2018 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 2nd October 2018 at 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall

Present: Cllr. Hutchinson Chairman, Cllr. Thompson Vice Chairman, Cllr. A Critchley and Cllr J Critchley, Cllr I Hammond, Cllr. R Stedman, Cllr D Watson and LCC Cllr. Maughan

1. Apologies: Cllr I Stokes – work commitments

Apologies to be recorded only.

2. Declarations of Interest/Dispensations

Cllrs A and J Critchley

3. Minutes signed from previous Meeting

The minutes from the previous meeting were signed as a true record. Proposed by Cllr. B Hutchinson and seconded by Cllr. J Thompson.

4. Official Correspondence and Circulation

Following a reported problem with the Village Defibrillator the Clerk advised the meeting that there was a problem with the battery in as much as it was only charging to 50%, despite the fact that a green light on the equipment indicated otherwise.

The Clerk advised that another battery had been ordered and would be installed as soon as possible.

A discussion took place as to whether or not the green light should have been on if the battery was only half charged, and the Clerk agreed to take the matter up with Heartbeat and ask for guidance on how to check the equipment.

An email has been received from a couple of residents in Covill Close hi-lighting car parking problems at weekends in the Close and along Belton Lane. A discussion took place and it was agreed that contact would be made with Andy Mayer, who runs the Youth Football, asking him to request consideration when parking cars at the weekend and not to block driveways or park on junctions blocking visibility.

Contract Grass Cutting – The clerk advised that she was still waiting for a response from LCC Highways. Cllr Maughan agreed to chase this.

A text message had been received from residents on Grantham Road advising that some hedge had been removed, however, it is now noted that a new hedge has been replanted.

An email from Reverend Peter had been received confirming arrangements for Remembrance Sunday were in order.

An email had been received advising one of the white posts on Grantham Road had fallen over and the others needed cleaning and also drawing the Council’s attention to the Potholes on Marratts Lane. The Clerk advised that the White post had been replaced and the others cleaned and painted. It was also confirmed the potholes are receiving attention from LCC Highways.

A parishioner had written in expressing concern as to the state of Belton Lane. This matter had been reported to LCC Highways for attention.

The Chairman showed the meeting the new Co-Option form which needs to be completed in future.

Circulation

Community Lincs News and Updates Bulletin

Activate your Community – information has been passed to Andy Mayer

September Issue of Clerks and Councils Direct

Wicksteed Playground Maintenance leaflet.

5. Clerk and Members to report back on matters Outstanding:-

a) As requested the Clerk contacted LALC and was able to confirm that items which are on loan to the Memorial should be included on the Fixed Asset Register.

The Clerk also noted that a First Aid Kit was included on the Fixed Asset Register and it was agreed that this should be written off as the contents are out of date.

b) The Clerk confirmed the Clock Pelter was now included on the Council’s Insurance Policy and also on the Fixed Asset Register.

6. Confirmation of appointment of M L Hall as Internal Auditor

The Clerk confirmed that she had received confirmation from Mr Hall that he will be pleased to carry out the Internal Audit next year.

7. Financial Matters

The Clerk advised the meeting that the excess money in the Accounts as at Q1 end as reported at the previous meeting had now been accounted for and the Balance Sheet amended.

The Clerk advised that Q2 Accounts had been distributed to all Councillors and these were signed off as a true record by the Chairman.

a) Report and Count Petty Cash

The Clerk reported on the Petty Cash, the balance being £19.91. The Chairman counted the cash and signed off the petty cash account as a correct record.

b) Accounts for Payment

The Clerk produced the following for payment:-

The above were approved for payment – Proposed by Cllr Thompson and seconded by Cllr. Stokes

c) Budget Suggestions for 2019/20

Elections –

A discussion took place with regard to the cost of Elections and it was proposed to increase the budget figure to £250 but it was agreed that it may be necessary to increase this figure.

Verge Cutting - As it is proposed to take over the LCC Verge cutting contract from May 2019, allowing for six cuts a season, the cost of two would be covered by a Grant from LCC leaving the Parish Council to cover the cost of four cuts per season. It was agreed to include a figure of £3000 in the 2019/20 Budget to cover the cost of this. Proposed Cllr Hutchinson and seconded by Cllr. J Thompson.

High Street Planting – The Clerk was requested to write to home owners who did not join the Scheme this year asking if they would like to join and also to write to Home Owners who partook this year thanking them for looking after the planters and asking if they would like to participate again next year. There is still money in the reserve to cover the cost of any expansion of the scheme.

The Clerk produced a letter which HSBC had requested to enable her to cash cheques. This was signed by Cllrs Hutchinson and Thompson.

8. Advisory Groups

a) Planning

The following planning Applications were presented to the Meeting:-

S18/1288 - 10 Grantham Road, Great Gonerby – Replace existing single garage and shed with timber framed double garage

S18/1236 – Hook Cliff Farm, Newark Hill, Great Gonerby – Green waste storage and processing for cattle bedding for use on farm holding at Hook Cliff Farm.

S18/1514 – 29 Green Street, Great Gonerby – Internal alterations to reinstate property into one dwelling, removal of staircase and creation of an opening in partition wall; removal of stud partitions and w.c. fixtures and fittings to create hallway access; reinstatement of landing on first floor.

S18/1515 – 3 Grantham Road – Demolition and re-erection of existing extensions, removal of loft conversion and construction of detached garage.

b) The Environment

A discussion took place as to ownership of hedges that back onto public footpaths and it was agreed that householders should be responsible for maintaining hedges.

Cllr. Thompson advised that the High Street hanging baskets were looking fine now but come November they will need to be taken down and stored for winter.

Heritage Signs – This remains outstanding but the two remaining sign will soon be in situ.

c) Amenity Areas

Parish Notice Board - It has been noted that the Parish Council Notice Board has been damaged. The Chairman has spoken to the owner of the Village Shop and he has agreed to look at CTV footage to try establish what has happened. The Clerk has agreed to deal with this and the matter will be reported to the Police once it is established what has happened.

Grass Cutting Specification – This was agreed in line with previous years but in addition to ask for quotes to cut the Village verges.

Weed Spraying Specification – This was agreed in line with previous years with the proviso that dead vegetation from previous years should be removed from site.

Hedge Cutting Specification – This was agreed in line with previous years.

Pond Site – The Chairman and Clerk met with Ian Carroll to discuss further renovations to the Pond Site. The original quotation was just for the installation of the plinth and Ian Carroll has agreed to carry on with the renovations and will arrange for another quote to be submitted by the beginning of November.

It was agreed that the Clock Pelter would not be installed until all the renovations had been undertaken at which time an opening ceremony would be arranged.

Fencing at Hill Top Cemetery – It was agreed that another quote is needed and this will be sought and presented at the next meeting.

Security at Hill Top – The Memorial Hall are obtaining further quotes for the installation of additional cameras and once figures are known the Clerk agreed to email Councillors with a view to getting agreement for the work to be carried out without delay.

Christmas Tree Lights – the Clerk agreed to make arrangements for the lights on the Christmas tree in line with previous years.

Hedge Cutting at St Sebastian’s – The Clerk advised that the hedge will be cut during the School half-term and arrangements had been made with the School.

d) Highway Matters

The Clerk agreed to make arrangements for the bus shelter on Kelham Road to be cleaned.

LCC Highways have advised of Belton Lane Road Bridge closures on numerous dates and times.

LCC Highways have produced an update on outstanding road repairs.

9. Notices of motions for future meeting

It was reported the November Meeting had been cancelled due to staff shortages.

10. Any Matters for urgent discussion

The Clerk requesting assistance with sorting the contents of two filing cabinets at the Hall, as she needs to make room for further filing. It was agreed the Clerk would purchase some archive boxes and archive filing will take place during the

Christmas holidays.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:00

Flag Flying Days:

11th November Remembrance Day
12th November Remembrance Sunday
14th November Birthday of Prince of Wales
20th November Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II Wedding Day