January 20th 2026 - Agenda and Minutes
MINUTES FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 20th JANUARY 2026
PRESENT: Councillors A. Wilson, C Campion, Mrs E Penketh, Mrs J Patrick, Ms J Brookin, D Andrews, F Griffiths, D/Cllr R Jackson, and the Parish Clerk, Mrs S. McIntyre.
There were no members of the public present.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. There were none.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were none.
3. MINUTES OF MEETING, November 19th, 2025. It was proposed by Cllr Ms Brookin and seconded by Cllr Mrs Penketh that these be accepted as Minutes. The Resolution was passed. They were signed by the Chairman.
4. REPORT(S) FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S). C/Cllr East was unable to attend. D/Cllr Jackson submitted a report which will go on the website. He briefly explained the schedule for the new food waste bins, and the Community Hubs which anyone can access for on line advice.
5. PLAYPARK.
• Grass cutting. Various options are still being examined regarding volunteers and/or paying a contractor. A flyer will be published. There will be further discussions in the March meeting. There may be grant funding for the Council to purchase a mower. Insurance and storage/usage implications will be investigated.
• Update – goals and sign post. Cllr Wilson confirmed the goalposts have been cleared and the sign has been installed.
• Unsafe wall. This will be repaired when the gatepost is repaired.
6. GRANT FUNDING. Cllr Mrs Penketh said she has made preliminary enquiries about funding to cover village signs and a ride on mower. A highways permit will be needed for the signs. The Clerk suggested that before village signs were progressed there should be some village consultation to establish support. March meeting.
7. MAJOR PROJECTS.
• Reservoir. E mail Dec 10th circulated. Cllr Campion said there was no update, and that a third consultation would start this spring.
8. COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH. There may be sufficient volunteers to form a Speedwatch group. D/Cllr Jackson outlined some details. The Osbournby equipment would be available to use.
9. WELCOME PACK FOR NEW RESIDENTS. Cllr Wilson has compiled a flyer with village organisation details and a map. He will circulate this to Cllrs for any comments.
10. PAVEMENTS. Cllr Mrs Penketh said a resident had difficulty using the footpath along High street at the North end – it is becoming overgrown and very uneven, and dangerous for him to use. It was noted that there was no dropped kerb outside the Hut. Councillors commented that there were dropped kerbs either side, not too far away. C/Cllr East will be notified about the pavements with a view to organising a site visit from Highways.
11. COUNCILLOR RESPONSIBILITIES. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Mrs Penketh that the Cllr responsibilities are as follows:
Police/Speeding/ASB Cllr Andrews
Play Area Cllrs Wilson and Mrs Penketh
Road and Path lighting Cllr Griffiths
Planning/Open Spaces Cllr Campion
Responsible Finance Officer Cllr Mrs Patrick
Footpaths/Bridleways Cllr Mrs Brookin
Flooding Liaison Mr C Richardson – as and when necessary
Tidy Village Cllr Andrews
Website Cllr Mrs Penketh
Mr Richardson will be contacted to see if he is still willing to advise as necessary.
12. FINANCE
• It was proposed by Cllr Griffiths and and seconded by Cllr Mrs Penketh that the monthly report from the RFO be accepted and the awaiting BACS listed be approved. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
• LALC – Annual subs due. It was proposed by Cllr Wilson and seconded by Cllr Mrs Brookin that the LALC annual subs of £101.30 be paid by the April 1st due date.
Annual Training scheme. The Annual Training Scheme, costing £120 plus £24 VAT, will be reviewed in the March meeting.
• Budget for 2026/27. The Finance Group met and submitted a report with recommendations. There was a detailed discussion as to whether the PC should request a small increase and run at a loss in 2026/7 and use reserves, or request a slightly larger increase towards breaking even. It was proposed be Cllr Campion to increase the precept by £150 to £3200. There was an amendment to this proposal by Cllr Andrews that there should be a £250 increase, to a £3300 precept. The amendment was unanimously agreed.
13. PLANNING MATTERS.
Application approved. Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 1995, Schedule 2, parts 6 and 7 – Application for prior notification.
Erection of 1 grain store and 1 machinery store, Eau Farm, North Drove, Swaton.
14. CLERK’s REPORT.
• LALC bulletins and training dates circulate
• The .gov domain. The Clerk said there were ongoing problems with the .gov e mail address, including receiving unsolicited ‘advertising’ e mails. These to be forwarded to Cllr Andrews.
15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING(S). 2026.
March 17th May 19th (Annual meetings) July 21st September 22nd November 17th.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50pm.
CARIED FWD TO MARCH AGENDA
* Grass cutting playpark. * Highways site visit * Grant funding * PC staging events * LALC Annual Training Scheme * Lengthmen’s Scheme
AGENDA FOR TUESDAY 20th JANUARY 2026
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST, if any.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Clerks’ Notes from the meeting of November 19th 2025, – accepting as Minutes, Chairman signs.
4. REPORT(S) FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S), if any.
5. PLAYPARK
• Grass cutting – Any new volunteers? Report Cllr Campion.
• Update – goals and sign post. Cllr Wilson
• Unsafe wall – Wall next to the playpark. Report Cllr Campion.
6. GRANT FUNDING. Enquiries about possible funding for ornamental village signs. Cllr Mrs Penketh.
7. MAJOR PROJECTS:
• Reservoir. E mail Dec 10th – reply to Swaton’s consultation feedback.
8. COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH. Any interest? Cllr Mrs Penketh.
9. WELCOME PACK FOR NEW RESIDENTS. Update as to whether these are needed.
10. PAVEMENTS. Roadside pavements uneven and becoming overgrown, restricting pedestrian and wheelchair use.
No dropped kerb at the Hut/Church.
11. COUNCILLOR RESPONSIBILITIES . The council now has 7 Councillors – re-examine the Responsibilities.
12. FINANCE
• Monthly report from RFO, including signing of Cheques/Approval of BACS payments. Note and accept.
• LALC – Annual subs of £101.30 due April 1st.
Annual Training scheme – does the PC wish to join for 2026/7 - £120.00 plus VAT,
• Budget for 2026/7. Finalise the budget and precept request.
13. PLANNING MATTERS.
Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 1995, Schedule 2, parts 6 and 7 – Application for prior notification of agricultural or forestry development.
Erection of 1 grain store and 1 machinery store. Eau Farm, North Drove. Application approved.
14. CLERK’S REPORT.
• LALC bulletins and Training bulletin - circulated.
15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING(S). 2026:
March 17th May 19th - Annual Parish Meeting, and Annual Meeting of the PC - 7.00pm, July 21st, Sept. 22nd and November 17th