2026-27 Minutes

GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

DRAFT MINUTES OF EOM
Wednesday 23 September 2026
At 7.15pm
The Memorial Hall, Belton Lane

Council Members present:                                                         
Cllr K. Morrall - Chairperson     
Cllr M. Neal – Vice-chair
Cllr M. Beckett            Cllr M. Davis              Cllr T. Rogers                                      
Caroline Marion - RFO/Burials/Grants & Proper Officer – In Attendance (minutes)
Arlayna Bennett – Clerk & Proper Officer – Not in attendance.

Public Participation (up to 15 minutes) - Members of the public may make representations, answer questions and give evidence. The Council will not enter into debate during this session.

The Chair welcomed 2 members of the public and Councillors to the meeting.
Two Trustees of the New Events Community Group  gave an overview of the group, outlining its core purpose and sharing its proposal for moving the future.    They explained that they were still waiting for the bank account to be opened and that the Charity application may take several months to be approved.  Copes of applications to be shared with Clerk/RFO.
 As this was to  be discussed in detail in item 3 by the PC the conversation was general.  After the initial discussion the Chair opened the Parish EOM at 7.30pm.

1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr Sarah Gray -  on vacation
Clerk  - not in attendance

2. Declarations of Interest & Requests for Dispensation
None received 

3. New Great Gonerby Events Group – Grant Application and Transfer of Events Assets
a. To consider a grant application from the New Great Gonerby Events Group and the request for the transfer of events-related assets currently held by the Parish Council, and to determine the Council's final decision once the New Great Gonerby Events Group becomes a charity.  

It was noted that a Grant Application had not be received from the New Events Group.

CM distributed minute extracts from previous Council meetings going back to 2019 to each of the Councillors showing that it had been agreed the PC would ring fence monies in a bank account for the original events group. The bank account was to be managed by the Clerk and events organised by Cllr K Davey.

A discussion took place on releasing monies to the New Events Group either as a Grant or a donation.  

It was explained that the money in the events account had been accrued through running events in Great Gonerby and not taken from the precept over the years.

With the permission of the Chair it was agreed to allow one of the Trustees to explain the current situation with the Charity application and that it may take more than 6 months.

Resolved:  Bank account to be in place and to include Diane Gee and Karri Davey as signatories who are 2 of the 4 named Trustees before release of the first payment.
Proposed Cllr Mike Davis and  seconded Cllr Mike Beckett.  Agreed unanimously.

Resolved:  To release the monies in two payments – Proposed Cllr Mike Davis and  seconded Cllr Mike Beckett. Agreed unanimously.

A discussion took place regarding formalising the details of the transfer of the monies.
CM explained that it is important that Due Diligence is carried out for audit purposes and to ensure credentials are in place.

Resolved : To send a document to be signed by the New Events Group and the Parish Council outlining all details agreed.  Proposed Cllr Terri Rogers and seconded Cllr Mike Beckett. Agreed unanimously.

A discussion took place on the Assets that had been bought by the existing Events Group in the  past .  A total value of £1024.00 which is currently under the Parish Council Insurance policy.

Resolved: To donate all assets listed above at the same time as the Monies
Proposed Cllr Marci Neal and seconded Cllr Mike Beckett. Agreed unanimously.

Resolved:  To remove above assets from PC insurance at time of transfer and to be relocated.
Proposed Cllr Terri Rogers and seconded Cllr Marci Neal. Agreed unanimously.

4. Summerfest Car Park Donation to St Sebastian's School Bell Tower
a. To receive confirmation of the amount raised through Summerfest car parking and to resolve to make the corresponding donation to St Sebastian's School towards the Bell Tower restoration project.
CM explained that a donation had been advertised to be given to St Sebastian's School Bell Tower from the Summer Fest car parking.  
All car parking money had been amalgamated with the proceeds taken at the SummerFest so an actual figure was not available.  It was suggested that there was between 100 -150 cars at a charge of £1/car.  Following a short discussion it was agreed a donation of £150 be made.  
Resolved: Donation of £150 to be given from the Summer Fest Event money for the Bell Tower.   Proposed Cllr Terri Rogers and seconded Cllr Mike Beckett. Agreed unanimously

The Chair is to contact the Head Teacher to arrange the donation.
CM said there would be a total of £3169.97 to be transferred to the  New Events Community Group in two payments.   £3319.97 currently in the PC  Events bank account less £150.00 donation.

Resolved: To make the transfer of £3169.97 once the bank account is set up as all details agreed above in two payments.    Proposed Cllr Terri Rogers and seconded Cllr Mike Davis.   Agreed unanimously

5. Motions for next meeting. 
It was not possible to come to an agreement regarding the ownership of the Summer Fest 2027.  Deferred for discussion in 2027.

The Chair thanked everyone for their participation and closed the meeting at 8.55pm

Next PC meeting:  5 October 2026