2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 4th May 2021 at 7.30pm via Zoom

Present:               Cllr. Hutchinson Chairman, Cllr. J Thompson Vice Chairman, Cllr. A Critchley, Cllr. J Critchley, Cllr. K Davey, Cllr. M Davey-Dunderdale, Cllr. H Fletcher, Cllr. A Mavros, Cllr. M Neal, Cllr R Plant and Cllr. I Stokes . Cllr. A Maughan LCC

One member of the public was welcomed to the Parish Council Meeting.

1.  Apologies for Absence            None

2.  Declarations of Interest/Dispensations  Cllr. Critchley declared an interest in Planning Application No.  PL/0132/20.

3.  a)  Nomination of Chairman and Vice Chairman

Cllr. Hutchinson confirmed that he would be happy to stand down if there was another Councillor who would like to take on the role of Chairman.  There being no volunteers Cllr. Hutchinson confirmed that he would be willing to stand as Chairman again.  Proposed by Cllr. Stokes and Seconded by Cllr. Thompson.

The Chairman advised that the position of Vice Chairman needed to be re-elected as after 51 years Cllr. Thompson proposed to retired as a Councillor at the Parish Council’s July meeting.  The Chairman asked for a show of hands as to who may be interested in the Vice Chairman’s role.  Cllrs. Davey and Fletcher raised their hands.  There followed a vote by show of hands with the following result

Cllr Davey 4 in favour

Cllr Fletcher 5 in favour

Cllr Fletcher was duly elected as Vice Chairman.

The Chairman advised that he would meet with Cllr. Fletcher to arrange for necessary forms of office to be signed.

The Chairman sincerely thanked Cllr. Thompson for all his support during his Vice Chairmanship.

4.  Minutes Signed from Previous Meeting

Minutes were duly signed by the Chairman as a true record proposed by Cllr. Davey and seconded by Cllr. Thompson.

5. Official Correspondence

Correspondence received from Virgin Money advising of reduction in interest rates applicable to the  95 Day Business Account.

Correspondence received from Virgin Money confirming Interest payments for the year to 5th April 2021

Email received from Cllr. Maughan with regard to the proposed Solar Farm at Marston and the possibility of a link road.  BP Lighthouse have declined to take up the suggestion.  It was further thought that the development was no longer going ahead.

Email received from SKDC with regard to our request to move one of the waste bins in the High Street to the top of Pond Street. It is understood that this has taken place.

Business Rates Bill received from SKDC with regard to Hill Top Cemetery – nothing payable.

Copy correspondence received from Baroness Vere of Norbiton addressed to Dr Caroline Johnson regarding proposed improvements to the A1.  Cllr. Maughan advised that discussions were ongoing and it was proposed to meet again.

Email correspondence received with regard to vandalism in woods which the owner has now cleared.

Email received from SKDC with regard to the SK Community Fund to be made available for the benefit of district residents.

Request received from Lincolnshire Lowland Search and Rescue for a donation.  Not agreed.

Correspondence received from SKDC updating the Register of Electors

Email received from Parishioner with regard to speeding in the High Street.

Copy correspondence received from Paul Rusted of LCC addressed to Dr Caroline Johnson with regard to speeding in the village.  A discussion took place to the effect that it is hoped the up-coming Speed Watch Scheme and the installation of white gates will alleviate the problem going forward.  The Clerk advised that Speed Watch Training is due soon following the easing of Covid restrictions.

Email received from Parishioner with regard to a tow camera for the village.  The Clerk is trying to establish costs to hire and will report back

6.  Matters Outstanding

a)  Ideas for the Village:  The following ideas were put forward for consideration:-

White Gates – A licence is needed from LCC but the Parish Council have run into problems with regard to proposed sites.  Cllr. Maughan has agreed to arrange a site meeting with Highways so the matter can be progressed.

“Welcome” Arch on Newark Hill, if White gates not a possibility

Village “Party” for the Queen’s 70th Jubilee

School Bell Tower – originally planned for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee .  A discussion took place with regard to spending public money on a private dwelling.  To be clarified.  Also need to establish if the school are in agreement to the proposal.

White Posts - to the front of the church, similar to those on Grantham Road.

Equipment for the Children’s play area -  such as a zip wire.

The Chairman asked for further ideas so the matter can be discussed at the July Parish Council Meeting and once agreed to apply to SKDC for funding.

7.  Review of Risk Assessments, Data Protection and Privacy Statement

No changes have been implemented and the documents were accepted as they stand.  Proposed by Cllr. Thompson and Seconded by Cllr. Stokes.

8.  Review of Standing Orders & Financial Regulations including quotations amounts.

Again no changes have been implemented and documents were accepted as they stand.  The Chairman confirmed the Quotation Amounts, all Councillors to agree quotation amounts over £1,000 and the Chairman and Clerk to agree quotations below £1k.   Proposed by Cllr. Fletcher and seconded by Cllr. Neal.

9.  Financial Matters

The Clerk presented her Year End Budget Report:-

As forecast I am pleased to report that the budget for 2020/21 has worked well on the whole. As reported in March I confirm the exceptions:-

1.  As previously advised Office Costs are in excess of budget due to the purchase of a new filing cabinet.

2.  Parks and Open expenditure is also over budget – spent £3371 against a budget of£2953. This is due to unexpected repairs to the white posts on the Pinfold, and we have purchased hi-vis vests and a hand held speed gun for the Speed Awareness initiative we will be undertaking.

3.  Burial Ground Maintenance remained below budget for the year.

4.  There is an excess spend on staff salaries following the agreement to increase the Clerk’s paid hours.

All the different expenditure is itemised on the attached Reconciliation for the year.

Income for the year exceeded expectations, so I have been able to move funds into reserves.

The Bank balances at the end of the financial year stood as follows:-

Current Account  £575.80

Deposit  £8396.35

Term Deposit £30,268.92

Expenses £62.01

As we go forward into the new Financial Year we have some additional expenditure to deal with:-

1.  The installation of white posts to the front of St Sebastian’s Church to match those on Grantham Road.  Tony Jackson is going to provide a quotation for the work to be submitted to the Council.

2.  There is a dead tree in St Sebastian’s churchyard which I have asked for quotes to remove.

3.  The cement round Charlie’s plinth needs replacing and again Tony Jackson is going to carry out this work.

9a) The Chairman reconciled the Bank Statements to the Year End accounts.

9b)  The Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21 was signed and approved.

9c)  The Accounting Statement for 2020/21 was signed and approved

9d)  It was agreed to leave the Chairman’s Allowance unchanged at £550.  Proposed by Cllr. Fletcher and seconded by Cllr. Thompson

9e)  Accounts for Payment

The above payments were approved.  Proposed by Cllr. Stokes and Seconded by Cllr. Davey.

9f)  The Zurich Insurance Limit was discussed but it was unclear at the meeting the sum insured.  The Clerk is to investigate and advise Councillors.

10.  Hall Representatives for Next Year

As Cllr. Thompson is retiring the Chairman asked for a volunteer to represent the Parish Council on the Hall Committee.  Cllr. Davey advised she would like to be involved. 

It was agreed the two representatives would be Cllr. J Critchley and Cllr. K Davey.

11.  Advisory Groups

a)  Planning

APPLICATIONS

S21/0574

Mr D Keeling

24 Belvoir Gardens, Great Gonerby

Proposed dormer to rear of existing dwelling

S21/0585

Mr S Green

B1174 Great North Road/Services Roundabout, Gonerby Moor NG32 2AB

Three identical non illuminated signs measuring 1200m wide x 500 mm high.

APPROVED

S20/2191

Motor Fuel Group

Submission of details reserved by Condition 4 (surface water drainage) of S17/2399. (Demolition of existing petrol filling station to provide a new petrol filling station facility with forecourt shop/sales building, customer parking, staff car parking spaces, HGV parking and associated services)

S21/0034

Motor Fuel Group

Submission of details reserved by Condition e (construction management plan) of S17/2399.  (Demolition of existing petrol filling station to provide a new petrol filling station facility with forecourt shop/sales building, customer parking, staff car parking spaces, HGV parking and associated services)

S18/1457

Mr M Mann

Land to the North of Longcliffe Road, Grantham

Reserved matters approved

S21/0066

Mr A Critchley

Hook Cliff Farm

Green Waste Storage and processing for cattle bedding

b)  The Environment

Cllr. Thompson advised the High Street wall on which the restored murals are hoped to be installed has now been rebuilt.  Cllr. Thompson is going to check measurements and speak to property owners with regard to the installation to ensure they are still in agreement.  Cllr. Thompson will report back.

Cllr. Thompson advised half the bedding plants needed for the planters in the High Street had been purchased and arrangements are in hand to purchase further plants and organise planting.

The Chairman thanked Cllr. Thompson for organising the planters.

Cllr. Fletcher suggested the Community Cleaner should be recognised for her outstanding efforts in keeping the village clean and tidy.  Cllr. Stokes will enquire if there is award which could be made available.

c)  Amenity Areas

No matters wereraised for discussion.

d)  Highway Matters

The Chairman advised the 30mp sign is almost obliterated by vegetation.   Clerk requested to report to Fix My Street.

The Chairman advised there was a branch which had fallen into the road on Newark Hill.  Cllr. Critchley advised he would deal with the problem.

Diane Gee advised that village footpaths are a disgrace, very dirty and need cleaning.  She further advised the road sweeper had not been seen in side streets for some time.

Cllr. Stokes advised he would contact the Big Clean Team to see if they can help with cleaning the pavements.

Cllr. Maughan advised of a new JCB Pot hole vehicle will be in our area in the near future to repair potholes.  The new system is envisaged to be a lot quicker.

It was also discussed that a number of pavements need resurfacing.  Cllr. Maughan advised that there was not much in the LCC budget for such works.

Hedge on Grantham Road needs a trim, Cllr. Maughan advised this had already been reported.

A discussion took place with regard to road markings being extremely feint.  Cllr. Maughan agreed to contact Highways to ask for markings to be re-painted.  He reminded the meeting a survey is due to take place soon with regard to road layout near the school and the zebra crossing.

12.  Notice of motions for future meetings.

None.

13.    Any matters for Urgent Discussion

The previous Clerk has suggested a book swap library to be installed in the bus stop by the Post Office.  This was thought to be a good idea but the shutters are in need of maintenance first.

Diane Gee advised the 12 week project to curb dog fouling had been a success with number of sprays reducing from 35 in the first week to just 5 in the last.  Mrs Gee had been in contact with SKDC who have advised Mrs Gee  there are no dog wardens available and also confirmed no fines had been issued in recent years, despite numerous notices indicating fines would be payable.  There was £66.04 left over from donations for the spray which has been donated to the Pre-school.

The Chairman thanked Mrs Gee for her hard work in solving the dog fouling problem.

There being no further Business the meeting closed at 21.00

Flag Flying Days:              6th June                D Day

                 9th    June            Official Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II Birthday

                                            21st June              Armed Forces Day

                                            27th June              Veteran’s Day

                                             7th July                London Bombing