2021 Town Council Minutes of Meetings

MINUTES of the Full Council Meeting held on Wednesday 14th July 2021 at 7.00PM at the Main Hall of the Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen.

Present:

Councillor S. Bunney (Chairman/LCC/WLDC), Councillor M. Lakin - Whitworth (Vice-Chairman), Councillor K. Bridger, Councillor L. Burnett, Councillor P. Harrold, Councillor M. Hassan, Councillor J. Pilley, Councillor N. Taylor, Councillor C. Turner. 

In Attendance:

Lucy Waller – Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer 

Dianne Tuckett– Market Rasen Mail

3 Members of the public 

The meeting opened at 19:00

1.          Opening remarks.

The Chairman welcomed all present to the meeting.

2.         To resolve to approve and accept apologies for absence.

No apologies were received from members, and apologies were noted from Councillor J McNeil of West Lindsey District council (WLDC). 

3.         Public Participation (max 20 minutes) 

A recent letter in the Rasen Mail regarding litter in the council’s parks and the age of persons using the parks was highlighted by Councillor C. Turner.  It was decided to consider these comments when playpark equipment was reviewed on an upcoming agenda. 

Action Point – Clerk to include consideration of suitable ages of playpark users within the agenda item regarding playpark equipment. 

4.         To receive presentations of a maximum of 5 minutes each from candidates for co-option and to allow 5 minutes for any Councillor questions resulting from the presentations. 

Members noted the presentations from two candidates and a question-and-answer session followed.  

5.         To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the localism Act 2011 and to consider any applications for dispensations in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.   Members may make any declarations of interest at this point but may also make them again at any time during the course of the meeting.

Cllr Bunney declared a pecuniary interest in payment TP66 at agenda item 16. Councillor Lakin-Whitworth declared a personal interest in agenda item 20 and abstained from voting, as a candidate was known to her personally. Councillor Pilley declared an interest in agenda item 23 due to being known to an applicant and refrained from voting on the item.

6.         To resolve to approve the draft minutes of the last meeting, held on 2nd June 2021 and the extraordinary meeting held on 29th June 2021. 

It was RESOLVED to approve the draft minutes of the last meeting, held on 2nd June 2021 as a correct record. It was RESOLVED to approve the draft minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on the 29th of June 2021 subject to the insertion of Councillor N. Taylor’s name in the list of Councillors present.                                                                                                 

7.         To note any update on Action Points.

Members noted the Action log. It was highlighted that more details of the Environmental Committee or Working group would come forward to council in September or October and that a working group may be preferred to allow members of the public to be appointed. 

Action Point – Clerk to draft terms of reference with input from interested parties.    

8.         To receive the report of the District & County Councillor. 

Members noted:

• The adoption of Beechers Way and surrounding street in the ridings area by Lincolnshire County Council (LCC)had taken place. 
• Councillor Bunney had made comments on the consultation regarding the bus strategy, regarding the need to improve overall connectivity with Gainsborough. 
• Councillor Bunney had met with the Highways Manager to conduct a tour of highways issues in Market Rasen at which it was confirmed that Chapel and Church Street were scheduled for rebuilding and repair work in this financial year.
• Fix my street continued to be the best method for reporting highways issues. 
• It would be useful for the Town council to conduct a survey of pavement issues to submit to relevant department of LCC.
• Councillor Bunney had a meeting with representatives of Lloyds bank to discuss potential increased additional services to Market Rasen.
• Councillor Bunney had attended the Gardeners Market and a presentation at the racecourse. 

9.         To NOTE the Clerk’s report (including the finance report) and the Community Manager’s report. 

Members noted the officer’s reports it was requested that: 

• The dates on which Lloyds bank visited the marketplace be included in the Community Managers report and that along with the dates of the Age Concern stand on the marketplace these be publicised on noticeboards / website and social media. 
• Further investigation take place into the reported drain issue and quotes be sought for repairs. 
• A full update on the status of the Festival Hall roof and Old Police Station Windows to be bought to the next meeting of Full Council. 

Action Point – the Community Manager to action the above points.  

10.       Items of correspondence requiring resolved response: 

• Any response to WLDC consultation on gambling licence policy review. https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/GamblingPolicyConsultation (closing date 6th August)
• Any response to Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Consultation.

Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Review – Draft Local Plan Consultation - Central Lincolnshire Planning Policy Consultations (inconsult.uk) (closing date 24th August)

It was RESOLVED to delegate the Clerk to respond to the above consultations following input from councillors via email. 

Action Point – Clerk to collate councillor responses, if any, and respond to the consultations.

• A letter from a member of the public regarding grass cutting at De Aston Field. 

Members noted the correspondence and after discussion it was RESOLVED to inform the resident that the concerns raised would be considered by the Environmental working group once formed. 

• A request from Focus ability Care services for support for their request for a disabled parking space on Union Street. (Request circulated)

Members noted the request, and it was RESOLVED to support the request and to raise the issue with the County Councillor. 

11.        To resolve to hold a Town Council Christmas Market Event on Friday 3rd and Sat 4th December 2021 and to consider the event plan (Any expenditure under LGA1972 s.145)

It was RESOLVED to hold a Town Council Christmas Market Event on Friday 3rd and Sat 4th December 2021.

12.       To resolve to repair the 1977 Queen’s Jubilee bench, currently in storage and request permission from the appropriate authority to relocate it to either near Fletcher Court or the footpath between Mill Road and Whitworth Way. (Any expenditure under PCA 1957 s.1)

It was RESOLVED to repair the bench, which Councillor Taylor expressed willingness to assist with, and to request permission to site the bench near the footpath between Mill Road and Whitworth Way. It was also noted that a survey of all the benches in Market Rasen and a schedule of repair would be beneficial. 

13.        To resolve to approve the accounts for payment.

 It was RESOLVED to approve the below accounts for payment and for payment via electronic banking where required

14.       To RESOLVE acceptance of Unity Trust terms and conditions for bank accounts and to RESOLVE the bank mandate. 

Members noted the officer report. It was RESOLVED to accept the terms and conditions and the bank mandate highlighted in the report. 

15.       To NOTE the detailed Internal Auditor Report year end 2020/2021 and to RESOLVE any action. 

Members noted the report.

16.       To REVIEW and ADOPT the Market Rasen Town Council Code of Conduct and Publication Scheme. Members noted the report and RESOLVED to readopt the Code of Conduct unchanged and to adopt the Publication Scheme with the recommended amendments. 

17.      Proposed by Councillor Taylor that the Town Council resolve to request that Lincolnshire County Council Highways install pedestrian safety barriers opposite the Leisure Centre on Gainsborough Road. 

18.      A letter from a member of the public supporting the above proposal and raising other highways related issues was read aloud by the Chairman.  It was RESOLVED to write to the County Councillor to request that Lincolnshire County Council Highways install pedestrian safety barriers opposite the Leisure Centre on Gainsborough Road. 

It was also suggested that Market Rasen Town council contact Lincolnshire Road Safety partnership to discuss reactive speed signs in this area, councillor Bunney indicated he would submit a paper to the September or October meeting covering various highways concerns.

19.        Risk Management. 

None 

20.       To RESOLVE that under the public bodies (admission to meetings) act 1960, the public and representatives of the press and broadcast media be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

It was RESOLVED that under the public bodies (admission to meetings) act 1960, the public and representatives of the press and broadcast media be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business.

           The public and press left the meeting. 

21.        To NOTE an update from the recruitment working party and RESOLVE to appoint to the Maintenance Operative position or RESOLVE further action based on recommendations. 

Following a verbal update and discussion it was RESOLVED to offer the position of Maintenance Operative to Gary Smith on a 30 hour per week contract with a review of hours following the probationary period to judge the need for an increase to 37 hours per week.  

22.         To RESOLVE to approve the officer recommendation for the provider for council office telephony / broadband services and staff mobile phones and the purchase of office I.T. equipment. (Any expenditure under LGA1972 s.111)

It was RESOLVED to enter a two-year contract with BT/EE for the provision of broadband and landlines at £39.94 per month and 5 staff mobile phones at £132.50 per month.  To enter in to a 3-year lease arrangement for two laptops for £8 per week and an additional M365 licence with Lincoln Web Design. To enter a contract for online hosting for the accounts packages with Microshade for £60 per month, and to purchase: 

• 2 x 27” screens
• Laptop risers
• Cabling
• iPad 2020 10.2”

23.       Co-option:

• To RESOLVE to co-opt a councillor to the casual vacancy resulting from the death of the late J. Matthews. 

It was proposed and seconded that Alison Dale be co-opted to the above vacancy. It was RESOLVED by a majority of those present and voting to co-opt Alison Dale. 

• To RESOLVE to co-opt a councillor to the casual vacancy resulting from the resignation of N. Brooksbank.

It was proposed and seconded to co-opt David Strachan to the above position the proposal failed to achieve the support of the majority of those present and voting.  It was therefore RESOLVED not to co-opt to the above vacancy. 

The vacancy remains open.