January 2011 Archives

2011 Census coming to a letterbox near you

On 27 March 2011 all residential households in the United Kingdom will be taking part in a census. Since 1801 a day has been chosen every ten years for this purpose (except in 1941 during the war). The census provides an excellent source of information about the population. This enables central and local government, health authorities and many other organisations to identify need for housing, education, health and transport services for years to come.

Did you know that supermarkets use census statistics to work out the kind of foods they need to sell to keep local communities stocked up with their favourites? Water companies use the census data to plan the pipes for clean and wastewater - to make sure there's enough for everyone. Fire brigades and the police use census data to help communities, putting fire alarms and crime prevention measures in specific areas. The benefits are far reaching.

The census statistics also feed into the allocation of funding for local authorities and play a major part in identifying need for local services in communities, so it is crucial the population estimate is as accurate as possible. When the questionnaire envelope comes through the door you'll easily recognise it by the purple 2011 Census logo. Take care of it. If, like many people, you want to complete the questionnaire online, your individual internet code is on the front of the questionnaire.

The 2011 Census doesn't want anyone to fall behind - so there is a wide range of help options available (such as language guidance booklets, large print format, Text Relay and census field staff on hand, as well as online help and telephone call centres).

More information about the 2011 Census can be found at: www.census.gov.uk

See also this 2011 Census Update to the North Kesteven Metheringham Parish Cluster on 10th January 2011

Minutes of the Metheringham Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 16th December 2010 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Metheringham Parish Council Planning Meeting Minutes - 10 November 2010

Metheringham Parish Council Planning Meeting Minutes - 09 December 2010

by Dot Howes

St Wilfrid's Church are holding another Mega Quiz night with Fish and Chips in the St Wilfrid's Church Hall on Friday 4th February at 7.00p.
m. Get your team organised and bring along your own drinks for an entertaining and possibly educational evening out. Tickets are £5 available from Rod Sanders or Margaret Amos.

Metheringham Methodist Church are holding an Auction and Coffee Morning on Staurday 12th February in the Chapel Rooms. Viewing from 9.00a.m.
and auction commences at 10.00a.m.

Metheringham Animal Welfare Support Group ( MAWS) are holding a
musical evening with Leanne Disney at Martin Moor Golf Club on Friday
4th March 2011. The evening of Rock, Pop and Soul songs, old and new
will begin at 7.30p.m.. Tickets are £5 available from D & K News, and
Martin Moor Golf Club. The bar will be open for bar meals and drinks.
The four animal welfare charities which are being supported this year
are Bransby Home of Rest for Horses and Donkeys, Lincoln Area Swan
Group, The Lincoln Greyhound Trust and Bunny Heaven.

Minutes of the Meeting of Nocton Parish Council held on Tuesday the 7th December 2010 in the Village Hall

Present:
Councillor D. Wilson (Vice-Chair)
Councillor P. Askew
Councillor I. Goldsworthy
Councillor D. Rumbelow
Councillor K. Tyler

Mrs. Green Parish Clerk

Mr.Duckworth PCSO
Mrs Hill Dog Warden

6 Members of the public were in attendance

Apologies for Absence: Parish Councillor E. Storr and M. Williams; District Councillors P. Rose and W. Chambers and County Councillor M. Overton

(1) Declaration of Prejudicial Interest in Accordance with the Ethical Code of Conduct: Councillor Goldsworthy declared a personal interest in the Nocton Dairy item.

(2) Police: PCSO Duckworth had informed the Clerk that there had been no crime reported since the last meeting. No information had come through yet regarding Neighbourhood Watch.

(3) Public Questions:

A comment was made on the North Kesteven District Council's decision to allow the felling of the willow tree at The Rose Garden, The Avenue. Neighbours and Parish Councillors had all objected to this application

(4) Litter: Mr. Sidney attended the meeting and asked for confirmation that he should remove fliers from utility posts. He was advised, yes, as it is an offence to place fliers on such posts.

(5) Dog Warden: Parish Councillors had studied the costings and agreed to offer two hours per week for a three month trial period to Mrs Hill.

(6) Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd November 2010 were proposed as correct by Councillor Goldsworthy, seconded by Councillor Rumbelow and signed by the Chair, subject to the amendment of Minute 114/10(f) as follows:

"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."

Matters Arising:

115/10 (see Min 3-2/11/10): No Christmas tree purchased as price list had not been returned. Councillor Goldsworthy authorised to purchase one to the value of £60.
116/10 (see 99/10): Play area - Councillor Williams had met with the Chairman of the School Governors and expressed much more development that previously requested. The Clerk to look into all information and draft an appropriate letter.
117/10 (see 100/10): Village Hall settlement - no progress.
118/10 (see 101/10): No progress on contacting Boddingtons regarding information and prices for surfacing work on The Green.
119/10 (see 102/10): "Duck" signs - this item to be dropped for the present.
120/10 (see 103/10): A Parish Plan to be looked at next year.
121/10 (see 104/10): The "Cluster" seat has been delivered. Its use as a replacement for the "Coronation" seat was questioned. Agreed to contact BJB and Malcolm Fulup regarding the possibility of a repair.
122/10 (see 105/10): The Horse Chestnut tree on The Green has been cut back.
123/10 (see 114/10a): The "Equal Opportunity" item on the Agenda was put on as it was a requirement for grant applications. The Clerk will provide Councillor Goldsworthy with a copy of the Equal Opportunities Policy.

(7) Lincolnshire Core Strategy (124/10): Councillors Goldsworthy and Williams had completed their thoughts on the document and all Councillors present were agreeable to these being submitted.

(8) Street Lighting (125/10): A tree is obscuring the light by the "Coronation" seat on Main Street. The Clerk will contact the owners of the tree.

(9) Village Hall (126/10): The Committee meeting scheduled for last week had to be cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions. The next meeting will be the AGM in February. Coffee morning tomorrow. The Christmas Fayre raised in excess of £200.

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

(11) Nocton Hall (128/10): A letter from Andrew McDonough of NKDC confirmed that grant monies have now been released by English Heritage and the options appraisal will begin in January.

(12) Letters (129/10):

(a) Open Spaces magazine.
(b) LCC: Gritting Routes 2010/2011.
(c) NKDC: Confirming Mrs Tyler as new parish councillor.
(d) NKDC: District and Parish Council Elections on 5th May 2011.
(e) NKDC: Potterhanworth Road/Main Street naming.
(f) NKDC: Agenda/Minutes/Reports of the Standards Committee.
(g) NKDC: Register of Electors.
(h) NKDC: Warning regarding Acid used by Graffiti Vandals.
(i) LCC: Planning Application Validation Check.
(j) Glasdon advertisement.
(k) Lincolnshire Police.
(l) AON Charity and Voluntary Organisations Insurance.
(m) Open Spaces.
(n) Community Lincs - Community Buildings.
(o) Information from Councillor Williams regarding her meeting with the Chairman of the School Governors.
(p) NKDC: LALC News.
(q) What's On
(r) NKDC: Street Numbering - Main Street/Potterhanworth Road
(s) NKDC: Dog Fouling
(t) NKDC: Andrew McDonough - Nocton Hall

(13) Planning (130/10)

(a) NKDC: Application N155/01 to fell trees behind 16 Parklands Avenue.
(b) NKDC: permission 10/1144/FUL Change of Use of Buildings Nocton Ltd.
(c) NKDC: Permission Trees CA42/49 Rose Garden, The Avenue.
(d) NKDC: Permission Trees N/192 Rose Garden, The Avenue.
(e) Nocton Dairies Ltd: Letter from May Jackson

(14) Nocton Dairies (131/10): Plans being validated by NKDC. Agreed that a public meeting with the applicants, with a set agenda and hosted by the Parish Council, would be appropriate. NKDC is to hold public meetings with its planning officers present. The Clerk will inform councillors as soon as plans arrive.

(15) Finance (112/10):

(a) Lloyd's statements (14) £12,437.58 (15) £211.30.
(b) E-ON invoice for maintenance £104.56 (cheque signed).
(c) Mr.Sidney paid for litter picking November £40 (cheque signed).
(d) Gladson invoice for "Cluster" bench £410.07 (cheque signed).
(e) NKDC invoice for by-elections £107.74 (cheque signed).
(f) LALC invoice £65 (557 electors) - no need to pay until April.
(g) Clerk's salary for November £168.72; expenses £2.52 - £171.24 (cheque signed).
(h) NKDC: Litter funding - awarded £248.80.
(i) NKDC: Dog Warden funding - awarded £314.26.

(16) Precept (133/10: The Clerk had prepared financial information for the consideration of Councillors.

(17) Any Other Business (133/10):

Councillor Askew said that parishioners had asked for a Grit Bin to be provided half-way along Wellhead Lane. One is also needed on The Green.

(18) Date of Next Meeting:

The next meeting confirmed as Tuesday, 11th January 2011 at 7pm in the Village Hall.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.45 pm.

Dear Councillors

You are summoned to a meeting of Metheringham Parish Council which will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 25th January 2011 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
19th January 2011

AGENDA - 25th January 2011

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 Thursday 16th December 2010, to be approved and signed as the minutes.

5. Clerks report on matters outstanding (previously circulated)

6. Financial matters:
a) To consider subscription to the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils Annual Training Scheme for April 2011/March 2012 at a cost of £105.00.
b) To consider a request from the Lincolnshire Playing Fields Association for a donation towards their activities.
c) To consider accounts for payment.
d) To receive a report from the RFO on the PC finances, Income and Expenditure.

7. Correspondence:
a) To note general correspondence (publications and letters are available for viewing).
b) Community Governance (Parish) Review - Final Decision - Letter received from NKDC stating the suggested changes to abolish the Fen Ward and increase the number of Councillors from eleven to thirteen have been agreed at an NKDC council meeting held on 16th December 2010. Reorganization orders will be issued shortly.
c) Letter from NKDC in relation to Councillor and Candidate Election Training sessions to be held on 14th March at the Council Offices, Sleaford and 15th March at the Foyer, Terry O'Tool, Theatre, Moor Lane, North Hykeham and decide accordingly.

8. To receive reports on Outside Meetings:
a) To receive a report from the Chairman on the LALC County Committee meeting held 20th January 2011.

9. 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

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

11. Allotment Land: To receive an update following initial consultation with members of the public.

12. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: To agree Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on Thursday 1st December 2011.

13. Date, time and venue of next meeting: Tuesday 22nd February 2011 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

14. 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.

15. Code of Conduct: To discuss further information received from NKDC.

Minutes of the Scopwick Parish Council Meeting held at 7.00pm on Tuesday 28 September 2010 at the Village Hall, Scopwick.

The Programme of Parish Council meetings for 2011 is also available

The Scopwick Parish Council news for winter 2010 can be found here

From Dot Howes

Come and enjoy an evening of laughter and spectacle with Metheringham Amateur Dramatics who are in final preparations for the pantomime Puss in Boots which takes place in Metheringham Village Hall on Fridays and Saturdays 21st and 22nd, 28th and 29th January at 7.30p.m. and on the Saturday afternoons at 2.30p.m.

Tickets are £ 8 for adults and £6.50 for children and concessions. A family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children is £25. Tickets are available from D & K News (01526 320371) and Infolinks (01526 323100). For further information contact Fran on 01526
320827

Gaynor Little is directing this production for MAD and the pantomime was written by Richard Cheshire and has been performed throughout Britain. It is a lively musical production showcasing a few new faces and many more familiar ones but not necessarily as you have seen them before. As usual the evil character, who in this pantomime is called Draculunda, and the good fairy battle it out but eventually the Ogre is defeated with Puss's help and the miller's son wins his princess.
The main characters are supported by a comedy duo, the knave, the villagers chorus, dancers, and a dame of sorts.

It's been one of the most controversial stories of 2010, now a debate's taking place between opposing sides over plans for a so called super dairy at Nocton in Lincolnshire.

The debate is taking place at the Branston Community College on Wednesday Jan 5th 2011 and is being recorded by Lincs FM for broadcast as part of a special edition of the Farming Programme, the following weekend.

Only questions received in advance will be considered for the debate, so email your question to farming@lincsfm.co.uk

Please note, questions will not be shown to the panel in advance and the debate chairman, Lincolnshire's Agricultural Chaplain Alan Robson, will decide which questions will be chosen on the evening.

Doors will open at 6.30pm on Wed, Jan 5th. Seating is limited and entry will be on a first come basis and cannot be guaranteed.