2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Eagle & Swinethorpes Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 30th October 2024 at 7pm in Eagle Village Hall. 

Present Cllr David Parkes – Chair, Cllr Bernadette Grayston, Cllr Jane Fulton-Sutton, Cllr Pat Parkes, Cllr Neil Faulkner, Cllr Jane Wallis & Cllr Warren Knight. 

Rachel Popplewell – Clerk
County Councillor Alan Briggs
District Councillor Richard Johnston 
District Councillor Chris Goldson

Thanks were passed on to the volunteers who litter pick in & around the village, from Councillor Briggs. 
Comments were received from the District Councillors regarding the fly tipping on Beehive Lane. A new CEO & Deputy CEO has appointed at North Kesteven District Council. 

Agenda Items.

1.    Welcome & Apologies.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Apologies were received from Cllr Chennells. It was Resolved to accept the reasons for absence and the apologies, all agreed – show of hands.

2.    To receive Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interest and requests for dispensations.
None 

3.    Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 25th September 2024 to be approved as minutes.
It was Resolved to approve the notes as minutes and a true record. – All agreed
Signed by the Chair.

4.    Clerks Update & Correspondence, and to Resolve to agree any subsequent actions.
The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Councils application to the Rural England Prosperity Fund had been approved, to replace the climbing frame at the Playing Field. Thanks were passed on to all involved in the process.
The Clerk confirmed the plan for Remembrance Day was in place with Cllr Parkes laying the wreath on behalf of the Parish Council. After discussions it was Resolved to approve a £50 donation to the Royal British Legion. All agree – show of hands.         Action Clerk.
No update has been received regarding the 40mph speed limit request for Eagle Hall.
The hedges have been cut back at Swinderby Station & along Eagle Moor the streetlight can now be seen. 
The Clerk confirmed that the BMX track didn’t need including in our insurance as it isn’t an actual structure – just a bumpy path.
Donations of £120 had been received from the 2 boys who had vandalised the toilet door at the playing field. Both boys have been spoken, with their apologies being accepted by the parish council, the matter is now closed.
The Clerk asked the Council to consider using the donation plus the £200 contribution to purchase 2 baby swings as ours were looking tired. The Clerk was asked to get quotes. 
Action Clerk.
A Temporary Stop Notice has been received from the enforcement team at North Kesteven Planning Dept, regarding ‘Knights Lodge’ at Eagle Barnsdale. The temporary stop notice seek to prevent the further stationing of caravans, static, touring, mobile & park homes and operational development whilst a planning application is considered. 
Cllr Grayston was asked to issue a Facebook post advising residents of the new play equipment that is due to be installed before 31st December and the successful identification of the vandals at the playing field, via CCTV images. 

5.    Finance.
a.    To authorise the signing of orders for payment, note bank balances & any monies received. (List previously circulated).
b.    Councillors considered the list of payments. It was Resolved to approve the following orders for payment – All agreed. 
Cllr Grayston to approve the payments online                 Action BG.

c.    To receive the Bank Reconciliation as at 30.09.2024
The clerk presented the Bank reconciliation showing the accounts balanced for the first quarter of the year, signed by Cllr Wallis.
d.    To review the budget as at 30.09.2024.
The Clerk presented the budget to Council, showing that the Council were at 100% of income target and 49% of spending, the council should be at 50% at this stage during the years. No amendments were required. 

6.    To consider the quotes to produce technical drawings for the kitchen block refurbishment.
The Clerk presented 3 quotes for consideration, after discussions it was Resolved to accept the quote from HWD Architecture. All agreed – show of hands.                  Action Clerk.

7.    Update regarding the Knights Templar project at Eagle Hall.  
The Chair made comment that he had met with a member of the Knights Templar group along with the Clerk. They are in the process of completing the application for the funding for the project, they have asked that the parish council consider any cost that they may incur during the project. 

8.    To adopt the following two policies – Deferred from the last meeting 25.09.2024.
a.    Risk Management Policy
b.    Risk Register. 
After discussions it was Resolved to adopt both policies. The Clerk was asked to keep a training log for all councillors, as training was one of the areas highlighted in the Risk Register.                                Action Clerk.

9.    To review the following policies.
a.    Pay Policy
b.    Social Media Policy
c.    CCTV policy

After discussions it was Resolved to review the policies, an amendment to the Pay Policy wording for ‘holidays’ was approved. All agreed – show of hands. 

10.    To discuss the findings of the Play Parks Inspections, and to Resolve to approve any actions.
Cllr Faulkner made comment that the overall inspection for the park had been rated as Low Risk. The football goals in the MUGA were not secured, he suggested that they be removed from the playing field, and the goals painted on. After discussions it was Resolved to remove the posts and paint the goals onto the MUGA. All agreed – show of hands.        Action Cllr Faulkner.
Cllr Wallis made comment that the moles were making a mess of the field, she offered to contact the contractor                            Action Cllr Wallis.

11.    To discuss the use of WhatsApp and the policy around using it to make decisions. 
Comments were received about the use of WhatsApp and how decision can be made in the group, especially when not all Councillors respond to the group chat.
The Clerk advised that decisions cannot be made remotely or online, voting and decision making can only be done in a meeting Face to Face. Delegated powers can be given to the Clerk to collate responses and circulate, this must be in the standing orders once agreed by full council.
The Clerk was asked to investigate possible wording options.               Action Clerk.

12.    To consider the following planning application.
a.    Permission in Principle for erection on no1 dwelling, Land at White House, Eagle Lane, Eagle Moor. Ref – 24/1248/PIP.
After discussions it was Resolved to submit ‘no comment’ for the application. All agreed – Show of hands. 

13.    Items for the next Agenda.

14.    Date & time of next meeting 

Parish Council Meeting – Wednesday 27th November 2024 at 7pm. 

Meeting Closed 8.40pm

Signed ……………………………………………..

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