December 2019 Minutes
MINUTES of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 4th December 2019
at 7.00pm in the Committee Room at the Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen
Present:
Councillor J. Matthews (Mayor) Councillor A. Lakeman Councillor M. Lakin-Whitworth Councillor C. Turner
Councillor J. Pilley Councillor C. Sirret Councillor K. Bridger Councillor J. Clark Councillor T. Smith
In attendance:
Georgia Burrows – Rasen Mail
1. Mayor’s opening remarks
The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies for absence and reasons given
Apologies were received and approved from Councillors S. Bunnney
M. Harvey and N. Brooksbank and also from the Clerk.
It was agreed that Cllr J Pilley take the minutes of this meeting.
3. Public Participation.
None
4. Councillors’ Reports
Cllr C Sirrett reported on a complaint received from a resident regarding the
difficulty of using a mobility scooter along some of the roads and pavements in the town, particularly along Union Street and Chapel Street. She highlighted a number of specific locations with regard to pot holes etc.
Cllr Lakin-Whitworth informed the meeting that she had previously reported these
problems to the relevant authority and was awaiting action.
5. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of
the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any applications for dispensation in
relation to Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest. Members may make any
declarations of interest at this point but may also make then again anytime dur-ing
the course of the meeting.
Cllr J Matthews declared an interest in item BP825 on the list of accounts tabled
for approval at this meeting.
6. To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held 6th November 2019
and the extraordinary Council Meeting held 20th November 2019
It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 6th
November 2019 and the minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held 20th
November 2019 as a true and accurate record.
Cllr Sirrett
Abstained from voting on these minutes as she was absent from the meetings.
7. Update of Action Points
Members reviewed the action points from the meeting held 6th November 2019.
It was noted that Highways were currently undertaking some repair work along
Chapel Street.
Cllr J Matthews reported on his meeting with the M.R. Racecourse when he con-firmed the Town Council’s support for the forthcoming Love Market Rasen Race Day to be held on 16th February 2020 and the thanks received from the racecourse for the support.
Chairman’s announcements
Cllr J Matthews reported on the following events:
• The Mayor’s Charity Christmas Market held 30th November 2019
He thanked all members who had helped to make this such a successful event and confirmed that approximately £1,700 been raised for his chosen charities.
• Market Rasen Band concert to be held 21st December in the Festival Hall
• He and Cllr S Bunney had attended a strategy meeting with MR Golf Club
• The planned town tidy-up had been postponed due to the inclement weather and
would be re-scheduled for a later date.
• Attended an Army Benevolent Fund event
• The town Christmas trees had now been erected
8. Town Clerk’s Report
The Clerk’s report was received and noted.
Cllr Lakin-Whitworth reported on the improved illumination at the Mill Road Playing Field following the installation of the new light and asked that consideration be giv-en to replacing the remaining old light on the playing field in order to make the light-ing uniform and much safer for users of the area.
9. Report from the County Councillor
County Councillor L. Strange sent his apologies owing to being unwell.
The Chairman wished him a speedy recovery.
10. Report from the District Councillor
Members noted the written report submitted by District Cllr S Bunney which covered updates on the following items:
• Flooding problems in the town generally
• Pot Holes and damaged roads and pavements
• Ongoing discussions with MRAG regarding land available for allotments
• Neighbourhood Plan & Strategy – ongoing – meting to be held in the Spring
• Working with LCC concerning the adoption of roads around Beeches Way
• John Street Car Park – liaising with residents and WLDC to free up access
Action Point:
Cllr J Matthews said that the council should support residents in their aim to have
roads adopted and it was agreed to place this item on the agenda for the next
meeting of the Planning & Development Committee for further discussion.
11. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to receive any applications for dispensation in relation to
Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
Cllr J Matthews declared an interest in account No. BP825 listed for approval at this meeting, for costs incurred on behalf of the Council.
12. Accounts for Payment
The Accounts for Payment (PAPER B) were distributed at the meeting to all
members (copy attached to signed minutes).
Resolved that the accounts as presented be approved for payment.
Cllr J Matthews did not speak to or vote on this item.
13. General Correspondence received
Paper C was distributed at the meeting and correspondence received noted:
Cllr J Matthews reported on the item “Chatty Bench”. At the start of discussion of this item the correspondent entered the meeting.
It was agreed to suspend standing orders to allow the Mr Peter Harold to speak to members about this project.
Members were pleased to learn about this initiative which was intended to encour-age people to speak and to pass the time of day with each other whilst out and about in the town. It was agreed that Mr Harold would provide the Council with
details of the plaques currently used on other benches. Cllr J Matthews said that he thought it was an excellent idea towards encouraging people to feel less isolated.
Mr Harold also asked the Chairman about any awards given by the Town Council in
recognition of work done by local people etc. The Chairman confirmed that indeed
the Council did have an award for voluntary work undertaken within the town,
namely the ‘Princess Diana Award’ and he outlined the type of work which would
normally attract consideration of the award. He also outlined other awards given by
West Lindsey District Council and other organisations.
Mr Harold left the meeting at this point.
Standing Orders were reinstated at this point
14. To receive any items of importance from Committee Meetings
There were no reports
15. Progress reports from Project Group
a) Committee Room
Cllr J Matthews confirmed the purchase of a tv screen for the
Committee room to allow the viewing of on-line planning proposals and
other documents currently available on the WLDC and LCC websites.
b) Festival Hall
The problem highlighted in the Clerk’s report with regard to a leak in the hall was discussed further and it was noted further investigation was currently underway to establish the cause and extent of any damage.
c) Old Police Station – no further information at present.
d) Mill Road Playing Field development – no further information at present.
16. Update from the Community Speed Watch Group
Cllr J Clark confirmed that the relevant paperwork had been submitted for approval and a response awaited.
17. Update on Green Spaces, Pocket Parks and Allotments
Members noted the update included in Cllr S Bunny’s earlier report.
18. Feedback from Neighbourhood Planning Training
The Chairman thanked Cllr C. Sirrett for her in-depth report from the Neighbour-hood Plan meeting which she and Cllr J Clark had recently attended. It was noted that this would be a long-term project and that further reports would be made in due course.
19. To adjourn the meeting for any public participation for clarification
of agenda points
There were none
20. Risk Management
Festival Hall floor leak.
It was noted that this was currently under investigation.
21. Monthly columns topics for December
It was agreed that the Mayor’s message for December would be a festive message to celebrate the current season.
22. To resolve on whether the Council will move into closed session.
Should this resolution be passed the public and press will be required
To leave the meeting at this stage.
There were no items requiring a closed session.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 7.30 p.m.