Metheringham Parish Council News Winter 2010

Bus Shelter - High Street
In 2008 Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) had government funding for interconnect routes to install a bus shelter on the High Street. However there were a number of problems with locating the bus shelter. The Parish Council has consulted with the Metheringham Co-operative food store who agreed the shelter could go on their land. Royal Mail agreed to re-locate the post box and this was done earlier this year. Following all our efforts the funding from LCC has now been withdrawn. At the present time we are looking for alternative methods of funding this project.

Bus Stop - High Street
Due to the ongoing problem of Brylaine buses not stopping outside D & K News on High Street, the Parish Council had to request that Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) highways install an official bus stop at this location. LCC agreed to install the sign and widen the footway, but there are considerable costs involved. A number of Councillors who had been travelling on the Brylaine buses stated that they were picking up and dropping off passengers anywhere on the route and not at designated bus stops. The Parish Council wrote to Brylaine to establish why this is happening elsewhere, but they would not do this in Metheringham, even though there is an official bus stop outside the Scarf & Goggles which is opposite D & K News. The response received from Brylaine is that this is a "hail and ride" service and at the discretion of the drivers based on the safety for the alighting/boarding passengers and other road users. Apparently the route through Metheringham is under review due to the number of accidents that are happening in that part of the High Street, caused mainly by vehicles parked within the vicinity of the bends. They have also stated that if LCC widen the footway, this will be at the expense of the road, which will exaggerate problems further. If the drivers cannot get safely near to the kerb to allow passengers to board/alight safely even at a formal stop then they will move to the next stop or further along the road. The Parish Council has informed LCC and a further meeting will be arranged to decide on the appropriate action.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Carol Singing
Just a reminder that this year's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and carol service will take place on Thursday 2 December at 7.00pm at the War Memorial Garden, Metheringham. Come along and join in the celebrations.

Community Governance (Parish) Reviews
Following changes to the Local Government Involvement in Public Health Act 2007, North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) has a responsibility to carry out and complete a community governance (parish) review. On implementing this review it was suggested the Metheringham Fen Parish Ward Boundary should be abolished and incorporated within the Metheringham Village Ward. This was discussed at the Parish Council meeting on 28 September 2010 and agreed that the Fen Parish Ward Boundary would be abolished. This review also covers the number of parish councillors for the wards. The recommendation from NKDC is that an electorate of 2,501 - 4,000 should equate to thirteen Parish Councillors. Metheringham currently has an electorate of 2,865. At the Council meeting on 26 October it was resolved to increase the number of councillors from eleven to thirteen in accordance with this review. This information has been sent to NKDC and will be compiled in a report and considered by NKDC in January 2011.

Fayre and Feast
This year's Fayre and Feast took place on Saturday 23 October. For those of you who attended we would really like your views and comments on how you felt the event went and where it could be improved. The Fayre & Feast working group put in a tremendous amount of work to stage this event. If you would like to be part of the working group please contact the Clerk. We are always looking for volunteers to help on the day. If you can spare a couple of hours, again please contact the Clerk.

Parish Council Elections
The parish council elections will be held on 5 May 2011. If you have an interest in your community and the Parish Council, this could be your chance to become a councillor. If you are interested or would like further information please contact the Clerk.

Recreation fields
The Parish Council is still in negotiations with Lincolnshire County Council. However we are hopeful that the signing of the new lease for the Star & Garter field is imminent. This will allow the school to have a secure area during school hours for the primary school children. Metheringham Parish Council will then be able to proceed with the project to build a new pavilion, changing rooms, DDA toilets and youth facilities for the community.

Remembrance Day Service
This year's service took place on Sunday 14 November at St Wilfrid Church, Metheringham. The Act of Remembrance was held at the War Memorial garden, followed by a short prayer at the war graves in the new cemetery. Thank you to Reverend John Tyrrell for the excellent and meaningful service and to all those that attended to pay their respects to the fallen. A collection of £298.71 towards the British Legion Appeal was made during the service.

Ms Sharon Wetherall (clerk)
0800 6343307
clerk@metheringham.org.uk
www.metheringham.org.uk