February 2022 Minutes

A meeting of Metheringham, Sots Hole & Tanvats Parish Council was held on Tuesday 22nd February 2022 in the Parish Office, High Street, Metheringham.      
Participating:
Councillor I Holmes (Chair)
Councillor R Grummitt
Councillor D Holmes
Councillor J Manu
Councillor K Parker
Councillor S Peek
Councillor K Rymer
Councillor J Tatton
Councillor C Toynton
Councillor M Westerman
Councillor V Zambas
Apologies: Councillor B Nelson
 
Clerk: Karen Steels-Tallett
3 members 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 reported Councillor Parkinson had given his resignation.  The Chair also reminded councilors in line with governance, no Councillor is able to enter into any agreements on behalf of the Council.  A complaint had been received and gone through the first stage of the process and will now enter into the second and final stage.  This will be tabled as an agenda item for the March 2022 Parish Council meeting
2. To accept Apologies for Absence and reasons given in accordance with Local Government Act 1972 s85(1).   Apologies had been received from Councillor Nelson.  It was resolved to accept the apologies.  Proposed by Councillor I Holmes, 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.  Councillor Rymer declared an interest in agenda item 16 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 25th January 2022.  The notes of the meeting Tuesday 25th January 2022 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 Peek seconded by Councillor D Holmes 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.   Child mental health - County Council are pressing for further funding for child mental health funded by the NHS.  Councillor Kendrick had recently visited Metheringham Fire Station; who now carry a Cobra preventing fire fighters having to enter a building.  Oxygen masks are also being carried for pets and hoods with a 15-minute oxygen supply for humans.  80% of fire fighters within Lincolnshire are retained.    Devolution – Leveling Up, a combined plan is being worked on and a meeting is in place to meet with Michael Gove to discuss the 10-point plan.   
b. To receive a report from the District Councillors.  Councillor Bailey apologised for not having attended earlier meetings.  A report had been received from Councillor Bailey prior to the meeting and circulated. Government will provide funding for an energy rebate of up to £150 for council tax bands A-D, a further discretionary fund will be provided for those households not otherwise eligible.  A face to face surgery will be held the first Saturday of the month.  Farmers Country Market Saturday 07th May.  Litter on verges within the Parish had been reported to LCC Highways.  Mark Williams was happy to spearhead a Community Speed Watch Scheme.  Happy to support the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.    
Councillor Pembery had assisted families in the Parish with housing issues.  Heidi Ryder from the Anti-Social Behavior team had been assisting with behavior in the Parish. 
c. To receive a report from Bracebridge Heath Policing Team.   A report had been received from the Neighborhood Policing Team and circulated.      
d. To receive reports from Council representatives on other outside bodies.
i. Village Hall Management Committee – Councillor I Holmes reported that the meeting due to take place 18th February 2022 had been postponed and was now reschedule for 09th March 2022.  The Management Committee had been made aware that he would be taking up his position on the Committee in line with nominations from organisations named in the Deed.  Despite a number of requests for a copy of the last 2 years’ account and notes of the meetings, this had not yet been received.    
ii. Metheringham Swimming Pool -  A report had been received and circulated.     
iii. Metheringham Community Hub –  A report had been received and circulated.  
iv. Bowls Club – the club were nearing taster sessions and would also hold taster sessions during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations.  A charity coffee morning had been organised from which the club would take a hosting fee.    
v. Metheringham Football Club – A report had been received and circulated.  
6. To receive the minutes of Committee meetings:
a) General Purposes Committee – 07th February 2022
b) Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Committee – 01st February 2022
c) Communications and Staffing Committee – 16th February 2022
d) Environmental & Community Committee – 09th February 2022
The notes of the meetings were received.
7. Committees:  To consider and resolve to appoint Councillor Peek as a member of the Environmental & Community Committee.  It was resolved to appoint Councillor Peek to the Environmental & Community Committee.  Proposed by Councillor Parker seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
8. Clerks report.  The Clerk’s report was received.
9. Financial Matters:
a) Accounts for payment:  To consider and approve the accounts for payment.   It was resolved to approve the accounts for payment, other than the 2 invoices from Freedom, to be put on hold pending the annual services being carried out.  Proposed by Councillor Grummitt seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
b)  Accounts to 31st December 2021:  To approve the accounts to 31st December 2021 as a true record.   It was resolved to approve the account to 31st December 2021.  Proposed by Councillor Tatton seconded by Councillor Parker and all were in favour.  
10. Overtime:  To consider and resolve to pay the hours of overtime for the months of January/February in respect of the Clerk.  It was resolved to approve the overtime for payment.  Proposed by Councillor Rymer seconded by Councillor Tatton and the majority were in favour.  Councillor Westerman was against.
11. Additional Speed Indicator Devices Post Locations:  To consider and resolve 3 further locations as recommended by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership and instruct the installation of Posts.  It was resolved to defer to the March 2022 meeting to request a further site meeting with LRSP.  Proposed by Councillor I Holmes seconded by Councillor Toynton and all were in favour.
  
12. LALC Training Scheme:  To consider and resolve to continue with the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils Annual Training Scheme for April 2022 to March 2023 at a cost of £180.00.  It was resolved to continue with the Training Scheme.  Proposed by Councillor Peek seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour.
13. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee:  To consider the request from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Committee for additional funding of £10,000 and resolve if to award in addition to the £10,000 already awarded.  It was resolved to approve additional funding of £7,000 with provision for up to a further £3,000 subject to a detailed proposal from the committee.  Proposed by Councillor D Holmes seconded by Councillor Manu and all were in favour. 
14. Dog Waste Bins:  To consider and resolve to site 2 additional bins on Prince’s Street and Kings Road at the request of a parishioner.  It was resolved to purchase a further 2 dog waste bins.  Proposed by Councillor Tatton seconded by Councillor Manu and all were in favour.
15. General Purposes & Finance Committee:  To consider and resolve to adopt the draft updated Terms of Reference.  It was resolved to defer the draft back to the General Purposes & Finance Committee.  Proposed by Councillor I Holmes seconded by Councillor Parker and the majority were in favour.  Councillor Rymer was against.
16. Loan Agreement:  To consider and resolve to adopt the draft Loan Agreement.   It was resolved to approve the draft document, a copy of the extract of the Deed to be circulated to Councillors.  Proposed by Councillor I Holmes seconded by Councillor Manu and the majority were in favour.  Councillor Rymer abstained from voting as a Trustee of Metheringham Swimming Pool.
17. Meg Beer Fest 2022:  To consider a request from Metheringham Squash Club for use of the Star & Garter Field Thursday 1st September to Sunday 4th September inclusive for Meg Beer Fest.  It was resolved to allow Metheringham Squash Club use of the Star & Garter Field for the purpose of Meg Beer Fest.  Proposed by Councillor Tatton seconded by Councillor D Holmes and all were in favour. 
18. Farmers Market:  To consider a request from Parishioners for the use of the market stalls to provide a Farmers Market to be held in the Star & Garter Car Park.  It was resolved to allow the use of the market stalls for the market.  Proposed by Councillor Toynton seconded by Councillor Peek and all were in favour. 
19. Roco BBQ Food Truck:  To consider a request from Roco BBQ Food Truck for permission to stand in the Car Park, Prince’s Street.  It was resolved to grant Roco BBQ Food Truck permission to stand in the Car Park, Prince’s Street; Wednesday or Thursday, every 4/5 weeks.  Proposed by Councillor Tatton seconded by Councillor Toynton and all were in favour.      
20:15 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 Manu and all were in favour.
20. Community Hub Gardening:  
a. To consider and resolve to provide planters and consumables up to a maximum budget of £2,000 to be purchased using Community Infrastructure Levy funds and be maintained by interested parties.   It was resolved to provide planters and consumables up to a maximum budget of £2,000 to be purchased using Community Infrastructure Levy funds; with a minor amendment “to be maintained by interested parties and coordinated through Metheringham Community Hub”.  Proposed by Councillor I Holmes seconded by Councillor Tatton and all were in favour.
b. To consider and resolve the number of planters to be purchased and agree locations.  It was resolved to defer the item for feedback from all interested parties.  Proposed by Councillor I Holmes seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all were in favour.
21. Planning Applications:
Decisions:
i) 21/1078/FUL  1-2 Brickyard Cottages, Fen Lane, Metheringham.  Change of use of field to glamping area to include 7no glamping pods, 1no shepherds hut and 1no toilet/shower block.  Application approved.    
ii) 21/1142/FUL  Land at former council depot, Sleaford Road, Metheringham.  Erection of 20 dwellings with associated infrastructure.  Application approved.
22. Councillor Training Discussion.  Councillors requested to in the first instance respond to the Chair with requirements. 
23. Date and time of the next meeting.   Tuesday 29th March 2022.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:30.