Metheringham Parish Council
Metheringham Parish Council Minutes
Minutes 07/2010 of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Annual Meeting of the Council held on Thursday 16th December 2010 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
PRESENT: Councillors Dr M J Allen (Chairman), Mrs R Creasey, N Dobbs,
P D Ford, M Haisman, Mrs S Peek, M E Reynolds, G H Roland (Vice Chairman), Mrs A Webb and Ms S N Wetherall (Clerk).
1. To resolve to accept Apologies for absence and reasons given:
Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs P Bradwell (County Council), G W Chambers (District Council), Mrs J Honisett, J C Rose (District Council) and A Waddington. It was resolved to accept the apologies and reasons, this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Creasey, seconded by Cllr Dobbs and all were in favour.
2. Members Declarations of Interests: Declarations of interest were made by the following Councillors:
Cllr Ford declared a personal interest for agenda item 6d because his wife is receiving a salary.
3. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a) Nothing to report from the County Council.
b) Nothing to report from the District Council.
c) Nothing to report from Council representatives on other outside bodies.
d) The dog warden has now been issued with a high visibility vest, promoting she is the parish dog warden. November and December have been particularly bad months for both the weather and dog fouling incidents. Regular patrols are being carried out in the village and focusing on the problem areas; Shiregate, Church Walk and Londesborough Way.
4. Notes of the last meeting: Held on 26th October 2010 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 Cllr Mrs Creasey, seconded by Cllr Roland, one abstention (Cllr Reynolds) and six were in favour.
5. Clerks report on matters outstanding:
a) Meeting held on 3rd November with LCC Highways officers and the working group. LCC are anticipating a large cut to their budget. Details will be announced in the New Year. Any highways issues are to be reported in the normal way.
b) Request to LCC for single bus stop pole outside D & K News, due to ongoing problems with Brylaine buses not stopping at this stop. During Site meeting with LCC Highways MPC requested footpath is widened – LCC have agreed to install the sign and widen the footway, still waiting for date from Steve Welsh. Letter sent to Brylaine to establish why buses were picking up and dropping off passengers anywhere on the route and not at designated bus stops. Response received they are reviewing the route through Metheringham. LCC informed of this.
c) Bus shelter – High Street. Cllr Mrs Bradwell informed the Clerk the funding for this project was withdrawn and there are no other funds available. To consider if we proceed with this project and how to fund it? It was agreed there is still a need for a bus shelter, the highways footpaths and car parks working group to consider if the bus shelter could be placed near the Methodist Church.
d) Request for new grit bins – No new grit bins are being installed at the present time. The Parish Council could purchase grit bins/grit for areas around the village, but this would need to be included in the precept. Highways footpaths and car parks working group to consider this.
e) Hi-visibility vest ordered for the dog warden.
f) Letter sent to Cliff Robinson at NKDC informing them of the decision to increase the number of councillors from eleven to thirteen.
g) Letter sent to Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership inviting them to attend the AVM as guest speakers – they have accepted the offer and will attend the AVM.
h) Parking of vehicles on cobbled area outside library, Cllr Mrs Bradwell has arranged for two new cycle racks to be installed. Clerk to contact Cllr Mrs Bradwell to confirm installation date.
i) Community Plan Steering Group further people are required to help move this project forward. This may be a Parish Council/Community Project.
j) Pavilion: New tables and chairs have been delivered. Decorating is to be done w/c 20th December by the Youth Offending Service – Community Payback Team.
k) Metheringham Youth Council – meeting to be arranged with Mission X and other interested parties.
l) Meeting held with Stamford Homes to discuss long term ownership and maintenance of the area at the north end of Shiregate. Flyers to be produced and distributed to adjacent properties explaining what the Parish Council intend to do.
m) Sycamore Tree – Drury Street – Tree and stump have been removed. Working group to propose what should be done with the area in future.
n) MPC Emergency Plan – draft document produced, business details and key holders to be identified.
o) Thank you letters sent re: Fayre & Feast to Branston Ltd, Scout Band, Lincolnshire Police, Mrs Kristen and Mrs Lacey.
p) Letter received from land registry re: MPC have four areas of land registered. All other areas of land to be registered, by the Clerk as soon as possible.
q) Letter received from Dot Howes re: possible closure of public footpaths crossing network railway lines. Cllr Waddington waiting for a response from Network Rail.
r) Clerk has asked NKDC if MPC could have a key to the Info-Links office so we can hold our interim meetings outside of their office hours. Still waiting for reply.
s) The public toilets on Fen Road, are currently owned by NKDC, the
Clerk has spoken to Cllr Chambers to ask whether they would pass
ownership to MPC, the initial response is that they may be willing to
transfer them to MPC for a minimal cost. It was agreed the Clerk
should pursue this with NKDC. Letter sent to NKDC 2nd November,
meeting held at NKDC on 3rd November. Cllr Chambers has informed the Clerk that this is to be considered at the Executive Committee Meeting in January 2011.
t) Remembrance Day Service held 14th November, 10.00am at St Wilfrid’s Church, to receive feedback on the service? Members thought the service was very good. Cllr Mrs Creasey commented that the PA system microphone and stand should be placed to one side in the future.
u) Letter sent to Reverend Tyrrell and church wardens to thank them for the excellent service on Remembrance Sunday.
v) Letter and precept request forms sent to NKDC requesting the precept for 2011/2012.
w) Welcome letter and new resident’s information leaflet sent to the Franciscan Nuns.
x) Letter sent to 34 High Street re: Items on the public footway.
y) This year’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and carol singing will take place on Thursday 2nd December at 7.00pm at the War Memorial Garden.
z) Methodist Church – Carol Service to take place on 14th December 2010 at 7.00pm.
aa) Letter sent to Mrs Wiseman re: 34 High Street.
bb) Letter sent to Mr Gardner re: Spring Garden.
6. Financial matters:
a) To approve payment of additional £1654.00 for DDA accessible automatic door at entrance to village hall and railings to fully enclose the outside area – It was resolved to make the payment, this was proposed by Cllr Haisman, seconded by Cllr Mrs Creasey and all were in favour.
b) To consider a request from Sleaford & District Citizens Advice Bureau for a donation towards their work - Following a discussion it was resolved a donation would not be made on this occasion, this was proposed by Cllr Ford, seconded by Cllr Roland and all were in favour.
c) To consider and approve Metheringham Parish Council are authorized to make direct debit and electronic banking payments in line with NALC guidelines (LALC advice note circulated to all members) - It was resolved the appropriate recommendations would be taken and Financial Regulations would be amended accordingly, this was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Mrs Creasey and all were in favour.
d) To consider accounts for payment:
| Payment to | Amount £ |
|---|---|
| A M Hey – Advice re: S & G field rental charges | 85.00 |
| CDS – ton soil for Princes Street Play Park | 24.00 |
| Tesco – Stationery | 7.96 |
| Asda – Stationery | 6.05 |
| Lincoln Office Equipment – Deposit – re: furniture for pavilion | 89.60 |
| Lincoln Office Equipment – Balance re: furniture for pavilion | 358.40 |
| Post Office – Postage | 8.76 |
| Bugler – Remembrance Day Service | 20.00 |
| E.on – Public Toilet Lighting | 72.91 |
| Metheringham PO – Postage | 8.76 |
| Tesco – Stationery | 12.55 |
| Carpets 4 Less – Coir Matting for pavilion entrance | 42.54 |
| Cartridge Save – Ink toner for RFO | 32.29 |
| BBH PO – Postage | 5.50 |
| M Credland – Printing F & F | 20.22 |
| Bates Sound Service – Communications for F & F | 200.00 |
| Bates Sound Service – PA System for Remembrance Day Service | 120.00 |
| Bates Mobile Radios – Radios F & F | 60.00 |
| EKM – Maintenance play equipment Shiregate | 1668.00 |
| EKM – Maintenance play equipment Princes Street | 685.00 |
| County Cups – Hi Visability Vest for Dog Warden | 10.60 |
| Viking Direct – Stationery | 94.86 |
| Bonnetts Ltd – public toilet/pavilion cleaning materials | 55.40 |
| John Wood – Interim Internal Audit fee | 50.00 |
| Veolia – Grass Cutting October | 46.59 |
| E.on repair High Street | 46.94 |
| Handyman Salary & Expenses | 218.27 |
| Village Caretaker Salary | 282.70 |
| Public Toilet Caretaker Salary | 227.15 |
| Pavilion Cleaner Salary | 94.50 |
| Clerk Salary & Expenses | 1293.53 |
| LCC Pension Scheme | 394.83 |
| Parish Dog Warden | 450.00 |
| HM Revenue & Customs | 542.14 |
| MVHMC – Hire of Hall | 39.00 |
| St Wilfrid’s – Hire of Hall | 7.00 |
| Total November | 7381.05 |
| Clerk Salary & Expenses - BACS | 1069.09 |
| Village Caretaker Salary - BACS | 229.80 |
| LCC Pension Scheme - BACS | 315.85 |
| HM Revenue & Customs - BACS | 386.59 |
| BACS Payments – December 2010 | 2001.33 |
| Metheringham PO – Postage | 17.52 |
| Sainsbury’s Refreshments | 13.98 |
| Handyman Salary & Expenses | 158.21 |
| Public Toilet Caretaker Salary | 181.72 |
| Pavilion Cleaner Salary | 75.60 |
| St Wilfrid’s – Hire of Hall | 7.00 |
| Parish Dog Warden | 340.00 |
| E.on ¼ Maintenance Charge | 656.64 |
| E.on Replace Column o/s 12 Park Crescent | 830.00 |
| Wybone – Litter bin and 2 x lids | 181.32 |
| RFO Expenses – Aug – Nov | 36.65 |
| MVHMC – Hire of Hall | 39.00 |
| Payments authorized up to 16th December 2010 | 4538.97 |
It was resolved to make retrospective payment of the November accounts, this was proposed by Cllr Roland, seconded by Cllr Mrs Peek, one abstention (Cllr Ford) and six were in favour. It was resolved to make payment of the accounts up to 16th December, this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Creasey, seconded by Cllr Roland, one abstention (Cllr Ford) and six were in favour.
h) To receive a report from the RFO on the PC finances, Income and Expenditure – There were no questions or queries for the RFO on the financial position.
7. Planning Committee:
a) Notes of meetings: Held on 10th November 2010 and 9th December 2010, having been previously circulated, to be approved as the minutes – It was resolved to sign the minutes as a true record of the meetings, this was proposed by Cllr Ford, seconded by Cllr Mrs Peek and all were in favour.
b) Proposed Nocton Dairy Farm: To receive an update on the re-submitted planning application; NKDC reference number: 10/1397/FUL. Metheringham Parish Council facilitated a meeting with Nocton Dairies which was held in the village on 8th December, this meeting was well attended. NKDC Planning Services are holding a public display to view the planning application in Metheringham Village Hall on Thursday 6th January 2011 from 4.00pm – 8.00pm. It was suggested NKDC should be contacted to request MPC have an extension to respond to the planning application as the next planning committee meeting will take place on 12th January 2011.
It was resolved to suspend the meeting at 8.35pm for a short refreshment break.
The meeting resumed at 8.52pm
8. Correspondence:
a) To note general correspondence – Please see Appendix 1.
9. To receive reports on Outside Meetings:
a) Councillor and Chairman Training held 9th November –
Cllr Haisman attended the session, he said it was worthwhile attending and very informative, but could have been a bit shorter.
b) Community Lincs – Presentation of the 2010 Competition Awards held on Thursday 18th November – Cllrs Mrs Creasey, Mrs Honisett and the Clerk attended to receive the certificate for being placed third in the Best Kept Village Competition – Class 111 Large Villages. This was an enjoyable evening.
c) Standards Committee meeting held 24th November - The Chairman gave a report; the Standards Board is being disbanded in 2012. The Localism Bill provides guidance on these issues. NKDC do not know what will happen to the Standards Committee.
10. To receive reports from Working Groups:
a) Allotments – MPC are to circulate flyers to residents on Shiregate,
Blacksmith Court and The Chase to establish views on the proposal to have allotments on the tree strip and open space at the north end of Shiregate. Map is now urgently required. ACTION: Clerk/Chairman/Working Group
b) Children’s Playgrounds and Playing Fields – EKM have carried out the
repairs to equipment at Shiregate and Princes Street Play Parks and have done an excellent job. Paul Chambers to treat wood on multi play. Ten way fitness station still has two bolts missing, photos to be sent to Fresh Air Fitness asap.
ACTION: Working Group/Clerk
c) Consultation and Questionnaires – Nothing to report.
d) Fayre and Feast – De-briefing meeting was held on 16th November at 7.00pm at the pavilion. Two of the cheques from stall holders have not cleared, Clerk to write to them. This was a successful evening and some positive suggestions made. A possible theme for next year’s event is Fairy Tales. . The next F & F working group meeting will be held on 24th February 2011 at 7.00pm in the pavilion.
ACTION: Working Group
e) Forward Planning – This will be detailed at Item 11.
f) Highways, Footpaths and Car Parks – The Clerk has produced a
reporting sheet and issued to working group members. Various pot holes, empty grit bins etc reported to LCC Highways.
ACTION: Working Group/Clerk
g) Risk Assessment – Changes are to be made to the Risk Assessment
Document.
ACTION: Working Group/Clerk
h) Street Lighting – The Clerk has produced a reporting sheet and issued
to working group members.
i) War memorial and Spring – Cllr Mrs Webb reported the Spring is in
good condition, the overhanging ivy is from the adjacent land
owned by Blankney Estates. Clerk to ask Paul Chambers to cut ivy
back and install a fence panel in the gap. Further letter received from
Mrs Felton, this was sent to Cllr Mrs Webb, Clerk to respond. The war
memorial garden is very tidy.
11. Recreation field and related issues: Cllr Mrs Bradwell informed the Clerk that a letter had been sent to the Primary School, but no response has been received. Clerk to contact Mrs McMenemie to arrange meeting with head teacher and the governors.
ACTION: Clerk
12. Members Allowances Scheme: To approve members allowance scheme for Metheringham Parish Council following consideration and approval by NKDC Independent Remuneration Panel – A copy was circulated to all members, it was resolved to approve the members allowance scheme, this was proposed by Cllr Mrs Creasey, seconded by Cllr Reynolds and all were in favour. Clerk to circulate members allowance claim form to Councillors. ACTION: Clerk
13. Shiregate Play Park: To review play park fencing and security – During the Fayre & Feast a member of the public volunteered to lock and unlock the gate to Shiregate Play Park. This was successful and no there were no reports of anti-social behavior. Cllr Roland has been to see the person and they are willing to do this for a trial period of six months. A temporary contract is to be produced. If this proves to be satisfactory a one year contract will be provided.
14. Training: LALC Training events for 2011, it was agreed the Clerk is to advise members which training sessions they should attend. ACTION: Clerk
15. Date, time and venue of next meeting: Tuesday 25th January 2011 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9.52pm.
Addendum 07/2010 of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council Meeting, held on Thursday 16th December 2010 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
1. Police Report
PCSO Lisa Duckworth was present and introduced PCSO Carol Daman-Williems. PCSO Duckworth gave the police report, during the period 30/11/2010 and 16/12/2010 there have been 2 crimes recorded, which relate to:- 2 Criminal Damage. PCSO Duckworth stated there had been some reports of anti-social behaviour and problems with snowballs being thrown at windows, it was suggested people should try and ignore this and the offenders would soon move away.
2. Public Forum
There were 4 members of the public present at the meeting. Two of the public were at the meeting to put forward their ongoing concerns about the Nocton Dairies Planning application. They thanked the Parish Council for facilitating the meeting held on 8th December, but were not happy that only Nocton Dairies were present and that there was no other points of view. NKDC Planning Services are holding a public display, so the public can view the planning application on 6th January 2011 at Metheringham Village Hall. It was suggested the Parish Council should do a leaflet drop to inform residents. Another resident stated he had concerns about the water table and the increase in cattle from 3,770 to 8,100 and the long term effects this application could have on the land.