HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Date of Next Meeting: Wednesday 14 May 2014.

NB. The Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will also be held on this date prior to the usual monthly meeting.

VACANCY FOR PARISH CLERK

The post is for 25 hours per month to cover administration of the Council’s business/finances and attendance at meetings.  A flexible approach is necessary, as the position involves some evening work. A competitive salary is offered and training can be arranged.
For a job description and an application form please contact the Chairman Mr. G Hotchkin at Bridgeway, Highgate, Helpringham, NG34 0RD (01529 421211).

Applications should be received by 12 noon on 12th May please

 

Lincolnshire Energy

The Lincolnshire Energy Switch scheme is back – so now you could also stand a chance of saving up to £300 on your annual gas and electricity bill.

That’s how much some already stand to save having made the switch first time round. You could join the 1,000 households in Lincolnshire who look set to save an average of £167 on their energy bill. For more detailed information Click Here

 

 

49 CLUB
The winners of the 49 Club for weeks 22nd March through to 19th April were as follows each winner received £25 all proceeds go to The Memorial Hall 
22th March Marion Malloy
29th March Andy Breckon..(could you please contact me)
  5th April Mr & Mrs Stockings
12th April Gloria Dolan
19th April Rosemary Bailey

MOBILE LIBRARY
The mobile library comes to Helpringham on the 4th Friday of the month at 11.45 till 12.15. USE IT OR LOSE IT.

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.

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

Helpringham has been looking lovely in all the recent sunshine, daffodils and now bluebells to brighten our days and people with smiles on their faces.
The Memorial Hall is now also looking good and the Committee is busy planning more improvements as well as the events for this year.

 

Don’t forget you can book the Memorial Hall for all your functions. Our new hire charges are Weekdays Main Hall £7.00 per hour, Weekends £12.00 per hour and £140 for the whole day. The cost of hiring the Conference Room remains the same at £6.00 per hour. Additional charges use of the kitchen £10.00, use of the Bar £10.00 and £20.00 for use of our alcohol licence.
To book contact Mick on 421853 or Laraine on 421110.

The Memorial Hall is there for everyone, so please support the events we and others put on.

Thurs. 1st	Lunch Club Sequence Dancing Improvers	12.30p.m. 6.00. p.m.
Fri. 2nd	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Tues.6th	Arts and Crafts Sequence Dancing Beginners	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Wed. 7th	South Lincs Shadows Music Club	7.30. p.m.
Thurs. 8th	Sequence Dancing Improvers	6.00. p.m.
Fri. 9th	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Mon. 12th	Vitality	1.30. p.m.
Tues. 13th	Arts and Crafts Sequence Dancing Beginners	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Wed. 14th	Petticoat Club Parish Council	7.30. p.m. 7.30. p.m.
Thurs. 15th	Lunch Club Sequence Dancing  Improvers	12.30p.m. 6.00. p.m.
Fri. 16th	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Sat. 17th	PRIVATE PARTY	7-Midnight
Mon. 19th	Vitality	1.30. p.m.
Tues. 20th	Arts and Crafts Sequence Dancing Beginners	1.30. p.m. 7.00. p.m.
Thurs. 22nd	ELECTION History Society	7am-10pm. 7.30. p.m.
Fri. 23rd	Kung Fu	7.00. p.m.
Tues. 27th	Arts and Crafts Sequence Dancing Beginners	1.30. p.m. 6.00. p.m.
Thurs. 29th	Lunch Club Sequence Dancing Improvers	12.30. p.m. 6.00. p.m.
Fri. 30th	Kung Fu	7.00. p.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

ST ANDREW'S CHURCH NEWS FROM REV 'CAPT' CHRIS

Enjoying the gift of the present moment
It's so good to be able to enjoy these longer hours of daylight with its smell of freshly mown grass and BBQ's in the air. Summer is coming quickly but do take the time to enjoy these spring days in the midst of your busy lives. I speak to myself too as it's all too easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget what we are really working so hard for. Nearly three hundred years ago a Jesuit priest and spiritual director called Jean Peirre de Caussade wrote letters of encouragement to the Nuns of the Visitation in France, reminding them that the present moment is a sacrament from God and that abandonment to it and its needs is a holy state. So many of us are so often working towards some future time - retirement, holidays, the weekend, the deadline for the next magazine, etc,  that we forget that it's the present moment that is a gift from God. So enjoy it, savour it, rest and be refreshed by its beauty and enjoy it to the full. This is life.    
Service at St Andrew's Helpringham every week at 11am
One of the challenges of looking after eight churches is trying to provide regular pattern of services that help meet the worshipping needs of the communities they are located within. For two years I have tried to maintain the inherited pattern of services within both the Heckington and Helpringham. Now that a retired Anglican priest has moved into our area it means that we can widen that provision and provide a regular weekly service at Helpringham at the same time. As you will know we asked you the residents of Helpringham what time would suit you best on a Sunday and what style of worship you wanted.  The result is that from May onwards we will be able to provide a regular weekly service at 11am every Sunday. The pattern of worship styles within that regular slot we hope will be 1st Sunday Holy Communion led by Rev David Woods, 2nd Sunday an Informal Family style worship led by myself on the guitar, 3rd Sunday Morning praise led by Karen or John with the choir. On the 4th Sunday I will be celebrating Holy Communion and any 5th Sundays will be Songs of Praise. There will also be an evening service on 2nd Sunday at 6pm during the summer months when the clocks spring forward. I hope you will find this regular slot easier to remember and will find the time to enjoy this new pattern of worship.  
Baghdad Cycle Ride on 4th May
A retired Anglican vicar, Rev David Post, from my old parishes in the Lincolnshire Wolds is stopping off in Heckington on route to Bath by cycle on Sunday 4th May at 6pm to speak about his recent visit to Iraq and the church of St George in Baghdad. It is an amazing church that has had a number of bomb attacks and its minister Canon Andrew White receives death threats on a regular basis. They feed nearly 1000 destitute families every week, have a clinic where free treatment is given to all comers, a school and nursery and much more.  Canon Andrew White, took over the job of Archbishop's envoy from Terry Waite and has an important role in the peace making process. David has done several sponsored cycle rides from Land's End to John O Groats to raise money for St George's and we too will be taking up a collection for them when David comes to speak to us. It's the first in a series of informal evening 'Spotlight' services where we turn the spotlight onto certain issues and interview someone with personal experience from a Christian point of view so do come and join us on Sunday 4th May at 6pm. There will be refreshments after the service and a chance to chat with David and encourage him on his journey.
Confirmation Classes on Tuesday Evenings
With a confirmation service to be held at Lincoln Cathedral on 7th June, I will be preparing any adults and children who want to be confirmed. Classes will be held at the Rectory on Tuesday evenings at 7pm till 9pm throughout May beginning on 6th May. So if you haven't been confirmed but would like to be please give me a ring (460904) ASAP.

Thank you to all those who have contributed to the Easter Lilies in the church for this weekend.  It really was a splendid floral display."
Rev Chris     
                        www.heckingtonandhelpringhamgroup.org.uk

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 MARCH 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 Wm. Watts, District Cllr Mr S. Ogden, District Cllr Mrs S. Tarry.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs J.M. Bleach, Clerk to Helpringham Parish Council
No members of the public attended to use  Public Speaking Time which commenced at 7.30pm.

The meeting was declared quorate at 7.35pm
AGENDA

1. Welcome by the Chairman

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. Apologies for Absence

Cllr Mrs J. Frizzell sent her apologies due to a prior commitment.

1. Declarations of Interest

The following declared interests: Cllr Robinson Item 6 Planning Matters, Cllr Bourne Item 6 Planning Matters 14/0280/FUL,
Cllr Watts Item 6 Planning Matters14/0398/HOUS.

1. Notes of the March Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wed 12 March 2014 to be approved as the Minutes.

The draft minutes, which had been previously circulated, were reviewed and it was then proposed by Cllr. Mrs A. Bourne and seconded by Cllr Mr M. Robinson that they be accepted as a true record of the meeting held on Wed 12 March 2014. Unanimously agreed by all present. The Minutes were then signed off by the Chairman.

1.  Clerk’s Report on Matters Outstanding
2. Parish Council Noticeboard – Cost of replacement and funding possibilities – Update

Research undertaken by Clerk had shown that prices of  £199,  £231, £282.30 all ex Vat are available from three different companies. Some are offered with free delivery. These prices are for anodised metal, lockable, weatherproof, single door, to hold 8xA4 sheets.  To replace like- for- like could cost in the region of £1200.    
The Clerk had received confirmation from County Councillor Barry Young that he was recommending that a sum of £300 be paid from LCC Big Society Fund to Helpringham PC to help towards the purchase of a replacement noticeboard. The relevant form has been completed and returned to Cllr Young. He in turn had endorsed it and put it into the system.
The Parish Council expressed its thanks to Cllr Young for his recommendation.
No response has been received to date from any of the other parties contacted.
The Clerk had accessed WREN website but it did not appear that the Parish Council was eligible for a number of reasons ie not within 10 miles of a landfill site(See attached map from website). Even the Small Grant Scheme had a lower level of £2000 which is well above what was needed.
Cllr Bourne asked if there would be any requirement to replace the Noticeboard like-for-like as it was sited in a Conservation Area. The Clerk was requested to make enquiries of the NKDC conservation officer. Action Clerk

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

Clerk had completed the claim for the balance of grant for 2012-2013 which was approved. As £45 had already been paid to the Parish Council the balance of £45 had been received as a cheque from LCC. Noted

1. Planning Matters(including those received after the date of this agenda)
2. Planning Applications received:

Planning Application Ref: 14/0280/FUL- A proposed conversion and extension of existing outbuildings to form residential dwelling at 25 Station Road, Helpringham, Sleaford, Lincs MG34 ORB which had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Cllr Hotchkin read out a letter from a resident which questioned whether further development was desirable in that location. After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Spencer that the Council did not have an opinion either for or against the application other than its usual concern about the capacity of the Station Road Pumping Station. Agreed by all. The Clerk was asked to communicate a ‘No comment’ decision to the Planning Authority. Action: Clerk
Planning Application Ref: 14/0359/OHL – Proposed Billingborough to Great Hale 33kV Overhead Electricity Line – Section 37 of the Electricity Act (1989) which had been circulated prior to the meeting.
After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Spencer that the Council did not have an opinion either for or against the application. Agreed by all. The Clerk was asked to communicate a ‘No comment’ decision to the Planning Authority. Action: Clerk

1. Planning Matters received after the date of this agenda

Planning Application Ref: 14/0398/HOUS – Proposal to erect a garden wall at Oak Lodge, 41 School Lane, Helpringham, Sleaford, Lincs.  Circulated 6/4/14 having been received 5/4/14 by post.
After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Spencer that the parish Council would lend its support to this proposal. Agreed by all.               Action: Clerk

1. Planning Appeal APP/R2520/A/14/2214353 – proposal for erection of a two storey detached dwelling and detached triple garage on land adjacent to Knott Hall, 25 Station Road, Helpringham, Helpringham.  Appeal started but nothing on Planning Inspectorate Website to date – Appeal Docs downloaded and circulated prior to meeting.

The meeting noted that the resident’s letter read out during consideration of Planning Application Ref: 14/0280/FUL which was for a proposal on an adjoining piece of land also considered the impact of this development if the Appeal was allowed. After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Spencer that the Clerk be asked to write to the Planning Inspectorate to reiterate the objections previously put to NKDC as the responsible Planning Authority when the original application had come up for consideration at the Parish Council meeting on the 11 September 2013 Item 7 a.   Agreed by all.   Action: Clerk

1. Notification of Intended Works to Trees within a Conservation Area

Application to fell 11 x trees of various species at 22 The Green, Helpringham, Sleaford, NG34 0RJ.
After a short discussion it was proposed by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Spencer that this application be supported. Agreed by all. Action: Clerk

1. Approvals

Planning Application Ref: 14/0065/FUL. A proposal to erect 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
Noted

1. Refusals

None.

1. Correspondence

Lincolnshire County Council
13/3/14 – By post – Notification of Good Citizen Awards 2014 organised by LCC.
Cllr Johnson offered to contact the Village Hall secretary to ask if the poster could be displayed on the Village Hall noticeboard.
2/4/14 – By email – Notification of Temp. Road Closure, Helpringham Fen. Circulated 3/4/14 Noted
NKDC
13/3/14 – By email – Notification of TPO revocation(Historical) . Circulated 13/3/14   Noted
14/3/14 – By email – Letter on behalf of Head of Planning in response to letter from Parish Council re management of planning process for 13/1064/FUL School Lane development. Circulated prior to the meeting. Comment in Item 8.  Noted
20/3/14 – By email – Notification of Charges for Street Naming and Numbering. Circulated 20/3/14  Noted
24/3/14 – By email – What’s on April 2014. Circulated 24/3/14   Noted
1/4/14 – By email – Invitation to Parish Councils for an Environmental OSP meeting May 28.Circulated 3/4/14.
The Chairman said he would put it in his diary and try to attend
2/4/14 – By email – From School Lane Housing project manager – re render choice. Circulated 3/4/14.
The Chairman reported that the meeting time was changed twice and then the meeting was suddenly cancelled at 5pm on Monday 7 April(meeting was next day) with no explanation and no new date had been set. District Cllr Ogden commented that the meeting was cancelled because he had pointed out that the two Ward members had not been invited and according to the condition set at the NKDC Planning Meeting where the application was considered and approved they should have been. He  also said that he was instrumental in having the original four samples sent out for the Parish Council and residents to view and comment on. He said that he would chase up a new date for the reconvened site meeting. The Parish Council members said that there should also be a residents’ representative as they would have to look at the colour scheme chosen every day. It was commented that the developer had visited the site and told the residents that he did not like the colour they had chosen previously. Apparently an extra colour option had now been added. Cllr Ogden said he would send an email as soon as he got home to the appropriate person re new site meeting date. District Cllr Tarry and District Cllr Ogden left the meeting at 8.17pm.
2/4/14 – By email – Notification of new tree survey and maintenance service offered by NKDC. Circulated 3/4/14  Noted for   future reference and kept in Tree Report File.
      General
20/3/14 – By email – From The Lincs Resilience Forum Mass Fatalities Group – Query re cemetery capacity.Circulated      
      26/3/14 when reply sent with comments provided by Cllr Bourne as Cemeteries Representative.   Noted
      28/3/14 – By post Marketing request from Lava re SO Festival. Noted
21/3/14 – By email – via LALC – Notification of Competition ‘The Big Idea’. Noted
24/3/14 – By email – From Lincs Police – Notification of new neighbourhood policing sergeant. Circulated 24/3/14 Noted
Late Correspondence received after the date of the agenda
LCC
9/4/14 – By email – From IDEA: Market place  on behalf of LCC– new method of  sending e- orders to suppliers.
Noted
General
4/4/14  By Email -  Came and Came Associates – Advertising Anti Dog Fouling stickers for sale – Sample of poster attached.
7/4/14- By Post – From the Prime Minister – re New Employment  Allowance to reduce Employers  NICs by up to £2000.   NB  Apparently Local councils and employers in public service do not qualify for this government incentive (email from RTI Payroll contractor  attached) Noted
8/4/14 By Post – Scottish Power – Electricity Invoice 17 Dec 2013-4 April 2014 Estimated. Noted. Cllr Bourne and Cllr Robinson offered to read the meter and send in the readings as they had done before.
9/4/14 By hand to the Chairman- Letter of Resignation from the Clerk . Action needed.
The Chairman said that the Clerk was resigning due to other business commitments and therefore her resignation was reluctantly accepted. The Clerk had said that her final day would be Sat 31 May 2014 in order to complete the End of Year financial activities and also to cover the trio of meetings on 14 May 2014. She said that she would step down earlier if a replacement was able to take over and that she would arrange a hand over with the new Clerk. Cllr Johnson undertook to get matters underway to seek a replacement. It was proposed by Cllr Robinson and seconded by Cllr Bourne that an advertisement should be placed in the local newspaper. It would also be advertised in the Parish Newsletter and possibly the Helpringham Village websiteand circulated through LALC. The closing date would be Monday 12 Mayl 2014.  Agreed by all. It was proposed by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Bourne that the Clerk’s hours be increased to twenty-five per month from twenty-two and that this would be reflected in the new job description. Agreed by all.                Action: Cllr Johnson
Memorial Hall Committee Minutes None received.

1. Chairman’s Report

Cllr Hotchkin  reported that he, Cllr Bourne and Cllr Johnson with the Clerk in attendance had met on the 25 March 2014 with representatives of the Parochial Church Council and the contractor re standards of cutting in St Andrews  Churchyard. He said that the PCC were not happy with the amount of cuttings which were left after mowing to which the contractor replied that he did not have the means to produce the finish the PCC wanted with his cutting equipment and within the limits of the Contract price. The only way to achieve a fine finish was mowing by hand and the cuttings lifted. He estimated that it would cost at least five times the cost allocated in the present contract. Some extra cuts with his machinery might improve matters and he undertook to email prices per cut to the Clerk for consideration at 9 April meeting but understood that no extra cuts should be undertaken until a decision was reached at 9 April Parish Council meeting.. Cllr Hotchkin reported that when asked by a PCC representative why areas were ‘scalped’ back to bare earth last November the contractor acknowledged that this had happened and undertook that, in future, uneven raised areas in the Churchyard would be strimmed. Cllr Hotchkin said it was also agreed that the contractor would be informed when there was a wedding or other event  planned which would allow him to avoid cutting the grass either on the day or shortly before.The contractor had confirmed that he did not have fixed dates for attendance as they were weather dependant. The Chairman told the meeting that the contractor had provided a price of £40 per cut for any extra grass cutting undertaken in the Churchyard. The meeting then discussed what had been reported and it was proposed by Cllr Bourne and seconded by Cllr Johnson that there should be no increase in the number of cuts provided through the Parish Councils contract but that the PCC could be made aware that there would be no objection if they either paid for extra cuts or used volunteers to lift the grass cuttings or hand mow between the contract cuts. The Clerk was asked to send a letter to the secretary of the PCC to this effect.   Action: Clerk
The  Chairman reported that he had received a reply to a letter sent on behalf of the Parish Council re the management of the planning process for applying for approval of an NKDC housing development at School Lane, Helpringham. The letter had been circulated prior to the meeting but he felt that it did not address the points covered in the Parish Council letter. Finally he reported that there was an unprotected gully opening in the pavement outside The Nags Pub on the Green which had had a cone on it but that had now disappeared and the hole was a hazard. This matter had been reported previously to Highways hence the cone but no repair had been undertaken. The Clerk was asked to report it again.     Action: Clerk

1.  Vice Chairman’s Report

Cllr Johnson reported that he was deploying the SID at various locations around the village including Station Road and
bottle neck on the High Street at the churchyard wall. This was to make drivers aware when they exceeded the speed limit.

1.   Pinfold Agreement

The agreement for usage 1 April 2014 – 30 March 2015 which had already been signed by the residents who use it came   forward for approval and signature by the Chairman on behalf of the Parish Council. A cheque for the requisite fee had also been received. It was proposed by Cllr Bourne and seconded by Cllr Watts that the Agreement be signed. This was then done and witnessed by the Clerk.         Action: Clerk

1. CAB Sleaford Meeting 2 April 2014

A report provided by Cllr Mrs J. Frizzell, the Parish Council representative at the meeting, had been circulated and other correspondence had been received by the Clerk relating to possible co-operation between the Parish Council and Sleaford CAB. As Cllr Frizzell had been unable to attend this council meeting it was agreed that the matter should be held over until the June meeting where it could be considered further.  Action: Clerk

1. Tree Inspection Report –

The report which had been circulated prior to the meeting was discussed and it was noted that there was no emergency treework to be carried out and that many of the trees were deemed healthy with some requiring removal of dead branches etc. Two chestnuts on the Green which the Tree Inspector had asked the LCC Tree Officer to check in more detail as they were in close proximity to the highway had received a clean bill of health. Other than a small amount of clarification of the position of several yew trees in the High Street Cemetery it was felt that the report should be accepted and that three contractors should be asked to quote for the work outlined in the schedules. The work was not urgent and therefore could not be started until early autumn. It would include cutting back of a yew tree in the High St. Cemetery which a resident in Chapel Lane had concerns about and also a lime tree in the same cemetery which a resident of Vicarage Lane had asked to be trimmed. It was noted that these trees and those on the Green would require Conservation Works Approvals before any work could be undertaken. It was proposed by Cllr Robinson and seconded by Cllr Watts that the report be accepted and the three quotes obtained for consideration at the June meeting. Agreed by all.  Action: Clerk

1. Cemetery Matters

Cllr Bourne reported that there had been two interments since the last meeting and that  correspondence from a parishioner concerning a tree in the High Street Cemetery had been received. The remedy for his concerns had been answered by the Tree Inspector who said that the yew in question only required some cutting back from the boundary fence as the roots which were shallow in this species rarely extended beyond the tree canopy. It was proposed by Cllr Robinson and seconded by Cllr Watts that the Clerk be asked to write to this resident and a resident of Vicarage Lane whose garden was overhung by a lime tree in the same cemetery and explain that the remedial work would be carried out as part of the work in progress in early Autumn as discussed at Item 12. Also that no works could proceed until approval was received from the NKDC Tree Officer as the trees were in a Conservation area. Agreed by all.           Action: Clerk

1.    Financial Matters(including those received after date of this agenda)
2. Financial Report

The Monthly Financial Statement which had been previously circulated and the March 2014 bank statements were presented for scrutiny. It was proposed by Cllr Robinson 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.

1. LALC Subscription 2014-2015 and Annual Training Scheme 2014-2015-

It was proposed by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Bourne that the LALC Subscription be renewed for 2014-2015 and that the LALC Training Scheme annual payment be continued for 2014-2015. All were in agreement and  cheques 001492 and 001493 detailed below were duly written at the meeting.

 

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

Cheque No.   Amount                                 Payee                                                           Relating To:
001487            £146.97                               J.M. Bleach                                     Clerk’s salary(nett) March 2014                              
001488            £ 14.19                                J.M. Bleach                                     Clerk’s expenses    March 2014
001489            £110.00                                HMRC                                            PAYE Quarter to 5 April 2014
001490            £ 27.00                    TJ Bookkeeping&Accounts      RTI payslips for quarter to 5/4/14/Payroll year End, P60 to 5/4/14
001491            £  37.50                              Helpringham Memorial Hall                Conference Room Usage 1st Quarter
001492            £228.47                                LALC                                                Annual Subscription 2014/2015
001493            £  70.00                                LALC                                                Annual Training Scheme 2014/2015
001494            £420.00                                S.Vessey                                            Tree Inspection & Report Carried out March 2014
LATE SUBMISSION
001495            £   2.71                         Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board         Annual Drainage Rates 2014-2015 – Sheepwash
After the invoices were scrutinised it was proposed by Cllr Robinson and seconded by Cllr Spencer that they be approved and the cheques signed. Agreed by all present. The cheques were duly signed and the invoices initialled by Cllr Hotchkin and Cllr Bourne.

1. St Andrews Church, Helpringham   

Extra grasscutting for the Churchyard having been considered and resolved on at Item 8 the meeting now  considered the application by St Andrews Parish Church for a Parish Council Grant for 2014-2015 which had been held over from Finance Meeting of Parish Council held on 21 Jan 2014. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Robinson and seconded by Cllr Spencer that for 2014-2015  St Andrews Parish Church, Helpringham would be awarded a Grant of £500 for the sole purpose of restoring the War Roll picture which is kept in the Church. This was because 2014 is the centenary year of the start of the Great War(First World War). The proposer and seconder felt that this Grant would therefore benefit the village as a whole. All were  in agreement. The Clerk was asked to write and inform the Rector of the Grant, the purpose of the Grant and to request that a copy of the invoice be sent to the Clerk in due course. 
Action: Clerk

1. Reclaimed Vat

The Clerk reported that 2013-2014 claim was completed and ready to be sent off. It amounted to £621.20.

1. End of Year 2013-2014

Cllr Johnson reported that he and the Clerk would be meeting the Internal Auditor on Friday 18 April 2014  to hand over all  the necessary files. The outcome would be reported back to the Parish Council for consideration on 14 May 2014. The Annual Return had to be with the External Auditor by 16 June 2014.

1. Payroll –  

2014-2015 fees for monthly RTI payroll preparation were considered and it was proposed by Cllr Bourne and seconded by Cllr Johnson that TJ Bookkeeping and Accounts would continue to provide the RTI Payroll Support for 2014-2015 at a cost of £5 per month paid quarterly. All were in agreement.

1. Non Domestic Rates Bill 2014-2015 for Burial Board Hale Road?

It was noted that there was no payment required.

1. Discussion of Matters from Public Speaking   

None            

1. Matters of Urgency (urgent items not requiring a resolution may be brought to the meeting’s attention) 

None

1.    Date of Next Meeting(Wednesday 14 May 2014) and items for May agenda. NB The Annual Parish   

   Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will also be held on this date prior to the usual  
   monthly meeting.

Helpringham Vitality CLASS Needs YOU!

Vitality is a Lincolnshire based programme of exercise and movement to music classes for the over 60’s, subsidised by Lincolnshire County Council and approved by the NHS.

The classes focus on having fun with gentle seated and standing exercises set to music that aim to increase flexibility and strength whilst also improving posture and coordination.

Vitality is for men and women who want to exercise in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere at low cost. Whatever your ability, our experienced, qualified instructor will make sure you exercise safely and have fun.

Helpringham Vitality takes place on Mondays between 1.30pm – 2.30pm at the Memorial Hall. 

There’s no need to book, just come along.  Your first class is FREE, then costs just £3.00 per class or £9.00 per month. Refreshments are provided after class.

It’s a great way to exercise and you’ll receive a warm welcome as well as feeling full of vitality afterwards. So come along and join us!

For more information call Vitality on 01529 411194 or see our website www.vitalitylincs.co.uk.

 

SOUTH LINCS SHADOWS MUSIC CLUB

Another enjoyable meeting in April!
A fairly low turnout, mainly due to illness, meaning that some members could not attend. Hopefully everyone will be fit for the next meeting. There was time for all players to play 7 tunes each. This stretched the memory banks of some of those expecting to only play four numbers, but everyone rose to the challenge and there were a few lesser known numbers played.
Dave Jessop brought along his lovely Gretsch guitar with gold plated hardware and very good it sounded too. Unfortunately he is left handed so most of us didn’t get a chance to try it!
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 7th May. 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

At the April meeting, members were treated to a very interesting and informative talk by Stephen Hyde of L.I.V.E.S. First Responders and a presentation of the cheque for £450 was made. We learnt a great deal about the work of this vitally important charity, which is unique to Lincolnshire. It has been proved that people have a 30% better chance of survival from a cardiac arrest or trauma from an accident if they are treated at the scene. First Responders were first on the scene in over 20000 calls last year and saved 207 lives. It costs two and a half thousand pounds per year to run a local group so any donations are truly welcome and ours was greatly appreciated.
Stephen then told us about other villages in the county that have bought their own defribulators and people are trained to use them by L.I.V.E.S. These have proved to be very successful in saving lives in cases of cardiac arrest. The members decided that they would like to lead the way in raising the funds to purchase one for Helpringham, the fund has started at £70 and we need £1500. It is hoped that all in Helpringham will join the Petticoat Club in raising this amount to buy the machine.
By the end of the evening members had a much clearer idea of the importance of L.I.V.E.S. and its work and were pleased to continue their support of this charity this year.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 14th May when Ruth Amelia will tell us about the aims and work of St. Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice.
Everyone is welcome.

HELPRINGHAM AND DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB

 

Next meeting will feature The National Garden Sheme with Susie Dean.
Come and join us!  Wednesday Apr 23rd, 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.