December 2010 Archives

Minutes of the Metheringham Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 26th October 2010 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Minutes of the Meeting of Nocton Parish Council held on Tuesday the 2nd November 2010 in the Village Hall

Present:
Councillor E. Storr Chair
Councillor P. Askew
Councillor I. Goldsworthy
Councillor D. Rumbelow
Councillor M. Williams

Councillor P. Rose District Councillor

Mrs.Green Parish Clerk

Mr.Flannigan PCSO
Ms.Daman-Willems PCSO
Mrs Hill Dog Warden

6 Members of the public were in attendance

Apologies for Absence: Parish Councillor D. Wilson; District Councillor W. Chambers and County Councillor M. Overton

(1) Declaration of Prejudicial Interest in Accordance with the Ethical Code of Conduct: None.

(2) Police: Reported since the last meeting: 3 cases of criminal damage, 2 of theft and burglary. Councillor Williams asked about the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme; PCSO Flannigan will provide information.

(3) Public Questions:

The hedge by the Hall Grounds has still not been cut back by Lincolnshire County Council.

Sighting of rats in the beck is to be reported to North Kesteven District Council.

The Howards may have a Christmas tree. A list of prices from Doddington Hall to be circulated to Councillors.

(4) Litter: Mr.Sidney not at the meeting. He will be asked to attend the next meeting.

The Dog Warden, Mrs Hill, introduced herself and explained her credentials. Charges are £8.50 per hour.

(5) Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 5th October 2010 were proposed as correct by Councillor Williams, seconded by Councillor Rumbelow and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising :

98/10 (see 86/10): The banks of the beck have been cut but according to the contractors, the bottom is only cleaned out every three years, and this is not that year.
99/10 (see 87/10): Play area - two letters from the School Governing Body; it will not make a decision until it has seen the results of a survey, plans and costings.
100/10 (see 88/10): Village Hall settlement - need to get three quotes for any work.
101/10 (see 89/10): District Councillor Rose said that NKDC was not now so impressed with the product used at Martin School. NKDC is not laying this type of product now but the price is £50 per square metre. Boddingtons to be contacted for information and prices.
102/10 (see 90/10): No progress on "Duck" signs, but ducks have become a problem on the roads.
103/10 (see 97/10(a)): A Parish Plan is something that should be undertaken in the future.
104/10 (see 97/10(b)): The "Cluster" seat to be ordered and sited to replace the "Coronation" seat that has deteriorated badly.
105/10 (see 97/10(f)): The Horse Chestnut tree on The Green is in good condition having been checked by the NKDC Tree Officer earlier this year. Dead branches will be removed and some cut back to clear the telephone cables.
106/10 (see 97/10(h)): The faulty street light on the Bridle Path has been repaired.
107/10: A Village Hall Committee meeting is being held tomorrow evening. Coffee morning next Wednesday.

(6) Equal Opportunities (92/10): Nothing to discuss.

(7) Nocton Hall (109/10): NKDC is going ahead with the options appraisal.

(8) Letters (110/10):

(a) NKDC re Parish Council vacancy (Harry Capewell).
(b) NKDC Statement of Nominations for Parish Council vacancy (Gerry Watchus). Ian Goldsworthy elected.
(c) NKDC re Priorities Consultation 2010 - Executive Summary document and report.
(d) Society of Local Council Clerks and Wicksteed advertisement.
(e) BT re adopting the village kiosk.
(f) NKDC Central Lincolnshire Core Strategy (two copies) plus poster.
(g) NKDC Metheringham Cluster notes of meeting held on 6th October 2010.
(h) NKDC re by-election on 4 November 210. Notice confirming election of Ian Goldsworthy to Parish Council.
(i) NKDC Review of District Polling Stations
(j) Nocton School re proposed Play Area
(k) NKDC re by-election (Harry Capewell's vacancy) -Kate Tyler was the only nomination.
(l) NKDC "Playalong" advertisement
(m) NKDC "What's On"
(n) Clerks and Councils Direct
(o) LCC Primary Flood Risk Assessment
(p) NKDC Community Newsletter September 2010

(9) Planning (111/10(a))

(a) Karen Bradfords' report on Nocton Hall
(b) NKDC Application 10/1214/FUL (Patrick Dean) Underground Pipeline from Mere Pump House
(c) NKDC Application 10/0996/FUL Change of Use to Natural Burial Ground - Withdrawn
(d) NKDC Trees - Rose Garden, 7 The Avenue

(10) Nocton Dairies (112/10): No plans lodged with NKDC yet.

(11) Finance (113/10):

(a) Lloyd's statements (13) £12,254.04 (14) £219.31.
(b) E-ON invoice for power £158.79 (cheque signed).
(c) Mr.Sidney paid for litter picking October £40 (cheque signed)
(d) Clerk's salary for October £168.72; expenses £1.50 for ink cartridge - £189.22 (cheque signed).

(12) Any Other Business (114/10):

(a) It was asked if "Equal Opportunities" could be taken off the agenda.
(b) Agreed to put Street Lighting on next month's agenda.
(c) Litter Picker to be asked to report at the next meeting.
(d) Queries regarding by-elections answered.
(e) A hedge by Manor Farm is impeding the footway.
(f) District Councillor Rose said a census is to be held on 27th March 2011. It is important that everyone fills in and returns the forms.
(g) Councillor Williams had attended the Cluster Meeting and reported that anyone with a laptop can set up in the Village Hall to help parishioners with information on the web..
(h) Lincolnshire Active Community Network was at the Cluster Meeting. It was suggested that it be invited to attend a Parish Council meeting in the New Year.
(i) Some villages are now using ARCHER instead of SID for monitoring traffic.
(j) Councillor Goldsworthy suggested that barrels of flowers be placed under the village signs.

(13) Date of Next Meeting:

The next meeting confirmed as Tuesday, 7th December 2010 at 7pm in the Village Hall. There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.45 pm.

Dear Councillors

You are summoned to a meeting of Metheringham Parish Council which will be held in the Village Hall on Thursday 16th December 2010 at 7.30pm. Prior to the official start of the meeting a public forum of not more than 15 minutes will be held if required. The public may address the council between 7.15pm and 7.30pm on current matters, or issues which may become future agenda items and your attendance is also requested during this period. A Police Report will be given at this time.

Signed: Ms S N Wetherall AILCM
Clerk to Metheringham Parish Council
8th December 2010

AGENDA
16th December 2010

1. To resolve to accept Apologies for Absence and reasons given

2. Members Declarations of Interests: Members may make any declarations of interest at this point but may also make them at any point during the meeting in accordance with the 2000 Local Government Act.

3. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a) To receive a report from the County Councillor.
b) To receive a report from the District Councillor.
c) To receive reports from Council representatives on other outside bodies.
d) To receive a report from the Parish Dog Warden

4. Notes of the last Full Council Meeting held on Tuesday 26th October 2010, to be approved and signed as the minutes.

5. Clerks report on matters outstanding (previously circulated)

6. Financial matters:
a) To approve payment of additional £1,654.00 for DDA accessible automatic door at entrance to village hall and railings to fully enclose the outside area.
b) To consider a request from Sleaford & District Citizens Advice Bureau for a donation towards their work.
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).
d) To consider accounts for payment.
e) To receive a report from the RFO on the PC finances, Income and Expenditure.

7. Planning Committee:
a) Notes of the meetings held on 10th November 2010 and 9th December 2010,
to be approved and signed as the minutes (previously circulated).
b) Proposed Nocton Dairy Farm: To receive an update on the re-submitted
planning application; NKDC reference number: 10/1397/FUL.

8. Correspondence:
a) To note general correspondence (publications and letters are available for viewing).

9. To receive reports on Outside Meetings:
a) To receive a report from Cllr Haisman on the Councillor and Chairman
Training held on 9th November.
b) To receive a report from members on the Community Lincs - Presentation
of the 2010 Competition Awards held on Thursday 18th November.
c) To receive a report from the Chairman on the Standards Committee
meeting held 24th November.

10. To receive reports from Working Groups:
a) Allotments
b) Children's Playgrounds and Playing Fields
c) Consultation and Questionnaires
d) Fayre and Feast
e) Forward Planning
f) Highways, Footpaths & Car Parks
g) Risk Assessment
h) Street Lighting
i) War Memorial and Spring

11. Recreation field & related issues: To receive a progress report.

12. Members Allowances Scheme: To approve members allowance scheme for Metheringham Parish Council following consideration and approval by NKDC Independent Remuneration Panel (circulated to all members).

13. Shiregate Play Park: To review play park fencing and security.

14. Training: LALC Training Events for 2011, all members to give consideration to their training needs (circulated to all members).

15. Date, time and venue of next meeting: Tuesday 25th January 2011 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

16. Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 Exclusion of the Press and the Public: To resolve that in accordance with Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and by reason of the confidential nature of the remainder of the business, the Press and the Public be excluded from the Meeting.
17. Code of Conduct: To discuss information received from NKDC.

From Dot Howes

The cold weather continued for the whole week with extreme low temperatures in the village around minus 13 degrees Celsius on Tuesday 7th December. With day time temperatures also remaining below freezing for several days the snow became compacted on pavements and minor roads and became treacherously icy.

Many events were cancelled including the Senior Citizen's coffee morning on 9th December and their visit to see the Pre-school nativity on 16th , the Haven Christmas Fayre was also postponed. The Nocton Dairies planning application Consultation evening for Metheringham went ahead on Wednesday 8th December with a packed village hall.

The Blankney Bonfire and Firework Display proved to be a great success despite the wet weather on November 5th. The Organisers were very grateful that so many people turned up to enjoy the spectacle and thanks to the donations received and the warming refreshments sold they took £900. this has been split three ways with £300 each going to St Oswalds Church, Blankney; Metheringham and Dunston LIVES Responders and St Barnabas' Hospice.

Services in the Metheringham area over the Christmas period are as follows :-

Sunday 19th December - St Oswald's Church, Blankney - Candlelight Service of Nine Lessons
and Carols 4.30p.m.

Friday 24th December - St Wilfrid's Church, Metheringham - Family Carol service - 6.00p.m.
Dunston Green - Carols accompanied by Sliver Sounds Band - 7.00p.m.
St Wilfrid's, Metheringham - Holy Communion - 11.30 p.m.

Saturday 25th December - St. Oswalds, Blankney - Holy Communion - 9.00 a.m.
St Peter's, Dunston - Family Communion ( children to please bring a toy) - 9.30a.m.

Santa has arranged to visit Metheringham on Saturday 18th December starting his tour around 4.30p.m. near the Great Barrier Reef. He will have an escort provided by the Metheringham Fire Station.

Published at the Request of the Metheringham PC Clerk

Dear Sirs

As you will no doubt be aware from various reports in the local media, the District Council are currently in the latter stages of validating the planning application for the proposed dairy at Nocton. You may recall that, following the submission of the 2009 planning application, Officers of the Council met with Parish Council representatives of Nocton, Dunston, Branston & Mere, Metheringham and Potterhanworth to hold an informal question and answer session to assist in your understanding of the project before you submitted your formal planning comments to the District Council.

We propose to hold a similar event in connection with the 2010 planning application, the date and venue of which will be detailed in due course. It is likely that the Q & A session will be an evening event held in the next 10 days, however this will largely be determined by the date on which the application becomes valid. Please note that the event will be separate to the public display, which will also be held over a similar timescale, again at a time and venue/s to be determined.

Once the application has become valid, copies of the plans, Environmental Statement and other reports will be available to view through the usual process, depending on our ongoing arrangements with you. We will also bring hard copies of some of the plans and supporting information to both our Parish and public events.

We will contact you again when further details are available, however in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me should you need to discuss anything further.

Regards,

Nick Feltham
Area Planning Officer

Refuse/Recycling Service - Friday 3 December 2010

All refuse and recycling services have been suspended again today.

As soon as we are able to resume normal service, priority will be given to catching up on the green lidded (recycling) and black (domestic) bins that have been missed, with side waste being taken.

Residents are asked to take their bins in over the weekend and to place them out for collection on Monday when it is hoped catch up collections can start for those domestic and recycling bins missed this week. Please be aware that it will take several days to catch up on all domestic and recycling missed collections.

There will be no garden waste (brown bin) collections undertaken today or next week commencing Monday 6th December. For your next scheduled garden waste collection please refer to your collection calendar.

We can only apologise for the inconvenience and ask you to visit this page for regular updates on the service or listen to local radio.

A photo essay of Metheringham during the snow fall of the 01 December 2010 by Pete Ford.

See the whole album.

from Dot Howes

Give Blood at Metheringham Village Hall on Friday 24th December 2010 between 10.30- 2.30p.m. To make and appointment please call 0300 123 23 23

The Village Carol Service takes place in Metheringham Methodist Church on Tuesday 14th December at 7p.m. the Silver Sounds Band and village children will be taking part in the service and refreshments will be available.

Metheringham WI holds its' Christmas Social on Wednesday 15th December from 7.15p.m. in the village hall.

Seasonal weather set the mood for the switching on of the Christmas Tree lights in Metheringham on Thursday 2nd December. There was a good response and several carols were sung round the tree in the snow. The prolonged heavy snow brought a shortage of many food staples in the village by Thursday after several days of restricted travel around the county. Vegetables, bread and milk supplies were particularly badly hit
and a shortage of Wellington boot suppliers in the community was highlighted.

A huge thank you to the people of Metheringham and the surrounding area for generous donations towards this year's appeal. The Royal British Legion is trying to raise a million pounds in the coming months to mark its 90th anniversary. With the amount you have raise, they are well on the way to reaching the target.
The breakdown of what you raised is as follows:

Wreaths - £225.00

Remembrance Service - £298.71

House to House & Businesses - £1758.14

RAF Digby - £733.40

Total £3015.25

This is well above last years total and will go a long way towards helping those in need. Of course, the total could have been even higher if it had not been for the mindless, selfish, disrespectful actions of a person(s) who broke into the Star and Garter public house on the Sunday night after Remembrance Day and stole all the money from the various charity collection boxes, including the two belonging to the Poppy Appeal. Hopefully the police will catch the perpetrator
.
I would like to thank all volunteers who go house to house selling poppies. You have done really well. Also I would like to thank those businesses that have poppy boxes on display for customers to donate, and the Parish Council, for their very generous donation

Well done everybody

Anita Yorke (Poppy Appeal Organiser)
01522 820345