March 2022 Annual Report
South Hykeham Parish Council Annual report 21st March 2022
In March of last year the Parish Council was advised that North Hykeham Town Council was no longer able to continue litterpicking in South Hykeham under the service level agreement which provided for up to 10 hours per calendar month. As the Council had already formed a voluntary litterpicking initiative it was agreed that the frequency of volunteer litterpicks should be increased to every other month on the second Saturday of the month and subject to clement weather conditions. The most recent litterpick was scheduled to coincide with the Great Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean on took place on Saturday 9th April 2022 10.30am to midday. Volunteers and Councillors congregate at Beechcroft Woods where litterpicking and protective equipment is provided by the Council.
Litterbin locations are reviewed annually and new locations are identified with a view to installing a new bin there once permission has been obtained from the landowner or LCC Highways.
The Parish Council project to improve the surface of the bridleway between Ascot Way and Mill Lane has almost been completed with the final phase between Grandfield Way and Ascot Way having been put on hold. It is currently with the Rights of Way Team as the path needs to be slightly rerouted and conversations are currently taking place to resolve this. Due to the complexity of this matter the completion of the final section is likely to be a medium term project.
The Council is still waiting the installation of barriers at the Mill Lane end of the bridleway and has been chasing this up with AccessLincoln. The latest report is that they are still waiting for the contractor to give them a start date for the work which will also feature the completion of some outstanding remedial work to the bridleway. Once the barriers are installed it will provide a physical deterrent against cycling into the road and will also prevent motorised vehicles using the bridleway.
At the Parish Council meeting of 12th January 2022 after setting the budget for 2022/2023 the Parish Council unanimously agreed to a 4.08% increase and set the precept at £18,000.00. This equates to £42.96 per annum on a band D property.
The Parish Council operates a grants and donations scheme to offer some financial support on application to community organisations within the village and other organisations that provide valuable advice and support to South Hykeham Parishioners. For details of the Grants and Donations Policy and application forms/notes please contact the Clerk or the forms may be downloaded from the website. This year only one application was received from the Camaraderie Club (Royal Voluntary Service) and the club was awarded £150 for the work that they carry out to support veterans who may be suffering from isolation and loneliness.
The Council has been selected as one of Lincolnshire Co-operative Society’s Community Champions and will be working together with students from the local schools in order to design some history boards for installation at key locations which celebrate the history and heritage of South Hykeham.
The Parish Council purchased a memorial bench which was installed adjacent to the church and which has been used as the venue for a service of dedication and an Armistice Day service. Both services were led by Reverend Peter Collins with the children of South Hykeham Community Primary School being involved in the laying of poppy wreaths and crosses in the company of invited guests from the uniformed services and veteran members of the Royal British Legion.
A decision to purchase a defibrillator was made for installation somewhere in the vicinity of Newark Road/Thorpe Lane. In partnership with Mc Donalds the Council bought the defibrillator and locking cabinet and McDonalds on Gateway Park agreed to supply the power supply to the unit which it was agreed would be fixed to the outside of their building. Subsequently McDonalds very generously offered to purchase the defibrillator and locking cabinet and have now advised that they will also be paying for the installation costs as a gift to the parishioners of South Hykeham. Once installed and commissioned East Midlands Ambulance will be advised of the location so that it can be added to their network of defibrillator locations. The Parish Council is very grateful to McDonalds for their very generous gift to South Hykeham parishioners. The Parish Council is in the process of booking LIVES in order to deliver some first aid training in the use of a defibrillator and basic first aid skills for McDonalds staff, Parish Councillors and other key South Hykeham representatives.
To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee the Parish Council is hosting a Jubilee Gala which will feature traditional stalls, competitions and entertainments including a Circus skills workshop and other attractions. It will take place on the school playing field which the headteacher has kindly offered as the venue for the event and Reverend Collins and his churchwardens are busy coming up with ideas for stalls and attractions at the event which will take place on Friday 3rd June 4pm to 8pm.
In addition the Parish Council is organising a Jubilee Scarecrow Festival which will take place for the duration of the extended Bank Holiday from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June inclusive. Residents and village organisations and businesses are invited to participate by creating their own scarecrows. There will be a map of the locations for people to follow the Scarecrow trail and votes will be taken for the best scarecrow display in the view of the public who will be invited to vote for their favourite.
The Parish Council looks forward to another busy year and invites Parishioners to approach them with suggestions for ideas for new initiatives or facilities that they would like to see in South Hykeham. Suggestions can be put forward to the Parish Council for consideration by contacting the Clerk on 07762 318013 or by mail southhykehampc@gmail.com or in person at a Parish Council meeting or at the Jubilee Gala when members of council will be on hand to talk to parishioners and listen to their ideas for improving the area in which they live.