October 2019 Minutes
A meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 29th October 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 D Parry Councillor S Peek Councillor D Temple Councillor S Walker
Clerk: Karen Steels-Tallett
There were 2 members of the public present.
1. Chairman’s Remarks:
The Chairman Councillor S Wilson opened the meeting; 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):
No apologies were received.
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 12 as a Member of NKDC Planning Committee. Councillor Parry declared an interest in agenda item 8c as a School Governor.
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 24th September 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 Byatt seconded by Councillor Gwillym, 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. LCC are releasing an e newsletter to Parish Councils which will include comments from Councillor Kendrick. The new LCC website is due to go live in December which is more user friendly.
b. To receive a report from District Councillor N Byatt Monthly District Councillor – see appendix 2
c. Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team:
A report had been received from PC Hanson and circulated. Councillor Gwillym reported that the double white lines on Waneham Hollow are now in place and a meeting had taken place with a surveyor from Beeswax Dyson regarding the possibility of reducing and cutting back the hedge to improve visibility. Councillor Gwillym is to meet with the Chief Inspector, Phil Vickers in the future.
d. Village Hall Committee:
The notes of the latest meeting had been circulated and received. ,
e. Swimming Pool:
An end of season report had been received from the Swimming Pool Committee which had been circulated and received.
f. Library:
Councillor Peek reported that recent training had taken place at the Library for Volunteers. There is a new IT Transition planned for Community Hubs by GLL with significant investment into the Library.
g. Bowls Club:
Councillor Walker reported that the Bowls Club had recently held their AGM, they now have 22 members and play in 4 local leagues. They are looking to purchase a new mower for next season, guttering is to be replaced and water heaters installed. They will be promoting the Club in the new year with taster sessions and a presence at the Annual Village Meeting.
6. To receive verbal or written update reports from Working Groups:
i) Events: The notes of the meetings held 10th and 22nd October and been circulated and received. Remembrance Sunday, Councillors to meet in the Methodist Church Hall @ 9.45am, seats will be reserved in the Church. Councillor Kendrick asked that the football club are asked to observe the 2 minutes silence.
ii) Project Planning: The notes of the meeting held 10th October were circulated and received.
iii) Communications: No update available.
iv) Environmental Development: The notes of the meeting held 03rd October were circulated and received
7. Clerks Report: The Clerk’s report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Agreed to accept the report.
Councillor Temple left the meeting at 8.20pm Councillor Temple rejoined the meeting 8.22pm
Councillor Holmes reported that the Linden Homes tree belt was flooded and in turn allotments 1 & 2 were suffering with flooding.
Councillor Temple retired from the meeting due to personal reasons.
8. Financial Matters:
a. Public Conveniences, Fen Road – To consider the quotations received for the supply of sanitary units for the disabled toilet. It was resolved to proceed with the quotation from PHS based on a 60ltr bin, fortnightly collection. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour
b. International Bomber Command Ribbon of Remembrance: To consider the purchase of an engraved paving stone to commemorate those who gave their lives at war. It was resolved to purchase the Blenheim stone at a cost of £250.00 with an inscription of “Thankful residents of the Parish of Metheringham”. Proposed by Councillor Gwillym, seconded by Councillor Peek and all were in favour.
c. Metheringham Primary School Calendar: To consider to sponsor Metheringham Primary School calendar by advertising the Parish Council at a cost of £25.00. It was resolved to support the school by advertising in the calendar. Proposed by Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour. Councillor Parry abstained from voting.
d. Annual Return 2018/2019: To approve the Conclusion of the Audit for 2018/2019 and posting of Notice for a period of 14 days. The documents had been circulated which included the except for issues raised. The Notice of Conclusion will be displayed in the noticeboard and on the website. It was resolved to approve the Conclusion of Audit and posting of notice for 14 days. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour. The Chairman and Councillors thanked the Clerk for her work undertaken during the audit.
e. Accounts for Payment: To consider and approve the accounts for payment. The Clerk circulated the accounts for September 2019. It was resolved to approve the accounts, proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Gwillym and all were in favour.
9. Street Lighting: To receive an initial report from Councillor Parry regarding all night photocells being replaced with part-night photocells and consider further action. It was resolved to refer the item to the Community, Environment Development Working Group for further work. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Gwillym and all were in favour.
10. Former NHS Building: To discuss the feasibility of relocating the Parish Office to the former NHS Building. It was resolved to refer the item to the Project Planning Working Group.
11. Correspondence: To note the correspondence circulated to Members.
12. 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) 19/1223/FUL – Land adjacent and to the rear of Redcliffe House. Change of use of agricultural land to domestic garden.
ii) 19/1206/FUL – The Kitchen, Sleaford Road, Nocton Heath. Change of use of a former café building (Class A3 – Food and Drink) to two single storey dwellings (C3 Dwelling houses).
iii) 19/1270/VARCON – Waneham Farm, Sleaford Road, Metheringham. Application to vary condition 3 (Window and Doors – Timber) to allow for powder coated aluminum doors and windows attached to application 19/0790/PNND.
iv) 19/1322/PNTEL – Fen Road, Metheringham. Removal of public payphone. An objection had been recorded on the basis of the need to keep the payphone in the event of an Emergency.
Planning application decision notices from NKDC:
i) 19/1227/HOUS - 9 Kings Road, Metheringham. Erection of single storey extension to side and rear. Approved. Planning application Notification of Withdrawal from NKDC:
i) 19/1226/HOUS – 2 Skipworth Crescent, Metheringham. Application withdrawn.
13. 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.
14. Co-option: To consider the Application for Co-option received from a Parishioner. Having received an address from the 2 parishioners present at the meeting, it was resolved to co-opt J Parr as a Councillor and defer the second interested parishioner pending further paperwork.
15. Staffing Matters: The Chairman of the Staffing Committee and the Clerk updated Members on the current position.
16. Date, time and venue of next meeting: Tuesday 26th November 2019 at 19:15, in the Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:40