Minutes & Agendas

HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL 

Approved Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 14th December 2023 

PRESENT 

Councillors Geoff Hotchkin (Chairman), Julie Frizzell, George Frizzell, Robert Spencer, William Watts, Chris Taylor, Clerk Judy Pittock 

TEN MINUTE PUBLIC FORUM 

One member of public was present and the Vice Chair took the minutes for this item. 

A request was made for litter/dog waste bins to be installed at the bottom of South Drove and on North Drove due to the increased amount of dog waste appearing at the bottom of the fen and also to encourage Network Rail staff in particular to dispose of their litter more responsibly. It was agreed to add this to the January 2024 Agenda for further discussion. 

AGENDA 

1.0 WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN 

The Chairman welcomed the Councillors to the meeting. 

2.0 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mark Robinson, however everyone was reminded that the correct protocol is to direct apologies to the Clerk prior to the meeting. 

3.0 SIGNING OF THE MINUTES 

To resolved to accept the Clerk’s notes of the last Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 9th November 2023 as true and correct minutes of the meeting. 

4.0 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES 

There were no matters raised from the previous minutes. 

5.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS 

Robert Spencer expressed a percuniary interest in planning item 23/0925/VARCON 

6.0 REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS 

No reports were presented 

7.0 PLANNING APPLICATIONS 

7.1 23/1260/FUL – BoreHole Farm, South Drove – it was unanimously agreed to support this application 

7.2 23/0925/VARCON Land to the rear of ‘Hawkesbury’ 29 George Street, Helpringham – two Councillors attended the public planning meeting held on 12th December 2023 and the report following report was given to the Councillors: 

Further to a number of residents voicing concerns over this application variation, and following on from presentations in Public Speaking time at previous meetings, the Vice Chair attended the NKDC Planning Committee together with one other Councillor (observing) and spoke on behalf of the Council. The Objector’s agent spoke first, then the Vice Chair, then the applicant. Individuals were not permitted to speak other than 

in response to direct questions, which was disappointing given the number of factually inaccurate statements made by the applicant about the PC processes, individual councillors, and their families. The Parish Council unequivocally refute the falsities and would draw attention to several sets of minutes where correct procedure is minuted, and is a matter of public record. We would like to take the opportunity to reassure residents that the Parish Council will continue to make representation on behalf of residents and that we do follow up on matters that are raised in Public Speaking time. 

7.3 23/1455/HOUS – extension 9 Ladbroke Close, Helpringham - it was unanimously agreed to support this application 

7.4 23/1002/HOUS – 22 High Street, Helpringham – planning decision had been received but only to paint the exterior rather than render. 

7.4 FOI Request – The Vice Chair had sought information from NKDC regarding the number of planning applications approved following parish councils’ objecting. After some correspondence, a small sample was eventually disclosed showing that, of the applications objected to by a parish council, NKDC had nevertheless approved them all. It was noted that the response did not include Helpringham PC cases. . 

8.0 FINANCE 

8.1 It was unanimously agreed to accept the financial report and bank reconciliation 

8.2 It was unanimously agreed approve the payments to be made at the meeting

8.3 Norton Antivirus invoice from previous meeting – after further research the Clerk reported that the request for payment of this invoice had been a scam. No payment had been made or taken. 

8.4 CIL – the Clerk had checked with NKDC and they had confirmed that the £106.77 CIL payment had been made twice in error. The Council was therefore due to refund the amount of £106.77 and this was included in the month’s payments. 

8.5 Budget 2024/25 – this was discussed and it was agreed to carry this forward to the January 2024 meeting. In the meantime the Clerk and Vice-Chair would work further on the figures. 

8.6 Precept 2024/25 – it was agreed to carry this forward to the January 2024 meeting when the 2024/25 Budget would be agreed 

9.0 CEMETERY AND CONSERVATION AREA 

9.1 The Cemetery Officer Cllr G Frizzell reported the following: 

 There had been no internments during the month. 

 The I42/I44 memorial is ongoing. 

 A memorial request had been received for U18/V18 and an invoice subsequently raised. 

Maintenance – the hedging and overhanging trees had been pruned in the Old Cemetery and a letter of thanks received from an adjacent resident. 

 The Old Cemetery – Commonwealth War Graves status has now been recognised and a sign erected. 

10.0 CHURCH CLOCK AND PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE 

10.1 Cllr G Frizzell reported that the clock is currently running fast but he will ensure that it is correct in time for Christmas. 

10.2 Cllr G Frizzell reported that the Parish Council Website is up to date and that he will be archiving a number of the old Minutes – these will still be accessible if required. 

11.0 HIGHWAY MATTERS 

11.1 Speed camera reports – these were not available for this meeting. The cameras have not been working intermittently and the reason for this is being investigated. 

11.2 Other Highways issues: 

 The pothole on Station Road was filled in on 14th December 2023. 

 The Clerk had requested an update from Rowan Smith, LCC Highways, re the meeting that had been held in the summer to discuss the state of the village and fen roads. Although an acknowledgement of receipt had been received, no reply had been forthcoming to date. 

11.3 Temporary Traffic Regulation Order TTRO/TTR00521 – Blotoft Level Crossing 5/12/23 – this was acknowledged. 

12.0 LINCOLNSHIRE RESERVOIR 

A page has now been dedicated on the village website so that everyone can be kept uptodate on these works. All relevant links to further information will also be included. 

13.0 MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE/CORRESPONDENCE 

13.1 Village Noticeboard refurbishment – it was agreed that this would be completed by the end of January 2024. 

13.2 Online banking – the Clerk has applied for access to this and is awaiting approval 

13.3 Autumn village and cemetery clear up – this has now been completed. With reference 

to the yew tree it was agreed that the paper that Cllr J Frizzell wrote regarding trees in the village should be shared as this clarifies responsibilities. 

13.4 Grass Cutting Tender – CJP Gardening Services are happy to the variation in their contract which enables them to continue for a third year, however they have stated that a 10% increase in their charges will be required for that period. All were in agreement to accept this. However the Grass Cutting Tender process will be included on the Agenda for September 2024 in preparation for the Contract renewal in March 2025. 

13.5 LALC Training 

 The Clerk had completed the first Clerk’s training day on 29th November 2023 and will complete two more sessions in February 2024. 

 Cllr Taylor to attend the nest New Councillor Training in February 2024.(new councillor training) 

 Clerk is to order the books that were recommended by LALC. 

13.6 Donations/Grants 

It was unanimously agreed to carry this over to the January 2024 meeting. 

13.7 Hiscox Risk Academy – it was agreed that it wasn’t necessary to join this. 

13.8 Devolution in Greater Lincolnshire – information to be displayed on the village and Parish Council Facebook pages and on the Noticeboard. 

to the yew tree it was agreed that the paper that Cllr J Frizzell wrote regarding trees in the village should be shared as this clarifies responsibilities. 

13.4 Grass Cutting Tender – CJP Gardening Services are happy to the variation in their contract which enables them to continue for a third year, however they have stated that a 10% increase in their charges will be required for that period. All were in agreement to accept this. However the Grass Cutting Tender process will be included on the Agenda for September 2024 in preparation for the Contract renewal in March 2025. 

13.5 LALC Training 

• The Clerk had completed the first Clerk’s training day on 29th November 2023 and will complete two more sessions in February 2024. 
• Cllr Taylor to attend the nest New Councillor Training in February 2024.(new councillor training) 
• Clerk is to order the books that were recommended by LALC. 

13.6 Donations/Grants 

It was unanimously agreed to carry this over to the January 2024 meeting. 

13.7 Hiscox Risk Academy – it was agreed that it wasn’t necessary to join this. 

13.8 Devolution in Greater Lincolnshire – information to be displayed on the village and Parish Council Facebook pages and on the Noticeboard. 

14.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING 

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 17th January 2024 in Helpringham Memorial Hall and will commence at 7.30pm 

15.0 DATE and TIME FOR MEETINGS IN 2024 

14th February 2024 

13th March 2024 

10th April 2024 

8th May 2024 

12th June 2024 

10th July 2024 

14th August 2024 

11th September 2024 

9th October 2024 

13th November 2024 

11th December 2024