Minutes 16th July 2025
SWABY GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD 16TH JULY 2025
Present: Cllr A. Gilpin (Chair); Cllrs Hanson, Start, Cooper, Millborn, Dransfield, Bailey, Wright and Taylor
1 Member of the public
Mrs J. Cooper Parish Clerk
There were no issues raised in the public session.
18 APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllrs Young and Gibson and these were accepted.
19 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none.
20 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 14TH MAY 2025
It was resolved that the Chairman sign these as a correct record of that meeting.
21 UPDATES FROM THAT MEETING
The Clerk had received quote from Louth Mens Shed to refurbish bench at £175. It was agreed to ask them to proceed.
22 FINANCE
It was resolved that the following accounts be paid:
Clerks salary & PAYE (June/July) £339.32
LALC Subs £100.70
It was also agreed that the Clerk pay the invoice from Community Heartbeat for the new pads for the defibrillator, subject to it being as per expected.
23 ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENT
It was resolved to adopt the Model Standing orders with no amendment.
24 CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk had forwarded email regarding the Lincolnshire Reorganisation – intention to split Lincolnshire into two – north (incorporating Lincoln and Grimsby) and south. Cllr Gilpin to register for an on line event and report back.
25 QUARRY
Lincolnshire County Council officer had visited the site and advised that no structures or buildings were there other than those permitted. It was noted that there were some 10 x 2’ diameter pipes, 40 x 25’ long steel building sections, a tanker and several skips. The sheeting bay appeared to be locked up and unused, and there was query on whether vehicles were using the wheel wash facility as the highway was covered in chalk dust. Members queried whether occupiers were permitted to store items not associated with quarrying or recycling inert construction material. It was resolved to write to LCC and ask for a further visit, pointing out the above matters.
26 DOG BIN
ELDC Officers had visited the proposed siting area for a dog bin close to the Warren in South Thoresby but found no evidence of one being required in that area. ELDC was therefore unable to approve the siting of a bin in that location.
27 DOMAIN NAME AND .GOV EMAIL
Cllr Gilpin had circulated report outlining the drive to have parish councils using the .gov email addresses for council business. It was noted that this would be at some cost to the council, in the region of £260 for the domain name and the required number of email addresses. The Clerk mentioned that some smaller councils were refusing to take on this additional cost. The Chairman pointed out the Data Protection implications and the benefits of members having dedicated council email addresses, particularly if the Council had discussed a matter in Closed Session – such minutes are confidential to Council members and not for publication.
It was agreed that members consider the proposal to move to .gov emails, that the Clerk investigate full costs and various providers of the services and it be brought back to a future meeting with a view to a decision before the end of the financial year and in time for the budget/precept setting meeting.
28 TOAD CROSSING SIGNS SOUTH THORESBY
A member of the public had approached the Council to enquire if it would consider “Slow Toad Crossing” signs in South Thoresby. After discussion and agreement that siting of such signs would be a problem in terms of County verge and grass cutting, it was resolved not to pursue at this moment due to the impracticality of the proposal.
29 PLANNING
2372 & 23723/25 – Change of use outbuilding to dwelling – Driby Manor.
Concerns were raised at the access road to Driby and the additional traffic which this proposal will cause, in addition to the original proposal for the change of use of the house into two dwellings. It was resolved to request that any approval included a condition requiring the provision of passing places in the highway.
2491/25 – variation conditions Driby Top Farm – no observations.
30 PYLON ROUTE
It was resolved to object to the second consultation again, on grounds of visual intrusion, damage to long term views to and from the Wolds, noise and problems throughout the area caused by construction traffic.
31 ANY OTHER MATTERS
The matter of the footpath across field at Pado Lane was raised. This has been reported to LCC Footpaths Officer, who has confirmed the route is on file for action in the future when resources allow. It was agreed to write again to LCC asking for an update.
Next agenda: Local Government Reorganisation; quarry update; any update on .gov email process.
32 NEXT MEETING
This was noted as 17th September 2025
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.10pm