Metheringham Parish Council
Metheringham Parish Council Minutes
Minutes 07/2009 of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 24th November 2009 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
PRESENT: Councillors Dr M J Allen (Chairman), N Dobbs, P D Ford,
Mrs J Honisett (Vice Chairman), Mrs R Parker, Mrs S Peek,
M E Reynolds, 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. To resolve to accept Apologies for absence and reasons given:
Apologies were received from Cllr G W Chambers and Cllr Mrs Creasey. It was resolved to accept the apologies and reasons, this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Honisett, seconded by Cllr Roland and all were in favour.
2. Members Declarations of Interests: Declarations of interest were made by the following Councillors:
Cllr Mrs Honisett declared a personal interest for agenda item 6b because her husband is receiving a salary.
Cllr Mrs Parker declared a personal interest for agenda item 10e because of her connections with Blankney Estates.
3. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a) Cllr Mrs Bradwell notified members that a meeting had taken place with LCC and NKDC Planning Officers relating to the ongoing problems at the station and the demolition of some of the buildings.
b) Nothing to report from the District Council.
c) The Village Hall Christmas Family Party is on Friday 18th December 2009 at 6.00pm. Cllr Reynolds gave a report from MADSPA, there are concerns regarding their financial situation. The outstanding gas bills for 2008/2009 need to be resolved. Meeting to be arranged with MADPSA and MPC to discuss outstanding issues. The Clerk read the dog warden report for November, there have been several areas of concern; Kings Road, The Chase, and the Playing fields these areas are to be monitored closely. Dog warden is to continue handing out leaflets, stating dog owners must clean up after their dogs.
4. Notes of the last meeting: Held on 27th October 2009, having been previously circulated, be approved as the minutes – It was resolved to sign the minutes as a true record of the meeting, this was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Reynolds and all were in favour.
5. Clerks report on matters outstanding:
a) LCC Highways contacted re: various issues. Waiting for issues to be resolved.
b) Complaint received from resident on Townsend Way, re street cleaning and street light not working – Adoption notice to be issued 20th October for a one month period. Waiting for adoption by LCC.
c) Request to LCC for single bus stop pole outside D & K News, due to ongoing problems with Brylaine buses not stopping at this stop. Funds are available from LCC but MPC would have to order and install. During Site meeting with LCC Highways MPC requested footpath is widened.
d) Bus shelter on High Street is desperately needed. Site meeting held with Lincolnshire Co-op regarding erection of bus shelter on their land. They have requested the post box is re-located to outside the post office, Royal Mail have stated this is classed as non essential works and could cost £3,000.00. Letter sent to Royal Mail.
e) Christmas Tree Lights Switch on Wednesday 2nd December at 7.00pm. Invites sent to all village groups and business premises.
f) Christmas Tree to be delivered to war memorial garden on 24th November. Paul Chambers with help of Councillors to install and dress tree on Saturday 28th November at 1.00pm, it is expected this will take approximately 2 ½ hours.
g) Letter sent to Roythornes Solicitors re: Eastern Boundary of Spring Garden Drury Street. Still waiting for amended tenancy document.
h) Site meeting held with Andy Hey – Chartered Surveyor to establish all MPC assets. MPC to provide plans of PC land and property.
i) Sign collected for Shiregate Play park, Paul Chambers to install.
j) Metheringham Youth Council – meeting to be arranged in the New Year with Mission X and other interested parties.
k) Complaints received about dog fouling in the Kings Road area and The Chase, dog warden to monitor situation.
l) Letters of thanks sent to all entertainers and stewards that attended the Fayre and Feast.
m) Letter of thanks sent to all involved at Remembrance Day service.
n) Letter sent to allotments tenants re: annual rent.
o) Letter sent to Stamford Homes re: maintenance of trees adjacent to Dunston Road. Letter sent 17-11-09 to chase issue.
p) Letter of complaint sent to LCC and ArtsNK re: Cleaning of base and maintenance issues outside Library and health clinic. Waiting reply.
q) Letter sent to Branston Ltd to request funding towards disabled toilet facilities at playing fields. Reply received unfortunately on this occasion they cannot fund our project as they have already committed the money to another local project.
r) Letter sent to Community Lincs re: attendees being excluded from the AGM. Reply received, further enquiries to be made with LALC.
s) Letter sent to all village organizations and businesses inviting them to be involved in the Parish Plan project, next meeting 19th November 2009 at 7.15pm in the Village Hall
t) Local Code of Conduct training – arranged for Wednesday 20th January 2010 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall, it would be greatly appreciated if all Councillors attend. Councillors Mrs Honisett and Mrs Webb gave their apologies.
u) Meeting took place on 3rd November at 9.30am with the NK Access group. Metheringham is to be used to publicize the project. NK Access and MPC to be involved in the new year.
v) Letter received from land registry re: MPC have four areas of land registered. All other areas of land to be registered.
w) Letter sent to resident on Millfield Road, re: request for new dog bin and notification that a 6’ fence had been erected on NKDC open space.
x) Letter sent to Mrs Smith re: request for drop kerbs in Princes Street and Princess Margaret Avenue. This work will be carried out in the next financial year.
6. Financial matters:
a) To consider and approve quotations received for the purchase and installation of new urinals for the gents public toilets - following consideration of the quotations, it was resolved to purchase the urinal from Healey and Lord at a cost of £307.00, removal of the old urinals and installation of new to be carried out by PJA Plumbing Services at a cost of £300.00 this was proposed by Cllr Roland, seconded by the Chairman, one abstention (Cllr Mrs Parker) and 7 were in favour.
b) To consider accounts for payment:
| Payment to | Amount £ |
|---|---|
| Bates Sound – Radios for F & F | 60.00 |
| Sleaford Town Council – hire of stalls | 78.36 |
| Lincs Van Hire – vehicle for F & F | 117.39 |
| Star & Garter – de-brief | 100.00 |
| Balance of Fayre & Feast Expenditure 2009 | 355.75 |
| Sainsbury’s – Stationery (DC) | 4.73 |
| Waddington PO – postage (DC) | 26.62 |
| Matthew Hall Bugler - Remembrance Day | 20.00 |
| P Turner – Strimmer Service | 27.00 |
| Starlite Associates – Hard drives for Clerk & RFO | 150.00 |
| Veolia - Grass cutting 26/06/09 – 16/10/09 | 182.72 |
| J Wood - Internal Auditor | 25.00 |
| E-on - Public toilet lighting | 70.37 |
| E-on - War memorial lighting | 68.06 |
| Handyman Salary & Expenses | 183.88 |
| Village Caretaker Salary | 230.20 |
| Public Toilet Caretaker Salary | 176.40 |
| Pavilion Cleaner Salary | 75.60 |
| Clerk Salary & Expenses | 1066.32 |
| LCC Pension Scheme | 291.04 |
| Parish Dog Warden | 340.00 |
| HM Revenue & Customs | 358.80 |
| MVHMC – Hire of Hall | 39.00 |
| St Wilfrid’s – Hire of Hall | 14.00 |
| Bates Sound – PA system for Remembrance Day | 115.00 |
| A1 Signs – Sign for Shiregate Play Park | 45.00 |
| A1 Signs – Xmas Light Switch on – Banners | 50.00 |
| P Ford (RFO) Expenses | 58.55 |
| TOTAL NOVEMBER 2009 | 3974.04 |
It was resolved to make payment of the accounts, the Chairman proposed payment, Cllr Dobbs seconded, one abstention
(Cllr Mrs Honisett) and 7 were in favour.
c) To receive a report from the RFO on the PC finances – The RFO stated an internal audit had taken place and £1343.52 funding from NKDC towards the dog warden had been transferred into the MPC bank account. There were no questions or queries for the RFO on the financial position.
7. Planning Committee Notes of the last meeting: Held on 11th November 2009, having been previously circulated, to be approved as the minutes – It was resolved to sign the minutes as a true record of the meeting, this was proposed by Cllr Dr Allen, seconded by Cllr Mrs Peek and all were in favour. Note: Roy Pell from Community Lincs will attend the next planning meeting on 9th December 2009 at 6.30pm at the Church Hall all members are invited.
8. Correspondence:
a) To note general correspondence – Please see Appendix 1.
b) To consider a letter from NKDC relating to text reporting of full dog and litter bins in the parish – It was resolved the parish would adopt this method, this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Honisett, seconded by Cllr Reynolds and all were in favour. Clerk to notify them.
9. To receive reports on Outside Meetings:
a) The Clerk and Councillor Roland attended the LALC AGM and Conference a report was circulated to all members. Main topics covered were; LCC Emergency Planning in Lincolnshire – MPC need to produce an emergency plan and Youth Matters - ways of engaging teenagers in productive activities, therefore reducing youth crime. Some valuable points were raised relating to the creation of a youth council.
b) The Clerk gave a brief report of the Clerk’s Training Day – some points were raised relating to Powers and Duties of Parish Councils. Clerk to carry out general review of MPC Procedures and amend accordingly.
c) Cllr Waddington reported the Shaping the Future of North Kesteven workshop was poorly attended only eighteen people were present. Members were given the opportunity to comment and vote on the five key strategies that were introduced two years ago.
10. To receive reports from Working Groups:
a) Children’s Playgrounds and Playing Fields – Cllr Roland informed members Paul Chambers has produced a report relating to the work that needs to be carried out at the play parks. A meeting of the working group is to be arranged as a matter of urgency to discuss equipment at both play parks. ACTION: Working Group
b) Fayre and Feast – A de-briefing meeting is to be held on 25th November 2009 at 7.00pm in the Star & Garter. The Chairman gave his apologies. ACTION: Working Group
c) Forward Planning – A meeting was held on 9th November to discuss the legal documents produced by LCC and subsequent comments from the MPC solicitor. Further details will be covered in item 11. ACTION: LCC
d) Highways, Footpaths and Car Parks – The new car park and village hall signs have been erected. Cllr Waddington stated there is a problem with drainage in the village car park. ACTION: Working Group
e) War Memorial and Spring – Clerk has sent a letter to Roythornes Solicitors informing them that MPC will maintain the eastern boundary, waiting for revised tenancy agreement. ACTION: Working Group
11. Recreation field and related issues: The Chairman gave a brief overview of the Forward Planning meeting. Unfortunately Cllr Mrs Bradwell did not have a copy of the LCC lease agreement. There are two major issues which MPC are not prepared to accept; 1. The existing lease is for 999 years, MPC want this to be reduced to 15 years; 2. There is reference to a peppercorn rent, this is not acceptable, MPC want a market value rent. No further progress can be made, Cllr Mrs Bradwell is to take these issues back to LCC.
ACTION: Cllr Mrs Bradwell /Working Group
It was resolved to suspend the meeting at 8.42pm for a short refreshment break.
Cllr Mrs Bradwell left the meeting at 8.45pm.
Cllr Rose left the meeting at 8.59pm.
The meeting resumed at 9.02pm
12. Allotments: Letter received from the agents acting on behalf of the diocese, they have stated certain covenants will be imposed on the land which prevents any use other than agricultural, allotments or burial ground. Members would like this to include recreation use. The Clerk read the letter and all members were in agreement that we should proceed with the project; cost of the land is £25,000.00. ACTION: Working Group/Clerk
13. The Quality Parish Scheme: The presentation evening will take place on Tuesday 2nd February 2010. Clerk to send official invites. ACTION: Clerk
14. Joint Management Committee: The Chairman explained the need to re-organize the JMC as there are not enough groups involved and revitalize MACLA as things have diminished over time. MACLA in the early stages was extremely proactive and achieved positive results eg: survey of village needs and subsequent business plan; website and quarterly magazine. However a meeting has not been held for some time. It is believed the best way forward would be to amalgamate the two groups. It would be an independent committee who report to MPC. It would have a similar structure to the Village Hall Management Committee. The Chairman, Clerk and Cllr Ford are to have a meeting with JMC and MACLA to ascertain their opinions of the idea. ACTION: Councillors
15. Parish Plan: A further meeting was held on 19th November, there were five village representatives present, two Councillors and the Clerk. Apologies were received from Mrs McMenemie, Rev. Martin Amery, Mrs J Muncey, Mr J Wood, Mrs S Wilson, Cllr Dr Allen, Cllr Roland and Mrs D Saffin. Letters had been sent to all village organizations and businesses requesting they send a representative to this meeting. An acting Chairman and Secretary were appointed. A leaflet requesting volunteers is to be produced and distributed with the next MACLA magazine. Next meeting arranged for Tuesday 19th January 2010 at 7.00pm in the Church Hall.
16. CRB Checks: Following a brief discussion it was resolved all MPC employees and Councillors would be CRB checked at a cost of; Staff £42.00 each and Councillors £5.00 each, this was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Roland and all were in favour.
17. Date, time and venue of next meeting: Tuesday 26th January 2010 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9.39pm.
Addendum 07/2009 of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council Meeting, held on Tuesday 24th November 2009 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
1. Police Report
PCSO Lisa Duckworth was present and gave the police report, during the period 27/10/09 and 24/11/09 there has been 1 crime recorded, which relates to a burglary dwelling, for which enquiries are ongoing. PCSO Lisa Duckworth gave details of an incident that happened on 24/11/09 an arrest has been made, this will appear on next month’s statistics. If anyone sees any vehicles acting suspiciously please note the registration number and contact the police immediately.
2. Public Forum
There were two members of the public present at the meeting, there were no questions or statements to the council.