Present: Chair: Councillor Kate Tyler
Vice-Chair: Councillor Ian Goldsworthy
Councillors: Peter Askew, David Rumbelow, Neil Faulkner and Geoff Hall

In Attendance: Jilly Burr (Nocton Festival Committee)
P.C. Maria Horner (Lincolnshire Police)
Doreen Green (Parish Clerk)

7 members of the public were also present

1. Apologies for absence were received from Councillor MaryAnn Williams, District Councillors John Money and Rob Kendrick and County Councillor Marianne Overton.

2. Declaration of Prejudicial Interest in Accordance With the Ethical Code of Conduct: None declared.

(a) Police
PC Horner reported on the two recorded incidents which had occurred since the last meting:

(i) The theft of building materials from Nocton Hall - detected.
(ii) The theft from a motor vehicle - undetected as yet.

She also reported that several local villages had been the subject of burglaries and so advised that anything suspicious should be reported. She left cards with the contact details of the 'Lincs Alert' Scheme to be publicised in The Doodle.

(b) Village Hall Management Committee
The Chair reported that at the fire risk assessment had been carried out.
Some remedial work is needed on the facia boards.

On 11th April the first Nocton HUB is planned, to coincide with the regular monthly Coffee Morning.

A leaking toilet in the Gents was to be repaired.

The next meeting of the NVHMC is to be held on 25th April at 7.30pm.

(c) Dog Warden
No report submitted.

(d) Parish Clerk
The Clerk's report was noted.

(e) Nocton Festival 2012 Committee

Mrs. Burr gave an update on planned events. The Chair congratulated her on the displays of flowering plants in the planters.

4. Public Questions
Neighbourhood Watch - noted that at present there is no Co-ordinator.

It was agreed that an article to go in 'The 'Doodle' to publicise Neighbourhood Watch and to advertise for a Co-ordinator.

5. Minutes
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 3rd March 2012, having been previously circulated, and subject to an amendment to Minute No.3 (a) to transpose paragraph two and three and to Minute No 6(a) to change the word "Wellingore" to "Welbourn", were agreed as a correct record of the proceedings and were signed by the Chair.

6. Gas Supply to Nocton
It was noted that twenty eight householders had expressed an interest in a gas supply to the village.
It was agreed the Clerk would make enquiries at Dunston with a view to amalgamating with them, and to also speak with the National Grid.

7. Best Kept Village Competition
It was noted that last year it had been agreed that the Best Kept Village Competition be entered this year.
It was agreed that the Clerk would enter the village in the competition

8. Progress Report from Parish Councillors

(a) Councillor Faulkner gave an update on CLAN. The 200 Club is doing well.

(b) Councillor Hall reported that the visit to view the ArtsNK artwork in Welbourn had been very productive.

(c) The Clerk is to write thanking Ralph Timms for organising the Annual Litter Pick.

(d) Councillor Rumbelow reported complaints received regarding the roadside shrubbery halfway up Wellhead Lane, and the danger of vehicles being parked by the Post Office corner.
It was agreed to raise these issues with Alan Brown LCC Highways and the Police.

(e) The Chair commented that there had been a meeting with NKDC regarding Nocton Hall. NKDC have requested a response on the Options Appraisal from LEDA.

9. Correspondence
Correspondence since the last meeting was noted.

The following letters were considered:

(a) The report from Inspect-a-Drain on the Village Hall drains.

This report to be delivered to Mr. Webster for the Village Hall survey he has undertaken.

(b) Anglian Water - Drought Situation and Imminent Hosepipe Ban.

10. Planning Applications and Issues
Noted information from NKDC regarding street numbering for The Bottom Lodge, The Bridle Way, Nocton LN4 2BH.

11. Financial Matters
(a) Details of all payments required since the last meeting were noted.

(b) Standing Order payments are still to be finalised for the payment of the street light maintenance, as this cannot be paid by Direct Debit.

Direct Debit mandate form from e.ON for the payment of street light power to be completed.

(c) Clement Keys have designated 9th July for the Parish Council accounts to be audited by them.

(d) Reclaimed VAT of £1,677.86 had been paid into the Parish Council funds.

12. Annual Parish Meeting
It was noted that the Annual Parish Meeting is a legal requirement. Items of interest to parishioners were needed for the meeting.

It was agreed that the Clerk would contact all village organisations with a request for their members to submit ideas for the Agenda. If there were no items submitted then a speaker would be organised.

Agreed the date of the Annual Parish Meeting as 22nd May 2012.

13. Dates of Future Meetings
(a) It was noted that the next meeting will be the Annual Parish Council Meeting to be held on 1st May 2012.

(b) The Programme of Dates for 2012/13 was agreed as follows:

8th May, 5th June; 3rd July; 7th August; 4th September; 2nd October; 6th November; 4th December 2012 and 8th January; 5thh February and 5th March 2013.

14. Exclusion of Public (Standing Order 60)
It was agreed to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that the matters were of a private and confidential nature.

15. Appointment of Village Keeper
It was agreed that Wednesday 25th April be the date for the interviews for the post of Village Keeper. The interviews to start at 11.00am.

16. Informal Meeting with LEDA Properties
Nick Hardcastle of LEDA Properties had been offered 12th April between 11.00am and 2.00pm for an informal meeting with members of the Parish Council.

17. Registration of the Village Hall with the Land Registry
Councillor Hall gave a presentation on conveyancing issues associated with the Village Hall.
It was agreed to engage a solicitor to look into these issues and to ensure that the land was properly registered.

Present: Chair: Councillor Kate Tyler
Vice-Chair: Councillor Ian Goldsworthy
Councillors: Peter Askew, David Rumbelow, Geoff Hall and MaryAnn Williams

In Attendance: Councillor Rob Kendrick - North Kesteven District Council
Councillor Marianne Overton - Lincolnshire County Council
Nick Jones - ArtsNK
Jilly Burr - Nocton Festival Committee
Doreen Green -Parish Clerk

5 members of the public were also present

1. Apologies for absence: Received from Councillor Neil Faulkner, District Councillor John Money and PCSO Duckworth.

2. Declaration of Prejudicial Interest in Accordance With the Ethical Code of Conduct: None declared.

(a) Police:

PCSO Duckworth had provided a report which indicated that there had been four recorded incidents reported since the last meeting:

Theft x 2
Theft of a motor vehicle
Damage to a motor vehicle

The Neighbourhood Policing Team expressed its sincere apologies for the lack of attendance at recent meetings. This was due to change of shift patterns of the team. Every effort would be made to attend the next meeting.

It was agreed that the Clerk request a police attendance at Parish Council meetings on a three monthly basis and that more information on reported incidents be supplied.

(b) Village Hall Management Committee:

Councillor Rumbelow reported that at the last committee meeting the subsidence/structural problems were noted. The committee was also to arrange to carry out a fire risk assessment.

It was noted that the NVHMC currently had a reserve of £4,085.

(c) Parish Clerk:

The Clerk's report, having previously been circulated, was noted.

(d) Dog Warden:

A written report had been submitted by Michael Cummins and was read out by the Chair.

(e) Nocton C.P. School

A written report had been submitted and was read out by the Clerk

(f) Nocton Festival 2012 Committee

Jilly Burr gave an update on planned events which was warmly received.

4. Public Questions:

It was noted that no prior notice of questions of the Parish Council had been received.

5. Minutes

The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 7th February 2012, having been previously circulated, were agreed as a correct record of the proceedings and were signed by the Chair.

6. ArtsNK

(a) ArtsNK Presentation

Nick Jones presented the current plans for a proposed bench on The Green. A further presentation would be made to the Parish Council when design details were clearer.

It was agreed that the Clerk make arrangements with Nick Jones for Councillors to visit Welbourn in order to view an example of the artwork being proposed.

(b) Maintenance of Village Artworks

The items of covered artwork by the NKDC Maintenance Programme were noted.

It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Cliff Baxendale for advice and costings on renovating the existing village signs, which are owned by the Parish Council and therefore not covered by the Maintenance Programme, and to ask if a third sign could be provided for Wellhead Lane

7. Nocton Festival and Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

(a) Festival Support

Current levels of financial support to both the Nocton Festival 2012 and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations generally were noted

(b) Additional Requests for Funding

It was noted that arrangements for a 'beacon' were being made which would avoid cost to either Nocton Parish Council or the Nocton Festival Committee.

It was agreed the Parish Council would fund the printing of the Commemorative Mugs order form (£16); the printing of The Garden Party invitations (£15.60) and to meet the cost of summer bedding planting from next year's budget (c£50)

Finally the detailed design and wording of the Garden Party invitation was agreed.

8. Play Area Questionnaire

Further to Minute No.11. of the last meeting, the design and wording of the survey questionnaire was agreed, with replies being returned to the Clerk.

It was agreed to meet the printing costs involved up to a maximum of £50.

It was agreed that replies should be returned to the Clerk.

9. Annual Village Litter Pick

The arrangements for the Annual Village Litter Pick were noted and the Clerk would contact Mr. Timms about insurance by NKDC for the event.

10. Response to the anonymous Litter Picker

It was noted litter was being collected in plastic bags and left outside the Village Hall.

It was agreed that the Vice-Chair would provide an appropriate response for the Nocton Doodle and the Nocton Blog asking that the person concerned stop leaving litter at the Village Hall.

11. Planning Applications and Issues

(a) Application LCC PL/0228/11 Dunston Quarry: the Parish Council's response was noted.

(b) Application LCC PL/0009/12 Dunston Quarry: the Parish Council's, response was noted.

(c) Application LCC PL/0038/12 Anaerobic Digester, Nocton Fen Lane

It was agreed that the response drafted by Councillor Hall objecting to this application be submitted as the Parish Council's response.

Councillor Overton agreed to support the Parish Council's comments on this application

12. Financial Matters

(a) Details of all payments required since the last meeting noted.

(b) It was agreed to set up Standing Orders/Direct Debits for all regular Payments, including the Clerk's salary and a contribution of £10 per month towards her broadband costs and to e.ON for street lighting power and maintenance.

(c) Revenue Outturn 2011/2012

The projected end of year position on the budget was noted and that, based on existing information, a small sum of approximately £400 would remain available to carry forward to next year.

(d) Further to Minute No.13 (c) NKDC is to supply an amended invoice for grass cutting.

13. Report from District Councillor R. Kendrick

The oral report of Councillor R. Kendrick was noted.

14. Report from County Councillor M. Overton

The oral report of Councillor Marianne Overton was noted.

15. Progress Reports of Parish Councillors

(a) Councillor Williams wished to record her thanks to the Nocton Village Hall Management Committee for kindly donating the use of the Hall for the workshops mentioned in the report by The Nocton Festival Committee and £100 for materials

(b) Councillor Askew reported that solar panels had now been installed on the Wellhead Lane bungalows.

(c) Councillor Rumbelow asked that a follow-up letter be sent to Shooters
Lodge to ensure that the hedges, etc growing over the footpath were cut back.

(d) The Chair said that Mr. Webster had now completed his initial survey of the Village Hall but that further information was required from Ward Cole, and the drains inspection completed before his report could be completed.

The outcome of the initial meeting of the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Parish Council, the Nocton Village Hall Management Committee and The Social Club Committee was noted.

16. Correspondence

(a) The following letters were noted:

The NKDC reply to the Parish Council's response to the Nocton Hall Options Appraisal.

Mr. Robert Howard's response regarding hedge trimmings on the bridle path.

Mr. Alan Brown's (LCC Highways) response regarding outstanding highways' issues.

(b) The Parish Council's response to the CLAN Questionnaire was agreed. The Clerk would submit it to CLAN.

17. Dates of Future Meetings

(a) It was note that the next meeting will be held on 3rd April 2012.

(b) The Programme of Dates for 2012/13 was agreed as follows:

Annual Parish Council Meeting: 1st May
Ordinary Parish Council Meetings: 8th May; 5th June; 3rd July; 7th August; 4th September; 2nd October; 6th November; 4th December 2012 and 8th January; 5th February and 5th March 2013

18. Exclusion of Public (Standing Order 60)

It was agreed to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that the matters were of a private and confidential nature.

19. Appointment of Village Keeper

It was agreed to set up a panel comprising the Chair and Councillors Rumbelow and Williams, supported by the Clerk, to agree the shortlist and to interview applicants for the post of Village Keeper.

20. Registration of the Village Hall with the Land Registry

It was agreed that immediate action be taken to ensure the Village Hall was properly registered with the Land Registry and that Councillor G. Hall lead on he work involved.

21. Assessment of the Clerk

The Chair reported briefly on the outcome of the resent Performance and Development Review of the Clerk.

PRESENT: Councillors: Dr M J Allen (Chairman), N Dobbs, P D Ford, M Haisman, Mrs J Honisett, Mrs S Peek, M E Reynolds, A Waddington, G W Chambers (District Council), J C Rose (District Council) and Ms S N Wetherall (Clerk).

INVITED GUESTS: Richard Greener and Chris Haynes - Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership

78 members of the public

APOLOGIES: Councillors Mrs R Creasey, G H Roland and Mrs A Webb.

1. Introduction: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the 2011 Annual Village Meeting and emphasized it is a village meeting for the village electors. Copies of the minutes from the 2010 meeting and the agenda were available for members of the public.

2. Notes of the last meeting: The notes of the Annual Village Meeting held on 27th April 2010 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman made a presentation to Cllr Mrs Honisett and Cllr Waddington and thanked them for all their commitment and efforts to the village during their time as Parish Councillors.

4. Question Time Session: There were no questions or statements from members of the public.

5. Guest Speaker - Richard Greener - Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership: Richard Greener introduced himself and Chris Haynes. They are regulated by the Local Government Act 1999. In 1999 Lincolnshire had the worst accident rate in Europe. A strategy was adopted by the Labour government for a ten year plan to have a 40% reduction in fatal and serious accidents. A number of initiatives have been used cameras; enforcement; education and intervention. The fatal four are speed; use of seat belts; drink/drugs and mobile phones. Certain groups are being targeted 17-24 year olds; schools - a passenger awareness course. Child casualties are currently at the lowest ever recorded. The training and exhibition vehicle goes to most major events eg Lincolnshire Show, RAF Waddington Air show etc. Lincolnshire has a large number of Red Routes the B1188 has seen an increase in accidents of 8.7%, this is being investigated to establish why. Richard thanked everyone for listening and how wonderful it was to see so many people at an Annual Parish Meeting.

6. The meeting was adjourned for a finger buffet and drinks, a chance to view exhibits and socialize with guest speakers, representatives from the village organizations, Parish and District Councillors.

7. Reports from village organizations: There were some varied and interesting presentations from the village groups.
a) Metheringham Scouts/Cubs and Beavers; There are currently 90 members across the three groups. Forty children attended the annual summer camp. They helped at the Spires and Steeples run/walk. A group will be taking part in a 'warm up' sponsored walk from Lincoln to Metheringham to help train for a 60 mile sponsored hike to raise funds to send one of the Metheringham Scouts to the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden.
b) Metheringham Amateur Dramatic Society (MAD); was founded in 1991, to bring live entertainment to the village and surrounding area. There are normally 3 or 4 productions a year at various locations. They even have their own choir! This year is the 20th Annual pantomime in the Village Hall. Future productions include 'Ghost Train', 'A Special Remembrance Review' with all proceeds going to Help the Heroes and the British Legion and of course the pantomime. If you would like to join MAD there are plenty of jobs
that need doing. Thank you to everyone for all their help throughout the year.
c) Metheringham Methodist Church; Martin Amery gave details of events and services taking place at the church. New Life and the other church groups support each other. The church members are actively involved in the Fayre and Feast and the wedding celebrations. The church helps to enrich life of all people. Reverend Amery would love to see the chapel full.
d) Metheringham and District Swimming Pool Association (MADSPA) Chairman Dian Robinson said there had been a lot of damage/vandalism to the pool over the winter. Thankfully the problems were resolved and the pool opened for the season early on 9th April, to take advantage of the Easter holiday. Volunteers are required with the day to day running of the pool.
e) Mission X Youth Group is part of New Life and are supported by the Methodist Church. They meet on alternate Fridays; 7-11 year olds 7.00pm-8.00pm and older teenagers 8.15pm-9.30pm at the Methodist School Room. Some of the teenagers that have previously been members are now helping to run the group. A kids club will be run in August, 20-30 children/teenagers normally attend.
f) Metheringham & Dunston LIVES, Steve Hyde stated they always need volunteers. There are currently 8 responders, during the last year they have been called to 200 incidents. A level 2 entry responder can give oxygen therapy this is crucial as an ambulance can take 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes to arrive. The Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership presentation was very interesting. Financial support from the community is paramount, it costs £3,000.00 per year to operate. Helpers/fundraisers and co-ordinators are all equally important. Thank you for all your help throughout the year.
g) Metheringham Senior Citizens, Pam Woolley stated the group was set up in 1969 with the help of Brian Wright. The group have some very successful coffee mornings, book stalls, Easter Bonnet Competition and parties. Outings planned for the forthcoming year are Doncaster; Skegness and Kings Lynn.
h) Metheringham Area Community Leisure Association (MACLA); Sally Wilson introduced herself and stated 'what a wonderful village - she is proud to be part of it' MACLA have been instrumental in organising the programme of events to celebrate the Royal Wedding being held on 29th April 2011, Sally gave a presentation with details of the schedule of events for the day. She also made a plea for anyone who could help with stewarding the event.

The Chairman thanked everyone for the excellent presentations and taking the time to attend the meeting. Proceeds from the raffle were donated to the Royal Wedding Celebrations taking place in the village on 29th April 2011.

8. Date, time and venue of next meeting - To be announced.

The meeting closed at 9.34pm.

A special meeting of the council will take place on

Tuesday 1st May 2012
at 7.00pm
in the village hall

Press and public welcome.

Prior to the official start of the meeting a public forum of 15 minutes will be held if required. The public may address the council between 7.00pm and 7.15pm.

Signed: Ms S N Wetherall
Clerk to Metheringham Parish Council
24th April 2012

You are summoned to a Special Meeting of Metheringham Parish Council which will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 1st May 2012 at 7.00pm. 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 7.00pm and 7.15pm on current matters, or issues which may become future agenda items and your attendance is also requested during this period.

Signed: Ms S N Wetherall MILCM
Clerk to Metheringham Parish Council
24th April 2012

AGENDA - Special Meeting - 1st May 2012

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. Notes of the last Full Council Meeting held on Tuesday 27th March 2012, to be approved and signed as the minutes.

4. Financial matters:
a) Metheringham Swimming Pool: To consider and approve quotation received for the initial start up costs and weekly pool operation.
i) Pre Season checks and start up - £250.00
ii) To repair cracks in pool - £150.00
iii) Season maintenance and testing (chemicals not included) £40.00 per week.
b) To consider and approve a working budget for the current season.

5. Fayre and Feast 2011: To clarify matters relating to the overspend of the
budget for the 2011 Fayre and Feast.

6. Skate Park/BMX Track Project: To review progress of the working group and agree future action.

7. Annual Report 2011/2012: To receive comments from members on the Annual Report for 2011/2012, to amend document accordingly and agree to send for printing.