Minutes 2025-26

Draft November 2025

SWINSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the of the Parish Council held

 Thursday 13th of November 2025, 19.00pm in the Village Hall

Cllr L Underhill Chairperson, Cllr K Vardy Vice Chair, Cllr M Hoodless, Cllr M Robinson, Cllr M Longbone & C Hatch (Clerk)

  1. Public Forum (15 minutes maximum) No members of the public attended the forum.
  1. Apologies for Absence. Apologies were received from Cllr Robinson.
  1. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Local Government Act. – personal or prejudicial interest in any items for discussion. None.
  1. Draft Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 21st August 2025 to be approved as the Minutes. The minutes were accepted unanimously.
    1. Matters Arising. None
  1. Chairmans Report.

5.1 County & District Councillor’s. Cllr Vernon advised cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) have been detected in the Doddington and Corby Glenn area. A 10-mile exclusion Zone is in place. Cllr Vernon suggested, if you keep bird, keep them inside to prevent the spread of the virus. She also advised, there is a survey available on the LCC website enabling people to comment on their local Bourne and Grantham local tips. Cllr Vernon confirmed she is keen to organise a Rural Crime Prevention event in the area, there are some administrative issues causing delays, but she will confirm a date and venue as soon as possible. She also confirmed Swinstead is now on the list for a Highways Engineering visit, this will enable a review of the roads and road surface in the village.

5.2 Councillors Reports. None

  1. Parish Clerk report.
    1. Position at Bank. The Clerk presented the accounts to date. These were accepted unanimously. The balance to date after all cheques are cleared is £1248.16.

          6.2 To resolve the Local Government Service Pay Agreement 2025 for Parish Clerks. The Clerk circulated the pay agreement to the Councillors highlighting the pay scale

           and the recommended .41p per hour increase. After discussion the Councillors approved the increase.

6.3 Cheques to be signed. Clerks’ salary £344.76, Remembrance Poppy Wreath £24.49. Approved and signed.

  1. Highways:

7.1 Street lighting in the High Street. Cllr Vardy highlighted the lack of street lighting between the bus stop and Creeton Road. The Clerk will contact SKDC and request new lights be installed both side of the road.

7.2 Croak Hill Car Parking. It has been noticed that a few cars are still parking on the pavement in Croak Hill, the Parish Council have asked the Clerk to write to Muir Housing requesting they contact their residents telling them to  park in the designated areas.

7.3Archer traffic survey. An Archer survey was conducted on Bourne Road and the High Street in late October. The survey will identify the volume, size and speed of vehicles during that period. The PC will receive a detailed report within the next few weeks.

7.4Village Cross & Island. Cllr Underhill to contact English Heritage to discuss the condition of the base of the Cross and possible repair work.

  1. Correspondence:
    1. Donation to St Marys Church. After a discussion between the Councillors, the majority decision was to donate £200.
    2. An email was received after the publication of the agenda from a local resident, regarding the sale of drugs in Croake Hill. It was alleged drugs are being sold from two properties in Croake Hill. The Councillors discussed this at length and have asked the Clerk to write to SKDC (Housing) and the Police, requesting they investigate thoroughly.
    3. Neighbourhood Watch. A resident emailed asking if a Neighbourhood Watch scheme could be established in the village. The Councillors thought this was a good idea and will promote it on the village FB page asking who would like to participate.
  2.  Planning.
    1. S25/0916, Mr Sebastian Miller, Erection of new detached beef cattle finishing shed, and associated hard standings. Park Farm Park Road Swinstead Lincolnshire NG33 4PJ, (SKDC Planning Office Grants Planning Permission)
    2. S25/1839, Adrian Baines, Section 211 notice to pollard Cherry tree and two Willow trees in rear garden, 21 High Street, Swinstead, Lincolnshire, NG33 4PA. (Circulated to the PC).

10.0 Other matters for discussion.

Xmas tree. The Clerk confirmed that the Christmas Tree, which has been provided this year by the Village Hall, will be delivered the first week in December.

Fireworks. Cllr Underhill thanked the Village Hall Committee for providing a wonderful display for the village. The event was very well attended and enjoyed by all.

Defibrillator training. Cllr Underhill thanked Cllr Vardy for organising the Defibrillator/CPR training on the 4th of November.

Cllr Underhill thanked Chris Hatch for replanting all the village planters with pansies for the winter and for displaying the Remembrance Day poppies around the village.  Also thanks to Chris Hatch and Own Wilson for dealing with the fallen tree in the community orchard in October.

Date of next meeting

     February 12th, 2026, 7.00pm at Swinstead Village Hall

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