July 2024 Minutes
Great Gonerby Parish Meeting Minutes
1st of July meeting 7.15pm
Clerk: Mrs. A Bennett, 12 Hillside, Ancaster, NG32 3PX.
Mobile: 07979 604057
Email: clerk@greatgonerbyparish.gov.uk
Public forum - 8 members of the public attended and 2 representatives from Allison Homes (Ian Reilly, Georgina McRae)
Allison Homes
Mr Reilly and Georgina McCray updated the Council:
three SKDC requested re-submissions to original planning application have now been approved
Allison Homes have put £100k into the LCC pot for improvements to Newark Hill/Belton Lane junction
Drainage and site management for construction being addressed for SKDC - construction will start once approved.
Georgina McRae will be the point of contact for the on-site development liaison.
The public raised concerns regarding Belton Lane quality and not being fit for purpose for the many hundred or more cars that will travel through on a daily basis. Newark Hill junction is also a big concern (LCC). Allison homes advised that a survey will be needed work with highways to arrange updates and/or status.
No space for cycle/pedestrians on Belton Lane - Mr Reilly said such access is planned to be provided on their estate side of the hedge and under the bridge, but then no further access to the village is currently feasible unless on the road (LCC)
Bridge access v construction traffic: A routing agreement is being developed by highways. Mr Reilly clarified access signage will be erected to direct large construction vehicles and delivery lorries through to Manthorpe Road as access point onto Belton Lane.
The Chairman thanked Allison Homes for their time.
Public Forum
Items raised by the public and discussed:
Incorrect year shown in June meeting minutes on noticeboard.
A request for an update on the Neighborhood Plan – The public wanted a copy of the designated plan, the chairman advised a draft plan will be circulated amongst parish councillors to review and will then be distributed at the village meeting in July.
The public present said they want to help with the NP and have been lobbying villagers to sign up. Some volunteers have emailed the clerk or gone via our website to offer their support - how many have volunteered so far.
The Chairman responded with apologies for the Plan not yet being emailed to two members of the public as requested - to be actioned. He will advise on the numbers of volunteer offers received. He then updated the forum that two consultants had met with to quote to coordinate the Neighborhood Plan. Grants for the Plan are also being assessed currently. He then outlined the structure of the sections of the NP and timetable to start the Plan in September ‘24 with a view to a first draft by early summer ‘25, for the village and SKDC to review.
The Church Lane development site was raised. The Chairman explained the connection between the National Plan, Local Plan and Neighborhood Plan. Church Lane fields were identified in the SKDC Local Plan started in 2020, one of 50 locations across the district. Our Neighborhood Plan in the future will support the local plan but identify preferred sites for development helping protect other areas.
SKDC will now develop a response document for the district with concerns raised on any locations by local residents or businesses.
Other items mentioned:
A replacement trumpeter is now needed for Remembrance Day this year.
- The village planters are looking good it was agreed - watering is very kindly carried out by Jeff Thompson 1-2 times a week, but some households have not been effectively watering theirs and he will check with the residents.
Outcome:
Action - It was agreed that the Parish Council will reimburse Mr Thompson for the plant feed used for the planters.
Action - Mr Thompson advised that Charlie statue at the Pond should have occasional oiling - this to now be investigated and actioned by a councilor.
Closed Meeting
Members present: Cllrs T Bridle, K Davey, G Beckett, M Beckett, D Jacobs, K White, E Austen, C Cundall, J Cundall
1. Apologies for absence - Cllr M Neil, annual leave.
2. Declaration of Interest
This was declared by Cllr K Davey regarding the family relationship with the Clerk, Mrs. A Bennett.
3. Minutes from the June meeting - date error of 2023 in June minutes has now been corrected. Minutes were approved - proposed Cllr Jacobs seconded Cllr Austen.
4. Environment & Amenities Committee/Highways - No LCC Highways representative attended.
4a) Cllr G Beckett had provided councillors with a resume of the regular risk assessments made, required bi-annually June & Dec for insurance purposes. The June inspection identified no risk with the Pond area, Flagpole, Village sign, White chain fencing, Bus shelter, Churchyard headstones, Lamp post, QE bench & Coronation tree, and Burial ground benches.
However, Cllr G Beckett then highlighted areas where cleaning, weed clearing, hedge trimming or sweeping were needed - councilor support requested to facilitate this shortly. Cllr Austen suggested making it a village initiative in future for a Village Clean Up event - this was well received and agreed to discuss with the public in Julys village meeting.
4b) Grass Cutting - Cllr G Beckett advised that following our previous contractor recently cancelling their grounds contract with no notice, a replacement single contractor had been sourced by the Clerk and approached. Cllrs G Beckett, M Beckett and M Neil gave the contractor a walk round the village in late June to identify verge areas of Parish responsibility. He will be commencing periods of grass cutting in early July when the weather and his schedule permits.
It was acknowledged that the rain and sun mix this year had greatly increased grass and weed growth, and our loss of contractor happened at the busiest time of year, so a replacement contractor has not been easy to find. SKDC grass cutters have likewise been delayed in their areas of cutting due to same long grass demands across the district. The Parish Council shared the frustration of villagers at long cut grass left behind. We had been advised that grass cuttings are not collected and removed by contractors, due to the volume and extra time involved, and then disposal. It was mentioned that the current map that details the PC maintenance areas needed updating and will be worked on with new contractor in the future.
5. Neighborhood Plan
The Chairman explained he had circulated to councilors’ details of the NP headings, subsections and schedule of meetings. Grant applications were discussed, and PC responses were relevant to questions regarding e.g. any designation of housing areas, if affordable housing is included, and design codes for appearance of any new properties. Before funding would be considered, there will be expenses for the NP. Grant funding is up-to £10,000 and value dependent on population. Chairman confirmed to coordinate a meeting for the village in July and will circulate shortly.
6. Members Reporting Back on Matters
Cllr Davey explained that the Orchard grant application had been done to enable three small orchard areas, but Cllr Ian Stokes of SKDC now has to endorse it before it can be submitted.
Cllr White agreed to copy and send the grant application before September.
Cllr J Cundall updated on the condition of the High St footpath entrance to the playing field, with accessibility concerns over the weeds, slope and camber. She had complained to SKDC who carried out an unannounced site visit and declared there was no issue. Cllr J Cundall has now requested and health and safety review and site visit by SKDC to consider wheelchair, pushchair and the sight impaired accessibility. The state of the footpath as a whole was then discussed, with raised cracks and uneven surface of the path near the Astro pitch area being a trip hazard, an area which is unlit in the dark and deemed to be unsafe to pedestrians. Cllr Cundall is to pursue this.
Cllr Jacobs mentioned the churchyard at St Sebastian’s and the timescale in July for the Revd. Sarah Tierney to meet with a consultant to consider grassed pathways and re-wilding some areas - to be shared with the village in due course.
Cllr White raised the topic of the new Pelican Road crossing - pedestrians have been seen still crossing the main road from Pond Street where the previous crossing was located. He suggested railings could be put on the corners of Long Street and Pond Street to deter crossing and pavement parking.
Outcome/Action – Agreed to speak with highways to gather options and solutions.
Cllr Davey suggested that the lockdown bench on the Pond should be relocated further back, to its original intended location. It can be unbolted and moved easily enough. There was unanimous support for the bench to be moved.
Outcome/Action – Councillors will arrange a group of volunteers to action this and arrange for the bench to be moved.
7. Correspondence
Correspondence had been circulated to councillors prior to the meeting.
Comments discussed:
- Lincolnshire Rights of Way improvement plan 2025 and public survey - The Chairman thought this was a good opportunity to include the plan in our Neighborhood Plan.
- SKDC map layers available - again, it was felt this could be useful for the Neighborhood Plan.
- LALC Conference on 24th July - Cllr Davey will be attending as a member of LALC executive committee. It was proposed that the PC would cover the £40 cost for one councilor or clerk representative to attend - other councillors could attend and pay accordingly. Proposer - Cllr J Cundall, seconded Cllr E Austen.
8. Health & Safety Policy
This policy had been circulated for review and comments.
The Chairman suggested there should be an Index and numbering added, linked to the numbering of the subtitles.
No Display Screen & Equipment assessment for employees had been mentioned. This should be added in point 7.
Outcome - Cllr E Austen offered to provide the wording required.
9. Fixed Assets Register
This had been circulated previously for review. No issues raised. Cllr C Cundall explained that he had taken a photo record of all the assessment location in 2023 which are of file for reference. No changes have been reported since this date.
10. Flag Flying Days
A list of current flag days had been circulated to councillors. The flags are kindly stored and raised by a resident in proximity to the flagpole location. It was agreed that the current schedule was appropriate.
Cllr G Beckett suggested using the village Facebook for a monthly mentioned of ‘this month’s flag are for…’ to create awareness and understanding of what the various flags commemorate.
Outcome - Cllr E Austen offered to create a copy for use by the admin of the village Facebook.
11. Events Group Update
Cllr Davey read out a report on the reasoning behind the cancellation of this year’s D Day Remembrance event, this was due to lack of guaranteed parking availability and shortage of volunteers. Any deposits had been repaid or held over for a future event, with the exception of the inflatables with a £60 loss of deposit incurred. It is hoped that a big 2025 event can be planned instead.
Christmas in the village was also briefly discussed - and will be a topic on the agenda for the planned village meeting to be held in July.
12. Financial Matters
12a). The Chairman explained that the current spreadsheet format was temporary, pending a redesign. He clarified that all of the finances are now cross-referenced - with the current overspend showing being due to additional wages paid in the handover period with the new clerk.
12b). Accounts for payment
These were approved.
12c). End of Q1 accounts
These were accepted.
12d). Signatories
The signatories for the bank account have now been resolved after the new clerk handover.
12e). The Clerk’s contract
This has been amended by the Staffing Committee with some duties now being carried out by councillors to support the Clerk.
13. Planning
Planning applications had previously been circulated to councillors. No specific issues were raised.
Cllr C Cundall asked if we had seen any income yet from the solar panel farm at Gonerby Moor. The Chairman agreed to check on this.
14. Motions for future meetings
None
15. Further matters for urgent discussion
None
The meeting ended at 9.35pm.