January 2022 Minutes
GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 12th January at 7.30
at the Memorial Hall, Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Present: Cllr. B Hutchinson (Chairman), Cllr. H Fletcher (Vice Chairman), Cllr. T Bridle, Cllr. T Critchley, Cllr. J Critchley, Cllr K Davey, Cllr. A Mavros, Cllr. M Neal
The Chairman welcomed four members of the public to the meeting.
A villager attended the meeting to give details of a planning application which had been submitted to SKDC and would involve upgrading alterations to a public footpath including the removal of a stile and gate but assured the meeting the alterations would be in keeping with the present layout. No objections were raised.
1. Apologies for Absence: Cllr. Plant – unwell
Cllr. Davey-Dunderdale – Family commitments
Cllr A Maughan (LCC) – Work Commitments
Cllr. Stokes did not attend.
2. Declarations of Interest/Dispensations
None.
3. Minutes signed from Previous Meeting
The Minutes were duly signed as a true record. Proposed by Cllr. J Critchley, Seconded by Cllr.M Neal
4. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Correspondence:
Cllr. A Maughan (LCC) being unable to attend the meeting submitted the following report:-
Similar to the Parish Council LCC is setting the budget for 2022/23 financial year. The draft budget was approved by the executive last week and now subject to a public consultation and scrutiny from Councillors, before being voted on by the Full Council in February.
Key budget headlines:
• LCC will spend £534 million on delivering services across Lincolnshire next year. More than half of Council funding is spent on delivering adult care and children's services, supporting the vulnerable in our county.
• In addition to the revenue budget there is capital programme worth £113 million in 2022/23 and £268 million in future years. The programme includes projects like Grantham bypass, County flood schemes (including Long Bennington) and North Hykeham Relief Road. Funding for capital projects mostly comes from S106 developer contributions, grant income from government and council borrowing.
• We are proposing a balanced budget which means there will be no requirement next year to take money from reserves. However, deposits Rishi Sunak announcing a 3 year spending review, the government has only given a funding settlement to councils for one year, so the medium term financial plan remains uncertain. The current projections expect a draw down on reserves of £23 million the years after (being a 50% reduction of the finance volatility reserve).
• To balance the budget we are proposing a council tax increase of 3% on the adult social care precept, to help fund cost pressures in this area.
• The budget includes cost pressures of £42 million. These cost pressures relate mostly to the increases in the living wage and national insurance contributions from April, which the council will need to pay to its staff and contractors. £8 million of this will be funded through additional income and making savings such as smarter working.
• In 2020/21 the Department for Transport cut our allocated highways maintenance grant by £12 million (25%). This is the portion of road tax that we receive from Government to maintain local roads. We funded this shortfall from reserves in the current year, with some additional money to support extra road resurfacing in rural areas too. However we cannot continue to fund recurring costs from diminishing reserves.
We are calling on the Government and our Lincolnshire MPs to support our campaign to fix this roads funding gap. If they do not, we face a very difficult decision with regard to future road maintenance funding in Lincolnshire.
A discussion followed regarding the A1 crossover, it is believe that the local MP has now taken this up.
Email received from SKDC with regard to the Queen Green Canopy Project which is to create a lasting legacy to remind future generations of Her Majesty’s 70 year reign by planting trees.
Email correspondence between Cllr. Maughan and a villager with regard to nuisance parking in Marratt’s Lane. The matter is now resolved.
Copy correspondence from Cllr. Maughan to Baroness Vere with regard to A1 safety
Email correspondence from Eon with regard to the change of suppliers. Npower has been appointed the new supplier of electric at Hill Top.
Update of Electoral Roll from SKDC
Correspondence received from SKDC with regard to Flood Prevention
Correspondence from “Lives” requesting a donation. Not agreed.
Email from LCC Town and Parishes requesting support to their Fix our roads campaign
Email from SKDC with regard to Communal Grants and confirming only one application can be submitted. A discussion followed with regard to a request received from the Memorial Hall Trustee for funding for a new Zip wire for the village. The Clerk has been trying to encourage the Chairman of the Village Hall to apply for funding for the project but he is reluctant at present to do so. The Secretary of the Memorial Hall being in attendance at the meeting agreed to have another word with the Chairman about the matter. Cllr. Hutchinson has agreed to meet with Mr Skellern to discuss the matter further and work together to resolve the issue.
6. Clerk and Members to report back on matters outstanding
a) Pond Bench – The Chairman advised the meeting that a quotation had been received in the sum of £3,300. There is £1500 in the budget but with the help of the Community Grant awarded from SKDC in the sum of £2000 the costings will be accounted for. It was unanimously agreed to accept the quotation from Roll and Scroll and move forward with the project.
b) Village Hanging Signs – The Chairman reminded the meeting that it had not been possible to move forward with the white gates project and the idea now is to have three hanging signs, one for each entrance to the village. A quotation from Roll and Scroll for the three signs has been received in the sum of £2160. This figure is within the agreed budget for 2021/22 and it was again unanimously agreed to accept the quotation.
c) Party in the Park – Cllr. Davey advised that everything is under control. SKDC are to be approached for an Entertainment Licence for the event. Police will also be notified of the event nearer to the date.
7. Vice Chairman’s Report
Following confusion at the last meeting with regard the formation of a quorum, Cllr. Fletcher advised the meeting that a minimum of four Great Gonerby Parish Councillors need to be present at any one meeting.
Cllr. Fletcher confirmed that LCC had cut back the hedge on Grantham Hill and the area was now looking much better. Going forward the Parish Council have taken on responsibility for the maintenance of the area.
LCC also want to cut back the hedge on the opposite side of the road but this will entail traffic control.
The Bus shelter in Kelham Road has had it annual clean but no longer cleans up well, and it was suggested to make allowance for a replace shelter in next year’s budget.
The Bus shelter on Grantham Road is also showing signs of needing attention to the wood and again this will be considered when setting the budget for 2023/24.
The white posts on the village green are now all in situ.
It was reported that the books in the Bus Shelter library are fine for the present time, Cllr. Fletcher has said that he can store them should they start to get damp during the winter.
8. Poor Land Update – The Chairman advised that he has been trying to make contact with Brown & Co to establish whether or not Notice was served on the tenant at the end of December and to get an update on the current position.
9. Financial Matters
a) Quarterly summary of accounts & budget report up to 31st December
The Clerk was pleased to report the Parish Council’s Accounts balanced at the end of Quarter 3.
Bank Balances:
Current Account: £560.50
Expenses Account: £21.00
Deposit Account: £13,297.30
95 Day Deposit Account: £30,320.96
The Chairman reconciled the balances with the Bank statements.
The Clerk advised the Budget for 2021/22 has worked well.
Grass cutting and verge mowing expenses are within the planned budget. We have yet to receive the invoice for hedge trimming from EnvironmentSK . The actual spend so far is £6387 against a budget of £6860.
General Admin costs which cover Office costs, Subscriptions, Insurance, Audit Fees, Training, Expenses and Loan repayments, again are within the budget standing at £15,815 against a budget of £17,253
b) Accounts for Payment
The Clerk presented the following accounts for payment:-
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
05.11.21 77 Anthony Jackson Install picnic bench next to Millennium Wood 140.00
05.11.21 78 Wickes Dustbin for water re planters High Street 6.00
05.11.21 79 Wickes Patio Magic for Pond Area 18.00
08.11.21 80 BDG Mowing 1 x Grass Cutting Hill Top, 1 x Weed Spraying Hill Top, 1 x Grass Cutting St Sebastian’s 1 x Weed Spraying St Sebastian’s 212.00
08.11.21 81 LALC New Councillor Training Course 27.00
08.11.21 82 EXP MKM BS Grantham Sand for Pond Area 74.16
12.11.21 83 EXP Oldrids & Downtown Christmas Cards and Christmas Gift for Cleaner 40.48
22.11.21 84 041 Andy Garrett George Cross Flags 9.00
27.11.21 Staff Salaries November salaries and computer 551.73
01.12.21 85 LALC New Councillor Training Course 27.00
01.12.21 86 LALC Web Site Training 27.00
24.12.21 87 EON Electric for Hill Top Cemetery 56.27
24.12.21 88 Staff Salaries December salaries and computer 551.73
24.12.21 89 Tony Jackson Replacing rotten white posts and taking down planters on High Street 80.00
RECEIPTS
29.10.21 Virgin Money 95 Day Deposit Interest 3.86
05.11.21 J R Thompson Refund for Faulty Water Pump (JT refunded PC £55.95 = £79.95 less £24 for Wickes purchases) 79.95
05.11.21 Virgin Money Cashback Expenses Account 0.10
15.11.21 Virgin Money Cashback Expenses Account 0.26
30.11.21 SKDC Community Cleaner Grant 694.98
30.11.21 Virgin Money 95 Day Deposit 3.74
02.12.21 Virgin Money Cash Advance Expenses Account 0.40
31.12.21 Virgin Money Deposit Account interest 0.29
31.12.21 Virgin Money 95 Day Deposit Interest 3.86
Payments unanimously agreed.
The Clerk presented a mileage claim in the sub of £45.90 covering July to December 2021. Payment was agreed.
c) Agree Budget for 2022/23
The Clerk presented quotations for grass cutting, verge cutting and hedge trimming to the Councillors for consideration.
The Councillors agreed to accept quotations from BDG Mowing for grass cutting and weed control at both St Sebastian’s and Hill Top Cemeteries and following a proposal, which was unanimously endorsed, BDG Mowing’s quotation to cut the village verges and the verge to Grantham Hill footpath seven times a year was also agreed..
The quotation received from EnviornmentSK for hedge trimming in the village was agreed.
A quotation from Power Shift to clean the Pond area twice a year was accepted
The acceptance of the quotations was proposed by Cllr Fletcher and Seconded by Cllr. Neal.
Budget for 2022/23
The Party in the Park Expenses have been agreed as follows:-
Cinema £1850 (all ex VAT)
Travel Expenses £ 198
Extra Screen Time and Overnight expenses £ 350
Total for Cinema £2398
Film License £ 500 - MAX
SKDC Event Licence £ 25
Generator £ 400 - MAX
St Johns First Aid £ 180
It is proposed these costs will be met from the Parish Council reserves. This proposal was unanimously agreed by all Councillors. The Social Committee were reminded of the need to work within the agreed budget.
The Clerk advised that she has allowed a spend £1250 for Burial Grounds maintenance as she is aware there is some remedial work needed at St Sebastian’s churchyard and is waiting for a report from Linnell’s in this respect. There is also an allowance of £1000 for general maintenance. The village clock reserves were depleted this year after repair works so an amount of £1500 has been included in the Budget in case further repairs are necessary.
The Budget was agreed and a Precept request in the sum of £28,386 was signed by the Chairman.
10. Advisory Groups:
a) Planning
APPLICATIONS
S21/1804
Mr G Thomas
36 Long Street, Great Gonerby
Listed Building Consent for the replacement of failing ceiling beam
S21/2272
Dr and Mrs Miles Langdon
61 Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Outline application (with matters reserved for appearance and landscaping) for the erection of one dwelling and associated access.
S21/2292
Mr and Mrs Woodford
40 Long Street, Great Gonerby
Erection of outbuilding to accommodate Pool and Home Gym
S21/1827
Mr R Harris
20 High Street, Great Gonerby
Conversion of barns into 2 self-contained dwelling (4bed and 3 bed)
APPROVED
S21/1833
Mr P Corner
Moto Service Area, Old Great North Road, Great Gonerby
Submission of details pursuant to Conditions 3 (surface water drainage, 5 (Landscaping of S20.1485 (Expansion of HGV parking to form an additional 40 spaces in two areas of undeveloped site)
S21/1879
Mr B Murphy
Sutton Lodge, 20 Green Street, Great Gonerby
Various tree works
S21/1866
Mr B Pearson
47 High Street Great Gonerby
Extension of Entrance Hall into existing Front Porch
S21/2090
Mr M Thomas
36 Long Street
Proposed single storey rear extension
S21/2091
Mr M Thomas
36 Long Street
Proposed single rear extension
S21/1804
Mr G Thomas
36 Long Street, Great Gonerby
Listed building consent for the replacement of failing ceiling beam.
S21/2292
Mr and Mrs Woodford
40 Long Street, Great Gonerby
Erection of outbuilding to accommodate Pool and Home Gym
S21/2403
Mr and Mrs R Setchfield
36 Grantham Road, Great Gonerby
Erection of single storey front extension and single storey rear extension.
b) The Environment
Cllr. T Critchley advised that the driveway to Hill Top Cemetery is in need of attention. He is going to inspect the area and advise the best way forward with regard to maintenance.
c) Amenity Areas
Review of Burial Ground Fees – this matter has been held over as necessary paperwork was not available at the meeting. Councillors to be consulted by email.
d) Highways
A Pothole on the High Street needs to be reported to Fix My Street. The Clerk agreed to do this and also to report running water in the same area at the same time.
11. Staffing Matter – Set Appraisal dates for February
The Chairman advised that he would contact the members of staff directly.
12. Notice of motions for future Meetings
An update on the current position with regard to the provision of a school bell tower was requested. The Clerk was requested to contact Jeff Thompson to find out the up to date position.
14. Any Matters for urgent discussion.
None
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.10
GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL QUARTERLY SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS 31.12.21
Balance B/F £0.00 Payments £30,636.68
Receipts £74,756.44 Balance C/F £44,119.76
Total £74,756.44 Total £74,756.44
Balance C/F as per Bank Statements: Uncleared Cheques Amount : A Jackson £80.00
Current Acc. £560.50
- Uncleared Cheques £80.00
+ Uncleared Payments £0.00
Total Current Acc. £480.50
Deposit Account £13,297.30
Expenses Account £21.00 Total £80.00
95 Day Deposit Account £30,320.96
Uncleared Payments Amount
Balance C/F £44,119.76