Annual Meeting of the Parish Council May 2022
SWINSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL
Draft Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held
18.00 on Thursday 12th May 2022
Cllr B Lynch, Cllr C Lunn, Cllr L Underhill, Cllr A Whitworth, Cllr D Plowright & C Hatch (Clerk)
- Appointment of Chairman and of Vice Chairman –. As is mandatory, the Chairman resigned his office. The Clerk invited any Councillors who wished to be candidates for the Chairs to say so. Cllr Whitworth offered her services as Chair for the coming year, this was proposed by the Clerk and seconded by Cllr Underhill. Cllr Lynch offered his services for the coming year as Vice Chair, which was proposed by Cllr Plowright and seconded by Cllr Lunn.
Cllr Underhill asked the Clerk to record, on behalf of all the Councillors, their thanks to Cllr Lynch for his 11year service as Chairman of the Parish Council.
2.0 Apologies for absence: None.
3.0 To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Local Government Act. – personal or prejudicial interest in any items for discussion. None.
4.0 Draft Minutes of the Meeting that was held on 10th March 2022 to be approved as the Minutes of the Meeting. The Minutes had previously been circulated by the Clerk, having received no comment from the Councillors, the Minutes were accepted as a true record and accepted.
5.0 Councillors’ and Clerk’s reports:
5.1 County and District Councillors’ Reports. SKDC Cllr Nick Robins provided an update from SKDC:
Nearly 500 Ukrainian refugees have been issued with visas in Greater Lincolnshire. South Kesteven is set to welcome the most.
SKDC are carrying out approximately 5 house checks per day to check suitability to house refugees.
The Constitution review has been carried out and after extensive consultation with members and the Committees, it is ready to go before Full Council. I don’t anticipate any changes.
The LCC Highways issues were discussed, and information given about the topics.
LCC Cllr Vernon was not able to attend the meeting, however, she provided an update from County Council to the Clerk via email, extracts are below: National Foster Care Fortnight – This starts today and is the perfect time to find out how you could support fostering in your local area and help us to celebrate the Lincolnshire community opening their homes and families to children in care. So, if you think you could make a life-changing difference for these children, or would like to know more, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fostering. You can also get in touch with the Lincolnshire fostering service by calling 01522 554114.
Lincolnshire Spring 2022 County Views Survey – This is now live on the website and is an opportunity to give your views on roads, transport and highways in Lincolnshire. The survey is open until May 9th so please do go online and fill it out. https://www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/county-views-survey-spring-2022
Lincolnshire County Council Good Citizens Award – Celebrate community champions by nominating them for a Lincolnshire County Council Good Citizens Award. Many of us will have felt or seen the impact they have made over the past two years, and the positive effect their selfless actions have had on our communities. That’s why LCC want to hear from you if you know an unsung hero who deserves a Good Citizens Award. The categories are Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year (aged 21 or below), Community Group of the Year and Couple/Pair of the Year. Link for nominating is on the LCC website. The closing date for entries is Friday 6 May 2022.
Local Childcare Survey - Lincolnshire families are being asked to complete a survey to help gauge demand for childcare places in the county. As part of this process, the council is asking parents to complete a short survey to help the authority assess the need for childcare places across the county. The survey runs from 25 April to 6 May and can be found online at: www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/parental-childcare-survey
Ukrainian refugee Update - Nearly 200 people or families have come forward in Lincolnshire as potential hosts for Ukrainian refugees. The Wellbeing Lincs service can be accessed by Ukrainian arrivals or their host families to provide the advice and support they need, as well as statutory services such as healthcare, education, benefits and council services. Further information available at www.HomesforUkraine.campaign.gov.uk
Bin Information - Not really CC but something that I really think is important to mention. There was recently a fire in the back of a bin lorry which had been caused by an electrical item placed in a bin that ignited. A quick reminder… please do not put batteries or electrical items in bins.
Fixmystreet – Please do continue to report concerns regarding potholes, or damage to the roads via this website.
6.0 Annual Governance Statement and Financial matters:
6.1 To declare Swinstead PC exempt from a Limited Assurance Review. The Clerk confirmed, as both Income and Expenditure are less than £25,000, the PC need only complete the Annual Exemption Certificate.This year the audit and Certificate will be completed by Fiona Hatchman of Additions Accountancy.
6.2 To Resolve the Approval of the Annual Governance Statement, for publication. The Clerk confirmed, the AGAR Statement was not ready for inspection and sign off at this time, but he will forward it to the Councillors as soon as it becomes available.
6.3 Cheques for signing. None.
7.0 Highways. Cllr Whitworth mentioned a resident had commented on the poor state of the road leaving Swinstead toward Corby Glen up to the junction for Swayfield. (The Parish Boundary). Cllr Robins provided a contact in Highways. Clerk to make contact and ask Highways to investigate and repair.
8.0 Planning applications: none notified.
9.0 Correspondence – The Clerk received a letter from the St Marys Church Warden asking if the Councillors would again make an annual donation toward the upkeep of the Churchyard. After discussion, the Councillors decide to make the same donation as in previous years, £350.
10.0 Items of urgency for discussion (AOB). Cllr Underhill raised her concern over the untidy state of the property “Whitegates” in the High Street, she also expressed concern about the safety of some of the building, in particular, the gable end of the building which appeared in a poor state of repair and may pose a health and safety issue. The Clerk suggested he write to the estate agent handling the sale of the property, asking them to contact the owner and make safe and tidy the site as soon as possible.
Date of next meeting 14th July 2022, 06.00pm Swinstead Village Hall