Minutes & Agendas

HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Draft notes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 13th April 2022

PRESENT

Councillors Geoff Hotchkin (Chairman), George Frizzell, Julie Frizzell and Malcolm Ternouth.  Parish Clerk Julie Dixon and District Councillor Stewart Ogden.

PUBLIC SPEAKING TIME

There were no members of the public present             

1.0  WELCOME REMARKS BY CHAIRMAN

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

2.0        APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from District Councillor Sally Tarry and Councillor’s William Watts, Robert Spencer and Mark Robinson.

3.0        SIGNING OF THE MINUTES

It was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meeting of 16th March 2022 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 Geoff Hotchkin declared an interest in item 7.3.

6.0 REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

District Councillor Stewart Ogden had nothing to report.

7.0         PLANNING APPLICATIONS 

              7.1 : Application reference 22/0448/FUL

              Proposal: Erection of dwelling

              Location: Land to the rear of 3 & 7 High street

              The item was discussed and it was resolved to support the application.

              7.2: Application Reference: 22/0492/FUL

              Proposal: Conversion and extension of existing barn to form residential unit

              Location: Land off High Gate , Helpringham

              The item was discussed and it was resolved to support the application.

              7.3: Application Reference: 22/0358/FUL

              Proposal: Change of use of existing building to create one dwelling

              Location: The Maltings, Station Road, Helpringham

              The item was discussed and it was resolved to support the application.

8.0         FINANCE

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

              8.2 The Clerks pay rise was discussed and resolved in line with NALC guidelines.

              8.3 It was resolved to appoint LALC as the internal auditor for 2021/22 financial year after the sad news that last year’s auditor Carol Mackenzie has passed away.

              8.4 The following payments were approved at the meeting.

9.0         CEMETERY MATTERS AND CONSERVATION AREA

Councillor George Frizzell reported that there has been 1 interment this month. There are three exclusive rights of burial being processed.

Two benches have been placed in the Cemetery temporarily, one is awaiting a base at the Conservation area around the pond and will be moved as soon as this can be arranged.

The grass cutting around the cemetery and the village in general is to an exceptional standard.

Cllr George Frizzell was approached by a resident to ask if the frontage to their property could be mowed, it was explained that residents frontage are their own responsibility and unfortunately the Parish Council cannot accommodate this request.

10.0       CHURCH CLOCK AND PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE

The Church clock is running approximately 2 minutes fast.

 The website is up to date running well.

11.0       HIGHWAYS.

11.1 It is disappointing that the proposed starting date for the Station Road footpath of 14th March has passed by over a month with no work being commenced. County Councillor Andrew Key has advised that according to Rowan Smith at the Highways department the project is still scheduled to go ahead, however the Parish Council is yet to receive official notification of this.

The Parish Council continue to press for this work to be completed.

11.2 Following unplanned disruption with the closure of Highgate for three days, which was caused by work being undertaken by Anglian Water, it was reiterated that we as a Parish Council must be notified of such closures so as to be able to publish on the website to minimise disruption to residents.

12.0       MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE / CORRESPONDENCE

              12.1 The Queens Platinum Jubilee

Councillor Malcolm Ternouth reported on the preparations for the upcoming celebrations of HM The Queen’s platinum jubilee. There is a small committee of people working as a team to provide celebrations on the Green. This is going to be in the form of a Picnic on the Green with tea and coffee provided and maybe a slice of cake!

There are to be commemorative pins given to all children who live in the village.

The Parish Council has pledged up to the sum of £1000,00 towards the celebrations.

Chairman Cllr Geoff Hotchkin thanked Cllr Ternouth and the team for their hard work in the preparation for this unique celebration.

Helpringham Memorial Hall will be having an exhibition by the History Society on both the Saturday and Sunday celebrating Helpringham in the 1950s and Royalty.

12.2 Speed Awareness

It was resolved to re-commence the speed awareness scheme shortly, however there is a desperate need for more volunteers to come forward for training. Please contact the Clerk if you could give up just a few hours of your time, it would be much appreciated.

13.0       MATTERS OF URGENCY /ANY OTHER BUSINESS

              There was no matters of urgency or any other business.

14.0         DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday  11th May 2022 in Helpringham Village Memorial Hall commencing at 7:00pm with The Annual Parish Meeting and followed at 7:30pm by the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.

All welcome to attend