2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL

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

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

Clerk: S Aikman

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

Public Forum

Cllr Overton advised on matters concerning the Wesleyan Chapel.  All dangerous parking should be reported to the police.  Additional bins were needed in the area, waste collection crews had raised concerns about the amount of litter in the area.  The Fire Service would be in touch regarding concerns over the number of users of the chapel.

A parishioner had spoken to chapel users and sent a letter outlining some residents concerns.  Plans were in place by the chapel users to marshall the traffic and distribute parking more sensibly.  Marshalling had already seen some positive impact around Holt Farm Paddock. The resident felt that it was clear that the congregation had outgrown the facilities.  Some users objected to suggestions of finding a more suitable venue. Others were more open to the idea.

Cllr Elliott had attended meetings with the waste management team regarding removal of Christmas side waste and the planned additional bin for food waste that had not been received well by residents.

Cllr Briggs provided the email address for any issues regarding the flood resistance funding: Property-Flood-Resilience@lincolnshire.gov.uk.  Cllr Briggs was happy to take up issues on behalf of residents.

Cllr Briggs would take a walk around the village at appropriate times to look at parking issues and then discuss them with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.

A resident asked why the waiting room at Swinderby Station was still shut after more than 6 months.  Passengers were having to wait outside for trains regardless of the weather.  Cllr Lloyd would contact Railtrack and NKDC Conservation and Heritage to try and find some answers.  

1.   To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received and were accepted from Cllrs. N Marris and L Carter (Vice Chair).

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 consider any applications for Co-option to the Parish Council

There had been no call for an election and the Council therefore considered an application for co-option from Alistair Hague.

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to co-opt Alistair Hague to the role of Parish Councillor.

ACTION: Clerk

4.   To receive and approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting 11th March 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 11th March 2024 were approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

Progress reported on matters discussed:

- A local company had offered to produce posts for the tree signs without charge, the Parish Council was grateful for this contribution to the community.
- The Clerk would write to pest control again to ask for progress reports.   ACTION: Clerk
- The speed indicator devices had been returned from an upgrade to solar power.  1 had been placed on Collingham Road and 1 was due to go back on Station Road.  It was noted that the devices can only be installed in locations approved by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.  The Parish Council would consider adding further devices in the future.
- Trees donated by Cllr Overton had been planted.
- Essential tree works had been completed
- The Biodiversity Plan for the development had still not been received. 
- An official copy of the signed S106 for the development had been received for retention by the Parish Council.
- The new bench had been received and was awaiting installation.  It would be installed opposite the Church to replace the bench that was currently there.
- Cllr Lloyd had emailed the developer regarding the bright lights from the site.  The developer said that the level of lighting was required for security reasons. 
- The next litter pick would be on 12th May.

5.   Finance   

a.   To formally note Items of Income

b.   To consider the quote for lawnmower insurance.

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to purchase the lawnmower insurance at a cost of £129.32.

c.   To consider the quote for tree works.

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to accept the quote of £1,170.  

d.   To consider the quote for LALC membership.

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to renew LALC membership at a cost of £247.82

e.   To consider a request from a resident to cover costs for a land registry information search.

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to cover the resident’s costs of £41 for land registry documents.  The documents would be sent to the Parish Council.

f.   To formally approve items of expenditure

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

LALC membership for 2024/25 was approved unanimously.

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

h.   To review spend against budget.

Reviewed.

i.   To consider arranging for LALC to undertake an internal audit.

Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to arrange an internal audit through LALC.

ACTION: Clerk

6.   Planning and Tree Works

a)    Received

b)   Decided

7.   To receive any updates on the land registry for the Village Hall and follow up as necessary.

No updates received.

8.   To receive any updates on the proposed Solar Park.

No updates had been received.  Cllr Overton commented that there was concern for tenant farmers as large landowners may look at selling their land.  15 schemes were being proposed in Lincolnshire.  It was noted that Ministers had overruled planning permission in Hertfordshire for a solar park.

9.   To receive any updates from pest control.

Already discussed.

10.   To consider plans for the Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council Meeting on 20th May 2024.

Reports and items of interest would be invited from and about: Swinderby Village Hall, Swinderby Trust, Neighbourhood Plan and residents.  Cllr Briggs gave his apologies. 

11.   To report on any updates to the development of the Neighbourhood Plan.

The Housing Needs Assessment and Design Code were complete. Version 3 of the draft Neighbourhood Plan was being discussed at a meeting next week.

Cllr Lloyd had completed the final report to the funders (Groundwork UK). Unspent funds received for the Neighbourhood Plan were to be returned.

CTION: Clerk

NKDC would link the Plan to National Planning Policies and check that nothing conflicts with National Policy.

12.   To discuss plans for the Summer Fete.

The fete would be held on 2nd June at 2pm.  A meeting was being held next week to discuss plans.

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 sent in her concerns regarding the proposed solar development.  

Cllr Carter proposed that the Reg Ketteringham Award should go to the residents producing the knitted items on display around the village.  Agreed by all.

Cllr Lloyd reported that he still had a dog waste bin in storage.  This was to be installed on Station Road.

Cllr Lloyd reported that the Playing field gate needed replacing.  It was 4’6” wide.  Cllr Carter may have a suitable gate available.

14.   Correspondence

To note correspondence received.

15.   Date of next meeting 

Annual Parish Meeting 7pm Monday 13th May 2024
Annual Parih Council Meeting 7.30pm Monday 13th May 2024.

Meeting closed at 8.54 pm