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 Meeting held on WEDNESDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 2024 

PRESENT: 

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

Clerk: Judy Pittock 

NOT PRESENT: 

Councillors Chris Taylor, Will Watts, Mark Robinson 

County Councillor Andrew Key, District Councillor Russell Jackson 

TEN MINUTE PUBLIC FORUM 

No members of the public were present 

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 Chris Taylor, Will Watts and Mark Robinson, County Councillor Andrew Key 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 14th August 2024 as true and correct minutes of the meeting. 

4.0 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES 

Further to correspondence with the Helpringham Feast Organiser following her report last month, the Clerk had been informed of her intention to step down. Although the Parish Council cannot take on responsibility for running the event it was agreed to offer to temporarily hold any ‘float funds’ until a new organiser can be found. 

5.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS 

No declarations were made. 

6.0 REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS 

A report had been received from Cllr Jackson and is attached here. 

7.0 PLANNING APPLICATIONS 

7.1 Reference 24/0797/HOUS – 18 The Green, Helpringham – decision notice received and the planning was approved. 

8.0 FINANCE 

8.1 It was resolved to accept the financial report and bank reconciliation. The bank reconciliation showed that the current account would stand at £7,754.99 once outstanding cheques and receipts had been processed and the savings account stands at £20,396.17. 

8.2 To approve payments presented at the meeting: 

The invoice from LALC was received after the Agenda had been published but it was unanimously agreed to include it in the approved payments. 

8.3 To discuss revision of Financial Regulation following publication of 2024 NALC model to include clause for online banking – it was agreed to carry this over to the October meeting. 

8.4 A 3 year Contract has now been taken out with EON for the electricity supply to Memorial. 

8.5 A lengthly discussion was held about the annual Grants process. It was agreed that notices would be put up on the Parish Council website, social media and the village noticeboard inviting applications for Grants for the 2025/26 year, with applications to be received by 30th November 2024 for discussion at the December 2024 meeting. Grants will not actually be awarded until April 2025. 

8.6 It was agreed to start the process for obtaining tenders for Grass cutting in the village for the 2 year period covering April 2025 – March 2027. This will be advertised on the Parish Council website, social medial and the village noticeboard. Tenders to be received by 30th November 2024 and to be discussed at the December 2024 meeting for appointment in January 2025. 

8.7 It was agreed that the Budget should be prepared by the December 2024 meeting.

9.0 CEMETERY AND CONSERVATION AREA 

9.1 To receive the cemetery report from the Cemetery Officer Cllr G. Frizzell – it was reported the following: 

• • There had been one internment in the month in plot I38. 
• • A Memorial request had been received for plot Z4 from Lincolnshire Memorial Maintenance, Boston. This is a new company to the Parish and Cllr Frizzell confirmed that it had all the required accreditation. 
• • Cllr George Frizzell asked for approval for CJP Garden Services to level plot L24 at a cost of £25.00, this was agreed unanimously. 
• • Exclusive Burial Right 285 had been requested for plot J20 – this will be released once payment has been received. 
• • The Topple Test will be carried out before the next meeting. 

9.2 To receive the conservation area report from the Cemetery Officer Cllr G. Frizzell – it was reported that the pond area will be tidied up once the grass cutting is finished and it will be ensured that the drain is clear at that time. 

9.3 To discuss pruning of various trees in the village, including on the village green and in the conservation area – the Tree Inspection Report had not been received so this will be carried over to the next meeting. 

9.4 It was agreed that there are no possible groundwater issues in cemeteries. 

10.0 HIGHWAY MATTERS 

10.1 To receive the speed camera reports – no reports were presented and it was agreed to discuss this every other month in future. 

10.2 Vicarage Lane – following correspondence received from Lincs Highways about the state of this road it was agreed that the Clerk needs to obtain pictures to forward to Lincs Highways to show how bad it is. 

10.3 FixMyStreet ref 2812483 – reported 16/7/24 - bollards on Station Road. Update 22/7/24 – works planned. 

10.4 Temporary Traffic Order TTRO/TTR008271 – Blotoft Level Crossing 28-30/9/24 

10.5 Cllr Julie Frizzell will check the village grit bins and inform the Clerk if they need fillings. 

11.0 LINCOLNSHIRE RESERVOIR 

11.1 No correspondence had been received re reservoir. 

12.0 TRAINING 

12.1 The members of the Council were informed about the following training courses: 

• • 12/9/24 6.30pm - 30min online presentation on National Planning Policy Framework proposed changes. 
• • 10/10/24 10am – 1hr online presentation Employment Law briefing: New statutory obligations from Sep/Oct24. 
• • The Clerk had attended a Planning Training session and a CILCA Intro Session. It was agreed that the Parish Council would cover the costs for training attendance and materials for the CILCA course which will take place over the next year. 

13.0 MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE/CORRESPONDENCE 

13.1 It was agreed that the 2 seats by the school should be replaced. The Clerk is to obtain quotes. 

13.2 It was agreed that the Parish Council does not have the funds to be realistically proactive in the Climate Change Engagement. However if external funding sources is available then this may be looked at again. 

13.3 Other correspondence received: 

• • Litter picking grants – it was agreed that this was not needed. 
• • Planning on Bicker Fen for a battery storage site – a parishioner had requested that the Parish Council obtain details about the planning application for this as it is outside the NKDC area. The Parish Council agreed that they would request that the District Councillor liaises with Boston Planning Department about this matter. 

14.0 Date and time of the next meeting 9th October 2024. 

The meeting closed at 8.50pm.