Minutes of the Council Meeting held on
Monday 27 March 2006 at  Martin Village Hall at 7.30 p.m.

• Apologies for absence:

Present: District Councillor F Ambridge, Councillors H Ambridge, W Busby, M Corbett, J Evans, F Phillips, Z Scoley, M Stephens and C Vickers; County Councillor Patricia Bradwell; P C Daniels; parish clerk, M Lockyer.   Members of the public present:Mrs K Wright.

• No declarations of interest
• Minutes of the last meeting: Minutes approved.  Proposed Cllr Ambridge, seconded Cllr Stephens.  All in favour.  Minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 22 March were circulated.  Minutes approved: proposed Cllr Stephens, seconded Cllr F Ambridge.
• Reports from outside bodies: 
• PC Daniels had received an email from the clerk following the last meeting, concerning the rise in antisocial behaviour in the village.  Very little had been reported to the police.  Incidents should be reported on 01526 832222.  If  an immediate response was needed, call 01522 532222, and the nearest officer would be sent.  Cllr Scoley thanked PC Daniels for his time.
• Cllr Evans gave a detailed report on the Doorstep Crime Seminar she had attended on behalf of the Parish Council.  The key messages were: keep a chain on the door; never pay on the doorstep, keep an eye on elderly neighbours.  Posters and window stickers were distributed to be displayed in Martin and Martin Dales.  Website: www.doorstoppers.info
• Cllr Bradwell
• Cllr Bradwell reported that there was to be a trial of speed reactive signs.  If the village wanted to be involved, the Parish Council should write to Cllr Wm Webb requesting signs in the location of the school, and commenting that the Parish Council were very concerned about safety near the school with the speed of through traffic.  Cllr Stephens proposed, Cllr Evans seconded.  All in favour.
• Cllr Bradwell also reported to the Martin Dales councillors that the school bus was now parking at the Church Hall.  A complaint had been received from   someone living near where the school bus used to park.
• Cllr Bradwell was concerned about potholes on the fen road, as the small patch repairs did not last and that a better solution was needed.  She felt that a letter from the Parish Council would reinforce the point. 
• Cllr Busby raised the issue of the speed restriction on Kirkstead Bridge, which Alan Aistrup had promised to move to the Martin side of the bridge.    Cllr Busby also commented on the very poor state of the Witham bank road, which needed patching.  Cllr Bradwell said she would chase up both of these this with Mr Aistrup.
• On the issue of antisocial behaviour, Cllr Bradwell and Cllr F Ambridge reported that LCC and NKDC have both given money towards extra PCSOs in rural locations.  There will be an additional 7 groups of 4 officers.
• No questions had been received from the public.
• Any matter arising from the previous minutes-

• Appointment of clerk  At Cllr Scoley’s request, Cllr Stephens took the chair.  The second reference on Mrs Wright had been received was distributed to councillors.  Cllr Stephens proposed that in the light of the references, the clerk should send a contract to Mrs Wright.  Seconded Cllr Busby.  All in favour.
• Cllr Scoley resumed the chair: Sports field – the goal posts had been taken down.  Cllr Stephens would be sending reports to both websites about the sports field, and the war memorial.  Cllr Evans reported that the boys in the village would like to buy the football nets and take them to Woodhall to play.  Cllr F Phillips declared a personal interest.  Cllr Evans confirmed that the Parish Council bought the nets 3 years ago.  At the moment, she has one net in her care, and Cllr Phillips has the other.  Cllr F Ambridge proposed giving the nets to the boys.  Seconded Cllr Busby.  All in favour. 
• Hedge and verge cutting: the clerk reported that Robt Beever had made a good job of trimming the bushes back and tidying up along the allotment track.  He had also cut the roadside verges.  Mr Credland had cut back the worst of his overhanging shrubs.
• Roneo machines:  Cllr Phillips had been offered £30 each for the machines.  Cllr Stephens proposed accepting this.  Cllr Corbett seconded. All in favour.
• Dog waste bin replacement – Moor Lane:  Cllr Phillips had not been given the bin.  Cllr Busby will let him have it so it can be put up.
• Allotment: correspondence with Mr Howarth following the letter from Mr Wilkinson.  Cllr Scoley declared a personal interest.  The clerk read out the letter from Mr Howarth dated 4 February.  After discussion, it was agreed that a letter should be sent to all the allotment tenants informing them that the hedges had been trimmed, and that it was now their responsibility to keep it tidy.  The clerk to quote from the tenancy agreement in the letter.
• Lincolnshire Village Ventures competition: Cllr Phillips: no further action
• Static caravan at Turner’s Farm, Martin Dales: the clerk had spoken to Pierre Davidson, the enforcement officer, who had thanked the Parish Council for the information, and would revisit the site.
• War Memorial: Cllr Stephens distributed a report on progress.  He had received 3 quotations for work.  He recommended that the lowest quotation, from Skillington Workshop Ltd, should be accepted and that the 50% match funding payable by the Parish Council (£640)should be earmarked.    Cllr Busby thought that villages should be consulted as the memorial had been build by public subscription.  Cllr Evans proposed accepting Cllr Stephens recommendation, Cllr F Ambridge seconded. Seven in favour.  Two names were thought to be missing from the memorial.  The clerk to check back through the minutes of 3 – 4 years ago, when this was brought up.  Cllrs Busby and Vickers commented that the War Memorial in Martin Dales, which was also in need of restoration, was part of the Church Hall grounds, which might be put up for sale in the near future.  It was therefore not appropriate to consider restoration at the moment, but it should be considered in the future.
• NKDC Footway Lighting:  The clerk had written as agreed about lighting on Moor Lane by the sports field.  Cllr F Ambridge had contacted the relevant dept at NKDC indicating that there were lights 100 yards apart.  It was thought unlikely that any more lighting would be provided.
• Newsletter estimates for printing.  Cllrs Scoley, F Ambridge and H Ambridge declared a prejudicial interest.  Cllr Stephens took the chair. The clerk had received estimates for printing 350 double sided A4 copies from Woodhall Printers: £38.50 and Lincoln Copy Centre: £22.40.  The Visitor Centre charge is £24.50.  Cllr Evans proposed continuing with the The Visitor Centre, in view of its convenience compared to Lincoln Copy Centre;  Cllr Phillips seconded.  All 6 councillors eligible to vote agreed.
• Bus stop: New Road, Martin Dales.  The clerk had contacted Transport Services at LCC.  They were positive about the need for a bus stop at that location, but would need to consult a number of people before a decision could be reached.
• Annual Parish Meeting: speakers.  Nicki Porter had agreed to speak for First Responders.  Cllr Scoley had also invited Mr Slaney, head teacher of Mrs Mary King’s School, to speak on antisocial behaviour.  It was agreed that the clerk should write inviting Nicki Porter to speak for 15 minutes and Mr Slaney for 10 minutes.
• The wall at Royal Oak Lane had been repaired.

7.  Correspondence – For information

• Rural Access Project
• NKDC: Environmental Services
• NKDC: Planning Applications now available to view at Metheringham Info Link
• T A Blackamore: Contractor
• Govt Office for East Midlands: Regional Rural Delivery Framework
• NKDC and Leisure Connection: Funding the Future
• NKDC: Area Advisory Forum Meetings Cllr F Ambridge had attended
• Lincolnshire Police: Mobile Police Station 21 April
• NKDC: Dog Waste Bins
• Clerks & Councils Direct
• NKDC: Community Partnership Event
• Community Council of Lincolnshire: Rural Links  Cllr F Ambridge declared a personal interest
• NKDC: Revised Calendar of Meetings
• The Local Channel
• LCC: Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund:  Cllr Stephens asked Cllr F Ambridge to draw this to NKDC’s attention on the Parish Council’s behalf
• LCC: Call Connect Online
• NKDC: Statement of Community Involvement Submission Draft:  Cllr Scoley took to read
• NKDC:  Parish Council representation on Standards Committee: confirming Cllr Evans as the new representative

For Action

• LCC: Telephone access: Customer Service Centre  Information to go in the next newsletter.  Suggestions: posters; Radio Lincolnshire
• It was decided not to affiliate to CPRE
• Calor Village of the Year: it was decided not to enter
• NKDC: Equality Scheme Consultation:  Cllr Stephens to read and report
• Victim Support Lincolnshire request for a donation.  Cllr Stephens declared a prejudicial interest.  17 members of our community benefited from Victim Support last year.  Cllr Evans proposed donating £25; seconded Cllr F Ambridge.  All in favour.
• Vitalise (formerly Winged Fellowship Trust) request for donation.  Cllr Evans proposed donating £25; seconded Cllr F Ambridge.  All in favour.
• Community Service Awards:  Cllr Stephens had someone in mind and took the form
• LCC: Every Street Matters: Cllr F Ambridge had already filled in a questionnaire on the internet.
• A letter had been received from Neil Johnson offering to donate and erect a bench for public use in the burial ground.  It was agreed to write and thank him and accept the offer.
• The clerk read out emails received from Anna Jackson about dog mess and litter in village.  Councillors agreed with the points she made: Cllr F Ambridge regularly collected litter from Timberland Rd.  The Council had been advertising for a litter picker for 2 years.  It was agreed to write to her, sharing her concerns.  Without a dog warden or litter picker, this was difficult.  The correspondence received last year re a dog warden to be put on the agenda of the next meeting.

8. Planning Applications - to receive details of any applications received since the last planning meeting on 30 January 2006
Permission granted:

• 2 storey extension, 19 Church Rd, Martin Dales
• Variation of access arrangements, Mill House, Mill Lane  Cllr Evans declared a prejudicial interest

Permission refused:

• Erection of dwelling (outline) at rear of Chapel House, 12 Mill Lane
• Additional windows and modification of 1 window, Jays Barn, Timberland Rd  Cllr Stephens declared a prejudicial interest

9.   Financial Matters - approval of accounts
Balance at 16 March 2006:  Current a/c £822.04 Reserve a/c £8182.61

Cllr Stephens proposed that the accounts be accepted.  Cllr F Ambridge seconded.  All in favour.                                                          

Items for Discussion  and Information
Cllr Stephens proposed a motion of thanks to the clerk for all her work.  Seconded Cllr Scoley.  All agreed.

Date of next meeting: 22 May 2006 Annual Parish Meeting and Parish Council AGM at 7.00 pm