SOUTH HYKEHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Adopted 12th January 2022
Mission statement of South Hykeham Parish Council
The Parish Council is committed:
To helping to create a socially inclusive and caring community which embraces all residents regardless of age, gender, race or religion.
To ensuring the Parish Council communicates well with the residents, understands their needs and contributes to and leads in providing a representational voice for the Parish in order to give residents the opportunity to influence their future by working with other parishes, agencies and appropriate partners.
To managing the Parish Council’s assets and finances effectively and efficiently to achieve best value.
To applying for grant monies where appropriate in furtherance of Parish Council responsibilities.
To introducing and improving amenity provision to a high standard and maintaining in good order to meet the needs of the community.
To preserving the heritage and rural environment of the Parish and to enhance where appropriate.
To continuing to campaign for the future of South Hykeham as a stand-alone Lincolnshire village.
General
1. Quality Services
The Parish Council provides a number of services to the local population. It will seek to ensure that these services meet the needs of the local population and that they represent value for money. The Council values and promotes the involvement of residents in its decision making process and is fully committed to engaging with residents on all issues of importance.
2. Encourage Partnership/Sponsorship Approach and Funding
The Parish Council is one of many organisations working within the Community. The Council will encourage and welcome investment of both time and resources by other partner organisations to help achieve our objectives.
The Parish Council will endeavour to work with the County and District Councils and with the business, community, voluntary bodies, our local Member of Parliament, and local organisations to work jointly for the benefit of the community.
3. Employment
The Parish Council would seek to support and increase the number and range of employment opportunities found within South Hykeham.
4. Law and Order
The Parish Council will continue to actively work with the Police and other enforcement agencies to reduce anti-social behaviour and criminal activity within the village and the surrounding area.
5. Public Services
The Parish Council will seek to protect the local services and will liaise with the County and District Councils and other agencies which may be able to assist in securing a good level of provision in partnership for the residents of South Hykeham.
6. Recreational facilities
The Parish Council is committed to increasing recreational activities for all age groups and in particular its priority is to provide, following engagement with young people, parents, schools, youth organisations and other interested parties to improve the amenity provision in South Hykeham.
The Parish Council would like to explore the opportunities for installing a Christmas Tree in the vicinity of the Church and would like to host an annual event in the form of a carol service/switching on of Christmas lights.
7. Highways
The Parish Council recognises that highways issues are of considerable concern to local residents and will press for highways improvements and traffic calming schemes to be introduced particularly in the vicinity of the village school, Boundary Lane and Thorpe Lane/Newark Road. The Parish Council would like to look into improving the footpath access to South Hykeham Primary School and will continue to campaign for an early solution for improved road safety/traffic calming measures on the approach and in the vicinity of the school.
The Parish Council will actively encourage the use of alternative forms of transport and seek improved public transport in order to attempt to reduce the number of vehicles on the local roads. It is keen to replace the existing bus shelter on Newark Road in the vicinity of Thorpe Lane as the current brick built shelter attracts anti-social behaviour and is unused but with a new clear Perspex design shelter it would be better suited to the site and would encourage increased usage of public transport.
There is already an urgent need for infrastructure improvements particularly on Boundary Lane and Newark Road in the vicinity of Thorpe Lane to accommodate the increase in traffic that is expected from the housing and business developments that are planned in South Hykeham. The Parish Council will continue to campaign for all such infrastructure improvements both within the Local Plan context and as a matter of course. The Parish Council will continue to support the completion of the Lincoln bypass including both the Western and Southern elements.
The Parish Council had previously identified a need for improvements to the surface of Public Bridleway N Hykeham 2 which runs between Ascot Way and Mill Lane, North Hykeham.
The almost completed, improved bridleway surface has filled in a noticeable gap at this key rural location and the residents of both North and South Hykeham now have a safe, suitable route which they can use to access a whole range of services and which provides support to local businesses and employers without the need to always travel by private transport or cycle or walk along unsuitable roads. This project has almost reached completion and was financed through sourcing grant and matched funding opportunities. The completion of this project is imminent with the exception of the Ascot Way to Grandfield Way section which will be completed once agreement has been reached between LCC and the landowner.
The Parish Council will seek to raise the profile of the Cycle Hire Station situated on Newark Road with a view to seeking further provision in partnership with AccessLincoln for the installation of a floating bike station at a suitable location in South Hykeham. The aim being to further improve the cycling links between the two communities of South Hykeham and for sustainable travel to and from Lincoln. It would also provide additional amenity value for visitors to take advantage of the improved bridleway for cycling, walking and riding opportunities.
8. Raising the profile of South Hykeham
Events in partnership with other village organisations and agencies will be promoted and publicised.
The Parish Council would like to celebrate the heritage and rural environment of the Parish and to enhance by installing history boards and other appropriate street furniture at suitable locations in the Parish. The Parish Council will continue to host an annual Armistice Day service in November.
The Council would like to facilitate improved engagement with the local schools through the Annual Parish Council Community Award scheme and in activities such as joint litterpicks, tree and wildflower planting and competitions to design publicity to promote the Parish Council’s priorities to improve the environment. The Parish Councillors would like to visit the schools with invitations to be extended to attend a Parish Council meeting to see the first tier of local government in action.
9. Public Relations
The Parish Council will develop communications with local residents with regular articles in the Witham Herald and by disseminating information through its web site, newsletters and through articles in the local press/ radio and social media.
The Parish Council will continue to appoint representatives to serve on outside organisations and will endeavour to consult with residents for their views on the services it should provide.
10. Major Developments
The Village has been identified in the Local Plan for considerable expansion. The Council will seek to ensure that the major new developments that already have planning permission enhance the village and will seek assurance that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support any new development.
The Parish Council will continue to pursue s106 open space planning gains and Community Infrastructure Levy gains to further improve the amenity value of South Hykeham.
The Parish Council recognises that the parish of South Hykeham will continue to expand and that it must seek opportunities to expand the services and amenities that the Parish Council provides.
Council is committed to seeking opportunities to provide a village office/hub that parishioners may visit to engage with their Parish Councillors and from which Council services be administered. This hub should be a focal point for village organisations to meet and will provide for additional amenity space for hire.
11. Individual Developments
The Parish Council will seek to ensure that new developments are in keeping with the rest of the village and that highway and other infrastructure issues are considered.
12. Nature Conservation Sites
The Parish Council, working in partnership with Community Groups and voluntary organisations will look to develop and preserve areas identified as leisure and amenity areas balancing the demands of recreation and conservation. Tree and wildflower planting initiatives will be investigated and where possible subject to suitable projects and permission being granted will endeavour to engage with the schools and local residents to achieve this.
13. Annual Report/Newsletter
The Parish Council will publish an Annual Report and submit monthly newsletters to the Witham Herald summarising its activities.
14. Review of Strategy
This Strategy will be reviewed annually to ensure that the Council’s priorities reflect those of the local residents.