Chairman's Annual Report May 2024
Swaton Parish Council Chairman’s Annual Report 2023 to 2024
This year has seen a significant milestone in the introduction of Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) broadband to Swaton which not only provides internet speeds of up to 900Mbps, but also now includes all the properties that missed out on the Fibre To The Cabinet upgrade in 2016.
We’ve also seen changes to another area of the village, the allotments. A vacancy last year has allowed the Parish Council (PC) to work with the land agents, Carter Jonas, to increase the number of allotment plots from the previous two to four.
Swaton now has two defibrillators with the addition of a new one to West End. Our Vice Chairwoman, Cllr Elaine Penketh, managed to secure match-funding on a new defibrillator and cabinet. With welcomed donations from the Swaton Vintage Day committee of £400 and £350 from the Community Trust (Hut Committee), we were able to raise the necessary funds. A huge thank-you to Liz and Pete Harborough who not only offered a wall for the cabinet to be fitted to, but also paid for the electrical connection to the cabinet.
The PC implemented another 10% increase to the annual precept which brings us closer to covering our current running deficit. The PC works incredibly hard in reducing running costs and securing grants and funding for the things that we do to improve the village. Our team of volunteer mowers that keep the grass under control in the park saves us paying for this service. Thank you to Charles Campion for organizing the sharing of the task and mowing along with Joff Parsons, John Wilkinson and John Brookin who give their time and petrol to keep our park looking one of the best in the area whilst I cover the maintenance and weekly inspection of the park so that we only have to pay for the annual safety inspection.
The village speed display signs also need weekly battery charges and changes which Tony Patrick and myself manage which are important to encourage drivers to maintain the 30mph speed limits. The Parish Council thanks Tony for his continued help with this.
In July our very own clerk, Shelagh McIntyre, was award ‘LALC Clerk Of The Year’ (Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils) which was a testament to the years of dedicated service and support that Shelagh has offered our little council. A big thank-you to Elaine who put Shelagh forward for the award.
This past year has seen some changes to the council with Cllrs John Lukjaniec and Nathan Eaves stepping down so I wanted to take this opportunity to thank them both for their time on the Parish Council. I would also like to welcome Duncan Andrews who has recently joined the PC.
The monthly PC surgery has continued for its first full year, where councilors, often accompanied by District Cllr Russell Jackson, attend the morning Café in the Hut on the first Saturday Chaiof each month to provide an opportunity for residents to raise issues or ask the council questions.
Chris Richardson has continued to provide updates on the progress of the flood alleviation work that the Environment Agency has been doing for the past few years. This work was completed last year and was severely tested in October when the country experienced exceptional and sustained rainfall. Many surrounding villages experienced flooding for the first time and it appears the alleviation ponds prevented water levels from flooding properties which has happened in the past.
Continuing on the topic of water, the Lincolnshire Reservoir project progresses with local representation to the Community Liaison Group from Cllrs Elaine Penketh and Charles Campion, the latter now the CLG chairman. The second consultation period will start later this year.
My closing thank-you’s go to Cllr Judy Patrick for being our excellent Responsible Finance Officer; Cllr Elaine Penketh for maintaining and keeping the PC website up to date; our District Cllr Russell Jackson for helping us to progress an upgrade to one of the street lights on West End and last but not least, our village litter picker Robert Brown.
Cllr Alan Wilson
Chairman - Swaton Parish Council