February 2024 DRAFT Minutes
Metheringham Parish Council Meeting
Minutes of Meeting held at The Parish Council Office, Metheringham
Wednesday 28th February 2024 at 6.30pm
Present: Cllr K Parker (Chair)
Cllrs R Castle R Grummitt B Nelson A O’Sullivan D Parry S Peek C Redpath J Simpson M Westerman M Worthington
In Attendance: Miss A Driver (Clerk & note taker)
2 members of the public
Public Forum:
Verbal update received from June Gwillym. There is no update for local policing as the local police constable is away. Articles continue to be published in the Limespring Hundred. I spent time at the Lincolnshire Police dog section and it’s fair to say the section has been cut down and reduced. The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) Chair may write to Parish Council Clerks to confirm IAG and Police representatives who speak on their behalf. As part of my role on IAG I attend Lincoln College and meet with students about stop and search. I also sit on a number of panels including professional standards, the rape scrutiny panel and communities and partnerships.
00049. CHAIRS WELCOME AND COMMENTS
The Chair opened the meeting with general housekeeping and welcomed those present.
00050. 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 F Pembery and Cllr M Wallace.
Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr M Westerman and Resolved: That apologies with valid reasons for absence had been accepted from Cllr F Pembery.
Proposed Cllr S Peek, Seconded Cllr M Worthington and Resolved: That apologies with valid reasons for absence had been accepted from Cllr M Wallace.
00051. 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.
00052. TO RECEIVE AS A CORRECT RECORD THE DRAFT NOTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 31ST JANUARY 2024 AND THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 30TH JANUARY 2024
Proposed Cllr M Westerman, Seconded Cllr S Peek and Resolved: That the draft notes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 31st January 2024 be approved as the official minutes and an amendment to the accuracy of minute reference 00042 to read Proposed by Cllr M Worthington and not Cllr K Parker.
Proposed Cllr M Worthington, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: That the draft notes of the meeting of the Environment Committee held on the 30th January 2024 be approved as the official minutes.
00053. TO RECEIVE UPDATE REPORTS FROM LCC AND NKDC
a. Lincolnshire County Council - Cllr R Kendrick
Verbal update received from LCC Cllr R Kendrick. Concerns have been received regarding utility companies carrying out works within the parish, including box siting and poor ground reinstatement. LCC Street Works people are aware of the concerns raised and are looking into the matter. There is footway patching going on with micro re-surfacing planned for the summer. Princess Street is to be re-surfaced in August 2024. In 2025/26 there are plans to re-build the footway of Alfred Avenue at a cost of 250k. Residents are encouraged to keep reporting their concerns via the use of fix my street.
b. North Kesteven District Council - Cllr D Parry & Cllr F Pembery
Reports previously circulated to Council members under correspondence. No questions raised by Council members present.
00054. TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM REPRESENTATIVES TO OTHER VILLAGE ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMITTEES
a. Village Hall Management Committee Cllr B Nelson
Cllr B Nelson updated those present that the next Village Hall Committee meeting is scheduled for 20th March 2024.
b. Metheringham Swimming Pool Cllr M Worthington
Cllr M Worthington provided a verbal update that there was pre-AGM organisation meeting but this is not a meeting he attended. Swimming Pool monthly report for February 2024 received and circulated by the Clerk to all Council members and an MOU review meeting took place with representative of both the Pool Trustee’s and the Parish Council on the 5th February 2024.
c. Metheringham Bowls Club Cllr J Simpson
Cllr M Westerman provided a verbal update as the representative for the bowls club. The club is getting ready for the new season and the floor has been re done in the main area of the club and carpet tiles finished. There is a three-year plan in place for the club house and work will soon start on the green to get it ready for the new season. There was a recent Lincoln area bowls AGM and fixtures are in place.
d. Metheringham Community Hub Cllr M Westerman
Cllr M Westerman updated those present that there had been no new members. Preparation is underway to hold a book sale and coffee morning in early April. Cllr M Westerman updated those present it was his intention to step back as a volunteer within the hub but would continue as the Council representative for the Community Hub.
e. Metheringham Football Club Cllr K Parker
Cllr K Parker updated those present that he had not been to a meeting, although he understands the membership of the football club is good.
f. Metheringham Gardening Club Cllr F Pembery
No update received from Cllr F Pembery.
00055. TO RECEIVE A VERBAL UPDATE FROM THE CLERK AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
A handful of children have signed up to take part in the Easter Trail and from the start of March this is to be actively promoted through the use of notice boards, Facebook and reaching out to the local primary school. The internal works to the toilet is complete but the new roof has yet to go on. Both the Chair and the Clerk attended an online Effective Meetings course through LALC on 20th February 2024.
Correspondence Circulated
NKDC February update report Cllr D Parry
NKDC Parish Council Newsletter 31st January 202
LCC January update report Cllr R Kendrick
LALC E-news 09/02/24
LALC E-news 23/02/24
Metheringham Swimming Pool report for February 2024
00056. RETROSPECTIVELY RESOLVE RE-JOIN THE LALC ANNUAL TRAINING SCHEME AND LALC MEMBERSHIP FOR 2024/25
Proposed Cllr B Nelson, Seconded Cllr D Parry and Resolved: To re-join the LALC annual training scheme and LALC membership for 2024/25.
00057. TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE WHETHER THE PARISH COUNCIL WANTS TO APPLY TO BLANKNEY ESTATES AND SEEK AGREEMENT TO LOOK AFTER THE AREA KNOWN AS THE SPRING, LOCATED DRURY STREET TO PRESERVE THIS AREA
Proposed Cllr D Parry, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: For the Clerk to approach Blankney Estates and request for consideration for the Parish Council to look after the area known as The Spring by way of a formal agreement/lease.
00058.TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE FOLLOWING A REQUEST RECEIVED FROM THE FRIENDSHIP GROUP FOR A DONATION TO ASSIST WITH THE FUNDING OF A TWO-HOUR TRIBUTE MUSIC EVENT ON THE 12TH APRIL 2024 AT THE VILLAGE HALL, OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS
Proposed Cllr M Westerman, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: To donate the sum of two hundred pounds to assist in the funding of a tribute music event being held on 12th April 2024.
Cllr S Peek and Cllr J Simpson abstained from taking part in the vote.
00059. TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE WHETHER OR NOT A FEE SHOULD BE CHARGED TO THE WELLBEING WALKING GROUP WHO USE THE PAVILION FACILITIES ON A FRIDAY
Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr M Worthington and Resolved: That the Walking group should be charged for the use of Pavilion facilities on a Friday and for the Clerk to liaise with the group leader regarding pavilion hire in line with current pavilion hire fees.
00060.TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE THE PURCHASE OF A BIN TO REPLACE A DAMAGED DOG BIN LOCATED CLOSE TO THE SLEAFORD ROAD B1188 AND BENTLEY CLOSE. NKDC RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT BINS ARE CO-MINGLED AND HAVE GREATER HOLDING CAPACITY
Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr J Simpson and Resolved: To replace the damaged bin with a like for like dog bin. For the Clerk to contact the Police and initiate a claim through the insurance company of the registered keeper of the vehicle involved in the road traffic collision that caused the damage to dog bin making it inoperable.
Cllr D Parry abstained from the vote and Cllr B Nelson voted against.
00061. TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE A COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND BY TEAMS ON 25TH JUNE 2024 (6PM TO 8PM) THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT SESSION NSK. CLLR M WESTERMAN ATTENDED THE LAST EVENT HELD ON 7TH DECEMBER 2023
Meetings will have the Police and Crime Commissioner in attendance, the area Local Policing Supt, District Ch Inspector and Neighbourhood Policing Insp. Taking feedback into consideration there will be more time for Questions to be asked and a greater opportunity for Parishes to raise questions. Local updates to be received from your Neighbourhood Policing Inspector will be included. Four meetings will be held, one for each of the Policing Districts for Lincoln & West Lindsey, Boston & South Holland, East Lindsey and North & South Kesteven.
Proposed Cllr M Westerman, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: For Cllr R Redpath to attend and represent on behalf of the Parish Council.
00062. 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 GARTAR AND RESOLVE ANY ACTION TO BE TAKEN
A motion moved in pursuance of the recommendation of committee. Proposed Cllr D Parry, Seconded Cllr M Westerman and Resolved: To defer to the next meeting of the Environment Committee in March for their consideration and recommendation. To bring back to next meeting of the Parish Council.
Cllr C Redpath abstained from the vote
00063. TO STREET LIGHTING METHERINGHAM
To consider and resolve to fit all-night or part-night photocells (midnight to 6am) to the twenty street lights identified for the phase one street light works. Action from minute ref 00044(b) Cllr B Nelson and Cllr R Grummitt.
a. 4, 5 and 6 Skipwith Crescent
Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr C Redpath and Resolved: Fit part-night photocells.
b. 73 Field Farm Lane
Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr J Simpson and Resolved: Defer to establish if Parish Council responsibility if located on a private road.
c. 1 Norman Crescent
Proposed Cllr S Peek, Seconded Cllr C Redpath and Resolved: Fit part-night photocells.
d. 72 Field Farm Lane
Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr J Simpson and Resolved: Defer to establish if Parish Council responsibility if located on a private road.
e. 14 Station Road
Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr D Parry and Resolved: Fit part-night photocells. Cllr B Nelson voted against.
f. 1, 2 and 3 Ashdale Close
Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr M Worthington and Resolved: Fit part-night photocells.
g. 1 and 3 Bentley Way
Proposed Cllr J Simpson, Seconded Cllr M Worthington and Resolved: Fit part-night photocells.
h. 15,18 and 19 Caroline Road
Proposed Cllr D Parry, Seconded Cllr C Redpath and Resolved: Fit part-night photocells.
i. 2 Cherry Tree Way
Proposed Cllr J Simpson, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: Fit all-night photocells.
j. 1, 2, and 3 Flinders Close
Proposed Cllr J Simpson, Seconded Cllr D Parry and Resolved: Fit part-night photocells.
k. 1 Franklin Close
Proposed Cllr J Simpson, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: Fit part-night photocells.
00064. FINANCE
a. To review and consider payments of accounts
Proposed Cllr D Parry, Seconded Cllr B Nelson and Resolved: Council members approved the payment of accounts.
b. To note the purchases made under delegated authority: Varta battery for the Road Sweeper, a 42 pcs fuse kit and a replacement expansion vessel for the Community Hub water heater.
Noted by Council members present.
00065. 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.
a. Ref 24/0155/TCA - Description of works: Tree labelled as N1 on map supplied - Fell - Species unknown by applicant. Location: Ivy House, 20 Church Walk, Metheringham.
Proposed Cllr B Nelson, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: Concerns expressed over wildlife, in particular Kites and the potential to impact protected birds. Cllr A O’Sullivan and Cllr M Westerman abstained from the vote.
b. Ref 24/0172/TPO - Proposed Works to Trees Subject to Tree Preservation Order. Description of works: T1 - Ash - Crown reduction in accordance with highlighted areas on photographs. Location: 2B High Street, Metheringham, Lincoln LN4 3EA.
Proposed Cllr M Worthington, Seconded Cllr J Simpson and Resolved: Council members had no concerns or objections to the application.
0021/24
c. Ref 24/0190/HOUS - Proposal: Erection of single storey attached garage to front of property. Location: 7 Newton Close Metheringham LN4 3EQ.
Proposed Cllr C Redpath, Seconded Cllr A O’Sullivan and Resolved: Council members had no concerns or objections to the application.
00066. TO NOTE PLANNING AND TREE DECISIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
a. Refused - 23/1143/FUL - Proposal: Siting of an agricultural workers static caravan (part retrospective) on site for a temporary period (three years). Location: Vintage Croft Metheringham Fen Lane Metheringham.
Council members present noted decisions received.
The meeting closed at 8:26pm