Minutes 2020-21

SWINSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held via ZOOM:

 18.00 on Thursday 19th November 2020

Present Cllr B Lynch, Cllr D Plowright, Cllr L Underhill, Cllr J Ashby, C Hatch (Clerk).

            Guests, Cllr B Adams & Cllr N Robins

1. The Clerk asked Cllr Lynch to act as Chairman for the meeting. Proposed, Cllr Ashby, Seconded, Cllr Underhill. The Clerk apologised for an error at the September PC meeting, in allowing a guest Councillor to propose the acting Chairman.
2. Public Forum: No members of the public attended.
3. Apologies: Cllr C Lunn, due to poor health.
4. Receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011:  None
5. Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 17th September were agreed as an accurate record and will be signed by acting Chairman when Covid-19 restriction allow.
6. Clerks Report:

Finance Report: The Clerk presented the accounts which met with full     approval. (Report at the end of the minutes).

Speed Sign data was presented to the Councillors.

Jubilee Orchard: The Clerk advised; three new fruit trees have been purchased at a cost of £115.50 and planted.

Following a discussion with Richard Lidstone of Park Farm, Richard confirmed he will cut the hedges at the orchard at no cost to the Parish Council.

Notice Board & Spring Bulbs: The Clerk took the opportunity to thank Cllr Ashby for erecting the new notice board.

He confirmed he and Mrs Cowan had re-planted spring bulbs lifted from the village planters earlier in the year and re-planted them in and around Croake Hill. New spring bulbs were purchased for the village planters. As many of last year's plants had been over wintered and re-planted, the total cost of new plants was only £39.42.

Un-registered vehicles: Following on from Cllr Plowright’s concern’s regarding Un-registered vehicles, driving through the village, the Clerk confirmed he had spoken with both Grimsthorpe Estate and Park Farm who confirmed, all their vehicles are insured to travel on the highway, even those not displaying number plates.

The Clerk advised he had placed the Parish Poppies around the village in plenty of time for Remembrance Sunday.

Finally, the new Parish Website is now live https://swinstead.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk

All Parish information will now be displayed on this site.

Cllr Underhill thanked the Clerk and Mrs Cowan for all they do for the Village.

7. Chairman’s Report:

As acting chairman I would like to pass my thanks on to the Reverend Ed Martin and Reverend Andy Hawes for making sure that remembrance Sunday was observed in Swinstead, Father Ed filmed the dedication and reading of the names of our war dead and posted this on social media while Father Andy conducted a small service on Sunday morning and the laying of the Parish Council Poppy wreath at the war memorial in the church – so well done to them.

8. Croake Hill: The Councillors were reassured by Cllr Robins that the recent incident involving two residents in Croake Hill was still under investigation by all relevant agencies. Cllr Robins will forward comments made by Councillors to the relevant agencies and keep the PC advised on developments.
9.  Croake Hill Brambles: Cllr Underhill asked if a working party of volunteers could clear the brambles at Croake Hill green. Cllr Lynch will organise a site visit with the Greens Committee. A date will be set on Social Media calling for volunteers to help with the clean-up.
10. Village Christmas Tree: Cllr Ashby advised, a 15-foot tree will cost approximately £150, lights £50. The tree will be sited on the green area on the left as you enter Swinstead from Bourne. The area is deemed large enough to allow for Carol singing and refreshments, weather and Covid-19 restrictions permitting. Proposed Cllr Underhill, seconded Cllr Ashby.

11. Roads, Volunteers: Cllr Underhill requested volunteers to clear the gullies at the junction of Forstedd Hill and Bourne Road to prevent flooding in the winter. The Clerk will advertise the date on Social Media, (hopefully a dry day), probably a Sunday morning, bring your own flask, the PC will provide the biscuits.

12. Any Other Business: The Clerk advised he had been contacted by residents in the High Street confirming, after extensive discussions with SKDC & LCC Highways, the Ash Tree outside number 56 High Street, although sited in a conservation area, is NOT subject to a Preservation order and can be removed. The residents advised the cost of removing the tree would be between £800 to £1500 and wondered if the PC would contribute to the cost. After discussions, the Councillors decided a contribution would be an inappropriate use of public money as the tree is not the responsibility of the Parish Council.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 19.00pm

Date of the next meeting 21st January 2021, 18.00pm.

(Members of the public most welcome)

Swinstead Parish Council is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. 21st January 2021 @ 18.00-

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Meeting ID: 819 5207 5461