Minutes and Agendas 2024

HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL 

helpringhamparishcouncil@gmail.com 

Eau End Farm, Helpringham Fen, Sleaford NG34 0BS 

helpringham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Approved Minutes for The ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on WEDNESDAY 8th MAY 2024 

PRESENT: 

Councillors Geoff Hotchin, Julie Frizzell, George Frizzell, Rob Spencer, Chris Taylor, Mark Robinson and Will Watts 

Clerk: Judy Pittock 

NOT PRESENT: 

County Councillor Andrew Key, District Councillor Russell Jackson 

1.0 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN 

The Clerk took the Chair for this item. Cllr Chris Taylor proposed that Cllr Geoff Hotchkin be elected as Chairman, this was seconded by Cllr Julie Frizzell. All were in agreement, Cllr Hotchkin accepted the position. 

2.0 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN 

Cllr Geoff Hotchkin proposed that Cllr Julie Frizzell be elected as Vice-Chairman, this was seconded by Rob Spencer. All were in agreement and Cllr Julie Frizzell accepted the position. Cllr Hotchkin thanked Cllrs Julie and George Frizzell for all the support they had given him over the past year. 

3.0 COUNCILLORS DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE 

The new Chairman and Vice Chairman completed and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office forms which were witnessed by the Clerk. 

4.0 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 

Apologies were received from County Councillor Andrew Key. 

5.0 COMPLETION OF GDPR COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST BY ALL COUNCILLORS AND CLERK 

All Councillors and the Clerk completed the GDPR compliance forms. 

6.0 SIGNING OF THE MINUTES 

6.1 It was resolved to accept the Clerk’s notes of the last Annual Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 17th May 2023 as true and correct minutes of the meeting. 

6.2 It was resolved to accept the Clerks’ notes of the last Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 11th April 2024 as true and correct minutes of the meeting. 

7.0 APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS 

It was resolved that the Clerk should be the primary point of contact for all village groups. 

8.0 DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND DISPENSATION FORMS 

The completed forms were handed to the Clerk. 

9.0 TO REVIEW PARISH COUNCIL POLICIES AND STANDING ORDERS

Cllr George Frizzell stated that these are available for all to view online and that they are all still valid so no changes were required. He proposed that the adoption date should be updated. Cllr Chris Taylor seconded this and all were in agreement. 

10.0 PLANNING APPLICATIONS 

10.1 23/1463/FUL – Top Barn Yard, Thorpe Latimer – decision, planning passed. 

10.2 24/0494/FUL – Erection of 1 dwelling on site of previous barn, land adjacent to 21 High Street, Helpringham – no comments were made and the Parish Council supports the application. 

10.3 24/0296/RESM 16 Shepherds Lane, Helpringham – decision, planning passed. 

11.0 FINANCE 

11.1 It was resolved to accept the finance report from Responsible Finance Officer and it is attached.

11.2 It was resolved to accept the accept the following Direct Debit payments for 2024/25: 

 11.3 It was resolved to approve payments presented at the meeting.

11.4 Discussion was held about the three quotes that had been received for the insurance renewal due as of 1st June 2024: 

• A J Gallagher (existing insurer) £1058.65 
• Zurich – standard Parish Council package £363.00 - It was agreed that this package did not give enough cover for the Parish Assets. 
• Zurich – tailored quote - £1196.40 or a three year package at £1105.58 pa 

After discussion it was proposed that, subject to the Pinfold and the speed signs being correctly covered, the tailored, three year quote from Zurich should be accepted. Although not the cheapest this will mean that the cost of cover remains the same for the next three years. All were in agreement. 

11.5 CIL receipts for year 2023/24 - £139.60 had been received and this had been put towards the cost of a dog waste bin. The Clerk will complete and return the relevant form as required. 

11.6 Review Asset Register for year to 31th March 2024 - it was resolved that the following amendments should be made: 

• Remove the church clock winding mechanism 
• Add the speed gun and community speed awareness kit. 

12.0 CEMETERY AND CONSERVATION AREA 

12.1 Cllr G Frizzell reported that there had been one internment of ashes in the preceding month and it was confirmed that Sleaford Coop Funeral Services had paid the relevant invoice. The memorials v18 and U18 are still ongoing. 

Discussion was then held about the current Cemetery Fees. Cllr George Frizzell proposed that they are kept at their present rates for the 2024/25 year and that they are reviewed at the March 2025 Parish Council Meeting. All were in agreement. It was also agreed that no changes were needed for the Cemetery Rules and Regulations. 

12.2 Cllr G Frizzell reported that the level of the pond water had dropped and that the drain now needs a basket covering the entrance to prevent the accumulation of leaves etc in the drain. It was agreed that a working party needs to be organised to clear the debris and foliage from in and around the pond. 

13.0 CHURCH CLOCK 

13.1 The church clock winding mechanism has now been handed over to Helpringham PCC and acknowledgement of this received. 

13.2 The Clerk had contacted Smith of Derby to cancel the service contract for the church clock winding mechanism and, as a gesture of goodwill, they had sent a credit as the contract was only 6months old. The Clerk confirmed that this had been received. 

14.0 PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE 

14.1 Cllr George Frizzell confirmed that the Parish Council website was up-to-date. 

15.0 HIGHWAYS MATTERS 

15.1 To receive the speed camera reports – no current information was available. 

15.2 To discuss other Highways issues including: 

• FixMyStreet – 9/2/24 Ref: 492776 - Blocked drain near Blotoft Crossing. Update 29/2/24 – Works issued. 
• FixMyStreet – 13/2/24 Ref: 493535 – Bollards on Station Road. Update 5/4/24 – work  complete. 3/5/24 – Clerk added note that at least 2 bollards are still missing. 
• FixMyStreet – 26/2/24 Ref: 496100 – Blocked overflow for village pond. Update 12/3/24 

work issued – work complete. 

• FixMyStreet – 26/2/24 Ref: 496101 – Pothole on North Drove by Walnut Tree Farm Update 18/3/24 work issued – 8/5/24 work complete. 
• FixMyStreet – 15/3/24 Ref: 499185 and 499213. Update 25/4/24 Work complete. 
• FixMyStreet – 2/4/24 Ref: 2801674 – Potholes from Barnes Farm to South Drove Farm – work complete. 
• FixMyStreet – 2/4/24 Ref: 2801686 – Missing sign to Billingborough on junction of Highgate and High Street. Update 4/4/24 Ongoing. 
• Red Bridge damage – Clerk to take pictures of damage and email them to Rowan Smith 

15.3 Lincolnshire Moves – Cllr George Frizzell agreed to complete the Lincs County Council survey into their Traffic Management Policy for the county. 

15.4 To discuss any other Highway matters – no other matters were discussed. 

16.0 RESERVOIR 

A new artist’s impression of the reservoir had been released. Comments were made that this did not give a realistic impression of the height and impact of the banks, nor did it show any of the infrastructure that will be associated with the reservoir. 

17.0 MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE and other CORRESPONDENCE 

17.1 ‘We Are Watching You’ dog waste notices – these have now been put up in 4 places around the village. 

17.2 Parish Council Engagement Session NSK – 25th June 2024 – Clerk to forward this to Cllr Mark Robinson. 

17.3 Community Resilience Plan – Swaton. It was agreed that this should be forwarded to the village hall and church. 

17.4 NKDC Climate Change Member Champion – it was resolved not to take part but to as to be kept informed. 

18.0 Date and time of the next meeting – 12th June 2024 at 7.30pm 

The meeting closed at 8.50pm