Minutes of the Meeting of Martin Parish Council held on
15 March 2004 at the Martin Village Hall at 7.30 p.m.

1. There were apologies for absence from Councillor M Stephens (NKDC Meeting) and County Councillor Patricia Bradwell (holiday). Present: Councillors F Ambridge, H Ambridge, W Busby, M Corbett, J Evans, R Krampf, Z Scoley, C Vickers, parish clerk M Lockyer. PC Daniels and Mr P Vince were also present.

2. Declaration of interest: the planning application for 92 High St would be discussed by the planning sub-committee at the end of the meeting after the parish clerk had left as she had a financial interest.

3. The minutes of the meeting on 29 January 2004 were amended to insert the phrase ‘behind it’ after the words ‘Alan Boardman rented the field’ on item 6h to clarify the meaning. They were then approved for accuracy and signed by Cllr Evans. Proposed Cllr F Ambridge, seconded CllrZ Scoley, carried.

4. Reports from Outside Bodies:
a) PC Daniels had nothing new to report. He had been on holiday. It was reported by councillors that there had been no trouble in the village recently. Cllrs Evans and Scoley had attended the police forum and felt that someone from the parish council should be on the community safety partnership. They thought that the forum had not been very useful.
b) Cllr Corbett had nothing to report from the Standards Committee.
5. There were no questions from members of the public.
6. Matters Arising
a) It was thought that the pothole at the junction of Timberland Road and the main road had been repaired, but the one at the T junction with the B1189 and B1191 at the turn to the village still needed to be repaired. The parish clerk will write to Highways Dept. The road name for Church Rd has been replaced.
b) The Martin name plate has been replaced.
c) Community shelter: Cllr Scoley had researched prices. It would cost in the region of £3,000 to buy and install a shelter of the type wanted. It was thought that the shelter should be sited by the school, on the corner, possibly on the hard-standing where the bus shelter used to be. After some discussion it was felt that a local contractor might be able to produce and erect a shelter for less money. It was decided that Mr Phillips, Mr Eastwood and Jolmac (?) should all be approached for a quotation for the work. The shelter should be weather protective and vandal proof. Proposed: Cllr F Ambridge, seconded Cllr Scoley, carried.
d) Dog Waste Bin: Cllr Vickers has fixed the bin by the allotment gate near Car Dyke. Cllr F Ambridge reported that the bin on Linwood Rd had been overfull. He had complained to NKDC and it had been emptied today (15 March).
e) Jubilee Close bench: Cllr F Ambridge reported that the man who deals with this at NKDC is on holiday but he will chase it up.
f) Trees: Cllr Evans reported that Cllr Stephens has planted the tree. John Audis still has a chestnut in a pot which urgently needs to be planted. Cllr Stephens to collect and plant.
g) Post Office: Cllr Evans reported that the sale of the shop and PO is no longer going through, she thought because of issues of access. However, someone in the village is interested in setting up a shop and PO but not in the old building.
h) Pound Rd field: NKDC have exhausted all enquiries. They will now put up statutory notices claiming it.
i) BT rationalisation of public payphone: letter received saying that the payphone will remain for the time being
j) More frequent meetings: this item again deferred because not all councillors present.
k) Leaflet distributor/village improvement officer: Two sisters, Katie and Emily Milne, have been appointed as leaflet distributors. It is hoped to be able to appoint Michael Downing as Village Improvement Officer but as he is only 13 years old, checks with LALC are still going on to ensure that the council is allowed to employ someone of his age.
l) Playing Field: Cllr F Ambridge reported that the initial report has been received by NKDC. There are no toxins or contamination to speak of. There is migrating glass. The field would need to be capped to solve this.
m) LCC Capital Grant Aid: the parish clerk reported that there had not been enough time after the receipt of the forms to prepare a bid for a grant. It was suggested that if the council wanted to bid in the next round, planning and preparation would need to start some time ahead of the deadlines.
n) Annual Parish Meeting: Alan Aistrup had confirmed he would be able to attend. He would be bringing Matthew Brookfield with him, who would be acting area manager for the next few months. It was agreed that refreshments would be served. To publicise the meeting, the clerk would contact the local press and Chris Brookes of the Martin and Timberland website. Cllr F Ambridge would write something for the Echo.

7. Clerk’s report/items
a) The clerk had received a letter from Cllr H Ambridge resigning from her position of vice chairman of the parish council as from the annual meeting on 4 May.
b) There was a need to update the filing system. The filing cabinet had no runners so it was impossible to have a suspended filing system. Papers were filed in document wallets and old envelopes, which was inefficient and time consuming. The clerk asked that she could investigate costs for updating the system. Proposed: Cllr F Ambridge, seconded Cllr M Corbett, carried.

8. Planning Applications
Information on earlier applications:
• 134 High St Martin: Appeal dismissed
• 16 Mill Lane: permission refused
• lst floor extension, 6 High St: permission granted
Previously dealt with by planning sub-committee:
• extension to bungalow and erection of garage, 26 Moor Lane: no objections
• erection of dwelling, adjacent to 134 High St, Martin: application supported
• Chestnut Farm, Witham Bank: objections
• The Piggeries, Martin Moor: comments on plans and amendments
New applications:
• Chestnut Farm, Witham Bank: amended plans. The Council had the same objections as had already been expressed.
• Erection of 2 metre high boundary fence, 2 Manor Farm, Timberland Rd: no comments.
• Bed & Breakfast facility with associated facilities including meeting/training room, 92 High St: to be discussed by sub-committee

9. Correspondence
For information:
a) Lincolnshire cda: awareness of Social Enterprise conference: had taken place on 11 March
b) NKDC: Street numbering: 63a High St
c) ‘Record’ play equipment information
d) Parish Dog Warden Services: not necessary to pay for these in the village
e) LCC Trees Love Care Campaign
f) NKDC: Calendar of Meetings 2004/5
g) Police van in village 7 May

For discussion/action:
h) Victim Support Lincolnshire: a request for a donation had been received. It was proposed to give £25. Proposed: Cllr F Ambridge, seconded Cllr Z Scoley. Carried.
i) NKDC Community Service Awards: Mrs Peggy Wright was nominated. Proposed: Mary Corbett, seconded Cllr Z Scoley. Carried
j) NKDC Payment of travelling expenses: recommendation that councillors claim 40 p per mile when attending meetings on council business.
k) NKDC Registering and declaring membership of political party council associations: new guidance from Standards Board.
l) LCC Local Walks: it was felt that the local walks were already well advertised, but that existing footpaths needed maintaining. The clerk to reply, expressing the council’s view on this.
m) LCC bus stop road markings: the council had received a copy of a reply to Mr Philip Vince about the bus stop markings outside Majestic Crystal on the High St. The Council to recommend that the bus stop should be sited within the area of Jubilee Close, which is only 200 yards away, where elderly and disabled people live. This would be in line with DDA 95 part 3, concerning accessibility of customer services.
n) Standards Board for England Consultation documents
o) Sleaford & District Neighbourhood Watch Assoc had requested a donation. The council declined to do so, as there was very limited support in the village now for Neighbourhood Watch
p) North Kesteven Local Plan Enquiry: it was agreed to rely on the original presentation of comments on each point.

10 Financial Matters

Balance at 15 March 2004: Current a/c £511.83 Reserve a/c £6861.17

The accounts for the Church had been received. Councillors F Ambridge, H Ambridge, Z Scoley and C Vickers all declared a prejudicial interest. It was agreed to pay £100 to help with church maintenance. Proposed: Cllr W Busby, seconded Cllr M Corbett. Carried.

It will be necessary to transfer a minimum of £250 from the reserve a/c to the current a/c to cover these payments and to allow for contingencies. Proposed: Cllr W Busby, seconded Cllr F Ambridge. Carried.

11. Items for discussion and information:
a) Village Hall road markings: Cllr J Evans the issue of the recent large ‘Keep Clear’ markings which had appeared outside the village hall. The Darby & Joan club and John Audis had complained to her. It was thought to be an eyesore to the village, and deterred people from parking and using the village hall. Cllr F Ambridge gave some background information: he had asked the Highways dept to put disabled symbols outside the village hall. They had put a white line, and now the large letters. It was meant to be for the benefit of the Darby & Joan club, but in practice it is now unclear whether anyone can park there. The signs have no legal force. Cllr Evans thought the issue should have gone through County Councillor Bradwell, as it is a County Council responsibility. Cllr Scoley proposed that Cllr Bradwell should be contacted and asked if something could be done to remove the lettering, but leave the white line. Cllr W Busby seconded. Carried: all in favour.
b) Cllr Scoley reported from a meeting of school governors. There is the possibility that school numbers will drop. LCC is proposing federations of small schools who will share headteachers and secretaries, but retain the individual school buildings and teachers. It had been suggested that Walcott and Mrs Mary King’s School would amalgamate. Cllr Scoley has asked Cllr Bradwell to ask someone to come and speak to a parish council meeting about the issue.
c) Cllr F Ambridge has been appointed as a trustee of Mrs Mary King’s School since the last meeting.

12. Date of next meeting: Annual Parish Meeting Tuesday 4 May at 7.00 pm in the Village Hall.