Minutes and Agendas 2024

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 THURSDAY 10th OCTOBER 2024 

PRESENT: 

Councillors Geoff Hotchkin (Chairman), Julie Frizzell (Vice-Chair), George Frizzell, Rob Spencer, Mark Robinson. 

NOT PRESENT: 

Councillors Will Watts, Chris Taylor 

County Councillor Andrew Key, District Councillor Russell Jackson 

TEN MINUTE PUBLIC FORUM 

Malcolm Ternouth the Parish Council designated tree officer attended the meeting. Mr Ternouth was invited to present his recommendations about the village trees during the Agenda Item about the Village Tree Survey and as a consequence the Chairman proposed that that item be brought forward on the Agenda. All were in agreement so it was resolved to move the Tree Survey to Item 6. 

1.0 WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN 

The Chairman welcomed the Councillors to the meeting. 

2.0 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 

Apologies had been received from Cllrs Will Watts and Chris Taylor and District Councillor Russell Jackson. 

3.0 SIGNING OF THE MINUTES 

It was resolved to accept the Clerk’s notes of the last Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 11th September 2024 as true and correct minutes of the meeting. 

4.0 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES 

4.1 Helpringham Feast – The Parish Council extended their thanks to Aimee Walker for all her hard work in organising the Feast for this year. The Parish Council is keep to continue their support for the Feast and look forward to any plans put forward by the new committee once it is established. 

4.2 Grit bins – it was resolved to carry this item over to the November 2024 meeting. 

4.3 Seating by school – The Parish Council extended it’s thanks to Jackie and Pete Bourne for the restoration of their memorial bench outside the school. After a short discussion it was resolved that the other two benches outside the school will soon need replacing. Due to the cost it was agreed that this would most likely be done over two years and will be discussed again at the December 2024 meeting. 

5.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS 

No declarations were made. 

6.0 TO DISCUSS THE TREE SURVEY 

A survey of the parish trees had been carried out by the NKDC Aboricultural Technician in August and September and the report had been received by the Parish Council. 

6.1 Tree Officers Report a total of 39 trees/tree groups/areas were plotted and inspected and the report highlighted trees that needed essential or desirable work. The areas inspected were on the Sheep Dip land, Little Hale Cemetery, High Street Cemetery and the Green. 

6.2 22 Essential tree works were identified 

6.3 18 Desirable tree works were identified. 

6.4 Due to the financial implications of the works required it was resolved that an agreed process must be followed before any work was commenced. This process will be: 

• • The Clerk, working with Cllr Robinson, will obtain 3 quotes for the work. 
• • The quotes will be reviewed and the financial impact discussed. 
• • If required, a Public Meeting will be called to explain the financial impact that the work may have on the Precept and to gain the level of support from the village. 

It was also resolved that the Parish Council will seek advice from the NKDC Tree Officer about the proposed work especially that within the village conservation area. NKDC will need to be notified about any planned work on trees within the Conservation Area 6 weeks prior to the work commencing. All work will have to be carried out by a certified arboriculturist in conjunction with the NKDC Tree Officer. 

It was noted that one of the trees surveyed is the responsibility of Highways and the Clerk will report this on FixMyStreet. Two trees on the junction of George Street and Orchard Close were not included in the survey. These have TPOs and the Clerk will report these on FixMyStreet. 

It was also agreed that the cherry tree on the junction of East Street is dead and consequently resolved that it should be removed. As this is outside the Conservation Area this can be done without seeking permission from the NKDC Tree Officer. 

The Parish Council thanked Mr Ternouth for his contribution to the discussion and his continued help with general maintenance around the village trees. 

7.0 REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS 

A report had been received from District Councillor Jackson and this is attached here. 

8.0 PLANNING APPLICATIONS 

To discuss planning applications received including: 

8.1 24/0896/VARCON 156 Shepherds Lane – decision notice had been received and the planning was approved 

9.0 FINANCE 

9.1 It was resolved to accept the financial report and bank reconciliation and this is attached. 

9.2 To approve payments presented at the meeting:

9.3 Payments received:

9.4 CIL receipt for first half 2024/25 £826.37. Payment had not been received but it was resolved that it would be spent on replacement benches by the school. 

9.5 The revision of the Financial Regulation following publication of 2024 NALC model was discussed and relevant amendments made to make it correct for Helpringham Parish Council. The Clerk will bring the amended document to the November 2024 meeting for it to be approved and accepted. 

10.0 CEMETERY AND CONSERVATION AREA 

10.1 To receive the cemetery report from the Cemetery Officer Cllr G. Frizzell: 

There had been one interment during the month in plot I35. Plot L24 has now been levelled by CJP Garden Services and the invoice has been received and passed for payment. 

Payment for Invoice 48 ERB has not been received and Cllr George Frizzell will chase this. 

The Topple Test has been done and there were no issues. It will be carried out again in September 2025. 

Cllr George Frizzell also reported that he had been told by one of the grave diggers that the Hale Road Cemetery is one of the best kept cemeteries that he attends. The Parish Council would like to thank all those who contribute towards the maintenance of the cemetery, in particularly to Phil Bird for all his hard work. 

10.2 To receive the conservation area report from the Cemetery Officer Cllr G. Frizzell. 

As only one hedge cut will take place in the Hale Road Cemetery this year, it was resolved to use the money budgeted for that to clear the area around the pond. 

11.0 HIGHWAY MATTERS 

11.1 To discuss village highway matters including: 

FixMyStreet ref 2812483 – reported 16/7/24 - bollards on Station Road – this is still outstanding and more bollards have now been hit. Clerk will report once again on FixMyStreet. 

FixMyStreet ref 2818725 – reported 24/9/24 – cats eyes on B1394 Helpringham to Little Hale. Highways have stated that they do not deem it necessary to replace the cats eyes on this stretch of road. The Parish Council believe that, particularly due to the state of the road, the cats eyes are necessary. The Clerk has asked whether the white centre lines will be reinstated and is waiting a reply. 

12.0 LINCOLNSHIRE RESERVOIR 

12.1 Correspondence received re reservoir. 

A Liaison Committee meeting has been held but no Minutes have been received yet. 

13.0 TRAINING 

13.1 CiLCA – training material requirements. It was resolved that a copy of Arnold-Bakers book Local Counci Administration would be purchased at a cost of £152.00. This would be held as a Parish Council Asset. 

14.0 MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE/CORRESPONDENCE 

14.1 To discuss any other correspondence received. 

The Clerk requested that a ‘walk round’ of the village assets could be organised to ascertain their condition so that any necessary repair/replacement costs could be included in the upcoming budget. 

Quickline – correspondence had been received about proposed provision of full fibre broadband to the community. 

15.0 Date and time of the next meeting: 13th November 2024. 

The meeting closed at 9pm.