2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 3rd September at 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall

Present: Cllr. Hutchinson Chairman, Cllr J Thompson Vice Chairman Cllr. J Critchley, Cllr A Critchley,Cllr. K Davey, Cllr A Mavros. Cllr R Plant and Cllr. I Stokes

Harry Fletcher awaiting Co-option as a Councillor.

Michelle Maloney – Prospective Councillor

1. Apologies: Cllr. I Hammond – Work Commitments

Cllr R Kayberry-Brown (SKDC)

Apologies to be recorded only.

Cllr. Thompson introduced Michelle Maloney to the Councillors and advised that she was interested in becoming a Councillor in the future.

2. Declarations of Interest/Dispensations

Cllr A Critchley declared an interest in the hedge at Hill Top Cemetery

Cllr A Mavros declared an interest in Planning Application in respect of 10 High Street

3. Co-option of New Councillor

Copies of Harry Fletcher’s Councillor Application form were distributed to all Councillors.

Harry spoke to the meeting and gave reasons as to why he wished to become a Councillor stating that he had lived in the village for a number of years and wanted to protect the village for future generations.

The Chairman asked for a vote to accept Harry as a Councillor and this was unanimously confirmed.

Cllr. Fletcher signed the Acceptance of Office and other documents and was handed a Memory stick containing the Rules and Regulations of the Council for his records.

4. Minutes Signed from Previous Meeting

The Minutes from the previous meeting were signed as a true record. Proposed by Cllr. Mavros and seconded by Cllr. J Critchely.

Cllr. Stokes pointed out that there was not an Agenda Item for Matters Arising from the Minutes, the Clerk duly apologies for this omission.

4a. Matters Arising

Cllr. Stokes wished to bring to the Council’s attention the fact that the Welcome to Grantham Sign on Gonerby Hill Foot was completed obscured by overgrown vegetation and likewise the Gonerby Village sign has been obscured by overgrown vegetation. Rectification of this was thought to lie in the hands of LCC Highways but it was also suggested this may be a safety issue. It was agreed the Clerk would contact Cllr. Maughan to ask for his assistance in getting this resolved.

The Chairman suggested that the cost of cutting of the vegetation on the road should be allowed for in next year’s budget and will be discussed accordingly.

5. Official Correspondence and Circulation

Correspondence:-

LALC have written advising that every four years following ordinary elections Member Councils are invited to nominate Councillors/Clerks to act as Representatives on the Association’s County Committee. Cllr Davey has expressed an interest in being nominated and it was unanimously agreed that her name could be put forward to LALC.

The Chairman read a File Note from the Clerk with regard to a parishioners complaint re additional ornaments etc being left on graves at Hill Top Cemetery. It was agreed that the Parish Council must enforce the Rules and Regulations of the Cemetery and it was requested that a further letter be
written to the Parishioner regarding the matter. If the problem persists guidance will be sought from LALC.

An email had been received from Councillor Hammond detailing problems with overgrown vegetation in the Hemplands which was obscuring the street light. It was agreed that Cllr. Plant would have a look at the problem and report back to Council.

Cllr Hammond also advised that the Footpath running from Spring End to Barrowby is overgrown with nettles – this matter has been reported to LCC and they are investigating the matter.

Cllr. Hammond also reported that the signs for Bassett’s Close and Skinny Winton’s Lane had been removed. It was agreed the Parish Council would replace these.

Email received from a Parishioner asking for a further bench to be installed at Hill Top Cemetery. It was agreed that this would be looked at next year when provision could be made in the budget. The Clerk to advise Parishioner accordingly.

SKDC have provided three sets of Updates to the Register of Electors.

A statement has been received from the Public Works Loan Board

SKDC advised that an Ash Tree at the back of Holden Way was diseased and would be removed.

LCC acknowledge our communication regarding Footpath 6 and that the matter had been given Priority 1 to resolve.

An email had been sent to Cllr. Stokes thanking him for the Ward donation of £250 towards the Pond project

Further letter from LCC regarding Footpath 4 advising that the overgrown vegetation would be classified at Priority 3 (“Works subject to Finance and availability of workforce”).

Zurich Municipal Insurance confirmed the addition of the three planters at the Pond to our Insurance Policy with no additional premium

Email from Countryside Access to advise Footpath 4 and 6 had been cut back.

The Pension Regulator had written to advise that Great Gonerby PC had completed a re-declaration of compliance, neither staff members are on the Scheme.

The Chairman advised that it had been recommended that Councillors have a dedicated email addresses for Parish Council communications. This was discussed and it was felt that this was not necessary as long as current email accounts are Password protected.

Zurich have advised that the Parish Council has access to their free Local Community Advisory Service (LCAS). This will be retained on file for future reference.

Circulation:

There was no circulation as this is now distributed by email to all Councillors.

6. Matters outstanding

a) Bench for Pond Area – Cllr. J Critchely advised that the renovated Pond area had been well received in the village and it was thought that a bench would enhance the area and compliment Charlie Clock Pelter. A discussion followed and it was agreed that the Parish Council was generally in favour of a bench for the area. The Clerk agreed to approach Nigel Sardeson for a quotation and this matter would be an Agenda Item when

Budget setting for next year.

b) Hedging for Hill Top - A long discussion took place discussing the pros and cons of restoring the hedge and it was agreed that the hedge would be restored in line with original plan. This was proposed by Cllr J

Critchley and seconded by Cllr. Mavros.

It was agreed that the hedge would be maintained at a height of five foot.

Cllr Thompson agreed to establish how many plants would be needed and the Clerk would also seek quotations for the work.

c) Christmas Dinner – The Clerk advised that arrangements had been made for the Christmas Dinner to be held at the Recruiting Sergeant on Saturday 7th December at 7pm. Further details will be circulated nearer the date.

7. Poor Land Update from Chairman

The Chairman advised that he had spoken to Steve Goulder at Downtown regarding the way forward.

The Chairman advised that the Charity current has approximately £1300 but he is not prepared to use these funds for Solicitor fees and therefore it has been agreed that if the Poor Land Charity obtains a valuation for the land in respect of rent/lease/purchase values Downtown will then be in a position to discuss the matter further and to ascertain if the proposition is viable.

The way forward is to get a Valuation and this was discussed. It was suggested that the Poor Lands Charity approach the District Valuer to see if this is a matter they could help with.

Going forward, The Chairman asked the Council if they would be prepared to loan the money for a valuation and it was agreed the Clerk would ask LALC if this is something the Council can do.

8. Arrangements for Remembrance Sunday

The Chairman advised that the arrangements would remain unchanged. The Clerk was asked to contact Peter Jennings to ask if he would be prepared to raise the flag again at this year’s service.

9. Confirmation of M L Hall as Internal Auditor

This was duly agreed and the Clerk will write to Mr Hall to advise.

10. Financial Matters

a) Report and Count Petty Cash

Petty cash was agreed and signed off by the Chairman

b) Accounts for Payment

The following Accounts were presented for payment by the Clerk:-

All the above payments were unanimously agreed.

c) Budget Report

The Chairman presented the Clerk’s Budget Report:-

Payments:

Hall Rent – Paid out of previous year’s budget in error

LALC Annual Subscription paid

Office Costs- Within budget.

Donations/grants- none made

Insurance- Paid and within budget

Audit fees- £120 paid to Malcolm Hall – Invoice from External Auditors not received

Training- Course for two new Councillors booked for September at a cost of £27.50 each. This will be slightly in excess of budget

Community Heartbeat Annual Subscription paid £126.00

Burial Ground – New Fence now installed – Final cost £5643

Grass and Verge Cutting within budget Cutting

Expenses – slightly in excess of budget due to Clerk claiming mileage.

S137 – No expenditure

Staff salary- within budget

Receipts:

General Admin Costs- to budget

Burial – In excess of budget

Interest- In excess of budget as £30K held on term deposit

The Accounts and Bank balances were reconciled at the end of Quarter 1 and again at the end of August

Chairman and Council members happy with the position.

d) External Audit Report

The Clerk advised that regrettably this report was still not available.

11. Advisory Groups

a) Planning

S19/1138 - Land off Easthorpe Road. Construction of 46 dwellings, including vehicle access, pedestrian and cycle links.

S19/1225 – Mr D Skinner 32 Pond Street Erection of single storey rear extension (prior notification)

S19/1168 – Mr and Mrs Bryant – 5 Grantham Road – Single storey extension to front of dwelling

S19/1197 – Mr Britain – 10 High Street – Installation of Replacement Illuminated and Non Illuminated signs and repainting to the exterior.

S19/1303 – Mr J Meadows – 30 Elms View – Erection of single storey side extension - resubmitted

S19/1367 – Mr and Mrs D Skinner – 32 Pond Street – Erection of single storey extension to dwelling.

Refusal

S19/1225 Mr and Mrs D Skinner – 32 Pond Street.

Planning Granted:-

S19/0631 Mr and Mrs Hemstock – 70 Long Street – Side and rear extension to existing dwelling house

S19/0632 Mr and Mrs Hemstock – 70 Long Street – Listed Building Consent for side and rear extension to existing dwelling

S19/0781 – Motor Fuel Group – Toll Bar Esso Service Station – alterations to existing forecourt canopy comprising an increase in height from 4.2m to 5.0m.

S19/0874 – Ms D Billard – 22 Long Street – Change of use of land to domestic

S19/0884 – Ms S Bedford – 66 Long Street – replacement of modern flat roof with pantile pitched rood, small extension and internal alterations within existing extension.

S19/1168 – Mr and Mrs Bryant – 5 Grantham Road – Single Storey extension to front of dwelling

S19/0660 – Mr and Mrs Durgan – Mill House Gonerby Grange – Use of land for keeping horses for domestic use and associated works.

Notice received of Public Speaking at Planning Committee on 11th September in respect of Construction of 46 Dwellings on land off Easthorpe Road.

b) Amenity Areas

Cllr Thompson advised that the Clock Pelter would need oiling twice a year – in October and beginning of May. Arrangements are in hand for Anthony Jackson to undertake this on behalf of the Council.

Cllr Thompson further advised that Michael Smith had undertaken the watering of the planters at the Pond and that this task would be carried out by Gregory Griffin in his absence. He requested a letter of thanks be sent to both Parishioners. This was agreed.

Cllr. Thompson agreed to spray the weeds at the Pond.

d) Highways

The missing signs for Bassett’s Close and Skinny Wintons Lane has already been discussed and agreed to be replaced.

Cllr. A Critchely advised that the drain covers on Newark Hill had collapsed again. This will be reported to LCC Highways.

12. Notices of Motions for Future Meetings

None.

13. Any Matters for Urgent Discussion

A discussion took place regarding the setting up of a Social Media account on Facebook. The Chairman agreed that he would set up a Facebook page for the Parish Council with the necessary protection in place. The new Facebook page will be run as a trial for the time being.

Cllr Thompson advised that celebrations for the 75th VE Day were not now able to be held at the Memorial Hall due to insurance restrictions. A further meeting is to be held with a view to holding an event at the Church.

The Clerk asked if the current frequency of meetings was adequate and it was agreed to hold meetings every other month again in 2020 on the first Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September and November.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:20.

Flag Flying Days:

October 1st Lincolnshire Day
October 21st Trafalgar Day
11th November Remembrance Day
10th November Remembrance Sunday
14th November Birthday of Prince of Wales
20th November Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II Wedding Day