March 2023 Minutes
Metheringham, Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on
Tuesday 28th March 2023 at the Parish Council Offices, High Street, Metheringham, LN4 3DZ
Present: Chairman Cllr K Parker, Cllrs R Grummitt, B Nelson, S Peek, C Toynton and M Westerman
In attendance: Locum Clerk K. Sinclair
The Chairman opened with the usual housekeeping announcement then opened the public session at 6.20pm
Public Forum.
There were 3 members of the public present.
2 members of the public were representing a campaign group set up regarding the Anaerobic Digester Plant proposal. Information was received and council will consider a village meeting if formal plans are submitted in the future.
Two members of the public left the meeting and the Chairman opened the meeting at 6.37pm.
Official Business of the Council
1. Accept apologies for absence and reasons given in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 s85(1)
Apologies were received from Cllr M Worthington, J Tatton, F Pembrey, D Parry and County Cllr R Kendrick. Cllr I Holmes resigned from Council before the meeting.
It was resolved to accept apologies received from Cllr Worthington. Proposed by Cllr Toynton, seconded by Cllr Nelson and approved unanimously.
It was resolved to accept apologies received from Cllr Tatton. Proposed by Cllr Toynton, seconded by Cllr Grummitt and approved unanimously.
It was resolved to accept apologies received from Cllr Pembrey. Proposed by Cllr Toynton, seconded by Cllr Westerman and approved unanimously.
It was resolved to accept apologies received from Cllr Parry. Proposed by Cllr Grummitt, seconded by Cllr Peek and approved unanimously.
2. Members declaration of interest
a. Members declaration of interest
Cllr Toynton declared an interest in item 15.
b. Dispensations
None received.
3. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on:
a. 3rd March 2023
It was resolved that the draft minutes from the meeting held on 3rd March 2023 were a true record and could be approved and signed as minutes. Proposed by Cllr Grummitt, seconded by Cllr Peek and approved with 4 votes for and 2 abstentions.
4. To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a. County Councillor
A report had been received prior to the meeting and circulated.
b. District Councillors
There were no District Councillors present.
c. BBH policing team
A brief update was received from a representative of the BBH policing team which included plans to house all police departments together at South Park police station as reported by the Head of Crime to try and reduce response times.
1 member of the public left the meeting at 6.51pm
5. To receive reports from council representatives on other outside bodies;
a. Village Hall Management Committee
No updates were available.
b. Metheringham Swimming Pool
There was no update received. The upcoming MOU review was to be discussed later in the meeting.
c. Metheringham Community Hub
The update included 4 new volunteers had started and a good increase in users and children’s groups using the facility.
d. Metheringham Bowls Club
A thanks was received for allowing the Bowls Club to use the noticeboard to advertise their taster sessions. The bowls season officially starts next month.
e. Metheringham Football Club
The football club had requested the first grass cut to be carried out and asked about the Jubilee grant which they still had not received. The MOU review was due in the next couple of weeks.
6. Finances:
a. To receive a further update on the council finances
An update was given verbally by the Locum Clerk. There is still a lot of transactions to be added to the accounting system but this will be done as soon as possible and then a further update of the council’s financial position will be available.
b. To approve the accounts for payment
The list of payments was circulated and approved for payment. Proposed by Cllr R Grummitt, seconded by Cllr Peek and approved unanimously.
c. To approve the budget for 2023-24 as recommended by the Locum Clerk
It was resolved to defer this item until a list of reserves was also available. Proposed by Cllr Parker, seconded by Cllr Toynton and approved unanimously.
d. To approve the CIL report for 2021-22 before submission to NKDC
The report was not available for the meeting and will be added to the next agenda for consideration.
7. To discuss the current office security and provide and resolve to make any agreed changes
The current security firm was unwilling to discuss the security with the Chairman regarding the changes of codes to the system. Therefore, it was proposed that quotes be obtained from other companies to change the system, including the same company who supply the hub. Proposed by Cllr Nelson, seconded by Cllr Grummitt and approved unanimously.
8. To consider sand resolve a budget for the Kings Coronation in May
It was resolved to allocate up to £10,000 to the events committee to organise the Kings Coronation event on 7 May. Proposed by Cllr Peek, seconded by Cllr Westerman and approved unanimously.
9. To discuss and resolve necessary steps to repair and reopen public toilets
No quotes for the repair works or the maglocks have been received to date.
10. To consider dates for the Annual Parish Meeting (currently advertised for Tuesday 25 April)
Due to the Village Hall not being available on the Tuesday, it was resolved to arrange the meeting for Wednesday 26 April at 7pm. Proposed by Cllr Parker, seconded by Cllr Westerman and approved unanimously.
11. To approve the preplanning application for the MUGA
The planning application had not yet been completed due to the information and specification not being available prior to the meeting. It was resolved to allow Cllr Parker, Cllr Westerman and Clerk to complete the form in due course and submit to NKDC when ready. Proposed by Cllr Grummitt, seconded by Cllr Toynton and approved unanimously.
12. To discuss the Swimming Pool MOU review ahead of the meeting being held on 28 April
The MOU was not available at the meeting. Locum Clerk to find and circulate.
13. To discuss the tree belt on Dunston Road following correspondence received
It was resolved monitor the area during a wet period before any further discussions take place. Proposed by Cllr Grummitt, seconded by Cllr Westerman and approved unanimously.
14. To receive update from the public meeting regarding proposed Solar Farm
A meeting was held for the residents of Metheringham to express their opinions on the proposed Solar Farm. Approximately 30 people were in attendance including Councillors and 100% of the people in attendance would appose the proposal at this stage.
15. To approve the statement to be sent regarding the new bus stop location on High Street
It was resolved to accept the statement prepared by the Clerk which outlined concerns of the new bus stop location and for it to be sent to the relevant organisations. Proposed by Cllr Grummitt, seconded by Cllr Westerman and approved with 5 votes for and 1 abstention.
16. To consider and resolve an additional Councillor to the Football Club MOU review panel
It was resolved that Cllr Westerman join the Football Club MOU review panel. Proposed by Cllr Grummitt, seconded by Cllr Toynton and approved unanimously.
17. To discuss the Community Speed Watch group and its volunteers (these do not necessarily have to be Council members)
A list of 7 volunteers was given including 3 Councillors.
18. Public bodies (admission to meetings) act 1960 exclusion of the press and 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 enter closed session. Proposed by Cllr Parker, seconded by Cllr Westerman and approved unanimously.
The meeting was closed to the public at 8.22pm.
19. To discuss information to be included in the statement to the police
Information to be collated into statement form for Council approval when drafted.
It was resolved to move item 20 to after 21. Proposed by Cllr Westerman, seconded by Cllr Toynton and approved unanimously.
An update was given and next actions resolved. Proposed by Cllr Parker, seconded by Cllr Toynton and approved unanimously.
The Locum Clerk left the meeting at 20.48pm
20. To consider appointment of new Clerk following interviews held on 13 March 23.
Council resolved to accept the HR committee’s recommendation of offering the job to the strongest candidate but on a higher salary that originally advertised due to their experience and qualifications. Proposed by Cllr Parker, seconded by Cllr Westerman and approved unanimously.
22. Date and time of next meeting
EGM to be held on Wednesday 19 April.
The meeting closed at 8.53pm.