November 2021 Minutes
A meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole & Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 23rd November 2021 in the Parish Office, High Street, Metheringham.
Participating:
Councillor I Holmes (Chairman)
Councillor R Grummitt
Councillor D Holmes
Councillor J Manu
Councillor B Nelson
Councillor K Parker
Councillor K Rymer
Councillor J Tatton
Councillor M Westerman
Apologies: Councillor S Peek
Councillor K Parkinson
Clerk: Karen Steels-Tallett
2 members of the public were in attendance.
1. Chairman’s Remarks. The Chairman Councillor Ian Holmes; opened the meeting; made the usual housekeeping announcements, and reminded members that they must abide by the Code of Conduct at all times. Councillor Holmes reported Committees have commenced work and new Councillors are encouraged to join Committees.
2. To accept Apologies for Absence and reasons given in accordance with Local Government Act 1972 s85(1). Apologies had been received from Councillors Parkinson and Peek. It was resolved to accept the apologies. Proposed by Councillor Rymer, seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
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. There were no declarations of interest.
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 26th October 2021. The notes of the meetings Tuesday 26th October 2021 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 Parker seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
5. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a. To receive a report from the County Councillor. County Councillor Kendrick had sent his apologies for the meeting. A report had been received prior to the meeting and circulated.
b. To receive a report from the District Councillor. No report available.
c. To receive the monthly Newsletter from the Bracebridge Heath Policing Team. A report had been received prior to the meeting and circulated.
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. Funds are being sought to install pool lights.
iii. Metheringham Community Hub – Footfall survey being completed, early figures indicate creative accounting, now settled. Action plan to future proof being worked on.
iv. Bowls Club – Christmas event taken place with over £300 raised
v. Metheringham Football Club – a report of the last meeting had been circulated. The Club are happy with the agreed MOU.
6. To receive the minutes of Committee meetings:
a) General Purposes Committee
b) Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Committee
c) Communications and Staffing Committee
d) Environmental & Community Committee
The notes of the Committee meetings were reciv4ed and noted.
7. Clerks report. The report was received and noted.
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 Westerman, seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
b) Accounts to 30th September 2021. approve the accounts to 30th September 2021 as a true record. It was resolved to approve the accounts to 30th September 2021 as a true received. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Manu and all were in favour.
9. Overtime: To consider and resolve to pay the hours of overtime for the month of October/November respect of the Clerk. It was resolved to approve the Clerk’s overtime for payment. Proposed by Councillor Rymer, seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
10. Urban Grass Cutting: To consider and resolve to continue with the LCC Parish Agreement Scheme for the 2022/2023 financial period, and publicise. It was resolved to continue with the LCC Parish Agreement Scheme for Urban Highway Grass Cutting. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour.
11. Proposed Car Park Extension, Prince’s Street: To consider and resolve the next steps following the results of the Community Survey. It was resolved in line with the results of the Community Survey; not to proceed with the proposed extension to the Car Park, Prince’s Street. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Parker and the majority were in favour. Councillor I Holmes had requested a recorded vote: Councillors’ in favour, Councillors’ I Holmes, D Holmes, J Manu, B Nelson, K Parker, K Rymer, J Tatton and M Westerman. Councillor Grummitt was against.
12. Community Hub:
a. To consider and resolve Councillor Westerman be appointed as the Parish Council Representative for the Community Hub. It was resolved to appoint Councillor Westerman as the Parish Council Representative for the Hub. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Parker and all were in favour.
b. To consider and resolve to appoint Councillor Westerman as the unpaid interim coordinator for the Community Hub. It was resolved to appoint Councillor Westerman as the interim Hub co-ordinator. Proposed by Councillor Parker, seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
c. To consider and resolve to temporarily close the Community Hub for a period of up to 6 weeks; to include the annual Christmas and New Year closed period; for refurbishment and future proofing. It was resolved to defer the agenda item to the January 2022 meeting to allow M Westerman to continue with conversations to progress the Hub. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and the majority were in favour. Councillor Westerman abstained from voting.
13. Administration Assistant: To consider and resolve increasing the hours for the position to 16 hours per week. It was resolved to increase the hours for the position to 16hours per week and re-advertise the position. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
14. Office Opening Hours: To consider and resolve revised Office opening hours from January 2022. It was resolved to amend the Office opening hours to members of the public with effect January 2022 to 4 days per week, Tuesday – Friday 10:00 – 14:00. Proposed by Councillor Parker, seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
15. Christmas Celebrations:
a) To consider and resolve to present the Barry Saunders Christmas Trophy for the best dressed house and business. Councillor I Holmes proposed an amendment to the agenda item: To consider and resolve to present the Barry Saunders Trophy to the best dressed house and purchase a Metheringham Parish Council Shield for presentation to the best dressed business. It was resolved to present the Trophy for the Best Dressed House and purchase a Shield for presentation to the Best Dressed Business. Proposed by Councillor Parker, seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
b) To consider and resolve prizes for the best dressed house and business. It was resolved to present a Hamper to the winner of each category to the value of £50. Proposed by Councillor D Holmes, seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
16. 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 the Office will close on Friday 17th December 2021 and re-open Tuesday 04th January 2022. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
17. Planning Applications:
i. 21/1543/FUL Hilltop Livery, Metheringham Fen Lane, Metheringham. Siting of 1 no. glamping pod. It was resolved Council had no objection to the proposed application. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
Decisions:
i) 21/1210/FUL New Haven, 30 High Street, Metheringham. Alterations and extension to existing house. Alterations to outbuildings, including conversion of one into an annex. Application approved.
ii) 21/1158/FUL 7 Station Road, Metheringham. Proposed two new bungalows with detached garages. Application approved.
Notification of Withdrawal:
i) 21/1033/ADV Land East of Sleaford Road (B1188) Metheringham. Erection of 2 no. non-illuminated “new homes” signage boards (dimensions 2.44m x 9.76 m x 0.005m). Application withdrawn.
Proposed Tree Works:
i) 21/1704/TPO 12 Pullman Close, Metheringham. T1 Cherry – Crown lift to 4 meters. It was resolved Council had no objection to the proposed application. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
18. 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 enter into closed session. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
19. Co-option: To consider an application for co-option received from a Parishioner. It was resolved to co-opt V Zambas to the Council. Proposed by Councillor Parker, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
20. Date and time of the next meeting. Tuesday 14th December 2021 @ 18:15.