January 2022 Minutes
A meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole & Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 25th January 2022 in the Parish Office, High Street, Metheringham.
Participating:
Councillor I Holmes (Chair)
Councillor R Grummitt
Councillor D Holmes
Councillor J Manu
Councillor B Nelson
Councillor K Parker
Councillor S Peek
Councillor K Rymer
Councillor M Westerman
Councillor V Zambas
Apologies: Councillor K Parkinson
Councillor J Tatton
Clerk: Karen Steels-Tallett
1 member of the public were in attendance.
1. Chairman’s Remarks. The Chair opened the meeting; made the usual housekeeping announcements, and reminded members that they must abide by the Code of Conduct at all times. The Chair informed members that the Clerk’s annual appraisal process was due to commence 1st February and requested Councillors’ be mindful of timescales. The timescales for the process for the past year had not been met and this was unreasonable on the Clerk. Councillor Ian Holmes reported on the passing of Audrey Webb, a past Councillor from November 2001 to April 2011 inclusive, and a 1-minute silence was held in remembrance, Councillor Peek also requested that past Councillor Reynolds was remembered at this time.
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 Tatton. It was resolved to accept the apologies. Proposed by Councillor Grummitt, seconded by Councillor Peek 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. Councillor Rymer declared an interest in agenda item 15 as a Trustee of Metheringham Swimming Pool.
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 14th December 2021. The notes of the meeting Tuesday 14th December 2021 having been circulated prior to the meeting were taken as read and it was resolved to approve them as minutes of the meeting subject to a minor addendum. 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. Proposed by Councillor Zambas seconded by Councillor D Holmes and the majority were in favour. Councillors Grummitt, Peek and Westerman abstained from voting.
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 are campaigning for fix my roads maintenance funds cut by £12 million.
b. To receive a report from the District Councillor. Apologies had been received from both District Councillors; who are still undertaking training. Reports had been circulated prior to the meeting.
c. To receive a report from Bracebridge Heath Policing Team. No further report had been received.
d. To receive reports from Council representatives on other outside bodies.
i. Village Hall Management Committee – No report available. Councillor Manu commented that he had been made aware of vandalism at the village hall; involving removal of roofing tiles, and a CCTV system had now been installed.
ii. Metheringham Swimming Pool - Councillor Rymer reported the Wren/FCC Grant was now signed and works had commenced. There is pipework for the filter lines needing replacement which will be funded from the contingency funds. further agenda item below no. 15.
iii. Metheringham Community Hub – A report had been received and circulated. Councillor Peek asked that events and dates are advertised on the facebook page. Councillor Manu asked that the hours of opening are also added, Councillor I Holmes confirmed that these are not showing.
iv. Bowls Club – A Burns Night had been held to raise funds internally. A skip had been hired to tidy, and the Club are looking starter sessions for the spring.
v. Metheringham Football Club – no further meetings had taken place since the November meeting. For mention, the repairs have yet to be carried out following use of the field by the Christmas Market.
6. To appoint representatives to outside bodies: Members should consult with Council prior to attending meetings and report back to Council on a regular basis.
a. Village Hall Management Committee.
b. Metheringham Swimming Pool
Councillor I Holmes had stepped down as the representative of the Swimming Pool after having resigned as a Trustee, and Councillor Rymer had stepped down as the representative of the Village Hall due to commitments at the Swimming Pool.
It was resolved Councillor I Holmes be appointed as the Representative for the Village Hall Committee and Councillor Rymer as the Representative of the Swimming Pool. Proposed by Councillor Grummitt seconded by Councillor Zambas and all were in favour.
7. To receive the minutes of Committee meetings:
a) General Purposes Committee – no meeting had taken place
b) Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Committee – 11th January 2022
c) Communications and Staffing Committee – 15th December 2021
d) Environmental & Community Committee – 16th December 2021 & 10th January 2022
The notes of the meetings were received.
8. Committees: To consider and resolve to appoint Councillor Zambas as a member of:
i. General Purposes Committee
It was resolved to appoint Councillor Zambas to the General Purposes Committee. Proposed by Councillor Rymer seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour.
ii. Environmental & Community Committee
It was resolved to appoint Councillor Zambas to the Environmental & Community Committee. Proposed by Councillor Parker seconded by Councillor Westerman and all were in favour.
9. Clerks report. The Clerk’s report was received.
10. 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 Parker seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
b) Urban Grass Cutting: To resolve to continue with the Contractors for the LCC Parish Agreement Scheme for the 2022-2023 financial period for 6 cuts. It was resolved to accept the quotation for 8 cuts per year. Proposed by Councillor Grummitt seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
c) Recreation Field and Play Park Grass Cutting: To resolve to continue with the Contractors for the grass cutting. It was resolved to accept the quotation for 11 cuts per year. Proposed by Councillor Grummitt seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
11. Overtime: To consider and resolve to pay the hours of overtime for the months of November/December/January respect of the Clerk. It was resolved to approve the overtime for payment. Proposed by Councillor Parker seconded by Councillor Nelson and all were in favour.
12. LIVES: To consider the request received from LIVES to support essential services across Lincolnshire and resolve if to make a donation. It was resolved to grant a donation to support LIVES of £1,500. Proposed by Councillor Parker seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
13. Approval of Precept proposal for 2022/2023, as prepared by Council October 2021. To consider and resolve the Precept requirement upon the Billing Authority (North Kesteven District Council) be approved. It was resolved to approve the precept requirement. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes seconded by Councillor Parker and all were in favour.
14. Earmarked Reserves: To review earmarked reserves and resolve to earmark further funds from General Reserves. It was resolved to earmark reserves. Proposed by Councillor Parker seconded by Councillor Westerman and all were in favour.
15. Loan Application: To consider and resolve if to grant a short term Loan to Metheringham Swimming Pool Committee. It was resolved at approve a short term Loan to Metheringham Swimming Pool, of £8,000, 2 years’ interest free; thereafter interest will be charged at the current base rate for a maximum period of 5 years. Proposed by Councillor Grummitt seconded by Councillor Parker and the majority were in favour. Councillor I Holmes had requested a recorded vote. In favour; Councillors Grummitt, D Holmes, I Holmes, Nelson, Parker, Peek, Westerman & Zambas. Against: Councillor Manu. Councillor Rymer abstained from voting.
16. Lincolnshire County Council Budget/Council Tax Proposals 2022/2023: To consider and resolve if to submit any comment on to the proposed council tax increase of 3%. It was resolved Council had no comments to make to Lincolnshire County Council on the proposed council tax increase. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes seconded by Councillor Parker and all were in favour.
17. Play Parks: To consider and resolve
i. Shiregate Play Park: Refurbishment of Play Park to include repainting of the equipment, replacement of previously removed bouncer and removal of adult fitness equipment. It was resolved to proceed with the refurbishment. Proposed by Councillor D Holmes seconded by Councillor Rymer and all were in favour.
ii. Prince’s Street: Removal and replacement of the 2 wooden structures. It was resolved to refer the item back to the Environment & Community Committee for a specification. Proposed by Council Parker seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
18. Road Sweeper: To consider and resolve to dispose of the Egholm road sweeper and advertise for sale. It was resolved to dispose of the road sweeper and advertise for sale. Proposed by Councillor I Holmes seconded by Councillor Grummitt and the majority were in favour. Councillor Westerman was against.
19. General Purposes Committee: To consider and resolve to make changes to the Committee to include the review of Financial matters, and resolve to adopt the updated Terms of Reference. It was resolved to make changes to the Committee to include the review of Financial matters and defer the update of the Terms of Reference to the General Purposes Committee. Proposed by Councillor Rymer seconded by Councillor Parker and all were in favour.
20. Community Hub: deferred item from the 23rd November 2021 meeting. To consider and resolve to temporarily close the Community Hub for a period of 6 weeks; for refurbishment and future proofing. There was no proposal to move the agenda item.
21. Parish Council Meeting Dates 2022/2023: To agree the schedule of meetings for the period May 2022 to April 2023 inclusive. It was resolved to approve the schedule of meeting dates for 2022/2023. Proposed by Councillor Nelson seconded by Councillor Parker and all were in favour.
22. Move to Paperless Meetings:
i. To consider and resolve to move towards paperless meetings. It was resolved to move towards paperless meetings. Proposed by Councillor Zambas seconded by Councillor Manu and all were in favour.
ii. To consider and resolve to secure quotations for an overhead projector system. It was resolved to secure quotations. Proposed by Councillor Parker seconded by Councillor Westerman and all were in favour.
20:25 Councillor I Holmes proposed in line with Standing Order 3 x, that the meeting be extended beyond the 2 hours to complete the agenda items. Seconded by Councillor Westerman and all were in favour.
23. Dunston Road, Metheringham: To consider the proposed 30mph speed limit extension and make any observation to Lincolnshire County Council. It was resolved to support the 30mph extension and request as part of the works Lincolnshire County Council look to install free of charge an additional pole to site a Speed Indicator Device. Proposed by Councillor D Holmes seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour.
24. Speed Indicator Devices: To consider and resolve to dispose of the 2 Smart devices and remove from the asset register. It was resolved to dispose of the 2 Smart devices and remove from the asset register. Proposed by Councillor Parker seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
25. Cycling facility link to Nocton Fen Lane: To consider the correspondence received and resolve if to support the scheme. It was resolved to support the proposed scheme. Proposed by Councillor Parker seconded by Councillor Zambas and all were in favour.
26. Planning Applications:
Decisions:
i) 21/1542/FUL Hilltop Livery, Metheringham Fen Lane, Metheringham. Siting of 1 no. glamping pod. Application approved.
ii) 21/1471/FUL Butters Corner, Townsend Way, Metheringham. Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 2 no. semidetached dwellings with associated car parking. Application approved.
iii) 21/1779/ADV Land West of Dunston Road, Metheringham. Proposed installation of 2 no. signage boards advertising new homes for sale. Application approved.
The decisions were noted.
27. 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 move into closed session. Proposed by Councillor Rymer seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
28. Co-option: To consider an application for co-option received from a Parishioner. It was resolved to co-opt C Toynton as a Councillor. Proposed by Councillor Parker seconded by Councillor I Holmes and the majority were in favour. Councillor Rymer requested a recorded vote. In favour: Councillors D Holmes, I Holmes, Manu, Nelson, Parker, Peek, Rymer and Zambas. Councillors Grummitt and Westerman abstained from voting. There was no proposal for the application from D Parry.
20:45 Councillor Parker left the meeting.
29. Community Hub Coordinator and Administration Assistant Positions: To receive an update from the Clerk. The Clerk updated Council on the appointments for both positions. Councillor Westerman presented a document dated 20th January 2022 with various questions, the Clerk will respond to the document to all Councillors.-
30. Staff Remuneration Aspects: To receive a report from the Chair of the Communications and Staffing Committee, and to consider and resolve any appropriate staff gifting and bonus in line with the Staff Remuneration Policy adopted at the meeting 24.11.2020. It was resolved to award a bonus to the Clerk for her work over the past year and retrospectively agree staff gifting. Proposed by Councillor Manu seconded by Councillor I Holmes and the majority were in favour. Councillors Grummitt and Westerman were against.
31. Date and time of the next meeting. Tuesday 22nd February 2022.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:50.