PC Meeting 19th Nov 2019
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - HELD ON NOVEMBER 19th 2019 AT 7.45PM IN THE VILLAGE HUT.
PUBLIC FORUM, 7.30pm. Two members of the public were present. In the past the Hut has been designated as an Emergency Centre and a cable feed into the Hut had been installed to receive power from a generator. It was asked if this feed had been tested? There was some discussion about responsibility for this. Agenda in January.
The Hut Committee will donate the money for a second SID to be installed in the village.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.40pm.
PRESENT: Cllr A Wilson (Chairman) Cllrs A Deptford, Mrs Penketh, Mrs J Patrick, C Campion, C Richardson and the Clerk, Mrs S McIntyre. D/Cllr Jackson was present as was Mrs G Parsons – to take her seat at item 5.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. There were none.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS. Block exemption for matters in connection with the Swaton Play area, and Budget discussions.
SIGNING OF THE MINUTES - Clerks’ Notes from the meeting of Sep 17thth, 2019. Cllr Deptford proposed and Cllr Mrs Patrick seconded that, with one alteration, these be approved as a true record. All agreed, the Resolution was passed, the Chairman signed the Minutes.
COUNTY/DISTRICT/POLICE MATTERS. Cllr Mrs Penketh had met with PCSO Welby-Everard. Evidence of illegal smoking had been obtained from a bus shelter, and a makeshift bench removed. The Police are dealing with the matter.
D/Cllr Jackson said there was no feedback yet from a recent Overview and Scrutiny panel meeting (item 12). The upcoming Lincs Local Plan will receive feedback from Parish Councils next Spring. NKDC declared a Climate Change Emergency. Planned changes at the NCCD (Hub) are to be implemented – making better use of the underused sections. The Boundary Commission Review does not impact Swaton. Photo ID for the last elections was deemed to be successful. November 20th is a UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – people are asked to wear orange to mark this day.
COUNCILLOR VACANCY. Mrs G Parsons signed the Declaration of Acceptance and took her seat on the Council. Register of Interests and Dispensation forms also received. She was welcomed by those present.
PLAY AREA UPDATE. Block Dispensation. Cllr Mrs Penketh said recent grant of £10k from the Lottery Fund is to be spent on a final ‘statement’ piece – a square unit with towers, slide, nets etc. This makes £10200 available. Mrs Penketh said suitable piece with installation has been found for £10800, being the cheapest and the best option. Various ways of finding the remaining £600 were discussed. The Hut Committee may help, their Committee meeting is December 1st. Cllr Deptford proposed and Cllr Campion seconded that, subject to finding a donation of £600 the PC should go ahead with ordering the piece. All agreed, the Resolution was passed. Cllr Wilson said that most of the fencing has been installed and the goalposts are useable.
Play park inspection. The Clerk said that for Insurance purposes, a regular weekly/monthly inspection is necessary plus an annual ROSPA inspection. She had circulated other Clerks and has a selection of their forms to look at. Cllr Wilson said that he had a weekly and monthly inspection sheets and carried these out. The Clerk will look at getting details of an annual inspection for next meeting.
Play park grass cutting. Cllr Wilson is hoping to find enough parishioners with ride-on mowers to set up a grass cutting rota to keep the grass at a manageable height throughout the year.
COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH. Cllr Mrs Penketh, Cllr Wilson and Cllr Deptford visited Gosberton to look at their SID sign and found the sign and the cost very fit for purpose. Data capture, spare batteries and charger are included in the price. A pole would be needed for one sign. The Lincs Road Safety Partnership have approved the signs and will organise a mounting pole. Cllr Mrs Penketh hopes to organise a small Speedwatch Group to operate a speed gun in the future. Cllr Deptford proposed and Cllr Campion seconded that 2 signs plus a post, should be ordered and paid for between meetings if required. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
NEWSLETTER. Cllr Mrs Patrick is taking over as Editor, beginning with the week commencing Dec 8th, the bi-monthly. She checked that Councillors details could be included and requested a long neck stapler. Councillors agreed to these requests.
VILLAGE BOOK EXCHANGE. Cllr Mrs Penketh said the ‘Little Free Library’ system was for any waterproof container to be used as village book exchange points. A parishioner may construct a wooden one, and there was a discussion as to where and how this could be placed. This would be subject to the appropriate approvals. Councillors agreed in principle to go ahead with the scheme and bring further information to the next meeting.
VERGES IN VILLAGE.
Damage to verges along West End during flooding. A letter from a parishioner had been circulated. It was felt that this was a highways/police issue, although a note about considerate parking etc could be placed in a newsletter. The Chairman said he would formulate a reply to the letter.
Damage by NKDC contractors carrying out work along High Street will be made good.
Anti-parking stones on grass verges. One householder who had placed stones on the verge had been consulted and had agreed to remove them after realising the verges belonged to Highways. This prompted a discussion about other such stones in the village. These to be reported to the Highways authority.
LCC Highways – Verge Grass Cutting agreement 2020. Details had been circulated. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Deptford that Swaton enters into an agreement for 2020. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
FINANCE –
Monthly report from RFO had been circulated and explained. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Wilson that the report be accepted, and the below payments approved. The RFO requested that payment for final costs of pegs for fencing. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
Signing of Cheques and approval of BACS payments.
Mrs S McIntyre BACS Expenses September/October £23.00
NKDC election expenses £73.61
A Wilson – final costs goal posts/fencing £495.85
LIVES, Sleaford and District – Donation request. Cllrs agreed not to donate.
Budget 2020/21. Cllr Deptford had circulated a proposed draft budget. There was some discussion. It was agreed to accept this in principle, but to check again in the January meeting, for formal approval and submission to NKDC.
CLERK’s REPORT AND UPDATES.
NKDC – Litter Picking Grant to be paid. Circulated and noted. Cllr Deptford confirmed payment received.
NKDC – Communities and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting Oct 30th.
NKDC – Christmas and New Year bin collections. Circulated and noted – Newsletter?
NKDC – General Election – notices being received.
Dates of Meetings 2020. It was agreed to have meetings on the third Tuesday monthly, unless circumstances meant a change in advance of a meeting. The Clerk will circulate a list of dates.
LALC NEWS AND TRAINING. Weekly bulletins circulated.
PLANNING: None for this meeting.
URGENT MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION. Cllr Wilson said the Parish Council notice board needed some repair – January meeting. Also a collapsing private wall was close to encroaching onto the adjacent road. The householder will be approached.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING . Tuesday January 21st, 7.30pm.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.29pm