2022-23 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

South Hykeham Parish Council

Clerk: Carolyn Wilkinson Website: https://south-hykeham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/

Minutes of the February meeting of South Hykeham Parish Council held on Wednesday 8th February 2023 at 7.00pm at South Hykeham Community Primary School, Wath Lane.  

Present: Councillors: Mrs P Whittaker (Chairman of the meeting), Mrs Graham, D Rowson, P Driffill, S Roe.

Clerk: Carolyn Wilkinson. In attendance:   Cllr Mary Green, Cllr M Overton (LCC/NKDC).   

Public Forum:  There were no members of the public present so there were no matters to discuss. However, RAF Waddington Flying Officer Vicki Holley- Rowe and her colleague had attended the 10 Year Strategy meeting beforehand and spoke briefly to members of Council about the forthcoming Operation Ex COBRA WARRIOR which is taking place from 20th February to 31st March 2023.  They left the meeting at this point in order to attend another council meeting.  There were no members of the public present. Cllr Mrs Whittaker welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. To receive apologies for absence and to resolve to accept the reasons given. Apologies had been received from Cllrs  Mrs Dillon-Jones and Phillips.  Cllr Mrs Graham proposed that the reasons for absence should be accepted.  Motion seconded by Cllr Driffill and unanimously resolved on a show of hands.  Apologies for absence were also received from the Police Beat Team, and Cllr M Thompson (LCC).  Noted

2. To resolve to receive any declarations of interest 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. To receive County and District Councillors reports.  Written reports from Cllrs Green NKDC, Thompson LCC, and Overton NKDC/LCC had been circulated to members and were noted. There were no questions arising from the reports. Cllr Green reminded members that there are a number of Election briefings taking place in the District for candidates and interested clerks.  Registration can either be made online or by telephone.   There were no questions arising from her report. 

Cllrs Overton (LCC/NKDC) had sent her her written report which was noted.  She reported on the plans to reduce the current team of PCSOs in the County and advised that work was being carried out with the Chief Constable in order to retain the current numbers as their work is invaluable to our communities. She asked if council could give its own support to the retention of PCSOs.  Cllr Overton reported on the funding for the County and the expected shortfall with work being done to try and secure partnerships to deliver services.  Money for Highways is expected to be retained at its current level with more money coming forward for improved cycle links. 

Cllr Roe gave a verbal report the content of which was noted.  A Youth Offending Steering Board has been formed which looks to work with young people to stop them getting a criminal record.  They were inspected in January  and were classed as outstanding.  Marc Jones has reported that money is being moved to finance 101 and safeguarding.  As it is statutory the money has be vired from one budget to another.  Highways have been given an additional £8.5m which will be concentrated mainly on Traffic Regulation Orders.  Boundary Lane has had some repair work carried out and Thorpe Lane will be the next location. Talks are ongoing between the Church Commission and the Drainage Board with regard to the additional 3,000 houses that are planned for this area from 2027. 

Cllr Thompson had sent his apologies but had sent a written report which was noted.   Cllrs Overton and  Green left the meeting at this point as they had other meetings  to attend. 

4. To receive the Police Report.  The monthly police report had been circulated to all members of Council in advance of this meeting and was noted.  The priorities for the next 3 months continue to be tackling anti-social behaviour at open spaces (town and rural) and scams crime prevention.  The PCSOs continue to work with the mini police initiative and PCSO Julie Clark continues to promote scam awareness and is available to visit groups to give a talk.    Invitation to be invited to the police to attend the Annual Parish meeting to give a report and presentation.    Noted  

5.To resolve to adopt the clerk’s notes of the meeting of 11th January 2023 as the minutes of that meeting. Proposed Cllr  Roe, seconded by Cllr Driffill and unanimously resolved on a show of hands that the Clerk’s notes should be adopted as a true record of that meeting. Chairman signed the minutes

6. Finance. 

a) To resolve to approve the payment of accounts for February 2023. Proposed Cllr Roe, seconded by Cllr Driffill and unanimously resolved on a show of hands that the payment of accounts should be approved.         

7. Litterpicking

a) to confirm the date for the Great British Spring Clean event. Confirmed as Saturday 18th March 2023 10.30am to midday. All members were asked to attend.    Clerk/councillors to advertise/promote 

8.Highways matters:-   

a) Speed Indicator Device report from Cllr Roe. There was no report for this evening.

b) Outstanding/new highways faults requiring urgent attention. There were no new matters to report.The ongoing problem with flooding at Beck Lane remains.  Clerk to update on Fix My Street

9. Bus Shelter Newark Road, South Hykeham update.  After some discussion it was agreed that the new bus shelter initiative didn’t fit the brief for the Community Volunteer Scheme.  Clerk to notify Cllr Thompson LCC that no application would be made under this initiative.

Quotes to be sought for the demolition and removal of the old shelter and reinstatement of the plinth/should be deferred to a later meeting when the quotes for the Coronation of King Charles III and Elizabeth II are considered as there may be new plinths required for the seats.  Defer to future   meeting/agenda item for all potential minor building works relating to the proposals  

10. To consider the purchase of two village seats for installation at Newark Road and old part of South Hykeham.  On the recommendation of the 10 Year Strategy Working Party it was proposed by Cllr Driffill, seconded by Cllr Roe and unanimously approved on a show of hands that 2 new village seats should be purchased with CIL monies and installed to coincide with the Coronation.  Clerk to obtain quotations from Rolls and Scrolls for the designs in front of Council for this meeting/agenda item for March meeting

11. Planning matters

a)To consider NKDC planning applications received and respond by deadline.  Cllr Roe took no part in the discussion and abstained from the vote. 

23/0066/FUL - Nestfield 30 Thorpe Lane Demolition of existing bungalow, brick privy & garage & erection of a replacement single storey dwelling.   Proposed Cllr Mrs Graham, seconded by Cllr Rowson and unanimously resolved on a show of hands with one abstention No objection/ comments that a new and current tree report should be requested

12. Revision of Parish Council Policies

a) To resolve to approve the revised policy for dealing with press & media enquiries. Proposed Cllr Roe, seconded by Cllr Mrs Graham and unanimously resolved on a show of hands that the revised policy for dealing with press & media enquiries should be adopted.

b) To resolve to approve the revised Social Media Policy. Proposed Cllr Roe, seconded by Cllr Mrs Graham and unanimously resolved on a show of hands that the revised policy Social Media policy should be adopted.

c) To resolve to approve the revised Parish Council Protocol on Communications.  Proposed Cllr Roe, seconded by Cllr Mrs Graham and unanimously resolved on a show of hands that the revised Parish Council Protocol on Communications should be adopted.

13. To approve Councillor/Clerk’s training nominations.  There were no nominations.

14. Correspondence.

a) To consider the invitation from North Hykeham Town Council to amalgamate with them as one council.  After much discussion it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Graham, seconded by Cllr Rowson and unanimously approved on a show of hands that South Hykeham Parish Council should consult with its own residents through a parish poll on its website and through face to face community events as not everyone is able to use the internet.  The Chairman reported that due to the forthcoming elections and the Pre-Election period there is restriction on Council’s activities and so nothing should happen until after the elections and the post election settling in period. Parish Council to carry out consultation with South Hykeham parishioners after the elections/agenda item for further discussion at May meeting when a programme of consultation events will be drawn up/Clerk to investigate and to report back to the council 

15. Chairman’s report. None

16. Clerk’s report. None

17. Parish Councillors’ reports –information only/items requiring a decision will appear on a future agenda. None

18. To 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 discuss under this item.

19. To consider the report from the Clerk’s Annual Appraisal. The Clerk’s appraisal has not taken place.

Date and Time of Next meetings: –

March  Full Parish Council Meeting Weds 8th March 2023 7.00pm   

10 Year Strategy Working Party Meeting Weds 8th March 2023 6.30pm

There being no further competent business the meeting closed at 8.30pm.