2020-21 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Clerk: Carolyn Wilkinson

Minutes of the February  meeting of South Hykeham Parish Council held on Wednesday 10th February  2021 at 7.00 pm held remotely and convened under The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

PRESENT: Councillors: Mrs P Whittaker (Chairperson),  Mrs L Graham,  P Driffill, and Mrs N Dillon-Jones.

Carolyn Wilkinson, Clerk.

IN ATTENDANCE:  Cllrs M Thompson LCC was in attendance.

Public Forum:    There was no public forum as there were no public in attendance.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. Apologies for absence and to resolve to accept the reasons given.   Apologies had been received from Cllr Rowson .   Cllr Mrs Graham proposed, seconded by Cllr Mrs Mrs Whittaker and unanimously resolved on a show of hands that the reasons for absence should be accepted.

Apologies had also been received from the Police Beat Team, John Richardson, Headteacher  South Hykeham Community Primary School and Phil Watt AccessLIncoln.

Cllrs Mary Green and Marianne Overton advised after the meeting that they had experienced difficulties in joining the meeting as had Cllr Driffill who joined the meeting at agenda item no. 3.

2. To resolve to receive any declaration of Interests in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and to consider member’s written dispensation requests.   There were no declarations of interest at this point.

3.  Notes of the remote Parish Council meeting held on 13th January 2021 to be approved as the minutes of that meeting.  Cllr Driffill arrived at this point having had difficulty in joining the meeting. Proposed Cllr Driffill, seconded by Cllr Mrs Graham and unanimously resolved on a show of hands by those present at the last meeting that the Clerk’s notes should be approved as the minutes of the meeting held on 13th January 2021.

4. County and District Councillors reports  for information only.  Items raised for decision will appear on the agenda for the next meeting.

Cllr Mary Green had sent an email report which had been circulated to all members.

Covid-19 vaccinations are continuing to roll out, focussing on protecting the most vulnerable in our communities. First dose appointment invitations to all over 80 year-olds in the county are almost completed.  Anyone aged 80 years or older who has NOT yet been called to arrange their first dose vaccination appointment  is asked to contact their GP practice to ensure their contact details are correct and that they are invited in.

Anyone under 80 years does not need to call. They will be contacted in due course as efforts continue to work through the national priority group order.

It is now confirmed that local elections will take place on 6th May 2021.

Census 2021 is 21st March.  This will be a digital-first census where people are encouraged to fill it in online. By taking part in the nationwide survey of housing and the population, residents can make a real difference in ensuring we get the best level of funding and services locally for North Kesteven and Lincolnshire.  Households will receive a letter with a unique access code in the post, allowing them to complete theirs online. Paper questionnaires will be available on request.

 £40,000 Community fund for Covid response groups - NKDC together with Lincolnshire Community Foundation are working to ensure financial support reaches those vital groups, charities and organisations which deliver services and combat hardship including economic, social or health impacts caused by the pandemic.

Priority will be given to groups who support one or more of the following groups of people: older people, families with young children, people with physical or learning disabilities, people with mental health needs and people on low income.

The closing date for applications is 12th February 2021. Contact Sue Fortune on 01529 305825 or download details from the LCF grants page.

Fly tipping remains a big concern please report any instances on Fix my Street.

Cllr Mike Thompson reported there is a full County Council meeting due next week.

The rendering plant application goes to regulation and planning with a recommendation for approval.  Cllr Thompson reported that there has been a complaint by a resident that a utility/drain cover on the newly resurfaced bridleway has been covered over by soil and there have been some issues caused by flooding/standing surface water  onto the bridleway.

Clerk to raise with Phil Watt for discussion with contractors

Cllr Marianne Overton had sent an email report on NKDC and County Council News which had been circulated to all members prior to this meeting.    Amongst other matters it outlined the grants to support local economies and funds for councils.  The elections will feature County and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections and in some places there will be by-elections.

In the absence of Cllr Roe there was no report.

5. Police report.    In the absence of the Police Beat Team a written report had been circulated.

The priority of tackling anti-social behaviour on public open spaces in North Hykeham and the rural villages remains.   Warning of fake NHS test messages circulating advising public of their eligibility for Covid-19 vaccine.   The scammers are coercing people into disclosing personal or financial details.

6. Bridleway N Hykeham 2 improvements between Ascot Way and Mill Lane update.     There had been no further update from Phil Watt AccessLincoln although it appears that the work has finished between Mill Lane and Grantfield Way.  The Clerk had passed an enquiry from the headteacher to Phil Watt regarding the possibility of installing a barrier at the Mill Lane end of the bridleway over concerns about safety of children crossing at this location.

Clerk to contact Phil Watt for update

7.  Finance 

a)  To resolve to approve the payment of accounts for February 2021.   Proposed by Cllr Mrs Graham  seconded by Cllr Mrs Dillon-Jones and unanimously resolved on a show of hands that the payment of accounts for February  2021 should be approved.

b) To resolve to purchase Parish Council tablet and associated data SIM card/contract.  Cllr Mrs Graham presented this item having done some research and had produced some options for a 10” or an 8” iPad on a 2 year contract with Three.Co.UK.  After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Whittaker, seconded by Cllr Mrs Graham that the 10” Lenovo with 20GB of data per month at £12 should be ordered with a further one off payment of £29 upfront for device.    Unanimously approved on a show of hands.

Action: Clerk to place order/ Cllr Mrs Graham to set up device

8. To consider the application for donations 2021.

Letter from Citizen’s Advice Mid Lincs.  Donation of £300 proposed by Cllr Mrs Dillon-Jones, seconded by Cllr Driffill and unanimously approved on a show of hands.

Action: Clerk to arrange

b) Letter from LIVES Lincolnshire.  Donation of £300 proposed by Cllr  Mrs Dillon-Jones, seconded by Cllr Driffill and unanimously approved on a show of hands.

Action: Clerk to arrange 

9. Update on LCC Highways initiatives to improve safety at South Hykeham Community Primary School.

No update.

Agenda item next meeting

10. Highways matters:-

Speed Indicator Device report from Cllr Roe.

No report

b) Outstanding/new highways faults requiring urgent attention.

No report

11. Litterpicking and grasscutting reports.  Report of excessive litter between Pennells and Poppyfields.  

Action: Clerk to ask NHTC to arrange litterpick by their operatives and add to hotspot list

12. To consider proposal from LCC Highways officer re: Highways contribution 13/1464/FUL Land at Thorpe Lane and installation of pedestrian crossing/upgraded bus shelter at Thorpe Lane, South Hykeham.  After some discussion Cllr Thompson suggested that the Clerk contact the Highways Officer and thank him for the upgraded bus shelter proposal but in light of the new development planned on Thorpe lane the Council feels a pedestrian crossing is the preferred option due to increased traffic generated by the new developments on Thorpe Lane and related safety concerns.

Clerk to contact Highways Officer

13. Response from landowner re: Land at Beechcroft Close in ownership of developer and maintained by South Hykeham Parish Council.   In absence of Cllr Roe there was no update.

14. To approve the revised Social Media Policy.  Proposed Cllr Mrs Graham, seconded by Cllr Mrs Dillon-Jones and unanimously approved on a show of hands that the revised Social Media Policy should be adopted as recommended in the internal auditors mid-term report. 

15. To approve the revised policy for items to be published on the Website and Parish Noticeboards.   Proposed Cllr Mrs Graham, seconded by Cllr Mrs Dillon-Jones and unanimously approved on a show of hands that the revised policy for items to be published on the Website and Parish Noticeboards should be adopted 

16. To consider the arrangements for the Annual Parish meeting.   Proposal by Cllr Mrs Dillon-Jones, seconded by Cllr Mrs Graham and unanimously approved on a show of hands that the Annual Parish meeting takes place at 6.30pm on Weds 14th April 2021 followed by the April full council meeting.  At the moment it would appear that the meetings should be convened remotely under the current legislation so Council agreed to abide by the recommendations of LALC and NALC. 

17. Correspondence. 

Email from Oaks Resident Management re: maintenance of grass verge frontage.   Cllr Thompson LCC reported that the concerns of residents have been acknowledged by Highways Officer LCC and are currently in hand.  Cllr Thompson has advised the residents accordingly.  It was noted that the standards highways cut is only 1 metre from the road and only up to 3 cuts per year.

The Highways reactive division is looking into this matter. 

b) Email from NHTC re: quotes for Poppyfields play equipment.    Council considered the two designs for play equipment in front of them and agreed that either would be acceptable and they had no particular preference.

Clerk to advise NHTC

18. Nominations for LALC Training.     Reminder of importance of training given by Chairman.  No nominations at this point in time. 

19.  Chairman’s report.  The Chairman raised concerns about the parking of vehicles on the verge at the car wash at Boundary Lane and the associated damage to the verge.  Cllr Thompson advised that the damaged verge should be reported on Fix My Street and Highways may consider taking enforcement action if they are able.

Clerk to report on Fix My Street

20.Clerk’s report.    The Clerk advised members that the Council’s adopted 10 year Strategy was now due for review and would be an agenda item for the next meeting.  Members were asked to submit ideas for projects/initiatives for discussion at that meeting with a view to inclusion in the revised document.

Suggestions be sent to the Clerk prior to the next meeting 

21.  Parish Councillor’s reports – for information only/items raised for decision will appear on the agenda for the next meeting.

No reports. 

22. T o consider moving 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 confidential items.  There were no matters to consider under this heading.

Date and Time of Next meeting –Parish Council Meeting Weds 10th March 2021 7pm. 

There being no further competent business the meeting closed at  8.17pm