2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on 15th January 2024 held at Swinderby Village Hall

Present:  Cllr G Lloyd (Chair), Cllrs N Marris, S Longson, J Gagg and R Hodgson.

Clerk: S Aikman

Also in attendance:  Cllr Alan Briggs (LCC) and Cllr P Overton (NKDC). 3 members of the public. had sent his apologies. 

Public Forum

A resident reported on the flooding on Station Road, including sewage.  Severn Trent had looked the problem but not done anything.

Cllr Overton had attended the January meeting on the proposed solar farm.  He reported that this would need more detailed consideration by NKDC from a planning perspective, particularly taking into account the use of green agricultural land.  It was acknowledged that NKDC were striving to be carbon neutral by 2030 however, something of this scale required more consideration than simply looking at the production of cheap electricity. Statutory consultation was starting now and would continue until the end of March. The proposal could be with the Secretary of State by Autumn.

1.   To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received and were accepted from Cllrs L Carter and G Beales

2.   To receive any declarations of interest

In accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensation in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or any other interests as outlined in the Council’s Code of Conduct.

None.

Following a vote it was resolved to take item 9 at this point to enable items detailed during the public forum to be considered.

9. To consider the Parish Council’s response to the plans by Severn Trent to the upgrade the foul water system in the Parish.

A reservoir pipe had been put in Station Road a few years ago, however it had not coped with the recent high levels of surface and foul water. 

A response had been received to the complaint recently sent to Seven Trent.  However, the response had referred to our concern, rather than acknowledging that it was a complaint.  Following a vote a further response was unanimously agreed from the Parish Council.  This would state that Severn Trent’s proposals were not accepted as a solution.  The Parish Council would request a tight deadline for the proposed changes and clarification from Anglian Water that they could cope with the extra flow.  In addition, no acknowledgement had been received to the previous request for non-return valves and they were too slow in dealing with reported pump issues.  It would be suggested that wastewater from Mortin Hall should be redirected. The letter would be copied to Cllr Caroline Johnson and CCW, as suggested by Cllr Briggs.

3.   To receive and approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting 13th November 2023, previously circulated to members and published in draft to the website as required under the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities. 

Following a vote it was resolved unanimously that the minutes from 13th November 2023 were approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

Progress reported on matters discussed:

300 sandbags had been received from NKDC, 3 tons of sand had been purchased and were stored behind the container.

A simple to use emergency plan was to be developed.

ACTION Cllr Lloyd and Clerk

Tree name signs were still to be installed

ACTION: Cllrs Lloyd and Longson

Further streetlamp poppies could be considered for future years.

ACTION: Cllr Lloyd

Cllr Marris had identified that matching paint could be purchased for the container.  Any touching up required, including the roof, would be undertaken when the weather improved.

4.   Finance   

a.   To formally note Items of Income

b.   To formally approve items of expenditure

Expenditure including Clerk’s salary, PAYE and pension approved unanimously.

c.   Bank reconciliation for the year to date was approved unanimously.

d.   To review spend against budget.

Reviewed.

e.   To consider grass cutting quotes for 2024

3 grass cutting quotes had been received.  Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to accept the quote from CB Ground maintenance.
 
f.   To consider a quote for replacement battery and pads for the defibrillator.

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to purchase a replacement battery at a cost of £364 plus vat.  Pads would be replaced when required.

g.   To consider the 2024/25 budget and complete the precept request form.

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to request a precept of £23,347.40, an increase of approximately 5.5%.

5.   Planning

a)    Received

b)   Applications Decided

6.   To consider any updates on the draft S106 agreement for the Produce World site.

This would be signed by the Council in the near future.

A fully scaled plan would be requested from the architect.

ACTION: Cllr Lloyd.

7.   To receive any updates on the Biodiversity Plan for the Produce World site.

A matrix for biodiversity gain had been given to the landscaper.

Woodland at the far end of the site would be gifted to the community.

There would be open swales in front of some of the housing.

Landscaping will be drawn up for the front of the Church and the School.

8.   To report on the success of the Awards 4 All funding bid and review actions needed to install the play equipment and report to the National Lottery Community Fund.

Funding had been received and, subject to suitable weather conditions, the climbing wall was due to be installed on 29th January.

Councillors would look at a plan for removing the bridge from current equipment and roping off the area, possibly before the climbing was installed.

ACTION Cllr Marris

9.   To consider the Parish Council’s response to the plans by Severn Trent to the upgrade the foul water system in the Parish. 

Item already discussed.

10.   To consider a local emergency plan.

It was acknowledged that a simple to use plan was required.  The Clerk and Cllr Lloyd would prepare a draft for consideration by the Parish Council.

ACTION Clerk and Cllr Lloyd

11.   To consider the lack of response from HMP Morton Hall to the email regarding pedestrians walking from the prison to the station during the winter months. 

There had been a recent near accident involving a vehicle and visitors to Morton Hall.  Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to contact the prison again to suggest they place information on their website and a noticeboard to highlight the dangers and to suggest visitors wear bright clothing and carry a torch as well as being aware of traffic.  Cllr Briggs would talk to LCC Highways and the Road Safety Partnership.

12.   To consider issues arising from A46 closures and increased traffic, including HGVs, through the village.

Cllr Briggs had spoken to LCC Highways and there had been no response to concerns over weight limits or further speed restrictions.  

Cllr Marris suggested that villages that had taken all the additional traffic from road closures should be considered for additional budget spend.

13.   To report on any progress on the proposed solar farm and consider producing a leaflet for residents.

This item was deferred until the next meeting.

14.   To report on the contract for pest control.

The contract was starting to be effective in the control of moles.

15.   To consider ideas for the triangular island in the village.

Complaints had been received about the removal of the tree.  Cllr Lloyd had responded to inform residents why the tree had been removed.  A replacement smaller tree would be planted.  Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to purchase and plant a double hawthorn with a budget of approximately £150.

ACTION: Cllrs Longson and Lloyd.

16.   To report any updates on the conversion of the speed indicator devices to solar power.

Unipart were awaiting parts and expecting the speed indicator devices to be complete and returned at the end of January.

17.   Clerk and Councillors Reports (for information only), including a review of actions from minutes and matters that Councillors wish to be brought to the next or subsequent meetings.

No decisions may be made under this section, but councillors may wish to use this to flag up issues.

Cllr Lloyd reported that the Swinderby Summer Sunday would be held on 2nd June 2024.

Cllr Lloyd reported that the housing needs assessment was reflected in the new development and the S106 agreement.  It was important to share this information with local people.  Design codes, including planning and policies had been pulled together into the draft Neighbourhood Plan.  This will go to NKDC and will then have a 6-month consultation.  The plan focuses on the rural character of the village.

D-Day celebrations would be added to the next agenda.

18.   Correspondence

To note correspondence received.

19.   Date of next meeting 

Swinderby Parish Council meeting 7.30pm Monday 12th February 2024.

Meeting closed at 9:25 pm