2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE

SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

held on 13th December 2021

Held at Swinderby Village Hall
 

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

Clerk: S Aikman

Also in attendance:  Cllr M Thompson (LCC), Cllr P Overton (NKDC) and 3 members of the public

1. Public Forum
   A member of the public thanked the Parish Council for their support to the parish regarding the new development.
   A question was raised about the value and cost involved for any thoughts of the possible use of such a valuable asset as the playing field as a football field. A wildflower meadow was suggested along with tree planting.  Cllr Lloyd confirmed that plans included the far end of the playing field being a nature reserve.  He also explained that a football field had been requested by the children and that the Parish Council was aware of the cost of maintenance. It was agreed that a description of a games area would be more appropriate.
   Cllr Lloyd reported that the Parish Council had worked with LCC to identify 3 sites for tree planting:  Station Road, near Halfway House and Moor Lane.
   A discussion took place about branches overhanging pavements and roads. 
   The narrowness of the pavement on the corner of Station Road and High Street was once again identified as an area of concern.  The hedging needed cutting and a further letter would be sent to the owners of the property through the estate agents.  The pavement was also in need of widening at this point to make it safe for pedestrians including children walking to and from school.  It was further noted that there was insufficient space for anyone using a wheelchair.  The Parish Council would raise these concerns again with LCC Highways customer service.  It was noted that the Local Transport Plan, that was written by LCC, stated that traffic plans should accommodate the needs of the village.  Revisions to the Highway Code also gave priority to the safety of pedestrians.                    ACTION: Clerk and Cllr Lloyd
   
   Cllr Overton reported that NKDC were encouraging people to shop locally through using their website to help people find resources locally.
   
   Cllr Thompson had sent in the following report:
   LCC full Council Meeting held 10th December 2021
   The main issue of debate was the withdrawal by central government of £12 million highways maintenance funding for Lincolnshire, which on this occasion LCC replaced from reserves to enable repairs to continue. MPs have been lobbied to request the replacement of this funding in the next settlement for local government.
   Western Growth Corridor
   City of Lincoln Council has scheduled an Extraordinary General Meeting of Council on 16th December to discuss a Protocol for the Planning Committee for the determination of the Application. The planning application has now been listed for determination by the City of Lincoln on 12th January with a recommendation to approve “with conditions”. LCC supports the project, but the LCC objection to the current planning and highways issues remains in place and was reinforced at Friday’s meeting.
   Lincolnshire Community Diagnostic Centres survey Newsletter
   I recently received notification of the following with request to circulate, but do not have details of any closing date. I welcome this to be a constructive development for the reasons given and hope that you may wish to contribute your views.
   Over the past five years, demand for diagnostic services in England has risen at a greater rate than increases in capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic has made these challenges even worse, resulting in substantial increases to waiting lists and waiting times for some diagnostic services. In addition, our need to reduce risk of infection and social distancing means that we haven’t been able to see as many patients and for some, it takes longer for them to move through the service.
   In Lincolnshire, we are currently planning the implementation of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) which will play a crucial role in easing these pressures and continue to support quicker patient diagnosis. CDCs will provide a broad range of elective diagnostic services located away from the main acute hospitals, providing easier and quicker access to tests and greater convenience to patients, as well as relieving pressure on the main hospitals by reducing outpatient referrals and attendance.
   We would like to hear your views to identify any benefits which we can maximise, concerns we can mitigate and identify principles to shape the delivery of future CDCs and to make sure the service is fit for the population of Lincolnshire.
   
   Cllr Sally Appleby (NKDC) had sent in the following report
   North Kesteven Lottery's first draw
   This Saturday also sees the first draw of the new North Kesteven Lottery. There are now around 40 good causes set to benefit from this new funding stream. We are promoting the lottery on social media, so do please share the posts. Here are some key facts:

• 60p per £1 played goes to good causes in North Kesteven - 50p to the specific cause chosen by the player.

• Players need to choose a six-digit number, with specific patterns winning prizes.

• Prizes range from free tickets up to the £25,000 weekly jackpot.

• Tickets cost from £1 and can be bought either via a monthly Direct Debit or payment card.

• Players can buy ongoing tickets or pay for a block of 1, 3, 6 or 12 months of weekly tickets on a non-recurring basis.

• There is no commitment to stay in the lottery and players can choose to leave at any time.

• Syndicates can play, and gift vouchers are available.

Revised register check
On 1 December each year, there is a legal requirement to publish the Full Electoral Register which contains the name, address and elector number of every eligible elector in the District whose application to register has been determined by the relevant deadline following the annual household activity that has taken place during late summer and autumn.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2. To receive any apologies for absence
None.

3.To receive any declarations of interest
None.

4.To receive the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting 8th November 2021 previously circulated to members
Following a vote it was resolved unanimously that the minutes from 8th November 2021 were an accurate record of the meeting.

5.To consider moving into closed session - annual staff review
Following a vote it was resolved unanimously to move this matter to the end of the meeting to prevent public having to leave the meeting at this point.

6.Finance

1. To formally note Items of Income

2. To formally approve Expenditure since last meeting:

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

3. To approve Items of Expenditure
   .Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to approve the payments below

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

5. To review spend against budget
   Reviewed.

6. To consider renewal of the Fields in Trust membership
   Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to renew the membership and to pay the annual membership fee by direct debit in future.

7. To consider the 2022 budget and prepare to complete the precept request form
   The Clerk had prepared a draft budget for 2022/23 for the Council to consider.  The draft budget considered all known increases in expenditure.  Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to request a 3% increase in precept, however, this may be amended if further information is available and the Parish Council is able to meet prior to the deadline for receipt of precept requests.  The decision has been made in this way as there is no certainty about the ability to meet in January due to the rising numbers of Covid cases.

7. Planning

1. Applications Received

b.    Applications Decided

8. To consider any updates to approved outline planning permission 17/0603/OUT and to sections of the S106 agreement that was signed 21.12.2017.
It was noted that correspondence had been received from NKDC Planning that a meeting had been held and the developer confirmed that he is prepared to contribute £150K to improve local playing fields etc. and extend the ecological corridor around the whole boundary of the development. The developer is currently concentrating on getting a properly scaled plan of the scheme put together, which will also identify the area to be transferred to the Parish Council. The Planning Officer had agreed to be the conduit by which the formal acceptance, along with the plan, will be put in front of the Parish Council in coming weeks. 

9.To consider how, or if, the Parish Council will mark the Platinum Jubilee next year.
Ideas including the planting of some larger trees and the renaming of the play area were discussed, along with approaching the Lord Lieutenant to attend an opening ceremony.

10. To reflect on Remembrance Day Service this year and any possible changes for next year.
It was reported that there was a good attendance this year.  Local schools would be contacted to discuss the possibility of a combined service next year.                       ACTION: Cllr Carter
The positioning of a memorial bench at the Village Hall was discussed.  The Village Hall was traditionally called the Victory Hut by locals. Funding would need to be identified for a bench.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ACTION Clerk and Councillors

11.To consider the request to remove the notice board in front of the school.
Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to remove the noticeboard and possibly put this, or a replacement board in the new estate in the future.                            ACTION: Cllr Longson

12.To consider purchasing two trees for Holt Farm Paddock.
Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to replant with more suitable trees and with sufficient compost that could be obtained locally.  Two trees would be purchased at a cost of approximately £40 each.

13.To consider purchasing sweets for the Xmas Eve visit of Santa
Following a vote it was unanimously resolved to spend £35 on chocolate for the children.

14.To report on equipment ordered for the play area and playing field.
Cllr Carter and the Clerk were thanked for their work on moving the play area development forward. The equipment had been ordered but would not be received for a few months.  Cllr Marris offered to provide a portable toilet to save on the cost of hiring one for the duration of the installation of the equipment.
Cllr Lloyd would contact Eibe to follow up on the repairs needed for existing equipment.                                                                                                                             ACTION:Cllr Lloyd

15.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 Marris had been approached by a resident about the stile to the footpath at the back of the Village Hall.  Cllr Marris asked if this could be changed to a gate to make it more accessible for all.  Cllr Lloyd would contact the Footpath officer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ACTION: Cllr Lloyd.
The Clerk noted that NKDC had reported that a bench needed fixing to the ground.  Cllrs Lloyd and Longson offered to undertake this task.                                          ACTION: Cllrs Lloyd and Longson
Cllr Lloyd reported that the spare dog bin was being stored by him.
Cllr Lloyd would look for funding for trees                                                     ACTION: Cllr Lloyd
Cllr Lloyd had written to Eagle Parish Council and Mr Chennel regarding the railway carpark and the signal box.  NKDC have said that the signal box should remain on the site.  Some drainage work had been undertaken but the Network Rail culvert still needed clearing.

16.Correspondence
To note correspondence received
 

17.Date of next meeting
Parish Council meeting 7.30pm Monday 10th January 2022

The Clerk and members of the public left the meeting following a vote to move into closed session to discuss the annual staff review.

Meeting closed at 9.35pm

Signed…………………………………………       Date……………………………..