February 2024 - Minutes
HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
helpringhamparishcouncil@gmail.com
Eau End Farm, Helpringham Fen, Sleaford NG34 0BS
helpringham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk
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Approved Minutes for Meeting held on WEDNESDAY 14th February 2024
PRESENT
Parish Councillors Geoff Hotchkin (Chairman), Julie Frizzell (Vice Chair), George Frizzell (Cemetery Officer), Robert Spencer, Chris Taylor, Will Watts and Clerk Judy Pittock
Councillor Russell Jackson - District Councillor NKDC
Councillor Andrew Key – Lincoln County Council
TEN MINUTE PUBLIC FORUM
Malcom Ternouth was present in his capacity of Tree Warden and presented his report about trees in the village and litter picking. Of the five trees planted in commemoration of the Jubilee, three have survived but unfortunately the Sorbus and Walnut by the cemetery have died. It was unanimously agreed that these should be replaced – Mr Ternouth had a Sorbus available and the Parish Council will discuss the purchase an additional tree to replace the walnut at the Parish Council Meeting on 13th March 2024.
It was noted that the other Walnut tree in the cemetery that is dying ought to be felled – Cllr George Frizzell will check what state it is in before a decision is made. The Cherry tree on the corner of East Street has also died and the Clerk will report this on FixMyStreet as it may be Lincolnshire Highways responsibility to remove it.
The last NKDC tree officer’s report mentioned removing ivy from trees. Mr Ternouth has done much of this already and will be removing the ivy from the trees on the corner of George Street this summer. The Parish Council were happy for this to be done and thanked Mr Ternouth for his continued work.
With respect of litter picking – not much has been done over the winter but he will recommence soon. Village Litter Picking Days will be added to the Agenda for the March 2024 meeting.
Once again the Parish Council thanked Mr Ternouth for his continued work around the village.
1.0 WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman welcomed the Councillors to the meeting.
2.0 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
No apologies for absence were received however Councillor Mark Robinson did not attend the meeting.
3.0 CONFIRMATION OF CLERK’S CONTRACT
The Councillors unanimously agreed to confirm the Clerk’s contract and award a payrise to Spine 15, £14.45/hr, to be backdated to the Clerk’s date of appointment, being 12th October 2023.
4.0 SIGNING OF THE MINUTES
It was resolved to accept the Clerk’s notes of the last Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 17th January 2024 as true and correct minutes of the meeting.
5.0 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
A letter had been received from Caroline Johnson MP with regard to the query raised about planning.
6.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS
Councillor Taylor declared an interest in the Parish Noticeboard refurbishment.
7.0 REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Councillor Russell Jackson submitted a report which is attached to the Minutes here.
Councillor Andrew Key reported that the main current items under discussion are Budgeting, Devolution, Flooding and Roads. General discussion was held about these matters.
8.0 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
8.1 24/0106/HOUS Danum House, 10 Station Road, Helpringham – no comments were made and the Parish Council agreed to support the application.
9.0 FINANCE
9.1 The financial report and bank reconciliation presented by the Clerk were accepted.
9.2 To following payments were approved:
|
Clerk's Wages |
Jan 24 |
£ 219.60 |
No VAT |
|
|
HMRC |
£ 54.93 |
PAYE Jan24 – amended to incl late payment interest |
No VAT |
|
|
LALC |
Inv 14431 |
£280.68 |
Annual Membership |
No VAT |
|
LALC (inv received after Agenda published) |
Inv 14603 |
£30.00 |
Councillor Induction Course |
£5.00 VAT |
|
Memorial Hall (inv received after Agenda published) |
Invoice |
£36.00 |
Hall Hire Dec23 Jan & Feb24 |
No VAT |
10.0 CEMETERY AND CONSERVATION AREA
Cemetery Officer Cllr G. Frizzell reported that there had been no internments during the past month and that Memorials U18 and B18 were still ongoing.
The conservation area pond is currently full.
11.0 CHURCH CLOCK AND PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE
11.1 To receive the report for the Church clock – Councillor George Frizzell had investigated the problem with the church clock not working a number of times over the past month. He had found that the weight for the Bells appeared to have detached itself, and the automatic winding mechanism for the Bells was not working and it appears and sounds as though the motor is failing. The automatic clock winding mechanism (which is separate from the Bells) appeared to be working OK and rewinding itself Cllr Frizzell has made the mechanism safe and had raised the issue with the Church Warden as any repairs are a PCC and not a Parish Council cost. It was agreed to write to the PCC and suggest that Smith and Derby are called out to assess the problem and to remind them that any resulting invoice should be submitted to the PCC.
11.2 Councillor George Frizzell reported that the Parish Council Website was up to date.
12.0 HIGHWAY MATTERS
12.1 It was reported that no speed camera statistics had been submitted this month.
12.2 To discuss other Highways issues.
- FixMyStreet – 19/1/24 Ref 489638 – Potholes on Scredington Rd, Helpringham to Burton Road turning. Update 19/1/24 – Work issued to highways delivery gang.
- FixMyStreet – 9/2/24 Ref: 492776 - Blocked drain near Blotoft Crossing. Update 13/2/24 – Works planned.
- FixMyStreet – 13/2/24 Ref: 493535 – Bollards on Station Road. Update 13/2/24 – work issued to delivery gang.
- Clerk to raised road sweeping and the annual path clean on FixMyStreet.
12.3 Meeting with Rowan Smith – It was agreed that the Clerk should confirm this meeting for 7th March and that the following areas in particular should be discussed:
- Station Road near Ambler House and Knott Hall.
- Vicarage Lane surface works and drain issues.
- The Fen roads including Engine Drove.
- The road through Burton Pedwardine to the A17.
13.0 LINCOLNSHIRE RESERVOIR
Charles Campion has been elected as Chair for the group.
14.0 BEACON FEN ENERGY PARK
Information received was passed around the Council members and it was agreed that no comments would be made.
15.0 MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE/CORRESPONDENCE
15.1 Village Noticeboard refurbishment – this will be done before the March 24 meeting. Referring to Minute 14.1 of the meeting held on 9th November 2023, it was agreed that the cost would be no more than £300.00.
15.2 Dog waste – it was agreed to purchase 5 x ‘We are Watching You’ signs.
15.3 Community Resilience Plan (flooding) – a notice about this will be put on both the Parish Council and village Facebook pages . It was agreed to have a village meeting on Wednesday 13th March 2024 at 6pm (prior to the Parish Council Meeting), all are welcome but the Clerk will specifically invite member of local groups.
15.4 Parish Council Engagement Session on Road Safety 20th February 2024 – Councillor Geoff Hotchkin will attend if he is able to.
15.5 Waste Crime – information received had been distributed to the Councillors.
15.6 Councillor Will Watts raised two queries:
- Allotments in Swaton – it was suggested that the availability of plots be shared on the Helpringham Village Facebook page.
- Shock Sleaford had been in touch about putting a defibrillator in Thorpe Latimer. After some discussion it was agreed that one by Helpringham Primary School or the village shop would be a good idea. Councillor Watts will look into this further.
15.7 Correspondence had been received about combatting fraud and the clerk had ordered the free information pack that had been offered.
16.0 The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 13th March 2024 at 7.30pm.
The meeting closed at 9.05pm.