Minutes 2019-20

SWINSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held at:

 18.30 on Thursday 5th September 2019

Present: Chairman, Paul Cunningham, Vice Chair Cllr M Dermody, Cllr C Lunn, Cllr D Darling, Cllr B Adams, C Hatch (Clerk) 

1. Public Forum: Five members of the public attended the forum and were most welcome. During the 15-minute forum one resident raised concerns about the Ash tree on the boundary of her property. The roots are causing disruption of the paving slabs in her garden, thus inconveniencing her disabled son manoeuvring his wheelchair when entering or exiting the family home. The Parish Clerk will contact the Highways department to discuss resolving this long-standing problem. Another resident congratulated SPC on the first Newsletter. It inspired him to attend the public forum and raise his concern regarding the condition of the footpath outside his property, also, that the grass verge beyond has no curb stone, again, the PC will discuss this issue with Highways. The positioning of the Speed sign in Creeton Road was mentioned by another resident. He asked if the unit could be located inside the 30mph limit. The PC advised, this was already in hand. The fixing bracket had already been secured to a post in the 30mph limit in Creeton Road. The Speed sign to be erected the following morning. Finally, the issue of the gravel lorries not being sheeted and spilling part of their load on the sharp corner at High Street/Bourne Road was raised by another resident. The PC advised he has spoken with the site Manager, Mr Steve Johnson (M: 07909770000), who is equally concerned by lorries leaving the Quarry un-sheeted. If any member of the public notices an un-sheeted, loaded lorry driving through Swinstead, please feel free to contact Mr Johnson, provide him with the name of the haulage company, he will then speak with that Company direct.
2.  
2. Apologies: Were received from Cllr Nick Robins, Cllr Bryan Lynch and PCSO Stuart Bowden.

3. Receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011:  None

4. Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 11th July were agreed as an accurate record and signed.

5. Clerk & Financial Report: The Clerk delivered the financial report to the council, a copy of which is at the end of the minutes. 

Croake Hill Update

The Clerk confirmed Muir Housing have now taken responsibility for the maintenance of the Green at Croake Hill, he also showed the Councillors an email confirming a maintenance programme is to be put in place. PC will chase Muir Housing in relation to Croake Hill to allow the Parish Council to move forward and explore the possibility of establishing a Children’s Play / Multi exercise area on the Green.

Swinstead Cross

Meetings have now taken place with English Heritage and two specialist conservation Companies regarding the installation of a drain or gully around the base of the Swinstead Cross. The Clerk is waiting to receive a quotation for the work, at which point he will complete the SKDC Heritage Grant form and try to raise the funds required to complete the work.

Speed Sign repair & data update. 

The Clerk advised that the speed sign was returned to the manufacturer for repair under warranty, this was due to the sign not illuminating on activation.

He also advised, he had downloaded data from the sign and distributed the data to the Councillors for discussion. Whilst located in the High St, 529 vehicles travelled in excess of 35mph, of those 11 @ 50mph and 1 @ 60mph.

Whilst located in Bourne Road 269 in excess of 35mph of those 49 @ 40mph and 2 @ 45mph.

Chairman’s Report: The Chairman advised he has received several concerns from residents regarding poor car parking in the High St and Creeton Road. Although these vehicles were not parked illegally, he asked car owners to exercise care, consideration and courtesy when parking their cars.  

The first SPC Newsletter has been received well, with a number of positive comments from residents. 

Plans for the Jubilee Orchard picnic are well under way for Saturday 7th.

Two quotations for wooden planters have been received. A decision will be made once quotations for soil, bulbs and plants have been received. 

Communication: 
The Council discussed the recent issues around the use of Social Media (Facebook) and decided that as both Village pages were in fact maintained by individuals, in future only a link to the Council web page would appear on both Facebook Pages to allow residents to download Agendas and Minutes of Parish Council Meetings. all other information would only be shared with the whole Village via the Parish Council Newsletter.  

6. Charitable Donation: At a previous meeting, it was suggested £50 be give to Mr Nigel Hawkins to cover his costs of cutting the grass at the Bourne Road entrance to the Village. When told of this, Mr Hawkins suggested, rather than receive the £50 himself, he would prefer it to be donated to Cancer Research. After discussion this was proposed by Cllr Cunningham and seconded by Cllr Dermody.

7. Community Speed Watch: Having discussed the data from the Speed sign, the Councillors agreed to adopt the Community Speed Watch campaign which is supported by Lincolnshire Police. Cllr Bob Adams advised, before the Council can apply for this scheme, we need to have in place a minimum of two teams of three volunteers. These volunteers will receive training from Lincolnshire Police on how to use equipment, safety, place signage etc. They would also be supported by Police, in attendance when the project first starts.

Any Swinstead resident who would like to participate as a volunteer, who is committed to supporting  the Community Speed Watch scheme should contact either Paul Cunningham 01476 552349 or the Parish Clerk swinsteadparishcouncil@gmail.com

8. Christmas Tree: Parish Clerk to request quotations for a Solar Christmas Tree, to be positioned at Swinstead Cross during December.

9. Any Other Business: Cllr Lunn advised the Council; people are still allowing their dogs to foul in the Church yard. The Council respectfully requests dog owners not to walk their dogs in the Church yard as per the signage at the entrance. If dog owners are observed and identified, they will be prosecuted.

Cllr Lunn also mentioned that after two years, the Plaque commemorating the World War 1 & 2 Airfield in Creeton Road had still not been erected. Cllr Cunningham will contact the landowner to confirm the location for the plaque and request quotations from three building companies for the erection of the Plaque.

Date of the next meeting 14 November 2019, 18.30 Swinstead Village Hall. (Members of the public most welcome).