2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SWINESHEAD PARISH COUNCIL

Parish Council Office
1 & 2 North End | Swineshead | PE20 3LR
Chairman | Councillor Carl Gibbard
Clerk | Victoria Clark

Dear Councillor

Minutes taken by the Clerk, Mrs Victoria Clark, at the meeting of Swineshead Parish Council, held on Tuesday 18 June 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, Chelcei Trafford, David Lemon, Roy Hilton, Philippa Parnell and the Clerk. 

Also Present: 

16 members of the public 

Apologies were received from Boston Borough Councillors Stuart Evans and Suzanne Welberry

Public forum:

1.   The council had been in touch with a resident from Villa Lane and tonight a spokesperson from Villa Lane spoke about the issues that the residents have.

i.   They would like a reduction of the speed limit

ii.   There are vehicle ruts in the grass verge where traffic runs on to it

iii.   The footpath surface is not fit for purpose

i.   Information is needed regarding development of land in Villa Lane

The Chairman invited the residents to stay for the meeting as Villa Lane was the fourth item on the agenda and some or all of their questions would be answered.

2.   A member of the public that had previously spoken to the council about the village having a skate park had received 40 signatures from youths that would use one and asked if the council would support this.

The Vice Chairman gave an update on where the council is with this

i.   Grant funding is being sourced

ii.   An application form has been started 

iii.   An idea of costs involved is needed for the application and is being looked into

iv.   Land is needed to site a skate park on as the council do not own the play area, this is owned by the Poor Charity.

A council member would be in touch with this member of public

3.   A member of the public informed the council that ivy was growing on the footpath next to the Methodist Church.

i.   A member of the council would inform the Councils Maintenance person
 
4.   A resident from Villa Lane asked if it was possible to have street signs

ii.   This is a matter for the Borough Council and one of the Borough Councillors is dealing with this. The Borough wait until there is enough signs requested for a batch and then place the order.

5.   A member of the Methodist Church stated that the licence ended in May for the housing of the Library and needs to be renewed.

i.   A member of the Council would be in touch

Lincolnshire County Councillor:

Mike Brookes

It is important that the Right Away Survey shared by the Clerk from LCC is completed

Some members of the public left the building

The Meeting was opened at: 19:16

1.   Chairman’s remarks:

The Chairman welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the meeting.

i.   Villa Lane: He had intended to speak about Villa Lane and the concerns received from residents however now that it is on the agenda it can be discussed.

ii.   Village Hall: There are issues at the Village Hall that is on social Media and that need to be resolved.

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 reasons were received from Councillors, Ian Maclean, Will Chalmers and Lisa Baldwin

On proposal from Councillor Hilton, seconded by Councillor Parnell 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.       Villa Lane – FixMyStreet ref: 2806952 reported verge damage 21/5/2024

To discuss the Speed Limit, Verge damage and Building 

The Chairman had previously sent answers to these questions to one of the residents in the lane and asked Councillor Brookes as the councils Lincolnshire County Councillor to give an update on the issued raised for Villa Lane.

ii.   Speed limit: Councillor Brookes has on several occasions requested a speed limit reduction for Villa Lane, the last being October 2023. Highways advised that it does not fulfil the criteria of the County Councils Speed Limit Policy and that the request would not progress further. 

iii.   Grass verge wheel ruts: Highways do not fix minor repairs on verges, they will repair deep ruts where the road structure is undermined, Cllr Brookes and the Clerk both reported these and they have been dealt with.

The original plans showed bigger passing places however a revised plan was later submitted, omitting these.

There were no plans for bollards and these could restrict vehicles using the tarmaced areas to pass. 

iv.   Footpath surface: The gravel footpath is privately owned, the metal footpaths at the entrance to the Lane are owned by highways.

v.   Development of land: In 2011 as part of the Local Plan for South East Lincolnshire (Swi015) LINK Swineshead was designated a “Main service area” & decreed that 400 dwellings should be built between 2016 – 2036 and to be reviewed every 5 years.

vi.   Road name signage: This is the responsibility of Boston Borough Council, one of our Borough Councillors, Councillor Welberry, has reported this and it should be addressed in due course. 

The residents were informed of FixMyStreet for some issues to be reported, with a photo if possible and were invited to email the council through the Clerk should they need any help or advise.

The council apologised that the answer to their questions was not what they may have hoped and explained that the powers of a Parish Council do not stretch that far.

The remaining residents left the building

5.   To approve as a correct record, the notes of the meeting of the Council held on 14 May 2024 and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes

On proposal from Councillor S Trafford seconded by Councillor Lemon and with no objections, all resolved to accept the minutes from 14 May 2024 and gave permission for the Chairman to sign them

6.   Financial matters:

i.   Bank Balances as of 31 May 2023

£25,407.81Treasurers account
£70,501.38 to include £75.25 interest - Instant online

ii.   To approve accounts for payment:

RECEIVED: £61.64 Library income

The Clerk explained the increase in BT charge, which she is dealing with & EE charges have increased.

On proposal from Councillor Welberry seconded by Councillor Parnell and with no objections, all resolved to approve the payments.

7.   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.

TPO/24/0063: Tree preservation Order to protect trees, field adjacent Abbey Bungalow, Baythorpe, PE20 3EY
No objections

TPO/24/0064: Tree preservation Order to protect trees, The Abbey, Grayton Road, PE20 3EY
There were no objections or comments 

B/24/0208: Proposed single storey rear extension and alterations following demolition of existing conservatory at Crossgate Farm, South Street, PE20 3JS
There were no objections or comments

Councillor C Trafford left the meeting 

B/24/0210: Application under Part 3, Class Q of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed change of use of Agricultural Buildings to 1no. Dwellinghouse (Class C3), & for building operations reasonably necessary for the conversion at Chestnut Farm Barns, Tilebarn Lane, Low Grounds, PE20 3PG

There were no objections however, in line with the council’s planning policy the council would request the following from their policy: As natural bird habitats diminish, nest boxes are one way to give declining bird species a helping hand. 

For this reason, the council request that all new housing and any new extensions, swift boxes must be added facing a North Westerly or North Easterly direction to avoid the direct sun 

8.   Clerks outstanding matters and correspondence:

9.   Councillor’s and village reports, actions & updates:  

10.   Adopt updated Financial Regulations 2024

On proposal from Councillor S Trafford seconded by Councillor Gibbard and with no objections, all resolved to adopt the updated financial regulations 

11.   Date for the next meeting/s: 

Tuesday 16 July 2024
No Meeting in August 
Tuesday 17 September

The meeting was closed at: 19:55