Minutes & Agendas

Approved Minutes of the Meeting held by Zoom at 7.30pm on Wednesday 5th May 2021

PRESENT

Councillors Geoff Hotchkin, Julie Frizzell, Mark Robinson, George Frizzell, Malcolm Ternouth, William Watts and Robert Spencer.  Parish Clerk Julie Dixon and  District Councillor’s Sally Tarry and Stuart Ogden.

PUBLIC SPEAKING TIME

There were no members of the public in attendance. 

1.0 WELCOME REMARKS BY CHAIRMAN

The Chairman welcomed everybody and thanked them for their attendance.

2.0         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

3.0 SIGNING OF THE MINUTES

It was resolved to adopt the minutes of the meeting of 14th April 2021 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 

Councillors Robert Spencer and Mark Robinson declared pecuniary interest in the planning discussions that followed, with The Chairman Councillor Geoff Hotchkin declaring an interest in the Manor Farmhouse.

6.0 REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

District Councillors S. Tarry and S. Ogden had nothing to report due to the fact that they are still covered by Purdah due to the upcoming Local Elections, however will give us an update on NKDC before the next meeting.

7.0          PLANNING APPLICATIONS 

Planning Application 21/0573/LBC was received on the morning of the meeting.

Proposal: Proposed reconstruction of the Western (front) elevation incorporating tie bars and lime stabilised earth mortar and rubble fill and repair/replacement of the over-roof structure.

Location: Helpringham Manor Farmhouse, The Green, Helpringham, Sleaford. NG34 0RJ

The above proposal was discussed and resolved that the Parish Council is in support of the application.

21/0120/FUL Erection of stables on land off George Street.

Upon looking through planning applications on the NKDC portal, it was discovered that the above application has had changes made to the plans that the Parish Council were not made aware of. Upon the Clerk questioning this with NKDC she was informed that the changes were “too minor” for consultation.

The view of the Parish Council is that there are still some outstanding issues of concern, not least to the impact on the building development on Shepherds Lane; due to smell, flies and manure heaps being in close contact to the proposed dwellings.

It is thought that the Environmental impact has been potentially overlooked and that out of courtesy and transparency the Parish Council should have been re-consulted. This has been taken up with District Councillors Sally Tarry and Stewart Ogden and an email sent to the Planning department at NKDC.

8.0         FINANCE

8.1    The financial report presented by the Vice Chairman was not available due to not having yet received the bank statements, however it was noted that overall nothing has changed since last month and the Parish Council are in a good position financially..

8.2    The bank reconciliation was unavailable due to the above..

8.3 The purchase of more dog waste/general waste bins was discussed and it was resolved to purchase three Glasdon Jubilee bins.

8.4 After advice was taken following the concern regarding amphibians within the pond, it was resolved to accept the quote received from CJP Garden Services for the clearance of the village pond area to be carried out in November/December when ground cover is at its lowest and no chance of disturbing nesting birds etc. It is felt that this will ensure provision for the resident wildlife and furthermore help to encourage more species.

8.5 We are pleased that Carol Mckenzie has agreed to act as Internal Auditor for the 2020-2021 year.

8.6 The Parish Council has received a request from Lincolnshire Lowland Search and Rescue for a donation of £10.00. This is an organisation run by volunteers who assist the emergency services in the search for missing children and missing vulnerable people. The group has volunteers from all over Lincolnshire and Humberside and receive no government funding for equipment or training.  

It was resolved to donate the sum of £50.00 to this very worthy cause.

8.7 The Clerk has received payment slips for the payment of HMRC direct however, the Clerk will be guided by TJ Bookkeeping in the amounts to be paid.

8.8 The following payments were approved at the meeting.

9.0   CEMETERY MATTERS

9.1    Councillor George Frizzell, reported that the annual Topple Test has been completed along with the risk assessment and the Clerk has a copy of these for the records.

9.2    A request has been received and approved for the removal of a headstone for re-inscription.

9.3    Cemetery fees and rules and regulations are published on the website and will need to be re-evaluated and approved at the Parish Meeting.

10.0       CHURCH CLOCK

The Church Clock appears to be running around three minutes fast at the moment, Councillor George Frizzell will correct in due course.

11.0       HIGHWAYS.

It was reported that we appear to be being ignored by our local MP, although multiple correspondence has been sent, we have received no response from Dr Caroline Johnson’s office following the  latest letters regarding the concerns expressed over the state of the roads in the surrounding area.

12.0       MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE / CORRESPONDENCE

12.1     It was resolved to accept the kind offer of a local family to replace the old bench outside of 15 High Street with a new one in memory of Ken and Linda Bassett.  A picture of the proposed new bench was supplied.

12.2     Due to Government regulations meaning that Parish Council meetings are no longer allowed by zoom after the 7th May, face to face meetings were discussed at length and it was resolved to hold the June meeting in the village hall on 23rd June which will be post Coronavirus restrictions.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE 26TH MAY WHICH WILL BE THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING FOLLOWED BY THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL NOT AS STATED ABOVE in item 12.2.

13.0       DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 26th  May 2021 in the Helpringham Village Memorial Hall at 1930 hours.