2. MINUTES:
The Minutes of the last Meeting were signed by the Chairman as being a true record.

3. POLICE REPORT:
PC R Parker had sent in a written report on incidents of crime in the village over the last month. Vandalism had occurred around St Wilfrid's church, a wall damaged in Lincoln Road and the school targeted with graffiti. A vehicle had been broken into on the High Street and a theft reported at the Eros Laboratories on Fen Lane. A warrant had also been issued for the possession of drugs at The Quarry in Heath Lane. All incidents were being investigated by the police. The police are also looking at vehicle parking in Drury Street.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:
a) Parking at Bus Stops:
Awaiting report from Councillor Mrs Bradwell. ACTION: Councillor Mrs Bradwell
b) Children's Playground:
It was reported that Councillor Duggins was progressing the installation of the new swings. ACTION: Councillor Duggins
c) Village Hall Car Park:
The Chairman reported that Orchard Construction had been appointed to surface the car park at a cost of £9,600.00 plus VAT. Having met the contractor on site it was AGREED to carry out additional work along the western and eastern boundaries for the approximate sum of £250.00. The work will be completed in time for the Official Opening of the Village Hall extension.
d) 2004 Fayre and Feast:
A Sub-committee meeting is being arranged to discuss this year's event. ACTION: ScFF
e) Street Lighting:
In the absence of Councillor Westall no report was presented. ACTION: Councillor Westall
f) Notice Board:
Councillor Mrs Parker reported that the manufacturer is to change the background colour from blue to black at their own expense. keys were issued to the Sub-Committee and Clerk.  The Sub-Committee reported that the old notice board was beyond repair and should be disposed of and that they were exploring the possibility of providing a village notice board near the Lincoln Co-op Store. Action: ScWMPOS
g) It was reported that Building Regulations Approval had now been granted for the proposed Disabled Toilet facility and that tenders will be invited for the work to be carried out. ACTION: Clerk
h) Annual Parish Meeting:
It was reported that the evening had been successful and reasonably attended even though problems had occurred with the distribution of publicity leaflets. The Chairman requested that a team of volunteers help set up the Village Hall in future years.
i) Floodlighting at the War Memorial:
It was reported that the Sub-committee had arranged a site meeting with ABB Limited to discuss the possibility of installing permanent floodlighting. A report to be presented in due course. ACTION: ScWMPOS
j) Skate Board Park:
It was reported that the grant application for funding towards the cost of installing a skate board park had been unsuccessful. Following a letter from North Kesteven District Council it was AGREED for Councillor Harrison to attend a demonstration of a mini skate park in Northgate Sports Hall, Sleaford at 7.00pm on Thursday 20th May 2004. ACTION: Councillor Harrison
k) Wind Turbines:
The Chairman declared a personal interest and took no part in the discussions.
It was reported that Renewable Energy Systems had submitted a planning application to construct a wind assessment mast in Norton Fen for twelve months in connection with proposals to site 35 No. wind turbines in the same location. North Kesteven District Council to be informed that the Parish Council are against the proposal, which they consider should not be constructed until after a full environment assessment has been carried out. ACTION: Clerk
l) Bus Routes:
It was reported that the question of re-routing bus services in the village was being looked into.
m) Any Other Business:
i) Sewer Infrastructure: It was reported that raw sewerage had discharged into the Station Road beck on Sunday 18th April, which Councillor Rose had reported to Anglian Water. It was AGREED to monitor the situation and record all such incidents,
ii) Swimming Pool Association: The Chairman circulated a report on the swimming pool and a general discussion took place advocating that the Parish Council should do all in their power to retain the facility. Although grant funding of £3,800.00 had been awarded for relining the pool, additional funding of approximately £4,500.00 was still required for such items as grab rails, tiling and sand blasting. After further discussion it was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would settle the accounts for the work to be carried out up to a maximum sum of £4,500.00.
iii) Equal Opportunities Policy: The Chairman to modify a similar policy used by the Village Hall. ACTION: Chairman
iv) Environmental Check List: The Chairman to consider the matter. ACTION: Chairman

5. OPEN FORUM:
i) Mr W Glossop, Prince's Street, reported that two potholes had emerged in Kings Road/Cherry Tree Way junction. Lincolnshire County Council to be informed. ACTION: Clerk
ii) Mr Glossop also reported that the dike being filled in along Prince's Street by Lincolnshire County Council was surcharging. County Council to be asked to look into the matter. ACTION: Clerk

6. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS:
i) Joint Management Committee:
The Chairman report that the JMC were experiencing difficulties with the Pavilion cleaner and consequently their employment had been terminated and that a new cleaner to be appointed, to be advertised in the Parish and MACLA magazines. The new cleaner's working hours to be 7.00am to 9.00am on Monday mornings and hirers would be responsible for cleaning the Pavilion at weekends. It was also determined that locking the gates to new school security fence would also be the hirers responsibility. Consequently, the terms over hiring will be amended accordingly over the summer. ACTION: JMC
The Chairman also reported that new flooring was required in the Pavilion for which a quotation of £988.03 plus VAT had been received. After due discussion, where it was noted that under the Chance to Share Agreement the responsibility for providing such items was with the Lincolnshire County Council, it was AGREED for the Chairman to discuss the question with the school head and Councillor Mrs Bradwell. ACTION: Chairman
From a report by Councillor Ford the JMC to discuss a problem of children breaking through the fencing between the school and Star and Garter Paddock. ACTION: JMC

7. CORRESPONDENCE:
a) Letter from Lincolnshire County Council enclosing details of a scheme to extend the existing 40mph speed limit to the Moorlands Trading Estate, which Members supported.
b) Letter from Lincolnshire County Council enclosing details on their Walk in the Woods campaign
during May.
c) Letter from North Kesteven District Council enclosing the street numbering schedule for new
properties on Townsend Way.
d) Letter from North Kesteven District Council enclosing a copy of their Yearbook.
e) Letter from North Kesteven District Council enclosing monthly survey forms in connection with street cleaning and grass cutting.
f) Letter from Lincolnshire Police advising that the Parish Council's grant application for a skate board park had been unsuccessful.
g) Letter from Environment Agency advising that the future management of Metheringham Delph still needs to be addressed. After discussion it was AGREED to contact the Lincolnshire Trust for Wildlife for advice and possible assistance. ACTION: Chairman
h) Letter from Lincolnshire NHS Primary Care Trust with an invitation to attend a health information evening in Ruston Marconi Sports Club Lincoln at 7.15pm on Wednesday 12th May 2004.

8. PLANNING:
The following applications were considered;
39/0360/04 Siting of 6 static caravans and burger bar and erection of toilet block, 3 stables and tack room at the Fishing Lake, Fen Lane for Mr B Hutchinson
OBJECT TO APPLICATION Parish Council expressed concern over siting of units, design and landscaping.
39/0533/04 Conversion of garage into annexe accommodation at The Cottage, Fen Lane for Mr J Miller SUPPORT APPLICATION
39/0475/04 Erection of 4 houses to rear of Lincoln Road for Mr E W Dickinson SUPPORT APPLICATION
39/0455/04 Change of use to distribution and storage at Units 8-10 The Moorland Trading Estate for Mr C Burton SUPPORT APPLICATION
39/0546/04 Change of use from A1 (Retail) to A3 (Coffee Shop) at 34 High Street SUPPORT APPLICATION

9. ACCOUNTS:
It was PROPOSED by Councillor Mrs Routledge SECONDED by Councillor Mrs Creasey that the following accounts be passed and paid:

CARRIED

10. DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORT:
Following the Annual Parish Meeting it was suggested that the Lincolnshire County Council be invited to attend a meeting to discuss the proposed Metheringham Fen Relief Road.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
i) Councillor Ford expressed concern over the safety of the recently installed pedestrian crossing on the Bypass and anticipated a serious accident/s would occur. Advice to be sought from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership. ACTION: Clerk
ii) From her concerns Councillor Mrs Routledge was advised to report alleged incidents of speeding vehicles, particularly services buses, to the police.
iii) Councillor Mrs Routledge reported that incidents of dog fouling in Church Walk were appearing to be getting worse. The Vice Chairman advised that the Parish Dog Services had been experiencing staffing difficulties, which had hopefully been resolved. Therefore, they are to be asked to carry out more patrols in this area. ACTION: Vice Chairman
iv) Councillor Mrs Routledge reported that the gate leading to the Spring and boundary hedging had been vandalised. Councillor Mrs Parker AGREED to look into the ownership of the hedge. ACTION: Councillor Mrs Parker
v) Councillor Mrs Webb was advised that the Lincolnshire County Council had agreed to resite the bus stop sign along Station Road, vi) It was AGREED to expedite the installation of the new dog waste bins. ACTION: Clerk

12. DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING:
In the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 25th May 2004.

The Meeting closed at 9.40pm

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