Minutes 2023-24

Draft Minutes of Swinstead Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 7th of September 2023 @ 7.00pm in Swinstead Village Hall

1. Public Forum (15 minutes maximum) No members of the public attended the open forum.
2. Apologies for Absence Cllr Vardy offered her apologies.
3. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Local Government Act. – personal or prejudicial interest in any items for discussion. None.
4. Draft Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 13th July 2023 to be approved as the Minutes. Having been circulated prior to the meeting, the Minutes were approved unanimously.
5. Matters Arising. Cllr Underhill advised the Councillors that spending so far this year equated to approximately two thirds of the Precept, the Clerk confirmed the collective balance of the community and business accounts as £4867.22, therefore, plenty of room for additional spending if necessary. Cllr Robinson continued the discussion of a Neighbourhood Plan. After discussion it was decided to review the subject again in the new year. Cllr Robinson also asked if a decision could be made re the purchase of three new litter bins to be sighted in the Village. Cllr Underhill, having previously circulated a brochure to the Councillors, the style and location were agreed, the Clerk to obtain approval from the Church committee re sighting a bin in the Church car park.
5. Chairmans Report. Cllr Underhill provided a brief report, the details of which are below.

1. Thank you to……

Chris for dealing with a wasp nest in the orchard (Micky’s mystery hole).

Kathy for weeding the brickwork on the village cross island.  Kathy has volunteered to do this as and when needed.  John Whitelam used to keep it weed free when he lived opposite the cross.

2. Whitegates (Liberator building) has been netted to prevent debris from apex falling on the pavement.  I suspect that that might be as far as the owner will be going with repairs to the building. Now that it is not a hazard to the public, I presume that we have no further leverage concerning the state of the building.

3. Since our last Council meeting, we have received the very sad news that Clive Lunn died on August 20th.  Clive will be very much missed by the village having lived in Swinstead from childhood into his late eighties and having served as a very knowledgeable Parish Councillor and Church Parochial Councillor for many of those years. I’m sure Clive will always be remembered as a venerable village elder known for his wisdom, kindness and courteous manner. He was both a gentle man and a true gentleman. 

Clive and his generation, some of whom still live on in the village, represents a time when everyone knew everyone else in Swinstead having lived here for most if not all their lives and often their parents and grandparents before them who would have mainly worked for the Grimsthorpe Estate.  It is of course a different village now and we are a Parish Council made up of relative newcomers to Swinstead.  My hope is that along with fresh approaches and ideas suited to the Swinstead of today we will also remember and be respectful of its past.

I shall be able to represent the Parish Council at Clive’s funeral on September 20th at 11am.  A donation of £100 will be sent from the Parish Council to the Church Clock Maintenance Fund – the family’s chosen appeal.      

1. County & District Councillor’s. Cllr Robins offered his apologies. He provided his report to the Clerk prior to the meeting, a précis of which is below.

Community Funding Workshop 

The Community Funding Workshop has been confirmed for Thursday 21st September at the Corn Exchange in Stamford basement room – 6-8pm. It is designed to inform community groups about funding allocation, Lottery SK, SK Community Fund and the UK shared prosperity fund.

The free workshop will provide informal discussions on what’s available to support small grass root events and initiatives through to larger projects needing capital investment.

SK Today

The next edition will be available online from the 18th September 2023, people can subscribe online via the link .. : http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2321 

Household Support Fund

The household support fund (HSF) aims to provide support to vulnerable households that are most in need during the period 2023/2024. The Funding has been made available by the DWP and is being distributed by District Councils elected members supporting SKDC residents. Members can make a referral on behalf of residents who are struggling with the cost of household essentials. Please let me know if you have any residents that would benefit from this.

5.2 Councillors Reports.

5.2.1 Highways. None.

5.2.2 Defibrillator. Cllr Whitworth confirmed a defibrillator training session will take place on the 17 of October, details will be advertised in

the village FB page.

5.2.3 Airfield Memorial. Cllr Hoodless advised she is still waiting for Father Edward to confirm a date for the consecration of the

Airfields Memorial, she hopes to confirm the details with him later this week.

Village Hall. None.

6. Parish Clerk report.
   1. Position at Bank. The Clerk provided the accounts to date, these were approved, a copy can be viewed at the end of the minutes.
   2. Cheques to be signed. Clerks’ salary + Expenses £305.85, J Kirby Grass Cutting £125.00. SKDC payment for Uncontested Elections £75.90 (received after publication of the agenda.
7. Jubilee Orchard Event: Cllr Hoodless provided an update for the Jubilee Family Picnic, confirming all preparations are in hand.
8. St Mary’s Church Clock Cllr Whitworth asked if the PC or the Church is responsible for the maintenance of the Church clock. A local resident had noticed the bells weren’t ringing on the hour. The Clerk will communicate with the Church committee.
9. Correspondence: Jake Horton, Senior Planning Policy Officer, provided a detailed email regarding the protocol of initiating a Neighbourhood Plan, the Clerk circulated the email to the Councillors.
10. Planning:

 10.1 S23/1474, The Parochial Parish Council of St Mary, Swinstead, Installation of new metal roof covering (following theft of lead covering) Location: St Mary's Church, Creeton Road, Swinstead, Lincolnshire, NG33 4PF, Listed Building Consent. (Circulated to PC, No action by PC).

10.2 S23/0895, Laura Hurt, Replacement of existing clay pantiles and roof liner with new Marley Eden clay pantiles, Croake Hill Cottage 15 High Street Swinstead. (Circulated to PC). (SKDC Planning Office, Permission Granted).

10.3 S23/1437 Miss H Miller (Received after publication of the agenda, circulated to the PC). Councillors expressed some concern about the potential increase of traffic through the village and Park Road in particular, also the need to relocate the public footpath which runs diagonally across the field. The Councillors asked the Clerk to send a representation to SKDC Planning highlighting their concerns.

All the above can be viewed via the SKDC website. http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8170#/

11. Swinstead Christmas Tree: After discussing where to purchase this year's Christmas tree, the Councillors asked the Clerk to contact the same company as previous years.
12. AOB Cllr Robinson mentioned his concerns about the amount of unofficial signage in the village, some of which directs traffic through Swinstead. Cllr Robinson volunteered to remove all unofficial signage in and around the village.

Date of next meeting

     November 9th, 2023, 7.00pm at Swinstead Village Hall

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