May 2025 Minutes (Annual Meeting)
GREAT GONERBY ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
(252602)
ON
14 May 2025
AT
Memorial Hall, Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Present:
Cllr G Beckett (Vice Chair) (GB) Cllr M Beckett (MB) Cllr K Davey (KD)
Cllr A Davey (AD) Cllr T Davis (TD) Cllr D Jacobs (DJ)
Cllr M Neal (MN) Cllr Keith White (KW Minutes – Caroline Marion (CM)
Apologies: Cllr M Davis (MD)
Absent: Cllr Emma Austen (EA)
Meeting commenced at 7.15pm
1. A welcome was given to the members of the public and Councillors who were in attendance by Cllr Ginny Beckett,Vice Chair. She explained that she was acting as Chair in the absence of Tim Bridle who had resigned.
2. To adopt the Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 8 May 2024
RESOLVED: The minutes were adopted.
3. To receive an annual report from the Vice Chair of the Parish Council.
The Vice Chair of the Parish Council presented a report of parish Council activity in 2024-25:
Chair’s Annual Report 2024/25:
Five new councillors - welcomed to the Parish Council
Neighbourhood Plan for Great Gonerby - was early 2024 – completion expected by the end of this year.
Memorial Hall & Recreation Ground – Management committee continue their great work in managing the hall, the field and play facilities. The Vice Chair thanked the Memorial Hall trustees for their hard work on behalf of the Parish Council.
St Sebastian’s Parish and Hill Top Cemeteries – The cemeteries continue to provide a facility for the village, with Hill Top being our open cemetery for current interments. The PC worked hard last year on improving the visual appearance at Hill Top, Additional lighting and extended CCTV system has reduced the reports of anti-social behaviour and damage in the car park area.
High Street – Hanging baskets continued to decorate the High Street, adding a lovely splash of colour.
A huge thank you was given to Jeff Thompson for coordinating the planting and watering of the baskets, all the helpers for planting them up in May and to KW for supplying the plants.
Mystery Knitter - A thank you was given to the mystery knitter who delights us all year with the amazing themed post box toppers.
Village bus stop library - continues to be well used and is a lovely facility for all ages.
Post Office - acknowledged as a special hub in our village with wonderful staff.
Pond Area – the area with its friendship/lock down bench continues to provide a lovely focal point of the village, with statue Charlie being the feature.
Green areas - The village grassed areas continue to be maintained to as high standard as possible, despite the mix of weather causing an ongoing growth spurt everywhere. The Parish Council was contracted once again to carry out verge grass cutting on behalf of Lincs County Council, with SKDC responsible for other grassed areas.
Orchard - 17 community fruit trees in three areas in the vicinity of Kelham Road have been planted.
Millennium Wood - undergrowth was cleared by volunteers, improving visibility and reduced antisocial behaviour and disturbance to local residents.
Grant applications and sponsorship - continued to be a focus which has seen new white posts around the green, new bus shelter, three large speed signs and solar panels erected on the Memorial Hall.
Village Christmas Tree - a focus for lots of sparkle over the Christmas period, with a light switch-on celebration with many villagers joining the fun.
New Website – was launched for the Parish to make it more user friendly. GreatGonerby.parish.Lincolnshire.gov.uk
Defibrillators (3) - continue to be maintained by the Parish Council ready for use.
New Pelican crossing - replaced the old zebra crossing by the school. Double yellows on Long Street and Pond Street were introduced too, to deter bad parking at school times in particular.
Financial position - is good, having managed our budgets diligently and with good sense.
Thank you’s - to Pat Eland for her invaluable work in keeping the village in such a litter-free condition. Although both Caroline and Pat are our paid employees who carry out their roles going above and beyond.
Thank you to all of the Councillors as we continue to strive to keep a balance between representing the views of our residents and the longer term development of the village. It is so important that the village retains its character and identity, but also evolves to meet the needs of the inevitably expanding village population. But regardless of all this, I know we’re all proud to live in such a lovely parish.
For the full report please click here.
4. The annual report from The Chair of the Memorial Hall Trustees as follows:
GREAT GONERBY MEMORIAL HL
CHAIRMAN’S AND TREASURERS YEAR END REPORT MARCH 2025
1. Trustees
The most recent Trustees Annual General Meeting was held on 25 June 2024.
The following Trustees were confirmed:-
Ian Skellern – Chairman
Glendyr Saward- Secretary
Tony Saward – Treasurer
Jenny Critchley
Andy Mayer
Janet Thompson
Jeff Thompson
Annette Callow – Bookings Secretary
Matt Trimm
Sue Nash
Kelly Walton
Dave Witheridge
Matt Tipton - Gonerby Youth FC Liaison
Mr Lee Gurney who is the Chairman of the Gonerby Youth FC was invited to become a Trustee
2. Hiring
The use of the Hall is subject to a hiring agreement which must be signed by the hirer when booking. The hiring agreement sets out the conditions of hire and identifies the respective responsibilities of each party to the agreement .There are three main types of hiring undertaken.
• Monday to Friday, 08h30 to 16h00 Pre-school classes (term time only)
• Regular leisure activities, Monday to Friday evenings
• Weekend parties/celebration events on a one-off basis (Trustees provide opening and closing duties to ensure building security is maintained)
The weekend bookings are taken On-line only through Lemon Bookings which has taken a considerable work load away from the Bookings Secretary.
3. Finance
At the end of February 2024 (end of our financial year) our finances were as follows:-
Treasurers Account:- £ 27,314.14
Savings Account:- £ 16,197.54
3G Account:- £ 20,787.08
Cash:- £ 1.80
TOTAL:- £ 64,300.56
As at the end February 2025, our financial position is as follows:-
reasurers Account:- £ 25,982.33
Savings Account:- £ 16,383.73
3G Account:- £ 40,202.00
Cash:- £ 1.80
TOTAL:- £ 82,569.86
Since the end of February 2024, our Income has been £65,515.11 and our Expenditure has been £46,245.81. This has resulted in an excess of income over expenditure of £19,269.30. The considerable increase in income and expenditure over last year is mainly due to the SKDC Grant of £ 19,914.00 for the Solar Panels and the cost of the installation of these panels at £17,723.44.
As usual the parties again providing the lion’s share of the income at £9,155.00 after the deposits had been repaid, followed by the Pre-school at £7,063.00.
The 3G Football facility continued to provide a good income at £5,959.00 which is a little down on last year but the maintenance costs are similar at £1,746.88.
The maintenance costs for both the hall are also similar as there has been no major work carried out. However, the maintenance costs for the field and playground are considerably higher mainly due to the cost of the first phase of the football pitch upgrade at £3,852.00.
The cost of the field and hedge cutting is also considerably up, partly due to the £1,200.00 spent on tree cutting and pollarding and also the frequency of mowing has been greater this year.
4. Health & Safety
All the statutory inspections and servicing have been carried out, including the fire alarm system..
5. Maintenance
As can be seen from the provisional accounts, there has been less expenditure on Hall Maintenance, Field & Playground Maintenance and on the 3G Football Pitch Maintenance. Further details of the major items are given below:-
Field & Playground Maintenance
General maintenance £ 855.00
Grass Cutting £1,797.20
Tree cutting £1,200.00
3G Football Pitch.
Fence repairs £ 816.00
Solar Panel Installation
We were awarded a SKDC Grant of £19, 914.00 on 30 May 2024 and after obtaining final quotations from 3 potential suppliers, a contract was awarded to Greenio who are based in Long Bennington on 13 June 2024 for an amount of £17,723.44. Construction started on 5 August 2024 and was completed on 9 August 2024. After some initial teething problems the system was in full operation by 20 August 2024.
Eon installed a new Smart Meter at the end of October 2024 and a new account to allow us to receive payment for the electricity that we export to the grid was set up on 6 November 2024. We are only allowed to receive payment annually so this will be in November 2025 after we have submitted a photograph of the export meter reading.
Football Pitch Upgrade.
Following inspection by the Football Association the football pitch has been rated as “Basic”. The Trustees were advised that a grant was available from the Football Association to assist in upgrading the pitch. It was agreed that we should apply for this grant and we have been awarded a grant of £ 12,800.00 over the next 6 years. The first phase was carried out by Fineturf in July 2024 at a cost of £3852.00
Potential Expenditure in 2024 and Beyond.
Solar Panels
According to the terms of the grant from SKDC, we are in theory only entitled to the value of the lowest quotation for the supply and installation of the panels, which is £15,000.00. Therefore it is possible that we will receive a demand from SKDC for £4,914.00.
Hedge Cutting
We have already spent a total of £2,400.00 with Eden Tree Services to have the hedge around the whole of the property cut by hand. It has proved impossible to arrange for a tractor with a flail to cut this hedge, plus the ground has been too wet to allow a large tractor on to the field so hand cutting was the only alternative.
Football Pitch Upgrade.
The second phase of the football pitch upgrade will be carried by Fineturf at the beginning of June 2025 at a cost of £8,220.00 incl VAT. However, the grant from the FA will only be £3,200.00 our contribution will be £5,020.00.
Potential Upgrade of 3G Fence.
We have obtained quotations to upgrade the fence around the 3G Pitch at around £36,000.00 incl VAT. We are in the process of applying to the Football Association for a grant of up to £25,000.00. If we receive the full grant then we have to find a further £11,000.00. Obviously, no grant, no fence upgrade but we will have to seriously consider our financial position when we know the outcome of the grant application.
3G Pitch Maintenance
We have received a quotation from SIS Pitches for the maintenance of the 3G Pitch for the next 3 years, 3 visits a year, for £4,860.00 incl VAT.
6. Summary
Overall, we have had a very good year financially, with our income exceeding expenditure by £19,269.30. However, next year is likely to be financially more challenging as can be seen from the above.
C. I. B. SKELLERN – CHAIRMAN. A .F. SAWARD - TREASURER
5. To receive an annual report from the Chair of the Poor’s Lands Trust:
Annual Report for Great Gonerby Poor’s land Charity April 2024- March 2025
1. Introduction
This annual report outlines the current status and financial activities of the Great Gonerby Poor’s land Charity for the year ending May 2025.
2. Land Sale Update
Arrangements for the sale of the plot at Allington are nearing conclusion. The expected proceeds from this land sale will be placed in a high-interest account to maximize returns.
- Estimated Costs of Sale: Approximately £2,000.
Following the completion of the Allington land sale, the land at Gonerby Moor will be put up for auction, with a set guide price to be confirmed.
3. Financial Overview
Account Status:
- Account 1: Money Manager: £2,329.69
- Account 2: Business Current: £ 64.20
4. Conclusion:
The Poor’s land Charity is taking proactive steps in managing its resources and enhancing its financial health through strategic land sales. Continued monitoring of our accounts and careful planning for future auctions will be essential for achieving our goals.
This report serves as a summary of our current activities and financial status, and we look forward to a fruitful year ahead.
Report supplied by Karri Davey, Poor’s Land Charity.
6. Open Forum
The floor was opened to the parishioners who attended the Annual Parish meeting for any questions.
One of the public asked for the Councillors to be introduced before beginning.
A question was raised about two of the waste bins in the Memorial Hall area which are badly damaged.
AD/CM to find out if they are owned by the Council and to find out if they will be repaired by SDLC.
A question was asked about the solar panels on the Memorial Hall. A MH Trustee explained the solar panels fitted onto the roof were expected to have the first payback towards the end of the year.
A discussion took place regarding the hedge around the playing field at the memorial hall had to be cut by hand due to the wet condition of the ground leading to an unexpected additional cost. To be added to the next PC meeting agenda.
The Memorial Hall Trustees asked for a notification to be uploaded onto FaceBook to alert everyone that the playing field will be out of use for re-turfing from 9 June 2025 for approximately 2 weeks.
One of the Parishioners thanked the Parish Councillor for all their hard work.
Meeting closed at 19.50pm