Minutes and Agendas 2025

HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL 

helpringhamparishcouncil@gmail.com 

helpringham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk 

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CLERK’s NOTES FOR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 11th DECEMBER 2025 

PRESENT: 

Councillors: Geoff Hotchkin (Chair), Julie Frizzell (Vice-Chair), George Frizzell, Steve Waterfield, John Pittock 

Clerk/RFO: Judy Pittock 

Cllr David East 

NOT PRESENT: 

Cllr Mark Robinson 

TEN MINUTE PUBLIC FORUM 

No members of the public were present. 

129/26 WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN 

The Chair welcomed the councillors to the meeting. 

130/26 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 

Apologies were received from Cllr Mark Robinson and it was resolved to accept them. 

132/26 SIGNING OF THE MINUTES 

It was resolved to accept the Clerk’s notes of the last Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 12th November 2025 as a true and correct record. It was also resolved to accept the corrected minutes of the meeting held on 2nd October 2025. 

133/26 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011. 

There were no declarations of interest. 

 134/26 REPORT FROM COUNTY and DISTRICT COUNCILLORS 

A written report from Cllr Jackson was received and is attached. 

Cllr David East updated the Council on the LetsTalkLincolnshire website and Lincolnshire County Council’s proposal to introduce a recycling scheme for unwanted but functioning items, aimed at reducing waste, encouraging recycling and strengthening community engagement. He also reported on the proposed closure of Station Road from 15–17 December 2025 for pothole repairs, noting that no prior notification had been sent to the Parish Council. It was resolved that the Clerk should write to LCC Highways expressing the Council’s disappointment at the continued lack of advance communication when planning road works. 

135/26 CLERK’S REPORT 

The Council noted the following actions since the last meeting: 

• Remembrance Memorial Maintenance – Cllr Pittock had contacted English Heritage regarding cleaning the name plaques and awaits further guidance. Subject to English Heritage approval, it was resolved that Cllr Pittock may clean and, if permitted, lacquer the plaques to prevent future corrosion. 
• Little Hale Road Cemetery Gates and Old Cemetery Railings – It was resolved that the Clerk obtain three quotes for repairs and investigate possible funding sources. 
• ParishOnline – clerk’s email address – The application has been submitted. Further information will be circulated once the new address is active. 
• Speed awareness sign battery – It was resolved that Cllr George Frizzell investigate the ongoing battery issue with the Station Road sign and that up to £200 may be spent on a replacement if required. 
• Bin and seats – Cllr Robinson has confirmed installation will take place over the Christmas period. 
• Christmas Tree – The Council discussed purchasing a rooted tree to replace the current one on the village green once removed. It was resolved that the Clerk contact the NKDC Tree Officer regarding permissions, as the green lies within the conservation area, and liaise with the Christmas Tree Committee. Members agreed that the current tree looks excellent. The Clerk will also confirm with Cllr Robinson whether the lights have a timer, as they appear to remain on throughout the day. 

136/26 POLICIES FOR REVIEW 

It was resolved to adopt the following the Co-Option Policy. The IT Policy will be reviewed further. 

137/26 COUNCILLOR VACANCY 

One application was received for the vacancy created by the resignation of Chris Taylor. Although the applicant, Adam Young, could not attend the meeting, it was unanimously resolved to co-opt him onto the Council. Cllr Hotchkin will contact him with a welcome, and the Clerk will issue the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, Register of Interests form, and associated guidance documents, including the Code of Conduct. 

138/26 FINANCE 

138/26.1 It was resolved to accept following documents presented by the RFO for the period 1/4/25-11/12/25: 

• Bank reconciliation 
• Actual v Budget Figures

138/26.2 It was resolved to approve payments presented at the meeting: 

138/26.3 The following Direct Debit payments since 12/11/25 were noted: 

138/26.4 The increase in Unity Trust Bank charges from 1/2/26 from £6/month to £7/month was noted. 

138/26.5 The condition of the village assets was reviewed following a physical check carried out on 20/11/25. The updated Asset Register is attached. It was resolved that: 

• Responsibility for repair to the Pinfold Gate and hinge be established; 
• Cllr Pittock will approach Neil Yarwood about repairs to the notice pinboard and lettering; 
• The radar gun and associated equipment be sold; 
• The Mountfield mower be written of as it is beyond economic repair; 
• The litter pickers be written off; 
• Cllr Hotchkin will confirm how many ‘We Are Watching You Signs’ he has in storage. 
• Clerk will report the damaged East Street street name sign on FixMyStreet. 

138/26.6 Grant applications were received from Heckington Area Voluntary Car Service and the local Citizens Advice Bureau. It was resolved to defer decisions until the January meeting and request further information from Citizens Advice regarding usage by village residents. 

138/26.7 The Council reviewed financial reserve allocations. It was resolved that: 

• CIL funds of £2,671.14 would be transferred to the savings accounts and earmarked accordingly. 
• £3000.00 be earmarked for future cemetery land purchase; 
• £1000.00 be earmarked for possible future election costs; 
• £1000.00 be earmarked for future major tree maintenance. 

138/26.8 It was resolved to accept the draft budget presented by the Clerk/RFO. This is attached. The provisional Precept requirement for 2026/27 is £20,580, representing a 3.05% increase in the Parish Council portion of Council Tax. The annual and monthly increases per tax band are shown below: 

139/26 INTERNAL AUDIT 

It was resolved to appoint Victoria Clark as the internal auditor for 2025/26. 

140/26 CEMETERY 

Cllr George Frizzell reported no interments since the last meeting. An ashes interment is due to take place in January in Plot J11; the Clerk has issued the invoice. Memorials for Plots I37 and J12 have been completed, and work on Plot L24 is now also complete. An update was given on the request for ashes interment in Plot G18, with a solution now expected. 

141/26 HIGHWAY MATTERS 

To discuss Highway matters including: 

• FixMyStreet ref 2853416 24/8/25 – Sixteen bollards remain on the ground on Station Road. Both the Clerk and Cllr East will pursue a more durable solution. 
• Proposed TRO Highgate/Station Road junction – Cllr East confirmed that this has now been approved and yellow lines will be put in place in due course. 
• FixMyStreet ref 8507564 5/12/25 – potholes on Engine Drove, Helpringham Fen – now awaiting action. 
• Vicarage Lane – road patching has been completed, surface dressing is planned for 2026. 
• Vicarage Lane street light – it was resolved that this light should be reinstated. 

142/26 MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE/CORRESPONDENCE 

To discuss correspondence received and other matters affecting the village including: 

142/26.1 Village Matters: 

• Speed awareness – the report from Staying Alive Lincolnshire was noted. 
• Lincolnshire Reservoir Community Liaison Group – It was resolved that the Clerk request that Cllr Pittock join the group. The Clerk will also enquire whether a memorial is planned to mark the bomber crash site currently under excavation. 
• Grass cutting – It was resolved that Cllr George Frizzell ask CJP Garden Services to tidy the Station Road verge, with costs covered by this year’s budget. A quote will also be requested to include the verge in the 2026/27 cutting schedule. 
• Community Resilience Group – no new information, carry over to the next meeting. 

142/26.2 Correspondence: 

1/12/25 – Giant Circle of Trees Project – It was resolved to explore replacing the dead tree on East Street through this scheme. 

28/11/25 – Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Lincolnshire – ongoing, nothing new to report. 

27/11/25 – Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner – Crime and Policing Survey – Cllr Julie Frizzell completed the survey and expressed disappointment with its content. 

25/11/25 - Beacon Fen Energy Park notice re proposed change to the DCO application – this was noted. 

24/11/25 – Lincolnshire County Council – County Views survey – Not completed due to the requirement for an email address (therefore not anonymous). 

21/11/25 – LALC Newsletter – noted. 

143/26 Date and time of the next meeting – Thursday 15th January 2026 commencing at 7pm. 

The meeting closed at 9.06pm 

All meetings will be held in the Memorial Hall, Helpringham.