Minutes 2019-20

SWINSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held at:

 18.30 on Thursday 14th November 2019

Present: Chairman, Paul Cunningham, Vice Chair Cllr M Dermody, Cllr C Lunn, Cllr B Lynch, Cllr D Darling, C Hatch (Clerk), Visiting County Councillor, Bob Adams.

1. Public Forum: No members of the public attended the forum. 
2. Apologies: None
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 5th September 2019, were agreed as an accurate record and signed.
5. Clerks Report: Financial report was presented and accepted; a copy can be seen at the end of the minutes. 

Croake Hill, the Clerk advised, Muir Housing have agreed a maintenance programme for grass cutting and shrub maintenance on the green at Croake Hill, this will include 16 cuts from March 2020 until the end of November.

Speed Sign, Data was presented to the Councillors for September (Creeton Road) and October (High Street). While located in Creeton Road, the speed sign registered 81 vehicles breaking the 30mph limit, the figures for the High Street are more alarming, 984 vehicles traveling in excess of 35mph, this is an increase of  455 speeding vehicles in the High Street since the sign was located there in July. The Chairman will repeat his call for volunteers to support the Community Speed Watch campaign.

• , Letters of thanks were received from Mrs P Wright (Secretary to the PCC) thanking the Parish Council for their donation to St Mary’s Church. Also, a letter from Cancer Research thanking Mr N Hawkins for his donation to them. Mr Hawkins requested the funds the Parish Council were going to give him to cover cost his costs for cutting the grass at the Bourne Road entrance to the village, should go to the charity. 

Parish Cleaner, The Councillors were advised, the Parish Cleaner will be moving out of the village in the early New Year and has requested we advertise for a replacement, this will take place in the coming weeks. If this is of interest to you, please contact the Clerk for details. 01476552053.

Orchard Gate, The Clerk advised, a new sleeve has been purchased to enable the gate post at the Jubilee Orchard to become removable, allowing larger hedge cutting machinery into the Orchard.  

6. Chairman’s Report: 

Residents Concerns: 

• At the September meeting, one local resident raised concerns about the footpath outside his property. This was reported to Highways, who after inspection confirmed “No Action” would be taken at this time.
• At the same meeting another resident raised concerns about the large Ash tree just outside her garden. The Clerk confirmed he has written to this resident confirming the action taken with SKDC and Lincoln County Council Highways department. Now awaiting a response from Highways.
• The Chairman advised of the continuing flooding problems in New Estate. Cllr Adams said, “having visited the site, he would speak with Highways and advise on progress”.

The Chairman confirmed the purchase of new Flower/Bulb Planters which will be located at the three entrances to the village. The BIG Plant will take place at 10am, November 23rd & 24th all volunteers will be welcome to come and help with the locating and planting up of the new planters. If you would like to be involved, please contact the Chairman for more information. 01476550896.

The Chairman also advised; quotes are being requested for “Welcome to Swinstead” signs.

The Chairman told the councillors, he had contacted several haulage companies via email, suggesting working together to make sure speed limits are being observed and lorries are properly covered. To date he has had no response.

 The Chairman asked the Clerk to contact Muir Housing to gain approval to site a Christmas Tree on the Green at Croake Hill, if approved, to purchase a tree and lights for the Festive season.

He also let the Councillors know, Grimsthorpe Estate are happy for the Jubilee Orchard to become a Memorial Orchard, this will enable local residents to donate a tree or a bench in memory of a loved one. More on this in the near future.

7. Councillors Reports: 

Cllr Lunn: confirmed the cost of a final grass cut and the cutting back of the hedge inside the Orchard, this was approved and will take place as soon as possible, weather permitting.

He also asked the Clerk to contact a local resident regarding trees/hedging that was overhanging the boundary causing some problems for pedestrians on the foot path. This has now been actioned.

Finally, Cllr Lunn raised the question of the War time Airfield Memorial Plaque location, the Chairman confirmed this is on his agenda and will confirm the location once he has spoken with the landowner.

Cllr Dermody: confirmed his attendance at the LALC AGM. He attended a talk on Neighbourhood Development Plans for smaller local villages. Cllr Bob Adams extolled the virtues and the benefits of the NDP and recommended speaking with other smaller local Parish Councils to produce a combined Neighbourhood Development Plan. Cllr Dermody will contact the Neighbourhood Planning Office for more detail. Cllr Dermody highlighted the fact that the Parish Council was not represented at the Village Hall, after a short discussion, it was agreed, the appointed trustees from the Parish Council to the Village Hall will be, Cllr P Cunningham, Cllr M Dermody and Cllr D Darling.  Cllr Dermody also raised the issue of the Village Hall accounts, after discussion, the Clerk was asked to contact the secretary of the Village Hall to request a copy of the full accounts, copies of the last two sets of minutes and the date of the next Village Hall meeting.

Cllr Darling: requested information regarding the Poor’s Land Fund, Cllr Lynch advised her, 21 acres of land were passed to the village in the 1700’s to benefit the poor in the village. The rental income is made available to those who qualify at or near to Christmas time. you can contact the charity by email - bl7lynch@outlook.com or by ringing 07773031526. 

8. Road Water Gulley’s: Cllr Lynch raised the issue of parking on the pavement, advising the Chairman this is still causing a problem for pedestrians.

Cllr Lynch highlighted the fact that is the time of year to clean out the roadside gullies and prevent or reduce the possibility of the roads flooding. The Parish Council would like some volunteers, good strong men . . .. .and women to help with this annual task. A date has not been set, but obviously, the sooner this work can be done the better, so please make yourself known to the Councillors. We will advertise the date as soon as possible.

9. Any Other Business: None

Date of the next meeting 9th January 2020, 18.30 Swinstead Village Hall. (Members of the public most welcome).