Minutes 2022

MIDDLE RASEN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on 17/5/22

Present:-

Cllr M Stamp, (Chairman), Cllr P Dawson, Cllr G Dennis, Cllr D Pattison, Cllr Longmate and Cllr J Oxley

Also Present:  Mrs A Harrison (Clerk)

Visitors:-  Cllr S Bunney and two members of the public

The Chairman opened the public forum.  

The member of the public raised the issue around planning application 144733 – Building adj Mount Pleasant, South Lane, Middle Rasen, LN8 3LG.  Planning application for change of use of agricultural building to workshop (class B2). The feeling was the use as workshop is wrong for the area and think it would be better placed on an industrial not agricultural site.  The member of the public wants the council to keep to zoning.  The member of the public also feels the previous B8 application was granted incorreclty.  There is also an issue around industrial noise and increased traffic.  Council agreed to take the parishioner’s concerns into consideration on point 27, Planning.

The member of the public left the meeting 7.30pm.

The Chair opened the parish council meeting and welcomed everyone to the meeting

1. Election of Chairman

Resolved: Cllr M Stamp be elected as Chairman. 

Cllr Stamp thanked the Councillors.

2. Election of Vice Chairman

Resolved: Cllr D Pattison be elected as Vice Chairman.

3. To receive Acceptance of Office Forms

Chair’s acceptance Form received. 

4. Apologies for Absence - Cllr M O’Connor and Cllr T Smith

Resolved: That apologies be accepted from above.  No apologies received from Cllr Padley

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

6. Agree to WLDC Code of Conduct

Resolved: That WLDC Code of Conduct be utilised by Parish Council.

7. To review Standing Orders

Amendment L09-18 sent with agenda and reviewed 

Resolved: That Standing Orders be approved and adopted as agreed.

8. To review Financial Regulations

Resolved: That Financial Regulations be approved and adopted.

9. To discuss and resolve renewal of annual insurance policy

Resolved: Insurance policy was renewed for 3 years with Zurich following resolution at April 2020 Council meeting.  Clerk to add to agenda in January 23 to discuss next year’s policy

10. To review arrangements (including Legal Agreements) with other Local Authorities, not-for profit bodies and business

Resolved:  Arrangements with grass cutting and snow clearance contractors are appropriate.

11. To review Council’s/Employees representation on or work with external bodies and arrangements for reporting back

Mr P Dawson, Mr D Pattison & Mr J Padley – John Wilkinson Trust and Middle Rasen Community Fund (not to be reported back on)

Mr D Pattison – Police Forum

Mr D Pattison – RSP Liaison

•  Representatives as noted above are to report back at next appropriate Council meeting following attendance at meetings excluding John Wilkinson Trust and Middle Rasen Community Fund

12. Review of Council/Staff subscriptions to other bodies

LALC & NALC via LALC.

Resolved: Current subscriptions are appropriate.

13. To make arrangements with a view to the Council becoming eligible to exercise the general power

of competence in the future

The Clerk informed the Council that eligibility would require a Certificate in Local Council Administration to be held by Clerk.

It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved: That this will be reviewed annually, agreement that it is not necessary at the current time.

14. To review Parish Council Risk Assessment/Management

Resolved: Risk Assessment/Management documents appropriate for Council use.  Cllr Pattison to continue as Finance Councillor.

The Chair thanked Cllr Pattison for his service as Finance Councillor.

15. To review inventory of land and assets

The Clerk confirmed the Groundskeeper’s shed and tools store within has been removed from the inventory.

Resolved: Asset Register approved as correct.

16. To review Complaints Procedure

Resolved: Complaint Procedure to be adopted as presented.

17. To review Council’s Policies, procedures, and practices in respect of its obligations under FOI and Data Protection  

Resolved: FOI and Data Protection Policies and Forms be adopted as presented.

18. To review Council’s Policy for dealing with Press/Media

Resolved: The Council continues to adopt an open door policy for the Media, and Communications Policy as presented be adopted.

19. To review Council’s Employment Policies and procedures

Resolved: Discipline, Capability and Grievance Arrangements (NALC advised) be adopted.

20. To review Council Expenditure incurred under S137 of the Local Government Act 1972

Council spends for 21-22 - £110.00.

Resolved: Expenditure for 2021-22 was appropriate and in line with Council agreement.

21. To set forward dates for Parish Council meetings for year ahead and venues

Resolved: The dates previously resolved in April 2022 were again confirmed and the Council agreed that meetings would take place at the Church Hall 

22. Notes of last meeting on 26th April 2022 to be approved as minutes:-

•  Notes be signed as a true record.  

23. Chair and Council’s Comments:- 

• Chairman commented on how Mr Robinson has done a fantastic job with the maintenance of the benches, stocks, etc around the village and especially on re-positioning the bench at Gods acre.  He suggested sending a  letter of thanks to Mr Robinson to include the parishioners’ comments on what a fantastic job he has done throughout the village – clerk to send letter of thanks
• Cllr Pattison suggested putting a dog bin at the village hall on the playing field as dog walkers using the black bin. – clerk to contact WLDC about supplying 2 bins near driveway entrance and entrance from Abbots Close and Council to put up “no fouling” signs, which they already have available 

24. Reports from District and County Councillors:- 

WLDC Matters: 

• Flooding at Snowdrift Cottage – the council have investigated and will hopefully be dealt with shortly
• Emergency Planning – looking at recent events they have realised they need plans in place to be able to contact villagers and will work with the parish to develop so LCC know who they need to contact in case of local emergencies 
• WLDC looking at extending grass cutting on Gainsborough Road to include the area in front of Alms Houses 

LCC Matters:  

• Nothing to report

25. Crime and Vandalism: - April Newsletter Received.

26. Clerks Report on Matters Outstanding:-

• Lack of street sign on east side of Woodhill reported to highways
• Shed in Graveyard empty
• Contact made with Mole Country Store on costing of placing an advert regarding the leasing of the land at the rear of the graveyard and pricing received back
• Meeting dates given to Church Hall and booked

27. Planning:-

144733 – Building adj Mount Pleasant, South Lane, Middle Rasen, LN8 3LG

Planning application for change of use of agricultural building to workshop (class B2) – objection to industrial development setting a presedent when there are ample areas elsewhere ideal for industrial business

144788 – The Dene, Walesby Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3UJ

Planning application for 1no. replacement dwelling, amendment to previously approved scheme 142879 granted 10 June 2021 – no comments

144708 – Ingledene, Gallamore Lane, Middle Rasen, LN8 3UB

Planning application for change of use of land to increase the domestic curtilage, erect agricultural building together with domestic garage and extension of access road – no comments

Planning Granted:-

143870 – Grange Farm, Stockmoor Lane, Middle Rasen, LN8 3TT

Planning application for hedgerow removal notice – 240m of hedgerow – granted with time limit and conditions

28. Correspondence:-

LCC –      Parish Community April Newsletter, Cllr Marfleet’s May Brief, Public Rights of Way Grass Cutting

                Schedule, Email – Emergency Planning and Lincolnshire Resilience Forum

WLDC –  Tree Preservation Order Middle Rasen No1 2021 (amendment)

                Papers of Annual Council Meeting 09/05/22

LALC –    E-news 26/04, 03/05,

NALC –   Legal Update April

AFCAS – Letter asking for assistance from Armed Forces Community Advice service

29. Finance and Accounts for Payment

Income:-  

Leakes Masonry                                              £   75.00          

Expenditure:-

Mr M Stamp – Chair’s Expenses                      £ 325.00

Clerk’s Expenses                                             £ 200.00

Lincolnshire Landscapes – Grass Cutting        £ 625.00

Zurich Municipal – Insurance Cover Renewal  £ 394.67

Salaries                                                           £ 458.28

Green Grass – Grass Cutting                           £   60.00

Viking Direct                                                    £   74.58

C M Robinson – Parish Maintenance               £2093.00

Bank Charges                                                  £   13.00

Resolved: All Invoices be passed for payment.

30. Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 22

        (a) Execute review of effectiveness of internal audit

Resolved:  Internal auditor’s report approved by the Council.  

(b) Execute Annual Governance Statement

It was proposed, seconded and 

•   Annual Governance Statement executed.

(c)   To approve Statement of Accounts

It was proposed, seconded and 

•   Council approved Statement of Accounts and Chair and RFO signed documentation.

31. To appoint Internal Auditor for 2022-23 Financial Year

Resolved:  Cassells be appointed as Internal Auditor for 2022-23 financial year.

32. Reports from meetings: None.

33. Items for next meeting: None

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.15pm.