Metheringham Parish Council

Metheringham Parish Council Minutes

Parish Council

Minutes 03/2008 of Metheringham Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 29th July 2008 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

PRESENT: Councillors Dr M J Allen (Chairman), Mrs R Creasey, N Dobbs, P D Ford, Mrs R Parker, Mrs S Peek, G R Roland, A M Waddington, Mrs A F Webb, G W Chambers (District 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 (3 present).

2. To resolve to accept Apologies for absence and reasons given: Cllr Mrs P Bradwell, Cllr R Greenhouse, Cllr Mrs J Honisett and Cllr J C Rose. It was resolved to accept the apologies and reasons, this was proposed by Cllr Ford seconded by Cllr Mrs Peek and all were in favour.

3. Members Declarations of Interests: No declarations of interest were made.

4. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:

At 7.27pm the chairman adjourned the meeting.

Member of MADSPA Committee stated due to the boiler breakdown the pool was used by the school for only two weeks, instead of the usual six weeks. This will have a major impact on the accounts at the end of the year. Due to the good weather at present the gate takings have been approximately £95.00 per day. All fundraising events are going ahead as planned. Cllr Mrs Peek requested she was informed of all meetings and received minutes. It was agreed a meeting is to be organized at the end of the season with MADPSA to discuss finance issues.

At 7.33pm the Chairman re-convened the meeting.

5. Notes of the last meeting: Held on 24th June 2008, having been previously circulated, be approved as the minutes – The signing of the minutes was proposed by Cllr Waddington, seconded by Cllr Ford, 3 abstentions (Cllrs Dr Allen, Mrs Creasey and Roland) 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.
Grant application sent to Co-op for Christmas tree light kit.
New Public Toilet Caretaker has now started in the position.
Gardener/Handyman is now settling into the position.
Letter sent to Network Rail regarding the poor state of the Railway Station. Waiting for a reply.
LCC Highways – MPC Highways & Footpaths working group report of items that need attention sent to Highways.
Letter sent to Methodist Chapel regarding erection of Bus shelter at High Street outside the Chapel. Letter of reply received giving contact details, Clerk to pursue. LCC are producing new plans.
MACLA website has been updated.
Letters sent to village pubs requesting they ask members of the public to refrain from taking glasses in the street at the Fayre & Feast.
Sign ordered for the Spring giving MPC contact details.
Problems with the emptying of Dog and litter bins are still ongoing, if all Councillors could please monitor the situation. I have contacted NKDC on several occasions.
Keys have now been issued to neighbours of the Spring. Letter received from Blankney Estates, awaiting further details.
Design of MPC letter head and logo – Clerk has provided a brief outline of what is required and given details to Mrs McMenemie – unfortunately the school have not had a competition.
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. Neil Wardell – LCC has spoken to Brylaine and there is an official stop outside D & K News this will be added to the sign outside the Scarf & Goggles.
Letter sent to Lloyds TSB at Metheringham requesting donation towards new seats for the war memorial.
Letter sent to occupants of 35 Sleaford Road requesting they cut their hedge.
Letter sent to occupant of 109 Lincoln Road, requesting they deal with tree roots affecting the public footpath.
Letter sent to Planning Inspectorate in support of NKDC’s decision relating to 26 Fen Road.
New dog bin has been installed at Highfield Rise.
LCC Free Trees for Parishes – possible locations Shiregate Play Park, Open Space Cavalry Court (to replace damaged tree planted by NKDC), Spring and Village Hall Car Park. Councillors to provide other options.
New sign has been erected at Shiregate Play Park, but has been vandalized. Clerk to order new vandal proof sign!!

7. Financial matters:

Payment to Amount £
ISPAL membership 95.00
NKDC – Planning Application for VH 85.00
Postage & Stationery (Debit Card) 25.84
Halifax (Debit Card) – keys for Spring 10.00
Gardener/Handyman 210.27
Village Caretaker 265.00
Public Toilet Caretaker (P Broome) 203.34
Public Toilet Caretaker (J Hill) 75.12
Clerk Salary + Expenses 976.44
LCC Pension Scheme 277.07
Parish Dog Warden 476.00
Inland Revenue 342.17
Bonnetts – materials for public toilets 72.63
JTF (Debit Card) – cleaning materials & tools 36.95
MVHMC – Hire of Hall 45.50
P Woodward – Repairs to swimming pool boiler 884.90
Veolia grass cutting 102.23
EON – War memorial electricity 70.02
Comet – (Debit Card) new telephones 50.00
S Wetherall balance re: above 9.99
C A Fox – work at bowls club 211.50
TOTAL 4,524.97

It was resolved to make payment of the accounts, Cllr Mrs Creasey proposed payment, Cllr Dobbs seconded, and all were in favour.

PC Income July 2008 Amount £
Interest from Premier Account 215.79
Interest from Deposit Account 2.85
VHMC – payment on loan 97.78
VAT Refund for 2007/08 4736.16
NKDC – grant towards youth shelter 1000.00
TOTAL 6052.58

Cllr Ford stated the PC are still holding the £4,000.00 from NKDC Parish Partnership Cluster Group.

8. Planning matters:

The Planning Committee did not meet on Wednesday 9 th July 2008 as no plans had been received by that date.

Planning permission has been refused in respect of:

Ref: N/39/0211/08 – Site at 26 Fen Road, Metheringham. This application was refused planning permission, and the applicant has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against the decision. The Parish Council had originally objected to this application, and therefore would not hesitate to agree with North Kesteven District Council’s decision. The outcome is awaited.

Planning permission has been granted in respect of:

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.

The Planning Committee is scheduled to meet next on Wednesday 13 th August 2008 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall.

b) To consider planning application Ref: N39/0633/08 – proposal: Single storey extension at 13 High Street, Metheringham. There were no comments of objections.

c) To consider planning application Ref: N39/0637/08 – proposal: Erection of single storey front and side extension at 1 Londesborough Way, Metheringham. Metheringham Parish Council objects to this application on the grounds that it would be an over-development of the site and recent flash flooding has occurred in this area, any additional bathrooms would only exasperate the problems.

d) To consider planning application Ref: N39/0640/08 – proposal: Single storey rear and side extension and alterations to garage roof at Willow Cottage, 30 Lincoln Road, Metheringham . There were no comments or objections.

e) To consider planning application Ref: N39/0727/08 – proposal: Installation of solar panels, Metheringham Village Hall, Fen Road, Metheringham. There were no comments or objections.

9. Correspondence:

10. To receive reports on Outside Meetings:

a) The Chairman gave a report on the LALC County Committee meeting held in June. The main topics discussed were area forums, training and Local Area Agreements, it states they will grow in importance in time. Cllr Chambers stated the District Council are heavily involved in the LAA’s and suggested MPC contact Ian Fytche at NKDC, to ask for an explanation of the implications to the District Council and Parish Council ACTION: Clerk

b) The Chairman gave a brief overview of the Standards Committee meeting held in June. Any complaints which would have originally been addressed to the Standards Board are now to be sent to NKDC – Standards Committee.

c) The Chairman gave a report on the Metheringham Cluster group meeting held in July. The main topics discussed were Hill Holt Wood and NKDC policy update. The next meeting of the Metheringham Cluster group will take place on Tuesday 7 th October at 7.00pm in Metheringham Village Hall.

(i) To consider the suggestion that MPC should assume overall responsibility for the SID and projector and screen (if purchased) – following a short discussion it was resolved MPC did not wish to take responsibility for the SID, but would take responsibility for the projector and screen this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Parker, seconded by Cllr Ford and all were in favour.

(ii) To consider suggestions for next years devolved cluster fund of £2,000.00 – Cllr Mrs Parker suggested the funds could be utilized for improvements at the swimming pool.

11. To receive reports from Working Groups:

b) Fayre & Feast – minutes of the last meeting held on 24th July were circulated to all Councillors, Cllr Ford to contact Vanessa Mawer to arrange SAG meeting. Letter to be sent to Pat Phillips travelling showman re: safety issues at fairground. ACTION: Working Group

c) Highways & Footpaths – Cllr Waddington has carried out a survey of vehicles parking on High Street, Clerk to pass information to LCC Highways for action. A site meeting took place on 11 th July with ArtsNK and NKDC to confirm details and requirements for the new cross. A follow up meeting is to take place on Friday 12 th September at 9.30am at the cross. ACTION: Working Group/LCC/NKDC

d) War Memorial, Spring and Public Open Spaces – A site meeting took place at the Spring to consider future maintenance of the area. Cllr Mrs Parker and Clerk to meet with gardener/handyman. Letter received from Blankney Estates waiting further details. Keys have been issued to neighbours of the Spring. ACTION: Working Group

At 9.03pm the Chairman adjourned the meeting for refreshments.
At 9.03pm Cllr Chambers left the meeting.
At 9.21pm the Chairman reconvened the meeting.  

12. Chance to Share & related issues: The Chairmanrecommended the Fifth draft Heads of Terms Lease for the Star & Garter Field was not accepted as there are still outstanding issues. The LCC have failed to agree to a site meeting to clarify concerns raised by a local resident. PC are to consider other options for the building of the pavilion/changing rooms. PC to arrange a meeting to resolve outstanding issues with Cllr Mrs Bradwell, Paul Andrews, Ruth Crouch, Mrs McMenemie and Neil Kendall. ACTION: Working Group/Cllr Mrs Bradwell

13. New Pavilion and changing rooms: Due to the lack of progress with LCC no further action has been taken. ACTION: Chairman/Clerk

14. Parish Plan for Metheringham: A steering group has not yet been formed. 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

15. Storage of Parish Council records: A meeting is to be arranged with the VHMC to discuss options. It was suggested important documents could be scanned, however this would be a time consuming exercise. ACTION: Clerk

16. Metheringham Railway Station: Cllr Waddington has written to Network Rail, East Midland Trains, LCC and NKDC, but has not had a positive response. MPC have also written to Network Rail, waiting a reply. 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

17. Allotments: PC now has a waiting list of 14 people. Following several requests, there have been no offers of land for allotments. ACTION: Councillors/Clerk

18. Remembrance Day Service: Clerk to contact Reverend Charles Sowden to confirm he will be conducting this year’s service. Cllr Ford confirmed the Policeman, an Army veteran and Army cadet would be present to conduct a reading at the war memorial . Clerk to arrange a meeting with the Scouts and Guides to discuss the possibility of arranging a parade. ACTION: Clerk

19. Standing Orders MPC/001-R4 : Councillors were given a revision sheet showing proposed amendments to Standing Orders MPC001-R4 Sections 19 and 51 – Change Standards Board to read North Kesteven District Council – Standards Committee. It was resolved to accept the amendments, this was proposed by Cllr Dobbs, seconded by Cllr Mrs Creasey and all were in favour.

20. Complaints Procedure MPC/007-R2 : Councillors were give a revision sheet showing proposed amendments to Complaints Procedure MPC007-R2 Section 2 – Change Standards Board to read North Kesteven District Council – Standards Committee. It was resolved to accept the amendments, this was proposed by Cllr Ford, seconded by Cllr Mrs Parker and all were in favour.

21. Dignity at Work/Bullying and Harassment Policy MPC/012-R1: To adopt the Dignity at Work/Bullying and Harassment Policy MPC/012-R1, following a review of this document it was resolved it would be adopted, this was proposed by Cllr Roland, seconded by Cllr Mrs Parker and all were in favour.

22. Date, time and venue of next meeting : Tuesday 26 th August 2008 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 10.20pm.

Addendum 03/2008 of Metheringham Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 29th July 2008 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

1. Police Report
Unfortunately no police were present, the Clerk gave the police report, during the period 23/06/08 – 28/07/08, there have been 6 crimes recorded, which are as follows, 2 criminal damage, 2 theft (1 detected) and 2 drugs offences (detected).

2. Public Forum
There were 3 members of the public present – The Chairman adjourned the meeting at Item 4c for the MADSPA committee representative to update the Council on the progress of outstanding issues.

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