April 13 April 2026 Minutes (262714)
GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (262714)
Monday 13th April 2026
Council Members:
Cllr Karri Davey (Chair)
Cllr Ginny Beckett (Vice-Chair)
Cllr M. Beckett Cllr A. Davey Cllr M. Davis Cllr S. Gray Cllr T. Knight Cllr K. Morrell Cllr Marci Neal
Caroline Marion - RFO/Burials/Grants & Proper Officer – In Attendance
Arlayna Bennet – Clerk & Proper Officer – In Attendance
Public Forum – 3 Members of Public
- Land at Elm View
An update was requested regarding land at Elm View. There was no new update available at the meeting.
- Abandoned Vehicles
Concern was raised regarding three abandoned vehicles on road of Kelham Road, which are reported to be obstructing pathway and access.
Action: The Clerk to contact Lincolnshire Highways and the Parish Council to report the issue and to seek advice from the Police as appropriate.
- Double Yellow Lines – Pond Street
Concerns were raised about inconsiderate parking on Pond Street, particularly in relation to the existing double yellow lines.
Action: The Clerk to request an update from KB regarding the matter.
1. Apologies for Absence
None
2. Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensation
Cllr KM declared an interest and received dispensation by full council.
3. Co-option
None
4. Chair’s Report
The Chair presented their report, which was received and noted by the Council.
5. Minutes
a) To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd March 2026.
RESOLVED: The minutes were adopted and signed by the Chair.
b) To approve and sign the CONFIDENTIAL minutes of the meeting held on 25th March 2026.
RESOLVED: The minutes were adopted and signed by the Chair.
6. Finances & Burials – RFO / Proper Officer
a) To receive the RFO Report. CM
The Council RECEIVED and NOTED the RFO report.
Burials & Cemeteries
- It was NOTED that inspections of both cemeteries had been completed.
- St Sebastian’s Cemetery inspection was carried out on 20 February 2026 by Cllrs GB, TK, AD, MB, AB and CM. Six unsafe headstones were laid flat and six recorded delivery letters sent to registered owners. Three responses were received; three owners remain untraceable. The deadline for remedial works is 17 April 2026.
- Hill Top Cemetery inspection was completed on 27 February 2026 by Cllrs GB and CM, with no further action required.
- Grass cutting has recommenced. Further costs are being explored for edging and pathway trimming at Hill Top Cemetery.
- Members NOTED the position regarding Hill Top Cemetery lighting, including the end of the existing MPAN contract on 17 April 2026, National Grid fuse removal costs of £190 + VAT, and a revised electrician’s quotation of £390 (+ £20 additional items).
- The Council NOTED that a Bio energy grant application had been submitted for bins, a noticeboard and benches.
b) To approve the bank reconciliations and bank transfers for the previous month. CM
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliations and bank transfers for the previous month.
Members NOTED the following:
- Q4 VAT refund of £246.58 received and transferred into the 30 day account.
- Precept received in the sum of £28,262.00.
- Year end surplus of £7,038.03, largely resulting from voluntary works undertaken by councillors.
- Transfers of £2,038.03 to the 30 day account and £5,000.00 to the 95 day account.
- Interest rates on savings accounts reduced from 1.25% to 1.10%.
c) To approve BACS and Direct Debit payments. CM
It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments:
- Standing Order: Mobile phone – £7.00 per month.
- Direct Debit: PWLB loan repayment of £4,923.67, paid on 7 April 2026.
d) Discussion: Possibility of onboarding a contractor for routine village maintenance tasks:
The Council discussed the potential appointment of a contractor for routine village maintenance. It was agreed to revisit the matter in May. A maintenance task list will be circulated to councillors to identify volunteer led tasks and those requiring contractors. Further quotes will be sought to assess cost and feasibility.
e) Retrospective approval of S137 donation to the school for litter pickers (due to short notice)
It was RESOLVED to give retrospective approval to the Section 137 expenditure of £98.39 to St Sebastian’s School for litter picking equipment, previously authorised by the RFO due to urgency.
f) Budget approval (subject to confirmation with Caroline)
Members CONSIDERED the draft 2026/27 budget, showing forecast income (including precept) of £65,574.
It was RESOLVED to add £250 into the budget for the Emergency Plan and then Resolved to approve the budget and authorise its implementation.
g) Approval of payment for bench back plates - £450.00
It was RESOLVED to approve payment of £450.00 for bench back plates.
h) Consideration and approval of quotes (if received) for concrete slabs for bench installations
The Council NOTED that quotations for concrete slabs were received and agreed that the council would gather more quotes and this matter will be brought to a future meeting for consideration and approval.
i) To resolve the number of parish council representatives who will attend the LALC Summer Conference, and to confirm how many attendee fees will be paid by the Parish Council.
It was RESOLVED to confirm that 4 of parish council representatives would be attending the LALC Summer Conference and the number of associated delegate fees to be paid by the Parish Council.
COPIES OF PAYMENTS/RECIEPTS/BANK RECONSILIATIONS/TRANSFERS AS PER ITEMS CAN BE FOUND ON GGPC WEBSITE:
https://great-gonerby.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
7. Clerk & Administration Updates
a) Update: Clerk to adopt the newly designed logo (as produced by AB) going forward
RESOLVED to approve new parish logo.
b) Annual Governance Statement – review of internal system/procedural controls; RFO and Clerk sign off. AB & CM
RESOLVED to approve and adopt internal system/procedural controls; RFO and Clerk. Available to view on request via Clerk.
8. Policy Reviews for Sign Off
a) Review and approval of Risk Assessment Policy
b) Review and approval of Tree Inspection Policy
It was resolved to adopt all policies listed a) to b)
9. Highways
a) Highways update – KB
It was NOTED that Cllr Ken Bamford’s report was prior circulated and read by all.
b) Speed limit review request: B1174 Newark Hill to roundabout – proposal to reduce from 60mph to 30mph.
It was NOTED that this concern was raised by a parishioner and agreed that the CLERK will reach out to see if LCC can do anything about this as the PC has limited remit on this area.
10. Project Updates
a) Emergency Plan update
Cllr GB REPORTED that the Great Gonerby Emergency Plan has been formally approved by the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum.
It was NOTED that, in the event of an emergency, the Plan would be activated by the village coordinators, with appropriate emergency support deployed while the community provides initial self support.
Cllr GB further ADVISED that the Emergency Plan will shortly be launched to residents via social media and a leaflet drop to all households. A village meeting will be arranged to provide information and to invite residents to volunteer their support.
b) Planning updates
The Committee REPORTED that the Gas Lights Development has been formally refused following a decision by the Secretary of State.
Members were further ADVISED that the McDonald’s development is currently expected to open in December. Potential issues may arise during the summer period in relation to road closures and associated disruption, which will continue to be monitored.
c) Events update - Events Committee structure and Terms of Reference; appointment of members; brief pre circulated update
The Council CONSIDERED the Events Committee structure and Terms of Reference, which had been pre circulated.
It was RESOLVED to adopt the Terms of Reference, with immediate effect.
t was further RESOLVED to appoint the following members to the Events Committee:
- Tina
- Karen
- Sarah
It was CONFIRMED that Cllr Sarah will act as Lead Member for the Events Committee. It was discussed and RESOLVED that the summer event will be help on August 9th 2026.
d) Neighbourhood Plan update
An updated draft of the Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared to reflect feedback received since publication on the Parish Council website. The revisions strengthen clarity, supporting evidence and presentation, and are intended to improve alignment with planning regulations. The Plan remains in draft form and will progress through the agreed consultation and examination stages subject to Parish Council approval.
e) Environmental
- Environmental concern raised by parishioner – 37 Belvoir Gardens
The Council CONSIDERED an environmental concern raised by a parishioner relating to 37 Belvoir Gardens. It was NOTED that the Parish Council has limited authority to take direct action in this matter. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk would contact South Kesteven District Council to raise the environmental issues on behalf of the Parish Council.
- Organising a tree inspection
The Council CONSIDERED the need to organise a tree inspection within the parish.
It was RESOLVED to create a tree register, identifying which trees fall under the responsibility of the Parish Council and which are the responsibility of South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) or Lincolnshire County Council (LCC).
It was further RESOLVED to arrange a tree inspection. Members NOTED that volunteers had come forward to assist, namely: Cllrs GB, MB, KM, TK.
The date of the inspection is to be confirmed. GB will update council when this has been organised and completed.
It was also RESOLVED that the Clerk would contact SKDC to clarify which trees within Great Gonerby fall under their responsibility.
- Geoff’s planter update
The Council considered an update on the planters.
It was resolved to obtain quotations from TJ for:
- The removal of existing brackets from houses and making good by filling the holes; and
- A separate quotation for the supply of new brackets, to allow comparison and identify the most cost effective option.
It was agreed that the old planters would be replaced with two tier floor standing planters, with the only anticipated cost relating to the brackets.
11. Confidential / Closed Session
a) Resolution to exclude press and public
It was resolved to exclude the press and public and to move into closed session.
b) Review of current salary for the Community Cleaner
The Council considered the current salary of the Community Cleaner.
It was resolved that any pay increase would be implemented in October, in line with the NJC pay award, and backdated to April 2026.
Agreed unanimously.
12. Motions for next meeting
It was agreed that the following items would be included on the agenda for the next meeting:
- Parish Council–owned asset update, Specifically - Memorial Hall
- Events update
- Emergency Plan E Newsletter update
Meeting end.