October 2023 Community Hub & Library Committee Minutes (To be approved)
SWINESHEAD PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH OFFICE
1-2 North End
Swineshead
PE20 3LR
EMAIL: swinesheadpc@gmail.com
WEBSITE: www.swineshead.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk
CHAIRMAN: Councillor Carl Gibbard
CLERK: Mrs Victoria Clark
Minutes taken by the Clerk to Swineshead Parish Council, Mrs Victoria Clark, at the Community Hub and Library Committee meeting held on Tuesday 16 October 2023
Present: Councillor Ian Maclean (Chairman), Councillor Carl Gibbard, Councillor Philippa Parnell, Councillor David Lemon, Mrs Margaret Syrett (Volunteer), Mrs Dianne Laing (Volunteer), Mrs Jenny Jessop & Mr John Hewitt (representatives from the Methodist Chapel), also present The Clerk to the Council
Public Forum:
No public in attendance
The meeting opened at 19:00
1. Chairman’s Remarks:
Councillor Maclean stated that he was looking forward to hearing about Saturday opening and thanked everyone for attending
2. Apologies for absence: To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk or Chairman prior to the meeting
The Clerk received apologies with reasons from Mrs Marion Brown (Library Development Officer), with no objections all resolved to accept those given
3. To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in agenda items
Councillor Gibbard declared an interest in Gillrange Limited
4. To approve as a correct record, the amended notes of the meeting of the Community Hub and Library Committee held on Monday 11 July 2023 and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
With no objections all resolved to accept the minutes of 11 July 2023 as a correct record of the meeting, and gave permission for the Chairman to sign them
5. Finance: To receive income and expenditure including balance
A detailed list of Income and expenditure to 30 September 2023 was given
The balance in reserves to that date was £25,055.03
Mr Hewitt, representing Swineshead Chapel wanted it noted that he felt there was disparity between the rental given to the Chapel against that of the Community Hub and Swineshead Archive.
6. To review changes in The Terms of Reference for the Community Hub and Library Committee
Councillor Maclean clarified that Swineshead Parish Council conducted a thorough review of the Terms of Reference (T of R). Following this review, the council made a resolution to appoint a member from the Friends of St. Mary's to the Community Hub and Library (CH & L) Committee. The rationale behind this decision was to maintain a committee size of nine members while ensuring equal representation from each Church. To achieve this balance, the council determined that the new appointment would replace one of the representatives from the Methodist Chapel. The representatives of the Chapel and the Library Co-ordinator made their objections clear and were informed that this was a Parish Council decision which had been resolved.
7. To discuss future events and activities
The Library is now open each Saturday for 2 hours
The list of people, charities, groups etc. using the Community Hub (CH) at North End is increasing all the time, recently MP Matt Warman was involved in a meeting in the CH.
Other users were detailed by those attending
8. Library Development Officer: To receive any information
The Library Statistics were emailed prior to the meeting
9. Co-ordinators report: To receive any information
Mrs Syrett updated those attending on library matters including:
The Volunteers are happy with the new chairs but would like the broken one disposed of.
Councillor Gibbard offered to take the chair away and asked that it was left outside for collection
Since opening each Saturday on average 5 people come into the library
The Library has new volunteers but unfortunately another volunteer has left
The Library has shared pictures at the Swineshead Archive Day of when the chapel was refurbished to house the library and older pictures of the Methodist Church.
There was a discussion on ways to increase footfall for the Library and increasing knowledge of the library and what it has to offer.
Parish Council Members were invited to drop in on a Saturday
10. Basic computer training – J Hewitt
As part of a larger project, the Library is planning to help people with the basics of how to use a laptop and software. The council members were asked for help with previously owned laptops
The Clerk suggested contacting Lincolnshire County Council
11. Mutual help groups – J Hewitt
Together with the Friends of St. Mary’s the Library is looking at help within the community to increase wellbeing of those living here.
12. Date of next meeting and agree a date for January & April 2024
Monday 15 January & Monday 19 April
The meeting was closed at 19:56
CHAIRMAN: …………………………………. DATE: …………………………………………