October 2020 Minutes

A Meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 27th October 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 I Holmes Councillor D Parry Councillor S Peek Councillor K Rymer Councillor D Sherriff

Apologies:

Councillor R Grummitt Councillor J Parr Councillor C Redpath Councillor D Temple Councillor S Walker

Clerk: Karen Steels-Tallett

3 members 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, and 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 had been received from Councillors Grummitt, Parr, Redpath, Temple and Walker. District Councillor Laura Pearson had also sent her apologies.

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 13 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 September 2020 (circulated with agenda). The notes of the meeting 29th September 2020 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 Rymer, seconded by Councillor Peek and all were in favour.

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. North Kesteven District Council are conducting full meeting and have held the AGM. Business is still continuing and business staff are available to give guidance to local businesses. The Secretary of State has not selected Lincolnshire to represent the Public Interest Intervention.

The White Paper Planning for the Future issued by the Government August 2020, period of consultation closes 29th October 2020 and would encourage public to comment on the white paper as it does not protect the intent of the Localism Act 2011 and Neighbourhood Plans. There is no coverage of nature protection and open spaces. It indicates that the planning process is too slow; although developers are currently sat on 1 million applications which have already been approved.

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

d. To receive reports from Council representatives on other outside bodies.

i. Village Hall Management Committee. The Village Hall is currently open to preschool and Zumba classes, all other groups are on hiatus until at least early 2021. Fire Extinguishers have been serviced and are awaiting a date for the annual boiler service. No meeting of the committee had taken place due to not being able to meet in person.

ii. Metheringham Swimming Pool. A report had been circulated prior to the meeting. Councillor Holmes added that the Pool had ended the season in a positive position, and thanked volunteers for their work during the season

iii. Library. The Library is open for browsing, limited to 2 people at any one time.

iv. Bowls Club. Nothing to report.

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

i. Events – Remembrance Sunday 08th November on a reduced scale; with the Act of Remembrance in the War Memorial Garden 10.45am followed by the laying of posies on the War Grave in the Churchyard. The Council Office is taking part in the Pumpkin Trail. Businesses and Residents will be encouraged to decorate for Christmas and it is planned award the Barry Saunders Christmas Plaque.

ii. Project Planning – no further meeting had taken place.

iii. Communications – notes of the meeting received.

iv. Community & Environmental Development – no further meeting had taken place.

v. War Memorial Garden Task & Finish Group – no further meeting had taken place.

7. Clerks report (attached). The Clerk’s report was received.

8. Financial Matters:

a) Accounts for Payment: To consider and approve the accounts for payment. It was resolved to approve the accounts for payment. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Parry and all were in favour.

b) John Deere Mower: To consider the sealed bids received for the John Deere Mower and resolve to dispose of the machine. It was resolved to accept the bid from Metheringham Football Club. Proposed by Councillor Rymer, seconded by Councillor Byatt and all were in favour.

9. Finance Committee Terms of Reference: To consider the suggested amendments to the Terms of Reference and resolve to adopt. It was resolved to adopt the Finance Committee Terms of Reference. Proposed by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Byatt and all were in favour.

10. CCTV Policy: To consider the amendment to MPC/031 CCTV Policy and resolve to adopt. It was resolved to adopt the CCTV to include minor changes agreed. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.

11. Swimming Pool: To consider the Memorandum of Understanding received and resolve to adopt. It was resolved to adopt the Memorandum of Understanding. Proposed by Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Peek and all were in favour.

12. Working Group Agendas / Minutes: To consider and resolve to adopt a format/template for all Working Groups and Task and Finish Groups. It was resolved to adopt the template agenda and minutes for working groups. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.

13. Planning: Planning Application:

i. 20/1142/FUL – Land at former Council Depot, Sleaford Road, Metheringham. Erection of 21 dwellings with associated infrastructure. It was resolved to object to the application. Proposed by Councillor Parry, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.

ii. 20/1213/HOUS – 25 Paddock Lane, Metheringham. Erection of single storey extension to front of dwelling. It was resolved Council have no objections to this application. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Parry and all were in favour.

iii. 20/0029/FUL – Land East of Sleaford Road (B1188) and West of Dunston Road, Metheringham. Erection of 329 dwellings. The application had been considered by NKDC Planning Sub Committee and a decision passed to approve the application. It was agreed that the Clerk make a Freedom of Information request to Anglian Water regarding the sewage issue on Alexander Close.

Prior Notification of Householder Development

i) 20/1262/PNH – 10 Millfield Road, Metheringham. Single storey rear extension 4.245m in length from the original wall, eaves height of

2.4m and maxiumum height of 3.5m. Notification of Intended Works to Trees in Conservation Area:

i) 20/1322/TCA – 56 Drury Street, Metheringham. T1 Walnut – thin internal branches to allow air and light to the canopy; T2 Ash – reduce height by 10ft; T3 Willow – Fell.

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

15. Staffing: To receive a report from the Staffing Committee on the Annual Appraisal, Annual Pay Awards and Training objectives. Councillor Byatt updated members on the current position.

16. Date and time of the next meeting. Tuesday 24th November 2020.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:48.