December 2020 Minutes
A Meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 15th December 2020 via Video Conferencing 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 S Peek Councillor C Redpath Councillor K Rymer Councillor D Sherriff Councillor S Walker
Apologies:
Councillor J Parr
Clerk: Karen Steels-Tallett
No members of the public had contacted the Clerk to request connectivity.
1. Chairman’s Remarks. The Chairman, Councillor Sally Wilson opened the meeting; 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 Councillor Parr.
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 16 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 elect of Vice Chairman of the Council. It was resolved to defer the election of a Vice Chairman until the Annual General Meeting May 2021. Proposed by Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Byatt and all were in favour.
5. To approve the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 24th November 2020 (circulated with agenda). The notes of the meeting 24th November 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 Walker, seconded by Councillor Holmes and the majority were in favour. Councillor Peek abstained from voting.
6. 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. The Lincolnshire Eastern Bypass will open Friday 18th December. The project includes 4 new roundabouts, 8 bridges, a cycle path all around, planting of 3,000 trees, 10,000 shrubs and hedgerows. 250,000 ancient artifacts have been discovered during the works including a 2,000 year old tile printing. Councillor Kendrick to look into the resurfacing of Prince’s Street. The Community Works Teams will be in the area March 2021; if the Parish Council are able to identify any jobs within the criteria.
b. To receive a report from the District Councillor. NKDC had carried out a financial health check 10 days ago; and although Covid will impact to a certain degree the Council is still in a strong position. News NK reported NKDC’s climate plans to be carbon neutral by 2030; increasing the number of trees on land owned by District Council.
c. To receive a Newsletter from the Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team – there was no report available, future reports will be quarterly with the next newsletter scheduled for January 2021. Following the incident involving damage to the Village Cross there had been a theft of a section of stone, which had been recovered by the Police. It was resolved that a request be made to the Police that the individual be prosecuted for the theft of the stone. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.
d. To receive reports from Council representatives on other outside bodies.
i. Village Hall Management Committee – no report available
ii. Metheringham Swimming Pool – a report had been circulated prior to the meeting. Councillor Holmes thanked the Chairman and Treasurer for their continued commitment to the Pool, also Councillor Byatt for proof reading the Wren Funding Application.
iii. Library – the Library continues to open Wednesday and Saturday for pre booked click and collect books.
iv. Bowls Club – no report available
7. To receive verbal or written update reports from Working Groups:
i. Events – attached
ii. Project Planning – no report available – no meeting taken place
iii. Communications – no report available – no meeting taken place
iv. Community & Environmental Development – no report available – no meeting taken place
v. War Memorial Garden Task & Finish Group – no report available – no meeting taken place
vi. Terms of Reference Task & Finish Group – to receive a verbal report. Councillor Rymer gave a verbal report.
8. Clerks report (attached). The Clerk’s report was received. The Tree Belt to be considered by the Environment Working Group.
9. Financial Matters:
a) Urban Grass Cutting: To resolve to continue with the LCC Parish Agreement Scheme for the 2021-22 financial period. It was resolved to continue with the LCC Parish Agreement Scheme. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes are all were in favour.
b) Accounts for payment: To consider and approve the accounts for payment. It was resolved to approve the accounts for payment. Proposed by Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
10. Extension to Car Park, Prince’s Street:
a) To consider and resolve to suspend Standing Order 18 d) iii and to instruct the Principal Designer, Parkin Gerry Limited, to obtain quotations via the traditional tender process using local reputable contractors. It was resolved to suspend Standing Order 18d) iii, and request sight of the approved contractors. Proposed by Councillor Byatt seconded by Councillor Redpath and all were in favour.
b) To consider and resolve to obtain an arboricultural method statement and scheme for protection of the retained trees should it be proved necessary by the planning officer. It was resolved to obtain an arboricultural method statement and scheme protection of the retained trees should it be proved necessary. Proposed by Councillor Peek, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour.
11. Community Fund Award - MISH: To resolve the retrospective acceptance of Funds into the Parish Council Bank Account to enable them to provide Christmas Boxes to disadvantaged families. It was retrospectively resolved to accept Funds into the Parish Council Bank Account for the purpose of Christmas Boxes 2020. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
12. MISH Committee Terms of Reference: To consider and resolve to adopt the draft Terms of Reference. It was resolved to adopt the MISH Committee Terms of Reference. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
13. Staffing Committee Terms of Reference: To consider the suggested amendments to the Terms of Reference and resolve to adopt. It was resolved to adopt the Staffing Committee Terms of Reference. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Walker and all were in favour.
14. Village Market Cross: To consider obtaining quotations to light the Village Cross when it is re-sited. It was resolved to obtain quotations to light the Village Cross. Proposed by Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Redpath and all were in favour.
15. Christmas and New Year Opening Hours: To consider and resolve the Parish Office opening hours during the Christmas and New Year Period. It was resolved to accept the proposed opening hours during the Christmas and New Year Period. Proposed by Councillor Rymer, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.
16. Planning: Planning Application:
i. 20/1495/FUL – Fen Lake Fisheries, Fen Lane, Metheringham. Use of land for up to five touring caravans, motorhomes or trailer tents together with the provision of portable WC and shower unit and adjacent waste collection and removal facilities. It was resolved Council had no comments to make on the application. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Walker and all were in favour.
ii. 20/1504/FUL – Prince’s Street, Metheringham. Proposed extension to the existing car park. . It was resolved Council had no comments to make on the application. Proposed by Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Peek and all were in favour.
iii. 20/1567/LBC – White Hart, High Street, Metheringham. Repair works to existing Public House incorporating partial replacement ceiling, repairs to windows and repainting of front façade (part retrospective). It was resolved Council had no comments to make on the application. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour.
Notification of Decisions:
i) 20/1213/HOUS – 25 Paddock Lane, Metheringham. Erection of single storey extension to the front of dwelling. Application approved.
ii) 20/1378/HOUS – 13 Skipworth Crescent, Metheringham. Erection of single storey front extension. Application approved.
iii) 20/0911/PNND – Linwood Moor Barn located off Metheringham Airfield Road, Linwood Moor. Change of use of agricultural building to a dwelling house (use Class C3) and associated building operations. Prior approval required.
Notification of Withdrawal:
i) 19/1747/FUL – Linwood Moor Barn located off Metheringham Airfield Road, Linwood Moor. Change of use and alterations to agricultural barn to form holiday let. Application withdrawn.
Councillor Byatt abstained from voting on all planning applications as a member of NKDC Planning Committee.
17. 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.
18. Staff Remuneration Aspects: To consider and resolve any appropriate staff gifting and bonus in line with the Staff Remuneration Policy adopted at the meeting 24.11.2020. It was resolved that a bonus be awarded to the Clerk for her work over the exceptionally difficult past year. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Walker and all were in favour. It was further resolved to thank staff with a Christmas Gift as a thank you for their work during the past year. Proposed by Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.
19. Date and time of the next meeting. 26th January 2021 @ 18:15.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 19:19.