Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the
Village Hall at 7.15pm on Tuesday 31st July 2001
PRESENT: Councillors B E
Creasey Chairman
Mrs R Creasey Vice Chairman
Dr MJ Allen
J L Duggins
M K Earney
P D Ford
R P Harrison
Mrs J Honisett
Mrs J W M Jamieson
Mrs P Bradwell County Council
I C Rose District Council
APOLOGIES: Councillors
Mrs R Parker; G V Westall; G W Chambers District Council
Clerk M Credland
Police PC R Parker
MINUTES:
The Minutes of the last Meeting were signed by the
Chairman as being a true record.
OPEN FORUM:
Mr R Bennett, Paddock Lane, raised his concern over
the general state of Shiregate, including the roads not being swept,
shrubbery not cut back and dog fouling. Councillor Rose AGREED to look
into the matters.
Mrs Pellett, Lincoln Road, presented a Letter from
North Kesteven District Council's Area Planning Officer which supported
her claim that the Parish Council's comments in relation to the proposed
development in Townsend's Yard had not been received in time for their
Planning Sub-committee meeting on 22nd May 2001.
Mrs Pellett further asked for an explanation as to
why letters of concern from residents on Lincoln Road had not been read
out at the last Meeting despite being sent before the Meeting. The
Chairman advised that the letters were available this evening and could
only assume they had not been received in time for the last Meeting.
Finally, Mrs Pellett questioned who would be paying
for the replacement fencing to the bowling green adjacent to the
proposed development. The Chairman advised that since the Bowls Club was
the property of the Parish Council then they would be meeting the
cost.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:
Public Convieniences:
Following a site meeting with North Kesteven District
Council, a report was presented by Councillor Earney showing anomalies
on the list of outstanding repairs to be carried out by the District
Council prior to signing the Lease Agreement. It was anticipated
responsibility for the public conveniences would be taken over by the
Parish Council on 1st August 2001. Councillor Rose advised that this
would not be the case since the District Council Solicitors were still
awaiting a response from their Environmental Health Officer, Mr A
Statham, who is presently on sick leave.
The Chairman reported that notices had been displayed
advising the public over the current position of the public
conveniences.
Car Park and Children's Playground:
Councillor Duggins gave a presentation on the four
alternative schemes which had been received for additional playground equipment. After due
consideration it was AGREED to accept the scheme submitted by Play
Quest UK at a total cost of £9,835.5& plus VAT. Seeking advice
from County Council Mrs Mrs Bradwell the Parish Council were urged to
make an immediate application for Grant Aid. Councillor Duggins, who
was thanked for his sterling work, advised that such an application
would also include the revamping of the car park. Councillor Duggins
to liaise with the Clerk to formulate the grant application.
Councillor Earney asked that it be formally minuted
that he asked the question at the last Meeting as to whether the
planning application for the new access into the car park had been
submitted. Councillor Rose advised that to date this application had
not been received by the District Council.
Old Post Office:
A letter had been received from Lincoln
Co-operative Society Limited stating that they are keen to support
community based initiatives and on meeting amicable agreement would be
willing to enter into some form of lease for the building. Mrs Heather
Routledge, Metheringham History Group, briefly outlined the current
position where a Steering Group is being formed and that the Parish
Clerk is to carry out a survey of the building. Furthermore, Helen
Turner, District Council Lottery Funding Advisor, is to attend the
next MACLA meeting to discuss the proposed Lottery application
although it was reiterated that any form of lease agreement may have
to be between Lincoln Co-op and the Parish Council.
Village Hall Open Day:
Following discussion at the last Meeting the
following matters were considered;
a) Councillor Rose AGREED to look into the question
of banning balls games on the green areas on Shiregate.
b) Lincoln Cooperative Society Limited to be asked
to deal with an accumulation of rubbish outside their store,
particularly on Sunday mornings.
c) It was AGREED to advise the public of future
entry into the Best Kept Village Competition through the MACLA
magazine.
d) County Councillor Mrs Bradwell AGREED to look
into the possibility of providing improved road signage at the
junction of Paddock Lane and Fen Road.
e) Village Hall Car Park The Village Hall
Management Committee has formed a committee to raise funds to carry
out work to the car park. The land was not given as a deed of covenant
but the Parish Council has placed it under the auspices of the Village
hall Management Committee.
f) It was AGREED that the Forward Planning
Sub-committee will be looking into providing a special fund for
village projects and if required will be included in future precepts.
g) The Parish Council will continue to maintain the
access to the Bowls Club.
h) Parish Council Surgery It was AGREED that a
suggestion box in the Infolinks Centre would be the best means of
addressing any issues.
i) County Councillor Mrs.Bradwell AGREED to explore
the possibility of introducing a cycle land along the Bypass.
j) Ornamental Village Sign In view of the cost it
was AGREED that there are more pressing needs at the present time.
Metheringham Bowls Club:
The Bowls Club Secretary Mr I Browet, advised that
the Portacabins were in hand and they were now
awaiting the preparation of the necessary plans for
submission to the District Council.
Accounts:
Councillor Earney advised that he was still
awaiting a copy of the balance sheet as previously agreed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter from Mrs K Gray, Field Farm House, expressing serious
concern on the siting of the playground equipment adjacent to her
property on Shiregate and the continual problems with unruly elements
at all hours. Further letters in relation to the issue received from
the Rt Hon Douglas Hogg QC MP, Mr N Harding of North Kesteven District
Council and Councillor Rose were also read out. Following discussion
Mr Gray, who was in attendance, was invited to speak. He explained
that despite requests to the developer on the siting of the equipment
they had refused to listen. He emphasised that he was not the only
complainant and most properties in the immediate area were suffering
similar problems, which the police were also looking into. It was
AGREED that the situation should be resolved between the Developer and
District Council, who have entered into a formal agreement, together
with the Parish Council. Members of the Parish Council to meet on site
at 11:00am on Sunday 5th August 2001.
Letter from Mrs Hanlon. Paddock Lane, regarding her concern over
safety following an incident where her daughter had been pushed into
the lagoon adjacent to Shiregate. Members to look into this matter at
their site meeting on 5th August 2001 with a view to the erection of
signs.
Councillor Earney gave a brief report on the recent Best Value
Review meeting.
Letter from Lincolnshire County Council in respect of their Draft
School Organisation Plan for 2001-2006. At the present time
Metheringham Primary School is identified as having 272 pupils with a
capacity of 245.
Letter from Lincolnshire County Council enclosing a copy of the new
Sleaford and Metheringham Bus Times.
Letter from Community Council of Lincolnshire advising that
Metheringham has progressed to the second round of this year's Best
Kept Village Competition.
Letter from Lincolnshire County Council in respect of the reopening
of Public Rights of Way as from midnight on 27th July 2001 and that
all previous signage will be removed and replaced with new advisory
signs.
Letter from North Kesteven Sports centre advising of their Summer
Holiday Programme.
Letter from Metheringham Swimming Pool Association in respect of
their future strategy plan and funding, which was given approval.
Letters from residents on Lincoln Road (Mr Bailey, Mrs James and Mr
Wroe) regarding their concern that no one had attended the Planning
Meeting on the proposed Townsend's Yard development. It was AGREED to
send letters of reply.
Copies of correspondence between Councillor Rose and Anglian Water
Services Limited reiterating that any necessary remedial work in
Metheringham will be completed by March 2003 as initially agreed.
Letter from Mrs Wiseman, Alfred Avenue, in respect of the possibility
of the siting of a dog bin in the area of Alfred Avenue and Prince's
Street.
Letter of complaint from resident in Franklin Close requesting the
siting of a dog bin and sign in the area.
Letter from North Kesteven District Council enclosing a copy of postal
addresses for Shire Ridings.
Letter from North Kesteven District Council in respect of approval to
carry out work on trees within Metheringham Conservation Area.
Letter of resignation from Councillor Earney due to
his future plans to work abroad. The Chairman thanked him for his
contributions and wished him well. Letter of thanks to be also sent.
DISTRICT COUNCIL REPORT:
Councillor Rose advised that the overgrown trees in
Pullman Close had now been trimmed. Councillor Rose also reported that
the District Council are to introduce a new recycling scheme next
year, which will see the issuing of additional bins for re-cycling
material, which will be collected on a monthly basis.
COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT:
Councillor Mrs Bradwell reported that she had received complaints
from the occupier of ## Lincoln Road regarding litter and dog fouling
problems, which she will pursue.
The Chairman asked for any information on a proposed link road
between Fen Road railway bridge and the Moorland Trading Estate, which
Councillor Mrs Bradwell would look into.
M.A.C.L.A.:
Councillor Harrison reported that following a meeting on the
Playing Fields it was unfortunate that no suitable site could be found
for the skateboard stunt box offered by the County Council.
Subsequently, a letter had been received advising that the equipment
would be sited at Navenby.
METHERINGHAM FAYRE AND FEAST 2001:
The Vice Chairman reported that bookings for sites and stalls stood
at approxirnately £900.00 and that a Sub-committee meeting will be convened next week.
PLANNING:
The following applications were considered;
39/0641/01 Change of use to overnight roadside truckstop at the
Boundary Cafe Nocton Heath SUPPORT APPLICATION
39/0628/01 Erection of conservatory at ## Drury Street for Mr and
Mrs Sturdy SUPPORT APPLICATION
ACCOUNTS:
It was PROPOSED by Councillor Mrs Creasey, SECONDED by Councillor
Duggins that the accounts be passed CARRIED.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Councillor Harrison reported on a recent JMC Meeting explaining
that the account of£l00.00 payable to the School for cleaning the
Pavilion was due to the fact that they were unhappy with the work
carried out by the Caretaker and that they had felt a need to carry
out additional work.
He further reported that the School Head had reported that
extensive refurbishment is required on the Chance to Share facilities
since no major work has been carried out since it was introduced in
1971.
The question of the disabled access was also raised, which will
come into force in 2003 under the Disabled Discrimination Act
Consequently, the School Head has arranged a meeting with the County
Council on Wednesday 1st August 2001. These matters to be placed on
the Agenda for the next Meeting.
From a report by Councillor Harrison it was AGREED for Councillor
Mrs Bradwell to look into the
siting of a sign denoting 'Weak Bridge' was causing a blind spot to
large vehicles. Councillor Mrs Honisett requested that hedges and
bushes be cut back adjacent to Lincoln Road/Sleaford Road, along the
northern side of Station Road towards the railway station and Fen
Road/Paddock Lane adjacent to the railway bridge. Relevant authorities
to be notified.
Councillor Mrs Jamieson questioned why the JMC account appeared to
still be in a deposit account when it had been agreed several months
ago to place it in a high interest account.
Councillor Mrs Jamieson asked if a copy of the Minutes could be
distributed to Members at least a week in advance of Meetings as
previously agreed.
Councillor Mrs Jamieson asked that a resident on Lincoln Road
opposite Alfred Avenue be contacted to remove boulders and wooden
fencing from the grass verge adjacent to their property. Councillor
Mrs Bradwell AGREED to deal with the matter.
Councillor Mrs Jamieson asked that the concrete parking surface on
Alfred Avenue be looked at because it was becoming dangerous.
Councillor Rose to report the matter to the District Council.
Councillor Mrs Jamieson asked for consideration to be given by the
Parish Council in employing private security firms to patrol areas of
the village, such as Shiregate, as a form of deterrent. The cost could
possibly be included in a future precept and tested as a pilot scheme.
Members had reservations to the idea.
Councillor Duggins advised that he is to attend the Area Advisory
Meeting on 24th September 2001 and that the District Council should be
asked the views of the meeting on employing security firms to patrol
our villages.
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