Minutes of the Council Meeting held on
26 March 2007, at Martin Village Hall at 7.30pm

1.  Apologies for absence  - were presented from County Cllr P Bradwell,

District Cllr F Ambridge, Cllr F Phillip and Cllr S Phillip.  Present Cllr J Evans,
Cllr Z Scoley MBE, who also stated that it was her intention to resign.
Cllr M Stephens MBE, Cllr C Vickers, Cllr B Downing, Cllr W Busby and Karen Stephens Clerk.       
            
Before beginning the formal business of the Meeting, the Chair in acknowledging the wish of Cllr Z Scoley MBE to tender her resignation, asked that the Clerk formally record the grateful appreciation of the Council for her work over many years for the good and benefit of the Parish.  This sentiment was echoed by all Councillors present.
 

2. Declarations of Interest. The Chair reminded the meeting of the need to declare any interests should they arise

3. Minutes of Previous Meeting. The minutes of the meeting of 29 January 2007 were accepted as being correct, proposed by Cllr C Vickers and seconded by Cllr Z Scoley MBE, with all in favour duly signed by the Chairman Cllr M   Stephens MBE.

4. Reports from Outside Bodies. – None.

5. Public Question Time. – to receive questions from members of the public notified to the Chairman before the start of the meeting

• Mr Ward of 56 Moor Lane was present and advised that he intends to apply for Planning Permission to erect a bungalow behind the existing property, and wished to consult prior to formal application.  Mr Ward is disabled and the bungalow is for his future needs, as his condition worsens. Cllr J Evans asked would an annex not be more appropriate.  Mr Ward responded that his intentions are to release space in his existing home in order to accommodate his family in order to be available to support him.  A short discussion on access, size and construction type followed.  The Council indicated that they are sympathetic to his circumstances and needs and could see no significant problems with his proposal.
• It was requested by Mrs G Forman of North Lane for the provision of an additional Dog Waste Bin.  This has been raised on a prior occasion and the view of the Council was that the additional costs of providing another bin could not be justified.  The Council after a short discussion confirmed that this remained their view.  However, it was agreed by all to obtain and display an appropriate sign in this location and to request the Ranger Service to pay particular attention to this area in order to discourage dog fouling.
• Cllr J Evans requested the support of the Ranger Service to remove the fly tipping at the lay by in Moor Lane and the Top Road by the sewage farm. The Clerk was requested to contact as necessary.

      6.    Matters arising from Previous Meetings.

• Cllr J Evans asked that in the absence of a response from the Highways Department, in the matter of possible encroachment at the Stepping Stones, High Street, it be raised once more.
• Allotment:  The Chair advised that clarification had been sought over the terms under which allotments could be surrendered/re-let. A request from Mr Howarth has been received to take on plot 5 recently surrendered by Mrs Topham.  It was agreed unanimously by the Council that notwithstanding the administrative failures in this process, this change of tenancy should be effected from 1 Apr 2007.

   7.    Correspondence for Information

Following items were brought to the attention of the Council:

• Appointment of external auditor – no change but increase in fees.
• War Memorial Grant from English Heritage - £538 now received.
• East Midland Rural Action Plan.

   8.      Correspondence for Action

• St George’s Day Celebration. – No action required.
• NKDC Community Service Awards – No action required.
• Parish Partnership Initiative – NKDC development of better relationships with local councils; employment of two new Parish Partnership Officers; launch on 29 Mar 2007, invitation.  Noted, but no Councillors available to attend.
• NK Local Strategic Partnership – invitation to an event to inform of the work of the Partnership and future plans, Friday 20 Apr 2007 at Whisby.  Noted, but no Councillors able to attend.
• Best Kept Village and Small Town Competition – entry fee £10 if not affiliated to Lincolnshire Branch CPRE.  No.
• CPRE Affiliation – Local/National to be determined, local affiliation £20 but includes free entry as above.  It was resolved not to enter this competition.
• Calor Village of the Year Competition – “well balanced, pro-active caring communities which irrespective of size; have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life of their inhabitants”.  It was again resolved not to enter for such competitions.
• Parish Council Footway Lighting Programme 2007/8 – No current requests for additional lighting, new process advised for any future requests.  Noted but no action required at this time.
• Bus stop infrastructure improvements – junction B1189/1191; B1191 adjacent to West Grove and B1191 adjacent New Road/Dales Head Dike and related correspondence with regard to road safety. Cllr Z Scoley MBE and Cllr W Busby declared an interest as the landowners adjacent to these proposals.  The following concerns were raised:
• Construction Site 3 B1189 – siting a bus stop at this location which has experienced at least one fatality and many minor accidents in the last five years would pose an unacceptable additional hazard.  In addition the Council questioned the value of a bus stop in such a location with few adjacent houses.
• Construction Site 7 B1191 – The Council welcomes this additional facility and registers no concerns.
• Construction Site 7 B1191 – The Council agree the need for a stop in this vicinity, but again have concerns regarding road safety.  This location has also experienced a significant RTA with multiple fatalities within the last two years.  It is suggested a safer location would be to west of New Road.
• The Council also observed that no communication would appear to have been undertaken with the relevant land owners.       
• Memorial Safety – DCA concerns with regards to unstable or dangerous memorials in public cemeteries and guidance on practical steps to discharge the Council’s responsibilities.  This matter was considered but the Council feel that as memorials are all recently set up, this was not an issue that needs to be addressed now, but will be borne in mind for the future.
• LALC notification of new election material to assist in the filling of local vacancies and concerns with regards to the Lincolnshire Pathfinder Bid.  No action required.

9.  Planning Applications – to receive details of any applications received.

1. Refusal of Planning Permission, Erection of seven dormer bungalows, Martin Dales Drove, Martin Dales, Woodhall Spa.
2. Conversion of ground floor to two bedroom flat 27 High Street.  No comments.

10.  Financial Matters

Approval of accounts -Balance at 26 Mar 2007: Current a/c £1487.25 Reserve a/c. 7837.54

*Parish Clerk is directed to show such expenses separately in future.

Note:

Parish Clerk Training – Payment of registration fees in respect of Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) has been made by the Clerk (Total £142.00).  Cost of course training has yet to be confirmed. Application has been made to the Clerks’ Training Bursary Scheme for £180.00 to defray these costs. The Council are asked to note this and to agree refund of relevant monies to the Parish Clerk in the next period.

11.  District and Parish Elections 3 May 2007

1. Nomination Packs for Councillors seeking re-election distributed and duly completed.
2. Date for Annual Parish Council Meeting 14 May 2007, at which Acceptance of Office/Local Code of Conduct/Declaration of Interest Notice will be completed.

12.  Village Playing Field    Council again considered this matter in the light of the recent communication from NKDC.  It was felt that the costing given were very high and after discussion it was agreed that Cllr Downing would liaise with the appropriate officers with a view to further progressing the renovation working as urgently as possible.  It was also agreed that NKDC should be contacted to address the Public Meeting on 29 May with regards to this issue and plans/expectations for the future.

13.  The meeting closed at 9.15pm.  Date of next meeting 14 May 2007.