February 2021 Minutes
A Meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 23rd February 2021 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.
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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 17 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 26th January 2021 (circulated with agenda). The notes of the meeting 26th January 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 Walker, seconded by Councillor Sherriff and all were in favour.
Councillor Holmes joined the meeting.
5. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a. To receive a report from the County Councillor. A report from Councillor Kendrick had been received prior to the meeting. LCC held a Council meeting 19th February 2021 when it was resolved to raise the Council Tax by 1.99%. The highway maintenance grant has been reduced by 25% c. £12million, £12 million will be taken from reserves to counteract this shortfall. £7 million is being made available for business grants. Funds continue to be spent of flood relief. Currently there is a Community Works Team carry out a range of tasks which may continue into the next financial year.
b. To receive a report from the District Councillor. Councillor Byatt reported that the waste collection team recommenced again this week with black bin collections and garden waste recommencing 1st March. The service provided by the team during the last year has been fantastic. The 2021 Census is 21st March; being mainly digital, any surveys not received will receive a visit from field officers towards the end of March / April, socially distanced. Councillor Pearson reported that Council had held the Annual Meeting at the end of January when the Council Tax was approved. There was a motion raised concerning fireworks which had been scrutinised by the Environment Team and this has now been referred back to the team for further work.
c. To receive the monthly Newsletter from the Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team. A report had been received prior to the meeting and circulated. Councillor Byatt asked for an update on theft of the stone from the village cross and commented that the individuals present on the evening of the incident had no authority from Council to state that there was no complaint as the stone had been retrieved by the Officer present. Councillor Holmes commented; at the time of the incident it was discussed that no further action would be taken if an apology was received, as at today nothing has been received. It was agreed to request the Clerk continue to pursue the incident.
d. To receive reports from Council representatives on other outside bodies.
i. Village Hall Management Committee. No report had been received.
ii. Metheringham Swimming Pool. A report had been received and circulated. CCTV is now installed and running with the required notices displayed. Repairs to the sand filter are ongoing. The boiler suppliers are claiming it is out of warranty as a result the suppliers have been contacted. Councillor Wilson asked if the boiler could be added to the insurance, Councillor Byatt commented that we should look to include both the Pool and the Village Hall. The Clerk is to obtain the necessary figures for the March meeting.
iii. Library. No report available. Libraries and community Centre’s are able to reopen in Step 2 of the Coronavirus Road Map 12th April.
iv. Bowls Club. Councillor Walker commented that in line with the Coronavirus Road Map the season will hopefully be able to start.
6. To receive verbal or written update reports from Working Groups:
i. Events. Notes of the meeting 09th February were received.
ii. Project Planning. No meeting had taken place
iii. Communications. Notes of the meeting 15th February were received.
iv. Community & Environmental Development – attached
v. War Memorial Garden Task & Finish Group. No meeting had taken place
7. Clerks report (attached). The Clerk’s report was received.
8. Financial Matters:
a) Library Roof repairs: To consider the quotations received for repairs to the Library Roof and resolve to proceed with the work. It was resolved to proceed with the quotation received from Lincoln Flat Roofing. Proposed by Councillor Grummitt, seconded by councilor Holmes and all were in favour.
b) War Memorial Garden: To consider the quotations received to reduce the Yew hedge to a height of 5 foot and resolve to proceed with the works. It was resolved to proceed with the quotation received from T & T Tree Services maintaining and levelling the hedge at the current height, with an initial application of mulch to add essential nitrates and fertilise. This will be achieved with a sensitive approach over a 3-year period. Proposed by Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Holmes and the majority were in favour. Councillor Grummitt abstained from voting and Councillor Byatt was against.
c) LALC Training Scheme: To consider and resolve to continue with the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils Annual Training Scheme for April 2021 to March 2022 at a cost of £140. It was resolved to continue with the annual training scheme. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
d) Easter Event: To consider and resolve to host an Easter event and agree a budget. It was resolved to host the event within a budget of £100. Proposed by Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Byatt and all were in favour.
e) LIVES: To consider a request received from LIVES for funding. It was resolved to grant a donation in support of LIVES of £1,000. Proposed by Councillor Peek, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.
f) Accounts for payment: To consider and approve the accounts for payment. It was resolved to approve the accounts for payment. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour.
9. General Purposes Committee: To consider and resolve to adopt the draft Terms of Reference and appoint members to serve on the Committee. It was resolved to defer the Terms of Reference for additional documents. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, second by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
10. Disused Noticeboard: To consider and resolve gifting the disused noticeboard taken from outside the Chemists to Metheringham Swimming Pool. It was resolved to gift the noticeboard to the Swimming Pool. Proposed by Councillor Wilson, second by Councillor Byatt and all were in favour.
11. Metheringham Football Club: To consider and resolve a reduction of the rental charge for the use of the football pitches during Covid 19 2020/2021 season. It was resolved to allow a season rent free period 2020/2021 due to Covid 19 and carry forward the payment received to the season 2021/2022. Proposed by Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Byatt and all were in favour.
12. Drury Street, Metheringham, Waiting Restrictions: To consider the request to implement waiting restrictions on Drury Street and make any comments to LCC. Council had no comments to put forward to LCC.
13. Tree Belt, Shiregate: To receive the notes of the meeting with Linden Homes. The notes of the meeting were received, waiting the investigation of the survey of the drains for further discussion.
14. Annual Parish Meeting: To consider and agree the arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting Tuesday 27th April 2021. It was resolved to proceed with the Annual Village Meeting via a Conference Call, the usual invitations would be issued.
15. Community Right to Bid: To consider and resolve to register an interest in the Mill House and Land, Prince’s Street in accordance with Localism Act 2011 Part 5 Chapter 3 – Assets of Community Value. It was resolved to proceed with the registration of an interest in Mill House and Land Prince’s Street as an asset of community value. Proposed by Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Walker and all were in favour.
16. C.L.E.A.N Hub: To consider the request from Clean Lincoln Everywhere and Now in partnership with Lincoln Co-op to be a legal entity partner for a litter picking hub to be sited within the Coop Car Park for the storage of litter pick equipment, encouraging residents to look after the village. It was resolved to decline the offer of becoming an entity partner for a litter picking hub. Proposed by Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Byatt and all were in favour.
17. Planning:
Planning Application:
i. 21/0059/FUL – Metheringham Methodist Church and Hall, 1 Fen Road, Metheringham. Change of use from Methodist Church (use Class D1) to an artisan hub & model making workshop and installation of a small air extract flue and cctv for security purposes. It was resolved that Council had no objections to the application. Proposed by Councillor Peek, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
ii. 21/0060/LBC – Metheringham Methodist Church and Hall, 1 Fen Road, Metheringham. Change of use from Methodist Church (use Class D1) to an artisan hub & model making workshop and installation of a small air extract flue and cctv for security purposes. . It was resolved that Council had no objections to the application. Proposed by Councillor Grummitt, seconded by Councillor Walker and all were in favour.
iii. 21/0126/HOUS – The Laurels, 8 Drury Street, Metheringham. Demolition of the existing extension, assembly of single storey rear extension and relocation of garden wall. . It was resolved that Council had no objections to the application. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour
Decisions:
i) 20/1495/FUL – Fen Lake Fisheries, Fen Lane, Metheringham. Use of land for up to five touring caravans or trailer tents together with the provision of portable WC and shower unit and adjacent waste collection and removal facilities. Application approved.
ii) 20/1704/FUL – 27A Drury Street, Metheringham. Conversion of existing detached garage into annexe. Application approved.
Councillor Byatt abstained from voting on all planning applications as a member of NKDC Planning Committee.
18. Date and time of the next meeting. Tuesday 30th March @ 18:15.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19:40.