March 2021 Minutes
A Meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 30th March 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 J Parr
Councillor S Peek
Councillor C Redpath
Councillor K Rymer
Councillor D Sherriff
Councillor S Walker
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). No apologies for absence had been received.
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 13 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 23rd February 2021 (circulated with agenda). The notes of the meeting 23rd February 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 Byatt and all were in favour.
5. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a. To receive a report from the County Councillor. A report from Counvcillor Kendrick had been received prior to the meeting. Councillor Kendrick reported that the fund developed to support local businesses has been successful. The FixMyStreet site is currently being upgraded, and is an effective way of reporting faults. Pot Holes continue to be an issue and in January 2021 over 21,000 pot holes were repaired. There are major improvement works taking place on the A15 over the coming weeks costing in excess of £3million.
Councillors Holmes & Grummitt joined the meeting.
b. To receive a report from the District Councillor. Councillor Byatt reported that the latest NKDC News covering future plans for the next 3 years has recently been circulated. Staff continue to work from home until 20th June 2021 thereafter agile working will be taking placing working from home 3 days per week and the office 2 days per week. The AGM has been moved forward to 29th April 2021 prior to face to face meeting recommencing. The LGA are actively trying to challenge the Government in their decision not to extend the period for Councils to meet remotely.
c. To receive the monthly Newsletter from the Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team. The 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. The village hall is due to re-open 12th April in line with the user groups able to meet. A £10,000 grant had been received from NKDC and the fees from the Pre School Group had covered any costs. New utility contracts had been negotiated reducing costs.
ii. Metheringham Swimming Pool. S report had been received prior to the meeting and circulated. Lifeguards are waiting refresher training. Councillor Byatt commented he was happy to see that the Grant from FCC had been approved. Councillor Holmes confirmed that the necessary works would take place at the end of the season.
iii. Library. The Library is due to re-open for click and collect 4 hours a week 14th April.
iv. Bowls Club. Taster sessions have been arranged during April which would hopefully attract new members.
6. To receive verbal or written update reports from Working Groups:
i. Events – Notes of the meeting 17th March 2021 were received
ii. Project Planning – no report available – no meeting taken place
iii. Communications – no report available – no meeting taken place
iv. Community & Environmental Development – Notes of the meeting 24th March 2021 were received
v. War Memorial Garden Task & Finish Group – no report available – no meeting taken place
7. Clerks report (attached). The Clerk’s report was received, Councillor Holmes thanked the Clerk for keeping the report alive giving up to date information.
8. Financial Matters:
a) Asset Valuation: To consider the quotations received and resolve to proceed with the Asset Valuation. It was resolved to defer the agenda item for further clarification of the differing types of valuation. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Rymer and 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 Holmes, seconded by Councillor Walker and all were in favour.
9. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations: To consider and resolve to transfer bookings for services/activities previously agreed for VE Day 75 Celebrations to Saturday 4th June 2022. It was resolved to transfer booking to Saturday 4th June 2022. Proposed by Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Parr and all were in favour.
10. Development; East of Sleaford Road (B1188) and West of Dunston Road, Metheringham: To consider and resolve suggested street naming of the site for presentation to the developer. It was suggested to recognise all ranks of personnel who flew out of RAF Metheringham during the War. Agreed to refer to the Communications Working Group for further work.
11. Gempower: To consider and resolve if to grant permission to Gempower for use of the Playing Field, Prince’s Street for outdoor exercise sessions. It was resolved to defer the agenda item for further information of the frequency of classes and amount of space required. Proposed by Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
12. Installation of an additional Grit Bin: To consider and resolve if to install an additional grit bin to be sited at the junction of Station Road and Manor Lane. It was resolved not to install a Grit Bin at the junction with Station Road and Manor Lane. Proposed by councilor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour.
13. Planning:
Notification of Intended Works to Trees in a Conservation Area.
i) 21/0391/TCA – T1 poplar – fell, T2 Conifer – remove 2 x snapped limbs to below tear, T3 Holly – fell. The Manor House, Manor Lane, Metheringham. It was resolved the Council had no objections to the works,. Proposed bu Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor Parr and all were in favour.
ii) 21/0411/TCA – G1 Conifers – fell. 3 St Wilfrids Close, Metheringham. It was resolved Council had no objections to the works. Proposed by Councillor Rymer, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.
Decisions:
i) 20/0029/FUL – Land Est of Sleaford Road (B1188) and East of Dunston Road, Metheringham. Erection of 329 dwellings, formulation of new access points from Sleaford Road and Dunston Road, provision of new internal access roads, and, provision of new sustainable drainage infrastructure. Application approved.
ii) 20/1504/FUL – Metheringham Playing Field, Princes Street, Metheringham. Extension to existing car park. Application approved.
i. 20/1802/FUL – 57 Prince’s Street, Metheringham. Provision for driveway and highway verge crossing. Application approved.
Councillor Byatt abstained from voting on all planning applications as a member of NKDC Planning Committee.
14. 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 go into closed session. Proposed by Councillor Byatt, seconded by Councillor Holmes and all were in favour.
15. Staffing Update: To receive an update from the Chairman of the Staffing Committee. Councillor Byatt updated members on the staffing position.
16. Date and time of the next meeting. Annual Village Meeting 27th April 2021 @ 6.00pm
Annual General Meeting 25th May 2021 @ 6.00pm
There being no further business the meeting closed at 19:05.