Metheringham Parish Council

Metheringham Parish Council Minutes

Parish Council

Minutes 10/2007 of Metheringham Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 27th February 2007 at 7.15pm in the Village Hall

PRESENT:

Councillors Dr M J Allen Chairman
Mrs R Creasey
K Finter
P D Ford
Mrs J Honisett
Mrs H Morrison
A M Waddington
Mrs A F Webb
G V Westall
G W Chambers District Council
Clerk Ms S N Wetherall

1. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Parish Council Meeting. Copies of the agenda were available for members of the public (11 present). The Chairman explained that members of the public who wanted to comment on item 3.8.2 could do so when the meeting was adjourned.

2. OPEN FORUM

2.1 Police report. Community Beat Manager PC Gordon was not at the meeting, but PCSO Flannigan was present and gave the Police report – a summary of incidents occurring in Metheringham between 30/01/07 to 26/02/07 are 4 Criminal damage, 1 Theft, 2 Theft from Motor vehicles and 2 burglary dwelling which have been detected. Cllr Mrs Morrison informed the PC of a Community Policing Panel meeting to be held on Thursday 8 th March. The police are issuing a flyer to anyone found parking on public footpaths. Eggs are still being thrown at properties, all shops have been requested by the Police not to sell them to anyone under 18 years of age.

2.2 Public Forum

2.2.1 Mrs Peake raised concerns about parking in the village and requested signs are placed on the village hall and Co-op stating there are car parks at the rear of the buildings. This is already in hand; the Clerk is to contact the Co-op.

2.3 Reports from representatives on outside bodies

2.3.1 Nothing to report from the County Councillor.

2.3.2 Cllr Chambers stated the NKDC review point panel who hold consultation meetings throughout the year are looking for new members, if anyone is interested in joining they are to contact the Policy Department at NKDC Tel: 01529 414155. Cllr Chambers also reported figures relating to Council Tax for the district - Lincolnshire County Council 4.5%, Police 4.95%, NKDC 2.01%, PC 5%, the average for all parishes is 6.38%. The expenditure of £1,780,300.00 is the precept for all parishes within the district.

2.3.3 To receive reports from other outside bodies – Nothing to report.

3. COUNCIL MEETING

3.1 Apologies for absence and reasons given

Councillor Mrs R Parker
Councillor Mrs P Bradwell
Councillor J C Rose

Reasons for absence accepted by the Council.

3.2 To receive declarations of interest

Cllr Mrs Honisett declared a personal interest for item 3.9.1, because her husband is receiving a salary.

3.3 Notes of the last meeting held on 30 th January 2007, to be approved as the minutes – The signing of the minutes was proposed by Cllr Mrs Honisett and seconded by Cllr Mrs Webb, 1 abstention (Cllr Waddington) and 6 were in favour.

3.4 Clerks Report – The Parish Council Drop in Surgery on Saturday 3 rd February had 3 parishioners, the next surgery will be held on Saturday 3 rd March from 10.30am – 12.00pm.
Letters sent to LCC and NKDC requesting they liaise with each other regarding the grass cutting of verges around the village.
Letter sent to LCC requesting new grit bins and to repair bins already in the village.
Following on from the meeting with Peter Gravells from Lincolnshire Police regarding the possibility of installing CCTV in the village, I have been in contact with the Lincoln CCTV Control Room, if anyone is interested in visiting please let me know. Visits can take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm.
E-mail sent to John Wilcockson at NKDC ref, ash tree with large hole in the bottom near to Shiregate pond – this is to be dealt with, tree near to the bowls club – there is no problem with this tree, tree on Star & Garter field – waiting response and trees on grass area between Fen Road, Grange Road and Station Road - have been worked on last autumn and will be picked up on the next survey in 3 years time.
Complaint received about the footpaths on Lime Tree Avenue – reported to LCC Highways waiting inspection.
Letter sent to MP Douglas Hogg regarding campaign to protect lottery funding for local voluntary groups. As the government has the intention to fund the £900 million Olympic shortfall from lottery funding.
Request for information sent to LCC for PC to set up our own website.
Clerk is to attend District and Parish Elections training session on 6 th March.
Letter sent to Cllr Waddington in response to his request for information as to when F Steadman of Horncastle was paid.
Cllr Mrs Morrison attended NK Leisure & Cultural Partnership Seminar.
Letter received from Mr T Stokes re: state of grass verges on Fen Lane, near to Eros Labs, he has also sent letter to NKDC.

3.5 Matters Outstanding

3.5.1 Fayre & Feast – The Clerk has contacted Millennium Volunteers to request their help for stewards. The Clerk is to apply for Road Closure consent. ACTION: Clerk/Working Group

3.5.2 Chance to Share and related issues – A revised Heads of Terms has been received from HBS, this is to be reviewed by all Councillors. The Chairman does not feel a 999 year lease is the way forward. The PC has instructed a solicitor to assist in this matter. ACTION: Chairman/Councillors

3.5.3 Village play parks & Youths Recreation Area – Cllr Finter has contacted EKM regarding the repair to the play tower at Prince’s Street Play Park, awaiting confirmation of a date. The original quotation from Gary Allbones has increased to £580, it was resolved to accept the £80 increase this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Honisett seconded by Cllr Mrs Webb and all were in favour. ACTION: Cllr Finter/Clerk

3.5.4 New pavilion and changing rooms – A meeting with MACLA is to take place on Wednesday 7 th March, to give an update on the current situation. A further meeting is to be arranged with the architect and firm quotations are required. The PC cannot yet make bids for funding. ACTION: Chairman

3.5.5 Public Conveniences – 3 Quotes have been received to install hot water in the cleaner’s store cupboard, the Clerk is to pass the information to Cllr Westall. 3 quotations are still required for the sink, Cllr Westall is to obtain these. Cllr Mrs Honisett suggested a sign is erected stating the days/times the toilets are open and the toilet facilities are provided by the PC.> ACTION: Cllr Westall/Clerk

3.5.6 Annual Village Meeting – The Annual Village meeting will take place on Tuesday 24 th April 2007 at 7.00pm the guest speaker will be Peter Duxbury from LCC - Director of Children’s Services. The Clerk is to contact/invite

Mike Lock - Extreme NK and Inspector Phil Vickers of Lincolnshire Police and letters are to be sent to all voluntary village organizations. ACTION: Clerk

3.5.7 Gate/Fence between Squash Court, Public Conveniences and Village Hall – Cllr Finter is awaiting confirmation as to exactly what is included in the quotation received for £900. Two more quotations are required if the PC are to incur any of the costs, however Cllr Finter still needs to ascertain who is to pay. ACTION: Cllr Finter

3.5.8 New Litter Bins Shiregate/Playing Field – 3 quotes for new litter bins have been obtained. Working group are to investigate further, this is ongoing. The litter bin on Fen Road is broken, this is to be replaced. ACTION: Cllr Finter/Working Group

3.5.9 Consider Insurance issues relating to all PC assets – This is ongoing. ACTION: Cllr Ford/Chairman

3.5.10 Parish Plan – The Chairman is to discuss the Parish Plan at the next MACLA meeting on Wednesday 7 th March. ACTION: Chairman

3.5.11 Charity Commission – All deeds are to be compiled together and past minutes are being read, when all this information has been collated a report will be given. ACTION: Chairman/Cllr Mrs Morrison

3.6 New Business

3.6.1 To discuss cost, maintenance and insurance issues for Parish Council street lights – The PC are responsible for 157 street lights, it has been suggested to replace them would cost in the region of £1000 each, ABB Ltd currently hold the maintenance contract. Cllr Ford is to check the PC insurance policy. ACTION: Cllr Ford

3.6.2 To review and adopt Metheringham Parish Council – Parish Business Plan 2007/2008 – The PC are accountable to the village. It is the responsibility of the PC to achieve what the Parish wants. All Councillors are to review this document, this item will appear on next months agenda. ACTION: All Councillors

3.6.3 To approve Metheringham Parish Council Allotment Tenancy Agreement – It was resolved to adopt the document this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Honisett, seconded by Cllr Mrs Morrison and all were in favour.

3.6.4 To approve Metheringham Parish Council Filling of Casual Vacancy – A motion to accept this document was proposed by Cllr Mrs Honisett, seconded by Cllr Mrs Creasey and all were in favour.

3.6.5 To approve Metheringham Parish Council Equal Opportunities Policy – It was agreed to accept the policy this was proposed by Cllr Ford, seconded by Cllr Waddington and all were in favour.

3.6.6 To review and approve Metheringham Parish Council Risk Assessment Document – All Councillors are to review this document, this item will be on next months agenda. ACTION: All Councillors

3.6.7 To resolve RoSPA are to carry out yearly inspections of Play parks – After discussion it was resolved the PC are to instruct RoSPA to carry out the inspections, this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Creasey, seconded by Cllr Finter and all were in favour. ACTION: Clerk

At this point a motion was taken to adjourn the meeting, this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Honisett, seconded by Cllr Westall and all were in favour. During the adjournment Item 3.8.2 was brought forward, members of the public were given the opportunity to comment on the planning proposal, Malcolm Capps spoke on behalf of the parishioners present and his comments have been incorporated in the objections that have been sent to NKDC. The meeting was then reconvened. Cllr Chambers left the meeting at 8.50pm.

3.7 Correspondence

3.7.1 To note general correspondence – Please see Appendix 1.

3.7.2 To consider correspondence requiring action by the Council

a) Letter from Mrs Tyrrell, tenant of Allotment No. 4 – request to erect a shed 6’ x 4’ – It was agreed Mrs Tyrrell could erect a shed on her allotment.ACTION: Clerk
b) Letter from Ed Moody re: 40 Princes Street – Following a discussion, some concerns were raised the Chairman and Clerk are to write to Mr Moody. ACTION: Chairman/Clerk
c) Letter from audit commission - Appointment of External Auditor – It was agreed the External Auditors Moore Stephens are to continue in this role for the PC.
d) NKDC – Revised Code of Conduct – Consultation – All Councillors are to review this documentation and notify the Clerk with any comments. ACTION: All Councillors

3.8 Planning

3.8.1 To note a report from the planning committee

The Planning Committee met on Wednesday 14th February and the following were discussed:

Planning Applications:-

Ref: N39/0092/07 – Proposal: Installation of micro-windsave turbine at 1 The Fen, Metheringham. The following comment was made: Metheringham Parish Council wishes to make the comment that it cannot make a valid decision owing to insufficient information, e.g. measurements, dimensions, noise level, household gain and mountings.
Ref: N39/0103/07 – Proposal: Erection of advertisement sign at 17 High Street, Metheringham. The following objections were made:

An amended plan has been received on 24th February 2007 and the following comments were made:-

Planning permission has been granted for:

Ref: N/39/1416/06 – erection of security fence at Unit 3c, Moorland Trading Estate, Metheringham.
Ref: N/39/1534/06 – replacement changing rooms at Princes Street, Metheringham.
Ref: N/39/1471/06 – erection of single storey front extension; pitched roof to replace existing flat roof; and retrospective rear conservatory at 3 Park Crescent, Metheringham.

Outline Planning permission, with conditions and their reasons, has been granted for:

Ref: N/39/0469/06 – removal of existing outbuildings and erection of four new semi detached houses and garage to 6 High Street, Metheringham (outline with details of siting, design, external appearance and access)

The Planning Committee is scheduled to meet next on Wednesday 14 th March 2007 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall.

3.8.2 Discussion took place on the following:

Ref: N/39/0056/06 - Proposal: Residential development comprising 5 no. flats and 4 no. cottage style dwellings at 42 – 48 High Street, Metheringham. The following objections were raised:

  1. The site is within the Metheringham Conservation Area, but the proposal lacks imagination, and will do nothing to enhance this important central area of the village.
  2. The scale and height of the development has created considerable adverse comment from local residents.
  3. The Parish Council does not object to the site being developed, but it must be in keeping with the original intention* of the Conservation Area.
    1. Development between numbers 42 and 48 must seek to retain a view of the Church from the High Street.
    2. Two-storey development should have pitched roofs, with an angle relating to that of established dwellings.
    3. Ridge-lines should follow the pattern of existing dwellings.
  4. Design of the site has not taken into account practical considerations relating to residential use.
    1. Nine dwellings require at least 18 car parking spaces, plus parking for visitors. The High Street is already congested with traffic, parked cars, vehicles unloading goods at the various shops, and buses. Any new development will only add to these problems.
    2. Each property on the site will have at least two, possibly three rubbish bins, two of which need to be placed on the High Street on collection day. Together with Walnut Cottage, there will be up to twenty bins out on the High Street footway. This will cause unacceptable congestion to pedestrians on the extremely narrow footway and make it even more dangerous to walk on this side of the road.
    3. A more ambitious development, which does not include the two blocks of flats fronting onto the High Street, would reduce the above problems.
  5. The Parish Council objects to any residential development until upgrading of the sewerage system in Metheringham has been completed.
    1. Use of a biofilter treatment plant has already been rejected (on appeal) on another proposed development in Metheringham. This approach is therefore not acceptable.
    2. While some consideration has been given to surface water discharges from roofs and paved areas, insufficient consideration has been given to surface water run off onto the High Street. The site is on elevated ground, the water table at this point in the village is very high, and flooding occurs on the High Street/Drury Street junction during and after heavy rainfall.
  6. The existing standard building material in this area is brick and natural stone. The use of “facing artstone”, as stated in the planning application, is not acceptable in the Conservation area of the village.
  7. Having read the document prepared by Chris Gothard Associates Ltd. accompanying the planning application, Metheringham Parish Council would like to ask if North Kesteven District Council intend to enforce their Affordable Housing Policy.
  8. As the land on the proposed development site is higher than the road level, are there plans to lower it? If so this could have a detrimental effect on surrounding properties. Also, as the proposed site has had various uses over the years, Metheringham Parish Council would like to ask if anything has been done regarding soil samples.

    9. * The wording for items 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 is taken from “ Metheringham Village Appraisal”, prepared jointly by North Kesteven District Council and Metheringham Parish Council in June 1976, with added supplement in 1980.

3.8.3 To consider planning application Reference: N/39/0138/07 – Proposal: erection of conservatory, 1 Heath Lane, Metheringham – There were no objections to this proposal.

3.9 Financial matters

3.9.1 To consider accounts for payment

Payment to Amount £
Bonnetts – Materials for Public toilets 65.86
Greenvale – cut war memorial hedge 275.00
Village Hall Hire 52.00
Village Caretaker 198.23
Public Toilet Caretaker 137.50
Clerk Salary + Expenses 736.09
Parish Dog Warden Services 265.42
Inland Revenue 108.43
Anglian Water – ( Aug – Feb) 117.11
St Wilfrid’s – Hire of Hall 7.50
C A Fox - Lighting War Memorial 932.65
Hampshire Flag Co> 68.74
Viking Direct – Stationery 117.98
Starlite Ass Ltd – Website 82.25
Royal Mail – PO Box 56.15
LALC – Annual subscription fee 352.00
TOTAL 3572.91

Cllr Mrs Creasey proposed payment of accounts, Cllr Mrs Morrison seconded, with 1 abstention (Cllr Mrs Honisett) and 6 were in favour.

3.9.2 To receive a report from the RFO on the PC finances – Nothing to report.

3.10 Date and venue of next meeting – Tuesday 27 th March 2007 in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.34pm.

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