March 2024 Minutes
SWINESHEAD PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Council Office
1 & 2 North End | Swineshead | PE20 3LR
Chairman | Councillor Carl Gibbard
Clerk | Victoria Clark
Minutes taken by the Clerk, Mrs Victoria Clark, at the meeting of Swineshead Parish Council, held on Tuesday 19 March 2024, in the Swineshead Parish Council Office, 1-2 North End, Swineshead, PE20 3LR
Present: Councillors, Carl Gibbard (Chairman), Sean Trafford (Vice Chairman), Roger Welberry, Mike Brookes, Ian Maclean, David Lemon, Roy Hilton, Philippa Parnell (Arriving during the LCC information), and the Clerk
Also present: Boston Borough Councillor, Suzanne Welberry
Public Forum:
No public in attendance
Lincolnshire County Council (LCC): Councillor Mike Brookes
The requested extension to the no waiting restrictions from the Post Office to opposite King John’s Road proposals are ready to go out for formal consultation, Councillor Brookes asked the Members of the council if they wished him to confirm the go ahead, all were if favour.
Boston Borough Council (BBC) Councillor, Suzanne Welberry
Apologies received from BBC Councillor Stuart Evans
The supreme Inn is no empty, the asylum seekers have been moved to other areas.
a. Two 120 litre bins will be sited at Coney Hill in replacement to the one larger bin
b. The owners of the Wheatsheaf pub were unavailable to meet with Councillor S Welberry
c. There might be a discount available to Parish Councils from the Borough to change lights to LED, it was agreed that the members would like Councillor Welberry to look into this
The meeting opened at: 19:09
1. Chairman’s remarks:
a. The poles are in place to hold the next two speed indicator devises (SIDs) of which the council have already approved the expenditure for, however two poles are in the wrong place and will be re-sited. The Clerk will go ahead and place the order for both SIDs.
b. Saturday is the official opening of the Swineshead Archive in the Church Hall starting at 10am.
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
Apologies with valid reasons were received from Councillors Will Chalmers, Chelcei Trafford & Lisa Baldwin, on proposal from Councillor Hilton, seconded by Councillor Maclean and with no objections, all resolved to accept the reasons 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 notes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 February 2024 and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
On proposal from Councillor S Trafford, seconded by Councillor R Welberry and with no objections, all resolved to accept the minutes of 20 February 2024 and gave permission for the Chairman to sign them
5. Financial matters:
i. Bank Balances as of 29 February 2023
£20,628.98 Treasurers account
£70,275.87 to include £77.51 interest - Instant online
ii. To approve accounts for payment:
PAYEE SERVICE INVOICE DETAILS £ COMMENTS
Methodist Church Library Rent 1 March £150.00 PAID DD
Gillrange Limited Community Hub & Council Office Rent 1 March
Inv. 17026 £200.00 PAID DD
Friends of St. Mary’s Archive & Community Hub 1 March
Inv. 0074 £200.00 PAID DD
BT Broadband March
Inv. M025 LC
£230.73
Credit
Scott Hooker Skate Board repair 9 March
Inv. 332 £200
Approved
February Paid 14/3/24
N Bush Payroll March Inv. 10577 £15.00 To be approved
Staff Costs March Payroll & reimbursements £1492.85 To be approved
S Holland February Garden maintenance Invoice 78 £248 To be approved
EE Mobile March invoice £6.77
Estimated DD Due
26 March
LALC 2024-25 Subscription 14454 £669.38 To be approved
LALC 2024-25 Training April 2024 £198.00 To be approved
a. The invoice amount for EE is £9.60, the clerk will check that this includes the credit due from February
Late in:
b. Reuben Page Consultancy: 2 visits to Mackie’s Pit for Aquatic Dye & reed control £1,115
c. MS licence for Swineshead Archive: To be C. Gibbard, expenditure pre-approved
On proposal from Councillor Parnell, seconded by Councillor S Trafford, and with no objections, all resolved to approve the above payments
6. Town and Country Planning Act 1990. To consider and make observations on all planning applications received and to note planning approvals, refusals, enforcement complaints and appeal decisions advised by the district council.
No planning applications received
7. Clerks outstanding matters and correspondence:
SUBJECT ACTION
Litter Royalty Lane – Reported
FixMyStreet 8043-6241-3112-3640 To receive any updates
An email from the Borough was received asking if the litter had been cleared.
Councillor R Welberry will check
Defibrillator in Market Place usage report Update
Councillor Chalmers will check the defibrillator
Swineshead Twinning Association To discuss
a. As original Signatories of the Twinning Charter, the Parish Council would like to ensure that the memorabilia hard ware is protected for future however it would be happy for the Village Hall to continue to display it should the committee be happy to do so.
The Clerk will contact the secretary
b. The Parish Council would like to keep civic ties in case there is future interest and will write to La Milesse to ask if they are agreeable.
8. Councillor’s and village reports, actions & updates:
SUBJECT ACTION
Boston Borough Council, quote to upgrade all street lighting to LED Update
a. This might be something that local companies would be interested in sponsoring.
b. Borough Councillor, S Welberry will enquire at the Borough about a discount for Parish Council.
c. This might be something to be included in future budgets
Playground area maintenance To discuss actions
Further works and costs need to be discussed
Information signs at the John Butler’s Trust Land at the Sand Holes To receive any updates
To be added to the next agenda
Community Flood/Emergency Plan Update
a. The Document has been started
b. The village hall has been informed and the Church Hall will be informed soon
Orchard tree delivery Update & discuss any actions
a. The Apple and Pear trees have been delivered and planted at King John’s Green; Thanks were given to Councillor R Welberry.
b. Plaques for the two Coronation Oaks would cost £35 each, on proposal from Councillor Hilton, seconded by Councillor Parnell, and with no objections, all resolved to approve this expenditure
Phishing & scams, help to protect against attacks To discuss a poster to circulate
This is an important subject that everyone needs to be aware of, the Clerk will design an informative poster and have A5 leaflets printed, 200 leaflets would be ideal to distribute around the village notice boards and shops.
On proposal from Councillor R Welberry, seconded by Councillor S Trafford, and with no objections, all resolved to approve an amount of up to £50.
Village Hall AGM 30 April 7pm To discuss attendance
If anyone would like to attend the AGM, it is open to all and some may wish to be on the committee
Library volunteers’ donation for social event To discuss
Councillor Lemon asked about the possibility of the council paying for an afternoon tea for the library volunteers.
The Clerk had checked with the Local Council Association but unfortunately as the libraries come under the County Council, this would not be allowed. This rule also applies giving to County Schools.
The Chairman suggested that an award could be taken from the Chairmans allowance.
Bus Shelter purchases for the village To discuss
a. The Clerk has researched costs for various design & priced shelters.
There would also be ongoing maintenance costs.
b. Councillor Brookes will speak to highways and transport
9. Date for the next meeting/s:
Tuesday 16 April, 14 May (Annual Meeting of the Parish Council), 18 June
10. Annual Parish Meeting (Residents meeting) 24 April 6pm St. Mary’s Church Hall
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 19:47
CHAIRMAN: …………………………………………….. DATE: Tuesday, 16 April 2024