Parish Council Meeting Minutes & Agenda - 18th November 2025
MINUTES FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON November 18th, 2025. The agenda is detailed below the minutes
PRESENT: Councillor Mrs E Penketh, Cllr C Campion, Cllr Mrs J Patrick, Cllr Ms J Brookin, Cllr D Andrews, and the Parish Clerk, Mrs S. McIntyre. C/Cllr D East and D/Cllr R Jackson were present.
Mr F Griffiths and one member of the public were present.
There were no public comments.
The Chairman was absent, Cllr Mrs Penketh, Vice Chairman, took the Chair, and opened the meeting at 7.30pm.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Cllr Wilson. His apology, with reason, was accepted.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were none.
3. MINUTES OF MEETING, September 16th, 2025. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Mrs Patrick 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 Spoke about a recycling sites survey, and cycle paths around the County. Within Swaton he updated Members about the flooding at The Bungalows. A response from the Crown Estates has been requested. Cllr Andrews, one of the residents affected also outlined his enquiries. C/Cllr East encouraged everyone to report all Highways matters through Fix My Street.
D/Cllr Jackson had submitted a report which had been circulated, which he summarised. It can be seen on the PC website.
5. COUNCILLOR VACANCY. It was proposed by Cllr Andrews and seconded by Cllr Mrs Patrick that Mr F Griffiths be co-opted as a Councillor. He was willing to stand. All agreed, the Resolution was passed. Cllr Griffiths signed the Declaration of Acceptance and completed the Register of Interests. The Chairman welcomed him to the Council.
6. FINANCE
• It was proposed by Cllr Campion and and seconded by Cllr Andrews that the monthly report from the RFO be accepted and the awaiting BACS listed be approved. All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
• Batteries for Speed Signs. These have been purchased and are included in the Payments as above. The purchase was made possible due to a donation from Swaton Vintage Day, The Clerk was asked to write to the Committee thanking them.
• Clerk’s salary – annual increase. Cllr Mrs Patrick explained that the National agreed increase for the Clerk’s scale was 50p per hour, for 11 hours per month. The resulting pay rise and back pay were proposed by Cllr Griffiths and seconded by Cllr Ms Brookin. The Resolution was passed.
• Draft budget for 2026/27.
Cllr Mrs Patrick had circulated a draft budget.
During the discussions Item 7 (1) Grass cutting was discussed. Insufficient volunteers and suitable large mowers meant that the Playpark may not be cut by volunteers next year. Cllr Campion had made enquiries with contractors, around £1000 may be needed for a contractor. It was agreed to put notices around the village to see if any other volunteers come forward.
Item 12 was also discussed. Most of the grass verge cutting in the village is carried out by volunteers. But one section is being paid for privately.
Resolution. The Budget has to be finalised by the January meeting for submission to NKDC. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Mrs Penketh that the Finance Group – of herself, Cllr Campion and Cllr Mrs Patrick meet to discuss the draft budget and, using the WhatsApp group, to circulate ideas and suggestions prior to bringing a proposed Budget to the January meeting. Any other Cllr is welcome to join the Group for the discussions.
• LALC Clerks’ annual networking day plus SLCC AGM, November 20th. This was approved by the Council.
7. PLAYPARK.
• Grass cutting. See item 6 above.
• Grant funding. Cllr Mrs Penketh said she would apply for one more round of grant funding, to complete her ten years of various applications to equip the Playpark. She said the monkey bars is still a possibility, and asked if there were any other village projects which could also be included. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Patrick and seconded by Cllr Campion that ornamental village signs could be investigated. It was suggested that the insurance implications of adding monkey bars to the equipment should be investigated. Cllr Mrs Patrick said that funding for the future maintenance of the Playpark must be considered.
• Update – goals and signpost. Cllr Wilson not present.
• Unsafe Wall. Cllr Mrs Patrick described a stone wall near the Playpark gate which had an unsafe coping stone. Cllr Campion said he would see who owned the wall and speak informally to them.
8. MAJOR PROJECTS.
• Reservoir. E mail from the Project Team had been circulated. The next meeting is on November 27th, and a group of interested parties is meeting informally beforehand.
9. CLUSTER MEETINGS. D/Cllr Jackson said there was no assistance from NKDC.
10. COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH. Cllr Mrs Penketh said there was no funds available to fund equipment. D/Cllr Jackson said Swaton could borrow equipment from Osbournby. Cllr Mrs Penketh said she would see if there was anyone interested in forming a group.
11. CHANGING TO A .GOV OR OTHER APPROVED ADDRESS. The Clerk had submitted a report outlining the time spent trying to set up the domain and .gov contact address. She said the PC was compliant, but there were still some problems with the full operation of the system but this was beyond her expertise. Cllr Andrews took some details and said he would do some further investigation work.
12. NORTH END GRASS CUTTING. See item 6.
13. COUNCIL SURGERIES. It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Ms Brookin that the PC surgeries take place the first Saturday in December. Thereafter they will be every 2 months, starting in January 2026. This was agreed.
14. WELCOME PACK FOR NEW RESIDENTS. Cllr Wilson had forwarded a version he had compiled previously. This will be further discussed in the January meeting.
15. 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, Swaton.
It was proposed by Cllr Campion and seconded by Cllr Andrews that the Council submits ‘No Objections’ . All agreed, the Resolution was passed.
16. CLERK’s REPORT.
• LALC bulletins and training dates circulated.
• Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire. Donation request circulated. There are no funds available.
17. DATE OF NEXT MEETING(S). 2026.
January 20th (Final Budget.) March 17th May 19th (Annual meetings) July 21st September 22nd and November 17th.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30pm.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend a Parish Council meeting, the first 15 minutes are open to the public to raise questions or queries in regards to the items on the agenda
MINUTES FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held November 18th 2025 will appear here once agreed at the January meeting
AGENDA
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST, if any.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - Clerks’ Notes from the meeting of September 16th 2025, – accepting as Minutes, Chairman signs.
4. COUNCILLOR VACANCY. Co-option of new Cllr.
5. REPORT(S) FROM VISITING REPRESENTATIVE(S), if any.
6. FINANCE
• Monthly report from RFO, including signing of Cheques/Approval of BACS payments. Note and accept.
• Batteries for speed signs – Approve and purchase.
• Clerk’s salary – annual increase. Cllr Mrs Patrick to outline.
• Draft budget for 2026/7. Discuss prior to final approval in January.
• LALC Clerks’ annual networking day and SLCC AGM on November 20th. Clerk to attend Approve cost of £25 plus VAT.
7. PLAYPARK
• Grass cutting – report from Cllr Campion re playpark grass cutting.
• Grant funding – Monkey bars grant – Are there any other projects which require funding – Cllr Mrs Penketh suggests applying for one final grant to include any other village issues.
• Update – goals and sign post. Cllr Wilson
• Unsafe wall – Wall next to the playpark may be unsafe. Cllr Mrs Patrick.
8. MAJOR PROJECTS:
• Reservoir. E mail Oct 30th from the Project Team, circulated.
9. CLUSTER MEETINGS. Update on enquiries regarding the re-formation of a Cluster Group.
10. COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH. Update on village interest and costings.
11. CHANGING TO A .GOV, OR OTHER APPROVED ADDRESS. Update.
12. NORTH END GRASS CUTTING. Cllr Mrs Penketh to explain the current situation.
13. COUNCIL SUGERIES – Discuss whether to reduce these to every 2months from January 2026. Cllr Mrs Penketh to report.
14. WELCOME PACK FOR NEW RESIDENTS. Update as to whether these are needed.
15. 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, Swaton.
16. CLERK’S REPORT.
• LALC bulletins and Training bulletin - circulated.
• Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire – Donation request (circulated.)
17. DATES OF 2026 MEETINGS
Tuesday 20th January Tuesday 17th March
Tuesday 19th May Tuesday 21st July
Tuesday 22nd September Tuesday 17th November