December 2021 Minutes
A meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole & Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 14th December 2021 in the Parish Office, High Street, Metheringham.
Participating:
Councillor I Holmes (Chairman)
Councillor D Holmes
Councillor J Manu
Councillor B Nelson
Councillor K Parker
Councillor K Parkinson
Councillor K Rymer
Councillor J Tatton
Councillor M Westerman
Apologies: Councillor R Grummitt
Councillor S Peek
Councillor V Zambas
Clerk: Karen Steels-Tallett
2 members of the public were in attendance.
Councillor Rymer opened the meeting in the absence of both the Chair and Vice Chair, all were in favour.
1. Chairman’s Remarks. The Chairman Councillor Ian Holmes reported the office would be closed from Friday 17th December reopening Tuesday 04th January 2022 due to annual leave. In line with Government guidance in connection with Covid 19, the building will be closed to members of the public for the foreseeable future. Councillor I Holmes thanked Councillors for the work carried out this year and to limit time spent interrupting the Clerk where possible.
2. To accept Apologies for Absence and reasons given in accordance with Local Government Act 1972 s85(1). Apologies had been received from Councillors Grummitt, Peek and Zambas. It was resolved to accept the apologies. Proposed by Councillor Tatton, 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 23rd November 2021. The notes of the meetings Tuesday 23rd November 2021 having been circulated prior to the meeting were taken as read and it was resolved to approve them as minutes of the meeting. Proposed by Councillor Tatton seconded by Councillor Westerman and all were in favour.
5. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a. To receive a report from the County Councillor. A report had been received from County Councillor Kendrick prior to the meeting and circulated. County Council continue to press Government for increased highways funding, the local MP Caroline Johnson had also written to the Treasury.
b. To receive a report from the District Councillor. Apologies had been received from both District Councillors; who are still undertaking training. 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. The Hall are aiming to get more events in the coming months. Councillor Rymer is hoping to arrange a meeting with the Committee to see how the Parish Council and Village Hall can work closer together.
ii. Metheringham Swimming Pool - No report available.
iii. Metheringham Community Hub – Numbers to the hub – as a library function continue to increase. Nothing on pre covid figures yet but month on month through 2021 visitors continue to increase. As a comparison - Nov 2019 there were 737 visitors; Nov 2020 57 and Nov 2021 220. Across the 2021 year numbers have steadily been rising.
New memberships are on a par with pre covid levels. The volunteer team have identified a number of options to open up the building to a greater usage. This is across the age ranges, so as to be attractive to all parishioners. The priority list of 4 have been identified and actively advertised. This includes the new facebook page. An outside group has already been signed up to utilise the Hub meeting room. This is for a weekly engagement. Overdue fees will return from 4th January 2022, as instructed by GLL.
iv. Bowls Club – Facebook Page now set up and website to be created at a small cost. Quarterly events are to be hosted to raise funds.
v. Metheringham Football Club – no further meetings had taken place since the November meeting.
6. To receive the minutes of Committee meetings:
a) General Purposes Committee -
b) Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Committee
c) Communications and Staffing Committee – meeting scheduled 15th December 2021
d) Environmental & Community Committee – meeting scheduled 16th December 2021
The notes of the Committee meetings were received and noted.
7. Clerks report. The report was received and noted.
Councillor I Holmes joined the meeting @ 18:53 and took the Chair.
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 I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
9. CCTV Works: To consider and resolve to proceed with the revised works plan. It was resolved to proceed with the revised works plan. Proposed by Councillor D Holmes, seconded by Councillor Westerman and all were in favour.
10. Signage:
i. To consider and resolve to proceed with replacement signage for the Parish Council Office and Community Hub. It was resolved to proceed with the quotation received from Allen Signs Limited, background colour Blue. Proposed by Councillor Westerman, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
ii. To consider and resolve to replace other fixed signage within the Parish to reflect the new Crest and change of contact details. It was resolved to replace all other fixed signage within the Parish. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
11. Christmas Meal: To consider and resolve to retrospectively agree the payment of a Christmas Meal for Councillors. It was retrospectively resolved to agree the payment for the Christmas Meal. Proposed by Councillor D Holmes, seconded by Councillor Parker and all were in favour.
12. Standing Orders: To consider and resolve to adopt the updated Standing Orders as drafted by the General Purposes Committee. It was resolved to adopt the updated Standing Orders. Proposed by Councillor Parker, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
13. Committees: To consider and resolve to appoint additional members to the following committees:
i. Environment & Community Committee. It was resolved Councillors Nelson and Tatton be appointed to the committee. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
ii. General Purposes Committee. It was resolved Councillor Nelson be appointed to the committee. Proposed by Councillor Tatton, seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
iii. Communications & Staffing Committee. It was resolved Councillor Rymer be appointed to the committee. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Parker and all were in favour.
14. Station Adoption: To receive a report from the Community Ambassador concerning the adoption of Metheringham Station. The report was received and noted.
15. Community Hub:
i. To consider and resolve to purchase a refurbished PC for use within the Hub. It was resolved a refurbished laptop and office 365 operating licence be purchased up to a value of £500 inclusive, with a view to purchasing a keyboard and screen following the appointment of a Hub Coordinator. Proposed by Councillor Tatton, seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
ii. To consider and resolve use of ground within the Parish Council remit for use as a Community Garden. It was resolved to refer the item to the Environmental & Community Committee for further consideration. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor d Holmes and all were in favour.
iii. To consider and resolve to purchase a storage shed/box for use within the community garden. It was resolved to defer the agenda item. Proposed by Councillor Rymer, seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
iv. To consider and resolve to request the Environmental & Community Committee to look to obtain quotations to make alterations to toilet facilities within the Community Hub. It was resolved to refer the item to the Environmental & Community Committee for further consideration. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Westerman and all were in favour.
v. To consider and resolve undertake a fire inspection of the Community Hub. It was resolved to undertake a fire inspection of the building; the Clerk would liaise with Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue. Proposed by Councillor Parker, seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour. At the Parish Council Meeting 25th January 2022; Councillor Westerman stated he had requested to be present at the fire inspection; the draft notes had been circulated 15th December 2021 and this was not queried until the meeting 25th January 2022. This was not corroborated by any other Councillor.
16. Planning Applications:
Councillor Parker declared an interest in agenda item 16 ii. and abstained from voting.
i. 21/1751/HOUS – 33 Paddock Lane, Metheringham. Erection of two storey rear extension. Council had no comments.
ii. 20/1774/OUT – Land to rear of 16 & 20 Dunston Road, Metheringham. Residential development of 15 no. dwellings (outline with means of access and layout). Amended Plans / Additional Information. It was resolved to object to the planning application on the grounds of drainage/flooding and access. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, seconded by Councillor Tatton and the majority were in favour. Councillor Parker abstained from voting.
iii. 21/1779/ADV – Land West of Dunston Road, Metheringham. Proposed installation of 2 no. signage boards advertising new homes for sale. Council had no comments.
Decisions:
i) 21/1536/HOUS – 47 Alfred Avenue, Metheringham. Proposed single storey rear extension. Application approved.
ii) 21/1520/HOUS – Hawthorn House, Fen Lane, Metheringham. Removal of garage and replace with 2 storey side and rear extension. Application approved.
17. Date and time of the next meeting. Tuesday 25th January 2022.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:15.