May 2020 Minutes (12th)
Minutes 05/2020 of Metheringham, Sots Hole & Tanvats Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 12th May 2020 via a Conference Call.
A Meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 12th May 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 S Walker
Apologies:
Councillor J Parr
Councillor D Temple
Clerk:
Karen Steels-Tallett
No members of the public had contacted the Clerk to request connectivity.
The purpose of the Call was to decide:
1. To accept Apologies for Absence and reasons given in accordance with Local Government Act 1972 s85(1).
2. 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 Holmes had declared a personal interest in the agenda item as a Trustee of the Swimming Pool. Councillor Walker had declared a personal interest in the agenda item as a member of the bowls club.
b. Dispensations: To consider and grant dispensation to relevant members in accordance with Metheringham Parish Councils Code of Conduct
3. Grant Applications:
a. Metheringham Swimming Pool: To consider the grant application received from Metheringham Swimming Pool, deferred 05.05.2020 pending further information.
Councillor Holmes requested a recorded vote. Councillor Parry thanked Councilor Holmes, the Swimming Pool Committee and Volunteers for their work and dedication over the last year. Councillor Parry had the following comments: i) the application states that the project would benefit all parishioners, does the work need to be completed this year if the pool were to not open? ii) capacity - the strategic plan to take into account capacity during COVID 19. Will the school be able to make use of the pool this year, if so will the income will be as last year? lii) Booking system —there is no coherent system as defined in the context of COVID 19, as to why would a vulnerable group be prioritized i.e. over 70's, pregnant women, people with breathing difficulties etc iv) there was no financial projection, no forecast, in the absence of a budget given the figures received; if the capacity was 25% this would result in a E18,OOO reduction in income from last year. In conclusion Councillor Parry did not think it was viably feasible to open the pool this year. If a grant was awarded the pool would be likely to need further funding later in the year. He would also request the figures to ensure the pool is operational for 2021 if it were to remain closed. Could the grant policy be amended to allow for grants to be made during COVID 19? Councillor Walker had the following comments: not financially viable to open the pool. Did not agree with the grant policy being changed. Councillor Byatt had the following comments: interested by the statement of no funding request being made during 2018, in the application there is an implied expectation of an annual grant, and notwithstanding the intention of the pool to achieve financial independence, a sizeable one at that. This is something the council will need to consider perhaps after we see the draft suggested Memorandum of Understanding. What are the figures to maintain the pool for opening in 2021? It was previously suggested that Sports England and the National Lottery would be approached for match funding but what about FCC (previously WREN) who have previously supported many projects in the villagfe? It is up to the pool if they open, it has been indicated that the pool are looking for financial independence. Councillor Grummitt had the following comments: to defer until next year, to open the pool this year would be financial suicide. Councillor Peek had the following comments: agreed that the pool should not open this year. Councillor Wilson had the following comments: the pool is on parish council land and a village asset, if the grant was to be refused it cannot be revisited for a period of 6 months. Sports England have just added a further E20 million to their fund. The latest government announcement is that individuals can swim in open water but not in pools. Councillor Holmes as the representative had the following comments: regarding day to day operating systems, the grant process is for projects and not operating costs. The cost to maintain the pool to keep it standing as it is would be circa E3,500. Maintenance would still be required throughout the year to avoid the water going green, it also has to be kept topped up, if we were to have a hot summer there is a danger that the sides of the pool could cave in. Putting in the new surface around the pool would help with health and safety as the edging slabs are in a poor condition and it is about making the pool safe for the village. If the pool were to be left to fallow and return to the council they would not be able to take it on. €25,000 - E30,OOO of necessary work has been identified and grant applications are in progress. Councillor Byatt asked if funds were available when would the works be undertaken? Councillor Holmes advised that the work could be undertaken with 1-2 weeks' notice but it depended on the remaining funding. Sports England will not consider funding until part 1 match funding is in place, and the pool have to start somewhere. It would be the latter part of July before the pool would consider opening. It was resolved to award the grant request for E5,000. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Walker. Councillors voting for the award; Councillors Byatt, Walker and Wilson. Councillors against the award; Councillors Grummitt, Parry and Peek. Councillor Holmes abstained as a Trustee. Councillor Wilson as Chairman exercised her casting vote.
b. Metheringham Bowls Club: To consider the grant application received from Metheringham Bowls Club, deferred 05.05.2020 pending further information. Councillor Walker confirmed the estimated costing for the project. Councillor Byatt had the following comment: the cost of the planned purchase of the mower was very expensive and felt it could be sourced cheaper. Councillor Holmes had the following comment:
the same points as raised regarding the opening of the swimming pool were applicable. It was resolved award the grant request of E500. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Byatt and all were in favour. Councillor Walker abstained as a member of the Bowls Club.
4. Office Move: To consider the quotations received for the office relocation. It was resolved to proceed with the quotation received from itsintransit. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour.
The call ended 20:20