Minutes 2022

MIDDLE RASEN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council on 15/02/22

Present:-             Cllr D Pattison (Vice-Chair), Cllr J Oxley, Cllr P Dawson, Cllr G Dennis, Cllr M O’Connor,

                        Cllr A Longmate and Cllr J Padley, 

Also Present:  Mrs A Harrison (Clerk) 

Visitors:-  

1).  Apologies for Absence:- Cllr M Stamp, Cllr T Smith, Cllr J McNeill, and Cllr S Bunney

Resolved:  To accept apologies from Councillors listed above.            

2).  To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act:-  None

3).  Notes of last meeting on 15th February 2022, to be approved as minutes:-

     Notes be signed as a true record.

4).  Chair and Council’s Comments:-

• Cllr Stamp commented on the state of potholes on Manor Drive - Clerk to report to highways
• Cllr Padley reported potholes on Walesby Road near Willoughby Cottage - Clerk to report to highways
• Cllr Dennis reported streetlight No 6 on Dovecote , at the start of the footpath to Church Street is not working – Clerk to report to highways
• Cllr Longmate commented on the flood issue on Skinners Lane which he believes is due to a pipe used to fill a pond on parishioner’s land which back fills into the dyke – Clerk to pass on to Cllr Bunney who was investigating 
• Clerk to chase drain blockages on North Street previously reported to Highways

5)  Reports from District and County Councillors:-

WLDC: 

• No Representatives attending

6)   Crime:-  Correspondence received from Market Rasen Neighbourhood Policing Team:

         February Newsletter

         Email from PCSO Evans:

“Please accept our apologies we will be unable to attend. I have checked our reported incidents for February in Middle Rasen and there appears to be nothing of note to mention. There were reports earlier this year of a quad and mini moto being ridden by residents on Manor Drive on the village hall field. I advised the resident/s and so far, there has been no further reports. The parking on the Car Sale garage is being monitored and so far, we have not noticed any offences being caused. The owner of the garage has been advised and will make all effort to advise his customers if they are to blame”

7)   Clerks report on matters outstanding:-

• Details of obscure ‘No Cycling’ sign on Woodhill previously sent to Highways via Fix My Street passed to Cllr Bunney to re investigate
• The Potholes on Stockmoor Lane which were reported to highways have been fixed
• Mr Matthews has been informed that the Council are still reviewing his offer for the mower and strimmer in the graveyard shed.  De Aston School contacted regarding the small hand tools, and they would be very grateful for any donations
• After receiving correspondence from parishioners complaining about a hedge obstructing the footpath on North Street a letter sent to the homeowner requesting that they cut back the hedge
• Highways have investigated the overgrown footpath on North Street and sent the following response:

“After assessment we have requested that this footpath is included in a future programme of siding. Siding is a treatment where the full width of the footpath is restored by removing grass, weeds, and soil mechanically or manually. We receive many requests each year across Lincolnshire and assess them all to treat the areas which have the greatest need that year. This means that some sites may not be treated this year but will be assessed again in subsequent seasons. These works are programmed during the summer for treatment during the winter. Thank you for reporting this matter.  State changed to: No further action” 

8)  Planning:- No applications

9) Correspondence:-

LALC e news             22/02, 01/03

LCC                        February Issue of Town and Parish Council Newsletter

WLDC                         Feb/Mar Parish Newsletter 

Email from Lincolnshire Landscapes: 

I just wanted to touch base with the council regarding grass cutting costs. I have obviously been watching the energy crisis and recent events very closely, I have been trying to look at ways to keep my prices the same as last year, but this is looking untenable with what’s to come in the near future. I’m due to start grass cutting contracts in March as usual but then the full monthly cuts will start from April until December. Trying to be fair but covering my increasing fuel and maintenance costs I’m proposing my new monthly bill from April to go from £595 to £625. Please could you put this to the council and let me know if this is going to be possible with your budget. There will only be a couple of cuts during March as the season is just getting going so, I anticipate the March bill to be half of the monthly total.

Proposed by Cllr Dawson      seconded by Cllr Dennis

Resolved: Council unanimously agreed to the increase in the Grass Cutting contract

10) Finance and Accounts for Payment

Income:-                                    

Invoices:-            Middle Rasen Bowling Club Grant £500.00

                           Salary and expenses £449.18

                           Pay rise Backpay £57.80

                           Lincolnshire Landscapes £125.00

Resolved: All Invoices were passed for payment.

11)  Reports From Meetings  - none

12)  To Review Updated Code of Conduct  

Council had reviewed Code of Conduct documentation sent with the information paperwork

Proposed by Cllr  Dawson       seconded by Cllr  O’Conner

Resolved:  That Policy be accepted 

13)  To discuss 2021/22 pay awards and change to Clerk Salary

Council had reviewed Pay Awards sent with information sheet

Proposed by Cllr Dennis      seconded by Cllr Oxley

Resolved:  That the pay increase agreed

14)  To Discuss Options on where to Plant Trees to Commemorate the  Platinum Jubilee

Discussed new idea of fencing for the new playground in the village 

Proposed by Cllr Oxley      seconded by Cllr Padley

Resolved: unanimously agreed and Clerk to apply for grant

15)  To Discuss and Resolve options for hand tools and mower stored in the graveyard outbuilding

1 Saw                                    1 Mower                        1 Strimmer

1 Litter Cart                        2 Rubbish Bins                        1 Toolbox

3 Spades                        1 Fork                                    2 Rakes

1 Lawn Edge Cutter            3 Petrol Cans                        1 Sprayer

1 Brush                        1 Barrow                        7 Small Garden Trowels

1 Tree Pruner                        1 Large Shed                        1 Skip                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Insured for            £ 2,200.00

Proposed by Cllr Padley    seconded by Cllr Dawson 

Resolved:  Council agreed to donate hand tools to De Aston, Litter Barrow and Bins to Market Rasen’s 

Town Tidy Group and sell the rest to local Gardener for £60.00

16)  Items for next meeting

• Discuss ideas for the newly fenced acre of land at the rear of the graveyard
• Discuss what to do with shed in graveyard once empty 
• Discuss the Clerk’s annual pay increment  

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.16pm.