January 2020 Minutes
MINUTES of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 8th January 2020 at 7.00pm in the Committee Room at the Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen
Present:
Councillor J. Matthews ( Mayor)
Councillor J. Pilley
Councillor M. Lakin Whitworth
Councillor A. Lakeman
Councillor S. Bunney
Councillor T. Smith
Councillor C. Turner
Councillor K. Bridger
Councillor N. Brooksbank
Councillor J. Clark
In attendance:
Lucy Waller Town Clerk
District Councillor S. Bunney
County Councillor L. Strange
Georgia Burrows Market Rasen Mail
The Meeting opened at 19.00
1. Mayor’s opening remarks
The Mayor wished all present a Happy New Year and welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mrs Lucy Waller was introduced as the new Clerk to the Town Council.
2. Apologies for absence and reasons given
Apologies were received and approved from Councillor C. Sirett, apologies also received from District Councillor J. McNeill.
3. Public Participation
None
4. Councillors’ Reports
The requirement for a replacement flag at the Old Police Station and a leaking water hydrant on the junction of King Street and Mill Street were discussed.
Action Point
• Flag to be replaced
• Leaking hydrant to be reported
5. 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.
None received.
However, Councillor S. Bunney later made a declaration of interest during Item 13 as an item of correspondence was discussed relating to planning application 140365 /133156. It was noted that Councillor Bunney owned land adjacent to the planning site.
6. Notes of meeting of Council Meeting held on the 4 th December 2019
It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 4th December 2019 as a true and accurate record of the meeting, subject to some minor grammatical amendments.
Councillors S. Bunney and N. Brooksbank abstained from the vote.
7. Update on Action Points
The Council reviewed action points from Council meeting held on the 4th December 2019, the following points were highlighted:
• No response or action had as yet resulted from Councillor M. Lakin Whitworth ’s reporting of highways defects on Union Street and Chapel Street.
• Councillor J. Matthews confirmed that he had had sight of the proposed plaques for the Chatty Benches and had provided the Market Rasen Town Council Logo for incorporation.
8. Chairman’s announcements
Councillor Martin Harvey
It was noted that Councillor Harvey had resigned and the Chairman expressed the thanks of the Town Council for Councillor Harvey’s many years of service. It was RESOLVED that a letter of thanks be sent to Councillor Harvey.
Civic Duties
Members noted that December had been a busy month for civic attendances including:
• Several Carol Services
• Representation at the Local Business Association
• Lions’ Charity Quiz
• Visits on Christmas Morning
9. Town Clerk’s Report.
No report was received due to recent Staff changes and illness.
10. Report of the County Councillor
County Councillor L. Strange reported on local issues, points of note were:
• Debbie Barnes’ appointment as Chief Executive of Lincolnshire County Council.
• Work on Lincoln Bypass to commence 20/01/20202.
• Substantial investmen t in local firefighting equipment.
• Changes to local speed limits on Linwood Road and on the A46.
• Parking and safety issues to be considered around De Aston School and the Primary School.
11. Report of the District Councillor
District Councillor Bunney repor ted on local issues points of note were:
• An upcoming meeting with Lincolnshire's Police and Crime Commissioner
• The availability of grants from West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) for victims of residential flooding.
• The price for WLDC Garden Waste services (Green Bin) was to remain static at £35.
• Public Wi-Fi was to be reinstated at the Festival Hall following its disconnection in error.
12. Accounts for Payment
The following accounts for payment were tabled:
It was RESOLVED that the payments totalling £5044.94 be approved
It was confirmed that damage deposits for the Festival Hall included loss of /damage to crockery.
Action Point
It was requested that the Clerk report back to Council on the frequency of reductions to deposit refunds.
13. Correspondence.
A list of correspondence of note since the previous meeting was tabled.
The following items of correspondence were mentioned:
• A letter thanking the Council for the use of the Festival Hall and praising a staff member for their assistance.
• A copy of a Neighbourhood Watch group response to planning application 140365/133156.
• An email thanking the council for the Christmas Market.
14. Report from Committee Meetings.
No reports received
15. Progress reports from Projects Groups (Project Leader will bring this for discussion if clarification is required by the Council)
16. Festival Hall
Members noted that an inventory had taken place and following 5 years of use it would be necessary to spend £394 .08 + VAT to restock banqueting stock to original standards.
It was RESOLVED to authorise expenditure of £394 08 + VAT to restock banqueting stock and to review deposit and damage charging procedures.
Old Police Station - Members noted that damp had been identified by tenants and this was currently under investigation.
Mill Road Playing Field Development - None.
17. Report from Meetings
Members noted details of a meeting with Market Rasen Race Course regarding the Love Market Rasen Race Day on February 16th 2020.
Points of note were:
• A Community Business Award will be launched November 2019 and will be presented at the Love Market Rasen Race Day in February.
• There would be six races in total one of which would be named the Town Council Race
18. Discussion on Live and Local Strategy
Discussion took place regarding the cancellation of the December Live and Local Event and the financial implications of this. Marketing strategy for future events was discussed.
19. Community Speed Watch Group .
It was confirmed that the application had been submitted.
20. Green Spaces, Pocket Parks and Allotments
Councillor S. Bunney tabled a report detailing the general description of intent for the proposed pocket park area at land off Chapel Street and highlighted that it would not be possible to apply for external funding until a minimum 5 year occupancy could be legally agreed.
21. Update on Neighbourhood Planning
None
22. Setting of final precept figure 2020 2021
It was RESOLVED that the precept figure for 2020/ 2021 be set at £129,023.
23. The meeting was adjourned for any public participation for clarification for agenda points (5 minutes Clarification of the reason for an increase in precept was sought. It was noted the increase was 2.5 % which represents inflation and increases in salary and pension costs due to changes in national legislation.
24. Risk Management.
None
25. Monthly Column January 2020
Town Council staffing structure and priorities.
The Meeting closed at 20.11