February 2022 Minutes
GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 16th February 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 M Davey-Dunderdale, Cllr. A Mavros, Cllr. M Neal,
The Chairman welcomed four members of the public to the meeting.
1. Apologies for Absence: Cllr. Plant – unwell
2. Declarations of Interest/Dispensations
None.
3. Update on School Bell Tower Project
Mr Thompson advised the meeting of the history of the proposed plan to restore the School’s Bell Tower but having encountered difficulties with planning permission and also the contractor passing away the project was not taken forward.
Mr Thompson advised that the project would have to start from scratch again as unfortunately files relating to the project had been destroyed. Mr Thompson advised that he is in possession of the bell.
A lengthy discussion took place with regard to costings and it was agreed to carry out a feasibility study for inclusion in next year’s budget.
4. Minutes signed from Previous Meeting
The Minutes were duly signed as a true record. Proposed by Cllr. J Critchley, Seconded by Cllr.M Neal
5. Clerk and Members to Report Back on Matter Outstanding
The Chairman advised there had been no progress made with the Pond Bench and that designs were still awaited from Roll and Scroll.
The Chairman advised of the same delay for the proposed hanging signs, however, LCC have agreed to the proposed sites for the signs. However it is necessary to obtain Planning permission from SKDC. An application will be submitted as soon as designs are received.
The Confidential Report from November’s Meeting was signed by the Vice Chairman.
6. Correspondence:
The Chairman read out an email he and the Vice Chairman had received from the Clerk with regard to a request from St Sebastian’s Church for one of their Churchgoers of over 50 years to be allowed to be buried at Hill Top Cemetery even though they resided outside the Civil Parish of Great Gonerby.
A lengthy discussion took place and even though it was considered a reasonable request it could not be approved as it would set a precedence for the future.
An email received from a parishioner with regard to leaves on the pavement in the High Street. LCC have been advised and requested to clean up the area.
Updated Electoral Register received from SKDC
Email correspondence received from parishioner requesting to be involved with the Lockdown Pond Bench project as she has two photo books to present to the village when the bench is installed.
Email correspondence from the Longhurst Group to advise that LCC have informed them that it is no longer necessary for stiles on footpaths unless there is live stock in the fields.
Email correspondence from LALC with regard to Annual Training Scheme, it was decided to pay for training as and when required.
Email correspondence received from SKDC with regard to virtual meetings confirming there is no provision for Parish Councils to make decisions without holding in person meetings which are quorate.
Email correspondence from LALC confirming Annual Subscription will be £466.68 for the next financial year.
Email correspondence received from a villager regarding report of an apparently abandoned car and the police advising that there was nothing they could do to help. Clerk requested to forward the email to the village liaison officer for comment.
7. Vice Chairman’s Report
The Vice Chairman thanked Cllr. A Critchely for filling the potholes on the driveway to the cemetery, however, it was agreed to purchase some gravel to prevent potholes re-appearing.
The Vice Chairman and Clerk met with EnvironmentSK at St Sebastian’s churchyard as hedge cutting had not been carried out in line with quotation.
The contract with EnvironmentSK is only for trimming fresh growth which means the hedge is getting out of shape. EnvironmentSK are going to provide a quote for a one off cut of old wood and brambles etc.
EnvironmentSK were also consulted with regard to the cherry tree stump and the roots encroaching into a grave plot. The stump has now been treated with poison to try and kill the roots. Tony Jackson has also agreed to carry out an exploratory dig of the roots encroaching into a grave but if he is unable to remove them, then we will have to ask for the services of a professional company to carry out the work.
The Chairman advised that SKDC should be approached with regard to the number of overgrown brambles in the churchyard and maintenance required to their hedge.
The Vice Chairman advised that the Bus shelter on Grantham Road would have remedial works carried out in the sum of £91, however, a new shelter will be needed and it was requested that the cost of this is included in the Budget for 2023/24.
The Vice Chairman advised that the Poor Land Fence butting up onto the road had fallen down. The Chairman said he would inspect and report back.
8. Queen’s Jubilee
a) Update on Party in the Park
Cllr. Davey advised all arrangements were well in hand and on track but expressed concerns with regard to licences and insurance should numbers exceed 500. A discussion took place and it was thought that additional costs for insurance etc would not be necessary. This was unanimously agreed. A meeting is planned with volunteers to run through the Event Management Plan.
b) Jubilee Gift for Children of the Village
The Chairman advised of costings for different gifts for the children of the village and following a lengthy discussion it was proposed that all the children at St Sebastian’s School be presented with a jubilee gift at school. Other children from the village between the ages of 4 and 11 who go to different schools will be able to collect a gift, location to be confirmed via Facebook.
It was unanimously agreed that a budget of £1000 would be made available to purchase the gifts.
The Clerk was requested to email the Councillors with the different options for the gift.
c) Jubilee Bench
A proposal was put forward for the Council to purchase a Jubilee Bench. This was unanimously agreed with the proposal that it is placed where SKDC’s old bench is sited between Cox’s Walk and Church Path. The cost of the bench to come from Parish Council reserves.
9. Financial Matters
The Clerk advised financially not a lot had changed since January meeting apart from receipts totalling £1400, mostly burial and memorial income.
The end of the Financial Year is approaching and the Clerk is confident the budget for the year has worked out according to plan and forecast there would be a small amount left (approximately £1000)
a) Accounts for Payment
The Clerk presented the following accounts for payment:-
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
10.01.22 90 James Brierley Christmas Tree Light Payment 35.00
10.01.22 91 nPower Electric for Hill Top (December) 45.00
10.01.22 92 EXP The Flag Shop Queen Jubilee Flag 9.95
12.01.22 93 Clean my Windows Ltd Kelham Road Bus Shelter Clean 25.00
12.01.22 94 J Walker Mileage July 21 to December 21 45.90
14.01.22 95 HMRC Quarterly Tax Payment 401.00
27.01.22 96 Staff Salaries January salaries and computer 551.53
28.01.22 97 Manning, Spalding (Paid Cash) Daffodils bulbs for Pond Planters 17.00
RECEIPTS
31.01.22 Virgin Money 95 Day Deposit Interest 3.86
21.01.22 David Holland Memorial R Beck Plot 1X 130.00
01.02.22 Memorial Hall Party in Park Donation 450.00
08.02.22 Robert Holland Wright Purchase of Plot 2X and Interment 820.00
The above payments were all agreed proposed by Cllr. Fletcher and seconded by Cllr. A Critchley
b) Regular Payments Authorisation Form
The form was duly signed by the Chairman
c) Bank Transfer Payments From
The form was duly signed by the Chairman
10. Advisory Groups:
a) Planning
APPLICATIONS
S22/0009
Mr D Lehair
9 Newark Hill, Great Gonerby
Change of use of farm building to dwelling and erection of a detached garage.
S21/0873
McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd
Land at Downtown, Gonerby Moor
Erection of a freestanding single storey restaurant with drive thru facility, car parking, landscaping and associated works, including Customer Order Displays, Goal Post Height Restrictor and Play Frame.
GRANTED
S22/0014
G Thomas
36 Long Street,
Great Gonerby
Approval of details required by Condition 3 (materials) of S21/1804 – Oak Beam details.
S21/0174
Mr M Mann
Land to the North of Longcliffe Road and South of Belton Lane
Submission for approval of reserved matters
b) The Environment
Following the removal of the dead cherry tree the Parish Council have agreed to replace it as it was a memorial tree. The Clerk was requested to contact the owner of the original tree to seek approval for a new tree to be planted. Quotes have been received in the sum of £360.
Poor Land Fence will be investigated. The Chairman advised that he had again been chasing with regard to the serving of the tenancy notice but no reply had been forthcoming.
Mr Thompson up dated the meeting with regard to the missing section of Footpath No 4 and the dispute with LCC. Mr Thompson advised that the Ramblers Association had now become involved with the dispute with LCC, which had been welcomed.
c) Highways
No matter reported.
11. Notice of motions for future Meetings
The Clerk advised that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held at the Memorial Hall on Wednesday 11th May at 19:15. The meeting would be advertised on Facebook and the Notice Board.
14. Any Matters for urgent discussion.
The Chairman advised the meeting that Cllr. Stokes had been disqualified as a Councillor due to non-attendance for the last six months. The vacancy would be confirmed to SKDC and advertised.
It was advised that there is a still a sign in Marratts Lane indicating that it leads to the Memorial Hall. The sign needs to be removed.
A discussion also took place with regard to a crack in the low wall to the right of the path leading from Marratts Lane Covill Close. The Clerk was requested to report this.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.20