October 2023 Minutes
METHERINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
High Street, Metheringham, LINCOLN, LN4 3DZ
01526 323100
parishclerk@metheringham-pc.gov.uk
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Metheringham/
Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting of Metheringham Parish Council held in the Parish Council Office, High Street, Metheringham on Wednesday 25th October at 18:30.
Present
K Parker (chair)
D Parry
M Westerman (note taker)
M Worthington
B Nelson
J Simpson
R Grummitt
R Kendrick (LCC)
One member of the public was present and did not raise any items.
Meeting opened 1825hrs
1. Chair comments
Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and proposed Councilor Westerman took minutes. Seconded by Councilor Simpson and all in favour.
2. To resolve to accept Apologies for Absence and reasons given in accordance with Local Government Act 1972 S85(1)
Apologies received from Councilor Tatton, Pembery and Peek. Proposed to accept by Councilor Grummitt and seconded by Councilor Worthington and all 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
Councilor Worthington expressed an interest in item 17.
b. Dispensations: To consider and grant dispensation to relevant members in accordance with Metheringham Parish Councils Code of Conduct
None received.
4. To approve the notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 26th September 23 as a true and accurate record
Councilor Nelson proposed, seconded by Councilor Worthington and all in favour.
5. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a. To receive a report from the County Councilor.
Councilor Kendrick expressed his concern over the recent flooding and Londesborough Way in particular. A Section 19 investigation has been started and this will give recommendations and remedial actions.
If reports from Dunston Road were also received, a Section 19 will also apply.
In total LCC received over 600 incidents of flooding following the recent storm.
There are further delays to the repairs of the B1191 due to flooding and further remedial work required.
Lincoln Castle was awarded a gold for outstanding visitor attraction.
Latest estimates show that tourism to the county generates around £2bn to the local economy.
No further update received on the bus stop location in the village.
b. To receive a report from the District Councilors.
Councilor Pembery had submitted hers prior to the meeting. Councilor Parry will be providing one at the end of October.
To assist in future when such situations arise, a PC agenda item will be the provision of local support to flooding areas.
A drop-in session was held for parishioners and was successful. A further session is planned for November.
NKDC are providing some emergency planning training shortly.
c. To receive a report from the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
J Gwillym addressed the council regarding crime prevention measures.
She also informed the council that she had given feedback to the IAG of the lack of support to councils, like Metheringham Parish Council and no local team.
6. To receive reports from representatives to other village organizations and committees:
a. Village Hall Management Committee
Councilor Nelson reported that no meeting had taken place recently of the VH committee.
b. Metheringham Swimming Pool
Councilor Worthington attended a recent pool meeting where the majority of the discussion had been the upcoming Fayre and Feast.
Councilor Nelson asked if the letter had been sent to the pool trustees following the last council meeting. Councilor Parker confirmed that it had.
c. Metheringham Bowls Club
Councilor Grummitt reported that the Bowls club were now in winter maintenance and apart from social events the club was quiet. Repairs were to be made to the flooring of the clubhouse and any future grants from the MPC, could the Bowls club be informed, so as to make an application.
Plans are also being tentatively made towards the centenary of the club in 2027.
d. Metheringham Community Hub
Councilor Westerman reported that the Hub was attracting more volunteers and customers. The recent Fayre & feast had been good for the Hub in terms of book sales and the alarm system has now been sorted to allow access to the kitchen area.
e. Metheringham Football Club
Councilor Parker had passed on the email from the school regarding the storage of material in the Pavilion. Work was ongoing. There was still no running water in the Pavilion. See item 9.
f. Metheringham Gardening Club
Councilor Worthington gave a short update in the absence of Councilor Pembery. The Fayre & Feast had been a good event for the group and had also attracted several new volunteers.
7. Financial matters:
a. To consider and approve the bank reconciliation for end of September 23
Deferred due to lack of paperwork to approve. Proposed by Councilor Nelson and seconded by Councilor Worthington. All in favour.
c. To consider and approve payments made between 27th September and 24th October 23
Councilor Grummitt proposed to accept and seconded by Councilor Worthington and all in favour.
d. To approve the accounts for payments to be made
None presented.
e. To consider and approve the application of the litter picking grant as per letter from Jenny Bailey.
Councillor Westerman presented the grant letter from NKDC and a proposed draft reply for consideration by the Council. Councillor Grummitt proposed to accept draft, seconded by Councillor Worthington. Carried by majority 5 to 2.
f. To consider and approve one of the bank accounts to be used solely for Hub purposes, e.g. deposits of monies taken and receipt of LCC grants.
Payments for the running would be made from this account.
The proposed account is ending 768.
Councillor Westerman explained that the Council had 4 accounts, two main ones – one as a current account and one as a “savings” account. There was another account where Hub monies appear to have been paid into and it was proposed to make this account solely for Hub use.
The fourth account has some money in it but unsure of why it is there.
Councillor Nelson proposed to make account ending 768 as Hub account. Seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all in favour.
8. To Receive update on Old cross refurbishment
Councilor Parker reported that the work had been completed in time for the Fayre & Feast, as had been promised. All councilors agreed that a good job had been made of the renovation.
9. To Consider and resolve to repair leaking Water boiler in Pavilion.
To retrospectively agree to repair due to water ingress into School and potential danger of fire etc.
Councilor Worthington had investigated and because of the nature of repair required, an approved repairer is required. It was agreed it was a matter of urgency. Councilor Grummitt proposed a £5,000 budget for repairs, this was seconded by Councilor Worthington and all in favour.
10. To Discuss correspondence received regarding planning at High Street Metheringham
To Discuss email received
The owners of the Lincolnshire Poacher had submitted an email to the council asking for support in their planning application. The council had not had any challenge to the initial application.
Although the majority of councillors as individuals expressed their own support, as a council it was out of the terms of reference. A letter would be sent to the Poacher stating the position of the council.
11. To Discuss and resolve response to Vladimir Demcak regarding Tree Belt.
This is not part of the Parish Council responsibilities and given the current level of council responsibility, it was proposed by Councilor Grummitt to decline the offer. This was seconded by Councilor Simpson and all in favour.
12. To Receive update on following: -
a. Road Closure for Remembrance Day
This had been applied for by the previous clerk, so all was in order.
b. Remembrance Day activities.
Order of service needs to be finalized and produced. Vinyls are required for the road closure sign for the timings.
PA will need to be set up.
School will be attending and it was suggested that the Fire service, cadets and Scouts/Guides to attend as well.
c. Confirm bugler booked.
Bugler is booked.
d. To receive update on the Purchase of wreaths and Posy’s,
Councilor Parker will purchase these for the day.
13. To Consider and resolve to accept Litter Pickers Resignation
Councilor Worthington proposed and seconded by Councilor Grummitt and all in favour. All councillors expressed their gratitude for the service provided over the many years by David.
14. To Consider and resolve to appropriate action following litter pickers resignation
Councilor Worthington agreed the priority should be to pay any outstanding salary. Councilor Parry had prepared an article for Limespring and it was agreed this should be published.
An additional gift was proposed by Councilor Grummitt and seconded by Councilor Worthington. All were in favour.
15. To discuss the Chairman's response to the Litter picker's resignation
Councilor Parry had submitted this item for the discussion of the council. Councilor Parker responded to the item.
16. To receive Chairs response to the correspondence received from Cllr Parry
Following a submission to the council from Councilor Parry prior to the meeting, Councilor Parker replied to the council with his detailed response along with documentary evidence to confirm his response.
This was an in-depth reply taking some time to deliver.
During the delivery Councilor Simpson asked if this was the correct forum for such and Councilor Parker informed the council that after advice, it was the correct forum as it was important for the correct information to be tabled.
At 2028 Councilor Westerman interrupted and suggested an extension. This was proposed by Councilor Parker and seconded by Councilor Worthington and all in favour.
At 2033hrs Councilor Parry left the meeting.
17. To Discuss concerns raised by Handy person with regards Contract issued.
The handyperson had not yet had sight of several policies mentioned in the contract. More importantly she had not received any payment since her starting date.
There had been no return to work interview following her recent sick absence.
A question was raised what is to happen when 520hrs are reached and there is work outstanding. It was decided to raise an agenda item nearer the time.
18. To discuss and resolve New Clerks Contract
It was proposed to defer this item to an EGM by Councilor Grummitt and seconded by Councilor Nelson. All in favour.
19. To discuss and resolve sub-committees and lack of members on each committee.
Due to falling numbers on the council it was proposed by Councilor Simpson to amalgamate the staffing and Finance committees. Seconded by Councilor Worthington and passed by majority.
Meeting closed at 2050hrs.
20. Date of Next Meeting 29th November 2023