September 2021
MINUTES of the Full Council Meeting held on Wednesday 8th September 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 J. Pilley, Councillor N. Taylor, Councillor C. Turner.
In Attendance:
Lucy Waller – Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
Dianne Tuckett– Market Rasen Mail
1 Member 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.
Apologies for absence were received from councillors Hassan and Harrold and the resignation of Cllr Burnett was noted.
It was RESOLVED to accept the apologies.
3. Public Participation (max 20 minutes)
A member of the public addressed the council regarding agenda item 20 giving further information and highlighting the need to also preserve the Heritage Society Website.
Parishioner concerns regarding speeding and antisocial behaviour were also noted.
Action point – it was requested that the Clerk book the Old Police Station for the upcoming Heritage Society A.G.M on 7th October at 7.30pm
4. 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.
Councillor Bunney declared a peculiary interest in payment TP71 at agenda item 11. Councillor Lakin-Whitworth declared a pecuniary interest in. BP1268 at agenda item 11.
5. To RESOLVE to approve the draft minutes of the last meeting, held 14th July 2021.
It was RESOLVED to approve the draft minutes of the last meeting, held 14th July 2021 as a correct record subject to the addition of the following to Minute number 5:
“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 note any update on Action Points.
Members noted the Action log.
Action point – Clerk to resend draft Environment Working Group terms of reference to Councillor Taylor.
7. Committees:
- To note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Finance Committee held 26th July 2021
Members noted the draft minutes.
8. To receive the report of the District & County Councillor.
Members noted Councillor Bunney had attended:
- The opening of Mrs B’s Tearooms.
- An outdoor production held in Mill Road Playing field.
- The reopening of the refurbished Broadbent theatre.
Members additionally noted:
- Highways issues remained a top priority for Cllr Bunney and meetings were being held with Highways officers.
- The West Lindsey District Council (W.L.D.C) welcome back grant had been applied for town improvements.
- Heritage building grants were being considered.
- The business plan for a swimming pool in Market Rasen was due to be reconsidered.
9. To NOTE the Clerk’s report (including the finance report).
Members noted the officer report. Gary Smith was welcomed to the council staff. Members noted the notice of termination to the tenancy of part of the Old Police Station.
10. Communication requiring RESOLVED response:
- WLDC request for revised pricing of Committee Room Hire.
Members RESOLVED to grant the request for revised pricing.
- Resident enquiry into use of the Old Police Station for resident parking.
Members RESOLVED that while they could not offer the use of the grassed area at the Old Police Station for residents parking, they would inform the County Councillor that they supported the resident’s comments in regard for the need for a resident only parking permit scheme on Dear Street. In addition, in response to the safety issues raised around the school it was recognised that a manned school crossing was required, and this would also be communicated to the County councillor.
Action Point – Clerk to respond to communication.
11. Accounts for payment:
- To NOTE the August out of committee payments made.
Members noted the below out of committee payments made:
- To RESOLVE to approve the accounts for payment.
Members RESOLVED to approve the below accounts for payment and where appropriate payment by electronic transfer:
12. To NOTE the RFO recommended budget alterations following Quarter 1 reporting figures and to RESOLVE whether to make any budget alterations in line with the recommendations.
Members noted the RFO’s recommendation and RESOLVED to adopt the altered budget as set out in APPENDIX A of these minutes.
13. To NOTE the External Auditor Report year end 2020/2021.
Members noted the report.
14. To RESOLVE to engage the services of an Internal Auditor via The LALC service for the financial year 2021/2022.
Members RESOLVED to engage the services of an Internal Auditor via The LALC service for the financial year 2021/2022.
Action Point - Clerk to arrange.
15. To CONSIDER plans for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022.
Members RESOLVED to undertake a beacon event with a beacon to be sourced from local craftsmen.
16. To CONSIDER any other events in 2022.
There was no discussion on this item.
17. Request to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government to take out a Public Works Loan Board Loan:
- To NOTE the officer report regarding requesting permission to borrow £115,000 for the purchase of the Marketplace.
Members noted the officer report.
- To RESOLVE whether to request permission to borrow £115,000 for the purchase of the marketplace.
It was RESOLVED to request permission from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government to take out a Public Works Loan Board Loan of £115,000 for repayment over 25 years on an annuity basis.
- To RESOLVE whether to approve the officer report for submission as part of the request to borrow to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government via the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils.
It was RESOLVED to approve the officer report for submission.
Action point – Clerk in capacity as RFO to submit the application.
18. The marketplace:
- To CONSIDER further public consultation on the future of the marketplace.
Members noted that ongoing public consultation would take place on the future use of the marketplace.
- To CONSIDER temporary measures to manage parking and trading on the marketplace for the increased safety of all stakeholders.
It was RESOLVED that the trial sectioning off of the marketplace to provide a trading area free from parking would continue and that temporary measures would be introduced to support this as well as closing off the access to the marketplace from George Street. It was further RESOLVED that the Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Properties Committee have delegated spending power of up to £5000 to purchase any bollards, barriers or other equipment required to implement this.
It was also noted that in the future further closing of half of the marketplace to parking, seating areas and the introduction of pathways for disabled access would be considered. Members additionally noted the rising cost of full marketplace closures for events, and it was agreed that this would be reflected in the fee structure when this was considered by the finance committee during budget preparation.
19. To RECEIVE an update from Cllr S Bunney on Market Rasen Road Safety
Members noted the update and that the update would become a regular item as Town Council support would be required. It was highlighted that a survey of pavements was required with which Town Councillors would assist.
20. Proposed by Councillor S. Bunney that Market Rasen Town council RESOLVE to work with the trustees of Rase Heritage Society, West Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire County Council, and any other relevant partner agency with an aim to ensure the Rase Heritage Society collection be retained in Market Rasen.
The above RESOLUTION was passed.
21. To CONSIDER town appearance, including:
- Buildings
Members noted additional heritage funding may be available from West Lindsey District Council for buildings in the town, such as shop front improvements.
- Pavements
As highlighted within item 19.
- Notices
Members noted that Welcome back funding had been made available for the installation of an electronic noticeboard.
22. Any items for the next agenda.
None
23. 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.
The above resolution was unnecessary due to lack of any confidential matters.
The meeting closed at 20.30
APPENDIX A - budget alterations following Quarter 1 reporting figures.
