Parish Council Meeting - Agenda & Minutes - Monday 4th December 2023
MINUTES FROM SWATON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 4th DECEMBER 2023
PRESENT: Councillors A Wilson, (Chairman), Cllrs Mrs Penketh, Mrs Patrick, C Campion, N Eaves,and the Parish Clerk, Mrs S. McIntyre. One member of the public was present. There was a discussion about the proposed reservoir.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.45pm.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Cllr Lukjaniec, his apology and reason was accepted.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Block Dispensation – Playpark/Reservoir/Budget, Precept.
3. MINUTES OF MEETING, Sept 26th, 2023. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Penketh and seconded by Cllr Eaves that the Notes from Sept 26th be accepted as Minutes. All agreed, the Chairman signed the Minutes.
4. REPORTS FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S). C/Cllr Key and D/Cllr Jackson were unable to attend. The Clerk read out Cllr Jackson’s report to the Council. Cllr Key encouraged everyone to take part in the consultation regarding the devolution for Greater Lincolnshire.
The Chairman proposed and Cllr Mrs Penketh seconded that Agenda Item 10, Finance be brought forward. All agreed.
FINANCE.
Monthly report. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Eaves that the Finance report be accepted, the listed invoices be paid, and the Clerk’s salary increase and back pay be paid, in accordance the a previous Resolution. All agreed.
LALC and SLCC networking day. The Clerk attended, the £20 fee for this was agreed in the above.
Preliminary Budget 2024/25. The RFO had previously circulated a suggested budget and a precept request for £2750.00. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Mrs Penketh that this be agreed in principle. The precept request can be finalised in the Januarymeeting for submission to NKDC before January 26th.
Internal Auditor. A new Internal Auditor is needed. Enquiries will be made – report to January meeting.
5. PLAYPARK.
(a) Annual Inspection - Report received. A good report, no major work is needed. Moles are a problem – various suggestions were made.
(b) Monkey Challenge Grant. There was a discussion about this equipment and other items for adult exercise. It was proposed by Cllr Eaves and seconded by Cllr Campion that Cllr Mrs Penketh goes ahead with the grant application. If successful, the details of equipment needed can be further discussed.
(c) Replacement Trees. A letter from Crown Estates in November said that they were in the process of organising an estate wide planting scheme which will be identifying suitable species.
6. MAJOR PROJECTS – CONSULTATIONS.
Lincs Reservoir Community Liaison Group meeting, Nov 8th. There will be 4 of these meetings annually. Cllrs Campion and Mrs Penketh are happy to continue to attend as neutralrepresentatives.
Lincs Reservoir – Property support scheme. This seems to be extending to anyone whose property may be indirectly affected.
Lincs Reservoir – Survey works update. Noted.7. DEFIBRILLATOR, WEST END. Cllr Ms Penketh explained funding could be raised by the PC together with a donation from the Hut Committee, which would cover the amount needed for a match funded grant. Cllrs were pleased the PC and The Hut were working together for this village project.It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Mrs Patrick that Cllr Mrs Penketh applied for the match funded grant. Specific details as to location can be worked out if the application is successful. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
8. ALLOTMENTS – Proposal to Carter Jonas. The Chairman said that one of the 2 large allotments was vacant, and this may be an opportunity to approach Carter Jonas for the PC to take over the management of the allotments.
He proposed and Cllr Campion seconded that the Chairman asks Carter Jonas if the PC can manage the allotments and pays the annual rental. The PC can then further decide the vacant large allotment and be responsible for collecting the rents. All agreed, the Resolution was carried.
9. SURGERY ITEMS BROUGHT TO MEETING.
Footpath, North End. This is very cracked and overgrown. It is on LCC’s list for repair and maintenance, but the Pc was told this was a “long list”. It was suggested that in the Spring, there may be some interest in clearing the path by volunteers.
10. FINANCE. Dealt with after Item 4.
11. PLANNING MATTERS. 23/0657/HOUS. Amendment to the Application. ‘No Objections’ was returned to NKDC.
12. L.A.L.C.
LALC bulletins circulated as received. Noted.
LALC Training. – Cllr Eaves attended “New Councillors’ Induction” Zoom meeting.
13. CLERK’S REPORT
NKDC Engagement event – Oct 10th, Cllrs Wilson and Eaves attended.
Citizens’ Advice, appeal letter – Noted.
Parish Council Engagement NKDC and SKDC, Dec 7th.
14. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS
Dates for 2024. The following dates were Proposed and Resolved:
January 23rd. March 12th May 21st (Annual Meetings)July 16th September 17th November 19th.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30pm.
NEXT MEETING: Dec 4th, 2023
Update on Working Group for Policies and Procedures.
PC signboard – repair needed.
Councillor Co-option – Idea(s) and possible recruit?
Surgery Items – flooding concerns.
Internal Auditor – New one required.
AGENDA - PC MEETING 7.30pm 4th DECEMBER.
The first 15 minutes of the meeting are for members of the public to ask any questions or raise concerns in regards to the items listed on the agenda. The PC meeting will officially commence at 7.45pm. Members of the public may attend the PC meeting as observers, but will not be allowed to speak during the transaction of the PC business. The minutes of the meeting will be posted in January once ratified as true minutes during the PC meeting,
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Block dispensation – Playpark/ Reservoir/ Budget, Precept.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Clerks’ Notes from Sept 26th, 2023, – accepting as Minutes.
4. REPORT(S) FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S), if any.
5. PLAYPARK :
Annual Inspection. Report from the Annual Inspection received. Invoice received for the Inspection.
Monkey Challenge Grant. Should the PC to consider applying for grant funding.
Replacement trees. Update.
6. MAJOR PROJECTS – CONSULTATIONS
Lincs Reservoir Community Liaison Group – Meeting Nov 8th at Scredington.
Lincs Reservoir – Property Support Scheme. Circulated Nov 3rd.
7. DEFIBRILLATOR, WEST END. Update on this project – location, funding for maintenance etc. Report from Cllr Mrs Penketh, circulated.
8. SURGERY ITEMS BROUGHT TO MEETING.
Footpath, North End. Clearing needed, LCC have been notified, but it is on a long waiting list.
9. FINANCE –
• Monthly report from RFO, including signing of Cheques/Approval of any BACS payments. Note and Accept.
• LALC and SLCC combined Clerks’ networking and training day plus SLCC AGM. Clerk to attend. £20 plus VAT.
• Preliminary Budget – discuss the budget for 2024/5.
• Internal Auditor. A new Internal Auditor is needed.
10. PLANNING MATTERS. 23/0657/HOUS. 1, The Bungalow, Swaton Lane. Amendment – replace rear dormer with velux rooflights. Comments, if any by Nov 22nd.
11. L.A.L.C.
LALC e news bulletins – circulated.
LALC Training – Report(s) from those attended.
12. CLERK’S REPORT.
• NKDC Engagement event. Cllrs A. Wilson and N Eaves attended on October 10th.
• Citizens Advice – appeal letter, circulated.
• Parish Council Engagement NKDC and SKDC Dec 7th– details circulated Oct 12th. Cllr Wilson to attend.
• NSK Policing Priority Setting Feedback. Details circulated Oct 19th. Feedback to be submitted by Dec 4th.
13. DATES OF 2024 MEETINGS.
January 23rd, March 19th. May 21st (Annual meetings). July 16th. September 17th and November 19th