February 2020 Minutes
Clerk: Carolyn Wilkinson http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/SouthHykeham
Minutes of the February meeting of South Hykeham Parish Council held on Wednesday 12th February 2020 at 7.00 pm in South Hykeham Village Hall.
Present: Councillors: Mrs Whittaker, (Chairperson), Mrs L Graham, P Driffill, D Rowson, S Roe. Carolyn Wilkinson, Clerk. Cllr M Thompson LCC, Cllr Mrs Overton NKDC/LCC and Phil Watt AccessLincoln were also present.
In Attendance: There were no members of the public present. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Public Forum: There was no public forum as there were no public present.
Action notes
1. Apologies for absence and reasons given. Apologies had been received from Cllr Mary Green NKDC, Cllr Spray NKDC and Mrs N Dillon-Jones. The Police Beat Team had also sent their apologies.
2. To receive any declaration of Interests in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and to consider members’ written dispensation requests. There were no declarations of interest given at this point.
3. Police Report The police email report had been circulated to members prior to the meeting. The priority remains for tackling anti-social behaviour at public open spaces – town and rural. Noted
4. Bridleway N Hykeham 2 improvements between Ascot Way and Mill Lane.
a) Report from Phil Watt AccessLincoln Mr Watt gave an update on likely costings for completing the project taking into account the risks identified on the risk register that may be encountered which may have an impact on the overall cost of the project. He advised that the project will also include repairs to the area of waste ground at the end of the bridleway at Mill Lane which will be repaired and reinstated as part of the project. Agenda item next month
b) To consider the financial arrangements for the Bridleway improvement project and the use of s106 planning gains from Thorpe Lane development 13/1464/FUL. Proposed Cllr Roe, seconded by Cllr Driffill and unanimously approved on a show of hands that the Clerk should submit the Council’s application for the s106 planning gains for the purpose of the Bridleway improvement project. Clerk to submit claim form to NKDC/agenda item March meeting Mr Watt left the meeting at this point.
5. District and County Councillors’ reports – for information only. Items raised for decision will appear on the agenda for the next meeting. In the absence of Cllr Spray of NKDC there was no report . Cllr Thompson LCC gave his report. Director of Public Health Annual Report A new way of interpreting data now developed by WHO which could interpret population information down to County levels was used to identify Lincolnshire's Burden of Disease. This enabled for the first time comparisons between Years of Life Lost and Disability Life Years and will help future plans to ensure adequate countywide health provisions.
This is now available to view on the Council's website at:-
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/directory-record/63956/director-of-public-health-annual-report-2019
Support to help change Your Lifestyle?
Many people see the New Year as an opportunity to make lifestyle changes, but it can be difficult to keep motivated. A wide range of support is available on the One You Lincolnshire website to help you reach your goal.
www.oneyoulincolnshire.org.uk
The Lincolnshire Healthy Weight Partnership met on 10th February and reference was made to the 9th February Radio 4 broadcast, which featured the Head Teacher of Washingborough Academy speaking about measures which the school had adopted to improve the health of pupils and which had received international interest.
Extra Funding for Highways:
The council is set to invest additional money in highways maintenance and flooding, with £14m of efficiency savings allowing it to still deliver a balanced budget. The council's executive members have approved budget proposals for 2020/21, which will now go out to consultation. Final proposals will be put before full council in February.
Cllr Green NKDC had sent an email report which had been circulated to all prior to this meeting. Nominations for the annual NK Community Champion awards are now open. Now in their tenth year the awards celebrate the hundreds of volunteers who give their time to help others in North Kesteven. To nominate head to https://www.nkawards.org The Norton Disney Rendering Plant planning application was heard by the LCC Planning Committee on 3rd February 2020 at The Bentley Hotel. They voted unanimously to reject the application. There is a new Deputy Leader of the council Cllr Ian Carrington has been appointed following Cllr Cawrey standing down from the role. Residents can now sign up to the annual garden waste service online. Visit https://n-kesteven.gov.uk/gardenwaste The restoration of Mrs Smith’s cottage in Navenby is progressing and NKDC are working together with The National Lottery Heritage Fund to bring the museum back into use after structural issues were found which closed the museum in 2012. A successful funding application has enabled the start of work on the Witham/Slea Blue/Green Infrastructure Corridor project. The project will be delivered in partnership with SKDC, NKDC, Environment Agency and the National Trust with grant funding from the European Regional Development Fund. The aim of the project is to enhance natural habitat environments, improve river flows, providing improved opportunities for footpaths and travel links as well as engagement and learning offers about the natural environment to residents and visitors.
Cllr Roe LCC/NKDC reported that there had been some £14m worth of efficiency savings with some existing LCC properties which have been out of use for a considerable period of time now having been brought back into use as residential accommodation for young people. Balfour Beatty has committed to the upgrade of several of the highways depots and is also committed to providing apprenticeships and employing local people and using local companies where they can. Several of the existing employees will be taken on by Balfour Beatty too. Rowan Smith of LCC Highways will have a local budget specifically for dealing with local issues.
6. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 8th January 2020 to be approved as the minutes of that meeting. Cllr Rowson proposed, seconded by Cllr Driffill that the clerk’s notes should be adopted as the minutes of the meeting held on 8th January 2020. It was unanimously resolved by those present at that meeting that the clerk’s notes should be approved as the minutes. Cllr Mrs Whittaker signed the minutes.
7. To consider expressions of interest for Parish Council vacancy Danker Ward and fill by co-option. There had been no expressions of interest.
8. Finance
a) To resolve to approve the payment of accounts for February 2020. Proposed Cllr Mrs Graham, seconded by Cllr Rowson and unanimously resolved on a show of hands that the payment of accounts should be approved.
Payments
County Cups Purchase of 2 community award £100.00 Trophies & engraving(debit card 10/01/20)
C. Wilkinson Salary £621.00 £629.02 Reimb of postages £8.02 (BACs 12/02/20)
HMRC Tax & NICs £52.20 (cheque no. 100550 15/02/20)
Giff Gaff Mobile monthly payment £6.00 (Direct debit 21st Feb 2020)
P Driffill Travelling expenses planning training £18.00 (BACS 12/02/20)
Total payments £805.22
b) To review the terms of engagement for the internal auditor 2020/21. Proposed Cllr Rowson, seconded by Cllr Roe and unanimously resolved on a show of hands that the terms of engagement for the internal auditor 2020/21 should be approved and Rachel Popplewell to be appointed for a further year. Council was in agreement that the next audit visit should be arranged for completion of the Annual Return in April 2020. Clerk to arrange audit meeting for April 2020
c) Notification from NKDC of s106 Planning gains for development 18/0220/FUL Clydra, 48, Thorpe Lane, S Hykeham and to consider projects that improve/maintain Off-Site POS in S Hykeham. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Roe, seconded by Cllr Rowson that the Council should apply for the planning gains in order to install play equipment on Poppyfields amenity area in the ownership of NHTC. The motion was carried with one abstention from the vote. Cllr Mrs Graham having declared a personal interest in this item abstained from the vote. Working party of Clerk and Cllr Mrs Whittaker in the first instance to look into suitable play equipment if permission is given by NHTC. Clerk to contact North Hykeham Town Council to seek permission to install play equipment on Poppyfields which is owned and maintained by NHTC /agenda item March
9. Report on issues raised at last Councillor Surgery held on 25th January 2020. Only 9 people attended the last surgery. Cllr Rowson didn’t feel that the cost of distributing leaflets advertising the surgery had been cost productive. Discussion took place and it was agreed that it would be more effective to publicise the surgeries at existing events such as the NHTC music and Christmas events where a joint Councillor stall could be hosted.
10. To consider the effectiveness of arrangements for litterpicking and grasscutting services at Beechcroft. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Graham, seconded by Cllr Rowson and unanimously approved on a show of hands that the current arrangement for litterpicking and grasscutting should be continued with NHTC provided that they could still meet the terms of the Service Level Agreement as there has been some slippage. Clerk to write to Town Clerk / Standing agenda item grasscutting/litterpicking
11. Local Government Boundary Commission for England Electoral Review of North Kesteven District Council and future warding of the Council, number of Members for each Ward and the names of Wards. After some discussion it was agreed that this should be an agenda item for March meeting for response on the Local Government Boundary Commission Portal by deadline of 16th March 2020. Agenda item for March
12. Highways matters
a) To receive Speed Indicator Device (SID) report from latest location and consider remedial action. There was no report available for this meeting. Deferred to March meeting Cllr Mrs Overton LCC/NKDC arrived at this point and gave her report. The planning application for the proposed animal rendering plant at Villa Farm, Folly Lane, Norton Disney had been considered at a well supported meeting at The Bentley on 27th January 2020. It had been refused. Cllr Mrs Overton gave an overview of the County Council Budget. She is involved in working nationally to get separate funding for social care and consideration is being given to other options in order to raise funding as there are no plans to increase taxation. She reported on a Good Neighbour scheme with funding which is enabling YMCA and Community Lincs to work with local communities and many local partners including Parish and Town Councils, churches, surgeries, shops, schools and other community organisations to develop inclusive schemes in appropriate locations. Cllr Mrs Overton left the meeting at this point.
b) Update on South Hykeham School Parking Issues and proposed site visit with Headteacher. Meeting hasn’t take place yet with Headteacher though LCC Highways has advised they are willing to meet with him to consider options for safety improvements. Agreed that Cllr Driffill should assist with facilitating the meeting.
13. Lincolnshire County Council hosted website update. Clerk booked onto training for new website.
14. Correspondence.
a) Email from NKDC re: Parish Council Register of Electors- Supply of free copies to Clerk/Members. Cllr Mrs Whittaker to deliver disclaimer form and collect on copies behalf of members.
b) Email from LCC re: Community Wildlife Grant. Noted c) Email from Lincolnshire Co-op advising of grants from the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2020. Noted
15. Nominations for LALC Training. Cllr Driffill has attended planning training at Sleaford. Handouts from the training have been emailed to all by Clerk. No further nominations/agenda item March
16. Chairman’s report. None
17. Clerk’s report. Email from NKDC RE: Environment Wardens appointed by some Parish and Town Councils. Noted
18. Parish Councillor’s reports – for information only/items raised for decision will appear on the agenda for the next meeting. Cllr Roe advised NHTC will be purchasing a Speed Gun and Speed Indicator Device. County Council have emailed a newsletter which doesn’t appear to be reaching everyone who should receive it. He will forward it to Clerk for circulation to members of PC.
19. To resolve whether the Council will move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to meetings) Act 1960 as amended by section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972 for the following confidential items. There were no matters to discuss under this heading.
Date and Time of Next meetings –Parish Council Meeting Weds 11th March 2020 7.00pm.
There being no further competent business the meeting closed at 8.27pm.