Environment Committee March 2024 Minutes EOM
Metheringham Parish Council
Environment Committee Extraordinary Meeting
Minutes of meeting held at the Parish Council Office, Metheringham
Wednesday 20th March 2024 at 6.30pm
Present:
M Worthington (Chair) (MWO)
R Castle (RC)
R Grummitt (RG)
K Parker (KP)
B Nelson (BN)
M Westerman (MWE & Notetaker)
00006. CHAIR COMMENTS
The chair welcomed the committee and informed everyone of a busy evening.
Councillor Parker proposed Councillor Westerman to take minutes, seconded by Councillor Grummitt and all in favour.
00007. TO RESOLVE TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND REASONS GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 S85(1)
No Apologies received. Councillor S Peek absent.
00008. 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.
None received.
b. Dispensations: To consider and grant dispensation to relevant members in accordance with Metheringham Parish Councils Code of Conduct.
None received.
00009. TO RESOLVE TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
MWO proposed to defer and RG seconded. All in favour.
00010. TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM ACTIONS AGREED AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON THE 30TH JANUARY 2024. TO CONSIDER AND AGREE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS TO GO BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL FOR DECISION
a. Submission of pre planning MUGA form to NKDC
Action was for the Clerk to establish whether a preliminary enquiry form is required by NKDC in respect of planning permission. If yes to complete and submit on behalf of Parish Council using details from a previous form not submitted and dated May 2023. To look at the old specification to seek new tenders given the time frame that has passed and to establish whether the fence height needs to be increased.
Update: The pre planning form has been submitted to NKDC but no response has been received to date. A check is still to be made on the quotes.
b. Fact-finding exercise to be undertaken in respect of the Windmill building located in Metheringham and a meeting with the owner
Action. Was for Councillor Parker to introduce Cllr B Nelson to the owner of the windmill in an attempt for both to establish the intentions regarding the future of the windmill. Action. Was for the clerk to look into arranging a talk about the windmill to be given to the parish council.
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Update: KP informed the committee that the owner had been away but has agreed to a meeting on a date and time yet to be agreed. Peter Wakling has agreed to do a talk on the history of the mill. Clerk is to check on the grant under Sect 106.
MWE proposed to defer the latter, seconded by RC and all in favour.
c. To receive an update on siting requirements for the installation of the new benches within the parish
Action. Was for Cllr R Grummitt and Cllr B Nelson to re-visit the siting arrangements for four new benches, two of which are for disabled persons. Taking into consideration standing area/base requirements if any, accessibility and site locations. Upon completion to feedback to the Clerk to enable the item to be tabled at the next Environment Committee.
Update: The benches to go to Shiregate play park and Prince’s Street play park. Accessibility will need to be installed for disabled access.
An on-site meeting is to take place at the start of the next environment meeting proposed by RG and seconded by MWE and all in favour.
d. To consider repairs and maintenance to the road sweeper
Action. Was for the Environment Councillors to meet at 1030am on Saturday 17th February 2024, location the container. For the road sweeper to be moved from inside the container to temporary storage being offered by Cllr Parker to enable the condition of the road sweeper to be established and the findings reported back to the Clerk upon completion.
Update. It couldn’t be moved and the battery was past any form of charging. Therefore, it stayed in the container. Subsequently a new battery has been fitted and it now will start. The operating instructions have also been obtained. The sweeper action will be checked at a later date and checked over professionally. MWE proposed to have it serviced fully and the cost investigated of an additional tipper body, BN seconded and all in favour.
e. To consider PAT testing/Electrical safety checks to Parish Council buildings
Action. Was for the clerk to ascertain quotes for PAT testing of electrical appliances and equipment located in the Parish Council office, the Pavilion and the Community Hub/library. Also, to obtain quotes for the EICR inspections required to the building fixed electrical equipment.
Update. No quotes have been received for either checks. RG proposed to defer, seconded by RC and all in favour.
f. Asbestos located at the swimming pool and the allotments
Action. Was for the clerk to seek quotes for the removal of asbestos located at the allotments including a sample to be taken and tested to confirm whether asbestos is present at the swimming pool.
Update. Two quotes have been received and it was proposed by RG to go with ASB, seconded by RC and all in favour.
00011. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE FOLLOWING A MEETING BETWEEN PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES (CLLR PARKER, WESTERMAN AND CASTLE) AND METHERINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE EXISTING MOU AND AGREE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE TAKEN TO THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Update. No meeting has taken place, KP to arrange a new date as soon as possible as agreement is essential as early as possible.
Proposed by RC to defer to the next Environment Committee meeting, seconded by RG, all in favour.
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00012. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM METHERINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB DATED 21ST FEBRUARY 2024 AND THE COMPACTION OF WHEELING’S LOCATED TO THE FIELD BEHIND THE STAR AND GARTER AND AGREE RECOMMENDATION TO TAKE TO THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL (MPC MINUTE REF 00062 RELATES)
Update. There is evidence that teams have been playing on this part of the field despite advice from MPC not to.
MWE proposed to defer to the next Environment Committee meeting, seconded RC, all in favour.
00013. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE WORKS TO METHERINGHAM TOILETS AND TO DISCUSS AND AGREE ANY RECOMMENDATION TO GO BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL FOR THE FITTING OF MAG LOCKS AND OPERATIONAL USAGE FOR PUBLIC TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE TOILETS. TO INCLUDE OPENING TIMES, CONTRACT CLEANING AND SUPPLY OF TOILETRIES
Update. Internally the refurbishment is complete. To fit the mag locks the gates would need to be modified. The gents and disabled door would create a problem for users of the disabled facility. The suggestion was to move the access to the disabled facility directly to the street enabling the mag lock to be fitted to the gent’s gate.
The cleaning provision would supply their own articles and MPC will provide rolls and other consumables.
RG proposed to move disabled door, seconded by RC and all in favour.
00014. TO CONSIDER NEW CONTAINER, ITS SITING AND LOCATION, ANY BASE REQUIREMENTS AND POWER SUPPLY AND AGREE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS
Update. KP informed the committee that the container will be sited on the left-hand side of the field on sleepers, as agreed by full council. Once sited then quotes will be obtained for the provision of power to the site.
00015. TO DISCUSS AND AGREE THE COMPILING FOR THE RECORDING OF INFORMATION FOR THE 2023/24 ASSET REGISTER
Update. The 2022/2023 register was signed off but will need reviewing for 2024. KP proposed it should be passed to the Finance committee, as part of the AGAR. Seconded by RC and all in favour.
00016. TO CONSIDER THE DRIVEWAY AND ENTRY AND EXIT REQUIREMENTS TO THE COMPOUND AREA ON PRINCE’S STREET AND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS
A quote has been received that covers the storage area and access. It was recommended to pass to full council. Proposed by RG, seconded by MWE and all in favour.
00017. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE DELIVERY OF THE RIDE-ON MOWER
Update. It is planned for the machine to be collected on 28th March 2024. MWO to ring and confirm. RG proposed to send the handy person to oversee the move, seconded by RC and KP and MWO abstained.
00018. TO DISCUSS FEASIBILITY OF AND BUSINESS CASE FOR PURCHASING THE TRAILER BACK ASSEMBLY FOR THE ROAD SWEEPER TO ENHANCE IT FUNCTIONALITY AND PURPOSE
See item 5d.
At 2030 it was proposed by BN to extend the meeting, seconded by MWE and all in favour.
00019. TO RESOLVE TO PURCHASE A NEW HITCH LOCK MECHANISM FOR THE TRAILER WHICH WAS BROKEN DURING THE FAYRE AND FEAST
Proposed by BN, seconded by MWE and all in favour to be put to the next full council meeting for recommendation to purchase.
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00020. TO DISCUSS AND NOMINATE PERSON(S) TO COMPLETE THE TASK OF ARRANGING THE INSTALLATION OF THE DEFIBRILLATORS
RG to ask Mr Paul Chambers to quote for fitment and send to clerk. Fittings to be made at Barrier Reef and Indian restaurant. Quote to be sent to clerk. Recommend to full council to accept the quote.
00021. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS TOWARDS REPAIRS TO THE VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK AS PREVIOUSLY AGREED BY FULL COUNCIL AND DETERMINE THE WAY FORWARD FROM THIS POINT
Update. Since agreement was made at full council there does not appear to have been any action. Need to check on validity of quote. Clerk to action.
00022. TO DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL THE PURCHASE OF TOOLS REQUIRED FOR THE COUNCIL TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS IN RESPECT OF MAINTENANCE OF PLAY PARK ENVIRONMENT AND EQUIPMENT
The handyperson has attended a training course on play park maintenance but some tools are required. H/person to send list of required tools to KP and then full council to approve.
00023. TO DISCUSS THE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED REGARDING THE NEW BENCH WITHIN THE WAR MEMORIAL GARDEN
To be discussed at full council. Proposed to defer by RC, seconded by RG and all in favour.
Meeting closed 2055hrs.
Date of Next Meeting 17th April 2024 meeting at the play park and pavilion initially.