Minutes 2022-23

Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held

 18.00 on Thursday 12th January 2023

1. Public Forum (15 minutes maximum).

Two residents attended the Public Forum. The Chair opened the forum by congratulating Cllr Lynch on being named in the Kings New Year’s Honours list. Cllr Lynch will receive the British Empire Medal from the King later in the year.

2. Two residents raised concerns about the proposed development behind Macham Close, in particular the building materials for the roof and general appearance of the development. District Cllr Robins advised he will support the residents’ concerns and discuss the case with SKDC Planning.
3. Apologies for Absence. None

4. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Local Government Act. – personal or prejudicial interest in any items for discussion. None

5. Draft Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 10th November 2022 to be approved as the Minutes. The minutes were approved and accepted unanimously.
   1. Matters Arising. The Clerk advised the problems re the re-siting of the speed sign in Creeton Road, namely the need for an individual who holds a New Road and Street works certificate in both supervisor and operative capacity. The Clerk will continue to investigate and update the Councillors. Once an appropriate person is located the licence application can proceed. The Clerk also confirmed he has been in contact with a fencing company who will provide a quote for deer fencing in the Jubilee Orchard. Cllr Lynch made the Councillors aware of another fencing company, Cllr Underhill will contact them to request another quote. Cllr Robins advised Grant funding may be available under the SKDC Community Funding Scheme toward the cost of the fencing, the Clerk will pursue this. Cllr Underhill asked if there had been any response from the Clerks attempt to contact the owner or Estate Agents of Whitegates, regards the damaged gable end to the property. The Clerk confirmed no contact. Cllr Robins advised SKDC may be able to intervene, he will make enquiries. Cllr Underhill asked the Councillors, “In an effort to reach a wider audience, could the Minutes once again be published in The Link, The Three Towers and the Community Facebook page”. After discussion the Councillors agreed to the request. The Clerk to action this issue.

6. Chairmans Report.
   1. 5.1 County & District Councillors. LCC Cllr Vernon provided her report a precis of which is below.

Cost Of Living –   There is help available for residents struggling with the cost of living from the council and other organisations. LCC have a large section on their website with useful links including how to apply for Free school Meals, Financial support for carers, help with childcare costs, the household support fund and the HAF (Holidays Activities and Food Programme). There is also information about the emotional support available through local organisations and SKDC have more information too. Residents facing financial difficulties can also visit https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/ for details of the other support available.

Budget Preparation – The council again faces challenges in setting a balanced budget while maintaining the services residents rely on.

Initial budget proposals for 2023/24 were agreed yesterday by the council’s executive. Plans include:

• £275m for adult care and community wellbeing
• £84m for children’s social care
• £47m for highways
• £22m for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue

The council continues to improve efficiency using modern technology and a reduction in bureaucracy and expects to save £11.5m in 2023/24 as a result. In addition, it expects to save a further £11.8m between 2024/25 and 2026/27. The proposals include three options for a rise in council tax of between 3% to 5%. Despite this, and additional government funding, the council will still need to use between £3.4m to £10.3m from its reserves to balance the budget, based on current projections. Final proposals will be agreed by the council’s executive at their meeting on Tuesday 7 February before the 2023/24 budget is set by all of the county councillors at our next full county council meeting on Friday 17 February.

SKDC Cllr Robins Report.

Parish Update – January 2023

• I am pleased to be able to confirm that SKDC's plans to invest £3.9m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund have received full backing from the Government, as part of its Levelling Up commitment.
• Confirmation of our spending plan for the £3.898m means we can now build on projects to meet our priorities of communities and place; supporting local business; and people and skills. Investment will include mobile CCTV, physical improvements to our high streets, investment in arts and heritage initiatives, marketing for South Kesteven, and help for the Council to access further funding.
• This funding reaches all corners of the district including the numerous rural communities in South Kesteven.
• The Council has also been allocated a further £540,460 from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the delivery of the Rural England Prosperity Fund. SKDC is awaiting approval of this programme.

South Kesteven District Council has moved into its new headquarters: a modern, open-plan office on the top floor of Grantham’s cinema complex adjacent to our previous office accommodation.
• This will improve business efficiency and working conditions, as well as saving taxpayers an estimated £300,000 a year in running costs.
• We are embracing new ways of working and the new office provides the flexibility we need for this. The move will rationalise the Council’s operations against the backdrop of continued financial challenges and to reflect the significant change in working practices accelerated by the pandemic.

Our Customer Service Team is temporarily based in Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre. The entrance is on Edith Smith Way between the Arts Centre and Grantham Museum and the office is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9am-1pm.
• Our new postal address is South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, The Picture House, St Catherine’s Road, Grantham, NG316TT; the main switchboard number remains 01476 406080.

Important safety advice
• SKDC's Housing teams have worked quickly to share advice to our council housing tenants to help reduce the risk of condensation and mould following the sad death of a child in Rochdale from respiratory issues.
• As a responsible landlord, one of our roles is to inform tenants how they can reduce condensation and the potential for mould in their homes.
• We are sharing ventilation advice, providing mould treatment and keeping clear records to help monitor the housing stock. Of course, this information and advice is useful for everyone, and can be found at the SKDC website, www.southkesteven.gov.uk by searching 'Condensation, Mould and Damp Control'.

New online platform for public meetings.
• The Council is improving public accessibility to its meetings with a bespoke new video streaming service.
• It allows anyone to watch meetings “live” as they happen, as well as access recordings at a time that suits them.
• We all expect Council business to be handled in an open, transparent, and accessible way, and upgrading this technology not only improves the user experience, but also encourages the public to engage with local democracy. Users can navigate to an item of interest within the meeting’s agenda as well as subscribe to be notified by email about upcoming meetings.
• The first meeting to benefit from the new software is the Budget Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday 9th January at 2pm via https://southkesteven.public-i.tv/core/portal/home.
Funding for community projects
• A new round of council community grants totalling more than £13,000 has been approved from SKDC’s Community Fund.
• Any constituted group and organisation within South Kesteven, including parish councils, can apply for SK Community Fund grants for projects or events that benefit the local community.
• Applications are invited for community projects or community events. Application forms can be requested by email to communityfund@southkesteven.gov.uk
• This time around, the Deepings will get new life-saving defibrillators to replace outdated equipment thanks to a £4,896 grant to the Lincolnshire Integrated Volunteer Emergency Service, LIVES. The iconic apple sculpture in Wyndham Park in Grantham can now be replaced thanks to a £3,200 award to the Wyndham Park Forum. And an award of £5,000 will help deliver new projects at Grantham's Jubilee Church Life Centre and extend activities within its Community Hub.
Financial planning for the future
• Each springtime, SKDC sets its spending and council tax - and plans its finances for years ahead. As you know, just nine pence from every pound goes towards paying for the 100-plus services provided by SKDC. The remainder goes to Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Police, and the Town and Parish Councils.
• We are making every effort to find efficiency savings and we are committed to delivering value for money to keep your council tax as low as possible. In such difficult economic times, we are faced time and again with having to make tough choices on where to spend money for the most benefit to residents. I promise to make sure every penny counts and that we balance local choice whilst maintaining as many services as we can.

And finally...
• I know that, for many, the recent months have not been easy with rising prices and growing fuel bills giving many residents and businesses genuine cause for concern. These very real difficulties do not go unnoticed. As a responsible, caring local authority SKDC’s Members and staff will do all we can to provide help and support, through the services we already provide and the decisions we take in the months ahead.
• The council is already working hard to help – and there is good cost of living advice on our website at southkesteven.gov.uk

5.2 Councillors Reports. None.

5. Parish Clerk report.
   1. Position at Bank. The Clerk provided the bank account to date. This was accepted unanimously.
   2. Cheques to be signed. Clerks’ salary & Expenses £367.70. Approved and signed.

6. Planning:
   1. S22/2368, Edward Smith, Conversion, partial demolition, and erection of extensions to existing barn, to form a detached residential dwelling. Land Adjacent to Macham Close, Swinstead, NG33 4QH, Full Planning Permission. (No action taken by the PC).

7. Correspondence:

1. Mr M Robinson, Co-Option notice. - Since the publication of the Agenda, three additional applications were received for the vacancy of Parish Councillor, these were circulated to the Councillors prior to the meeting. During the meeting a vote took place in accordance with the correct protocol, the successful candidate was Mrs Kathy Vardy. The PC look forward to Mrs Vardy joining the Council at the next meeting scheduled for March the 9th.
2. Bruno Peak D Day 2024. - The Clerk confirmed receipt of an email from Bruno Peak, The Late Queens pageant-master, thanking our community for its part in the Jubilee celebrations, our participation has been recorded as a part of this historical event. He also confirmed, Buckingham Palace have decided Beacons will not be lit to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles as it will take place less than a year after The Queens Platinum Jubilee Beacons were lit. Importantly however, it has been agreed that Beacons should be lit on the 6th of June 2024 led by our communities in commemoration to the D-Day 80, the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

8.  AOB. The Clerk asked if the PC would have any objection for him to apply on behalf of the Village Hall for a Community Grant toward the cost of refurbishing the ladies’ toilets. After discussion, the PC asked the Clerk to pursue a Community Grant for the Deer fencing in the Jubilee Orchard first. The Clerk confirmed he will deal with the Grant as soon as he receives the fencing quotes, also that he can pursue other funding groups for the Village Hall refurbishments.

Cllr Whitworth asked if a request for Road Closures can be put in place in readiness for the Coronation Street Party, the Clerk will action this.

Cllr Lunn spoke about the potholes in the High Street, also the broken streetlight (No 5), The Clerk to report both issues.

Date of next meeting

     March 9th, 2023, 6.00pm at Swinstead Village Hall

https://swinstead.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/

YEAR

SWINSTEAD                                                                                                ENDED

PARISH                                                                                                       31 March

COUNCIL                                                                                                        2023

Community A-C @

                                13/12/2022                                                             3568.84

Business A-C @

                                13/12/2022                                                             1666.96

                                                                                  Total          5235.8