PC Meeting 16th July 2019
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JULY 16th 2019 AT 7.45PM IN THE VILLAGE HUT.
PUBLIC FORUM, 7.30pm. No members of the public were present. Cllr Richardson sent in a comment about a rose hedge over a footpath. Cllr Mrs Penketh will speak to the house owner.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.35pm.
PRESENT: Cllr A Wilson (Chairman) Cllrs Mrs E Penketh, A Deptford, Mrs J Patrick, C Campion, and the Clerk, Mrs S McIntyre
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Cllr C Richardson, his apology, with reason, was accepted.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS. Block exemption for matters in connection with the Swaton Play area. Cllr Campion declared an interest for item 15 (a) in connection with the Local Plan.
SIGNING OF THE MINUTES - Clerks’ Notes from the meeting of May 14thth, 2019. Cllr Mrs Penketh proposed and Cllr Deptford seconded that these be approved as a true record. All agreed, the Resolution was passed, the Chairman signed the Minutes.
COUNTY/DISTRICT/POLICE MATTERS. No representatives present. D/Cllr Jackson submitted a report. This provoked the start of a discussion about the Local Plan – directed to agenda item 15, Clerk’s report.
DISPENSATION REQUEST FORMS 2019-2023. Block exemption forms for the new Council submitted and accepted. These were signed and granted by the Clerk for matters in connection with the Swaton Play area, Precept, and Cllr co-options.
COUNCILLOR VACANCY. Mrs Murphy-Mann resigned at the beginning of July. The Clerk explained the procedure and time scales. Notices had been received from NKDC to be displayed as appropriate. The Chairman will approach some people to gauge their interest.
PLAY AREA UPDATE. Block Dispensation. Cllr Mrs Penketh’s grant application to the Lottery Fund resulted in £10k being awarded for equipment for younger children. The result of a £5k bid to Screwfix is to be known by September. She is obtaining quotes for a play tower with slide, plus surfacing and installing – these will be circulated once consolidated. She was thanked by the Councillors, and a possible application to the Swaton Vintage Day Committee may also be made. The Chairman said the fencing and posts had been prepared ready for galvanising. There was a discussion about trees within, and adjacent to, the play area, various ideas being put forward and discussed, no Resolutions.
COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH. The original portable signs are not working and not worth repairing. There was a discussion about various speed indication devices. It was generally felt that, if affordable, then portable signs with newer technology may be possible. Cllr Mrs Penketh will make enquiries as to types and costs and circulate prior to next meeting. Speedwatch article in the current LALC news related to Ancaster. Cllr Mrs Penketh explained Swaton’s position.
NEWSLETTER. Cllr Mrs Penketh will produce the next newsletter after this meeting, then someone else is needed to take over. Cllr Mrs Patrick will liaise to see what is involved and may be willing to volunteer.
GRASSCUTTING. The Councillors agreed that the verges in the village are being cut to the LCC standard, or better. There was some discussion about specific areas, but generally no problems.
BENCH AT TRIANGLE. A request to remove this bench had been made by one resident. After discussion Councillors agreed the bench should remain where it was.
TRACTORS DRIVING AT INAPPROPRIATE SPEED. This was from the Annual Parish Meeting. After discussion, Councillors agreed the Clerk should write a non-specific letter to all the local farmers requesting that their vehicles check their speeds through the village.
TREE PLANTING IN THE VILLAGE. The Chairman brought details of a scheme through the Woodland Trust to supply either free trees or reduced cost trees to Towns and Parishes for their open spaces. After discussion, Councillors agreed that there were very few suitable open spaces within the village for multiple tree planting.
FINANCE –
Monthly report from RFO had been circulated and explained. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Penketh and seconded by Cllr Mrs Patrick that the report be accepted, and the below BACS payments and cheque approved. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
Signing of Cheques and approval of BACS payments.
Mrs S McIntyre BACS Expenses May/June £23.00
LALC, x 2 lunches for 2 day courses @ £10.80 each.
Auditor. Cllr Deptford confirmed that the Certificate of Exemption had been accepted. Public inspection period and various documents on the web site.
Insurance – This has been renewed for 12 months from June 1st.
CLERK’s REPORT AND UPDATES.
Central Lincs Local Plan – Consultation June 6th – July 18th. There was a lengthy discussion about the 10% housing allocation within the Local Plan for Swaton. It was agreed there was no call to ask for the 10% to be reset as the remaining allocation was sufficient. There was discussion about the allotments and their ownership. Councillors agreed there were no comments to input into the current consultation.
NKDC Revised Code of Conduct – PC has adopted the NKDC revision. Clerk to attend a briefing session. This was noted.
LALC NEWS and TRAINING.
LALC NEWS 169- circulated. Training events noted.
Chairman and Clerk Training. Cllr Wilson attended July 11th. Useful and informative.
Code of Conduct Training – July 17th – Clerk to attend.
PLANNING: 19/0764/RESM. Erection of dwelling on land adj to The Old Post Office. PC returned No Comments.
URGENT MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION. None.
NEXT MEETING:
S.I.D. signs – types, costs and possible funding.
NEWSLETTER – New editor? (Clerk’s report, unless further discussion needed.)
HEDGES PLAY AREA. Various enquiries to be made.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Tues. Sept 17th, 7.30pm.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.04pm