Minutes & Agendas

HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Approved Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 8th March 2023

PRESENT

Councillors Geoff Hotchkin (Chairman), George Frizzell, Mark Robinson, Robert Spencer and Parish Clerk Julie Dixon.

PUBLIC SPEAKING TIME

Mrs Aimee Walker attended the public forum to advise that she is the new organiser of the Feast on The Green. The first committee meeting will be held in the Brass Windmill public house on Saturday 18th March and is open to all. New committee members, volunteers and stall holders are all encouraged to attend. Aimee can be contacted on the following email helpringhamfeast@outlook.com

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 Cllr Julie Frizzell, Cllr Malcolm Turnouth, Cllr William Watts and District Councillor’s Stewart Ogden and Sally Tarry.

3.0        SIGNING OF THE MINUTES

It was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meeting of 8th February 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 

Cllr Mark Robinson made a declaration of pecuniary interest in item 7.1 and left the room while this item was discussed.

6.0         REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

There were no reports from District Councillors as they are now in Purdah pending forthcoming local elections.

7.0        PLANNING APPLICATIONS  

              7.1 Application number 23/0155/Varcon

              Proposal: Application to vary condition 6 and 7 of previous plans

              Location: 14 Shepherds Lane Helpringham NG34 0RU

              The application was discussed and it was resolved that there were no objections to this variation.

7.2 Application number 23/0174/PNND

Proposal: Conversion of agricultural buildings into two dwellings.

Location: Top Barn Yard off Swaton Road Thorpe Latimer

This application was for information only.

   8.0      FINANCE

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

               8.2 The following payments were approved.

                8.3  T J Bookkeeping has resigned from completing the monthly pay roll on behalf of the Parish Council. We would like to extend our thanks to them for their work in the past.

Following discussion and two quotations it was resolved to engage the services of Little Audit, Station Road  Heckington.

                 8.4  A grant application has been received on behalf of the Feast on The Green

It  was resolved to accept this and payment will be honoured in the new financial year.

                   8.5  A request for a donation has been received from the Citizens Advice Bureau. After

Consideration, it was resolved by the Councillors that the Clerk should send a grant application form, thereby to proceed through the same channels as all other applied grants.

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 just one ERB produced.

9.2 Thank you to Tom Robinson for fixing the bench at the pond onto its plinth.

10.0       CHURCH CLOCK AND PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE

              Report by Cllr George Frizzell

10.1 The Church clock is running around 2 minutes fast at the present time.

10.2 It was resolved to accept a further three year renewal for the servicing of the Church clock at a cost of £603.00 + VAT

10.3 The Parish Council website is up to date, including information on the forthcoming Parish Council elections.

11.0      HIGHWAYS.

11.1 Station Road footpath still remains a matter of grave concern due to traffic driving on the verge of the footpath and therefore depositing mud onto the footpath. The Parish Council are very much hoping that the Highways Department will come and view this as soon as possible as requested.

11.2 The Parish Council are happy to report that the hedge overlapping the Station Road bridge has now been cut back making it safer for all. Thanks to Cllr George Frizzell for pursuing this.

12.0       MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE / CORRESPONDENCE

12.1 Three speed reduction indicators have now been received at a cost of £7740.00 and it is hoped will be erected week commencing 27th March.

12.2 Discussions took place surrounding the Coronation of King Charles iii and it was resolved that the Parish Council will not be commemorating this event, however would be happy to support any villagers who wished to set up a steering group around this momentous occasion.

12.3 As per last month, It has been brought to the attention of the Parish Council that certain dog owners in the village are not using the receptacles provided for the disposal of dog waste; Instead, placing in bags and hanging from trees or builders scaffolding. PLEASE use the bins provided or take your dog waste home.

There are plenty of bins around the village, although it was presented that there is not one on Station Road. This will be discussed at the next meeting, whether a further bin should be purchased.

12.4 Please note that it is the Local Council elections in May including Parish Councils.  Should you wish to stand as a Councillor, you must complete a nomination form and return to NKDC offices in person by 4th April. Forms can be found by visiting NKDC website ‘Parish/Town Council candidate information’ or by visiting the Parish Council website. Please note to be eligible to vote, all voters must be able to provide ID

12.5 The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 12th April 2023  in Helpringham Memorial Hall commencing at 7:30pm.

The meeting closed at 8:15pm.