November 2019 Minutes
A meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 26th November 2019 in the Village Hall, Middle Street, Metheringham and commenced at 19:15.
Present:
Councillor S Wilson (Chairman) Councillor J Gwillym (Vice Chairman) Councillor N Byatt Councillor I Holmes Councillor J Kendrick Councillor J Parr Councillor D Parry Councillor S Peek Councillor S Walker
Apologies:
Councillor D Temple
Clerk: Karen Steels-Tallett
There were 2 members of the public present.
1. Chairman’s Remarks:
The Chairman Councillor S Wilson opened the meeting; welcomed Councillor J Parr and made the usual housekeeping announcements. The Chairman reminded members that they must abide by the Code of Conduct at all times
2. To resolve to accept Apologies for Absence and reasons given in accordance with Local Government Act 1972 s85(1):
Apologies were received from Councillor Temple.
3. Members Declarations of Interests
a. Members may make any declarations of interest at this point but may also make them at any point during the meeting in accordance with Metheringham Parish Councils Code of Conduct. Councillor Byatt declared an interest in agenda item 20 as a Member of NKDC Planning Committee.
b. Dispensations: To consider and grant dispensation to relevant members in accordance with Metheringham Parish Councils Code of Conduct.
There were no requests for Dispensations.
4. To approve the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 29th October 2019.
The notes having been circulated before the meeting were taken as read and it was RESOLVED to approve them as minutes of the meeting.
Proposed by Councillor Gwillym seconded by Councillor Holmes, all were in favour.
5. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a. To receive a report from the County Councillor R Kendrick.
The monthly county update circulated with the agenda was received – see appendix 1. The existing LCC website now has a provision for comments and feedback in respect of the new site. LCC are also now looking at invisible disabilities with regards to the Blue Badge.
b. To receive a report from District Councillor N Byatt
NKDC are currently conducting a household survey to find out residents’ views on a variety of different topics. The survey is available in paper format and for completion online. The closing date for the survey is 31st January 2020.
c. Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team:
A report had been received from PC Hanson and circulated. Councillor Gwillym reported that she had met with Chief Inspector Phil Vickers, stop and search is being carried out in urban areas, Lincolnshire Police will employee an additional PC’s during 2020. The policing team have now moved to North Hykeham Station, it unlikely that there will be a new PCSO prior to the end of the year. Councillor Byatt challenged why stop and search was not being carried out in Metheringham. Stop and Search" is a Police Power that is used routinely by Officers across the Country - It attracts media and community interest because it is intrusive and often an uncomfortable experience (even when carried out thoroughly professionally) for all involved. Officers use their powers sensitively, recognising the balance between the impact on the individual and the need to keep the wider community safe - Their use of such powers must always be based on suspicion that relates to that person at that time. Lincolnshire Police do not tend to have "Stop and Search Operations" as such, but do however target patrols where we believe we are likely to find offenders, and then Officer consider the use of the Powers they have to search.
Cllr Laura Pearson arrived @ 7.32pm
d. Village Hall Committee:
Councillor Kendrick reported that the treasurer of the village hall had resigned, there is a meeting Wednesday 27th November.
e. Swimming Pool:
Councillor Holmes reported that the Trustees are continuing to work on a Memorandum of Understanding with the Parish Council.
f. Library:
Councillor Peek reported that the Christmas raffle will take place on 19th December. A card of condolence had been sent following the sad loss of Ken Cotton.
g. Bowls Club:
Councillor Walker reported that an article had been placed in Limespring Hundred and a follow up would be inserted in the February/March issue advertising taster sessions to encourage more members.
6. To receive verbal or written update reports from Working Groups:
i) Events: The notes of the meeting held 5th November had been circulated and received. Lighting of the Tree will take place on Sunday 1st December followed by the Christmas Market which is being opened by Councillor Susan Waring.
ii) Project Planning: The notes of the meeting held 7th November were circulated and received.
iii) Communications: The notes of the meeting held 30th October were circulated and received.
iv) Environmental Development: The notes of the meeting held 30th October were circulated and received
7. Clerks Report: The Clerk’s report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Agreed to accept the report.
8. Financial Matters:
a. Urban Grass Cutting: – To resolve to continue with the LCC Parish Agreement Scheme for 2020/21 financial period. It was resolved to continue with the Scheme. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour
b. Accounts for Payment: To consider and approve the accounts for payment. The Clerk circulated the accounts for October 2019. It was resolved to approve the accounts, proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Kendrick and all were in favour.
9. Street Lighting: To consider replacing all night photocells on MPC street lights with part-night photocells. Councillor Byatt proposed that consideration be given in respect of each lamp prior to be turned off, it was resolved not to proceed on this basis. Councillor Holmes asked if it had been considered to undertake a survey of the remaining concrete columns to establish if they are all still required now LED lighting has been installed and if in fact any of them could be capped. It was resolved that all night photocells with part-night photocells, proposed by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Kendrick and the majority were in favour. Councillors Byatt and Peek were against.
10. Former NHS Building: To consider and resolve that the parish Offices are relocated to the former NHS Building. It was resolved to move the office premises with effect 31st March 2019. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Gwillym and all were in favour.
11. Noticeboard sited in the War Memorial Garden: To consider and resolve that the noticeboard is relocated to the car park on Prince’s Street. It was resolved to relocate the noticeboard. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Kendrick and all were in favour.
12. Communications Policy: To consider and resolve amendments to MPC/028 Communications Policy. It was resolved to accept the amendments. Proposed by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.
13. Social Media Policy: To consider and resolve amendments to MPC/027 Social Media Policy. It was resolved to accept the amendments. Proposed by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.
14. Village Hall Car Park: To consider and resolve that the signage is amended to Short Term Stay and No Overnight Parking. It was resolved to defer the item to the January meeting pending a report from Smart Parking. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Kendrick and all were in favour.
15. Gateways to Villages: To consider and resolve to obtain quotations for Gateways to the Village. It was resolved to obtain quotations. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.
16. War Memorial Gardens Hedging: To consider and resolve to agree a specification of works following a report from the arborist. It was resolved to proceed on the basis of the quotation received from Daniel Elmhirst. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Gwillym. Councillor Holmes was against.
17. Christmas and New Year Opening Hours: To consider and resolve the Parish Office opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period. It was resolved that the office would closed at 12.00noon on Christmas Eve, reopen Monday 30th December, normal working day and then close until Friday 3rd January.
18. Procedural Documents Platform: To consider and resolve a Data Shared Platform be created for use by Councillors. It was resolved to proceed with a Data Shared Platform. Proposed by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.
19. Correspondence: To note the correspondence circulated to Members.
20. Planning: Planning applications received from NKDC. Councillor N Byatt declared an interest as District Councillor and withdrew from any debate. Planning applications received from NKDC:
i) 19/1458/HOUS – 1-2 Brickyard Cottages, Fen Lane, Metheringham. Erection of single storey rear extension. It was resolved that Council had no objection to the application. Proposed by Councillor Holmes seconded by Councillor Parry and all were in favour.
Planning application decision notices from NKDC:
i) 19/1223/FUL – Land adjacent and to the rear of Redcliffe House, Sleaford Road, Metheringham. Change of use of agricultural land to domestic garden. Approved.
21. 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. It was agreed to move into closed session.
22. Co-option: To consider an Application for Co-option received from a Parishioner. Having received an address from the parishioner present at the October meeting, it was resolved to co-opt R Grummitt as a Councillor.
23. Date, time and venue of next meeting: Tuesday 28th January 2020 at 19:15, in the Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:45