Metheringham Parish Council
Metheringham Parish Council Minutes
Minutes 02/2008 of Metheringham Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 24th June 2008 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
PRESENT: Councillors Mrs J Honisett (Vice Chairman), N Dobbs,
P D Ford, R Greenhouse, Mrs R Parker, Mrs S Peek, 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
especially the two new members Cllr Dobbs and Cllr Greenhouse. Copies of the
agenda were available for members of the public (6 present).
2. To resolve to accept Apologies for absence and reasons given:
Cllr Dr M J Allen, Cllr Mrs R Creasey, Cllr G W Chambers and Cllr G H Roland.
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, also Items 18 a & b because she is the
Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee.
4. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a) Cllr Mrs Bradwell gave LCC contact details relating to bus services. A
meeting is to be arranged with the school to discuss outstanding issues regarding
the swimming pool, waiting for dates from Paul Andrews.
b) Cllr Rose informed the Council that from 1st July 2008 people holding concessionary
bus passes will be able to use them at anytime of the day. The rectification
work to the grass open space area on the corner of Caroline Road and Station
Road is still not acceptable. The landscapers have been instructed to return
and resolve the problem.
c) Cllr Mrs Honisett on behalf of the Village Hall Management Committee reported
the knotweed problem in the car park is still not rectified. Clerk to contact
Paul Bavin again. A grant has been received from Awards for All for £5350.00.
5. Notes of the last meeting: Held on 27th May 2008, having been previously circulated, be approved as the minutes – The signing of the minutes was proposed by Cllr Mrs Parker, seconded by Cllr Waddington, 2 abstentions (Cllrs Dobbs and Greenhouse) and 4 were in favour.
6. Clerks report on matters outstanding: The next Parish
Council Drop in Surgery will be on Saturday 6th September 2008 at the INFO-LINKS
Office from 10.00am – 12.00pm.
Contacted Shirley Barlow at NKDC regarding
strip of land at Ashdale Close.
Position of Public Toilet Caretaker has now been filled.
Position of Gardener/Handyman has now been filled Mr Paul Chambers has accepted
the position.
Further letter received from Alan Brown at LCC Highways regarding
issues raised during a village tour.
LCC Highways – MPC Highways & Footpaths
working group report of items that need attention sent to Highways.
Bus shelter
at High Street, site meeting arranged for 20th June 2008, with Highways & Footpaths
working group and LCC to consider other options.
MACLA website has been updated.
Contacted the school in relation to Cllr Waddington,
volunteering for the position of community governor.
Letters sent to all parties
interested in becoming a Parish Councillor. Meetings held and information packs
given to new Councillors.
Problems with the emptying of Dog and litter bins
is still ongoing, if all Councillors could please monitor the situation.
Letters
sent to neighbours of the Spring and Blankney Estates, formalizing the Spring
issues.
Design of MPC letter head and logo – Clerk has provided a brief
outline of what is required and given details to Mrs McMenemie – waiting
for reply.
Further complaints received about uneven footpath on Lime Tree Avenue
(caused by tree roots) – letter sent to occupant, waiting reply/response.
Letter
sent to Brylaine requesting confirmation of where the bus stop should be on
High Street, near D & K News. Letter of response received from Brylaine,
this is not acceptable. LCC Neil Wardell to pursue on behalf of MPC.
Dog warden
contract has been extended for a further year.
New litter bin has now been erected
next to the youth shelter – this
is being well used.
Street light outside 5 Manor Close not working has been
reported to ABB Ltd.
New dog bin has been delivered for Highfield Rise waiting
installation.
7. Financial matters:
a) To consider accounts for payment
| Payment to | Amount £ |
|---|---|
| Smart & Cook – PC Insurance | 3877.06 |
| Bonnetts – Public toilet materials | 81.73 |
| Postage & Stationery (Debit Card) | 69.12 |
| Veolia – grass cutting | 51.11 |
| Wybone – new dog bin for Highfield Rise | 149.69 |
| Village Caretaker | 261.00 |
| Public Toilet Caretaker | 154.56 |
| Clerk Salary + Expenses | 813.13 |
| LCC Pension Scheme | 218.62 |
| Parish Dog Warden | 476.00 |
| Inland Revenue | 237.87 |
| ABB Ltd – repair 5 Manor Close & o/s PMA fish & chip shop | 91.90 |
| Standard charge for 195 s/lights | 782.66 |
| MVHMC – Hire of Hall | 45.50 |
| JTF Misc items for PC employees (Debit Card) | 91.29 |
| SLCC – Membership renewal | 129.00 |
| St Wilfrid’s Hire of Hall | 7.00 |
| TOTAL | 7,537.24 |
It was resolved to make payment of the accounts, Cllr Waddington proposed payment, Cllr Mrs Peek seconded, 1 abstention (Cllr Mrs Honisett) and 5 were in favour.
b) To receive a report from the RFO on the PC finances
| PC Income March 2008 | Amount £ |
|---|---|
| Interest from Premier Account | 250.17 |
| Interest from Deposit Account | 4.62 |
| VHMC – payment on loan | 97.78 |
| VHMC – re new windows | 1675.91 |
| TOTAL | 2028.48 |
Cllr Ford stated he was concerned that the precept for Metheringham appeared to be substantially lower than other similar sized villages in the district. Cllr Rose said this was because MPC in past years had not spent much money in comparison to the other villages and that was the reason why our precept is not as high as theirs. He also stated we could request any amount for the precept. Cllr Mrs Bradwell added there should be an amount added as a contingency.
c) To consider membership renewal of the Society of Local Council Clerks for 2008 at a cost of £129.00 - it was resolved to renew our membership this was proposed by Cllr Ford, seconded by Cllr Greenhouse and all were in favour.
d) To consider a request from Victim Support Lincolnshire for a donation towards their activities – following a brief discussion it was resolved a donation would not be made on this occasion, this was proposed by Cllr Ford, seconded by Cllr Waddington and all were in favour.
8. Planning matters:
a) To note a report from the planning committee:
The Planning Committee met on Wednesday 11th June 2008. The following applications were discussed:
Ref: N39/0512/08 – proposal: Erection of conservatory to rear of 14
Blacksmith Court, Metheringham. There were no comments or objections.
Ref: N39/0075/08 – proposal:
Partial conversion of agricultural building forming farm office, rest room
and ancillary accommodation in barns at Dairy Farmhouse, Barff Farm, Fen Lane,
Metheringham. There were no comments or objections.
The Planning Committee has
now received written confirmation that planning application N39/0267/08 has
been withdrawn.
The Planning Committee is scheduled to meet next on Wednesday 9th July 2008
at 7.30pm in the Church Hall.
9. Correspondence:
a) To note general correspondence – Please see Appendix 1.
b) To consider a letter from LCC regarding Free Trees for Parishes Scheme 2008
and decide accordingly – A short discussion took place as to where
the trees could be located, a decision was not made all Councillors are to
give suggestions to the Clerk. This item was deferred until the next meeting.
ACTION: Councillors
10. To receive reports from Working Groups:
a) Children’s Playgrounds – The new youth shelter is being well
used by the teenagers and positive feedback has been received. The youths responsible
for the graffiti in the village have been dealt with, a decision is to be made
regarding the removal of graffiti from the youth shelter. Cllr Ford is attending
a meeting on 25th June with one of the offenders to discuss options for his
community service. Cllrs thought litter picking around the outskirts of the
village would be beneficial to the parish. ACTION: Working Group
b) Highways & Footpaths – Cllr Waddington gave a report on the working
group meeting with LCC, to reach an agreement on the location of the proposed
new bus shelter. Waiting further details and plans from LCC. ACTION: Working
Group/LCC
c) War Memorial, Spring and Public Open Spaces – Cllr Mrs Parker stated
the war memorial garden had been tidied 3 weeks ago. Cllr Mrs Parker to liaise
with the gardener/handyman, to maintain the gardens.
Spring - letter sent to Blankney Estates Ltd requesting the current situation
is formalized. Letters also sent to neighbours of the Spring confirming details
agreed at the meeting.
ACTION: Working Group
At 8.40pm the Chairman adjourned the meeting for refreshments.
At 8.59pm the Chairman reconvened the meeting.
11. Chance to Share & related issues: Cllr Mrs Honisett informed Cllrs the Fifth draft Heads of Terms Lease for the Star & Garter Field had been sent to the PC that morning and this was not acceptable as the PC had not had time to consider the amendments to 4g and 6a. Clerk to circulate copies to all Cllrs, this item was deferred to the next meeting. Cllr Mrs Bradwell will discuss with Paul Andrews and Ruth Crouch. ACTION: Working Group/Cllr Mrs Bradwell
12. New Pavilion and changing rooms: In view of the progress with LCC the PC has requested volunteers to form further working groups, at this stage there has been one volunteer. Clerk and Chairman to co-ordinate. ACTION: Chairman/Clerk
13. Parish Plan for Metheringham: A steering group has not yet been formed. A request for volunteers has been raised, at this stage there are two volunteers. Clerk to write to all local organizations and businesses requesting they have a representative on the steering group. All Councillors are to send the Clerk a “wish list” of suggested items to improve the village. ACTION: Councillors/Clerk
14. Storage of Parish Council records: A meeting is to be arranged with the VHMC to discuss options. Some Cllrs still have concerns. ACTION: Clerk
15. Metheringham Railway Station: Cllr Waddington has written several letters to Network Rail, but has not had a positive response. The station area is still in an extremely poor state, this reflects badly on the village. Cllr Mrs Bradwell to make enquiries with LCC as there may be funds available. ACTION: Cllr Mrs Bradwell/Clerk
At 9.15pm Cllr Mrs Bradwell left the meeting.
16. Allotments: PC now has a waiting list of 14 people. If any Councillors know of any land that could be utilized as allotments, please contact the Clerk. ACTION: Councillors/Clerk
17. Working groups: To confirm members of working groups – due to the council co-opting two new members at the last meeting, it was agreed to defer this item and fill the vacancies at this meeting; details are as follows:- Children’s Playgrounds - Cllr Greenhouse, War Memorial Spring & Public Open Spaces – Cllr Dobbs and Risk Assessment – Cllr Greenhouse. ACTION: Clerk
18. Village Hall Management Committee:
a) To request permission from the Parish Council to erect a notice board on
the outside wall near the Fen Road entrance, to inform members of the public
what is happening in the hall – It was resolved to allow VHMC to proceed,
this was proposed by Cllr Ford, seconded by Cllr Mrs Webb and all were in favour.
b) To request permission from the Parish Council to dig a hole in the car park
next to the hall to install a tank to hold rainwater. Once in place the
top would be covered and the car park tarmac reinstated – questions were
raised about the costs involved, Cllr Mrs Honisett stated grants totalling £9,000
had been received and this would cover the costs. It was resolved to give permission
to VHMC, this was proposed by Cllr Ford, seconded by Cllr Mrs Parker and all
were in favour.
19. Date, time and venue of next meeting: Tuesday 29th July 2008 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.36pm.
Addendum 02/2008 of Metheringham Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 24 th June 2008 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
1. Police Report
PCSO’s Duckworth
and Flannigan were present and gave the police report, during the period 27/05/08 – 24/06/08,
there have been 3 crimes recorded, which are as follows, 1 criminal damage
(detected) and 2 theft.
The police were pleased to advise that 4 people had
been arrested for Criminal damage crimes reported at the last meeting.
2. Public Forum
There were 6 members of
the public present – The MADSPA representative
informed the Council of the concerns about the boiler which was condemned on
16/05/2008. Three quotations are to be obtained for a new boiler and a meeting
arranged with MADPSA to discuss outstanding issues.