May 2025 Minutes - EOM
37dm
METHERINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
John F Money Proper Officer
High Street, Metheringham, Lincoln LN4 3DZ
01526 323100 07775 692013
parishclerk@metheringham-pc.gov.uk
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Metheringham/
Minutes of an Extraordinary Meeting of the Parish Council which was be held at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, the 14th of May 2025 in the Parish Offices at 31a High Street Metheringham LN4 3DZ.
Members of Council: Chairman; Cllr Mark Worthington (MWo) Vice Chairman Cllr Keith Parker (KP); Cllr June Gwillym (JG); Cllr Asia O’Sullivan (AS); Cllr Shirley Peak (SP); Cllr Fran Pembery (FP); Cllr C Redpath (CR); Cllr Rob Castle (RC); Cllr Roy Grummitt (RG) Cllr Dave Parry (DP); Cllr M Westerman MWe); John F Money Proper Officer (PO) and Tony Shaw RFO.
In Attendance: Chairman Cllr Mark Worthington; Cllr Mrs J Gwillym; Cllr Ms A O’Sullivan; Cllr Fran Pembery; Cllr Mrs S Peak; Cllr Mrs C Redpath; Cllr R Castle; Cllr Dave Parry; J F Money Proper Officer and Tony Shaw RFO.
The public session scheduled for 6:15pm where members of the public are allowed to speak for three minutes each on matters concerning the parish. Members of the County and District Councils and other agencies may also give reports during this period of time. This Item was suspended until after Item 1 on the agenda with the agreement of all present
John F Money
John F Money Proper Officer (PO) to Metheringham Parish Council
21st May 2025
Public forum: Public comments were the sad news the Dian Robinson had died Members paid verbal tributes to her for all of the work she had done to the community over her lifetime. Members of the public thanked FP and CR for all the work they had put into the very successful VE Day event in the Village Hall on at the Beacon lighting ceremony.
Cllr Rob Kendrick gave a brief overview of the new set up of the County Council.
Cllr June Gwilym gave a brief report on police activities noting the police budget would be cut back be 20%
AGENDA
The meeting to move into formal session where members of the public are not allowed to speak, in certain circumstances the Chairman may move the meeting out of formal session to allow for this to happen.
The Proper Officer said in the absence of the Vice Chairman a Member should come forward the introduce Item 1 on the Agenda, Cllr Catherine Redpath volunteered and took the chair.
1. To elect the Chairman of the Council: it was proposed by Cllr Dave Parry and seconded by Cllr Rob Castle that Cllr Mark Worthington be Chairman of the Parish Council for the year 2025-2026; there being no amendments to the proposal the vote was taken and was resolved unanimously.
Chairman to sign declaration of acceptance of office once appointed: the Chairman duly signed the declaration of acceptance of office. The new Chairman made a short statement regarding what he hoped the Parish Council could achieve during his year in office. Action PO.
2. To resolve to accept Apologies for Absence and reasons given in accordance with Local Government Act 1972 s85(1): Cllr Roy Grummitt (holiday) Cllr Mike Westerman (holiday), proposed by JG, seconded by CR and resolved to accept. Cllr Keith Parker absence was noted as was the resignations of Cllr Malcolm Wallace and Cllr John Simpson.
3. 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
b. Dispensations: To consider and grant dispensation to relevant members who have contacted the Proper Officer requesting a dispensation in accordance with Metheringham Parish Councils Code of Conduct: None requested.
c. Chairman to remind members to review their Declaration of Interest forms when their or their partners circumstances change Noted.
4. To approve the draft minutes of previous Extraordinary Meetings of the Parish Council: Previously approved
5. To consider and resolve to form an:
a. Events Working Group: after a short debate relating to the requirement to change the Events Committee to an Events Working Group for procedural reasons form an Events Working Group: it was proposed by FP, seconded by CR and it was resolved to accept. Action PO.
6. To review and resolve the draft Terms of Reference for:
b. Events Working Group: it was proposed by FP, seconded by CR and it was resolved to accept the draft T of R including volunteers as Members of the Group were: CR; FP; RC AS The Chairman is an ex officio member if he wishes to involve himself. The Group to elect their leader and co-opt members of the public with special qualities as required. Action : CR; FP; RC; AS and the PO.
7. Financial matters, consider to resolve:
a. Lloyds Bank transfer matters: The RFO updated the Members where the transfer was and the process of payments The Chairman agreed to visit Lloyds Band on the following Monday in his position as an admin on the a/c. Action Chairman.
b. Unity Trust Bank mandate matters. : this matter is slightly complicated with the Members designated are not now holding those positions within the Council. It was proposed by JG and seconded by AS and resolved to change the Financial Regulation to accommodate nominated Council Members to become signatories/authorisers. The signatories/authorisers to be added to the Councils Unity Trust Bank account are Cllr Mrs. Fran Pembery and the newly elected Chairman of the Council Cllr Mark Worthington. Action PO and the RFO.
c. Street lighting: The PO briefed the Members regarding thee position regarding the cost differential between the 14w/7w dimming lamps and the 18w part night lamps and passed around the Excel analysis sheets showing little differential in running costs, but a large saving in the capital cost of the dimmable ones, after a debate on the advantages and any shortfalls it was proposed by CR, seconded by JG and resolved to go with the 14w/7w dimmable option. Up to a spend of £50,000 as previously resolved. Action PO
d. To fix a budget sum for this year’s Fayre & Feast: after a short debate it was proposed by FP, seconded by RC and resolved to set the budget sum at £6,000. Action PO, RFO and the Working Group
8. 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, Section 12a Local Government act 1972 and by reason of the confidential nature of the remainder of the business, the press and public be excluded.
It was proposed by JG, seconded by AS and resolved to move the meeting into Closed Session:
The Chairman the PO and the RFO made short statements regarding the agenda item, afterward the PO and the RFO retired in the office.
9. To consider and resolve the Roles and Responsibilities of the Parish Council Officers.
After a debate a resolution was deferred until the information presented was reformatted
10. Date of next meeting 28th May 2025