Minutes and Agendas 2025

HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL 

helpringhamparishcouncil@gmail.com 

Eau End Farm, Helpringham Fen, Sleaford NG34 0BS 

helpringham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk 

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

DRAFT MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD ON 8th JANUARY 2025 

PRESENT: 

Councillors: Geoff Hotchkin (Chairman), Julie Frizzell (Vice-Chair), George Frizzell, Rob Spencer, Will Watts, Chris Taylor, Mark Robinson. 

Clerk/RFO: Judy Pittock. 

NOT PRESENT: 

County Councillor Andrew Key, District Councillor Russell Jackson. 

TEN MINUTES 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 County Councillor Andrew Key. 

3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS 

To receive any declarations of interest and consider any requests for dispensations in accordance with the Localism Act 2011. Cllr Mark Robinson declared an interest in the planning applications received. 

4.0 SIGNING OF THE MINUTES 

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

5.0 REPORT FROM COUNTY and DISTRICT COUNCILLORS 

No reports had been received. 

6.0 CLERK’S REPORT ON MATTERS OUTSTANDING 

6.1 To check whether the village grit bins required filling – Cllr Chris Taylor agreed to check the bins and inform the clerk if any needed filling. 

6.2 NKDC – Active Travel Strategy – a response had been received to the query raised about how the strategy is expected to work in rural areas 

7.0 TREES 

7.1 One quote had been received for the work that is required on trees in the village. As a second quote is due it was agreed to carry the matter over to the next meeting. 

8.0 FINANCE 

8.1 It was resolved to accept the financial report and bank reconciliation presented by the clerk. The bank reconciliation showed that the current account would stand at £4,842.61 once outstanding cheques have been presented. The savings account stands at £20,447.06, of this £5000.00 has been reserved for future cemetery land purchases. A VAT reclaim for £592.11 has been submitted but not yet received. 

8.2 It was resolved to approve payments presented at the meeting: 

8.3 To note Direct Debit payments that have been made since 11/12/24: 

8.4 To note payments received: J E Severs invoices 52 and 53 totalling £150.00 

8.5 The Budget for 2025/26 was discussed at length and the final agreed figures are attached here. 

8.6 Following setting the Budget for 2025/26 it was unanimously resolved to set the Precept claim for 2025/26 at £19,500. This reflects the rise in general expenditure costs that the Parish is experiencing and will help cover the cost of essential tree works without significantly reducing the reserve account. Financial Regulations recommend that a Parish has sufficient funds kept in reserve to cover up to 100% of it’s annual expenditure. The Precept rise represents a £1.08/month rise for a Band D dwelling. The table below shows the increases for each Council Tax Band: 

8.7 It was resolved to allocate the following Grants applications received for 2025/26. Payment will be made in April 2025: 

• Heckington Area Voluntary Car Service - £300.00 to go towards running costs. 
• Citizens Advice Bureau - £50.00 to go towards the purchase of reference material.

9.0 ANNUAL AUDIT 

9.1 The letter of appointment of LALC to carry out the Annual Audit was unanimously approved and duly signed. 

10. PLANNING APPLICATIONS 

10.1 Application 24/1427/HOUS – 6 East Street, extension. The application was discussed, no comments were made and it was resolved to support the application. 

Notice of Decision for 24/1318/VARCON, 14 Shepherds Lane, Helpringham had been received after the Agenda had been published. It was noted that Permission had been granted. 

11.0 CEMETERY 

11.1 Cemetery Officer Cllr G. Frizzell reported that there had been two interments since the last meeting into Plots J41 and J34. The relevant invoices had been raised. Plot I20 had previously been reserved but was not longer required so invoice 048 has been cancelled. 

12 HIGHWAY MATTERS 

12.1 To discuss village highway matters including: 

• B1394 Helpringham to Little Hale – road adjacent to the Beck – it was noted that the road is continuing to collapse towards the Beck and is causing an increasing hazard to motorists. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Highways and post on FixMyStreet, expressing the Parish Council’s concern and the need for urgent action to be taken. Pictures of the collapsing road and bank will also be sent. 

• Vicarage Lane – no update has yet been received about resurfacing works.

• Highgate closure in December 2024. The Clerk had written to Highway about the issues caused by the lack of prior warning about this closure. A response had not been received by the meeting. 

• Highgate/Station Road junction – it was noted that vehicles parked close to this junction are causing increasing problems to other traffic trying to use the junction due to lack of visibility and turning room. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Highways to see if a solution can be found. 

• Station Road bridge – it was noted that recent repair work to the road on the Scredington side of the bridge has sunk and is causing a hazard and the hedges are beginning to encroach on the road. The Clerk will report this on FixMyStreet. 

• Highgate bridge – the hedges are starting to encroach on the footpaths and bridge. The Clerk will report this on FixMyStreet. 

13.0 MATTERS AFFECTING THE VILLAGE/CORRESPONDENCE 

13.1 To note any general correspondence received and discuss as required 

13.2 A Freedom of Information Request had been requested asking whether the Parish Council had had any correspondence from, been in contact or consultation with Stream Bioenergy. As nothing had been received from this company it was agreed that the Clerk could respond accordingly. 

14.0 Date and time of the next meeting 12th February 2025. 

The meeting closed at 8.35pm