2026 Minutes (Full Council)

HECKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Heckington Parish Council meeting held Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 7.30pm in the Parish Council Chambers, St Andrews Street, Heckington

Councillor Tucker proposed that she act as Chair for the purposes of the meeting in the absence of Councillor Wright.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Young and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

1. Chair’s Opening Remarks (26/076)

The Acting Chair, Councillor Tucker delivered the usual health and safety notices and asked those present to silence their mobile devices.  

The Acting Chair announced that Community Speedwatch training for new and existing volunteers has been scheduled for 14 October at 5.30pm.  If anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the Clerk at Clerk@heckingtonparishcouncil.gov.uk.

The Acting Chair reminded the meeting that further to a statement by the Government on 7 September 2026, Local Government reorganisation has been halted.  

The Acting Chair, on behalf of the Parish Council expressed thanks to Mr Andrew Garlick for his dedicated service to the Parish Council over the last 17-years.

The Acting Chair read out a letter received from a member of the public dated 13 September 2026 expressing concern about a lack of consultation surrounding the ‘disposal’ of the Pavilion and Playing Fields and the expenditure required to keep the Parish Council Chambers open given the Clerk will be moving to an appointment only system.  

The Acting Chair indicated that a public notice will be issued shortly and can be found on social media, the website and Parish Council noticeboards in relation to Lincolnshire County Council’s proposed waiting restrictions for the High Street.

2. Co-option (26/077)

Members noted an email from Elections at North Kesteven District Council dated 21 August 2026 confirming that there had been no valid request for an election to fill the seat arising from the resignation of Councillor Garlick. The Parish Council may proceed with co-option.  There have been no expressions of interest.  Members agreed to continue to advertise the vacancy with a view to co-option at the October meeting of the Parish Council. 

Action: Clerk to re-advertise the vacancy. 

3. Public Forum (26/078)

There were three members of the public present plus County Councillor East and District Councillor Collard.  There were no comments.

4. Councillors present (26/079)

Councillor Atkinson

Councillor Dann

Councillor Davison

Councillor Gower

Councillor Sexton

Councillor Tucker, Acting Chair

Councillor Young

5. Apologies (26/080)

Apologies have been submitted by Councillors Cocks, Spencer and Wright.  The reasons for their absence were noted and accepted.  

District Councillor Tarry also submitted her apologies. 

6. 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 (26/081)

None

7. Report from the County and District Councillors (26/082)

District Councillor Collard spoke about the plans to merge hospital and community trusts in Lincolnshire to create one NHS organisation.  Details and a survey can be found on the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board NHS website at lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/shaping-our-hospital-and-community-services/. 

Action: Clerk to post to the Parish Council Facebook page. 

County Councillor East said he is looking forward to receiving the report from the Parish Council further to the village walkabout with Rowan Smith, Head of Highways West on 15 September 2026.

He spoke briefly about the approval of an anaerobic digestive plant in Lincolnshire contrary to advice from Lincolnshire County Council.  He also referenced the proposal for Anwick.  He went on to talk about the Windmill Strategy.  He spoke about his Divisional and Strategic grant funding and finally he advised members of the public to continue to report highways faults via FixMyStreet.

Councillor Atkinson again spoke about the blocked drains near to the railway on Station Road and Hale Road.  The Clerk said that further to the Village Walkabout earlier in the day, Rowan Smith, Head of Highways West had indicated that he would follow up on the status of the village wide drain jetting that was scheduled for 2026 as many blocked drains were encountered.  

Councillor Gower asked whether there had been any further announcements in relation to the Local Government Reorganisation.  The District and County Councillors were unable to provide any updates other than elections will proceed as normal in May 2027. 

8. Minutes (26/083)

a) Councillor Tucker proposed that the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 27 July 2026 are accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Gower and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

b) Councillor Tucker proposed that the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on Thursday 27 August 2026 are accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Gower and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

9. General (26/084)

a) The transfer of the Pavilion to the Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Heckington Pavilion and Playing Fields.

i) Disposal of land, the Local Government Act 1972 section 127

• Councillor Tucker proposed that a statutory notice is placed in the Sleaford Standard for a 2-week consecutive period commencing on 23 September 2026 at a cost of up to £1420.12 exclusive of VAT (second publication date will be 30 September 2026).  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Young and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.   

Action:  Clerk to finalise the wording of the statutory notice and contact the Sleaford Standard advertising team to make payment. 

• Councillor Tucker proposed that 14 October 2026 is the deadline for receipt of objections.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Davison and the motion was passed by resolution of the Council.  

ii) General Disposal Consent 2003

• Councillor Tucker proposed that expenditure to the value of £700.00 is ratified for the valuation of the Pavilion and Playing fields by Pygott and Crone as required by the General Disposal Consent 2003 in order to determine whether consent is required from the Secretary of State to lease the Pavilion and Playing Fields to the CIO for a period of 30-years.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Sexton and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

Action:  Clerk to raise the issues highlighted by Councillor Dann in his correspondence to the Council and Clerk dated 15 September 2026.  

• Councillor Davison proposed that the 30-year lease represents the best consideration reasonably obtainable by the Parish Council.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Tucker and the motion was passed by resolution of the Council.  Councillor Dann abstained from the vote. 

iii) Management of the financial transition arrangements with the CIO

Councillor Tucker proposed that up to £15,000.00 is awarded to the CIO under Section 19 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Davison.  Councillor Dann offered a counter proposal; there should be conditions set as to how the monies are spent.  The counter proposal was not seconded.  The original motion was passed by resolution of the Council.  Councillor Dann abstained from the vote. 

iv) Members noted receipt of the updated Constitution for the Heckington Playing Fields and Pavilion Charitable Incorporated Organisation. 

v) Councillors discussed the review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  The Clerk said that she added this to the agenda for review as her understanding of the document is that it would evolve into a framework that will dictate how the Parish Council and the CIO works together in the future. Councillor Davison suggested that the document is reworked into a Terms of Engagement. 

Action: Clerk to liaise with Mr Whitton. 

vi) Councillor Tucker proposed that the joint statement is published on 30 October 2026.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Sexton and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

vii) Councillor Tucker proposed that the decision relating to the wording for the letter to the CIO re the MUGA is ratified.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Young and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.

b) East Heckington service provision 

• Defibrillator – a letter has been sent to the owner of the Shell garage with a view to obtaining his consent to install the defibrillator on their site.  

• Metal Railings - Rowan Smith, Head of Highways West for Lincolnshire County Council confirmed that the Village Walkabout on 15 September that these will be addressed. 

• War Memorial – enquiries have indicated that this belongs to the PC.  It will need a valuation and adding to the asset register.   

Action:  Caretaker to liaise with the homeowner to reduce the tree impacting upon the War Memorial.  Clerk to obtain a quote for the valuation and make the necessary amendments to the asset register. 

• Noticeboard – delivery has been attempted.

• Waste bin – the siting of the bin has been agreed with Rowan Smith, Head of Highways West for Lincolnshire County Council.

c) Clerk’s office hours 

Councillor Dann proposed that the Clerk shall henceforth only be available by appointment.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Tucker and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. The Clerk explained that the office will remain open while she is on site for drop ins but members of the public are advised to schedule an appointment. 

Action:  Clerk to amend the public notices, Facebook and the website to reflect the changes. 

d) Health & Safety 

Members note the following:

i) The annual RoSPA Playground Inspection of Mayflower Park was completed on 1 September 2026.   

ii) The six monthly fire alarm service, Pavilion was completed on 12 August 2026.  

iii) The lift service (Chambers) was carried out on 2 September 2026. 

iv) The fire extinguisher servicing Workshop and Chapel has been booked for 5 October 2026. 

v) The legionella risk assessment for the Chambers is scheduled for 22 October 2026. 

e) Ratifications :

Councillor Davison proposed that the following are ratified.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Tucker and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

• The appointment of Councillor Young to the Staffing and Cemetery Committees.

• The appointment of Councillor Tucker to the Finance Committee.

• The appointment of a new cleaning service at £18.00 per hour (1.5 hours per week) per recommendations from the Finance Committee.

• The purchase of Hammerite metal paint at a maximum cost of £59.99 inclusive of VAT.

• The review of amendments to the lease by Chattertons. 

• The purchase of play grade rubber matting for repairs to surfacing beneath the carousel at the Mayflower playground (off Mayflower Drive) at a cost of £151.38 exclusive of VAT further to a previous resolution dated August 2025 and the purchase of rubber tubing for repairs to the slide at a cost of £16.66 exclusive of VAT.

• The purchase of an Allen wrench set and a pliers set at a cost of £8.32 and £24.99 exclusive of VAT. 

• The purchase of additional storage for the Clerk’s email address at a cost of £14.99 exclusive of VAT. 

• The purchase of wreaths, wood crosses and lamp post poppies for Rem1embrance using Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 at a cost of £177.50 exclusive of VAT. 

• The approval of proofs for signage for the Chambers and Cemetery. 

• The use of portable floodlights at the Pavilion (pending approval from NK Planning)

• The scheduling of the legionella risk assessment for the Chambers at a cost of £330.00 plus VAT. 

• Repairs to the Caretaker’s mobile phone at an approximate cost of £40.00 inclusive of VAT. 

10. Committees (26/085)

The Staffing Committee is the only Committee that has not met since the last meeting of the Parish Council.

a) Update from the Acting Chair on behalf of the Finance Committee further to their meeting on 7 September 2026. 

Trustees from the CIO attended the Finance Committee meeting on 7 September 2026 but there was some confusion arising from a request for funding which led to an informal meeting between the Parish Council and the CIO on 14 September where the position was clarified.

There is a new cleaning service at the Chambers but the Committee expressed their thanks to the Pet Friendly Cleaners for their hard work and dedication. 

The Committee approved £2900.00 for remedial building works and a roof survey at the Chambers and agreed to £750 expenditure for in-house accessibility improvements.  Quotes for the larger items are pending.  

Member are going to take a deeper look at quotes received for a new CCTV system and the installation of a commercial fire alarm system is due in the coming months.  

Members of the finance committee have proposed a council wide meeting to review the budget template put together by the Clerk with some initial figures that will feed into the 2027/28 budgeting process. 

The Clerk is exploring investment options for unearmarked reserves.  

There was also a review of a survey carried out at the workshop and chapel.  This is a work in progress as the Clerk obtains quotes.  

i) To resolve to approve the Clerk’s attendance at a SLCC training event in Leeds on 17 November 2026 in relation to upcoming changes to Smaller Authorities Proper Practices.  The course is free of charge but mileage and accommodation may be applicable. 

Item not required.

b) Cemetery Committee

i) Update from the Chair of the Cemetery Committee further to their meeting on 1 September 2026.

The Acting Chair, also Chair of the Cemetery Committee, explained that the Cemetery Committee meeting on 1 September 2026 was positive and further to their site meeting there is now an action plan for medium term improvements in line with the vision for Project Forget Me Knot, in the cemetery, many of which are underway.  

The Committee will be liaising with the Finance Committee with a view to applying to Councillor East's Strategic fund for assistance with costs arising from the repair of memorials.  

The Acting Chair passed on her congratulation to the Caretaker who has successfully passed his grave digging course.  There will be expenditure involved in getting ready to deliver grave digging services to be considered as part of the budgetary considerations for 2027/28. There cemetery budget head for 2027/28 will be reviewed the Committee at the next meeting on 22 October 2026. 

ii) The Cemetery Committee would like to ask the Parish Council to consider the earmarking of all cemetery income to cemetery reserves.  Councillor Tucker proposed that all cemetery income is allocated to cemetery earmarked reserves until such time as the cemetery meets health and safety and design standards.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Young and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.

Action:  Clerk to make the necessary changes to the bank reconciliation and budget document to reflect this. 

c) Members noted that the events working group will be meeting in a publicly convened meeting on 6 October 2026.  

i) Councillor Tucker proposed that additional Christmas lights are purchased from Blanchere Illuminations at a cost of £2,394.00 exclusive of VAT.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Sexton and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

Action:  Clerk to start advertising for fundraising from local donors and organisations. 

ii) Fundraising ideas to be deferred to the Working Group for further discussion.

iii) Members noted that the Christmas Tree has been ordered from Asgarby Estates.  The Acting Chair expressed her thanks to County Councillor East for a contribution of £200 from his divisional grant funding towards the cost of the Christmas Tree.  Councillor Atkinson reminded the meeting that the Parish Council were going to plant Christmas trees at the allotments.  The Clerk suggested that an appeal is put out at Christmas to ask anyone with a potted tree to donate this to the Parish Council so that it can be planted. 

11. Planning Matters (26/086)

a) Members noted the new/amended or registered planning applications including proposed works on trees subject to TPOs, awaiting decision.

b) Members noted the following planning matters awaiting decision or where a decision has been received since the Parish Council meeting on 27 July 2026 and 31 August 2026.

c) Members noted that the Parish Council’s request, planning reference 26/0903/TCA, to lift the lower branches of six lime trees at the Village Green by 1m and three trees along Church Street to allow clearance has been approved (dated 28 August 2026).

12. Finance (26/087)

a)    Members noted the bank balances as of 4 September 2026. 

TOTAL 157,988.48

b) Members noted the income received between 21 July 2026 and 4 September 2026.

c) Councillor Tucker proposed that the following expenditure, including expenditure to be ratified, from 21 July 2026 to 4 September 2026 is approved.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Young and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

The following is an extract from the cashbook edited for confidentiality. 

Councillor Tucker proposed that agenda items d), e) and f) are approved.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Davison and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council 

d) Bank reconciliation dated 4 September 2026. 

e) The re-appointed as the internal auditor for 2026/27 per the pre-existing agreement with them.   

f) Members duly satisfied themselves of the independence of LALC as internal auditors for 2026/27.  

g) Councillor Gower proposed that the Council ratify amendments to the AGAR 2025/26 and the year end bank reconciliation in relation to the recording of fees paid to Mr Wright during his time as the locum caretaker to Heckington Parish Council which was incorrectly recorded in salaries.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Young and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.  

h) Members noted that the Parish Council are still waiting to hear whether the £250 excess is recoverable from the third party further to the RTI at the Pavilion (recovery is still on-going with the third party). 

i) Councillor Dann proposed that the following transfers are ratified.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Davison and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

. 

j) 2026 Pay Award 

Councillor Dann proposed that the 3.3% Local Government pay increase is implemented for staff with effect from 1 April 2026.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Gower and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

Action:  Clerk to liaise with payroll services. 

k) Budget 2027/28

Members noted that there will be an informal meeting to review the template document ahead of formal negotiations which will take place on Saturday 10 October 2026 at 3pm in the Parish Council Chambers. 

13. Correspondence (26/088)

a) Members noted the email from NK – TalkPlanning dated 3 September 2026 in relation to the review of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.  The correspondence provides a link to the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) which forms part of the evidence base for the emerging Central Lincolnshire Local Plan and assesses sites that have been submitted by landowners, developers or other interested parties to the Council for consideration for potential residential, employment, or mixed-use development in the local plan review. Enquiries should be directed to talkplanning@central-lincs.org.uk.  Circulated by email to Councillors on 4 September 2026. 

b) Members noted the email from the Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Ltd (SAAA) dated 24 July 2026 re the new Digital Agar Portal.  Submission via the portal for 2027 will be voluntary with the expectation that it become mandatory by 2029.  Authorities using the portal in 2027 are expected to received discounted fees.  

c) Members noted an email from Peter Rogers, Environmental Protection Team Leader dated 29 July 2026.  They have not been able to establish a statutory nuisance to take enforcement action.  They are monitoring the situation on an almost daily basis and work with the Roasting Company when they receive complaints.  They need evidence that it is causing a nuisance. 

d) Members noted an email from the Corporate and Civic Team at North Kesteven District Council dated 10 August 2026.  An invitation to Chairman Councillor Collard’s Civic Service of Dedication on Sunday 27 September 2026 at 3.00pm. 

e) Members noted the email from Planning Support at NK dated 28 August 2026 in relation to the proposed erection and development of a biogas plant  in Anwick.  

14. Date and time of the next meeting/s (held in the Council Chambers unless otherwise stated) (26/089)

Committees

Finance Committee Meeting – Monday 19 October 2026 at 7.30pm

Staffing Committee Meeting – Tuesday 13 October 2026 at 6pm

Cemetery Committee Meeting – Thursday 22 October at 7.30pm

Events Working Group – Tuesday 6 October 2026 at 6pm.

Parish Council

2026

Monday 26 October 2026 at 7.30 pm

Monday 30 November 2026

Monday 11 January 2027 (Precept and Budget Setting Meeting)

2027

Monday 25 January 2027

Monday 22 February 2027

Monday 22 March 2027

Monday 26 April 2027

Monday 24 May 2027

Monday 28 June 2027

Monday 26 July 2027

AUGUST TBC

Monday 27 September 2027

Monday 25 October 2027

Monday 29 November 2027

15. Questions from the public (26/090)

A member of the public asked about the S106 monies formerly held by NK for the MUGA.  

The Acting Chair proposed that the meeting move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 to discuss a complaint received from the Monitoring Officer about Councillor’s behaviour at the April meeting of the Parish Council.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Young and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.

16. Closed Session (26/091)

To discuss a complaint received from the Monitoring Officer about Councillor’s behaviour at the April meeting of the Parish Council. 

There were no resolutions but it was agreed that the Councillors will submit a joint response to the complaint which will be drafted by Councillor Davison.  

Action:  Clerk to write to the complainant to ask him to correspond with the Parish Council via the Clerk. 

The Chair closed the meeting at 8.52pm.