July 2021 Minutes
GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 5th July 2021 at 7.00
at the Memorial Hall, Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Present: Cllr. Hutchinson Chairman, Cllr. H Fletcher Vice Chairman, Cllr. A Critchley, Cllr. J Critchley, Cllr. K Davey, Cllr. A Mavros, Cllr. M Neal, Cllr R Plant and Cllr. I Stokes
Cllr. A Maughan LCC
Several members of the public were welcomed to the Parish Council Meeting, including newly retired councillor Jeffrey Thompson who wished to say a few words as a member of the public. Jeff showed attendees of the meeting the award he was presented with following is 50 years’ service to the Parish Council. Jeff went on to relate a couple of tales about his time both as a District Councillor and Parish Councillor and circulated Minutes from both of his first meetings. Jeff was presented with a gift from the Parish Councillors and wished well in his retirement. A reporter from the Grantham Journal was also in attendance and took photos of the retiring Councillor.
It was bought to the attention of the Parish Council that the hedge round the playing field had not been cut for some time, but this was disputed by Mr Thompson informing the meeting the hedge was cut in January. It was also pointed out that hedge cutting cannot take place before September and can only be cut one a year.
A member of the public also reported noise disturbance from the Hall car park late at night. It was pointed out that this was the responsibility of the Memorial Hall to monitor. Again it was confirmed that the matter was in hand and steps were being taken to try and remedy.
It was acknowledge that noise problems did not exist before COVID restrictions and it was requested that time be given to see how matters settle down after restrictions are lifted in the coming weeks.
A request to close the footpath was made but this was rejected. Members of the public were requested to phone the police to advise of late night disturbances and to do this as frequently as possible.
1. Apologies for Absence: Cllr M Davey-Dunderdale Work Commitments but arrived late
Cllr. A Maughan LCC Work Commitments
Cllr R Kayberry-Brown flood
2. Declarations of Interest/Dispensations
None
3. Minutes Signed from Previous Meeting
Following the wording in Item 13 being amended as follows:-
“The Chairman thanked Mrs Gee for her hard work in reducing the dog fouling problem”
the Minutes were duly signed by the Chairman as a true record proposed by Cllr. Davey and seconded by Cllr J Critchley.
4. Official Correspondence and Circulation
The chairman read out a report from Cllr. Maughan which is attached to these Minutes .
Letter sent to Mr Brown from the Parish Council thanking him for watering the plants at the Pond.
Email received from Cllr, Maughan following a request to change the gradient of the footpath from the High Street to the Memorial Hall advising this would prove difficult but LCC are going to clear the debris to make access easier
Two Register of Electors updates received from SKDC
Email received from SKDC regarding the need to hold face to face meetings
Email from Cllr. Maughan to advise the village qualifies for an upgrade of the zebra crossing to a Puffin Crossing. The Manager of LCC Highways has been requested to make this priority.
Email received from villager requesting help with a planning application who was advised to contact SKDC Planning and to speak to neighbours. The Parish Council likes to remain natural in such matters.
SKDC advised that the Parish Council have been awarded £2000 from the Community Fund to go towards the cost of the village white gates.
SKDC have re-introduced the Best Kept Village Award. Village automatically entered no need to apply.
Email from Mr Thompson advising 28 High Street planters have been installed this year.
Email from Mr Thompson to advise the church clock needed further repairs which would be carried out.
Correspondence from Virgin Money advising of another interest rate drop on 95 Day Business Notice Account.
Email from villager regarding grass cutting and querying frequency. It was reported that verges are cut once a month during the growing season, 7 times in total in a year.
Email received from Secretary of Memorial Hall confirming meeting with resident of Covill Close re noise.
Email received from villager complaining about restrictions placed on activities in the field. Complaint passed to Trustees to deal with.
Letter from Lincolnshire Police advising of their intentions to enhance the provision of Neighbourhood Policing in future.
Letter from LCC regarding Broadband Connectivity in Lincolnshire. It was thought Broadband in Great Gonerby was generally good.
Letter received from Jeff Thompson confirming his retirement as a Councillor, which is attached to these Minutes.
Circulation: Saving Lives in Lincolnshire and Clerks and Councils News booklet passed round.
5. Clerk & Members to Report Bank on Matters Outstanding
The retiring Councillor had left a report on the up to date situation with regard to the following:-
The Clerk has been requested to write a letter to Mr Brown to thank him for watering the planters near Charlie, which has been done.
A request to send a letter to a villager regarding dog fouling was made but this is to be passed to SKDC to deal with.
With regard to the murals, the wall by the Pond is not high enough and so it has been suggested that the murals be placed on the eastern gable of the Memorial Hall adjacent to the car park. A request to the Trustees of the Hall will be made for their authorisation.
Jeff has said he will continue to water the planters in the High Street
a) Ideas for the Village:
An email received from SKDC with regard to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons. The idea to purchase a beacon was welcomed and the Clerk requested to obtain costings.
Cllr Davey spoke of a few ideas: A picnic in the park for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee followed by open air cinema for children early in the day and adults in the evening. Permission would have to be sought from the Trustees of the Hall to use the field or alternatively Cllr. Stokes suggested contacting the school with regard to the use of their field as an alternative. The idea to be publicised on Facebook to establish likely take up.
A discussion took place with regard to the forming a Social Committee with both Parish Councillors and Trustees of the Hall involved as it has become apparent villagers are eager for community events.
b) Confirmation of Zurich Insurance Fidelity cover of £50,000
This has now been received.
c) Village Gateway Signs
The Chairman advised the meeting that it had not been possible to go ahead with the proposed white gates due to siting difficulties and the need to get LCC licence to install.
The Chairman advised initial meeting with supplier had not mentioned the need for the licence and therefore the order was placed for the white gates. As soon as difficulties arose the supplier was asked to suspend the order. Unfortunately some of the signs had already been produced and it has been necessary to purchase these at a cost of £873.00 plus VAT. These signs will be incorporated into a hanging sign for which permission has already been granted from LCC Highways. The Chairman is seeking quotations and these will be circulated to Councillors as soon as available.
6. Review of Accessibility Statement for Website
No changes implemented and the document was accepted.
7. Review of Internal Audit Plan and Health and Safety Policy.
No changes were made to the Internal Audit Plan and Malcolm Hall will be requested to carry out Internal Audit in 2022.
No changes were made to the Health and Safety Policy.
8. Review of Fixed Assets Register
A review took place with Cllr Fletcher updating the meeting with regard to maintenance works carried out to Charlie’s plinth and also the need to fill some cracks which have appeared in Charlie’s leg.
The white posts outside the front of the church are in course and should be in situ soon.
Shutters to the bus stop in the High Street are to be replaced. Once done the book swap will be set up.
The Chairman confirmed the new purchases for the Financial Year 2020/21 had been added to the register.
9. Flag Flying Days
Just one amendment to be made in respect of the Queen’s wedding anniversary which will be deleted.
9. Financial Matters
The Clerk presented her Q1 Budget Report:-
Church Clock: As you know the church clock has had a few issues recently and to repair the two automatic winding removals there will be an unforeseen expenditure of £1190.which will leave £610 still in reserves which will be wiped out when the annual maintenance takes place later in the year.
Office Costs : The Clerk advised having changed her printer going forward she will not be claiming for ink cartridges as they have come part of the package of the new printer. Office costs will therefore reduce.
LALC subscription has been paid in the sum of £459 against a budget of £475.
Insurance premium £420 – Budget forecast £400.
Malcolm Hall Audit fee £120, as expected.
All other expenditure is running within forecast budget.
As I agreed I have ordered the additional signs in respect of the Speed Watch Scheme.
LALC have advised that Peter Langford, who helped set up the website, is offering an annual help service at a cost of £144 (to be confirmed) and the Clerk asked for permission to take advantage of this. This was agreed
a) The following Accounts were presented for payment:-
PAYMENTS
22.04.21 Ryman Stationery Ink Cartridges 37.98
22.04.21 B & Q Cordless Drill 78.00
27.04.21 Oldrids & Downtown Compost and Plant Feed 35.20
27.04.21 Andy Garrett Lincolnshire Flag 8.00
01.05.21 Spalding Plants (Raymond Manning) Plants for High Street 214.00
05.05.21 BDG Mowing 2 x Grass Cuts 178.00
05.05.21 Home Bargains WD40 - High Street Shutters 1.99
06.05.21 B Hutchinson Chairman's Allowance 550.00
07.05.21 Zurich Insurance Policy Renewal 470.24
08.05.21 Ryman Stationery A4 Paper 4.99
11.05.21 Hollis Road Nurseries Plants for High Street 52.00
12.05.21 Hollis Road Nurseries Plants for High Street 20.00
13.05.21 Hollis Road Nurseries Plants for High Street 20.00
24.05.21 Post Office Ltd 2nd Class Stamps 7.92
27.05.21 Staff Salaries May Wages and computer 551.73
28.05.21 Ryman Stationery Document Wallets 5.97
31.05.21 Malcolm Hall Internal Audit 120.00
31.05.21 Screwfix Cable Ties for Speed Watch Signs 14.05
02.06.21 BDG Mowing 2 x Grass Cuts 178.00
02.06.21 Howsafe 3 x Hi Vis Jacket for Speed Watch 41.46
04.06.21 Community Heartbeat Annual Support 126.00
07.08.21 Time Assured Ltd Deposit re Repairs to Church Clock 432.00
07.06.21 EnvironmentSK May Verge Cutting 345.10
08.06.21 Anthony Jackson Maintenance to Clock Pelter Base 50.00
15.06.21 Amazon Counters for Speed Watch 10.69
16.06.21 Protect Signs Signs for Speed Watch 195.11
17.06.21 Asda A4 Paper, Batteries and Clip Board 7.55
17.06.21 Howsafe 2 xHi Vis Jackets 29.64
27.06.21 Staff Salaries June Wages and computer 551.73
25.06.21 JACS (UK) Ltd Village Gate Signs 1,047.60
RECEIPTS
30.03.21 Virgin Money 95 Day Deposit Account Interest 10.57
05.04.21 HMRC VAT Refund 2,039.08
13.05.21 SKDC Community Cleaner Grant 694.98
24.05.21 The Margaret Brown Trust Donation towards cost of New Defibrillator 1,800.00
31.05.21 Virgin Money 95 Day Deposit Account Interest 7.72
14.06.21 Virgin Money Cash Back Rebate 0.82
30.06.21 Virgin Money 95 Day Deposit Account Interest 7.47
30.06.21 Virgin Money Deposit Account Interest 0.39
All payments agreed. Proposed by Cllr. Stokes, seconded by Cllr. Davey.
b) End of Q1 Accounts
The end of Q1 Accounts were agreed and signed by the Chairman and Clerk.
c) Internal Audit Report
Letter received from Malcolm Hall confirming that the books were again presented in a neat and orderly fashion by the Clerk. In his opinion the PC can again completed the Annual Governance Statement by ticking Yes in all boxes with complete confidence.
There were however a couple of omissions from 2020/21 Minutes:-
1. Meeting of 14th September 2020 – Page 2303 – Accounts for Payment and Receipts – Yorkshire Bank Term Deposit Interested credited on 31.08.20 was not noted in Minutes. This should be £13.44. Also payment in the sum of £125 from Shepherds memorials was omitted from Receipts.
2. Meeting of 5th January 2021 – Page 2322. Accounts for Payment and Receipts – Yorkshire Bank Term Deposit Interest credited on 31.10.21 was not noted in Minutes. This should be £11.17.
11. Advisory Groups
a) Planning
An email has been received from BP Lightsource confirming they are now in a position to submit the solar farm planning application to SKDC. A discussion took place regarding the possible advantages for the village in the long term.
APPLICATIONS
S21/0846
Mr James Cook
Home Farm, Allington Lane, Allington NG32 2DU
New Steel portal framed building
S21/0859
Macdonald’s Restaurants
Installation of 6 no. Fascia signs, 3 no. Booth lettering and 1 no 15” digital booth screen
S21/0865
Macdonald’s Restaurants Ltd
Various site signage including 4 no. Freestanding signs, 2 no Banner units, 1 no Play land sign and 20 no. Dot signs.
S21/0873
Macdonald’s Restaurants Ltd
Erection of a freestanding single storey restaurant with drive-thru facility, car parking, landscaping and associated works, including Customer Order Displays (COD), Goal Post Height Restrictor and Play Frame.
S21/0852
Mr and Mrs Harrop
36 Grampian Way, Grantham
Single storey rear extension
S21/0881
Kate Draper
54 Green Street, Great Gonerby
Two storey rear extension
APPROVED
S20/1152
Longhurst & Havelok Homes Ltd
Land off Easthorpe Road, Great Gonerby
Section 73 application for the removal of Condition 8 (pedestrian footway) and to vary conditions 2 (approved plans) and condition 6 (schedule of materials) of planning permission S19/1138
S21/0574
Mr D Keeling
24 Belvoir Gardens, Great Gonerby
Dormer to rear of existing building
S21/0585
Mr S Green
B1174 Great North Road, Services Roundabout Gonerby Moor NG31 2AB
Three identical, non-illuminated signs
S21/0945
Longhurst Group
Land off Easthorpe Road, Great Gonerby
Amendment to boundary treatment to plots 27, 38 and 46.
S21/0852
Mr A Jeffery
39 Grampian Way
Ground Floor Extension rear of dwelling – Certificate of Lawful Use or Development
S21/0852
Mr and Mrs Harrop
36 Grampian Way, Grantham
Single storey rear extension
S21/0846
Mr J Cook
Home Farm, Allington Lane, Allington
New steel portal framed building.
S21/1004
Longhurst Group
Land off Easthorpe Road, Great Gonerby
Submission of details reserved by Condition 11 (Landscape Management Plan) of S20/1152
REFUSED
S20/1927
Mr S Martin
The Old Bakehouse, 18 High Street
Replace windows in the house (Listed Building)
b) The Environment
Nothing reported though Cllr. Davey is to speak to the Trustees of the Memorial Hall regarding the Millennium Wood
c) Amenity Areas
Cllr Davey advised that the Trustees of the Hall are happy with the idea of a picnic bench going at the Millennium wood, siting to be agreed with Trustees. Cllr. Davey to report back with final costings and design.
With regard to the “Lockdown” Bench to be sited at the Pond this is now in course and design and costings will be circulated shortly.
d) Highway Matters
Cllr. Davey up dated the meeting with regard to the Community Speed Watch which is now up and running. The first watch had taken place over one and a half hours with 430 cars passing through the village. Only one speeder was caught and reported..
An email had been received from LCC Road Safety advising the outcome of a speed survey conducted between 29th April and 5th May. The survey was 24/7. The outcome was an average speed of 27 mph through the village. There was an average daily flow of 4220 cars towards Grantham of which 555 were over the limit, 15 cars in excess of 10 mph and one in excess of 20mph over the limit. Towards the A1 there was an average flow of 4488 cars per day of which 23 were 10 mph over the limit, none over 20 mph of the limit. The clerk was requested to distribute the findings.
Cllr. Maughan has requested the road markings in the village to be replaced.
It was reported that cats eyes are missing from the A1 north bound slip road, this will be report to Fix My Street.
It was also reported the tarmac on the old A1 roundabout needs replacing as in a dangerous condition.
12. Notice of motions for future meetings.
None.
13. Any matters for Urgent Discussion
None
There being no further Business the meeting closed at 21.30
Flag Flying Days: 14th August V J Day (Victory in Japan)
3rd September Merchant Navy Day
11th September 9/11 Twin Towers (to be flown at half-mast)
15th September Battle of Britain Day