Minutes taken by the Clerk, Mrs Victoria Clark, at the meeting of Swineshead Parish Council, held on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, at the Swineshead Community Hub, 1-2 North End, Swineshead, PE20 3LR
Present: Councillors Carl Gibbard (Chairman), Sean Trafford (Vice Chairman), Roger Welberry, Mike Brookes, Chelcie Trafford, David Lemon, Andy Lawrence, and the Clerk
Also Present: Boston Borough Councillors Suzanne Welberry, Stuart Evans and two members of the public
Public Forum:
No members of the public wished to speak
Lincolnshire County Councillor: Mike Brookes
1. Two objections have been received from the public during the public consultation period for the proposed No Stopping Restrictions in Abbey Road
2. A Highways Officer has been to check on the position of a property fence in Villa Lane and confirmed that it is in the correct position and will not need moving
3. Highways will review the A17 bypass diversion signage and assess how they can improve future diversions
4. The Stopping up Order for the constructed entrance on Boston Road off the A52 will be going ahead
Boston Borough Councillors: Suzanne Welberry and Stuart Evans
1. Boston Borough Council have commissioned a viability study and independent audit into whether Section 106 payments should be made by the Developer in respect of the proposed 122 dwellings
2. Flags and bunting for VE day will be made available to Parish Councils. The members of the council are interested in receiving these for the use and enjoyment of the village.
The meeting was opened at 19:09
1. Chairman’s remarks:
Councillor Gibbard noted that the Aquatic Dye Treatment to curtail the growth of de-oxygenating weed , which degenerates the whole eco system at Mackie’s Pit was due. The Clerk will add the payment details to the April Agenda for approval and request that the contractor sends correspondence direct to the Council email address
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 Roy Hilton, Philippa Parnell and Lisa Baldwin
On proposal from Councillor S. Trafford, seconded by Councillor Brookes 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
Councillor Andy Lawrence declared an interest in Item 6:iii
4. To approve as a correct record, the notes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 February 2025 and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
On proposal from Councillor R. Welberry, seconded by Councillor S. Trafford and with no objections, all resolved to accept the minutes and gave permission for the Chairman to sign them
5. Financial matters:
i. Bank Balances as of 31 January 2025
£18,536.99 community account including
Received: £871.88 Allotment rent
£71,083.74 to include £62.27 interest - Instant online
It was noted that the correct date for the bank balances should have been 28 February 2025
ii. To approve the following accounts:
On proposal from Councillor R. Welberry seconded by Councillor C. Trafford and with no objections, all resolved to approve all payments
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PAYEE
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SERVICE
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INVOICE DETAILS
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£
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COMMENTS
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EE
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Mobile
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January invoice
V02318178844
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£10.36
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Paid DD
26/2/25
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Methodist Church
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Library Rent
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1 March 2025
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£150.00
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Paid DD
3/3/2025
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Friends of St. Mary’s
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Archive & Community Hub
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1 March 2025
Inv. 93
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£200.00
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Paid DD
3/3/2025
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Gillrange Limited
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Community Hub & Council Office Rent
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1 March 2025
Inv. 17230
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£350.00
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Paid DD
3/3/2025
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BT
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Broadband
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February 2025
M036 UG
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£50.28
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Paid DD
14 February
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N Bush
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Payroll
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March
Inv. 10711
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£15.00
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To be approved
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Staff
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Costs
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March Payroll & Expenses
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£1450.24
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To be approved
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S Holland
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February Garden maintenance
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Invoice 19
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£248.00
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To be approved
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GLL
Lincolnshire Central Library
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Photocopy clicks
1/8/24 – 31/1/25
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Invoice SI-318211
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£3.51
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To be approved
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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.
i. EN0210006 (25/3) Ossian Transmission Infrastructure project
No comments or objections were received from the members of the Council
ii. B/25/0095 (26/3) Change of use of existing ancillary outbuilding into part annex
accommodation & part holiday accommodation including change of use of agricultural land
to residential curtilage (Works already completed) at Taumberland Asperton Rd. PE20 2PT
No comments or objections were received for the members of the Council
iii. B/25/0098 (28/3) Erection of triple garage with attached office at Hawthorn Farm, Station Road, PE20 3NZ
No comments or objections were received from the members of the council that had not declared an interest
7. Clerks outstanding matters and correspondence:
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SUBJECT
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ACTION
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Proposed “No Stopping” restrictions on Abbey Road, in the vicinity of the school.
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To receive any updates
Public Consultation to close 12 March
An update was given by County Councillor Mike Brookes before the opening of the meeting
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Armed Forces & Veterans Covenant
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Date of talk: 15 April
This will start at 6.45pm
It was agreed that Councillor R. Welberry would invite the members of the Local British Legion to attend the presentation
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8. Councillor’s and village reports, actions & updates:
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SUBJECT
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ACTION
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Swineshead Community Emergency Plan and Local villages Resilience & Emergency Group
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To receive any updates
It was agreed that Councillor Brookes would ask the local resilience group to give a talk at one of the Councils future meetings
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Play area RoSPA action
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To receive updates & discuss actions
To decide which month for a safety check
Councillors S. Trafford and Lawrence will meet at the play area to discuss actions
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Swineshead Village Hall
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To discuss and resolve:
Lease renewal
Carpark Maintenance
Recycling
Insurance
On a proposal from Councillor Lemon, seconded by Councillor R. Welberry, and with no objections, it was resolved to establish a working group to review all the above matters and report back to the Council.
The group will also examine the ground rent for the village hall and the play park owned by the Swineshead Benevolent Foundation.
Working group members:
Councillors
Gibbard
S. Trafford
Brookes
Lawrence
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Community Hub, Library and Village Archive
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To receive any updates
The archive open day on March 8th was a great success, with a strong turnout and over 500 items now uploaded and accessible via the computer.
The next open day will be held on the 5 April predominantly in St. Mary’s Church from 10am – 4pm
The open day will include talks
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Swineshead Benevolent Foundation
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To discuss a council payment for ground rent and actions towards this
See Village hall above, this will be covered by the working group
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Trees at the sand holes
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Discuss the council seeking action from the landowner to ensure the trees are safe for nearby houses.
This land is owned by the Butlers charity, trees that need felling have been identified These trees will be assessed and consideration of any nesting birds will be made
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Signs to help protect the geese at the Coles Lane and Mackays Pit
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To receive update
A highways officer has reviewed the request based on national guidance and local road safety policies.
While duck warning signs can be used where wildfowl frequently cross, drivers on rural roads expect to encounter animals and farm vehicles. These move rather than stay in one place and fixed signs are unlikely to impact driver behaviour.
Warning signs are most effective on fast or busy roads where hazards are hidden from view, such as sharp bends or hills. As this location does not meet these criteria, Highways are unable to approve the request
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Boston Road Planter
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To discuss action due to stolen plants
After discussions, it was decided that the planter might be able to be moved
This will be on the next agenda and members to consider possible places for the planter to be moved to
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9. Dates for the next meeting/s:
15 April 6.45pm start with presentation for the Armed Forces & Veterans Covenant
20 May Annual meeting of the Parish Council
6pm Annual Parish Meeting (Residents meeting)
Wednesday 21 May, Church Hall, Market Place
10. To resolve to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies
(Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business
to be discussed in relation to the following matters:
On proposal from Councillor S. Trafford, seconded by Councillor R. Welberry and with no objections, all resolved to go into closed session. The public left the building at 8:01pm
i. To consider the resignation of the current Clerk/Proper Officer/Responsible Financial Officer, Mrs Victoria Clark and to discuss the process of filling the vacancy
The vacancy advert, job descriptions, remunerations, timings and where to place adverts were discussed with no objections, all resolved to accept the information given by the Clerk
ii. To discuss a purpose-built Community Hub/Council Office, raising funds, possibilities and set a working group if needed
After discussion it was resolved with no objections to set up a working group to give careful consideration and explore all possibilities
The working group will report back to full council and the members of the working group were agreed:
Councillors, Gibbard, S. Trafford, Lemon & Lawrence
iii. To consider an increase in hourly rate for the council’s maintenance contractor, Mr Steve Holland
On proposal from Councillor Lemon, seconded by Councillor Lawrence and with no objections, all resolved to increase the hourly rate by £2 per hour to be back dated from the 1 March
iv. To receive highways grass cutting quotations and approve the contractor
Quotations received were discussed and on proposal from Councillor C. Trafford, seconded by Councillor R. Welberry and with no objections, all resolved to offer the contract to T.A. Blackamore with up to 10 cuts for the highways verge areas and up to 12 cuts for the Play area with the Clerk given delegated powers to request further cuts to either or both should that be necessary
The meeting was closed at 20:21
CHAIRMAN: …………………………………………….. DATED: Tuesday, 15 April 2025
