Meeting of Hickling Parish Council 22nd July 2025 – DRAFT minutes

Meeting of Hickling Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 22^nd July 2025 at the Village Hall, Hickling commencing at 7.00pm.

Councilors present:             Cllrs Playle (Chair), Conway, Green, Lamb and, Prosser

Also in attendance:              Cate Stokes (Parish Clerk) NCC Cllr Cottee and 5 parishioners.

Cllr Playle opened the meeting at 7pm

• Apologies – Cllrs Rowe and RBC Cllr Combellack

• Declarations of Interest – None

• Acceptance of Minutes – Minutes from PC meeting held on 13^th May 2025 – Agreed by all

• Open Session – To address matters raised by the public, limited to 15mins

• Parishioner raised concern over the recent bonfire smoke blowing across the village in the evening (between 7 and 10pm)
• Parishioner noted that the decision notice for planning application 25/01039/AGRIC has been reported as approved incorrectly – Clerk apppologised for the error and will correct in minutes
• Concern over the rapid growth of non-native water weed ‘Azolla’ observed in the canal – clerk to report to canal and rivers trust
• Remark made about several stiles on local footpaths in need of repair – clerk to obtain details and report to highways.

• Ward Member Reports
  • Cllr Cottee
• Highways: Via intend to install ‘road narrowing’ signage at the Bridegate Lane entrance to the village this year – PC raised concerns about if this is needed as previously residents have not wanted extra signs as this leads is see as unnecessary urbanization of the village – clerk to contact via to clarify.
• Funding: Ncc Cllrs have successfully challenged the reform proposals to remove the cllrs division fund and the community funds. Clerk to send details of funding needed for Bridegate lane verge to Cllr Cottee to see if this is suitable for the funds.

• Items requiring a decision
  • Annual risk assessment – conducted June 2025 by Cllr Prosser, PC to consider the purchase of no glass signs for play park at Walker’s Green – Agreed by all
  • Lamp post poppies – PC to consider request from parishioner to purchase lamp post poppies for Harle’s Acres – noted that PC budgeted for a further 10 lampost poppies to place around the village therefore it was agreed by all to purchase 10 more poppies
  • Local History group grant – PC to consider financially supporting the local history group for a further 3 years (£500 per year) – agreed by all
• Other items
  • Traffic survey – Cllr Green reported that there were 90 surveys returned and 68% were in favour of the 20mph speed zone and 55% in white lines. This data has been passed to NCC for advice on how to proceed.
  • Annual risk assessment (Playpark springer, cemetery headstones). – Cllr Prosser reported that there has been no further deterioration in the cradle swing, this will continue to be monitored. The cracks in the springer have been photographed and measured (4mm at the widest point) this will also be monitored.
  • Plastic burning – Cllr Playle wished to raise awareness of the dangers of burning large amounts of plastic due to the release of Furins. The practice is illegal as the toxic fumes are extremely dangerous and can caused many serious health conditions. Furthermore, furins remain in the environment and build up and are especially problematic in dairy products. There have been several sites, locally that appear to be burning plastic waste. –Clerk to find out some literature to raise awareness via the website, noticeboards and facebook page. Clerk to contact environment agency for advice.

• Correspondence
• Have your say on local policing at Notts Alerts.co.uk – for anyone
• Hickling Preschool closure – due to reduced numbers of children attending, Hickling village preschool will close on 29^th July after 57 years. They are having a farewell afternoon tea from 1.30-3pm on the last day for past and present staff, friends and family to join in Hickling village hall.
  • Cllr prosser reported that at the recent village hall meeting there was some discussion about how they will replace the lost income from Hickling Preschool when they close, they are looking for ideas on how to use the space.
• Tesco stronger starts grant open (up to £1500) for community groups application deadline 31^st https://tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/
  • Cllr Green suggested that the PC look into this as a possible source of income for replacing the defibrillator batteries.
• Severn Trent community fund – support for projects led by local charities and community groups

• Planning Applications

Reference Number: 25/00887/ADV

Applicant: Welcome Break Services Limited

Development: Display of 6no. internally illuminated canopy signage, 1no. canopy signage, 1no. Doubles sided internally illuminated interactive sign, 2no.internally illuminated Totem sign, 1no internally illuminated Waitrose letters facia sign, 1no Waitrose Sign, 1no. internally illuminated Welcome Break facia sign, 1no. internally Greggs Logo Box facia Sign, 1no. internally illuminated KFC Logo Box facia Sign, 1no. Internally illuminated Waitrose Logo Box facia Sign, 1no. KFC Logo Box facia directional sign, 1no. Internally illuminated Directional Lighting Tubes, 1no Internally illuminated Starbucks Logo facia sign, 1no.internally illuminated Starbucks vertical logo wording facia sign, 3no. internally illuminated Starbucks Logo fascia signs and 1 no. internally illuminated Drive Through wording

Location: Land At Junction Of A606 Widmerpool And Fosse Way Hickling

Pastures Nottinghamshire

Discussed by planning group between meetings – Object

It was noted that the signs went up before the planning sought and the clerk contacted the planning officer about this but received no reply. PC also raised concerns that many of the trees planted as set out in the landscaping scheme have already perished – Cllrs Playle and Conway to monitor and check that they are rplaced.

• Decision Notices

Reference Number: 24/01591/LBC

Applicant: Mrs Tracey Prosser

Development: Proposed replacement front gates, pool and pool cabana.

Location: Bowling Green Cottage The Green Hickling Nottinghamshire LE14 3AE

Application withdrawn

Appeal Ref: APP/P3040/W/24/3351023

Application reference: 23/02275/FUL

Applicant: MR Rob Brown

Development: proposed is erection of 9 new dwellings and extension of existing bungalow and associated landscaping and highway works.

Location: Haulage Contractors at Garage and Premises, Bridegate Lane, Hickling Pastures, Nottinghamshire LE14 3QA

Appeal Dismissed

Reference number: 25/00574/CLUEXD

Applicant: Mrs Robinson-Leigh

Proposal: Certificate of lawful existing development for rear orangery extension

Location: Duisdale, Main Street, Hickling

Decision: application approved

Reference Number: 25/01039/AGRIC

Applicant: Mr Robert Holt

Development: Utilise an existing field gate access and link it with a new farm track to an existing yard area associated with the farm buildings.

Location: The Elms  Main Street Hickling Nottinghamshire LE14 3AJ

Decision: Application refused due to proximity to mettled part of the highway, full planning application required to be submitted

REFERENCE NO : 25/00709/FUL

APPLICANT : Mr F Cole

DEVELOPMENT : New external doors to rear of building

LOCATION : Little Acre Melton Road Hickling Pastures Nottinghamshire LE14 3QG

Decision: Application approved

Reference: 25/00079/CONARE

Town & Country Planning Act 1990, Section 211, Notice of Proposed Works to Trees in Hickling Conservation Area Pollard Willow at 18-20ft Height at The Cottage

Decision: work may proceed

Reference: 25/00082/CONARE

Town & Country Planning Act 1990, Section 211, Notice of Proposed Works to Trees in Hickling Conservation Are Fell Cherry at 14 Harles Acres

Decision: Work may proceed

• Finance

Balance of accounts: 14.07.25

Current Account: £21098.70

Reserve Account: £5318.28

Date of next meeting: 2^nd September

No Further business – meeting closed at 8pm