January 2023 Minutes
GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 16th January 2023
At the Memorial Hall, Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Present: Cllr. Hutchinson Chairman, Cllr. H Fletcher Vice Chairman, Cllr. T Bridle,
Cllr A Critchley, Cllr. C Cundall, Cllr. K Davey, Cllr A Mavros and Cllr. M Neal.
Cllr. A Maughan (LCC)
There were several members of the public in attendance having been made aware that the Senior Neighbourhoods Officer from SKDC would be attending the meeting to explain what can and what cannot be done with regard to dog fouling.
The Officer advised that dog fouling is a criminal offence but in order to prosecute there needs to be clear evidence of the perpetrator and dog involved.
The meeting was advised of the installation of ad hoc signs in the village and arrangements have been made to patrol hot spots throughout all of SKDC district including Great Gonerby village. The chairman is to provide a map for this purpose.
A long discussion took place the outcome of which is that the Neighbourhoods Officer will let the Clerk have clear guidelines on procedures before prosecutions can take place. This guideline will be made public on Facebook when received.
1. Apologies for Absence: No apologies received.
2. Co-option of New Councillors
The Chairman confirmed the resignation of Matthew Davey-Dunderdale. A letter of thanks for his time as a Parish Council had been sent.
There being two candidates for the two vacancies in respect of the resignations of Rob Plant and Matthew Davey-Dunderdale, no co-option procedures were necessary. Virginia Beckett and Mark Selby were duly welcomed as Parish Councillors.
3. Declarations of Interest/Dispensations
There were no declarations of Interest or Dispensations. All Parish Councillors were asked to confirm that there had been no changes to their declarations. No changes were reported.
4. Minutes signed from previous meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 9th November 2022 were duly agreed and accepted as a true record. Proposed by Cllr. Neal and seconded by Cllr. Davey.
5. Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
None
6. Proposal from Memorial Hall Trustees to amend Terms of Lease
The Chairman of the Memorial Hall Trustees gave a resume of the background to the reasons for the request to change the terms of the lease in as much as the Parish Council would take responsibility for the maintenance of the play area suggesting a working party is formed to sort out the envisaged problems going forward.
A long discussion took place the outcome of which was the Chairman of the Parish Council thought the Memorial Hall Trustees are in a stable financial position to fulfil the terms of the Lease. Therefore, no changes to the terms of the Lease were agreed.
The Chairman of the Parish Council reiterated if the Trustees of the Memorial Hall at any time found themselves in financial difficulties, the Parish Council would assist.
It was agreed to form a working party with the Memorial Hall and three Parish Councillors agreed to meet with three Trustees from the Memorial Hall on a regular basis.
7. Official Correspondence & Circulation
Email from Cllr Maughan regarding the Highways Volunteer Schemes for 2023/24
Email from Villager with regard to dog fouling
Lincolnshire CC Update received from Cllr. Maughan. Cllr Maughan ran through the update explaining Budget and Precept setting needed to bear in mind the extra finances needed by Children Services and Adult Services and the rise in the rate of the Living Wage.
Cllr Maughan advised that following a site visit with Highways the High Street Puffin Crossing has been given the go ahead to commence in Spring 2024. Further details will be made available in due course.
Email received with update with regard to Footpath No.4, The Sir Thomas White’s Charity having been approach to be become involved.
Email from SKDC giving details of the consultation and questions asked which had been sent to selected residents in respect of the Community Governance Review.
Email received to advise PKF Littlejohn have been re-appointed External Auditors for the next five years.
Email from Mr Thompson with regard to the Parish Bier. Mr Thompson advised he is renovating the bier and is then going to offer it to the Church as a potable table. This suggestion was unanimously agreed by the Parish Councillors.
Email from LCC with regard to the Grantham Transport Strategy to be implemented over the next 15 years.
Two Notifications from SKDC regarding updates to the Electoral Register
Clerks & Councils Direct was circulated.
7a) Request received from villager for the Parish Council to sponsor the hire of a room for a Frist Aid Training Course. A discussion took place and the request was turned down by the Councillors.
7b) A Company called Char.gy had approached the Parish Council to ascertain if electric charge points could be installed in the village. A site visit was arranged with the Company and the only suitable option was for the charge points to be installed at Hill Top Cemetery car park. A discussion took place, the outcome of which was the request was not agreed.
8. Clerk and Members to report back on Matters Outstanding
a) The Chairman advised that he had been in contact with Roll and Scroll with regard to resin that needs to be purchased to complete the bench project. Depending on how much resin is needed, the further cost could be in the region of £1200. The Chairman is liaising with Roll and Scroll to try and contain the further expenses as much as possible.
b) The village signs are now complete. The Chairman is to make contact with the installers to get the project completed.
9. Representation on Social Media
Cllr. Austen advised the Parish Council had no presence on Social Media suggesting it could be away of turning village negativity about the Parish Council into positivity. It was thought it might be beneficial to be more open about what the Parish Council does. A discussion took place as to whether to have the Parish Council’s own Facebook page or use the village Facebook page. Cllr. Austen agreed to take this forward.
10. Poor Land Update
The Chairman advised the Termination Notice had been served on the tenant who now has until the end of the year to vacate the land.
11. Financial Matters
a) Quarterly Summary of Accounts and Budget Report up to 31st December 2022
At the end of Quarter the Clerk was pleased to report the Bank balances were all reconciled with the accounts.
Bank Balances as the end of Quarter 3 were:-
Current Account £1,055.87
Expenses Account £76.47
Deposit Account £9,390.80
95 Day Deposit Account £30,622.94
30 Day Notice Deposit Account (Social Committee) £2,296.00
Reconciliation Accounts to the end of Quarter 3 were duly reconciled and agreed.
b) Accounts for Payment
The following Accounts were presented for payment:-
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
10.11.22 EnvironmentSK Hedge Cutting Grantham Road, St Sebastian's Church, Hill Top Cemetery and Grantham Hill 1,806.18
10.11.22 BDG Mowing Grass Cutting x 2, Weed control x 2 & verge cutting x 1 613.00
24.11.22 Syston Doors Repair to High Street Bus shelter shutter 276.00
24.11.22 Cloud Next Ltd Purchase of .gov domain 132.00
24.11.22 Cloud Next Ltd Hosting .gov domain 59.98
25.11.22 Staff Salaries November staff salaries and computer 776.31
25.11.22 Marks & Spencer Christmas Gift Card for Pat Eland 25.00
30.11.22 Clean my Windows Kelham Road Bus Shelter Clean 25.00
06.12.22 Post Office Ltd 8 x 2nd Class Stamps 5.44
08.12.22 Bd & A Smith Memorial Hall Playground Removal of old tiles and install of new tiles and reinstate base edges 6,039.60
09.12.22 Anthony Jackson Re-instate white post and chain due to accident damage and take down planters 235.00
13.12.22 Ryman Stationery USB for New Councillor 6.30
23.12.22 Staff Salaries December Staff salaries and computer 776.11
28.12.22 Anthony Jackson Repairs to Hill Top Cemetery Fence 200.00
RECEIPTS
02.11.22 Virgin Money Cashback on Expenses account 0.10
08.11.22 SKDC Community Cleaner Grant 694.98
30.11.22 Virgin Money Interest on 95 Day Deposit Account 40.16
30.11.22 Virgin Money Interest on 30 Day Deposit Account 2.26
02.12.22 Virgin Money Cashback on Expenses account 0.09
09.12.22 Robert Holland Interment Fees at St Sebastian's - Adcock Plot 1J 113.00
21.12.22 Memorial Hall Repayment for installation of mats at the Memorial Hall playground 5,033.00
31.12.22 Virgin Money Interest on 95 Day Deposit Account 41.56
31.12.22 Virgin Money Interest on 30 Day Deposit Account 2.34
31.12.22 Virgin Money Interest on Deposit Account 5.87
All the above were duly authorise for payment. Proposed by Cllr. Neal and seconded by Cllr. Fletcher
c) Agree Budget for 2023/24
Following the meeting in November, the revised Budget was circulated to all Parish Councillors and agreed via email therefore, the Precept request has remained unchanged at £28,836.
Precept Request signed for forwarding to SKDC.
12. Advisory Groups
a) Planning
APPLICATIONS
S22/2441
Mr and Mrs Ramsey
7 Goodman Close, Great Gonerby
Removal of conservatory and proposed single storey extension to rear.
APPROVED
S22/1942
Mr Moore
21 Manor Drive, Great Gonerby
Proposed single storey extensions to front and rear of existing dwelling.
S22/1979
Mr S Mathie
Moto Service Area, Old Great North Road
Installation of a pre-fabricated changing places assisted disabled changing facility on the hardstanding area to the side of the existing amenity building access lobby.
S22/2113
Mr I Reilly
Land to the North of Longcliffe Road, Grantham
Submission of details reserved to Condition 13 (Written Scheme of Investigation) of planning permission S15/3189
S22/1846
Lightsource SPV 187 Ltd
Land at Gonerby Moor, Great Gonerby
Installation of battery storage and associated infrastructure
Screening Opinion
S22/1960
Hannah Tidd
Land South of Green Lane and West of Cliff Lane, Gonerby Moor, Grantham
Request for an EIA Screening Opinion for the installation and operation of a Solar Farm with electrical substation and associated infrastructure.
Assessment is not required
REFUSAL
Ms A Samuel
1 Grantham Road, Great Gonerby
Erection of single storey dwelling.
Mr D Le Hair
9 Newark Hill, Great Gonerby
Non-material amendment to add window to gable end of barn
b) Environment
Cllr Fletcher advised that the fence at Hill Top had been repaired. IN discussion with Tony Jackson it has been agreed to let the hedge grow and in future not repair the wooden fencing.
Minor repairs have been carried out to the sign on the green.
Cllr. Fletcher advised it is going to be necessary to replace the plants in Charlie’s planters in the Spring.
c) Amenity Areas – Review of Burial Ground Fees
It was agreed to leave the fees unchanged at both Hill Top Cemetery and St Sebastian’s this year.
d) Highways
Email correspondence from Cllr Maughan with regard to Belvoir Garden Footpaths advising resurfacing works are scheduled for 2024.
Email correspondence from Allison Homes with regard to Manthorpe Planning Application and the possible installation of traffic lights at the end of Belton Lane/B1174. Cllr. Maughan advised it was unlikely that permission would be granted for the traffic lights due to site difficulties.
e) Social Committee – Coronation Weekend Arrangements
It was agreed the Parish Council were in favour of the Social Committee arranging a social event to celebrate the King’s Coronation as long as the Social Committee kept their expenditure within available finances.
13. Staffing Matters Set Appraisal dates for February
The Chairman advised he would contact the two employees to arrange convenient dates.
14. Notice of motions for future meetings
None raised.
15. Any Matters for urgent discussion
The Chairman thought it might be a good idea to review meeting times. The Clerk agreed to email Councillors for their suggestions.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.20 pm.