November 2021 Minutes
GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 2nd November 2021 at 7.30
at the Memorial Hall, Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
The Vice Chairman welcomed the Chairman of the Memorial Hall as well as five members of the public to the meeting.
Ian Skellern, Chairman of the Memorial Hall, presented correspondence relating to the cost of the installation of a zip wire in the sum of £15,000 and requested help with funding. These costs are attached as Appendix A.
The meeting was advised that Vaculug had arranged for repainting of the play area which had taken place however, the new soft tiles are awaited. There has been a delay due to mix up over installation dates but a contractor is now scheduled to visit.
A request has also been submitted to Vaculug for funding for the zip wire but as yet no response has been received.
The Vice Chairman advise Mr Skellern that his request for funds will be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting in January.
Two villagers raised their concerns regarding parking outside St Sebastian’s school. This was acknowledged as a problem and LCC Highways are aware. Consideration is being given to double yellow lining the Pond Street junction. Cllr. Maughan also confirmed the proposed upgrade of the zebra cross and the changes envisaged in the area.
Two further villagers advised that they had been asked to sponsor the Senior side football club but were advised that use of the field was organised through the Memorial Hall Trustees. And the Parish Council could not help.
1. Apologies for Absence: Blake Hutchinson (Chairman) - Family Commitments
Cllr. Neal – Family Commitments
Cllr. J Critchley – Family Commitments
Cllr. Stokes did not attend.
Before starting on Agenda the Vice Chairman enquired of Councillors if they still wanted their private contact details published. As discussion took place and it was agreed that this was not thought necessary. It was agreed any Parishioner wanting to contact a Councillor could do so through the Clerk
2. Declarations of Interest/Dispensations
None.
3. Minutes signed from Previous Meeting
The Minutes were duly signed as a true record. Proposed by Cllr. Mavros, Seconded by Cllr.T Critchley
4. Matters Arising
a) Height Restriction Barriers The proposal for height restriction barriers was discussed and unanimously agreed not thought necessary.
b) Jubilee Beacon: Cllr. Critchely said this was in hand and he agreed for the beacon to be sited on his land
c) Pond Bench: The Clerk has now taken on this project from the Chairman and is getting design artwork and prices.
d) Village Signs: Again the Clerk has taken this project on and will chase for a design and costing.
e) Speed Sensor Signs for Village: Consideration for the purchase of the reactive signs would not be pursued due to the limited impact they would potentially have, against our average vehicle speeds through the village.
5. Correspondence:
Correspondence received from Lincolnshire’s Office of Police and Crime Safer Together Team, which had already been circulated.
Letter received from The Clockpelter Mews Management Company with regard to stones on the grass in front of the mews which LCC Highways have requested to be moved. A request for white posts was also received but the width of the grass does not allow for this.
Correspondence with regard to Solar Farm Cliff Lane, Marson and the payment of the Community Grant.
Letter from SKDC regarding Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/3
Letter from Virgin Money advising the Branch in Grantham is closing
Email from Longhurst Group following arequest to clear footpath near Easthorpe Development.
Correspondence regarding footpath to the side of 48 Belton Lane. Owners to be requested to seek legal advice with regard to ownership.
Correspondence from villager with regard to night time traffic through the village.
Email from Cllr. Maughan confirming Community project grant has been agreed. This will mean that a small trail can be established through the Millennium Wood.
Correspondence received from Eon advising of price rises.
Email from villager advising top of hedge between Covill Close/Manor Drive had not been cut. SKDC are aware and will carry out work.
6. Dates of Meetings for 2022
It was agreed to change the day of meetings to the second Wednesday in the months of January, March, May, July, September and November.
7. Review of Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures, Freedom of Information Scheme, Data Protection, Complaints Procedures, Communication Protocal & Code of Conduct and Media Policy
It was confirmed there had been no alterations to the different policies and all were in line with recommended procedures. It was agreed to leave unchanged.
8. Poor Land Update – This was deferred to the January Meeting
9. Village Update from Cllr. Fletcher
It was advised the Pond area had been cleaned and was looking much better. Needs some sand to finish the works. The Vice Chairman explained that the contractor had not been able to finish the work on the proposed date due to gas contract equipment being in the way. The contractor is asking the Parish Council to pay for a lost afternoon’s work. This was discussed and it was agreed to ask the contractor to finish the work and get paid once he had completed the sanding.
White posts to the front of St Sebastian’s church were now in situ.
A replacement white post still waited for the village green is still waited
10. Financial Matters:
a) Quarterly Summary of Accounts up to 30th September 2021 and budget report to date.
The Clerk had circulated the Accounts for Quarter two prior to the meeting. N0 issues were raised. The following budget report was presented:
Payments:
The Memorial Hall Rent has been suspended this year, so no payment due.
LALC Annual Subscription in the sum of £458 paid.
Office Costs at the end of Q2 stand at £158 against a budget of £515
Donations/grants- none made
Insurance- Paid but £20 outside budget
Audit fees- £120 paid to Malcolm Hall and £240 to External Auditors total £340 against budget of £415
Training Fees none to date but a website refresher course has been attended and two new Councillor Courses have been attended, costing a total of £150. This will take this over the budget of £100.
Expenses to date total £568 against a budget of £700 for the year.
Grass and Verge Cutting costs are running within budget but an additional grass cut may be needed at Hill Top but depends on weather.
S137 – No expenditure
Staff salaries total £3075 to date against an annual budget of £8000.
Receipts:
Burial fees received to date are well below budget only £200 against a budget of £1000.
Virgin Money Deposit Account Interest earned to date is £43 which is In excess of budget at £35.00 but rates have dramatically reduced since the switch to Virgin money and whereas we were receiving £10 a month, the latest monthly interest is only £3.74!
The Half Year Precept from SKDC in the sum of £14,418 was received on the 18th October.
Bank Balances as at the 30.09.21 were:-
Current Account £1112.69
Expenses Account £9.04
Deposit Account £8997.01
95 Day Notice Deposit Account £30.309.50
Going forward we have some projects which hopefully will complete before the end of the Financial Year and will need paying for ie the bench for the Pond and also the swinging signs for which £3500 has been set aside in the budget.
b) Budget Setting
The Vice Chairman presented a request from the Chairman for a contribution to be made towards the proposed new Puffin Crossing for the village in the sum of £10,000. This proposal was discussed and Cllr. Maughan advised the whole project would cost in the region of £100,000 and any contribution from the Parish Council would show support for the scheme. A vote was held and it was unanimously agreed that the £10,000 contribution would be made available when requested but the likely time scale is three years. The Clerk was requested to write a letter to LCC confirming the contribution.
The proposed budget was present but questions were raised with regard to price increases in contractors quote. The Clerk was requested to speak to contractors to justify the price increases which are not in line with the cost of living rises. The clerk agreed to do this. No decision were made on the Budget. To be re-discussed.
c) Accounts for Payment
The following Accounts were presented for payment and duly authorised. Proposed by Cllr. Davey and seconded by Cllr. Mavros.
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT NOVEMBER 2021
07.09.21 BDG Mowing 2 x Grass Cuts 178.00
09.09.21 Post Office 2nd Class stamps x 12 7.92
13.09.21 Royal British Legion Poppy Wreath 21.98
27.09.21 Anthony Jackson Put up planters, paint lamp post and touch up paintwork on gates at Hill Top Cemetery 180.00
27.09.21 Staff Salaries September salaries and computer 551.73
28.09.21 Mrs E Lockwood Water for Cleaning Pond Area 20.00
04.10.21 Ad:vantage Digital Ltd Deposit for Outdoor Cinema 613.86
07.10. 21 EnvironmentSK Verge Cutting - September 345.10
07.10.21 PWLB Half Year Loan Repayment 4,923.67
07.10.21 BDG Mowing 1 x Grass Cutt St Sebastian's and 1 x Grass Cut Hill Top Cemetery 178.00
07.10.21 Eon Electric for Hill Top Cemetery 77.43
11.10.21 HM Revenue & Customs Tax Payment 401.00
12.10.21 Freshview Window Cleaning Services Cleaning paving at Pond Area 200.00
13.10.21 MKM BS Grantham Sand for Pond Area 74.16
20.10.21 Streetmaster Picnic Bench for Field and Carriage 1,156.80
26.10.21 Anthony Jackson Supply, fit and paint 21 white posts. Supply chaing and fit to posts in fron of St Sebastian's. 1,152.00
27.10.21 Staff Salaries October salaries and computer 551.53
RECEIPTS
07.09.21 G H Linnell Additional Inscription Plot J 9 - Critchley 100.00
16.09.21 LCC Refund for Verge Cutting 1,052.47
16.09.21 Virgin Money Cash Back Rebate 0.20
30.09.21 Virgin Money Deposit Account Interest 0.27
30.09.21 Virgin Money 95 Day Deposit Interest 3.74
18.10.21 SKDC Half Year Precept 14,418.00
d) Acceptance of quotes for Grass, hedge cutting and weed spraying
This matter was deferred until Clerk has spoken to Contractors regarding price increases.
e) Budget Loan Repayments
These remain unchanged.
11. Advisory Groups
a) Planning : The following Planning applications were received from SKDC
APPLICATIONS
S21/1866
Ben Pearson
47 High Street, Great Gonerby
Extension of Entrance Hall into existing Front Porch
S21/1879
Mr Brian Murphy
Sutton Lodge, 20 Green Street, Great Gonerby
Willow tree (“W”) – Pollard. Scots Pine (“SP”) – Target Prune. Horse Chestnut (“HC”) – Reshape and Prune. Sycamore (“S”) – Pollard and reduce by 50%. Sweet Chestnut (“SC”) Reshape. Acer (“A”) Reduce and reshape.
S21/1018
Land at Gonerby Moor, Great Gonerby
Installation and operation of a Solar Farm together with all associated works, equipment and necessary infrastructure
Notice of Public Speaking on 28th October.
S21/2090
Mr M Thomas
36 Long Street, Great Gonerby
Proposed single storey extension
S21/2091
Mr M Thomas
36 Long Street, Great Gonerby
Proposed single storey extension – listed building consent.
APPROVED
S21/1344
Miss H White
College Farm, Old Great North Road
Erection of 1 x Free standing double sided illuminated pole sign
County Matter - PL/0080/21
Land at A1 Gonerby Moor, Old Great North Road, Great Gonerby
Change of use of land to skip hire operation
S21/1491
Mr A Johnson
41 Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Erection of outbuilding to rear of dwelling
S21/1624
Mr Brian Murphy
L1, L2 & L3 – To cut down/heavily prune to re-form a 12 ft hedge.
L9 & H – Leylandii and Holly Tree. To cut down and heavily prune both of them to form a 12 – 14ft hedge.
L4, L5, L6, L7, L8 – Leylandii – to remove.
S21/1561
Mr L Collins
35 Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Rear single storey extension, double storey side extension, new driveway, detached Garage
S21/1904
Kate Draper
54 Green Street, Great Gonerby
Non material amendments to permission s21/0881 to amend approved plans to add additional ground floor window.
S21/1557
Certificate of Lawful Use or Development
Pearl Law
20 Woffindin Close, Great Gonerby - Single storey rear extension
b) The Environment
NoIssues raised.
c) Amenity Areas including Christmas Tree light dates and electricity payment for lights
It was agreed the Christmas tree would be in situ between 5th December and 5th January and a payment of £35 would be made in respect of the electricity.
d) Highway Matters
The Vice Chairman the bus shelter in Kelham road was due a good clean and this is being arranged,
Cllr. Chritchley enquired if it possible to close the High Street. Cllr. Maughan advised a request would have to be submitted to LCC Highways.
e) Village Social Committee – Village Event for 2022.
Cllr Davey requested the Parish Council to fund the cost of the proposed cinema for the Picnic in the Park Event to be held for the Queen’s Jubilee in June 2022. After a discussion a vote was held. Five Councillors were in favour of funding the event with one abstention.
This was proposed by Cllr. Critchley and seconded by Cllr. Mavros.
12. Website Update
The clerk advised she had attended a LALC refresher course and will do her best to maintain the website going forward.
13. Notice of motions for future Meetings
None
14. Any Matters for urgent discussion.
None
15. Staff Matters – To review employment contracts and Salaries.
Please refer to separate confidential report.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.50.