Metheringham Parish Council

Metheringham Parish Council Minutes

Parish Council

Minutes 10/2008 of Metheringham Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 25th March 2008 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

PRESENT: Councillors Dr M J Allen (Chairman), Mrs J Honisett (Vice Chairman), Mrs R Creasey, P D Ford, Mrs R Parker, Mrs S Peek, G H Roland, A M Waddington, Mrs A F Webb, J C Rose (District Council), Mrs P Bradwell (County Council) and Ms S N Wetherall (Clerk).

1. Chairman’s Remarks: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. Copies of the agenda were available for members of the public (7 present). The agenda format has changed in accordance with LALC guidelines.

2. To resolve to accept Apologies for absence and reasons given: Cllr G W Chambers. It was resolved to accept the apologies and reasons, this was proposed by Cllr Ford seconded by Cllr Mrs Honisett and all were in favour.

3. Members Declarations of Interests: Declarations of interest were made by the following Councillors:
Cllr Mrs Honisett declared a personal interest for Agenda Item 7a - because her husband is receiving a salary.
Cllr Mrs Parker declared a personal interest for Agenda Item 11c – because of her connections with Blankney Estates Ltd.

4. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:

5. Notes of the last meeting: Held on 26th February 2008, having been previously circulated, be approved as the minutes – The signing of the minutes was proposed by Cllr Ford, seconded by Cllr Mrs Peek, 2 abstentions (Cllrs Mrs Parker and Waddington) and 5 were in favour.

6. Clerks report on matters outstanding:
The next Parish Council Drop in Surgery will be on Saturday 7th June 2008 at the INFO-LINKS Office from 10.00am – 12.00pm.
Letters have been sent to all village organizations inviting them to the Annual Village Meeting.
LCC parish website - a link to the MACLA website from the LCC parish search page has now been completed.
Advert for position of Gardener/Handyman – closing date has passed, there has been one person interested.
Have spoken to Alan Brown at LCC Highways regarding a traffic survey of vehicles parked in High Street – if the last 3 letters of the number plate are taken there are no legal implications.
LCC Highways – reported pot hole on High Street adjacent to Co-op entrance and pot holes on B1202 at junction of Bloxholm Lane.
Bus shelter at High Street I have requested Mrs Bardwell’s assistance as LCC cannot give a date when the project will be started, due to complications with BT.
MACLA website has been updated.
Complaint received regarding cigarette ends on footpath outside Star & Garter – spoken to Mr Bromfield, area to be swept regularly.
Grant Applications to the Rural Fizz Fund for £3,000.00 and NKDC Young Peoples Fund for £1,000.00 have both been successful. Youth Shelter has been ordered. Mission X Youth Club have requested a red shelter.
Dog and litter bins are to be emptied on a Friday each week, NKDC are now responsible for this - based at Sleaford Road Depot.
Complaint received about poor state of the gents public toilets – Clerk monitoring situation.
Design of MPC letter head and logo – Clerk to provide brief outline of what is required and give details to Mrs McMenemie.
Erection of historical notice boards - this item is ongoing.
Complaint received about overgrown hedge and leylandii on Church Walk – letter sent to occupants.
Councillor Rose has received comments regarding where the buses are now stopping, they normally stop on High Street outside D & K News, but recently have been stopping at the corner of Mordern Close – Clerk to contact Brylaine and Stagecoach to establish where the bus stop should be.
If Councillors would like a copy of any of the working group reports please contact me.

7. Financial matters:

Payment to Amount £
LALC – Annual Subs (replacement cheque) 408.90
LALC – Training Subscription 105.00
Postage (Debit Card) 24.16
B Blackband – planting trees 100.00
C Ford – planting trees 100.00
Village Caretaker 236.24
Public Toilet Caretaker 154.56
Clerk Salary + Expenses 857.09
Parish Dog Warden 736.77
Inland Revenue 175.69
ABB Ltd – repair to column o/s Star & Garter 91.90
ABB Ltd – Quarterly charge for 195 s/lights 782.66
MVHMC – Hire of Hall 39.00
NKDC – Insurance public toilets 2007/08 38.15
NKDC – Emptying 12 dog bins 2007/08 880.00
St Wilfrid’s Hire of Hall 7.00
Anglian Water – charges for sports field 74.21
P Ford – expenses Dec-Mar 57.58
LCC – call out/repair to column o/s co-op 2006 542.92
Starlite Ass Ltd – Hosting PC website 82.25
Starlite Ass Ltd – ink cartridges etc for Clerk 93.88
LCC – Pension Scheme 231.27
Metheringham FC – Cleaning Pavilion Jan-Mar 72.00
C A Fox – Electrical upgrade Bowls Club 2426.37
Youth Shelter Project 8666.80
Paul Bavin – remove fallen tree in S & G field 705.00
Lloyds Bank – Safety Box 25.00
TOTAL 17,714.40

It was resolved to make payment of the accounts, Cllr Mrs Parker proposed payment, Cllr Roland seconded, 1 abstention (Cllr Mrs Honisett) and 6 were in favour.

PC Income March 2008 Amount £
Interest from Premier Account 223.06
Interest from Deposit Account 2.49
VHMC – payment on loan 97.78
Rural Fizz Fund – Grant for Youth Shelter 3000.00
NKDC – Young Peoples Fund for Youth Shelter 1000.00
TOTAL 4323.33

8.Planning matters:

As only 2 members of the Planning Committee met on Wednesday 12th March 2008 no firm decisions were made in respect of the 2 applications (8b and 8c on the agenda).

One application, Ref: N39/0190/08, which is extensions to 8 Paddock Lane, raised no comments or objections. The response letter for this application has not been returned yet, and the time limit has expired.

Planning permission has been granted in respect of:
Ref: N39/0015/08 – Erection of freestanding timber pergola at the Star & Garter, Prince’s Street, Metheringham. Listed Building Consent has also been granted in this case, ref: LBC2225.
Ref: N39/1509/07 – Two-storey rear extension at 49 Shiregate, Metheringham.
Ref: N39/0090/08 – Two-storey and single-storey extensions at Middle Fen Farm, Metheringham Fen.
Ref: N39/1050/06 – Extend children’s nursery to form baby room at 45 Sleaford Road, Metheringham.
The Appeal by Abbeydale Homes Limited concerning the site at 42-48 High Street, Metheringham was heard at a Hearing on Tuesday 11 th March 2008. Councillor Mrs Honisett attended, along with Councillor Rose and four people from neighbouring properties. The outcome is now awaited.
The Planning Committee is scheduled to meet next on Wednesday 9 th April 2008 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall.

It was resolved to adjourn the meeting at 7.42pm, this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Creasey, seconded by Cllr Mrs Honisett and all were in favour.

At 7.58pm Cllr Mrs Bradwell joined the meeting.

1. The height of the proposed dwellings will not be in keeping with the character of the locality, and has already created considerable adverse comments from local residents. The street scene depicted on the Site/Location plan submitted by Abbeydale Homes Ltd quite clearly shows that the two dwellings fronting the site will not relate in height to the neighbouring properties, and the visual impact will be dominating and overbearing, with a possible loss of light to the two single storey properties opposite on the north side of the High Street.
2. The site is on elevated ground, and the water table at this point in the village is very high. Insufficient consideration has been given to surface water run off onto the High Street, as flooding occurs on the High Street/Drury Street junction during and after heavy rainfall.
3. The access to this site is opposite a fish and chip shop, which in turn is adjacent to a butcher’s shop. Vehicles are frequently parked here, narrowing even further this stretch of road, and congestion occurs when a bus attempts to get through. Traffic does exceed the speed limit on occasions on this part of the High Street, as vehicles use this street to avoid the junction of the B1189 with the B1188.
4. As the site lies within the Metheringham Conservation Area it is felt that any development on this site must be in keeping with the original intention of the Conservation Area, as expressed on page 28 of “Metheringham Village Appraisal”, prepared jointly by North Kesteven District Council and Metheringham Parish Council in June 1976, with added supplement in 1980.
5. Points 6.48, 6.49, 6.50 and 6.51 of the Planning, Conservation and Design Statement submitted on behalf of Abbeydale Homes Ltd are misleading. The quotation from the “Metheringham Village Appraisal” states that any development between 42 and 48 should ‘seek to retain a view to the church from the High Street’. It is our opinion that this refers to the view for parishioners moving along the High Street and not, as implied in point 6.50, for the benefit of the residents of the new properties alone. Point 6.51 is especially erroneous, as the Parish Council drew attention to the loss of the view of the church in their response to Planning Application N39/0056/06.

At 8.15pm the Chairman reconvened the meeting.

9. Correspondence:

10. To receive reports on Outside Meetings:
The Chairman gave a report on the LALC South West Open Forum held on 13 th March 2008. The main topics discussed were Parish Partnerships, Policing in Lincolnshire, Standards Board, Local Area Authorities (LAA), Council Tax and Police Budget. The Chairman suggested the Parish Partnership Cluster Meeting and LALC Forum meetings should be amalgamated.

11. To receive reports from Working Groups:

12. Chance to Share & related issues: The Chairman gave an extensive report to the Council following a meeting held on 19 th March between LCC and PC. Revised draft Heads of Terms Lease for the Star & Garter Field was discussed. This document was prepared by the PC, following discussions by the Forward Planning Group. Cllr Rose raised the issue of fencing and questioned why the PC were paying half the cost of the fencing. A number of Parish councillors agreed with this view. The Chairman proposed that the main provisions of the Heads of Terms for a lease of the Star and Garter Field should be accepted, seconded by Cllr Ford, 2 against (Cllrs Mrs Creasey and Mrs Parker), 1 abstention (Cllr Roland) and 4 in favour.

These are;

A new draft of the Heads of Terms was received from the LCC just before the meeting. This will be discussed by the Forward Planning Group and a special meeting of Council will be held if necessary. ACTION: Working Group

13. New Pavilion and changing rooms: In view of the progress with LCC the PC are to organize a meeting with MACLA to establish there is still support to move this project forward. If this is feasible further working groups are to be formed. Clerk and Chairman to co-ordinate. ACTION: Chairman/Clerk  

At 9.08pm the Chairman adjourned the meeting for refreshments.
At 9.27pm Cllr Mrs Bradwell and Cllr Rose left the meeting.
At 9.28pm the Chairman reconvened the meeting.

 14. Parish Plan for Metheringham: A steering group has not yet been formed. A request for volunteers will be raised at the Annual Village Meeting. All Councillors are to send the Clerk a “wish list” of suggested items to improve the village. ACTION: Councillors

15. Storage of Parish Council records: Clerk gave details of approximate costs for purchasing filing cabinets. Some concerns were raised and alternatives suggested, Clerk to contact NKDC and LALC. ACTION: Clerk

16. Arrangements for the Annual Village Meeting: To be held on Tuesday 29 th April 2008 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall. This years theme is “Going Green”. Letters have been sent to all village organizations inviting them to attend the evening. ACTION: Clerk

17. Annual Report 2007/2008: It was resolved the Annual Report will have a similar format to previous years and a provisional budget of £400.00 for printing. This was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Mrs Honisett and all were in favour. ACTION: Councillors/Clerk

18. Bye Law to prohibit alcohol in designated areas of the village: Following consideration of further information provided by NKDC, it was decided no further action will be taken at this time, however the situation will be monitored and may be re-addressed in the future.

19. Dog Bins: Following a request from parishioners to the dog warden for new dog bins at Highfield Rise and Millfield Road. After a short discussion, it was resolved a new bin is to be installed at Highfield Rise this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Honisett, seconded by Cllr Mrs Peek and all were in favour. ACTION:Clerk

20. Village Notice Boards: Cllr Mrs Honisett gave a report in relation to the use of the village notice boards, all Councillors were in agreement. It was suggested the notice board (by the war memorial) could be changed to cover places of historical interest in the village. A further Parish Council noticeboard would be purchased and erected near to the Village notice board (by the Post Office). ACTION: Clerk/Cllr Mrs Honisett

21. Village Centre Regeneration Project: As an alternative to the village cross it was suggested a bespoke pillar clock could be installed to enhance the centre of the village. Some Councillors did not feel this was appropriate for the centre of Metheringham.

22. Date, time and venue of next meeting : Annual Village Meeting, Tuesday 29th April 2008 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 10.20pm.

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