December 1st 2025, Draft Minutes of Extraordinary Meeting
GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL EXTRAORDINARY MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 1 DECEMBER 2025 AT 7.15pm AT THE MEMORIAL HALL, BELTON LANE, GREAT GONERBY
Councillors present:
Cllr Karri Davey (Chair) Cllr Ginny Beckett (Vice Chair) Cllr Karen Morrell
Cllr Michael Beckett Cllr Mike Davis Cllr Marci Neal
Cllr Sarah Gray Cllr Tina Knight
In attendance:
Jackie Britten-Crooks (Parish Clerk)
PUBLIC FORUM
One member of the public attended for the purpose of being co-opted onto the Parish Council.
The meeting commenced at 7.15pm
1. WELCOME REMARKS FROM THE CHAIRMAN
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Tiffany Davis sent apologies with a valid reason for being unable to attend. It was proposed, seconded and Resolved to accept the apology for absence.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To receive Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011 – this being any pecuniary or non- pecuniary interest in any items on the Agenda.
None received.
4. MINUTES
It was proposed, seconded and Resolved to accept the Minutes of the previous Meeting held on Monday 3rd November 2025, subject to approved amendments. The Chair signed the Minutes.
5. CO-OPTION
Two written applications for co-option were received.
The meeting was adjourned for an applicant, Mrs Morrell, to give a brief introduction. This was followed by a ballot for the two applicants for co-option.
Mrs Morrell was duly elected and was invited to sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Cllr Morrell was invited to join the Meeting.
Ms Kelly-Ann Walton was co-opted in her absence and it was noted that she will need to sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office before she can take office as a Parish Councillor.
The Meeting resumed.
6. POPPY WREATH
It was noted that the purchase of a poppy wreath for Remembrance was made using powers under s.137 Local Government Act 1972, as a direct benefit for the area.
7. PRECEPT
Following discussion on expenditure requirements for the Parish Council for the financial year running from 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027 and considering the financial error made in precept setting for the current financial year, it was proposed, seconded and Resolved for the precept sum to be set at £56,524.00.
The Clerk completed the Precept Upon the Charging Authority Form and was instructed to return it to the Accountancy Section at South Kesteven District Council at the earliest convenience.
8. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
It was proposed, seconded and Resolved to approve the most recent version of the Neighbourhood Plan, V1.4, and for the process for adoption of the Plan to proceed to the next stage of public consultation.
The clerk left the Meeting and the following Minutes were drafted by Cllr G Beckett:
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9. Exclusion of Public
In view of the confidential nature of the following item (staffing matter), the Council resolved to exclude the public.
The Clerk also departed the building, to return home.
The Vice Chair took the minutes in the Clerk’s absence.
Present: Chair Cllr Davey, Cllr G Beckett, Cllr M Davis, Cllr M Beckett, Cllr Neal, Cllr Knight, Cllr Gray, Cllr Morrell
Staffing Matter - Clerk’s Probation
The Council, having reviewed the Clerk’s performance within the probationary period, then considered her suitability for continuance of employment.
Options considered were:
Extension of probation period to allow for personal improvement plan
Termination of employment
The Council proposed to vote on the two options - proposed Cllr M Davis, seconded Cllr G Beckett. Resolved by majority vote that the Clerk’s employment be terminated in accordance with the terms of her contract (probation period), which provides for four weeks’ notice.
It was further agreed that the Council’s Staffing Committee would issue the formal written notice to the Clerk following the meeting, signed by the Chair.
The Council then unanimously approved the Staffing Committee to employ an interim Clerk, if the need arose, following the departure of the current Clerk.
Written Notice:
The Staffing Committee provided formal written notice to the Clerk within two days following the meeting, in line with contractural requirements.
Staffing Committee
Cllr Knight chose to stand down from Staffing Committee. Cllr Neal was unanimously voted to join Cllr M Beckett and Cllr Gray on the Staffing Committee.
The meeting ended at 8.50pm.
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Signed………………………………………………………… Date…………………………………………………