November (4th) 2024 Minutes
Official Minutes of Great Gonerby Parish Council Meeting – November 4th 2024
Meeting started: 7:15pm
1. Public Forum
Members of the Public Present: 11
District Councillor attendance: Councillor Peter Stephens entered during the session.
Concerns raised by public present:
Bonfire Night Event:
Overcrowding and Safety Issues:
Event not properly controlled, resulting in overcrowding and no road crossing supervision
into event field, despite road busy with traffic. Concerns that no fire service was present,
and only minimal first aid was available. Blockages on Covill Close with inappropriately
cars restricted emergency access with ambulance unable to access residents. A member
of public stepped in to stop more cars entering, due to gridlock on Covill Close.
Property Damage and Antisocial Behaviour:
Reports of property damage, noise and disturbances continuing until late into the evening.
Lack of Pathway Access: Excessive amount of parked cars on Covill Close blocked
pavements and residents’ access, making it unsafe for pedestrians, especially children.
Firework Safety and Violent Incident.
Concerns raised over fireworks and an incident involving a fight where a knife was
reportedly involved, requiring police intervention. Police noted they would have monitored
the event if requested.
Proximity of Bonfire to Road:
The bonfire was deemed too close to the road, posing health and safety risks. Residents
questioned the safety of amount of pallets used for the bonfire, which added to concerns
about overall event safety.
General Public Safety Concerns:
Emphasis on the need for local responsibility in ensuring resident safety at events. Calls were made for increased security and better organisation.
Financial and Event Management Issues: Funds Raised vs. Safety Measures.
Despite an expected large amount of revenue made at the event, residents felt safety protocols were inadequate, with not enough marshals or officials overseeing the event, contributing to conflict and a “recipe for disaster.”
Council Responses:
The Chairman Cllr Tim Bridle clarified that the firework event is not organised by the
Parish Council, limiting their authority over its management. However, council members
expressed willingness to work with the parishioners and relevant parties to improve event
safety in the future. Councillor Karri Davey pledged a commitment to collaborate on finding
solutions for future events.
Concerns were raised by the public about the Memorial Hall’s car parking situation during
events and have been raised at previous meetings, with no visible action. The council
emphasised the need for the Memorial Hall to take responsibility.
Event License:
Councillor Stevens advised that an official event license should be obtained to ensure
better organisation. He will investigate the licensing requirements further. Councillor
Stevens reminded that responsibility for event control and safety ultimately lies with the
organisers, not the Parish Council.
Further topics raised by the public present;
Request for Police Engagement:
Residents requested a visit from local police officer PC Mark Barr for a community meet-
and greet session. The clerk will put in a request to PC Barr.
Street Maintenance:
Follow-up on remedial cutting of the ivy hedge on the corner of Pond Street and Green
Street was requested, to address issues raised by residents. The clerk will report this to
LCC once again.
The public session finished at 7.45pm.
2. Official Meeting Proceedings
Meeting Start Time: 7:45pm
Apologies: Cllr Marci Neal and Cllr Alex Maughan were absent and had sent apologies.
Declarations of Interest: None received
3: Approval of Previous Minutes:
Accepted (Proposed by Cllr Karri Davey, seconded by Cllr Jane Cundall).
4. Matters Arising
Communication Protocol:
Councillor Karri Davey proposed that councillors copy the Clerk in on all communication
emails in future.
Section E4 Amendment: Councillors would be required to acknowledge receipt of emails
by a set deadline. A proposal to label emails with “Action” and “Info” in subject titles was
suggested by Cllr Emma Austen, to clarify which need a response.
WhatsApp and Social Media: Cllr Tim Bridle suggested incorporating WhatsApp and social
media as official communication channels to improve response times (Proposed by Cllr
David Jacobs, seconded by Cllr Christian Cundall).
Cllr Ginny Beckett suggested that the Social Media Policy should be integrated into the
Communications & Media Policy.
Freedom of Information Policy:
Updates to the Freedom of Information policy were proposed by Cllr Emma
Austen and seconded by Cllr Mike Beckett.
Complaints Procedure:
It was discussed that the Disciplinary and Grievances Panel size should be re-defined,
and members should be selected on each occasion to sit on the panel as appropriate, to
ensure fairness. It was noted that any accused member should not sit on the complaints
panel, and an appeals process should be included in the procedure. Cllr Emma Austen
and the Clerk will draft updated documents by January 2025 (Proposed by Cllr
Ginny Beckett, seconded by Cllr David Jacobs).
5. Official Correspondence
Town & Parish Update: All members reviewed.
LALC Annual Audit Service: Cllr Karri Davey declared an interest. A proposal was made to
use the LALC internal audit service once again for 2025/26. (Proposed by Cllr Mike
Beckett and seconded by Cllr Ginny Beckett)
6. Project Updates
Neighbourhood Plan (NP) Update:
Cllr Tim Bridle reported that contact had been made with potential project consultants, who
support the council’s current approach to a NP. He said he was hopeful that one particular
consultant would join the project in January 2025. The budget for NP will be distributed
once a grant application has been made and monies received, and future expenses will be
budgeted and covered by grants before spending. Any NP expenses incurred before a
grant is approved cannot be claimed retrospectively.
Christmas 2024 Event Preparations:
Cllr Karri Davey gave an update. Lights installation on the village tree is scheduled for
November 15th, by Eden Tree Services, with the official switch-on set for November 30th
at 6 pm. Wreath sponsorships are being confirmed, for wreath displays on the white posts
around the Xmas tree Pinfold area, and all preparations are on track. An official events
committee will be established to manage future events.
Village Volunteer Group:
A WhatsApp group is being set up for village gardening volunteers by Cllr Emma Austen.
The group’s first project involved successful community engagement in the Millennium
Wood and Hill Top cemetery in September - it is hoped that future events in January or
February will include building a bug hotel, hopscotch, and fairy houses in the Wood.
Emergency Plan
Cllr Ginny Beckett and Alan Davey are at the initial stage of collaborating on an
Emergency Plan plan for the village and working on a draft EP and the detail on
structuring a village network of coordinators. This will include involvement with venues like
the Church and Memorial Hall. Key volunteers will be identified for communication
channels, and information about the plan will be shared with the village in due course.
7. Financial Matters
Accounting Software proposal
Four different parish accounting software systems had been researched and reported on
by Cllr Mike Beckett. The options were discussed at length, with the Councillors voting by
majority for Option 4. (Proposed by Cllr Emma Austen, seconded by Cllr Keith White) This
system would allow backdating of the accounts to April ‘24. The software will be
monitored, with a review scheduled in 12 months. Costs include a £100 upfront fee plus
setup fee of £50-£70 for transfer of accounts. Cloud backup and an hourly pro-rata support
service will be implemented.
Accounts for payment Oct 2024
Accounts were reviewed and accepted; proposed and seconded.
The Council then went into closed session to review employment detail.
NJC Payscale Update:
The Council agreed to a pay an increase in line with national minimum wage, with the
Staffing Committee to approach relevant staff about a potential pay rise (Proposed by
Cllr Karri Davey, seconded by Cllr Christian Cundall).
Budget Setting for 2025/26
There was a Preliminary Budget Discussion:
Cllr Tim Bridle presented preliminary budget findings, proposing an extraordinary meeting
be called to finalise the budget, in light of new government regulations. This will allow
additional time for confirmation and adjustments.
8. Advisory Groups reports
Planning:
No issues were raised by Councillors on recent planning submissions seen.
Amenities
Cllr Mike Beckett reported that our amenity responsibilities had been checked and no issues had been found. The bollards on The Pond area still await a repaint.
Environment
Cllr Ginny Beckett reported;
Grass cutting of verges is scheduled for mid-November completion, with volunteer help
planned for hedge maintenance at the Hill Top cemetery.
Wildflower Meadow on the playing field has been approved for re-developing in early
Spring. Cllr Marci Neal will coordinate the ground preparation and seeding.
Defibrillators
Cllr Christian Cundall reported that all the defies had been checked and report as
necessary for battery replacement or equipment update.
Highways
Cllr Karri Davey reported on a meeting which is scheduled for November 6 to review
documentation and compliance on the access for heavy plant and lorries to the Allison
Homes site on Belton Lane - due to issues with large vehicles using the Newark Hill/Belton
Lane junction and causing dangerous issues with car traffic. A follow-up report will be
provided.
9. Motions for future meeting
None were raised.
Meeting closed: 9:40pm