2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on 12th February 2024 held at Swinderby Village Hall

Present: Cllr G Lloyd (Chair), Cllr L Carter (Vice Chair), Cllrs N Marris, S Longson, and R Hodgson.

Clerk: S Aikman

Also in attendance:  Cllr Alan Briggs (LCC), Cllr Mitch Elliott (NKDC) and Cllr P Overton (NKDC). 3 members of the public.  

Public Forum

Cllr Overton reported on the new Mayoral authority for Lincolnshire, which he felt would water down local control and add another tier of structure.

Budgets were currently being set for 2024/25.

There had been an appeal against the use of RAF Scampton for asylum seekers.  The original proposal was for 2000 asylum seekers.  It was thought that this may be reduced to 500.

Cllr Elliott reported that residents may all receive an additional 2 bins that would be for food waste: a 5 litre bin for indoors and a 25 litre bin for outside.  NKDC were also considering a separate bin for plastic film such as cling film and food bags.

Cllr Briggs reported that, due to illness, he had not yet visited Chennels.  

Cllr Briggs had emailed LCC Highways about concerns raised for visitors walking to Morton Hall.

The matter of sewage in gardens would be raised at the Flood Scrutiny meeting on Thursday.  The Clerk would send the complaint reference and job reference from Severn Trent to Cllr Briggs.  Cllr Lloyd would send the photos.

Cllr Overton reported that North Scarle Parish Council had formed a flooding committee and suggested that it may be worth joining them. 

1.    To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received and were accepted from Cllrs J Gagg 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.

3.    To receive and approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting 15th January 2024, 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 15th January 2024 were approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

Progress reported on matters discussed:

- The Emergency Plan was ongoing.
- The tree name tags were still to be installed.
- The poppies for street signs had not been bought yet.
- The S106 for the Produce World site was now ready.  Cllr Lloyd would share the information on the village Facebook group and produce a summary for the Linkup.
- The rope bridge had been removed from the play equipment and a new access was being installed on 8th March to comply with requirements from the last risk assessment.
- A discussion was held about the swing top bolts.  Cllr Marris would check and tighten as necessary.

ACTION: Cllr Marris

- The new ‘Paul Scarlett’ hawthorn tree had been planted on the triangle.  A plaque would be added in the future.  A second tree had been planted on Moor Lane.

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.

5.    Planning

a)     Received

b)   Appeals

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

This had now been signed.  Cllr Lloyd would summarise the key points for the Linkup.

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

Updates were still awaited from the landscaper.  Maps were needed with measurements.  Plans should be clearer with blue marking removed and the words ‘ransom strip’ should be changed to ‘Ecological Corridor’.  A clear plan is needed so that it can be displayed for residents.

ACTION: Cllr Lloyd

8.    To consider a simple to use Emergency Plan.

This item was deferred.

9.    To consider plans for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on 6th June 2024.

The Summer fete planning group would add D-Day commemorations to the event.  It was suggested that a memorial bench be purchased.  Cllr Longson would research and send out pictures and prices.

ACTION: Cllr Longson

10.    To consider any response from Severn Trent to the request for an upgrade to the foul water system in the Parish.

Item discussed during the Public Forum. 

11.    To report on any progress on the proposed solar farm.

A resident had been attending ‘Stop Fosse Green Action Group’ meetings regarding the proposed solar farm and had produced a detailed report for the Parish Council.  They had also produced a fact sheet looking at the impact that would be had from the proposed development. A meeting was to be held in Witham St Hughs on 7th April 2024.  All District Councils in Lincolnshire were against the proposal and a letter was being prepared to send to Ministers.

A discussion was held about the PC response including gathering residents’ views through statements of fact and looking at the proposal from a scientific, ecological and environmental perspective.  This would be worked on for the next meeting.

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

The Speed Indicator Devices were expected to be converted and returned this week.

13.    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 Carter had brought the paperwork from the Clerk’s annual review for signature.

Cllr Carter informed the PC about the new student group at the school.  She asked for ideas for their next task for the playing field.  Bug hotels, bat boxes and owl boxes were discussed.  The children would design items and build them with help from their parents.

Cllr Lloyd would be contacting the new grass contractors to ensure everything was in place.

Cllr Lloyd suggested that everyone looks at the last annual play inspection report again so that items can be reviewed at the next meeting.  He raised the idea of a further funding bid for a target wall and further bin.  The Clerk would check Awards4All for frequency of bids.

ACTION: Clerk

The goal posts needed moving from the play area to the playing field.  Cllrs Longson and Marris would look at this.  The toddler multi-play was looking tired and needed replacing.

A report was required from the company dealing with moles on the play area. ACTION: Clerk

The Clerk suggested that an application to the NKDC lottery funding could be made towards the purchase of the D-Day commemorative bench.

ACTION: Clerk 

14.    Correspondence

To note correspondence received.

15.    Date of next meeting 

Swinderby Parish Council meeting 7.30pm Monday 11th March 2024.

Meeting closed at  9.05 pm