Minutes 2023-24

SWINSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting

 7pm on Thursday 11thMay 2023. Following the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

Present were the members of the Parish Council the Parish Clerk, and approximately twenty residents.

1.0      To agree the Minutes of the 2021 Annual Parish Meeting. Having been previously circulated by the Clerk the minutes were approved, (Prop Cllr Underhill and Sec Cllr Lunn), they were agreed unanimously.

2.0      Chairmans Annual Report of the Parish Council. The Chairman presented her annual report, which can be viewed at the foot of these minutes.

3.0      District and County Councillors' Reports. LCC & SKDC Councillors were not in attendance.

4.0      Financial report for year ending 31st March 2022. The Clerk presented the Financial Statement for the Year End, there being no questions they were accepted unanimously.

5.0     Presentations to Clive Lunn & Bryan Lynch. Having stepped down as Councillors at the March PC meeting after 36- and 24-years’ service respectively to Swinstead, the Parish Council were delighted to present Clive and Bryan with a commemorative gift to mark their time in office. Clive was presented with an English Oak tree, to be planted in the Jubilee Orchard, Bryan received a commemorative plaque. Clive and Bryan have been active members of the Parish Council with many achievements for their hard work, their local knowledge has proved invaluable. After the meeting, residents joined Clive and Bryan for light refreshments provided by Mrs Lunn.

6.0     Electors’ concerns. Residents raised several concerns at the meeting, namely.

The Consecration of the Commemorative Plaque (WW1 Air Base Creeton Road)

Installation of dropped curb stone in Park Road (Easy Access)

Speed Sign data results.

Speed watch volunteers.

Extend curb stone and foot path to the end of High Street, (Corby Glen exit).

Continued flood water in New Estate.

The Clerk was able to report the progress of some of these issues and will continue to discuss others with the relevant LCC & SKDC departments.

The next meeting will be held in May 2024, date to be confirmed.

Chairs Annual Report – May 2023

May I firstly begin this report by expressing my gratitude to all members of the Parish Council for their hard work & diligence during the last 12 months. In addition to all the standard actions and tasks undertaken for the best interests of the village, you have also been welcoming and supportive during my year as Chair, for which I am extremely grateful.

The year has brought about many changes within the Parish Council. Due to ill health David Plowright was unable to continue with his position, and we recently welcomed Kathy Vardy into that role. Kathy has a wealth of experience, and I am sure will add immense value and bring new ideas and suggestions to the Council.

After many years’ service we also say goodbye to both Councillor Clive Lunn & Vice Chairman Bryan Lynch, both of whom have worked tirelessly to uphold the best interests of the village and ensure Swinstead is a pleasant place to live. I hope that both Clive & Bryan are aware of the deep gratitude from both Councillors and residents, for all their hard work over the years and trust that the Parish Council will do their utmost to ensure those high standards are maintained.

Joining us in place of Clive & Bryan, we welcome Mat Robinson & Micky Hoodless as new members of the Parish Council. As part of the original Swinstead Events Committee, Micky has been instrumental in the organisation of all the village events over the last 15 months which have further strengthened the community atmosphere. Mat has also been a keen unofficial contributor to many events, most recently the very successful Coronation Street party which he kindly captured drone footage from.

As always, our ever-efficient Parish Clerk Chris Hatch has been invaluable in organizing a multitude of value adding projects to benefit the village, such as the ‘Plant a tree for the Jubilee’ project, along with co-ordinating the build & installation of the brazier which we were able to light in celebration, along with installing the fabulous Christmas tree which now adorns the green every year.

Sincere thanks to both Chris Hatch & Liz Underhill who took ownership of the deer fencing project to protect the community Orchard, which is now almost complete. This was made possible via a community grant organised by Chris, and both gave up their time to organise quotations and carry out pruning and tidying. The Orchard looks outstanding now and deserves to be celebrated and appreciated as a beautiful area for village residents to make use of.

District Councillor Nick Robins attendance and guidance has been hugely appreciated throughout the year. Nick has supported us well and kept us informed with the latest news from SKDC, as well as advise us on where/how/what projects we may be able to gain assistance with. Thanks also to County Councillor Charlotte Vernon, who again attends where possible to keep us up to date with local matters of importance.

Thank you to Gail & Steve Clarke who do a superb job litter picking to maintain high standards within the village.

2022/2023 Topics

This has included:

• Village Events – it has been wonderful to see the various events happening within the village and continuing the strong sense of community. Most recently, the Coronation Lunch Street Party was very well attended & enjoyed by all
• Noise nuisance – several residents complained about barking dogs in the vicinity. This was addressed with the owners and has now been resolved
• Building Maintenance Concerns – whilst attempts to engage with the owners of the building in question were unsuccessful, repairs have been made and this is now resolved
• Planning Applications – planning applications have been considered and concerns/comments passed to the District Council. Planning applications in question have now either been withdrawn or declined
• Parish Council Meetings – meetings, minutes & agendas are also now published on the village Facebook page as well as the Parish Council Website
• Street/Lighting Repairs – Fix My Street being utilised and working well – rapid turnaround for any issues reported with accompanying photographs. Residents are encouraged to use this service for any areas of concern
• Finances – continue to be healthy, further details can be found on the website

Annette Whitworth

Chair

Swinstead Parish Council