Expenditure
|
GENERAL |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
Insurances including motor fleet |
6300.00 |
7500.00 |
8000.00 |
|
Annual Subscriptions |
400.00 |
2500.00 |
5250.00 |
|
Village Hall Hire |
200.00 |
120.00 |
200.00 |
|
Election Costs |
15,155.00 |
7000.00 |
3500.00 |
|
Speedwatch |
500.00 |
0.00 |
300.00 |
|
SID |
500.00 |
500.00 |
500.00 |
|
Defibrillator |
600.00 |
500.00 |
1000.00 |
|
Training Courses/Subs |
800.00 |
2000.00 |
1250.00 |
|
Legal Fees |
9098.72 |
3500.00 |
5000.00 |
|
PWLB |
3900.00 |
|
|
|
Banking Fees |
200.00 |
100.00 |
150.00 |
|
Computer Maintenance |
1000.00 |
540.00 |
630.00 |
|
Stationery & postage |
200.00 |
250.00 |
600.00 |
|
Office Equipment |
790.00 |
200.00 |
750.00 |
|
Printer Ink |
|
485.00 |
750.00 |
|
Telephone |
1000.00 |
120.00 |
200.00 |
|
Broadband |
500.00 |
360.00 |
400.00 |
|
Sundries/Hospitality |
350.00 |
|
|
|
Refunds |
0.00 |
150.00 |
150.00 |
|
Land Purchase |
0.00 |
|
|
|
Payroll |
1200.00 |
500.00 |
500.00 |
|
Library/Hub |
|
|
10.00 |
|
Internal Audit |
1100.00 |
500.00 |
525.00 |
|
External Audit |
|
1000.00 |
1000.00 |
|
Printing (external) |
|
500.00 |
|
|
Councillor’s expenses |
150.00 |
0.00 |
250.00 |
|
Delivery fees (newsletter) |
|
1956.00 |
|
|
Portaloo |
0.00 |
1500.00 |
1260.00 |
|
Office equipment (ring-fenced) |
|
|
|
|
Chair’s Allowance |
780.00 |
0.00 |
300.00* |
|
Drainage Rates (Star Fen) |
0.00 |
57.00 |
|
|
TOTAL |
45,503.72 |
31,838.00 |
32,475.00 |
The Chair stated that the only new item to note is the Chair’s Allowance. This will facilitate the purchase of small items i.e. gift cards for competition winners, where the Parish Council doesn’t currently have spending powers.
Councillor Davison proposed that the Chair’s Allowance is added as a budget sub-heading. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Wright and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
The Chair proposed the General Expenditure budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Wright and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of Council.
|
STAFFING |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
Salaries inc. PAYE and NIC |
52,000.00 |
69,953.00 |
80,000.00 |
|
Locum Cover |
0.00 |
0.00 |
5,000.00 |
|
Pensions |
4500.00 |
3000.00 |
7,000.00 |
|
Staff Travel |
125.00 |
540.00 |
0.00 |
|
TOTAL |
56,625.00 |
73,493.00 |
92,000.00 |
The Chair proposed that the staffing budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Davison and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
CARETAKER & VILLAGE MAINTENANCE |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
Business Rates (Village Green) |
610.00 |
550.00 |
565.00 |
|
Village Maintenance |
3700.00 |
3500.00 |
|
|
Village Green Electricity |
|
|
500.00 |
|
Replacement Noticeboard/s |
|
|
5,000.00 |
|
Caretaker Equipment, Repairs and Servicing |
6000.00 |
3000.00 |
4,600.00 |
|
Caretaker Supplies |
2130.00 |
500.00 |
1000.00 |
|
Diesel |
1250.00 |
1500.00 |
0.00 |
|
Petrol |
250.00 |
500.00 |
1000.00 |
|
Trees/Hedges General |
4000.00 |
1500.00 |
4585.00 |
|
Other/Registered Waste Removal |
|
500.00 |
100.00 |
|
TOTAL |
17,940.00 |
11,550.00 |
17,350.00 |
Members discussed the noticeboards budget sub-heading; it was agreed that a new noticeboard is needed in East Heckington and there was discussion about a community noticeboard in Heckington near to the Coop. The Clerk stated that she has had no response from the Lincolnshire Co-op.
Councillor Cocks proposed that the Caretaker & Village Maintenance budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Wright and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
CEMETERY |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
Water |
200.00 |
150.00 |
155.00 |
|
Electricity |
3000.00 |
|
|
|
General Maintenance |
1000.00 |
3000.00 |
3,500.00 |
|
Project Forget Me Knot |
|
0.00 |
7,500.00 |
|
Memorial Safety Checks |
0.00 |
3500.00 |
7,500.00 |
|
Pest Control |
0.00 |
500.00 |
600.00 |
|
Trees/Hedges |
0.00 |
2500.00 |
2,500.00 |
|
Rates |
610.00 |
625.00 |
1,061.00 |
|
Reserves |
0.00 |
12515.11 |
See reserves table |
|
Totals |
4810.00 |
22,790.11 |
22,816.00 |
The Clerk informed the meeting that NK are scrapping Small Business Relief and the Chambers, which has been exempt, is under review.
The Chair proposed that the Cemetery budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Cocks and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
WORKSHOP |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
Equipment |
|
|
0.00 |
|
Electricity |
3000.00 |
|
1,000.00 |
|
General Maintenance |
|
|
2,500.00 |
|
First Aid Supplies |
|
|
50.00 |
|
Inspections & testing |
|
|
500.00 |
|
Totals |
3,000.00 |
5,500.00 |
4,050.00 |
The Chair proposed that the Workshop budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor O’Connor and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
SECTION 137/GRANTS |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
TOTAL |
2300.00 |
4,100.00 |
6,000.00 |
The Chair proposed that the Section 137 budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor O’Connor and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
CHAMBERS |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
Water |
400.00 |
0.00 |
500.00 |
|
Electricity |
9000.00 |
4250.00 |
3,750.00 |
|
General Maintenance |
7619.88 |
1000.00 |
3,500.00 |
|
Lift Servicing LOLER & Maintenance |
3000.00 |
500.00 |
750.00 |
|
Window Cleaning |
|
150.00 |
150.00 |
|
Cleaning |
|
720.00 |
700.00 |
|
Supplies (cleaning/hygiene) |
|
200.00 |
100.00 |
|
Chambers Equipment |
|
200.00 |
750.00 |
|
Testing/Inspections |
250.00 |
1820.00 |
7,000.00 |
|
Building Repairs (Emergency) |
|
0.00 |
See reserves table |
|
Rates |
2,000.00 |
0.00 |
2,725.00 |
|
TOTALS |
22,269.88 |
8,840.00 |
19,925.00 |
The Chair proposed that the Chambers budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Davison and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
PLAYGROUND |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
Annual Inspections |
|
|
273.00 |
|
Repairs |
|
|
2677.00 |
|
Cleaning & general maintenance |
|
|
50.00 |
|
TOTALS |
400.00 |
3,000.00 |
3,000.00 |
The Chair proposed that the Playground budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor O’Connor and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
ALLOTMENT PARISH COUNCIL |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended)
|
2026/27
|
|
Testing |
|
|
300.00 |
|
Trees/Hedges |
1,300.00 |
1,500.00 |
1,300.00 |
|
Dykes |
0.00 |
0.00 |
200.00 |
|
Drainage Rates |
0.00 |
110.00 |
150.00 |
|
Pest Control |
0.00 |
450.00 |
550.00 |
|
TOTALS |
1,300.00 |
2,060.00 |
2,500.00 |
The Chair proposed that the Allotment budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Wright and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
EVENTS |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
TOTALS |
|
400.00 |
500.00 |
The Chair proposed that the Events budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor O’Connor and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
PAVILION |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
Water |
|
|
|
|
Electricity |
|
|
|
|
Maintenance (Buildings) |
1000.00 |
|
|
|
Maintenance general (to include pest control) |
|
|
|
|
Inspections/testing |
250.00 |
|
|
|
Special Projects |
0.00 |
|
|
|
Other |
0.00 |
|
|
|
TOTAL |
1,250.00 |
50,000.00 |
20,000.00 |
Members discussed the allocation to the Pavilion at length. The Chair proposed that the Pavilion budget head is accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Malone and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the council.
|
FINETURF (CIL) |
2024/25 |
2025/26 (as amended) |
2026/27
|
|
TOTALS |
5288.00 |
3888.00 |
8650.00 |
Members noted the Fineturf budget head (paid for using previously acquired Section 106 funding).
|
TOTALS EXPENDITURE |
|
2026/27 |
|
General Administration |
|
32,475.00 |
|
Staffing |
|
92,000.00 |
|
Caretaker & Village Maintenance |
|
17,350.00 |
|
Cemetery |
|
22,816.00 |
|
Workshop |
|
4,050.00 |
|
S137 and Grants |
|
6,000.00 |
|
Chambers |
|
19,925.00 |
|
Playground |
|
3,000.00 |
|
Allotment |
|
2,500.00 |
|
Events |
|
500.00 |
|
Pavilion |
|
20,000.00 |
|
TOTALS |
|
220,616.00 |
The Chair proposed that the totals for expenditure as part of the draft budget for 2026/27 are accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Wright and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
|
Predicted Year End Balance |
30,000.00 |
|
Proposed Reserves |
68,482.11 |
|
Proposed Reserves minus Year End Balance |
38,482.11 |
|
Budgeted Expenditure for 2026/27 |
220,616.60 |
|
Total Required for 2026/27 |
259,098.71 |
|
Budgeted Income for 2026/27 exc. sale of Nilfisk |
11,430.60 |
|
Precept Request 2026/27 (rounded up) |
247,668.00 |
c) Precept 2026/27
The Chair proposed that the precept figure for 2026/27 is set, £247,688.00. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Davison and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
Note: The Clerk perceived an error in the calculation which led to an amendment to the resolution but the perceived error but that was erroneous; the income had been subtracted twice from the expenditure leading to a lower than required figure. The original resolution will stand and this will be clarified and ratified at the Parish Council meeting on 26 January 2026 for the avoidance of doubt.
i) Members discussed the potential impact upon the Council Tax Figure per Band D household using the 2026/27 Council Tax calculator DRAFT provided by NKDC.
Actuals to be confirmed once the precept calculator, which is currently in draft format, has been finalised by NKDC.
7. Date and time of the next meeting/s (26/172)
Committees
Finance Committee Meeting, TBC
Allotment Management Committee Meeting, Thursday 5 February 2026 at 7.30pm.
Staffing Committee Meeting – Not scheduled
Cemetery Committee Meeting, Thursday 26 February 2026 at 7.30pm
Pavilion Committee Meeting – Not scheduled
Parish Council
Monday 26 January 2026
Monday 23 February 2026
Monday 30 March 2026
Monday 27 April 2026
Monday 25 May 2026
Monday 29 June 2026
Monday 27 July 2026
August TBC
Monday 28 September 2026
Monday 26 October 2026
Monday 30 November 2026
8. Questions from the public (26/173)
None
The Chair moved the meeting into closed session in agreement with the Council, in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960.
9. Closed Session (26/174)
a) Salary range for the role of Caretaker
Members discussed the salary range at length.
Councillor O’Connor proposed that the pay scale is set at SCP 11-25 (£28,142.00 - £35,412.00). The proposal was seconded by Councillor Gower and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8.35pm.