May 2025
MIDDLE RASEN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on 27/05/2025
Present:-
Cllr M Stamp, Cllr D Pattison, Cllr G Dennis, Cllr D Dawson, Cllr M O’Connor, Cllr A Miller, and Cllr P Thomas
Also Present: Mrs A Harrison (Clerk)
Visitors:- Cllr S Bunney (WLDC) and Mr S Cartwright
1. Election of Chairman
Proposed by Cllr Dawson and seconded by Cllr O’Connor
Resolved: Cllr M Stamp be elected as Chairman.
Cllr Stamp thanked the Councillors.
2. Election of Vice Chairman
Proposed by Cllr Stamp and seconded by Cllr Miller
Resolved: Cllr D Pattison be elected as Vice Chairman.
3. To receive Acceptance of Office Forms
Chair’s and Vice Chair’s acceptance forms received.
4. Apologies for Absence – Cllr J Padley
Resolved: That apologies be accepted from above member(s) of the Council
5. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act:-
Item 33 - Mr Cartwright
6. Agree to WLDC Code of Conduct
Resolved: That WLDC Code of Conduct be utilised by Parish Council.
7. To review Standing Orders
There is an updated Model Standing Order 18 further to the recent changes to procurement legislation and to ensure consistency with NALC’s Model Financial Regulations. The changes are to 18.a.v, 18.c, 18.d and 18.f of the 2022 version.Model Standing Order 14 has also been updated to better reflect Code of Conduct requirements. MSO 14.a-c have been removed. It will also have changes to the language in the document, so it uses gender-neutral terms. This is in line with NALC policy and the Civility and Respect project.
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: That Insurance policy to be accepted
10. To review arrangements (including Legal Agreements) with other Local Authorities, not-for profit bodies and business
Resolved: That 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 & Mrs G Dennis – John Wilkinson Trust and Middle Rasen Community Fund (not to be reported back on)
Mr D Pattison – RSP Liaison
- That 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
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 24-25 - £4,050.00
Resolved: Expenditure for 2024-25 was appropriate and in line with Council agreement.
21. Notes of last meeting on 15th April 2025 to be approved as minutes:-
- Notes be signed as a true record.
22. Chair and Council’s Comments:-
- Cllr Stamp informed the Council that the lime trees near Mount Pleasant and Limes need feathering – Clerk to instruct Lincolnshire Landscapes to conduct works
- Cllr Dawson stated the hedges at the footbridge on Church Street need cutting back as obstructing pedestrians – Clerk to instruct Lincolnshire Landscapes to cut back
- Cllr Thomas noted his concerns for pedestrians due to the hedge belonging to the corner house on the junction of Gainsborough Road and Low Church Road taking away half the footpath – Clerk to write to homeowner
- Cllr Dawson also stated the hedges at the post office need cutting back – Clerk to contact highways
- Cllr Thomas stated the road markings outside school need repainting – Clerk to report to Highways
- Cllr Pattison also informed the Council that the road markings near the Stocks on Low Church Road need repainting – Clerk to report to Highways
- Middle Rasen Parish Council and WLDC Web Sites need updating with Parish Councillor’s details – Clerk to contact persons responsible
23. Reports from District and County Councillors:-
WLDC Matters:
- Parish Council and Town Councils will remain in place within the new Local Government reforms, but facilities run by WLDC will come back to the Town/Parish Council, e.g. car parks, public toilets
- Cllr Bunney has a meeting with the Police to discuss local policing issues and will stress the point that more neighbourhood policing is needed
- Cllr Bunney has been approached to supply up to six bins for dog waste on Chantry Park – he will approach Chestnut Holmes to request funding
LCC Matters:
- County Council up and running after elections but there are still some issues to work through due to new party ideas
- Local Government reform is still on the agenda to sort how future Local Government will work and how the County will be divided
24. Crime and Vandalism: -
- Crime stats received from Inspector Head
25. Clerks Report on Matters Outstanding:-
- Potholes on Manor Drive and North Street reported again to Highways Department
- Reply sent to parishioner regarding concerns over the new bus shelters on Gainsborough Road
26. Planning:-
WL/2025/00378 – Land to the South of Gallamore Lane, Middle Rasen, LN8 3HZ
Planning application for erection of 18no. Industrial/Commercial Units for B2 use – comments to be put forward around highway access and parking issues
WL/2025/00164 – Rasebrook Farm, North Street, Middle Rasen, LN8 3TS
Lawful development certificate for a lean to extension to the north side of an existing detached building, gravel area and domestic outbuildings as well as use of land as domestic garden area – further information requested on specification of where lean-to will be situated and its size
Planning Granted:-
WL/2025/00315 – Starbucks, Gallamore Lane, Middle Rasen, LN8 3HZ
Advertisement consent to display 1no. 9m totem, 1 no. directional sign, 3no. fascia roundels, and 1no. fasica wordmark
27. Correspondence:-
LCC Town and Parish Council April and May Newsletter
Temporary Traffic Restriction – Walesby Level Crossing 04/06 – 05/06
Temporary Traffic Restriction – A631 (between A1103 & A46) 7 days between 16/06 and 31/07
WLDC Parish Newsletter May and June
LALC E-news 25/04, 09/05 and 23/05
Clerks and Councils Direct May Issue
28. Finance and Accounts for Payment
Income: Leakes masonry - Friel £75.00
Expenditure:- SES Business Water - £ 8.95
AG & AC Gibson - £ 224.40
Lincolnshire Landscapes - £ 741.00
Green Grass Contracting - £ 150.00
Cassells Limited - £ 114.00
Zurich Insurance - £ 296.21
A Harrison - £ 673.45
Time Assured Limited - £ 168.00
Resolved: All Invoices be passed for payment.
29. Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 25
a). Execute review of effectiveness of internal audit
It was proposed, seconded and 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.
30. To appoint Internal Auditor for 2025-26 Financial Year
Resolved: Cassells be appointed as Internal Auditor for 2024-25 financial year.
31. Reports from meetings: None.
32. To Discuss CIL Funding
The Council decided to review options and discuss again at next meeting
Proposed by Cllr Stamp and Seconded by Cllr Dennis and
Resolved: that this be added to the next agenda
Mr S Cartwright left the meeting
33. To Discuss Co-Option of Councillor
Proposed by Cllr Stamp and Seconded by Cllr Pattison and
Resolved: that Mr S Cartwright be Co-opted as Councillor to the Parish
Mr S Cartwright rejoined the meeting
34. To Discuss Completion of the Bus Shelter on Gainsborough Road
Proposed by Cllr Miller and Seconded by Cllr Stamp and
Resolved: that Chair to chase works next week and update Council on progress at next meeting
35. Items for next meeting:
- Discuss options for CIL funding
- Discuss and resolve on Parish maintenance matters
- Discuss and resolve update of banking mandate
- Discuss progress of bus shelters on Gainsborough Road
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8:45pm.