2024 Minutes

 

 

 

 

 

Present: Cllr K Parker (Chair)

Cllrs R Castle R Grummitt B Nelson A O’Sullivan

D Parry S Peek F Pembery C Redpath

J Simpson M Wallace M Westerman

 

In Attendance: Miss A Driver (Clerk & note taker)

 

9 members of the public

 

Public Forum:

 

Representatives from the Community Gardening Group provided verbal update to all present surrounding their intentions for the use of land located behind the Parish Council Office and what the remaining grant money would be used for.

 

Member of the public present voiced their concerns following the recent works carried out by Virgin Media and Quickline and the state of repair that the village had been left in following these works.

 

Member of the public present said they have previously taken part in a village litter pick overseas that was well supported and asked for consideration for a village litter pick group to be formed and if this could feature as future parish council agenda item.

 

Representatives of Virgin Media along with the Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) Street Works Manager were in attendance and provided a verbal update to those present. LCC the recent works carried out by Virgin and other sub-contractors are not to the quality and standard one would expect. Both Virgin and Quickline are part of a fibre, national government initiative. There have been 140 street work permits issued with 111 site inspections being carried out by LCC and 80 reinstatement inspections as work carried out could look better. There is a two-year guarantee period for reinstatement works carried out by suppliers that are not satisfactory which LCC are committed to ensuring inadequate works are put right.

 

Virgin Media are wishing to put things right within the community and have asked the Council to supply them with a wish list of likes which could include things like: replacement bulbs, volunteering days, assistance with projects for them to consider.

 

The public forum was extended by the Chairman, all Councillors in favour and the Council Session commenced at 6.52pm.

 

00067. CHAIRS WELCOME AND COMMENTS

 

The Chair opened the meeting with general housekeeping and welcomed those present.

 

00068. 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 M Worthington.

 

Proposed Cllr S Peek, Seconded Cllr M Westerman and Resolved: That apologies with valid reasons for absence had been accepted from Cllr M Worthington.

 

 

00069. 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

 

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None received

 

b. Dispensations: To consider and grant dispensation to relevant members in accordance with Metheringham Parish Councils Code of Conduct

 

None received.

 

00070. TO RECEIVE AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

 

MEETING HELD ON 28TH FEBRUARY 2024

 

Proposed Cllr C Redpath, Seconded Cllr M Westerman and Resolved: That the draft notes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 28th February 2024 be approved as the official minutes.

 

00071. TO RECEIVE UPDATE REPORTS FROM LCC AND NKDC

 

a. Lincolnshire County Council - Cllr R Kendrick

 

The order of agenda was changed by the Chairman, item 5a took place directly after agenda item 6f.

 

Verbal update received from LCC Cllr R Kendrick. Pleased that Virgin Media had attended the Parish Councils meeting and it is s hoped a negative can now be turned into a positive. A reminder was given in respect of the bus services survey. Primary school children were recently welcomed to LCC and the Council Chamber and participated in a debate and were really engaged. Cllr R Kendrick was invited to the school by the Governors for a presentation and was delighted as this is the first school within his division that have taken part and where the children have chosen their own debate “should children choose their own bedtime” of which the outcome following the debate was a no.

 

b. North Kesteven District Council - Cllr D Parry & Cllr F Pembery

 

Report previously circulated to Council members under correspondence and verbal update provided by Cllr D Parry to members present.

 

00072. 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 he was unable to attend the last meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee but updated those present he is aware that the Committee are going to looking at and reviewing their constitution.

 

b. Metheringham Swimming Pool Cllr M Worthington

 

The Chairman Cllr K Parker provided a verbal update and informed those present himself, Cllr C Redpath and Cllr M Worthington had recently attended the Swimming Pool Annual General Meeting. A concern was highlighted to council members present relating to the appointment of trustees. It was felt the process adopted was not as transparent as it should be in terms of the advertisement of trustee roles and the method used to appoint new trustees.

 

c. Metheringham Bowls Club Cllr J Simpson

 

Cllr R Grummitt provided a verbal update to members present and updated that green is almost ready. Just over £270 had been raised from a recent Macmillan coffee morning held and the new member open day held was a success.

 

d. Metheringham Community Hub Cllr M Westerman

 

Cllr M Westerman updated those present that it was still his intention to step back as a volunteer within the hub. That he would continue to work with the Council to find a suitable to replace and carry out the functions he undertakes and performs. Membership and users of the hub remain constant and a new group has recently signed up to use the facilities.

 

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e. Metheringham Football Club Cllr K Parker

 

Cllr K Parker updated those present that no meeting has yet taken place between the football club and the council. The grass had not been cut on the football field located behind the Star and Garter and the club made their own arrangements to have it cut.

 

f. Metheringham Gardening Club Cllr F Pembery

 

It was agreed that Cllr F Pembery is to link in and update the Metheringham Community gardening Group of the outcome arising from agenda item 21.

 

00073. TO RECEIVE A VERBAL UPDATE FROM THE CLERK AND CORRESPONDENCE

RECEIVED

 

Over 60 children from the parish took part in the Parish Council Easter Trail which was very well received. The new roof to the public toilets should be installed over the next couple of weeks.

 

Correspondence Circulated

NKDC March update report Cllr D Parry

 

NKDC E-Newsletter 05/02/23

 

Notification Boothby Graffoe/Metheringham Heath TTR007208 LALC E-news & Training Bulletin 08/03/24 LALC E-news 22/03/24

 

LCC March update report Cllr R Kendrick

 

Metheringham Swimming Pool report March 2024

LCC April update report Cllr R Kendrick

NKDC April update report Cllr D Parry

NKDC April update report Cllr F Pembery

National Grid & Navenby Substation proposal

 

LALC E-news 05/04/24

 

NKDC letter CIL allocation Metheringham Parish Council second half of 2023/2024 Temporary TRO - Metheringham TTR006777 Temporary TRO - Metheringham TTR007758

 

00074. TO DISCUSS AND RESOLVE THE PROVISION OF THE PARISH GRASS CUTTING

SERVICES FOR 2024/2025

 

Proposed Cllr F Pembery, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: To appoint Glendale as the contractor for the provision of grass cutting services. As there has been a slight delay to service commencing to ensure any cuts that have not taken place are removed from the original quote received.

 

00075. TO DISCUSS THE 2024 ANNUAL PLAY INSPECTIONS AND RESOLVE WHETHER TO USE

 

THE PLAY INSPECTIONS COMPANY WHO WERE USED IN 2023

 

Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr J Simpson and Resolved: To continue and use the Play Inspections Company to carry out the Annual Play inspections of the play parks that are the responsibility of the Council.

 

00076.TO DISCUSS AND RESOLVE THE SUBMISSION OF A RESPONSE AS PART OF THE

 

STATUTORY CONSULTATION PROCESS TO LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL RE PROPOSED WAITING RESTRICTION ON PRINCE’S STREET, METHERINGHAM (REF TRO/H/LS/9047 AND PLAN TRO/LS/9047/001

 

Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr R Castle and Resolved: All council members with the exception of Cllr S Peek who voted against were in favour of the proposed waiting restrictions on Prince’s Street.

 

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00077. TO DISCUSS AND RESOLVE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM THE

 

METHERINGHAM OVER 60’S CLUB FOR ASSISTANCE BY WAY OF A FINANCIAL DONATION

 

Proposed Cllr D Parry, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: That the Clerk should write to the Over 60’s Club asking them to submit their request by use of the Parish Council Grant Process.

 

Cllr M Westerman and Cllr S Peek abstained from the vote.

 

00078.TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE THE PURCHASE OF CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG/KEEP DOG ON LEAD SIGN(S) FOR USE WITHIN THE PARISH AREA - CLLR F PEMBERY

 

Proposed Cllr J Simpson, Seconded Cllr C Redpath and Resolved: All council members with the exception of Cllr B Nelson who voted against were in favour to purchase signs up to the value of one hundred pounds.

 

00079. TO DISCUSS AND RESOLVE A REQUEST RECEIVED FROM THE BOWLS CLUB FOR ONE

 

OF THE OLD DEFIBRILLATOR UNITS WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED TO BE GIFTED TO THE BOWLS CLUB

 

Proposed Cllr F Pembery, Seconded Cllr C Redpath and Resolved: All council members with the exception of Cllr M Westerman who voted against were in favour for one of the old defibrillator units that has recently been replaced to be gifted to the Bowls Club.

 

 

00080. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE AREA KNOWN AS THE SPRING AND THE PARISH

 

COUNCIL’S REQUEST TO BLANKNEY ESTATES TO LEASE AND MAINTAIN THE AREA (MINUTE REF 00057 RELATES)

 

The Chairman Cllr K Parker provided a verbal update to members present that the Board of Directors for Blankney Estate are going to visit the site and will discuss again at their next meeting due to take place mid-June.

 

00081. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PREPARATION FOR THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING (VILLAGE MEETING)

 

The Chairman Cllr K Parker provided a verbal update that preparations were coming along well with social media and posters advertising the event out in circulation.

 

00082. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM CLLR F PEMBERY ON THE SUBJECT AND CREATION OF

 

AN EMERGENCY PLAN AND RESOLVE WHETHER THE FORMATION OF SEPARATE COUNCIL LED GROUP IS REQUIRED

 

Cllr F Pembery provided a verbal update to members present and it was agreed that Cllr F Pembery and Cllr R Castle to form as a working together and put together a draft emergency plan which is to brought back before the council.

 

00083. TO DISCUSS AND RESOLVE WHERE AN OFFICIAL PORTRAIT OF THE KING (RECEIVED

 

FREE OF CHARGE) SHOULD BE DISPLAYED, OR GIFTED TO ANOTHER VILLAGE GROUP, ORGANISATION OR CHARITY

 

Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr F Pembery and Resolved: All council members with the exception of Cllr B Nelson who voted against were in favour of the portrait being place inside the Parish Office building.

 

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00084. TO DISCUSS AND RESOLVE WHETHER THE PARISH COUNCIL WISHES TO RESPOND

 

AND MAKE COMMENT TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FROM LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (LCC): Request to move the bus stop on Metheringham, High Street. LCC have assessed the current location and potential new locations for the bus stop, due to the width of the footways along the road our best solution is to move the bus stop back to its original location (outside the news agents). However, with the footway being so narrow it will not facilitate the bus flag or the bus stop clearway sign, we will install the markings as standard, but they will not have a legal order on them due to not installing the BSC sign. With this not being an official bus stop clearway, there will not be an order on it, meaning LCC do not need to carry out the official consultation process, where the plan goes out to members of the public/advertised in the paper. Cllr Kendrick has agreed to the new location but has asked that we run it past the members of the parish, if you also approve, we are going to issue the works to have the markings installed and the current ones burnt off the carriageway.

 

Proposed Cllr B Nelson, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: All council members in favour and had no objections to the bus stop being moved.

 

00085. To discuss and resolve whether to pay the joining fee of the clerk to join the Society of

 

Local Council Clerks (SLCC) a professional body for local council clerks and senior council employees

 

Proposed Cllr A O’Sullivan, Seconded Cllr D Parry and Resolved: All council members in favour for the Clerk to join the Society of Local Council Clerks.

 

00086. ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE (EC)

 

a. Deferred from EC, minute reference 00016 relates. To discuss the quote received for a driveway and entry/exit requirements at the compound area located on Prince’s Street,

Metheringham.

 

i. Resolve to accept the quote or not for works to be carried out.

 

Proposed Cllr J Simpson, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: To defer until the next meeting of the council and consider as part of the Virgin Media Community Remedial works.

 

ii. If item 23a agreed to resolve to agree the specification of works to be undertaken including consideration of any known tree protections orders and agree budget.

 

Proposed Cllr J Simpson, Seconded Cllr R Grummitt and Resolved: To defer until and consider as part of the Virgin Media Community Remedial works

 

b. Deferred from EC, minute refence 00019 relates. Recommendation to purchase a new hitch lock mechanism for the trailer which was broken during the fayre and feast.

 

i. Resolve to purchase a hitch lock and budget for hitch lock if agreed.

 

Proposed Cllr C Redfern, Seconded Cllr M Wallace and Resolved: To purchase a new hitch lock up to the value of £150.

 

c. Recommendation from the EC meeting held on 17/04/24 - To discuss and resolve for Burdens at North Kyme to collect free of charge the road sweeper and carry out an assessment and provide a quote for any works following the assessment of the road sweeper for the Council to consider.

 

Proposed Cllr A O’Sullivan, Seconded Cllr M Westerman and Resolved: For the Burdens to collect the road sweeper free of charge and carry out an assessment and provide a quote for any identified works.

 

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d. Recommendation from the EC meeting held on 17/04/24 – To discuss and resolve to accept the quote received for PAT and EICR inspections/tests to be undertaken at the Parish Council Office, Pavilion and the Community Hub/Library.

 

Proposed Cllr M Wallace, Seconded Cllr F Pembery and Resolved: To accept the quote received from Gladwin Electricals to carry out PAT and EICR inspection/tests.

 

Proposed by Cllr K Parker and Seconded Cllr S Peek and Resolved: To extend the Council meeting.

 

00087. METHERINGHAM COMMUNITY GARDENING GROUP

 

a. To discuss and resolve a request received from Metheringham Community Gardening Group and whether they are to receive an outstanding grant amount to the value of £1,341. In 2022 a grant was approved to value of £2,000 as a start-up grant for the Metheringham Community Gardening Group, which £659 has been drawn down. At the time of the original grant was approved the group did not possess their own bank account but they do now.

 

Proposed Cllr D Parry, Seconded Cllr C Redpath and Resolved: to transfer the outstanding amount to the value of £1,341 to the bank account set up for the Community Gardening Group.

 

b. To discuss and resolve the use of the land to rear of the Parish Office and security fencing to secure the area.

 

Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr A O’Sullivan and Resolved: For the Clerk to ascertain quotes for fencing and gate.

 

00088. TO DISCUSS A REQUEST RECEIVED FROM THE HANDY PERSON WHO AT THE TIME

 

USED THEIR OWN PERSONAL DRILL A MAKITA HP457DW 18V TO PLACE A HOLE THROUGH THE TRUNK OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE AS THERE WAS NO COUNCIL ISSUED DRILL. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE HIGH-SPEED MOTOR OF THE DRILL NOW NOT WORKING. TO CONSIDER AND RESOLVE TO REPAIR THE DRILL IN QUESTION, REPLACE WITH A LIKE FOR LIKE OR SOMETHING ELSE

 

Proposed Cllr D Parry, Seconded Cllr C Redpath and Resolved: For the drill to be replaced with a like for like version and a caveat the handy person is not to use their own personal tools for council business.

 

00089. STREET LIGHTING METHERINGHAM

 

To receive an update and discuss items deferred from the last meeting of the parish council on 28th February 2024, minute reference 00063 (items a and d) re the responsibility for street lights located at 72 and 73 Field Farm Lane and consider to resolve whether to fit all-night or part-night photocells (midnight to 6am) on street lights identified for the phase one street light works or not.

 

Proposed Cllr R Grummitt, Seconded Cllr J Simpson and Resolved: For the street lights located at 72 and 73 Field Farm Lane to be part night.

 

00090. FINANCE

 

a. To retrospectively approve and resolve the purchase of Parish Council owned tools to value of £744.92 from to enable the handy person to carry out their role.

 

Proposed Cllr J Simpson, Seconded Cllr C Redpath and Resolved: All in favour to retrospectively approve and resolve the purchase of Parish Council owned tools to the value of £744.92

 

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b. To receive an update on the Internal Audit for the financial year 2023/2024.

 

The Clerk provided a verbal update and confirmed that a LALC Internal Auditor had been appointed.

 

 

c. Recommendation from the Finance, Staffing and Communications meeting held on 16/04/24 for the £10,558.93 CIL monies for 2023/2024 relating to 20/0029/FUL, land east of Sleaford Road and west of Dunston Road to be received from NKDC in April 2024 to be earmarked for the MUGA.

 

Proposed Cllr F Pembery, Seconded Cllr M Westerman and Resolved: For the CIL money to the value of £10,558.93 to be held as earmarked funds.

 

 

d. To resolve the payment of accounts.

 

Proposed Cllr F Pembery, Seconded Cllr C Redpath and Resolved: Council members approved the payment of accounts presented at the meeting.

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00091. 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 24/0313/TCA - Description of works: T1 - Conifer - Fell. T2 - Grey willow bush - Fell.

 

T3 - Corkscrew Willow Tree - Pollard or reduce crown height to 3.5m and lift to 2.5m kerbside. T4 - Privet Hedge - trim and crown reduction to approx. 2.5m. T5 - Salix - Reduce crown to a 2m globe shape. Reduce by 1.5m at the bottom right as branches are causing the tree to lean. Location: 40 Drury Street, Metheringham, LN4 3EZ.

 

Proposed Cllr M Wallace, Seconded Cllr A O’Sullivan and Resolved: No Objections.

 

00092. TO NOTE PLANNING AND TREE DECISIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF

 

THE COUNCIL

 

Non-received.

 

The meeting closed at 8:53pm