Minutes & Agendas

HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Approved Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 12th July 2023

PRESENT

Councillors Geoff Hotchkin (Chairman), George Frizzell,  Julie Frizzell and Robert Spencer and Clerk Julie Dixon. Councillor Mark Robinson joined the meeting late.

PUBLIC SPEAKING TIME

              There were 6 members of the public that attended the Public speaking time.

A report was given on the progress of the Helpringham Feast weekend;  Thanks were given to the Parish Council for the grant given towards the day. There will be lots going on for all of the family from Bouncy castles (including an adult one), Face painting, Dog show and for the first time a Tug of war competition, plus lots more!

For more information contact helpringhamfeast@outlook.com

Five members of the public joined the Public forum with concerns over trees in the Cemetery being overgrown. They presented that they had been informed by the Church warden that she had found a document proving that the cemetery is the property of the PC.  They said they wanted their trees cut back/down and that the PC should do this.

It was advised that more research is required into this matter.

1.0        WELCOME REMARKS BY CHAIRMAN

The Chairman welcomed the Councillors and thanked them for their attendance.

2.0        APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from County Councillor Andrew Key and District Councillor Russell Jackson

3.0        SIGNING OF THE MINUTES

It was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meeting of 14th June 2023 as a true and correct record.

 4.0       MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

              There were no matters arising from the minutes.

 5.0       DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS 

              There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.

6.0        REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

District Councillor Russell Jacksons report is attached to these minutes.

7.0        PLANNING APPLICATIONS

              7.1 There were no planning applications to discuss.

8.0      FINANCE

               8.1 The financial report and bank reconciliation presented by the Clerk were accepted.

               8.2 The following payments were approved.

              ** This amount differs to that of the Agenda due to a mistake by the Clerk.

9.0         CEMETERY MATTERS AND CONSERVATION AREA

              Cllr George Frizzell gave the Cemetery and Conservation area report;

9.1 There have been no interments and there are two ongoing memorial requests.

9.2 The conservation area is looking tidy and it is nice to see that the bench is being used.

10.0       CHURCH CLOCK AND PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE

              Report by Cllr George Frizzell

10.1 The church clock bells are out of sync with the actual time and seem to be chiming eleven times on each and every hour. This problem is something that Cllr George Frizzell cannot rectify and it was noted that the Parish Council is responsible for the winding mechanism and annual service only. Notwithstanding, Cllr Frizzell has frequently voluntarily assisted the Warden with the Church clock timing, but this particular problem is not something he has the expertise to assist with.  The Treasurer of the PCC was advised of this, the limit of the Parish Council’s responsibility and that the PCC would need to resolve this problem.

10.2 The Parish Council website is up to date, including information on the road closures; the HIVE club which is now running in St Andrew’s Church and the Speed sign statistics.

11.0      HIGHWAYS.

11.1 The report from the three speed cameras within the village will be uploaded onto the website and a report is to be sent to the Road Safety Partnership by Cllr G. Frizzell.

11.2 There is to be a meeting with the Highways Department on Thursday 20th July at 10:00am to discuss several problems within the village, to include the road on South Drove.

12.0       MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE / CORRESPONDENCE

                 12.1 Correspondence has been received and all topics are being investigated.

12.1.1. Work will commence, outside of the meeting, reporting back in August, regarding  how we move forward with clarifying:

• Ownership of the land that all cemeteries occupy (particularly High Street Cemetery)
• If the PC is the registered land owner, ascertain the value of the land, as this will be required for it to be placed on the Asset Register and insurance policy
• Which organisation is responsible (financially and in matter of fact) for maintenance of open and closed cemeteries
• What is mandated, desirable and optional in terms of maintenance (given the financial impact to all Council Tax payers)
• If TPOs are in place and the professional input of the NKDC Tree Officer
• What is the impact of trees/land falling within a conservation area
• Clarity on what is maintenance and what is major works
• If the land is owned by the PC, what is the financial impact to the insurance liability (again impacting on the precept)

12.1.2 The Vice Chair will lead this work in partnership with the PCC (Treasurer) and will seek specialist input and legal advice before reporting back.  Ownership of land and responsibility for maintenance are two separate issues, but both have financial consequences.   Clarity on the financial impact of this matter is essential given it could impact all Helpringham households.

12.2 It was resolved to purchase a new dog pooh bin for the Station Road footpath; Cllr J Frizzell proposed the purchase of the ‘Fido 25’ bin at a cost of £116.00. The proposal was seconded by Cllr M Robinson.

12.3 This correspondence was discussed during the public forum.

12.4 Chairman, Cllr Geoff Hotchkin, reported that the bench which is outside of the School is looking a little untidy. It was resolved to ask a local decorator for a quote to sand and re-paint the bench.

13.0       The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 9th August 2023  in Helpringham Memorial Hall and will commence at 7:30pm

The meeting closed at 8:30pm.