PC Meeting - Minutes & Agenda - 19th November 2024
SWATON PARISH COUNCIL - MINUTES FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 19th 2024
PRESENT: Councillors A Wilson, (Chairman), Cllrs Mrs Penketh, Mrs Patrick, C Campion, J Parsons,D. Andrews (8.35pm), D/Cllr R Jackson and the Parish Clerk, Mrs S. McIntyre.
No members of the public were present.
The Chairman moved without notice that Agenda Item 12, should be moved and placed between items 5 and 6. This was agreed.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Partial – Cllr D Andrews – will be late. This was accepted.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Block Dispensation – Playpark/Reservoir/Budget, Precept.
3. MINUTES OF MEETING. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Penketh and seconded by Cllr Parsons, that the Notes from September 3rd, be accepted as Minutes. All agreed, the Chairman signed the Minutes.
4. REPORTS FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S). D/Cllr Jackson had circulated a report.This included updates on the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Mayoral Authority; The Sleaford Museum; a heating subsidy benefit scam; a Police and Crime survey and an upcoming fibre rollout.
The Chairman and Cllr Parsons will identify areas not covered in the fibre rollout.
5. COUNCILLOR VACANCY. There is no interest to date.
12.FINANCE.
• Monthly Report and Payments. The RFO explained the report. It was proposed by Cllr Parsons and seconded by Cllr Mrs Penketh that the Report and the BACS payments be approved. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
• Pre-Budget Discussions. The R.F.O. explained a circulated draft budget, and answered various questions. After discussion about the precept request, it was proposed by the Chairman that there be a £300 increase in the precept, to £3050, for the 2025/6 financial year. To be finalised in the January meeting. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
• Clerk’s Salary. The RFO said the hourly rate for the Clerk has increased from 14.91 to 15.58 as from April 1st 2024. Cllr Mrs Penketh proposed and the Chairman seconded that the salary and back pay as calculated should be paid. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
6. PLAYPARK.
(a) Grant application update. A recent grant had been used to purchase a notice board. After discussion it was proposed by the Chairman that the remaining money should be used to purchase a climbing net, on the understanding that the PC can claim back the VAT. Seconded by Cllr Campion, all Agreed, the Resolution was passed.
(b) Replacement Trees. The Crown Estates will be planting 2 Acer Rubrums.
(c) Inspection. Cllr Mrs Penketh will make further enquiries about a company offering twice a year inspections, the Clerk will enquire about other R.O.S.P.A. registered companies.
(d) Repair. Post to the side of the pedestrian gate. Cllr Mrs Penketh proposed, and Cllr Campionseconded that a wooden gatepost be ordered to replace a rotten one in the playpark. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
7. MAJOR PROJECTS/CONSULTATIONS.
• WhatsApp group for updates with Helpringham PC? It was generally agreed that people in Swaton at most risk of flooding already had a group for notifications. It was agreed to pass details to an interested parishioner for information.
8. PARISH/COMMUNITY MATTERS.
• Welcome to Swaton Letter. A draft information sheet had been circulated by the Chairman. It was agreed that this be handed to appropriate new residents.
• 8.35pm Cllr Andrews attended.
• Swaton Community Group. Cllr Mrs Penketh explained that a parishioner had mentioned this as a possibility. She will have further conversation with him.
• Dog Mess signage. Cllr Mrs Penketh had seen signs produced by local schoolchildren in another area. She will make further enquiries about this.
9. TREE PRESERVATION. Nine trees had been identified as possible trees to be the subject of a Preservation Order. The details will be passed to the NKDC Tree Officer.
10. SPEED INDICATION DEVICES. No update.
11. SURGERY ITEMS, if any, BROUGHT TO THE MEETING.
• Overgrown land and footpaths. The Crown Estates will take action about an overgrown area along High Street.
• Wildflower verge along West End? It was felt this would not be practicable as maintenance, mowing and access to the Eau would be restricted.
• Councillors’ details on the notice board. General agreement, some details will be displayed.
12. FINANCE.
This item was moved to between items 5 and 6.
13. PLANNING MATTERS. There were none.
14. L.A.L.C.
• L.A.L.C. Bulletins. Bulletins have been circulated when received.
• L.A.L.C. Networking Day. The Clerk will attend.
15. CLERK’S REPORT
• NSK Parish Engagement Session. 21/01/2025. This is also the date of the January PC meeting.
16. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS.
The following dates were agreed: January 21st 2025 (Budget meeting), March 18th 2025, May 20th 2025 (Annual Meetings)
July 15th 2025. September 16th 2025, November 18th 2025.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.05pm.
AGENDA
The first 15 minutes of the meeting are open to members of the public who may ask questions or raise queries relating to items on the agenda and may also remain for the PC meeting as observers commencing at 7.45pm, but will not be allowed to speak during the transaction of the business - so if you have any comment to make during the course of the main meeting please raise your hand so the meeting can be closed
If you can’t make the evening Parish Council meeting to discuss any village issues you may have or would like to talk about regional issues, the PC holds a monthly surgery on the first Saturday of each month in the Hut from 9.30am to 12pm.
AGENDA
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE, if any.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Block dispensation – Playpark/ Reservoir/ Budget, Precept.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Clerks’ Notes from September 3rd, 2024, – accepting as Minutes.
4. REPORT(S) FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S), if any.
5. COUNCILLOR VACANCIES. Update, if any, on the remaining vacancy.
6. PLAYPARK :
Recent Grant. Update on the use of the recent grant and appropriate Resolution.
Three Replacement Trees. The Crown Estates will be planting 2 Acer Rubrums.
Inspection. Consider options for the 2025 Inspection – Interim and/or Annual.
Repair. The post to the right side of the pedestrian gate needs replacing
7.MAJOR PROJECTS/CONSULTATIONS.
• WhatsApp group for updates? Helpringham PC has suggested forming a WhatsApp group for Flooding updates.
8. PARISH/COMMUNITY MATTERS.
• Welcome to Swaton Letter. For new residents.
• Swaton Community Group. Register of Volunteers willing to assist with a variety of administration, domestic, or transport issues if required.
• Dog Mess signage – Consider involving the village children in designing signs.
9. TREE PRESERVATION. Identifying possible trees for TPO. Update on progress.
10. SPEED INDICATION DEVICES. Update on enquiries re possible grant(s).
11. SURGERY ITEMS, if any, BROUGHT TO MEETING.
Overgrown land and footpaths. Progress as to identification of problem areas and landowners. Crown Estates to clear overgrown land near 5 High Street.
Wildflower verge? A parishioner has suggested a wildflower verge on the south side of West End Land.
Councillors’ details on the notice board. It was suggested Councillors’ contact details should be on the new notice board.
12. FINANCE –
• Monthly report from RFO, including signing of Cheques/Approval of any BACS payments. Note and Accept.
• Pre-Budget discussions – Any possible projects/actions needed for 2025/6 financial year ready for preliminary Budget in November.
• Clerk’s Salary. RFO to outline recent government proposals.
13. PLANNING MATTERS.
14. L.A.L.C. Bulletins forwarded when received. Future training dates included in these Bulletins.
LALC networking day with SLCC AGM on November 26th Clerk to Attend.
15. CLERK’S REPORT.
NSK Parish Council Engagement Session. 21/01/2025.
16. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS - usually the 3rd Tuesday of every other month.
January 21st (Agree final Budget for submission), March 18th, May 20th (Annual Meetings.), July 15th, September 16th and November 18th.