July 7th 2025 Minutes
GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (252605)
MEETING HELD ON 7 July 2025
Memorial Hall, Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Meeting commenced at 7.15pm
Public Forum:
The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed the parishioners.
Harry Fletcher, one of the parishioners who has been helping with the maintenance of ‘Charlie’ was introduced, He then went on to explain what he had been doing to look after the statue and that in his opinion ‘Charlie’ was looking good, did not need immediate attention and was no better or worse than for the last 3 or 4 years with continued care.
He indicated that there were a few more cracks & would be happy to fill them. It was agreed that we would get a non-coloured wood filler so that the maintenance can be carried out.
Jeff Thompson who looks after the clock in the Church explained that melodic chimes were no longer chiming the hour. The clock was last Serviced in March. It was agreed that the company who service the clock be asked to inspect & report back.
There are now 14 Planters being watered, more than last year. Jeff Thompson indicated that next year someone else will need to do it as this was his last year.
A parishioner highlighted that some of the rubbish bins were in a bad state. It was agreed to contact the SKDC to find out who owns them.
Rhona Repton, a parishioner said contact was being made with local businesses regarding supporting the NP. MD explained that the government had withdrawn grants for NP and that this will affect our second grant application. Believed will leave a shortage of £10k to be found. A letter will be going to local businesses asking if they would like to contribute to NP and support the local community. It is hoped the NP consultant will reduce the cost where possible. The clerk explained there is nothing in the precept budget available for the NP.
One of the landowners said the investigation was almost complete – planning application will go in – Allington hostile due to traffic.
Secretary for the MH explained the grass has been cut in preparation for the Wild flower meadow.
Storage at MH being prepared – expected to be available within 2 weeks. Digital lock to be paid for by the PC.
Meeting closed 7.50pm
Parish Council Meeting opened at 7.50pm
Present: Cllr K Davey (KD) Chair Cllr G Beckett (GB) Vice Chair
Cllr M Beckett (MB) Cllr A Davey (AD)
Cllr T Davis (TD) Cllr M Davis (MD)
Cllr D Jacobs (DJ) Minutes – Caroline Marion (CM)
1. Apologies:
Marci Neal Late arrival AD
None attendance: None
2. Declarations of interest or dispensation:
3. Councillor Vacancies:
Two applicants had applied for co-option
Tina Knight was introduced and gave a brief overview
Sarah Gray was introduced and gave a brief overview
A vote was taken and both unanimously accepted
Chair welcomed both to the Parish Council
4. Previous Minutes:
Meetings held on 2 June 2025
- matters arising None
- reviewed, accepted, adopted.
5. Highways update:
To update – Cllr Ken Bamford requested information and photos to be resent for:
• Bank of trees and overgrowth on the road between the village & Hill Foot – request to cut them down
• Proposed road-painted 30mph roundels and zig zag lines on the village approach up Newark Hill before Belton Lane junction. As ordered with LCC by Cllr Maughan.
6. Policy and Procedures:
Communications Policy – pseudonyms- parish to be informed & approved in the future. – declare and agree.
reviewed, accepted & adopted – 9/1 vote.
KD & CM indicated that they use a pseudonym for FB. Vote taken and accepted unanimously
A vote of thanks was given to Cllr David Jacobs for all his hard work and time on policies
7. Official Correspondence & Planning:
Update on those received – emailed to all Councillors
Confirmed received & read by all
8. Project updates:
• Environment – GB praised BDG for doing a good job
• Millenium wood – tree supports need removing
• Volunteer for watering of planters next year to be found
• Green elves (volunteers) working well in the Parish & carrying out many tasks
• Charlie’s statue – pleased the condition is better than expected. Alison Homes will donate £4K towards a replacement when required.
• MH meeting on 15 July 2025 – KD explained that the Audit had picked up on storage for records for PC – meeting has been arranged to discuss options.
• Church Lane land donation – GB explained documents with the Solicitor. Estimate cost for conveyance will be £800 + VAT. PC agreed to use budget from other areas.
• Friendship Benches.and waste bin – suggested locations to be confirmed at next PC meeting. Grant being applied to from Bio-Energy.
9. Neighbourhood Plan:
MD explained there is a lot of work being done. The wish list is collated, entered onto a spreadsheet & sent to the Consultant. Collated objections covers three sections. Development plan due to be submitted by 28 August 2025. Approval will be via email.
10. Planning sub committee:
KD gave feedback on meeting with Mark Selby. Minutes to be circulated.
Marrons meeting - Concept plan to be tweaked before it goes to developers. Planning
committee to review first. If all accepted can then be publicised.
Harworth meeting - Attended but KD said it hadn’t gone well and Allington Parish ended abruptly.
Harworth indicated they will help with a donation for donated land; They are happy to work with us on the commercial area. Minutes to be circulated.
11. Events:
• VJ update – 16 July 2025. TD explained the grant was submitted & waiting for feedback.
• Clerk to ask if Beacon will be lit on 15 August.
• Ceilidh/harvest barn dance 11 October 2025. Details given by GB includes a Local band - 60 capacity. Ticket price to be confirmed. The Parish Council approved the event unanimously.
12. Chair’s report:
• Village meeting in MH on 3 August – To include, development, NP and future events, Slides and presentation All councillors asked to attend. Posters to be circulated and on FB. Arrangements discussed.
• Christmas tree lights – date confirmed 30 November - Santa, carols, craft market, some food stalls.
• Christmas – dinner - 6 December 7.00-7.30pm Recruiting Sergeant. Councillors to pay their own bill.
• The £10k no longer to be given to SKDC for the Pelican Crossing – rescinded. Thanks given to
Cllr Ken Bamford for following this up and the successful outcome.
• Possible Bio-energy funding for benches and bin.
13. Financial Matter:
• Finance report – KD all as circulated including bank statements. Accepted unanimously, signed & dated.
• Payments, receipts bank reconciliation as circulated. Accepted unanimously, signed and dated.
14. Clerk update:
• Budget update – CM explained some areas of the budget had been exceeded but there was
enough money in other areas to cover this.
• VAT – proposal to transfer into 30 day account to accrue interest. Accepted unanimously.
• Cemetery – Description of work required at Hill Top to be caried out. Quotation for hedging to be obtained for the PC’s next meeting. CM explained there is a great deal of work required at St Sebastians Graveyard which may cost a minimum of £3-4K. CM recommended this is included in next years budget if action can be
postponed until 2026. Situation to be monitored.
• Microsoft licences – costs for 12 licenses £331.20 plus VAT. Reviewed, accepted, adopted. Will be transferred on 12 September 2025.
• AGAR interim audit to be arranged – agreed.
15. New motions:
New Councillor – induction by a current Councillor – GB suggested new councillors have an induction by an other Councillor. KD explained this is for the Clerk to action.
16. Motions for next meeting: None
17. Closed session:
Staffing Committee:
Clerk will be leaving on 19 October.
Discussion took place regarding the job description and agreed the current role & responsibilities should be used in the advert. Suggested 20hrs/wk to be advertised as 18 hours.
Staffing committee includies SG, TK and MB with DJ as lead. Applications to be emailed after closing date of 24 August 2025
Agreed an advert to go into the Hutchinson Marketing with a circulation of 60,000 at a cost of £68 plus VAT. for the area. Advert also through LALC at a cost of £80.00 plus VAT approved unanimously.
Meeting closed 9.40pm.
Next meeting on 1 September 2025 at 7.15 pm