Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Martin Parish Council held on
Tuesday 4 May 2004 at Martin Village Hall at 7.30 p.m.

1. There were apologies for absence from Councillors F Ambridge and H Ambridge. Councillor R Krampf had sent a letter of resignation. Present: Councillors W Busby, M Corbett, J Evans, Z Scoley, M Stephens, C Vickers; County Councillor P Bradwell and parish clerk M Lockyer.

2. Election of Chairman

Cllr J Evans was nominated by Cllr W Busby and seconded by Cllr M Stephens. There were no other nominations and Cllr Evans was voted in unanimously as Chairman.

Election of Vice-Chairman

Cllr Scoley was nominated by Cllr Busby and seconded by Cllr M Stephens. There were no other nominations and Cllr Scoley was voted in unanimously as Vice Chairman.

3. Appointment of School Governors
Cllr Scoley declared a prejudicial interest as a trustee of Mrs Mary King’s School.
The clerk had been in touch with the Education Directorate. The position on the appointment of school governors changed last September. Prior to September, the parish council could appoint a governor but now the school governing body is free to choose whom to appoint.

4. Appointment of Committees
Planning sub-committee: It was proposed by Cllr Busby that for Martin Dales applications, it should be Martin Dales councillors plus either the Chairman or vice chairman, and that for Martin applications, it should be any of the Martin councillors plus either the Chairman or vice Chairman. There should always be a minimum of 3 present. Seconded by Cllr Scoley. All in favour.
Playing Fields sub-committee: Cllr Stephens was happy to continue on this committee. It was proposed that Mr F Phillips and one of his sons should be co-opted on to the committee, and that Cllr Ambridge should be on it. Proposed: Cllr Vickers, seconded Cllr Scoley. All in favour. Cllr Stephens borrowed the preliminary report to NKDC on the state of the playing field to read.

Cllr Corbett drew the Council’s attention to the fact that a motor home was parked on the playing field. Cllr Scoley reported that John Audis had given permission to Mr and Mrs Hill, who live next door to the playing field, to park it there.

5. Payment of annual subscriptions
LALC: £144
Clerks and Councils Direct: £7.50
Payment of these was proposed by Cllr Stephens, seconded by Cllr Scoley. All in favour.

6. Inspection of deeds and trust instruments in the custody of the council: there were no deeds available for inspection as they are lodged with the solicitor.

7. There were no declarations of interest.

8. The minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2004 were received and approved for accuracy. Proposed: Cllr Vickers, seconded Cllr Scoley. All in favour.

9. Reports from Outside Bodies
County Council: Cllr P Bradwell had already given her report to the Annual Parish Meeting.

10. Public Question Time - There were no members of the public present.

11. Matters arising from the previous minutes-
a) Highways: the potholes have been repaired, but the recent heavy rain seems to have washed out the repair. Alan Aistrup is now aware of all the repairs which need doing.
b) Jomac and Mr F Phillips have both been approached for community shelter quotations. Nothing has yet been received. The parish clerk will chase it up.
c) Jubilee Close bench is now in situ.
d) The chestnut tree has been planted alongside the silver birch stump on the bottom right hand side of the playing field. The beech was planted on the left hand side.
e) Post Office: Mrs Tim Eastwood has received Post Office clearance and is hoping to open a shop and post office within 6 months.
f) More frequent meetings: this item again deferred because not all councillors present.
g) Village improvement officer: a vacancy still exists. Applicants must be over 16 years of age.
h) Village Hall road markings: this issue was discussed at the Annual Parish Meeting
i) Amalgamation of small schools: Cllr Bradwell to be asked to talk about this issue at the next meeting of the parish council.
j) Jubilee Close bus stop: the clerk had received a letter from Transport Services, saying they are considering siting a bus stop at Jubilee Close. She will send a copy of this letter to Alan Aistrup as he is following up this issue.
k) Mobile police station: a reminder that the police will be in the village on 7 May

12. Clerk’s report
Updating of filing system: a second hand 4 drawer filing cabinet would cost approx £45 plus VAT. The second hand office furniture shop in Lincoln has closed down. Cllr Stephens might be able to donate a free filing cabinet and will contact the parish clerk about this.
A complaint had been received about the grass in the burial ground. It has now been mown.
Highways notified the clerk about a bush from the bottom of the playing field which had fallen across North Moor Lane. Cllr Evans organised its removal.

13. Financial Matters - approval of accounts
Balance at 22 April 2004: Current a/c £2379.94 Reserve a/c £6629.78

Cllr Busby proposed not transferring any money to the Reserve Account, as the interest was so low. Seconded by Cllr Scoley. All in favour.

14. Planning Applications - since the last planning meeting on 1 April 2004, permission has been granted on:
• Erection of boundary fence, 2 Manor Farm, Timberland Road
• Retention of portable buildings and erection of wormery, Moor Learning Centre, Martin Moor

An application has been received to erect a two storey extension, demolish existing conservatory and replace with a smaller one at Dormer House, Martin Fen. The council supported the application.

15. Correspondence –
For information:
a) LALC update and risk assessment training: Cllr Stephens wished to attend one of the risk assessment training sessions. The clerk drew councillors attention to the setting up of an e group for councillors.
b) Lincs Police Authority Local Safety Fund: the application for a grant had been unsuccessful. It was agreed to ask them for assistance in preparing an application for another grant to be used for play equipment in Pound Road field.
c) Sleaford and District CAB have written to thank the parish council for the donation
d) Dti: rural broadband information booklet
e) NKDC: Standards Board: ability to review decisions referring allegations to an Ethical Standards Officer for investigation
f) NKDC: Comprehensive Performance Assessment: ‘A very good council verging on excellence’. Thanks for the contribution to the success.
g) Sleaford & District Volunteer Bureau: Newsletter
h) NKDC: Standards Committee agenda, minutes and reports
i) NKDC: street cleansing and grass cutting reports: timetable and feedback questionnaire forms.
j) LCC: Surface Dressing Sites 2004
k) NKDC: Mobile Skate Park demonstration Thurs 20 May: the clerk to pass this information on to Mr F Phillips.
l) Holy Trinity Church PCC have written thanking the council for their donation
m) Friends of Martin School have written thanking the council for their donation
n) N Kesteven Local Plan Inquiry: Pre-Inquiry Meeting: Minutes
o) W Lincs Primary Care Trust: information about out of hours emergency service. From 1 June, the Lincoln area Primary Care out of hours emergency centre will be located at Lincoln County Hospital. Cllr Stephens suggested this information should go into the village newsletter
p) LCC: Notice had been received of a temporary road closure on New Road, Martin Dales from 24 May for approx 2 weeks. Reason: Works by Anglian Water Services. The clerk to put a notice on the noticeboard with this information.
q) The Countryside Agency: Vital Villages Programme: reduction in funding. The parish clerk to pass the letter to Mandy Eastwood, to see if she is aware of this situation and whether it will affect her.
r) Market Towns Week: A programme of activities in Sleaford

For discussion or action:
a) The Local Channel: website Councillors to check out the website to see if it looks of interest.
b) NKDC: Affordable Housing: Cllr Busby took the information to look at.
c) Best Kept Village Competition: it was decided not to enter this
d) CPRE Affiliation: it was decided not to affiliate
e) NKDC: Linkline: feedback requested on how this could be improved. It was felt that he presentation was unappealing.
f) W Lincs Primary Care Trust: questionnaire: Cllr Stephens to complete
g) Leisure Connection: editorial details wanted for newsletter
h) Allianz Cornhill insurance renewal: premium increased from £289.42 to £303.68. After checking the schedule, it was agreed to renew. Proposed Cllr Scoley, seconded Cllr Stephens, all in favour.
i) The clerk had received a letter from Mrs Self in Sheffield about her grandparents’ graves in Martin cemetery. She was concerned that they had not been buried next to each other apparently because of the height of the water table. She had not given her grandparents’ surname, but as, apart from Alan Holvey, there had been no burials in the burial ground since last September, it would seem likely that her grandparents are buried in the church graveyard. The clerk will reply, seeking more information, and will also copy the letter to the PCC to see if they can help.

There were no items for discussion and information.

17. Date of next meeting was arranged for Monday 5 July at 7.30pm.