November 2023 Minutes
Metheringham Parish Council Meeting
Minutes of Meeting held at The Parish Council Office, Metheringham
Wednesday 29th November 2023 at 6.15pm
Present: Cllr K Parker (Chair)
Cllrs S Peek F Pembery J Simpson M Westerman
M Worthington
In Attendance: Miss A Driver (Clerk & note taker)
2 members of the public
Public Forum: None
00001. CHAIRS COMMENTS
The Chair opened the meeting with general housekeeping and welcomed those present.
00002. TO RESOLVE TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND REASONS GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 S85(1)
The meeting was advised that apologies had been received from Cllr R Grummitt, Cllr B Nelson and Cllr P Parry.
Proposed Cllr R Westerman, Seconded Cllr M Worthington and Resolved: That apologies with valid reasons for absence had been accepted from Cllr R Grummitt, Cllr B Nelson and Cllr P Parry.
00003. TO RECEIVE MEMBERS DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
a. Members are required to declare any declarations of interest at this point and may also make them at any point during the meeting in accordance with Metheringham Parish Councils Code of Conduct
None received
b. Dispensations: To consider and grant dispensation to relevant members in accordance with Metheringham Parish Councils Code of Conduct
None received.
00004. TO RECEIVE AS A CORRECT RECORD THE DRAFT NOTES OF THE MEETING HELD 25TH OCTOBER 2023 AND 6TH NOVEMBER 2023
Proposed Cllr J Simpson, Seconded Cllr F Pembery and Resolved: That the draft notes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 25th October 2023 and the extraordinary meeting held on the 6th November 2023 be approved as the official minutes.
The Chair requested a change to the order of the agenda by bringing agenda item eight forward to agenda item five. Approved by all council members present.
00005. TO CONSIDER THE CO-OPTION OF ANY NEW COUNCILLLOR(S) TO THE COUNCIL
Proposed Cllr K Parker, Seconded Cllr M Westerman and Resolved: To co-opt Rob Castle onto the council.
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00006. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
a. To receive a report from the County Councillor
Lincolnshire County Councillor R Kendrick provided a verbal update: Devolution proposal for Greater Lincolnshire. A public consultation asking people in Greater Lincolnshire for their views and comments starts next week and will last until the end of January. The Proposal will outline the benefits to Greater Lincolnshire that devolution will bring.
The storm that hit the county last month had a big impact. The county council’s highways team responded to more than 450 urgent callouts, and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue dealt with more than 500 emergency calls across Lincolnshire. Speaking to one resident who had their home flooded I can appreciate how devastating it was for and other residents whose properties were flooded. There will be investigations into the incidents. In some cases, preventative action will already have been undertaken.
b. To receive a report from District Councillors
Reports previously circulated to Council members under correspondence. No questions raised by council members present.
c. To receive a report from the Neighbouring Policing Team
Verbal update to be provided by Clerk having received apologies from Independent Advisory Group representative. No anti-social behaviour, House Burglary Lincoln Road Dunston and an attempted burglary in Franklin Close. Although not Metheringham the local police officer arrested an offender in Branston on eight charges, identified by their vehicle who had been approaching women in the area. The Chief Constable will be leaving in February 2024 and is going to serious organised crime.
00007. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER VILLAGE ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMITTEES
a. Village Hall Management Committee
No update.
b. Metheringham Swimming Pool
Cllr M Worthington updated members present he had attended a Swimming Pool committee / trustee meeting on 27th November and this his 3rd meeting of this type albeit no minutes received. The recent report received broadly matches what was told verbally at the meeting. Gas, water, electric has been paid for this season and about to be published on the Charity website. No mention of solar thermal heating system. Swimming pool members had met with an LCC representative but to date no request has been received by the parish council in respect of the additional land and a formal request from Metheringham Swimming Pool for the Parish Council to look at the acquisition and adoption of this land which the Parish Council have been maintaining.
c. Metheringham Bowls Club
Councillor J Simpson provided a verbal update: The fish and chip supper and quiz night held 25th November 2023 raised £100. Due to the work of the bowls funding group the club is able to afford to carry out essential maintenance work to replace floorboard in clubhouse, has purchased 600 brick to repair and replace existing brickwork around the green. Backboards have been purchased to replace damaged ones along with new fencing to be installed behind clubhouse in January. A new metal shed has been ordered to replace existing wood structure with a hardcore base. A promotion drive is being planed for early spring to promote the club and increase membership.
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d. Metheringham Community Hub
Councillor M Westerman provided a verbal update: Two new volunteers have received training. Fayre and Feast was good for the Hub and raised over £100 on the day through the sale of books. The Hub will be open inside on the day of the Christmas Market.
e. Metheringham Football Club
Councillor K Parker provided a verbal update: It has been reported by football users that the toilets within the pavilion had been left in poor state and required additional cleaning.
The Clerk has liaised with football representatives following a request for financial assistance to train at alternative locations whilst the ground has time to repair and confirmed this is no longer required.
f. Metheringham Gardening Club
Councillor F Pembery provided a verbal update that the gardening group are doing a tremendous job making the village look nice and are looking for more volunteers to join the group.
00008. TO RECEIVE THE CLERKS REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The Clerk provided a verbal update to Council members present.
Jonathan Tatton has resigned as a Parish Councillor. The Parish Christmas tree has been erected inside the memorial garden on 26th November, a handful of volunteers assisted giving up their time.
Note: Council Members present wished for their thanks to be noted and conveyed to the volunteers who assisted.
Facebook social media activity has seen an increase in traffic and re-engagement with the Parish Council and the following of its page. The Limespring Hundred articles have been reinstated and the first article will feature in December’s edition.
Works have commenced and the pavilion water boiler is being replaced and will be fitted week of 27th November 2023.
The Squash Club wish to book the field again for a Beer Festival on 31st August 2024 from Thursday 29th August to Monday 2nd September 2024. Note: To feature as an agenda item at the next meeting of the Parish Council in January.
Graffiti has been removed from new wooden play equipment by the Handy person on 20th November 2024.
Jingle, Jingle come and Mingle 20th December 2023 is scheduled to take place between 10am and 2pm at the Parish office encouraging members of the public to come along receive a warm welcome, mince pie and a hot drink and meet and engage with the new Clerk.
Engagement is to commence with volunteers who have shown an interest in a speed awareness group and to reach out for new volunteers. Enabling training on the use of the speed radar device, associated equipment and the formation of a Community Speed Watch Group.
Correspondence Circulated
LCC November update report Cllr R Kendrick
NKDC November update report Cllr D Parry
2023-24 Pay Award - NJC pay scales received from LALC
Remembrance Sunday, email Mr M Credland
TRO - Metheringham TTR005361 (5 to 7 Dec Alfred Avenue)
TRO - Metheringham TTR006114 (Xmas Market 3 December)
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Public consultation - NKDC Polling District and Polling Place Review 2023
LALC E-news 10/11/23
NKDC Supplementary Planning Document adopted on 16/10/23
LALC Training Bulletin - November 2023
LALC E-news 24/11/23
NKDC November update report Cllr F Pembery
Metheringham Swimming Pool report for November 2023
00009. PLANNING
a. To consider planning and tree applications received since the last meeting of the council and any new applications received after the publication of the agenda.
Proposed Cllr M Worthington, Seconded Cllr M Westerman and Resolved: Council members agreed responses for planning and tree applications received.
b. To note planning and tree decisions received since the last meeting of the council.
Council members present noted planning and tree decisions received.
00010. FINANCE
a. To review and consider payments of accounts
Proposed Cllr M Westerman, Seconded Cllr F Pembery and Resolved: Council members approved the payment of accounts.
b. To consider and resolve a variation to the bank mandate to enable the Clerk/RFO access to Parish Council bank accounts and the management of funds held.
Proposed Cllr M Westerman Peek, Seconded Cllr F Pembery and Resolved: Council members approved for the Clerk/RFO to have access to all Parish Council banks accounts for the management of funds held.
00011. TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE FOR THE HANDY PERSON TO ATTEND A PLAY AREA ROUTINE INSPECTORS COURSE ON 13TH MARCH 2024 AT WASHINGBOROUGH, HOSTED BY LALC AT A COST £65 OR £165 WITH EXAM
Proposed Cllr S Peek, Seconded Cllr J Simpson and Resolved: Council members approved for the Handy Person to attend the next Routine Inspectors Course with Exam at a cost of £165.
00012. TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE TO ACCEPT THE QUOTATION RECEIVED FOR ADDITIONAL WORKS IDENTIFIED FOR A REPLACEMENT ROOF TO THE PUBLIC TOILETS FOLLOWING THE DISCOVERY OF BATTENS, FELT AND ROOF TILES IN A POOR STATE OF REPAIR.
OPTION 1: RE-FELT, NEW BATTENS, EAVES TRAY AND NEW TILES, COST £4,200. OPTION 2: RE-FELT, NEW BATTENS, EAVES TRAY AND USE OLD TILES WHERE POSSIBLE (MINIMUM OF 25% OF OLD TILES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED) COST £3,360. QUOTES RECEIVED INCLUDE MATERIALS AND LABOUR
Proposed Cllr M Westerman, Seconded Cllr F Pembery and Resolved: Council members approved option one, new roof at a cost of £4,200.
00013.TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE TO ISSUE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE HUB VOLUNTEERS TO HAVE SHARED ACCESS TO USE THE PARISH KITCHEN FACILITIES
Proposed Cllr M Worthington, Seconded Cllr F Pembery and Resolved: Council members agreed for a Memorandum of Understanding to be issued by the Clerk for hub volunteers to have shared access use of the Parish Council kitchen facilities.
00014. TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE WHETHER THE COUNCIL WISHES FOR A REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND BY TEAMS AT 6PM ON THURSDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2023 THE PARISH COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT SESSION FOR NORTH AND SOUTH KESTEVEN HOSTED BY LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE AND THE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER
Proposed Cllr J Simpson, Seconded Cllr S Peek and Resolved: That Councillor M Westerman would attend and represent the Parish Council.
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00015. TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE THE PURCHASE OF TEN NEW COMBINATION LOCKS FOR THE USE ON PARISH COUNCIL ASSETS AND GATES
Proposed Cllr M Worthington, Seconded Cllr M Westerman and Resolved: Council members approved the purchase of ten combination locks up to the value of £100.
00016.TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE THE MANAGEMENT AND REMOVAL OF GREEN WASTE FOLLOWING QUOTES RECEIVED FROM NKDC AND BIFFA, OR EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE SUITABLE GREEN WASTE SOLUTIONS IF THE EXISTING AGREEMENTS ARE NO LONGER VIABLE
Proposed Cllr F Pembery, Seconded Cllr J Simpson and Resolved: Council members approved the purchase of four brown bins from NKDC if existing local agreement is no longer a viable alternative solution with local land owner.
00017. TO CONSIDER THE VIABILITY FOR THE CREATION OF A PARISH COUNCIL LOCAL EMERGENCY PLAN
Proposed Cllr M Worthington, Seconded Cllr S Peek and Resolved: Council members were in favour for a Local Emergency Plan. Cllr F Pembery to lead and research and bring back before full council once a first draft has been formulated.
00018. FAYRE AND FEAST
a. To consider and resolve holding a Fayre and Feast during October 2024
Proposed Cllr F Pembery, Seconded Cllr M Westerman and Resolved: Council members present were all in favour of Fayre and Feast taking place in October 2024.
b. To consider and resolve an event budget should it be resolved to host another event of this type
Proposed Cllr M Westerman, Seconded Cllr F Pembery and Resolved: Council members present approved a budget of £5,000 for the Fayre and Feast Event 2024.
00019. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Cllr K Parker and the Clerk updated Council Members present that the primary school children would be arriving at 4pm on Sunday 4th December 2023 for carols to be sung around the Christmas tree, with the light switch on taking place at approximately 4.30pm when Santa Claus arrives.
The meeting closed at 8:39pm