2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE SWINDERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

held on 8 February 2021

Held remotely online

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

Clerk: S Aikman

Also in attendance:  Cllr M Thompson (LCC) and Cllr P Overton (NKDC)

1. Public Forum
   Cllr Overton reported
   - Financial support of up to £5k was available to community groups.  The deadline for applications was 12.02.2021. 
   - The NKDC Environmental Protection Team had provided their views on the use of chinese lanterns and helium balloons.
   - The Garden Waste scheme was open for applications.
   - The collection of Green bins may be delayed
   - £21m of grants for businesses had been handed out
   - Details of grants for businesses that had been severely impaired by the virus were detailed on the NKDC website.

Cllr Thompson reported that:
- LCC does not approve of chinese lanterns and helium balloons and they cannot be released on LCC land.
- A meeting was being held on Monday regarding the rendering plant at Skellingthorpe.It was expected that plans would be recommended for approval.
- LCC Highways would be obscuring signs to the old access for HGVs.
- Plans were being looked at to deal with the drainage issues at the railway station.
Cllr Overton reported that some surface dressing of roads had not reacted well with base materials.
Cllr Carter reported that road repairs were being undertaken in the centre of the village but not on the outskirts.
Cllr Thompson asked that all issues be reported with photos and stated that pothole repairs were considered on a different schedule to surface dressing.
Cllr Gagg reported that the Norton Disney planning application had been made but was not on the NKDC website yet.

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 11th January 2021 and 18th January 2021 previously circulated to members
Following a vote it was resolved unanimously that the minutes from 11th January 2021 and 18th January 2021 were an accurate record of the meeting.

5.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 expenditure was approved unanimously

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

5. To review spend against budget
   Reviewed

6. To consider requesting a tree inspection through NKDC
   Following a vote it was resolved unanimously to request a tree inspection.

7. To consider the grass cutting agreement with LCC Highways for 2021

Following a vote it was resolved unanimously to accept the grass cutting agreement. ACTION: Clerk

6. Planning
   a. Applications Received

b.    Applications Decided

7.To consider any updates on the proposal for the installation of village ‘gates’

Cllr Marris had sent out some alternative designs and following a vote it was resolved by a majority that one of these designs was a preferred option.  Cllr Lloyd would speak with the resident offering to make some gates.  Discussions were also held on the possibility of including the village sign and speed limit into the design of the gates.
Following a discussion it was resolved by a majority to continue with plans to install the village gates.

8.To discuss any updates on the increase in lorries through the village.
Thanks were to be sent to Mr Chennells for his detailed suggestions, which would be sent on to LCC Highways.
Cllr Thompson was also thanked for his support in this matter.

9.To receive any comments regarding plans to remove the signal box.
A discussion was held on the various options, which were:
- Move to a Heritage centre
- Leave in the current position and protect.
- Move to the station carpark (this would then become the responsibility of Eagle Parish Council).
The Parish Council’s preferred choice was still to protect the signal box for future generations by supporting the option to move the signal box to a heritage site.  However, the Conservation Officer for the District Council was against this choice.   Cllr Lloyd would write to Eagle Parish Council and to the District Council.  He would also contact Network Rail to ask if they had dealt with this type of issue previously.                                                      ACTION: Cllr Lloyd

10.To consider an appropriate strategy for a litter pick in March/April.
It was noted that some residents were litter picking on a regular basis.  A week-long litter pick for all to join in would be planned for the end of March so that people could do it at a time to suit themselves.  Volunteers were to be reminded to take the risk assessment into account and to use the high visibility waistcoats. A stocktake had been undertaken of equipment and further supplies were to be obtained, including longer litter grabs.  It was suggested that residents could adopt an area to maintain.  Cllr Hodgson stated that the Village Hall bins could be used as they were presently underused due to lockdown.
Cllr Overton would write to ask the District Council to campaign more and take a proactive approach to litter at source.  Cllr Overton would also enquire as to whether equipment could be obtained through the District Council.

11.To receive any updates on a footpath/cycle track to the station, including the circulation of a questionnaire.
The survey had received a positive response with 25 replies received to date, all in favour of a footpath/cycle path to the station.  Cllr Marris had spoken to 2 of the landowners, who were both receptive to the idea, he was still to speak to 1 more landowner.

12.To consider any plans for updates to the Play Area including a bench and any ideas for replacement equipment.
It was noted that a consultation planned with the school could not take place until children returned to school. The installation of a bench had been agreed and would be made by a resident at the same time as the village gates.

13.To consider a suggestion for planting an oak tree.
Following a vote it was resolved unanimously to purchase an oak tree to be planted at the top end of the play area.  Councillors would check for the most suitable position.                                                                                                                               ACTION: Cllrs Lloyd and Marris

14.To remind Councillors to amend their declarations of interest if required.
All Councillors confirmed that their declarations of interest were up-to-date.

15.To consider setting up a Parish Council Facebook page with a commitment to review in 3 months.
Following a vote it was resolved unanimously to set up a Parish Council facebook page.  Discussions were held about the need for careful monitoring.  Cllrs Longson and Carter would administer the page and the matter would be reviewed in 3 months.                                                                                                                                              ACTION: Cllrs Longson and Carter

16.To review the Social Media Policy adopted in 2018.
The policy was considered to be fit for purpose and would be reviewed again in the near future to ensure that the Council’s needs were met.

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 Longson reported that 2 litter bins had been installed and a further bin would be installed shortly.
Cllr Beales noted that signs encouraging dog owners to use to the provided bins should be obtained.  The Clerk would send out details of some readily available signs.                                                                                                                                                        ACTION: Clerk
Cllr Gagg reported that the soft verge on Cow Lane had been damaged by a lorry and that he would report the matter on Fix My Street.                                                    ACTION: Cllr Gagg
Cllr Marris reported that he was having a meeting with a horticulturist regarding suitable protection for the fruit trees.
A discussion was held regarding a request for funding from LIVES.  This matter would be added to a future agenda.                                                                                           ACTION: Clerk
A course for residents regarding use of the defibrillator was discussed. ACTION: Clerk
The idea was raised of suggesting renewable heating as part of any comments on a proposed large development.

18.Correspondence

To note correspondence received

19.Date of next meetings
8 March 2021

.Meeting closed at 9pm
 

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