2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on 11th March 2024 held at Swinderby Village Hall

Present: Cllr G Lloyd (Chair), Cllr L Carter (Vice Chair), Cllrs N Marris, S Longson, and J Gagg Clerk: S Aikman

Also in attendance:  Cllr P Overton (NKDC). 3 members of the public.  

Public Forum

Apologies received from Cllr Alan Briggs (LCC) and Cllr Mitch Elliott (NKDC)

A resident had raised concerns over parking and behaviour from users of the Light and Life Mission.  A draft letter had been produced by the resident and was to be agreed by several residents.  It was important that all references to the Parish Council should be removed as the Parish Council had not agreed to the letter.  The Clerk would write to the resident to confirm this.

ACTION: Clerk 

Concerns were raised over safety in the Church due to the numbers using the venue.  Validity of any public liability insurance was also a concern. Cllr Overton would raise concerns with the Fire Service and with Environmental Health at NKDC.  

1.   To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received and were accepted from Cllr R Hodgson.

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.

Cllr Gagg declared an interest in item 8, Fosse Green Energy.

To confirm the resignation of Cllr Beales and the process being undertaken to fill the vacancy.

It was confirmed that Cllr Beales had resigned from the Parish Council.  The notice of vacancy was on the website, displayed on the noticeboard, and notified on the village Facebook group.  The Council would move to co-option if there was no call for an election by 15th March.

3.   To receive and approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting 12th February 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 12th February 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.
- Bolts on the swings needed tightening.
- The Wicksteed report should be revisited to check for other areas of monitoring.
- No response had been received form pest control.  The Clerk would write a formal letter.

ACTION: Clerk

- The SIDS had been returned and now needed to be installed.
- Goal posts needed moving.
- Trees were still to be planted.

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.

LALC membership for 2024/25 was approved unanimously.

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

d.   To review spend against budget.

Reviewed.

It was noted that the Asset Register needed updating to include the solar conversion of the speed indicator devices.

ACTION: Clerk

5.   Planning and Tree Works

a)    Received

b)   Decided

6.   To report on the Parish Tree inspection.

Sooty bark disease had been found on Sycamore trees on the Playing Field, they have been marked in orange and need to be cut down.  Quotes would be obtained for a full day of work from a tree surgeon.

ACTION: Cllr Lloyd

7.   To consider any actions required relating to the Fosse Green Energy Proposal.

There were 7 key points identified through consultation:

- The specific area
- 14,000 acres would be covered
- Loss of agricultural land
- There was a need to look at alternatives e.g. the use of industrial and house roofs for solar panels and the use of windfarms.
- Carbon footprint that has not been included in reports
- The change of character of the area that would happen with the proposed development.

A poster (flyer) would be produced based on the feedback received from the public.  NKDC had approved a letter, that will be sent to Ministers, showing their opposition to the proposals from a planning perspective.  Their letter also encourages thinking in the round, with applications vastly more than those suggested.  A sequential approach to planning for these developments should be considered.  The poster (flyer) will include brief details of this letter to Parliament.  It will also include links to consultations for the Neighbourhood Plan and the large development in the village.

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

Plans for biodiversity gain on the development site and the Playing Field should be received within the week. Communications were in place with the developer regarding pedestrian access requested by residents and a small piece of land that was to be transferred to the Parish Council.

Proposed plans for the front of the school were also expected this week.

9.   To confirm the signing parties to the s106 for the Produce World site.

The S106 had been signed by NKDC, Peter and Sally Sowerby, Peter Gilbert Sowerby, Heritage Commercial Finance Ltd and Swinderby Parish Council.

10.   To resolve to donate on the occupation of the 50th dwelling £5000 to the church development fund and £10,000 to All saints Church, Swinderby. 

It was resolved that, on receipt of the expected funds from the developer, the Parish Council would fulfil commitments given in the original S106 for outline planning permission for the development and give £5,000 to All Saints Church, Swinderby  and £10,000 to Swinderby All Saints C of E Primary School. 

11.   To consider a simple to use Emergency Plan.

Item deferred.

12.   To report on a funding application towards the purchase of a bench to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on 6th June 2024.

The application had been submitted for £500 towards the cost of a bench.

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to purchase a ‘Lest We Forget’ bench with bolt down kit and delivery.  A plaque with space for 45 words would also be ordered and would allow for narrative to remember the sacrifices made by the women and men of Swinderby.  The total cost was £1,665 plus VAT.  The VAT would be reclaimed by the Parish Council.

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

Severn Trent had stated that they would try and accelerate plans for improvements in the village.

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 spoken to the School Council about ideas for the wildlife area on the Playing Field.  Children would be drawing up their designs.

Cllr Gagg raised concerns about the brightness and direction of the site lights on the new development and the impact on nearby residents and drivers. Cllr Lloyd would speak to the developer.

ACTION: Cllr Lloyd

Cllr Lloyd would send out suggested dates for the next litter pick.

ACTION: Cllr Lloyd

Cllr Lloyd reported that discussions were happening around the next stage of the Neighbourhood Plan.  The Housing Needs Assessment and Design Codes would link to policies and plans, including the rural nature of the village.  Policies will be a tool for people, including future Parish Councils, to use when considering future planning applications.  The Neighbourhood Plan draft includes what people have said is important to them and fits in with local policies.  The consultant would be asked how National Plans such as onshore wind turbines could be covered in the Plan.

14.   Correspondence

To note correspondence received.

15.   Date of next meeting 

Swinderby Parish Council meeting 7.30pm Monday 15th April 2024.

Meeting closed at  9.20 pm