The winners of the 49 club

national lottery bonus ball draw for the weeks 18th January to 15th February were as follows. Each winner receives £25

Sat 18th Jan  Sheila Barnes
Sat 25th Jan  Rosemary Bailey
Sat  1st Feb   Andy Brecken 
Sat  8th Feb  Michael Hartly
Sat 15th Feb Frank Bailey 

All proceeds go to the Memorial Hall

HECKINGTON AREA VOLUNTARY CAR SCHEME

HAVCS are looking for drivers to take patients to hospital and doctor’s surgeries. Do you have a few hours to spare a week to do this worthwhile job? 45p per mile is paid. Contact Richard Higgs on 460027. The voluntary car scheme is for patients who do not have access to a car of their own or are unable to drive due to illness. The telephone, 460809, is operated from 8.30 am to 10 am Monday to Friday and there is an answer phone service after 10 am. Do not ring the drivers.

VILLAGE GREEN

It has come to the attention of the Parish Council that cars are being parked on the Village Green at evenings and weekends causing damage to the grass surface. The Parish Council asks that this practice be discontinued at once.

 

What is CallConnect Bus Service?                                                    

CallConnect is a unique bus service whose timetable is not fixed but responds to passenger requests. This means its routes are different each day depending on the bookings made by passengers.  Journey requests can be made by telephone, online or by SMS text message. The service is designed to improve transport opportunities in rural communities and some market towns where there is an infrequent conventional bus services.                                                                                                 

 Who can use CallConnect?                                                              
Everyone! All are welcome to use the service regardless of age or status. You can use the service as frequently as required for anything from shopping or travelling to work or school to a social event or medical appointment. Even if you are on holiday in Lincolnshire and need a bus, contact our booking office and find out how we can help you.                        

How do I book a journey?                                                                      
You can book a CallConnect journey by calling our booking team on 0845 234 3344. When requesting a bus journey, have your membership number and journey details ready. You can also submit your travel requests online or via SMS text messages. You can make a booking up to seven days in advance. You can also request same-day journeys but please give a minimum of one hour’s notice. All bookings are subject to availability.    

Fares                                                                                                        
The amount you pay to travel depends on your journey. Each service area is divided into zones – the further you travel, the more you pay. Booking office staff can tell you the cost of your journey so that you can have the correct fare ready. Children aged under 5 travel free with an accompanying adult. If you hold a valid concessionary bus pass due to age or disability, you can use it on CallConnect buses. Passes issued outside Lincolnshire are accepted during off-peak travel (after 9.30am).                

Opening and Operating Times                                                      
CallConnect operates 7am-7pm, Monday-Friday, and 8am-6pm on Saturdays. Details of any local variations are available from the booking office. The booking office is open from 8.30am-7pm, Monday-Friday; 8.30am-5pm on Saturday; and closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.          

Need a little help?                                                                                   
Our vehicles are fitted with low-floor steps and tail-lifts to ensure they are as easy as possible for everyone to use. Wheelchair users must inform us of the make and model to ensure it meets our safety standard of being impact-tested. Travel in a wheelchair is subject to availability and approval.

 

 

 

MEMORIAL HALL NEWS

2014 has started off with a bang with the awful flooding and storms and we must all feel so sorry for those who have suffered so much in other parts of the country, let’s pray that the worst is over.
March sees the first Memorial Hall event of the year with our Spring Craft Fair on Saturday 29th. We hope you will all come along and visit the café and stalls. It will be open between 10am and 3pm. If you would like a stall at £7.50 please contact Laraine on 421110, as we have spaces at present.
The Committee is planning more refurbishments over the year and your support of our events will help us to carry these out.
Don’t forget the Hall is there for your use and our clubs would all welcome your support. Private bookings are always welcome.
The Committee would also welcome any of you who would like to volunteer to help in any way with the work of the Memorial Hall; just contact one of the Committee or Laraine.
Looking forward to seeing you all at the Memorial Hall soon.

To hire the hall for all your functions, weekday rates are £6.50 per hour for clubs
and £11.00 per hour for fund raising and weekends, plus £10.00 for use of the
kitchen and £10.00 for use of the bar.
Hire of Conference Room £6.00 per hour
Daily Hire of complete Hall £140.00
These prices include heating or air conditioning.
For Bookings please telephone Mick 421853 or Laraine 421 1 1 0

Mon. 3rd	Vitality	1.30. p.m.
Tues. 4th	Arts and Crafts Ballroom Dancing	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Wed. 5th	South Lincs Shadows Music Club	7.30. p.m.
Thurs. 6th	Lunch Club Ballroom & Sequence Dancing for Beginners	12.30p.m. 6.30. p.m.
Fri. 7th	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Sun. 9th	CHILDREN’S PARTY
Mon.10th	Vitality	1.30. p.m.
Tues.11th	Arts and Crafts Ballroom Dancing	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Wed. 12th	Petticoat Club Parish Council	7.30. p.m. 7.30. p.m.
Thurs. 13th	Ballroom & Sequence Dancing for Beginners	6.30. p.m.
Fri. 14th	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Tues. 18th	Arts and Crafts Ballroom Dancing	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Wed. 19th	HECKINGTON HERITAGE	8.30am-2.p.m
Thurs.20th	Lunch Club Ballroom & Sequence Dancing for Beginners History Society	12.30p.m. 6.30. p.m. 7.30. p.m.
Fri. 21st	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Mon. 24th	Vitality	1.30. p.m.
Tues. 25th	Arts and Crafts Ballroom Dancing	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Wed. 26th	Gardening Club	7.30. p.m.
Thurs. 27th	Ballroom & Sequence for Beginners	6.30. p.m.
Fri. 28th	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Sat. 29th	SPRING CRAFT FAIR	10-3.00p.m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enquiries re Baptism, weddings etc. should be made to The Reverend Chris Harrington on 01529 460904.
For other Church queries in Helpringham please contact John West on 421871

NEWS FROM THE PEWS

Chance to choose the service pattern that you want.
An opportunity has arisen to provide a church service every week at St. Andrew's Church, and the PCC would like to seek the opinion of the village community as to what sort of service provision would be most beneficial.  
At present there are only 3 services each month, at different times. In the future we would like to be able to offer a service every week at the same time so that everyone knows when the church meets. To canvas village opinion there is a loose leaf sheet with various questions on it in this magazine. There is the opportunity to choose which time every week would be preferred - 9.30am, 11am, 6pm or some other time.  Within this new weekly pattern we would also like to provide a wider variety of worship styles so that although the service would be at the same time every week it wouldn't be the same style.  Again there is the opportunity to indicate which type of service you prefer and would be more likely to attend. It might be Holy Communion, it may not.  We don't want to assume what sort of services people want. So do please take a few minutes to fill in the questionnaire and return it either to the church or to our church wardens Marian & Vince Stocking at 10 Ladbroke Close (421395) 
Church Open
From 1st April the church will be open every day during daylight hours so that villagers can enjoy a quiet time of prayer or contemplation and visitors can enjoy the beauty of the church interior and its peace.
St Andrew's Church AGM
The Church AGM will be held in the church on 27th April at 7pm
Easter Lilies
Donations towards the Easter Lilies in the church will be gratefully received by Irene Foster (421680).
Services at St Andrew's Helpringham in March
9th March at 4pm,   16th March at 9.30am,  23rd March at 11am.
HECKINGTON & HELPRINGHAM GROUP OF PARISHES
Saturday 1st March
7.30pm Great Hale Church - St David's Day concert featuring the Helpringham Group Choir.  Tickets are £7 including buffet supper and available from Ann Ireland (460418).
7.30pm Heckington Village Hall - Quiz night for church funds. Tickets are £7 including Ploughman's Supper and are available from Chris Cullen (460272). Come on your own or bring a team.
7.30pm Swaton Cinema Club at the Hut next to church - showing the film 'Captain Phillips' starring Tom Hanks. £10 for one year membership. Free entry to the film each month. Hot Dogs, Ice Creams, Sweets, Tea & Coffee and Bar all available. 1st Saturday of each month 7pm for 7.30pm showing. Next month - 'Le Weekend'
Ash Wednesday - 5th March - Lent begins
10am Great Hale (service of Holy Communion & Ashing) Rev Chris
7pm Heckington (service of Holy Communion & Ashing) Rev Chris
Friday 7th March
2pm Heckington Methodist Chapel are hosting the Women's World Day of Prayer this year led by Methodist Minister Rev Ann Lett & Pauline Daley. This year's theme is 'Streams in the Desert' and comes from Egypt. All welcome.
Saturday 22nd March
Rev Chris is playing with a new band from Edenham called 'Smuggler Jack' at Scredington Village Hall at 7.30pm. Original Songs written by the band in a rock & pop 'singer songwriter' style + some old familiar covers. Line up of Piano, Guitars, Double Bass and Percussion. Tickets £7 including buffet supper, available from Dave Collishaw (304312). Rev Chris (460904)

****NOTE***** These are contemporaneous notes, subject to scrutiny and ammendment, to be adopted as minutes at the next meeting.

 

NOTES OF THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON
                                         WED 12 FEBRUARY 2014

PRESENT:, Cllr Mr G. Hotchkin(Chairman),Cllr Mr P. Johnson, Cllr. Mrs A. Bourne, Cllr. Mr R. Spencer,
Cllr Mr M. Robinson, Cllr Mr W. Watts, District Cllr Mr S. Ogden, District Cllr Mrs S. Tarry.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 1
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs J.M. Bleach, Clerk to Helpringham Parish Council
Public Speaking Time commenced at 7.30pm. A member of the public  expressed concerns about matters relating to the recent approval of a NKDC proposal to erect three pairs of semi-detached  houses on land off School Lane Helpringham. The member of the public felt that the performance of the District Council Planning Department and LCC Highways was lacking during the planning process. He had had sent an email to the Parish Council outlining possible written responses to  these bodies which he wished the Parish Council to consider. He felt that there was a lot of local concern among residents of School Lane which had not been seriously considered during the planning process and that silence in local government would be taken as approval therefore if the Parish Council did not wish to send the responses then he would send them himself. These comments are discussed at Item 15. Public Speaking Time finished at 7.36pm.
The meeting was quorate at  7.36pm.

• Welcome by the Chairman

The Chairman, Cllr Mr G. Hotchkin, welcomed everyone to the meeting.
It was then proposed by Cllr Mrs A Bourne and seconded by Cllr Mr M. Robinson that, due to the confidential nature of information to be discussed, Item 8 on the agenda be moved to the end of the meeting for private discussion by the Parish Council after Agenda Item 15. The motion was unanimously agreed by all present and Item 8 moved as proposed.

• Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mrs J. Frizzell.

• Declarations of Interest

Referring to Item 7a – Planning Application 14/065/FUL the majority of councillors declared an interest as the applicant was known to them. A dispensation was requested for all affected to speak on the application and this was granted.

• Notes of the January Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wed 8 January 2014 to be approved as the Minutes.

The draft minutes, which had been previously circulated, were reviewed and it was proposed by Cllr. Mrs A. Bourne and seconded by Cllr Mr R. Spencer that they be accepted as a true record of the meeting held on
Wed 8 January 2014. Unanimously agreed by all present. The Minutes were then signed off by the Chairman.

• Notes of the Extraordinary Meeting(Finance) of the Parish Council held on Tue 21 January 2014  to be approved as the Minutes.

The draft minutes, which had been previously circulated, were reviewed. After discussion it was proposed by Cllr. Mr P. Johnson and seconded by Cllr Mr W. Watts that they be accepted with an amendment to the title of the meeting( the word Committee was inserted after the word Finance) as a true record of the meeting held on Tue 21 January 2014. Unanimously agreed by all present. The amendment approved above was made by the Chairman and the minutes were then signed off by the Chairman.

•  Clerk’s Report on Matters Outstanding-
• Churchyard Maintenance matters – Update.

Email sent to PCC (R.Doughty) 14/1/14 after Jan 2014 Parish Council meeting. Reply received also 14/1/14  making clear the PCC were not going any further with possibly taking over maintenance of St Andrews  Churchyard. Email sent to contractor 6/2/14 asking that he let Clerk know when first cut was due in order to arrange a meeting re Churchyard maintenance as discussed at  Jan 2014 PC meeting. These emails had been circulated  to councillors and contents were noted. After discussion it was agreed that the PCC would be kept informed of the timing of the meeting with the contractor and the outcome of any discussions. Action: Clerk

• Update on letter written to Anglian Water  on 14 January 2014 re Station Road  Pumping Station following  8 Jan 2014 PC meeting.

A copy of above letter was  available at meeting with reply received from AW Customer Liaision Manager  on 7/2/14.As requested at 8 Jan PC meeting the Clerk  had sent copies of all the correspondence undertaken by the Parish Council on this matter to the Station Road resident  who had originally raised the matter with the PC.  Letter received from the resident  by hand 5/2/14 acknowledging receipt of copies of correspondence and updating the PC on what had been done by AW as a result of communications with the residents. A copy of this letter was passed around for councillors to read at  meeting. After discussion the Parish Council agreed that they still had strong reservations about the capacity of the Station Road Pumping Station as communicated to Anglian Water on 14 January 2014 and that this concern would be appended to their decisions on any future planning applications.

• Parish Council Noticeboard – Cost of possible replacement. Held over from 8 Jan 2014

Research undertaken by Clerk. Prices and specifications from three companies available at meeting £199,  £231, £282.30 all ex Vat. Some with free delivery. Anodised metal, lockable, weatherproof, single door, hold 8xA4 sheets. The  Clerk  had made enquiries which were ongoing about possible grants from Lincolnshire Police, NKDC and LCC. After discussion it was suggested that Network Rail might have a fund for local communities and the Clerk was asked to write to the Chief Executive of Network Rail to enquire about the possibility of funding for the Parish Noticeboard. The matter would be placed on the March agenda for further consideration. Action: Clerk

• Parish Paths Partnership(P3) - School Lane Footpath Grant 2012-2013/2013-2014 –Update

The Clerk reported that she was still awaiting a breakdown of work undertaken at School Lane and cost for the above years from contractor in order to complete paperwork to claim grant outstanding. Contractor has said he can provide the information and an emailed reminder was sent to him again on 6/2/14. A reply had been received on the day of this meeting with some of the information provided. After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk would continue to pursue this matter and report at the next meeting. Action: Clerk

• Tree Inspection Update.

9/2/14 email received from contractor giving a better idea of  timing of visit – w/c 24 Feb 2014. Actual date and time to follow dependent on weather. Email was circulated 9/2/14. Noted.

• Planning Matters(including those received after the date of this agenda)
• Planning Applications received: Planning Application Ref: 14/0065/FUL. Proposal for the erection of a detached dwelling and proposed conversion of and extension to existing barn to form a single residential dwelling on land at 2 Highgate, Helpringham, Sleaford NG34 0RD (Circulated to Councillors prior to meeting)

After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Bourne and seconded by Cllr Johnson that the application be supported but that concerns which the Parish Council had about the additional strain which would be placed on the Anglian Water Pumping Station by every new application should be added as a comment to the communication of this decision to NKDC Planning Department. The Pumping Station had already had problems which had been the subject of discussions between the Parish Council and Anglian Water. Unanimously agreed by all present. Action: Clerk

• Planning Matters received after the date of this agenda  None
• Planning Appeal APP/R2520/A/13/2201213 – proposal for development at 19-21 High Street, Helpringham.  Appeal still ongoing as of 6/2/14.  Parish Council comments submitted.  Inspector has visited at end of January 2014 but still awaiting decision.   Noted
• Approvals

Planning Application Ref: 13/1064/FUL – proposal to erect three pairs of semi- detached houses with associated parking, road improvements to the junction with School Lane and the widening of the existing access to the north of Nos 21-31 School Lane and the provision of six off-street parking spaces to be available for use by Nos. 21-31 At School Lane,  Helpringham, Sleaford, Lincs.
Planning Application Ref:13/1198/FUL – proposal for erection of a detached single storey dwelling with garage, associated driveway and hard and soft landscaping(Resubmission of 13/0881/FUL – erection of two storey detached dwelling and detached triple garage with storage above.) at land at 25 Station Road, Helpringham.
Discussion took place with the District Councillors who were present concerning 13/1064/FUL and the Parish Council made it clear to them that they were very disappointed that approval had been given without important aspects being given sufficient consideration, namely the safety of school children and their parents  who use School Lane to access the School and Playing Field. The Parish Council felt that safety should be considered before housing and that giving approval without provision of a footpath in School Lane should not have happened. Parish Councillors who had attended a site meeting with LCC Highways Officers prior to the Planning Meeting said that the Officers were of the opinion that provision of a footpath before approval was paramount. Parish Councillors were very clear about being concerned with the shortcomings of the access to the site along School Lane, whilst acknowledging the need in the village for appropriate social housing. The District Councillors present made the following points in answer to questions put to them by Parish Councillors.

• All legal issues had been addressed prior to the application being put forward.

 

Item 7 continued

• Various sites were approved in principal by NKDC Executive Committee and then had to be put through the planning process.
• Any planning application NKDC proposed automatically went to a Planning Committee for consideration.
• The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Lafford Planning Sub-Committee had visited the site prior to the Planning  Committee Meeting where approval was given.
• Refusals  None
• Outcome of Lafford Planning Sub-Committee Meeting(NKDC) – To receive a report from Cllr Mrs A. Bourne re Planning Applications 13/1064/FUL and 13/1198/FUL and to consider an email received from a School Lane resident relating to the way in which Planning Application 13/1064/FUL was dealt with by the Planning Authority(NKDC) and LCC Highways. (Email previously circulated to councillors)
• Item 8 Moved, following a motion unanimously agreed at the beginning of the meeting, to follow on from Item 15.
• Correspondence

Lincolnshire County Council
16/1/14 By post – From LCC Head of Libraries and Heritage re future for Mobile Library visits in Helpringham.
Tthe Parish Council noted that a continuing service would be provided to the village on a monthly Mobile Library visit basis. They also noted a Parishioners email expressing concern about the future of the Mobile Library visit received 1/2/14 with Clerk’s response attached. The email trail had been circulated prior to meeting.It was agreed that the editor of the Parish Newsletter would be asked to put a message in the next edition about the need to support the Mobile Library visit each month as maintaining the service depended on residents using it .
16/1/14 By email – From LCC Highways West – Response to Clerks email of 14/1/14 on various matters relating to roads in and around Helpringham.  Circulated to councillors 16/1/14.  Noted.
28/1/14 By email – From LCC Highways West  re reduction in benefits to P3 scheme. Circulated 29/1/14.  Noted
NKDC
15/1/14 By email – From NKDC Community Initiatives Officer- message from Lincolnshire Police regarding damage caused to village halls. Forwarded to Village Hall Committee and tabled.  Noted
20/1/14 By email – From NKDC Sustainability Co-ordination Officer re councillor’s query to District Councillor about free electricity received by tenants of council houses where solar panels have been installed. Circulated 20/1/14.  Noted
23/1/14 By email – From NKDC Electoral Services – Letter and docs for signature by councillors re latest copy of Register of Electors. Circulated 7/2/14  Noted and signed by councillors.
25/1/14 By post – NKDC Housing Renewal Manager- Poster advertising collective energy switching scheme running across Lincolnshire. Due to short time scale for registration of interest poster is now on PC Noticeboard.  Noted
29/1/14 By email – From NKDC Environment and Public Protection – Enquiry about ownership of verge between 8 Orchard Close and George St. On behalf of owner of 8 Orchard Close. Discussed with Chairman and reply to NKDC attached.  Noted
      General
16/1/14 By email – from a resident of Vicarage Lane re overhanging tree from High Street Cemetery – Discussed with Chairman and reply sent to resident.  During discussion it was pointed out that only branches smaller than three inches in diameter could be trimmed without permission from the Tree Officer in a Conservation Area. Council agreed to await the Inspection and Report on the Parish trees planned for the last week in February before taking any action.
21/1/14 By email – from Churchwarden re Smith of Derby maintenance visit to parish clock and other matters. Circulated 21/1/14.  After discussion of the contents Cllr Johnson said that as the signed minutes were now also stored electronically and he would undertake to discuss uploading them to the Helpringham Village website with the webmaster. The Clerk was requested to communicate this and other information requested to the Churchwarden.   Action: Clerk and Cllr Johnson
21/1/14 By email – from Central Lincs Joint Strategic Planning Committee re Moving to a Joint Local Plan. Circulated 22/1/14. Noted.
28/1/14 By email – From Treasurer of HAVCS – Acknowledgement of letter from PC announcing their donation to HAVCS 2014-2015. Expresses thanks. Circulated 29/1/14.  Noted.
22/1/14-30/1/14 – From resident of School Lane re School Lane Development proposals(3 emails). 22/1/14 and 30/1/14 emails circulated prior to meeting.  Noted.
6/2/14 By email – Forwarded by LALC from Justin Griggs at NALC re referendum principles not being extended to PCs at present. Circulated 6/2.     Noted
Memorial Hall Committee Minutes – None received at date of agenda

• Chairman’s Report

Cllr Hotchkin reported that he had attended the NKDC Consultation meeting in February and that it appeared that Lincolnshire CC proportion(74%) of the Council Tax Bill had been frozen for the last four years. Both the District Council and the Police had set an increase of +1.99% and therefore a Referendum would not be necessary. The need for a Referendum for increases above 2% had not yet been applied to Parish Councils. District Councillor Ogden said that NKDC Executive Board would meet on 13 February 2014 to ratify  Council Tax matters for 2014-2015.
He also reported that he had attended the Network Rail GNGE Key Stakeholders latest meeting on 11 February 2014 and that they had been told that the Blowtoft crossing was going to be closed again to finish work on it which was supposed to have been completed.
Finally he reported that the new dog waste bin had arrived and that a stand was being made for it which would be concreted in, in the original location on the Green.
District Cllr. Mr S. Ogden and District Cllr Mrs S. Tarry left the meeting at 8.30pm

•  Vice Chairman’s Report

The Vice-Chairman, Cllr Johnson said that the annual  safety checks of the Parish Council cemeteries would need to be completed before the end of February. Cllr Robinson volunteered to assist him and they agreed to meet on Friday 14 February 2014 to complete the checks and ‘topple test’ the headstones.

• Cemetery Matters

Cllr Bourne reported that there had been two requests to erect memorials in the last month and that both had been approved.

•    Draft New Standing Orders

Councillors considered a draft of the new Standing Orders which had been prepared by the Clerk with changes and requirements for council decisions highlighted in the text. They went through the draft page by page and finally approved the new Standing Orders with a few amendments. It was proposed by Cllr Robinson and seconded by Cllr Johnson that they be approved and used from 12 February 2014 after the Clerk had made the final agreed amendments. Copies would be circulated to everyone in due course and the Standing Orders would be finally adopted at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council in May 2014. Action: Clerk

•    Financial Matters(including those received after date of this agenda)
• Financial Report – Monthly Financial Statement and Bank Statements for consideration and approval.

The Monthly Financial Statement which had been previously circulated and the January 2014 bank statements were presented for scrutiny. The Clerk reported that the December 2013 Business Instant Access(BIA) statement which had not been received in time for the last meeting had now arrived and was also being presented at this meeting. The increase of monies across the two BIA statements due to addition of  Interest  was reflected in the January 2014 Financial Statement. It was proposed by Cllr Bourne and seconded by Cllr Spencer that they be accepted as correct. All present were in agreement and they were duly signed off by the Chairman, Cllr Hotchkin.

• To resolve on payments to be made in February 2014 - including any late invoices received after the date of this agenda.

Cheque No.         Amount           Payee                                              Relating To:
001477              £146.97                    J.M. Bleach                              Clerk’s salary(nett) Jan 2014                              
001478              £  39.57                  J.M. Bleach                              Clerk’s expenses    Jan 2014
001479              £  12.00    T.J Bookkeeping& Accounts       Prep. Of monthly RTI Payslips Quarter to 5 Jan 14
001480              £  21.52                   LALC                                Purchase of latest Good Councillor Guides(8)
001481              £ 170.98      Glasdon UK Ltd           Purchase of new dog waste bin(Agreed 8 Jan 14 meeting)
001482              £ 218.40                  Smith of Derby           Maintenance visit to Parish Clock 31/1/14
LATE SUBMISSIONS
001483             £ 61.27         Photostatic Copiers(East) & Co          Quarterly metered charge 1/11/13 – 3/2/14
After scrutiny of the invoices presented it was proposed by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Spencer that  they be paid. Agreed by all present and the invoices and cheques were then signed off by Cllr Hotchkin and Cllr Bourne.

• Correspondence from the Council’s Bankers re Online Banking.  Noted.
• Discussion of Matters from Public Speaking

Before discussion started on this Item Cllr Johnson proposed and Cllr Bourne seconded a motion to allow the member of the public present to participate in the discussions. Carried unanimously.  The matter which had been brought up in Public Speaking Time was then discussed, including the Parish Council’s position with regard to the content of the three letters proposed by the member of the public which had been circulated prior to the meeting. The councillors registered their disappointment in the robustness and fairness of the process which had led to the approval of  NKDC’s Planning Application 13/1064/FUL in spite of much local opposition on mainly safety grounds as discussed at Item 7d.  The member of the public contributed to the discussion reiterating that the scheme was ill-considered and rushed through and that the letters would carry more weight if they came from the Parish Council rather than an individual or even a group of residents.
Item 15 continued
The following objections to the process were raised and discussed.

• No pre-consultation.
• Ward District Councillors did not represent views of the electorate.
• The fact that a planning application in School Lane in 2007 was refused on access grounds.
• That there was a need for one bedroom accommodation for local residents who needed to downsize because of the ‘bedroom tax’ therefore why were the new properties two bedroomed?

The councillors then considered whether they would  send the three letters as proposed by the resident to the NKDC Chief Executive, NKDC Chief Planning Officer and the Manager LCC Highways(West). After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Watts that  the residents of School Lane should be supported by the Parish Council. To that end a small working party of three councillors would consider the letters constructed by the resident who was present and decide on  the content  which would best reflect the collective view of the Parish Council. The three letters would then be signed by the Chairman Cllr Hotchkin on behalf of the council and dispatched. Unanimously agreed by all present.

• Item 8  carried on from Item 15 with the confidential part of the discussion taking place when the member of the public left  the meeting at 9.10pm. Information was given to the councillors which had a bearing on the matter of planning application 13/1064/FUL           
• Matters of Urgency (urgent items not requiring a resolution may be brought to the meeting’s attention)                    
•    Date of Next Meeting (Wednesday 12 March 2014) and items for March agenda.

There being no further business the the Chairman, Cllr Hotchkin, closed the meeting at 9.20pm

SOUTH LINCS SHADOWS MUSIC CLUB

February was the first meeting of 2014 and there was a good core of members to play and listen to the music. There was enough time for everyone to play 6 numbers each.
Besides the varied selection of tunes that were played during the evening, David Martin brought along his brand new Squier Bass V1 and a bass amp and treated us to some Jet Harris numbers. Very authentic sounding it was too.
After everyone had played 4 numbers to backing tracks we decided to have a go at some live playing with David on bass guitar and various rhythm and lead guitar players. Not quite so polished as some of the playing to backing tracks, as it was straight in with no rehearsal, but great fun and everyone left with a smile on their face.
Meetings are held at the Memorial Hall on the first Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Light refreshments are provided.
The next meeting is on Wednesday 5th March.
If you like the guitar music of The Shadows why not pop along and see (and hear) what it is about.
Dave Moore.

PETTICOAT CLUB NEWS

The first meeting of 2014 began with the news that our final total raised for Lives First Responders was £450.This was presented to them at our annual lunch in January. It was a fantastic effort and greatly appreciated by the charity.
Our speaker was Dawn Blunden from Sophisticakes of Woodall Spa. With amusing stories and lovely photographs, Dawn took us through the process of gaining the royal commission for the wedding cake for Prince Charles and Camilla. Four and a half weeks before the wedding Dawn won the commission for a cake that weighed 17 stone with an extra 2500 slices and 1500 small cakes. Quite a task for a small Lincolnshire firm in a little shop which has only two domestic kitchens.
Dawn has continued to gain various Royal Commissions and showed us the personal thank yous she has received from Charles.
We also saw the menus for some of the functions that her son, one of the royal chefs, has produced, magnificent pieces of art!
The talk was very interesting with  amusing anecdotes keeping us all enthralled and intrigued by the beautiful decorations produced with such skill from sugar .   
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 12th March which is our AGM where members will receive reports from the Committee and a new Committee elected. Everyone is welcome.

HELPRINGHAM AND DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB

In January members welcomed Dave Moore with his guitar and songs from the 60s and 70s. It gave the social a real kick-start to the year as we all sang along with aid of song sheets which he had thoughtfully provided. And the food was great too! Members each bring a plate and it is amazing how the variety and content changes every year yet still ends up being a feast.
The Club is growing too. We now have 50 members.

Next meeting will feature Harry Leach on Establishment and Care of Lawns.
Come and join us!  Wednesday February 26th, 7.30 in the Memorial Hall.
Tea and coffee are provided.
Visitors always welcome.

HELPRINGHAM HISTORY SOCIETY

The Society would like to thank all those who helped with the exhibition Remembrance Sunday 10th November, remembering our War heroes and celebrating the life of women and all who served at home during wartime.

for information please telephone Laraine on 421110 or Julie on 421265. We look forward to hearing from you.