May 13th 2026 Draft Minutes (Annual Parish Council Meeting)
Great Gonerby Annual Parish Council Meeting (APCM) Minutes – 262715APCM
13th May 2026 – Great Gonerby Memorial Hall.
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 M. Neal
Caroline Marion - RFO/Burials/Grants & Proper Officer – In Attendance
Arlayna Bennet – Clerk & Proper Officer – In Attendance
Apologies – Cllr K. Morral & Cllr K. Bamford
Public in Attendance – 3 Members of Public
1. Election of Chair
Nominations were received for the position of Chair.
Resolved: Cllr K. Davey was elected as Chair unanimously.
K. Davey accepted the position and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Proposed/Seconded: Cllr M. Davis and Cllr S. Gray
2. Election of Vice Chair
Nominations were received for the position of Vice Chair.
Resolved: Cllr G, Beckett was elected as Vice Chair unanimously.
G. Beckett accepted the position and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Proposed/Seconded: Cllr M. Davis and Cllr K. Davey
3. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllr K. Morrall and Cllr K. Bamford.
Resolved: Absence was accepted.
4. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
Declarations of interest were received from:
Cllr K. Davey declared an interest as a member of LALC and NALC.
Resolved: A dispensation was granted to Cllr K. Davey (unanimous).
5. Minutes
a) Annual Parish Council Meeting – 14 May 2025
Resolved: That the minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 14 May 2025 be approved as a true record.
b) Parish Council Meeting – 13 April 2026
Resolved: That the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13 April 2026 be approved as a true record.
6. Finances, Grants & Burials – RFO / Proper Officer
6a) RFO Report and Year-End Accounts (to 31 March 2026)
The RFO report, including year-end accounts, was received and noted.
The council noted:
• A year-end residual balance of £7,038.03, transferred to reserves
• Opening precept for the current year (part-year): £28,262.00
• Bank interest received: £710.90, with a reduced rate for 2026/27
• The contribution of councillors and volunteers in reducing expenditure
Resolved: That the RFO report and year-end accounts for 2025/26 be received and noted (unanimous).
6b) Budget Position and Reserves (AGAR)
The current budget position and reserves were reviewed, including:
• Earmarked reserves and general reserves for 2025/26 and 2026/27
• Budget adjustments (burials, defibrillators, electricity, emergency plan)
• Receipt of Community Cleaner grant (£694.98)
Councillors confirmed that reserves were appropriate to support the AGAR submission.
Resolved: That the budget position and level of general and earmarked reserves be approved for AGAR purposes (unanimous).
6c) Bank Reconciliations and Transfers – April 2026
Bank reconciliations, statements and transfers for April 2026 had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Resolved: That the bank reconciliation and transfers for April 2026 be approved (unanimous).
6d) Staff BACS Payments – April 2026
Details of staff BACS payments for April 2026 were presented.
Resolved: That staff BACS payments for April 2026 be approved (unanimous).
6e) Other Payments – BACS and Direct Debits (April 2026)
A schedule of payments, including direct debits (mobile contract £7/month), was presented.
Resolved: That all other BACS and Direct Debit payments for April 2026 be approved (unanimous).
Copies of all supporting documentation, including payments, receipts, bank reconciliations and transfers, are available on the Parish Council website:
https://great-gonerby.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
6f) Chairperson’s Allowance (£600)
The Chairperson’s Allowance was considered.
Resolved: That the Chairperson’s Allowance remain at £600 (unanimous).
6g) Internal Audit Update
The Internal Audit update, circulated prior to the meeting, was received.
Resolved: That the Internal Audit report be noted (unanimous).
6h) Liability Insurance Renewal
A quotation for renewal of the Council’s Public Liability Insurance was received (£950.70), with comparison work undertaken. The policy is due to expire on 31 May 2026.
Resolved: That the Public Liability Insurance renewal be approved (unanimous).
6i) RFO Burials Course
Approval was sought for the RFO to attend a Burials course at a cost of £80 plus VAT.
Resolved: That the RFO be approved to attend the Burials course at a cost of £80 plus VAT (unanimous).
6j) AGAR Review and Approval
The Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) was reviewed line by line. Each section was read out and agreed by all councillors.
Resolved: That the AGAR for 2026 be approved and signed at the meeting (unanimous).
7. Highways Update – Cllr K. Bamford
The Highways report, circulated prior to the meeting, was received in the absence of Cllr K. Bamford.
8. Policies and Procedures
a) Parish Council Asset Register – Review and Approval
The Parish Council Asset Register was reviewed.
Resolved: That the Parish Council Asset Register be approved and adopted (unanimous).
b) Publication Scheme – Review and Approval
The Publication Scheme was reviewed.
Resolved: That the Publication Scheme be approved and adopted (unanimous).
c) Accessibility Statement – Review and Approval
The Accessibility Statement was reviewed.
Resolved: That the Accessibility Statement be approved and adopted (unanimous).
d) GDPR Compliance Checklist, Data Protection, Privacy and Retention Policies – Review and Approval
The GDPR Compliance Checklist, Data Protection, Privacy and Retention Policies were reviewed.
Resolved: That the GDPR Compliance Checklist, Data Protection, Privacy and Retention Policies be approved and adopted (unanimous).
9. Project Updates
a) Environment – E-newsletter
The Council considered the introduction of a parish e-newsletter as a means of improving communication with residents. Members discussed the format and delivery options, including the possibility of a quarterly publication. It was agreed to explore the use of Mailchimp, to produce a mock-up design, and to revisit the matter at the July meeting. The potential creation of a supporting leaflet was also discussed, and it was agreed that a newsletter team be established to take the project forward.
b) Hanging Baskets / Planters
The Council considered the management of hanging basket and planter brackets throughout the parish. It was agreed to purchase new brackets and to commence a trial installation of three planters, with the outcome to be reviewed at a future meeting.
Existing brackets will remain in situ unless a request for removal is received from the relevant property. Where a request for removal is made, the Council will undertake the works and make good any damage caused. Residents will be required to confirm in writing their request for removal and their acceptance of the Council’s reinstatement of the affected area following completion of the works.
c) LED Street Lighting
The Council received an update on the LED street lighting, noting that the MPAN contract is now in place for the supply at Hill Top Cemetery.
It was further noted that issues remain with the operation of the lighting following recent works.
Resolved: Openreach be contacted to inspect the wiring and address the ongoing faults.
d) Clock Maintenance
The Council received an update on the maintenance of St Sebastian’s Clock. It was noted that a new three-year service contract has been proposed at a cost of £160 plus VAT per annum and that a service was carried out on 28 April 2026.
Resolved: That the three-year service contract for the maintenance of St Sebastian’s Clock be approved (unanimous).
e) Quotations for Works
i) Concrete bases for benches
The Council considered quotations received for the installation of concrete bases for benches, in the sums of £570 and £345. The lower quotation of £345 was considered acceptable.
ii) Electrical box works
The Council considered a quotation for works to the electrical box at Pinfold, including replacement and safety improvements, with options of £485 (plastic) and £580 (metal). The options were reviewed and deemed acceptable.
iii) Edge cutting at Hill Top Cemetery
The Council considered a quotation of £337.50 plus VAT for edge cutting works at Hill Top Cemetery and agreed that the works be undertaken by the Green Elves Volunteers Instead.
Resolved: That the quotation of £345 for concrete bench bases be accepted; that the plastic option at £485 for the electrical box be approved; and that the RFO / Proper Officer be authorised to proceed with the approved works. It was further agreed that edge cutting at Hill Top Cemetery be undertaken by the volunteer group (unanimous).
f) Tree Donation – High Street
The Council considered the offer of a donated tree for the High Street, including future maintenance requirements.
Resolved: That the Council does not proceed with the tree donation at this time due to the absence of ongoing maintenance provision (unanimous).
g) Neighbourhood Plan
MD - An informal discussion with district planning officers provided positive feedback on progress with the Neighbourhood Plan and guidance on next steps. National planning policy is expected to change later this year, and the Plan will need to align with updated national and local policy. The Local Plan is now at a pre-submission stage, meaning no additional sites can be added and existing allocations cannot be removed; however, the Neighbourhood Plan may still identify preferred areas for development within its policies, and site allocation does not guarantee development. The Plan should support overall housing requirements while reflecting local priorities, including protection of key views and open spaces and addressing infrastructure issues such as traffic at key junctions. A coordinated approach to infrastructure improvements across developments was noted as beneficial. Additional technical support for Neighbourhood Plans is expected to become available shortly.
10. Clerk’s Update
The Clerk provided an update on current councillor vacancies, noting that there are two vacancies currently available.
The Council also considered a proposed change to the meeting schedule from 2027. Following discussion, it was agreed by majority vote that, from January 2027, Parish Council meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month.
Resolved: That the meeting schedule be amended with effect from January 2027 as stated (majority).
11. New Motions for Future Consideration
No items recorded.