2025-26 Minutes

GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES (252601)

                                                            MEETING HELD 7 APRIL 2025

                                                       Memorial Hall, Belton Lane, Great Gonerby                                          

Meeting commenced at 7.15pm 

Public Forum:

Three members of the public attended.

One parishioner explained that he had concerns about a bull mastiff in a neighbours garden which was terrorising people using the walkway near Swalesdales Close off Kelham Road.  The dog is able to put its paws and head over the top of the fence and barks loudly at everyone passing.  He said that people were no longer using this pathway and were taking a detour rather than pass the dog.  He asked for assistance from the PC.   One of the Councillors said he had also witnessed this.

The parishioner was given Cllr Ian Stokes name as a contact at SKDC and was advised that the Clerk would also email.  Parishioner expressed his concerns should the dog owner find out who he was but was assured his name would not be used.

Neighbourhood Plan:  Cllr M Davis spoke on behalf of Rhona Repton.   Following recent NP meeting discussions took place around suggestions to send out letters to business’s – what are we asking from them (sponsorship, donations, etc) and what are we offering them in return (promotional video, logo on newsletter/meeting notes etc to promote their business). Once information is received from Consultant TB will feedback back to NP who will take the ideas forward.

Parish Council Meeting opened at 7.30pm

Present:     Cllr T Bridle (TB)      Cllr G Beckett (GB)       Cllr K Davey (KD)      Cllr A Davey (AD)  

                    Cllr T Davis (TD)      Cllr M Davis (MD)          Cllr D Jacobs (DJ)     Cllr M Neal (MN)  

                    Cllr M Beckett (MB)                                         Minutes – Caroline Marion (CM)

1. Apologies:

Cllr Keith White (KW)

Absent:

Cllr Emma Austen (EA)     

2. Declarations of interest or dispensation:

       None

3. Matters arising:    

None 

4. Previous Minutes: 

       3 March 2025 – accepted unanimously.  Signed & dated.

5. Staffing Committee:

MN explained that the offer to the Village Litter picker was declined.  The PC unanimously

thanked her for the hard work she carries out for the village (in absentia).

      This topic of a staff contract was deferred to the end of the meeting as a ‘closed session’.

      The notes are held by the Staffing committee.

6. Highways:

Report not received from Cllr A Maughan.

7. Development/Planning:

KD shared maps showing developments proposed for the area. Developers coming in and agreed we need to be more pro-active this time, particularly section 106 payments.  KD explained that SKDC decide where the ‘pot of money’ will be used.   It was agreed that a sub-committee be set up as there is too much happening now for one person to be across it all.  KD, AD, MB.    Proposed by GB & seconded by DJ.  Accepted.

Aim:  Motion to respond quickly on 106 elements (NP wish list good base).

PC list to be managed by Planning sub-committee.  Asked for inspirational ideas including Monetary and funding for community.

To review:   Priority Community contributions

                    How to interact

                    How to communicate anything that happens from now till June

• Electric Vehicle sites, Church Lane, 106 Fund

KD explained that as developers contact the PC a wish list will be given to each – KD to look at what is relevant in preparation for meeting on 23 April 2025 and feedback to TB by 21 April.  To be circulated to all.  TB/KD

MN indicated that insufficient time had been given to discuss the wish list as it stood.

8. Policy and Procedures:

Staffing Committee TOR’s: accepted and adopted.

Communication Policy: Discussion on what is acceptable on FaceBook took place. Agreed contributions made by Councillors should always be in line with the PC as they will be seen as speaking for the Council.  Policy to be reworded using new layout by DJ and presented at next PC meeting.

Publication scheme:  To be reviewed, amended and re-presented

Code of Conduct:  Approved, adopted and all Councillors signed off

Grants awards Policy – to be reviewed and represented

Business Risk Assessment – approved, adopted by all Councillors

Role of Councillor:  To be amended by DJ for next PC meeting

Standing Orders/Financial regulations:  To be amended to be more inclusive and re-presented.   CM

9.   Official Correspondence & Planning:

      TB gave a review of previously circulated correspondence and planning applications.

10.    Project updates:

1. Website:  Up & running.  GB & CM to complete training 29 April 2025.
2. Environment:  Hanging baskets in High Street – brackets to be inspected & confirm with residence that they will continue to water throughout the summer.  28 Baskets – plants to be obtained from KW as before, quote required asap - KW.  Request from Jeff Thompson who waters the plants for a hose to be purchased.
158. actioning.
3. Millenium wood:  Work carried out now complete.   Area looks really nice with more bluebells coming through. 
4. Cemeteries:  Both cemeteries have been inspected.  List of graves requiring work raised and letters to be sent to families asking for work to be carried out.  Quotation requested by GB from grave digger for ground works to be completed where the earth needs levelling, etc to be paid by PC.
5. Defibrillators:  Inspected and pads replaced where necessary.  May consider a maintenance contract at MH Defib next year.
6. Orchard:  Now complete.  Trees flourishing.  Remainder of grant will be received shortly.
7. Neighbourhood Plan:  Wish List circulated.

Next meeting is for the Infrastructure and Consultant meeting.   Date to be confirmed in week  commencing 12th or 19th May where he will detail the next steps which is Phase 3 in the NP

Which he will lead supported by NP leads.

There is a second grant to be made for phase 3, and this will be available in June/July.

Phase 3 has a village survey that will be sent out, the draft will be shared with Parish once available.

Schools will also be involved as projects – expected to go into local school on16 May 2025.

8.  Speed signs:  Remaining one waiting for substructure to be resolved – imminent.
9. ‘Charlie’:  TD obtained information on possible grants for the future should it be replaced.   TD will continue to follow up in preparation.

Current suggestion of rubber ‘plimsolls’ to be looked into as an alternative and how it can be actioned.To be fedback at next PC meeting by AD.Harry is still maintaining and oiling ‘Charlie’.

10. Memorial Hall: TB explained that a brainstorming meeting had taken place.

The first outcome of the MH meeting was for two councillors to be on the MHall committee. TB requested a vote that the parish wished to re-instate two councillors to be present at the MHall meetings, which was agreed, first and seconded by GB and AD.

A discussion took place about volunteers from the PC for these two posts and responsibilities.. GB volunteered which was voted on and agreed by councillors present. TB voiced that the remaining place could be voted on in a future meeting allowing those absent from the meeting, and who may be interested, an opportunity to step forward once they understand what it entails.

Meeting minutes to be sent to Clerk following each MH meeting. A brief overview of the usage of the MH was given.

The second outcome was that the MHall stated there were issues with the Alarm and that it was not being used. It was agreed with the MHall that a specific meeting be arranged with them to discuss and resolve the situation of the alarm security asset at the MHall.

The third outcome was the review of the lease between the MHall and PC due to the governments landlord/tennant legal changes from April 2025.TB agreed to share the changes impacting the agreement.TB tp arrange a meeting with the MHall.

11. Church Lane Donation:  approximately half an acre of land offered to the PC.   Poor Land Trustees have chosen not to take it under their umbrella.   Discussion took place on ongoing cost to maintain including TPO’s on trees, possible fencing, and options for use.  All Councillors to visit site and feedback whether to accept or decline the gift by Friday 18 April 2025 latest.  Decision will be made at this time based on results.
12. Picnic Bench:  Poll on Facebook by others asking for the bench to be returned.  CM to contact DG to ask if suggestions for location could be added.  Council discussed previous and future relocations whilst waiting for poll result. To be discussed at next PC meeting.

11. Financial Matters:

Finance report, bank statements and expenditure up to 31 March 2025 (previously circulated)   given by TB.   A question was raised on the cost shown on the budget circulated for Christmas lights. TB explained the figures were correct.   Accounts accepted unanimously.

Precept: TB explained that he had inadvertently entered the wrong figure on paperwork submitted to SKDC and as a result GGPC would receive only £41,610 and not as expected £47,611.  He apologised and expressed the hope that together the PC could work to cover the shortfall.  Budgets are to be revisited/re-assessed to see how to cover the shortfall at an EOM.

CM explained she had contacted SKDC to see if there was anyway this could be changed but told not possible.  SKDC suggested taking a loan for the shortfall and then repaying next year.  This suggestion was declined by the PC.

It was agreed that the Precept should have been shared prior to emailing to SKDC.  In future to be reviewed by the PC before submission. EOM date to be confirmed for budget discussion.  CM

12.   Grants: 

Prosperity Grant:  School Bell – originally rejected as too near to the road in 2013.  To be resurrected as AD explained Planning has changed and may now be passed.  Jeff Thompson to share photos for website.

13.   Clerk Report:

  IT Support: Collating options to present to PC

         Flag Flying:  MD has volunteered to carry out this role.        

         Fixed Asset Register: AD/KW have agreed they will maintain/review the asset register

         CM asked all Councillors to let AD/Clerk know if anything needs to be repaired or damaged.

Asset register will be added to workbook over the next 6 months based on information    received from AD/KW. CM

Q4 VAT:  MB claimed - awaiting payment.

Stage 2 of Internal Audit:  AGAR to be carried out on 2 May 2025.

14.   Motions for next meeting:  

        None

The meeting went into closed session to discuss staffing – CM asked to step out.

Next meeting on Wednesday 14 May 2025            

APC                  7.15pm

Open forum      7.45pm

PC Meeting       8.00pm

Meeting closed at 9.35pm.