February 2026 Minutes
SWINESHEAD PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Council Office 1 & 2 North End Swineshead
PE20 3LR
Minutes of the Meeting of Swineshead Parish Council
Held on Tuesday 17th February 2026
At Swineshead Community Hub, 1 & 2 North End, Swineshead PE20 3LR
Present:
Councillors Carl Gibbard, (Chair), S. Trafford, (Vice Chair), M. Brookes, N. Campbell, J Hudson, A. Lawrence, D. Lemon, R. Welberry.
Clerk Diane Fairweather
Borough Councillor Suzanne Welberrys Report
Residents have complained increased dog poo in the village. Reported to Neighbourhood team at BBC. Little they can do but will send an enforcement officer.
Swineshead Life magazine will publish an editorial on good neighbourhood practices, such as picking up after pets. Cllr Welberry is launching an anti-fouling poster campaign for social media to promote cleaning up after dogs.
A resident has also complained about the lack of a dog poo bin on MillHill Lane. This has been reported to the Neighbourhood team but not a priority.
The matter of a speed limit on Villa Lane has been raised again. Residents would like 30 MPH but does not match highway criteria. Not sure if this will change when Station Road development is completed. They would be happy with any reduction in the speed limit. A buffer of 40MPH has been mentioned. Like the approach on Station Road to a 30MPH speed limit.
1. Chairman’s remarks:
“The Chair offered condolences for the recently departed Nicky Bush. Ms Bush was a former Clerk to Swineshead PC and continued to provide assistance to the PC.
Councillors were asked to transition as soon as possible to the new email addresses with assistance as required from the current Clerk.
Councillors were also encouraged to make use of on-line training courses offered by LALC. This is invaluable for new and longer serving members of the PC”.
2. Apologies for absence were received and accepted from: Cllrs P.Parnell, C. Trafford, Borough Cllrs Evans and Welberry and County Cllr Lock.
3. To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in agenda items.
Cllr Gibbard, Parish Council Offices.
4. To approve as a correct record, the notes of the meeting of the Council held on 27th January 2026
Props Cllr M. Brookes seconded Cllr S. Trafford that these be signed as a true copy.
5. Clerks’ updates on outstanding matter and correspondence:
Ed Morton, hoping to attend park next week to measure for area of work required.
Correspondence
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance – requesting donations.
Biodiversity Project of working and protecting Hedgehogs. Details to be sent to Cllr R. Welberry Resident – requesting replacement litter bin at Mill Hill. It is emptied by BBC. Clerk to complete the new bin request form.
6. Financial matters:
i) To Approve Payments as per schedule
PAYEE SERVICE AMOUNT
Lloyds Charges £4.25
EE PC Mobile £20.82
Methodist Church Library Rent £150.00
Friends of St Mary’s
Church Archive & Community Hub £200.00
Gillrange Limited Community Hub & Council Office
rent £350.00
BT broad £54.42
N Bush Payroll £17.00
Staff Salaries Clerk, Pension & PAYE £1493.70
S. Holland Maintenance £245.00
Proposed Cllr S. Trafford seconded Cllr D. Lemon to approve, all resolved to accept the above payments.
7. Town and Country Planning Act 1990. No applications this month.
8. Village reports, actions & updates:
Swineshead Community Emergency Plan & Local Villages
Resilience & Emergency Group Awaiting contact from Cllr Cantwell. Clerk had initiated reasons an emergency plan may be required,
To forward to Councillors for their input.
Play Area to include Skate Half Pike Grant application in. Triton Knoll meeting March 16th
Swineshead Benevolent
Foundation: Meeting next week.
Swineshead Village Hall, Lease Renewal
Car Park Maintenance
Parish Council updates on: Community Hub
Library
Village Archive Lease signed by Chair and Clerk. To be signed by the Management Trustees and one copy returned to Council.
Archive volunteers report a continued high level of interest with three events planned for the summer. The PC is pleased to continue support through the rent of the office and loan of IT equipment but is currently not directly involved with Archive events and fund raising. It has been suggested that the Archive consider setting up a digital presence (web site).” All well. 3 summer trailer events organised. Whilst everything is digital would be an idea to put out on social media.
Dates for the next meeting: 17th March 2026
The meeting closed at 19.51