July 2020 Minutes

Minutes 09/2020 of Metheringham, Sots Hole & Tanvats Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 28th July 2020 via a Conference Call.

A Meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 28th July 2020 via a Conference Call due to COVID 19 and not being able to meet in line with Government guidance on group gatherings and social distancing.

Participating:

Councillor S Wilson (Chairman)
Councillor N Byatt
Councillor R Grummitt
Councillor I Holmes
Councillor D Parry
Councillor S Peek
Councillor D Temple
Councillor S Walker

Apologies: CouncillorJ Parr

Clerk: Karen Steels-Tallett

1 member of the public had contacted the Clerk to request connectivity.

1. Chairman's Remarks. The Chairman, Councillor Sally Wilson opened the meeting and welcomed the member of the public and made the usual housekeeping announcements. The Chairman reminded members that they must abide by the Code of Conduct at all times.

2. To accept Apologies for Absence and reasons given in accordance with Local Government Act 1972 s85(1). Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Parr. Apologies were also received from District Councillor Pearson.

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 Wilson declared an interest in agenda item 12 Prior Notification of Household Development.

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 30th June 2020 and the Extra Ordinary Meeting held on Friday 17th July 2020. (circulated with agenda). The notes having been circulated prior to the meeting were taken as read and it was resolved to approve them as minutes of the meetings. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes and the majority were in favour. Councillor Walker abstained from voting.

The Chairman gave an apology to Councillor Holmes for omitting to allow him to give a report as the Representative for the Swimming Pool at the meeting 30th June 2020 and suggesting as a Trustee of the Swimming Pool he could no longer continue as the Representative. Furthermore, it was confirmed that Councillor Holmes is able to continue as the Representative for the Swimming Pool. Councillor Byatt thanked the Chair for the apology given.

5. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:

a. To receive a report from the County Councillor. A report from Cllr R Kendrick had been received prior to the meeting.

b. To receive a report from the District Councillor. Councillor Byatt reported that after 4 months of lockdown the Govt has started a relaxation of the rules but there remains a significant risk of a second wave and the NK view is that problems could continue for 12 to 18 months. Having just held an Audit Cttee meeting that looked at out governance, we believe that NK has shown a great deal of flexibility in adapting to the changing requirements and maintained a high level of service to residents. Many NKDC workers will work from home until the end of the year and while that has resulted in a slowing of some processes, services have and will continue to be maintained.

c. To receive the July Newsletter from the Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team. A report had been circulated prior to the meeting.

d. To appoint a representative for the outside body:

i. Village Hall Management Committee It was resolved Councillor Walker be appointed. Proposed by Councillor Peek, seconded by Councillor Temple and all were in favour.

e. To receive reports from Council representatives on other outside bodies. Village Hall Management Committee. No report available.

ii. Metheringham Swimming Pool. An amazing amount of work has been done at the pool and the site is looking much different. The site has been altered with Covid19 signage being put in place. A phased reopening with adult swims between 7-8am and 6-9pm is up and running but the water is unheated. Private booking sessions are now operating. There are 6 new volunteers who have been trained including Covid19 entrance and exit to the pool. The local MP had been contacted regarding funding and the pool have been directed to other sources. Councillor Byatt thanked the members for their efforts. iii. Library. Training on new equipment is due to take place at the end of August.

iv. Bowls Club. Friendly matches are taking play with 10-12 players but no league matches will take place this season.

6. To receive verbal or written update reports from Working Groups:

Events The notes of the meeting 09th July were received. ii. Project Planning — no further meeting had taken place.

iii. Communications The notes of the meeting 10th July were received.

iv. Community & Environmental Development. The Group had met to discuss the CCTV equipment and would send a further specification to the clerk to action.

7. Clerks report (circulated separately). The clerk's report was received. Councillor's thanked the clerk for her work during lockdown.

8. Noticeboard in the War Memorial Garden: To consider and resolve to relocate the noticeboard to Prince's Street Car Park. It was resolved to move the noticeboard to the car park on Prince's Street, Proposed by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Peek and all were in favour.

9. War Memorial Garden Works: To consider and resolve to form a Task and Finish Group and appoint members; to refurbish the Garden and finalise the work on the History Boards.

Councillors Byatt, Peek and Wilson were appointed as the Task & Finish Group for the works.

10. Strollers: To consider allowing use of the Community Hub on Friday mornings, due to GLL no longer supporting the use of the Pavilion. It was resolved not to make the community hub available for the use of the strollers. Proposed by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.

11. Financial Matters:

a) CCTV: To consider the quotations received to relocate the CCTV system to the Parish Office and resolve to move the equipment. It was resolved to defer the agenda item for further quotations on a revised specification. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.

a) Shared Data Platform: To consider the quotations received for a Shared Data Platform and resolve to proceed. It was resolved to proceed with the quotation received from Microshade. Proposed by Councillor Temple, seconded by Councillor Walker and all were in favour.

b) Public Conveniences/PaviIion: To consider the quotations received for the cleaning of the Pavilion and Public Toilets plus opening and closing of the Public Toilets. It was resolved to proceed with the quotation received from Buzzing Ladies. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.

c) Events / Christmas Tree Lighting: To consider and agree an amount of E500 for Christmas Tree Lighting Event. It was resolved to agree an amount of E500 for Christmas Tree Lighting. Proposed by Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Temple and all were in favour.

d) Accounts for Payment: To consider and approve the accounts for payment (circulated with agenda). It was resolved to approve the accounts for payment. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Temple and all were in favour.

12. Planning:

Planning Application:

i. 20/0803/HOUS— The Lilacs, 7 Fen Road, Metheringham. Erection of a single storey rear extension. It was resolved the Council had no objections to the application. Proposed by Councillor Temple, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour.

ii. 20/0768/FUL— 15a High Street, Metheringham. Change of use from offices to Combines Al retail and A3 café. It was resolved the Council had no objections to the application. Proposed by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and the majority were in favour. Councillor Holmes was against.

iii. 20/0797/HOUS—21 Viking Way, Metheringham. Erection of a single storey side extension. It was resolved the Council had no objection to the application. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Temple and all were in favour.

Prior Notification of Householder Development:

i) 20/0866/PNH —1 Flintham Close, Metheringham. Single storey rear extension 6.30m in length from the original wall, eaves height of 2.5m and maximum height of 3.70m. It was resolved the Council had no objections to the application. Proposed by Councillor Temple, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour. Councillor Wilson abstained from voting.

Decisions:

i) 20/0214/HOUS —4 High Street, Metheringham. Erection of a single storey rear and side extension. Application approved.
20/0398/HOUS — 14 Flintham Close, Metheringham. Erection of a single storey side extension. Application approved.
20/0377/HOUS — 51 High Street, Metheringham. Erection of a single storey side extension. Applicätion approved.

Councillor Byatt abstained from voting on all planning applications as a member of NKDC Planning Committee.

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 public be excluded. It was resolved to move into closed session. Proposed by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Walker and all were in favour.

14. Co-option: To consider an application for co-option received from a Parishioner. Having received an address from a parishioner present at the meeting, it was resolved to co-opt K Rymer as a Councillor. Proposed by Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.

15. Date and time of the next meeting. Tuesday 25th August 2020

There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:45