2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Present:                              C Karen Cartwright, C Georges Cornah, C Mike Brookes, C Alan Hughes, C Chelcei Sharman, C Ray Butler, C Keith Osborne, C Roger Welberry, C Nicholas Gooder, C Phillipa Parnell

Also Present:                     

Public Forum                     

Meeting started at 7.30 pm

  Public Forum

3 members of the public spoke, 2 regarding the Memorial Gardens

19/067  Chairman’s Remarks:         

The Chairman proposed that item 13 be moved to the first item as members of the public had attended for this item.

19/068 Memorial Gardens

Cllr AH confirmed he had carried out some research on the memorials and it is the Parish Council’s responsibility to maintain and protect the memorial, he confirmed the guidance stated in the public forum to be correct with regards to not planting trees or large shrubs close to the Memorial. 

Cllr KO proposed that the large fir tree be removed as the Memorial garden is not the place for large trees which was seconded by Cllr CS, with 8 votes in favour and 1 against. 

It was resolved that the notification of works on trees form be completed and submitted to Boston Borough Council regarding the proposed works in the Memorial.

Following further discussion it was resolved that the additional works in the Memorial be on the agenda for the next meeting to look at the guidelines and plan what else needs to be removed or trimmed back to protect the memorial with a view to all works being complete by the Centenary in November 2020.

Cllr NG raised the question of what would have happened if the tree had been taken down previously, Cllr AH confirmed to Cllr NG that following the email received from him and the subsequent reply confirming that the tree was not going to be taken down until after the decisions made at this meeting and that the volunteers were there to just start tidying up.

Action: Clerk to submit Notification of tree works to Boston Borough Council and add the item to the agenda for the next meeting.

19/069 Apologies for absence and reasons given.

Cllr RH is on holiday and Cllr GC called in to say he was unwell. It was resolved to accept apologies for absence and reasons given.

19/070 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

Cllr CS declared an interest in all matters of planning under item 8 of the agenda on the grounds of being a substitute member of the planning committee at Boston Borough Council. 

19/071 Police report.

No police present or report received

19/072 Draft minutes of the meetings held on 08.07.19 and 05.08.19 to be confirmed and signed as minutes.

It was resolved to accept the above notes.  The minutes were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

19/073 Financial matters: Financial report, accounts for payment and budget figures up to 04/09/2019.

It was resolved to accept the accounts for payment.

• Payment of Boston Borough Council invoices for lighting

The Clerk reported that Nigel Hall had come back regards the lighting invoices and although the electricity use is offset against the Precept this is not the case for repairs to lighting.It was resolved that the lighting invoices would be paid.

• Speed Indicator Devise authorisation for 2 brackets

The Clerk confirmed the cost of the Speed Indicator Brackets were £57 ex VAT and the delivery cost would be £15.  It was resolved that 4 brackets would be purchased.

• Insurance Cover for Planters & Baskets

The Clerk confirmed she had contacted the Insurance Company regarding the planters and baskets and that the Council are covered regarding public liability but the planters themselves are not covered for damage.  It was resolved that this was not necessary.

• Direct Debit Mandate for Library Phone

The Clerk present a direct debit form for signature for the Library Phone bills as submitting the bills at meetings for payment does not meet BT payment terms.  It was resolved that the Direct Debit be signed.

Action: Clerk to make outstanding payments, submit Direct Debit for telephone bill and order SID brackets

19/074 Planning Applications –

B/19/0320 – Prior notification for the proposed change of use of an Agricultural Barn to Residential (Class 3) including associated building operations at Buildings at Boston Road

Following discussion it was resolved that an objection would be made on the following grounds

1. The land should have an agricultural Tag on it
2. It is a green field site with no adjoining property and the Agricultural barn is not an historical structure that needs preserving

Action: Clerk to feedback comments to the planning dept

19/075 Correspondence

Matt Warman MP                            Letter – Reply received regarding Railway Crossing – Emailed to Cllrs 19/7/19

LALC                                                  Email – weekly newsletter for 15/7/19 – Emailed to Cllrs 19/7/19

Environment Agency                        Email – regarding drop in sessions for the flood defence – Emailed to Cllrs 19/7/19

Lincs County Council                        Email – Traffic Restrictions at Swineshead Bridge – Emailed to Cllrs, posted on website, noticeboard and facebook 19/7/19

Lincs County Council                        Email – Road Closure – Fenhouses Lane – Emailed to Cllrs, posted on website, noticeboard and facebook 23/7/19

LALC                                                  Email – weekly newsletter for 15/7/19 – Emailed to Cllrs 23/7/19

LALC                                                  Enail – Change of venue for AGM – Emailed to Cllrs 23/7/19

Swineshead Friends                         Mail – Letter asking for donation & leaflets – Added to next Agenda

Clerks & Councils Direct                   Mail - newsletter

Fire Service                                       Email – Resiliance committee new date. Emailed to Cllrs 29/7/19

Lincs County Council                        Email – update on North End Gulley. Emailed to Cllrs 29/7/19

LALC                                                  Email – weekly newsletter for 29/7/19 – Emailed to Cllrs 30/7/19

Citizens Advice Bureau                    Mail – Letter thanking us for a donation – Emailed to Cllrs 30/7/19

ICO                                                    Email – Renewal of Data protection.

Citizens Advice Bureau                    Email – Invite to 80th Celebrations – Emailed to Cllrs 5/8/19

Swineshead Enhancement              Email – Notice of AGM – Published on website and Facebook 20/8/19

Lincolnshire County Council            Email     - Community Hub Revenue Grant Agreement

Resident                                           Email – Speeding in the village.

LALC                                                  Email – County Committee Nomination Form – Emailed to Cllrs 20/8/19

Resident                                           Email – Regarding height of trees on Chip Shop passage – added to Agenda 27/8/19

Boston Borough Council                  Email – Details of estimated election costs for Budget Planning

Resident                                           Mail – Regarding concerns over the condition of the war memorial & Stocks

BBC                                                   Email – Estimate of Election costs.  Emailed to Cllrs 2/9/19

LALC                                                  Email – Weekly newsletter for 2/9/19 – Emailed to Cllrs 2/9/19

BBC                                                   Email – August Parish Newsletter – Emailed to Cllrs, posted on website, noticeboard & facebook 2/9/19

Resident                                           Email – Request for Secure fencing around the Play area and a clean up of the equipment. Added to Agenda

Resident                                           Email – Regarding the overgrown pathway from Swineshead to Swineshead bridge and when the next cut will be

Resident                                           Telephone - Query regarding the overgrown area leading from Milne Green to the green area.

19/076 Councillors reports.

 Cllr NG – raised the topic of whether we had any volunteers, it was confirmed that those we had we have now lost. Cllr NG volunteered to take on looking for and organising volunteers around the village.

Cllr MB -gave an update on the Gully at North End.  In heavy rain the water is running straight over the gully and ending up in the Golden Cross car park. LCC are going to take some levels to see if kerbing will enable it to be channelled to another gulley to stop it flooding the car park.  In addition, he has been monitoring the parking around Villa Walk but there have not been sufficient cars park there for LCC to justify any action.

Cllr CS – reported pot holes on Abbey Crescent near the park.  In addition, she has received an email regarding the Parish Council’s thoughts on naming the development off South Street as Castle Close.  As this ties in with the Elephant and Castle that used to be near this site it was resolved that this would be an appropriate name.

Cllr KC – has received a report from a resident regarding a high hedge on Milne Green.  It was resolved that the Clerk would write a letter to the resident to reduce the height. In addition she asked that a letter of thanks go to Pat the judge of the Garden Competition and a letter of thanks to the volunteers who came to the Memorial Gardens to thank them for turning up.

Cllr RB – reported that the footpath leading from the side of the Chapel was not accessible and that the footpath from Coles Lane to the Ivys had been changed and moved by the developers.  It was resolved that the Clerk would report these to Countryside Access.

Cllr KO – reported that a lot of 2nd hand cars are being sold from Tarry Hill again and asked that a further letter be sent to planning regarding this.  In addition, he has received a complaint regarding someone parking cars for sale near Abbey Road Council houses which is blocking visibility.  It was resolved that the Clerk would report these.

Action: Clerk to notify Boston Borough Council of the agreement on Castle Close and report the Pot Holes on Abbey Crescent, Clerk to write to Milne Green resident regarding hedge, Clerk to report footpaths to Countryside Access. Clerk to report Cars for sales, Clerk sent letters of Thanks.

19/077 Clerks report.

Wheatsheaf  -

• 10/7/19 – Date confirmed as Wednesday 17th July at Methodist Chapel

• Letter sent to the owner via the Agent to arrange a visit.

• Chased and received a copy of marketing material

Garden Competition –

• locations distributed to Councillors reply due 26th July

• Letters sent to invite winners to Sept Meeting 28th August

Cancer Research Volunteers

• Advert posted on Facebook 15/7/19

Swineshead Bridge Level Crossing –

• 19/7/19 Reply received from Matt Warman and Notification of Road Closure for resurfacing works

• Works order received for the crossing

Library Reading Competition

• Posters produced to be handed out at the school

British Red Cross Training –

• date set for 25th September 2019

• 19/7/19 – Poster distributed

Library Grant

• 9/7/19 Grant claim for year 4 2019-20 submitted to Lincs County Council

• 11/7/19 Email received to confirm grant being paid within 7 days

• 19/4/19 – Grant monies received

Play area inspection

• booked for August 19 and report received 4/9/19

SID Brackets

• 11/7/19 Quote received from Unipart and emailed to Cllrs

Grit Bin – Parochial Church Hall

• 12/7/19 – received a call and they are going to replace the bin – Bin now replaced

Road Sign for Ducks Crossing

• Highways request reference 4127565

• 19/7/19 – Email received to say they could not grant this at this point

Mile Markers

• 25/7/19 – Email sent along with pictures and locations

Highways reporting

• 29/7/19 - Blocked drains around Church – 353945 – Reply received to say now done

North End Gully

• 25/7/19 – Email received to say Gully now fixed

• 13/8/19 – Email to confirm there is no standing water around the gully 2 hours after heavy downpour but this will be monitored

Play Area

• 27/8/19 - Received report of problems with the Matting – Issue dealt with

The Clerk also confirmed she will be attending Clerks training at Boston Borough Council on 25-9-19

Action. None

19/078 The Wheatsheaf - ACV

The Clerk confirmed she had not heard anything further and the Agents have said we will be notified when they have an open day rather than an individual view.

Action:.Clerk to continue to monitor this

19/079 Swineshead Friends – Donation Request

The clerk presented the donation request received from Swineshead Friends.  A £50 donation was proposed by Cllr PP and seconded by Cllr KC with all in favour.

Action: Clerk to send donation of £50 to Swineshead Friends

19/080 – John Butler Accounts

The Clerk presented the John Butler Accounts. It was resolved to accept these.

Action: None

19/081 – Play Area Inspection Report

The Clerk presented the Play Area Inspection Report which had just been received and reported that were a lot actions raised albeit many of them minor.  It was resolved that the clerk would summarise these in a document, Cllr KC volunteered to look into companies that carry out these repairs and that it would be added to the next agenda.

Action:  Clerk to summarise actions and add the item to the next agenda, Cllr KC to look into relevant Companies that do Play Area Maintenance 

.

19/082 Land Near North End

Cllr AH raised concerns over the area on North End.  The Clerk confirmed this had been raised previously but no action had taken place as the Council was awaiting the Developer to remove the tree stumps for the trees that were removed when the fence was erected.  It was resolved that the Clerk would write to the developer to ask when this would be done and once this was done a plan to tidy the area up be made.

Action: Clerk to write to developers regarding removal of the tree stumps.

19/083 Resident Concerns

• Speeding In the village

The Clerk reported that she had received an email from a resident regarding speeding in the village and the possibility of Swineshead volunteers working alongside another Parish Scheme.Following discussion, it was agreed that if enough volunteers came forward, we could approach other Parishes to see if they would be interested.It was resolved that the Clerk would advertise again for volunteers for the scheme.

• Fencing around the play area

The Clerk reported that she had received an email from a resident regarding the possibility of a fence being place around the whole of the play area and to report that human faeces had been found at the play area.Following discussion, it was resolved that a fence would not be considered as there had been one in the past and it was vandalised.It was resolved that the Council would look into having the play equipment cleaned in the spring.

• Path from Swineshead to Swineshead Bridge

The Clerk reported that she had received an email from a resident regarding the overgrown pathway from North End to Swineshead Bridge.Cllr MB reported the grass on either side would be cut any time now.It was resolved that the overgrown pathway and bushes would be reported to Highways by the Clerk.

• Area of land overgrown from Milne Green onto green space

The Clerk has been contacted by the new owner of the house adjacent to the path to the green space to query who is responsible for the overgrown area between the path and his fence as this needs to be cleared before he can replace the fence.  It was resolved that Cllrs AH & RB would inspect the site and report back to the Clerk

• Conifer trees at the back of Swinfields Sheltered Housing

The Clerk reported receiving an email regarding the height of the trees on the property adjacent to the Pathway which are blocking out the light.It was resolved that the Clerk would write a letter to the owner asking them to reduce the height.

Action: Cllr AH & RB to view the land on Milne Green. Clerk to write to resident regarding the height of the trees. Clerk to report Pathway to Highways. Clerk to advertise again for volunteers for the Speed Safety Partnership Scheme. Clerk to feedback to residents regarding the actions agreed on their individual concerns. 

19/084 – Ethical Standards in Government – Michelle Sacks

The Clerk requested that this item be moved to the next meeting due to the time and to enable her to fully read up on the new standards.

Action: Clerk to add as an agenda item at the next meeting

Meeting closed 9.07pm