November 2022 Minutes
GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 9th November 2022
At the Memorial Hall, Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Present: Cllr. Hutchinson Chairman, Cllr. H Fletcher Vice Chairman, Cllr. T Bridle, Cllr T Critchley, Cllr. C Cundall, Cllr. K Davey, Cllr. M Davey Dunerdale and Cllr. M Neal.
There were three members of the public in attendance at the meeting.
Following an email from a member of the village and comments on Facebook with regard to parking problems encountered in Covill Close due to large numbers attending the annual village fireworks and bonfire, Cllr. Critchley had arranged for two of the organisers to be present at the meeting.
The Chairman advised the Parish Council are not in any way responsible for the event and have no control over bad parking. It was acknowledge the situation was difficult to control.
It was acknowledged that the organisers go to a lot of trouble when organising the event with parking restrictions being in place on Belton Lane. Many of the crowd problems arise due to people standing in the vicinity and not entering the field and paying to attend.
It was agreed the bonfire would be moved next year so that crowds do not gather on the access lane and car park of Hill Top Cemetery.
The organised had advised nearby residents in Belton Lane of the event and were of the opinion that large highway notices approaching the village would make villagers aware of the event and the likely numbers to attend and resulting parking problems.
The Clerk was requested to contact villager as the organisers would like to speak to him direct.
The ongoing annoyance of dog fouling on pavements was discussed having been raised by an attendee. The clerk advised that the matter was in hands with SKDC Neighbourhoods Team and they are going to patrol the village on a more regular basis to try and catch the perpetrator.
1. Apologies for Absence: Cllr. A Mavros – Work Commitments
Cllr. A Maughan (LCC)
Cllr. K Rice-Oxley (SKDC)
The Chairman advised that Rob Plant had resigned as a Councillor and therefore there was another Councillor vacancy to fill which would be filled at the January meeting unless an election was called.
2. Co-option of a New Councillor
The Chairman explained the new co-option process which had been adopted following the amendment to the Standing orders to the three candidates. Each candidate was invited to introduce themselves to the Parish Council.
Following the introductions voting took place with one candidate eliminated in the first round. The Councillors then voted again for the two remaining candidates the result of which was that Emma Austen was confirmed as the new Councillor for the vacancy created by Jenny Critchley’s resignation.
3. Declarations of Interest/Dispensations
Cllr C Cundall – Planning Application S22/1529
Cllr T Critchley – Planning Application No. S22/2155
4. Minutes signed from previous meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 5th October 2022 were duly agreed and accepted as a true record. Proposed by Cllr. Fletcher and seconded by Cllr. Neal.
5. Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
The Chairman reported back to the Council following a meeting with SKDC to discuss proposals for a Town Council. The main issues are proposed boundary changes which in Great Gonerby’s case are fairly sensible. The only changes proposed are the properties to the North of Pennine Way would become part of the Town Council rather than the Parish Council. Properties in this area will be receiving a consultation in the near future. Negotiations are at present on going with nothing definite.
Fix My Street advised that the hedge in Pond Street will be cut
Further confirmation from LALC received to the effect that the Parish Council are not allowed to go ahead with the restoration of the bell tower.
6. Official Correspondence & Circulation
Email received from villager with regard to Footpath 4 and request for Parish Council to appoint the Ramblers Association as their Agent to try and get the footpath opened back up. This has been agreed.
Email from SKDC with regard to Cost of Living help for residents. An on line hub has been created at http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/costofliving which is full of useful information.
Advice from SKDC with regard to payment of the Community Cleaner Grant and advising the Grant will no longer be linked to the National Living Wage and will continue to be paid at the current rate until further notice.
Email from SKDC advising the Local Development Scheme had been delayed.
Email from Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire regarding the cost of living crisis and asking for donations. It was agreed to continue with the Parish Council’s policy not to make donations.
Email from Malcolm Hall confirming agreement to continue at Internal Auditor.
Email from Parishioner re the state of Belvoir Gardens’ footpath. The Clerk was requested to ask Cllr. Maughan to assist in getting the matter resolved.
Email from SKDC advising Parish Council’s application for a Community Grant towards the cost of the new village signs has been rejected
Email from Centrebus with regard to Route 14 changes which has meant there are only two buses down Kelham Road each day. The Clerk has been trying to ascertain why the timetable has been changed with no success.
Clerks & Councils Direct was circulated.
7. Dates of Meeting for 2023
The Clerk confirmed the dates of meetings next year will be on the third Monday of January, March, May, July, September and November.
8. Review Disciplinary & Grievance Procedure, Freedom of Information Scheme, Data Protection, Complaints Procedures, Communication Protocol, & Code of Conduct and Media Policy, Accessibility Statement for Website
The above Procedures were reviewed and agreed as no changes had been notified.
9. Poor Land Update
The Chairman advised Browns have now made contact confirming that Notice to the Tenant will be served by the end of the year. The Chairman and Mr Herbert will be liaising to arrange a site visit together.
10. Financial Matters
a) Quarterly Summary of Accounts up to 30th September 2022 and Budget Report to Date
The Clerk produced the following Budget Report to the Councillors:-
At the end of Quarter 2 I am pleased to report the Bank balances were all reconciled with the accounts.
Bank Balances as the end of Quarter 2 were:-
Current Account £1134.13
Expenses Account £86.08
Deposit Account £9184.93
95 Day Deposit Account £30,500.39
30 Day Notice Deposit Account (Social Committee) £2289.07
Turning to the budget forecast the Clerk reported as follows:-
The Party in the Park donation of £3200 was agreed to come from reserves and this will be accounted likewise at the end of the year.
The overall costs of Hall Rent, Office Costs, Subscriptions, Insurance, Audit Fess, Training, Expenses and “Other” Expenses total £11,791 to the end of the Quarter 2 against the forecast annual budget of £23,551. Obviously these expenses are a little in excess of what they should be at this stage but I am hopeful the next two quarter costs will be kept within the forecast budget.
Turning to the cost of grass cutting at the two cemeteries – These costs are in excess of budget as the Contractors have cut the grass twice a month instead of just once. This has meant an over budget spend of £611. However, this has meant the Parish Council have not received any complaints this year. The overspend was unanimously agreed after a discussion.
The cost of the verge cutting is within budget as are maintenance costs (excluding grass cutting) of the burial grounds.
Staff salaries are slightly in excess of budget, costs to date £4211 against the annual budget of £8000.
The costs of the Lockdown Bench (£3,300) and the Village signs (£2,160) will mean there may be an overall excess spend this year but this has already been reported and agreed at the July meeting.
The one extra spend we have made is for the Jubilee Bench which totalled £1,375 and this was not included in the annual budget.
b) Budget Setting
The Clerk produced a draft budget and explanation for2023/24 as follows
I have not allowed for any increase in the budget for room rental at the Memorial Hall as this was over stated in 2022/23.
The Chairman of the Memorial Hall Trustees has requested an annual donation of £2000 from the Parish Council to go towards up keep costs. Following a lengthy discussion this request was refused.
The Clerk had prepared a spreadsheet of the various quotations received in respect of grass, verge, hedge trimming and Pond Area cleaning which was distributed to all Councillors. There are huge differences in quotations but all contractors have been given the same remit as to what is required. Can the Councillors please agree to contractors cutting the grass at the two cemeteries twice a month going forward instead of just once as has been the case previously to this year.
LALC have advised of a 4% increase in the cost of membership next year. We paid £466 this year so there will be an increase of £19 to £485.
It has been agreed that the bus shelter on Grantham Road needs to be replaced and the cost to be included in the budget. The Clerk has received quotations as follows:-
The Shed Man £5700 (Wooden)
Woodscape £11,402 (Wooden)
Littlehorpe £10,142 (wooden)
Shelter Store £3755 (Perspex)
NP Builders £7284 (brick)
Following a discussion it was agreed to set aside £1500 for ongoing maintenance next year of the bus shelter and budget to allocate money from the Solar Farm payment when received. Any shortfall will be met from reserves. This was proposed by Cllr. Cundall and seconded by The Chairman.
The War Memorial will need cleaning in 2023 but there is £1500 in reserves for this, the Clerk proposes no provision is made in next year’s budget for War Memorial.
There will be election costs to meet next year, we have £3450 in reserves and I have allowed for a further £750 in the budget which should easily cover the costs.
The Chairman presented a request for help towards the cost of installing replacement rubber tiles in the Memorial Hall playground. Vaculug have agreed to meet the cost of the replacement rubber tiles but fitting expenses come to £7800. Vaculug have kindly agreed to pay one third in the sum of £2600 and suggested that the remaining £5200 is split between the Parish Council and Memorial Hall. A lengthy discussion took place with the result it was not agreed the Parish council would meet the one third cost. As it was thought the memorial Hall had plenty of funds in reserves to meet this cost themselves.
c) Accounts for Payment
The following Accounts were presented for payment.
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
23.09.22 Andy Garrett Union Flag £ 8.00
27.09.22 Staff Salaries September staff salaries and computer 563.02
27.09.22 Royal British Legion Wreath for Remembrance Sunday 16.00
30.09.22 Post Office 2nd Class Stamps x 16 10.88
30.09.22 Oldrids & Downtown Bulbs and compost for Charlie's planters 20.96
03.10.22 Roll & Scroll Bespoke Horseshoe Lockdown Bench 3,300.00
03.10.22 HM Revenue & Customs Tax Payment 409.40
04.10.22 Anthony Jackson Various Maintenance in Village 120.00
05.10.22 Rymans 2 x Copy Paper 14.38
06.10.22 BDG Mowing 2 x Grass Cuts 1 x Village verges 571.00
07.10.22 E J Walker Mileage for July to September 33.30
07.10.22 PWLB Loan Repayment 4,923.67
10.10.22 nPower Hill Top Electric July to September 91.32
13.10.22 Power Shift Cleaning Service Pressure Wash to Pond Area and replacing sand 169.96
RECEIPTS
05.09.22 Mrs L White Purchase of Plot 3C 265.00
07.09.22 Virgin Money Cashback on Expenses Account 0.06
15.09.22 Mrs S Colman Interment Fees for Mrs Parnham Plot 5L at St Sebastian's 113.00
30.09.22 Virgin Money Interest on Money Management Account 7.62
30.09.22 Virgin Money Interest on 95 Day Deposit Account 36.31
30.09.22 Virgin Money Interest on 30 Day Deposit Account 2.26
05.10.22 Rymans Refund re over change 2.00
11.10.22 SKDC Half Year Precept 14,418.00
20.10.22 Virgin Money Cashback on Expenses account 0.06
26.10.22 Virgin Money Cashback on Expenses account 0.21
01.11.22 LCC Verge Cutting Agreement Payment 1,106.61
31.10.11 Virgin Money Interest on 95 Day Deposit Account 40.82
31.10.22 Virgin Money Interest on 30 Day Deposit Account 2.33
Payment was agreed proposed by Cllr. Cundall and seconded by Cllr. Critchley.
d) Acceptance of quotes for grass, hedge cutting and weed spraying.
The Clerk presented a spreadsheet showing the different quotes received.
The quotations from BDG Mowing for grass cutting in the sum of £1428, weed spraying in the sum of £132 and verge cutting in the sum of 2660 were accepted.
The quotation to clean the Pond Area twice a year in the sum of £372 from Power Shift Cleaning Services was accepted.
The quotation from Crimson Kings in respect of hedge trimming was accepted in the sum of £2435.
e) Budget Loan Repayments
Loan repayments remain unchanged.
11. Advisory Groups
a) Planning
Notice received from SKDC with regard to a possible breach of conditions regarding Planning Permission S19/0638 and S22/0669 Rose Garden Place, Marston and found to be in breach of Conditions 4, 5 and 6. SKDC are pursuing the matter
APPLICATIONS
S22/1846
Land at Gonerby Moor, Great Gonerby
Installation of battery storage and associated infrastructure
S22/1942
Mr Moore
21 Manor Drive, Great Gonerby
Proposed single storey extension to front and rear of existing dwelling
S22/1664
Mr R Bailey
38 Grantham Road, Great Gonerby
Two storey extension and freestanding double garage
S22/1979
Mr S Mathie
Moto Service Area, Old Great North Road., Great Gonerby
Installation of a pre-fabricated changing places assisted disabled changing facility on the hardstanding area to the side of existing amenity building access loby.
S22/2014
Ms A Samuel
1 Grantham Road, Great Gonerby
Erection of single storey dwelling
APPROVED
S22/0669
Mr M Birtle
Rose Garden Place, Toll Bar Road, Marston
Erection of storage/maintenance building office/welfare building land aggregate storage bays in connection with the approved contractor’s yard/storage use of the land.
S22/1543
Mr D Le Hair
9 Newark Hill, Great Gonerby
Single storey side extension to replace existing timber garage
S22/1529
Mr C Cundall
Land to the West from Church Lane, Great Gonerby
The development is to replace a temporary white cross with a permanent mental installation
S22/1562
Mr A Johnson
41 Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Proposed two storey extension to the side and rear, the erection of a single storey extension to front of existing dwelling including external remodelling and erection of detached out building.
S22/2096
Peter Lilford
Oakdale Farm. Old Great North Road, Great Gonerby
Replacement of 3 antennas at 19m and the installation of 6 Remote Radio Units (RRU) with associated ancillary equipment of the lattice tower. Installation of 1 GPS node at ground level.
b) Environment
Cllr. Fletcher advised the meeting that the new shutters to the bus shelter are not closing correctly due to the alinement of the bricks. This is something that is going to be looked into.
Formal thanks were given to Geoffrey Turner for all his help with looking after the defibrillators in the village. The Parish Council have arranged for a small thank you gift for Mr Turner.
Thanks were also offered to Alan Davey who has taken on the task of looking after the defibrillators.
A request from Shepherd Memorials regarding monolithic memorials was deferred to the next meeting.
c) Amenity Areas
The Christmas Tree lights dates will be from the 4th December to 8th January. A payment of £35 has been agreed.
d) Highway Matters
Cllr. Maughan had written to a Parishioner with regard to his query re opening the Southern Relief Road. Cllr. Maughan advised that Phase 2 of the project is set to open this winter. Work on Phase 3 is well underway with new bridge pillars being installed and construction of the new road sections between the A52 Somerby land the new mid-route mini roundabout also in progress.
Cllr. Maughan also advised that he had met with Highways last month and they have agreed to progress the puffin crossing to the next stage which means carrying out detailed feasibility work and costings.
The High Street/Grantham Road is also on the Principal Road Network programme for a full reconstruction scheme in 18-24 months.
Cllr. Critchley reported the light on Newark Hill not working. The Clerk will report this on Fix My Street.
e) Social Committee
Cllr. Davey spoke briefly of plans for the Coronation weekend next year. These plans are to be discussed more fully at the next meeting.
12. Notice of motions for future meetings
None raised.
13. Any Matters for urgent discussion
The Clerk asked if historic Minute Books could be moved to LCC for safe storage. This was agreed.
14. Staff Matters
Please see separate Confidential Minute report.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.20 pm.
Flag Flying Days: November 14th King Charles III Birthday