1st November 2022 - Minutes
Notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale on Tuesday 1st November 2022 at 7.30 pm.
Present: Cllrs S Poulton, N Rooke, P Ireland and J Stapleton, Mrs D Scott (Clerk)
Cllr S Ogden (NKDC) and two members of the public
102/22 Cllr Poulton welcomed all to the meeting.
103/22 Apologies for absence – Cllr A Lennox, Cllr S Tarry (NKDC) and Cllr A Key (LCC).
104/22 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – none
105/22 Notes of the previous meeting, 6th September 2022 – approved and signed.
106/22 Finance 2022-23
i. Mrs Scott had shared copies of transactions to date. The balance at Lloyds was £4,009.09, before this evening’s transactions. The balance included restricted funds of £1,534.52.
ii. Payments were approved for the Clerk £170.28 by cheque (October and November), and HMRC £39.40 (mth 7 due 19/11/22), by transfer. The direct debit payment, as previously agreed, of the Data Protection Registration fee (£35) was noted.
iii. Jubilee Event Financial Summary – a net surplus of £72.74 was noted. It was agreed that this amount be moved to restricted funds to be used for future events.
107/22 Budget 2023-24. Mrs Scott shared details of the projected spend for the current year through to 31st March 2023 and suggested figures for 2023-24 for consideration and decision on the Precept at the January meeting.
108/22 Clerk’s Report and Correspondence, previously shared by email.
- SAAA – notice of option to opt out of using the SAAA auditor for 2023-24 onwards noted, agreed not to opt out. No action required
- Updates from LALC, LCC, NKDC, YMCA, ICO - noted
- NHS Consultations - noted
- Police and Crime Office newsletter - noted
- NKDC - invitation to Code of Conduct Briefings, 28th November at 6pm-8pm – noted
- Lincolnshire Good Homes Survey – noted, link on website
- Various - Operation London Bridge - noted
- FOI Request - Information on play area expenditure – provided
- TSG – info re Bus service changes - noted
- Heckington Area Voluntary Car Scheme – AGM noted, apologies to be sent.
- Lloyds Bank Statements - noted
109/22 Policing Update
As previously the PCC Safer Together Coordinator had requested ideas for Neighbourhood Policing priorities for their next Priority setting meeting. It was agreed that a visible police presence should still be prioritised. This had not featured on published priorities so far, Clerk to respond.
An apparently abandoned car had been reported and found to belong to a resident. For information, Cllr Poulton advised that it was possible to report abandoned vehicles via the Lincolnshire Police website https://www.lincs.police.uk under the ASB link in the ‘Report’ tab.
110/22 Highways Matters
Road Closure 21st-28th November on Main Street – Cllr Key had investigated and confirmed that this was the culvert works. Signage would explain more detail nearer the time.
Potholes – noted that despite markings on the Fen, no action seemed to have been taken, please keep reporting.
Flooding – no recent issues.
111/22 Broadband – It was noted that works had recently been seen happening, with Oasis staff apparently checking the ducting in the village. It was noted that the Quickline website now said ‘actively working in your area’ and Councillor Ireland’s contact at Quickline had said that the village was included in the roll out for Heckington, Great Hale and Helpringham.
112/22 Planning Matters
- Applications – none
- Concern was raised about the minimal off-road parking offered with a property for sale on Main Road, but it was noted that this was not a planning matter – general issue to be added to next agenda.
113/22 Planning Inspectorate
- Viking Link – No update
- Triton Knoll – No update
- Ecotricity, Heckington Fen - Solar Park no update
- Anglian Water Reservoirs Project – The consultation was now underway for the site between Helpringham and Scredington, poster supplied by AW for noticeboard. It was noted that a video link had been shared on facebook. Councillors to respond as individuals, pending further information.
114/22 Phone Box and Community Defibrillator
Reporting – ongoing, thanks to the volunteer group.
Electrical Installation – As requested the EIRC had been completed.
BHF – noted that BHF was now promoting its system as the one recognised by all Ambulance Authorities. The LH defib didn’t seem to be listed. Mrs Scott to contact CHT for clarification.
Further Incident – CHT had confirmed ongoing correspondence between CHT and EMAS re changing the 999 call handlers’ script. A note had been added to the website.
Volunteers – the members of the public present kindly expressed an interest in joining the volunteer group – Cllr Poulton to provide more information.
115/22 Village Event – Since the last meeting, the Coronation date had been confirmed as 6th May with the possibility of a new (or moved) Bank Holiday on either the 5th or 8th May. An event for that weekend was suggested, possibly indoors. Mrs Scott to check availability of Parva House.
116/22 Land at Pump Lane – The Lincolnshire Coop Community Champions winter campaign application had been successful. Mrs Scott explained that between December and March the Coop would donate a percentage of its customer spend at the Heckington store to the chosen projects, including Pump Lane. There could be promotional opportunities during the period.
Work was needed to clear the ditch, Mrs Scott to share volunteers’ details with Cllr Poulton to organise a work party.
117/22 Ideas arising from the 2022 Annual Parish Meeting and possible projects for CIL Funding – further discussion took place regarding a bench, possibly for the verge near Pump Lane (possibly to be moved into the plot at a later date) Cllr Poulton to investigate durable benches Council Stapleton explained he would bring prices for the wood for the new Parish Noticeboards for bus shelter (2 outside and 1 internal). It was thought that it would be appropriate to dedicate these to mark the Coronation of HM King Charles III, as the bus shelter itself commemorated the 1953 Coronation.
118/22 Parish Council Communications
- Website – as before, photos were requested. Updates had been made.
119/22 Matters for the next meeting – Village Parking, Coronation Event, Noticeboards, Bench, other CIL projects
120/22 The Dates of Meetings for 2022-23, at 7.30pm – as agreed, 3rd Jan 2023, 7th Mar, 16th May
The meeting closed at 8.40 pm.
Agreed at the meeting held on 3rd January 2023 for signing by Cllr S Poulton