2020 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 7th January 2020 at 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall

Present: Cllr. Hutchinson Chairman, Cllr. J Thompson Vice Chairman, Cllr. K Davey, Cllr H Fletcher, Cllr A Mavros and Cllr R Plant

As there was a member of the public in attendance together with the Chairman of the Memorial Hall Committee, the Chairman opened the meeting with a Public Forum.

The Parishioner wished to bring the problems of speeding traffic and road safety issues to the attention of the Parish Council.  The Parishioner spoke of the increase in the numbers of cars and lorries not adhering to the speed limit and the High Street becoming like a race track early morning and early evening.  He wanted to enquire if the Parish Council would be willing to change the speed sign to one that shows actual speeds rather than just flashing “30” no matter what speed vehicle was travelling at.

The Chairman listened to the concerns sympathetically and advised that a meeting was in course of being arrange with the LCC Highways Department to discuss the problems of the siting of the zebra crossing.  The Chairman advised that he would request a further traffic survey to be carried out in the village as soon as possible and report back.

A discussion also took place regarding parked cars in the High Street, but it was thought  this probably slowed the traffic down and was therefore not felt to be a safety issue.

Speed bumps were also discussed but not thought to be a viable solution due to noise pollution.

Going forward traffic in the village is going to increase due to housing developments in the area.

The Chairman of the Memorial Hall wanted to ask if the Parish Council would be prepared to make provision in their Precept for the maintenance/renewal of playground equipment.  He advised that the Memorial Hall, at the present time, was financially sound but did not have the resources to replace worn out playground equipment.

The Chairman of the Parish Council advised that the Parish Council would always assist the Hall Committee where they could if problems arose.  He reminded that the Parish Council is already making Loan repayments in respect of the New Hall thereby already contributing, and any further payments would have to be justified.  The matter was let in abeyance for the time being.

1.   Apologies:

Cllr. I Hammond – Work Commitments
Cllr. I Stokes – Work Commitments
Cllr. A Critchley – Unwell
Cllr J Critchley - Unwell
Cllr A Maughan (LCC) – Work Commitments

Apologies to be recorded only.

2.   Declarations of Interest/Dispensations

There were no Declarations of Interest/Dispensations.

3.   Co-option of New Councillor

Copies of Marci Neal’s Councillor Application form were distributed to all Councillors.

Marci spoke to the meeting and advised that she was a fairly new resident and wanted to make a contribution to the overall wellbeing of the village.  She has lived in various parts of the UK and hopes she will be able to bring fresh insight in supporting the current Councillors.

The Chairman asked for a vote to accept Marci as a Councillor and this was unanimously confirmed.

Cllr. Neal signed the Acceptance of Office and other documents and was handed a Memory stick containing the Rules and Regulations of the Council for her records.

4.   Minutes Signed from Previous Meeting

The Minutes from the previous meeting were signed as a true record.  Proposed by Cllr. Fletcher and seconded by Cllr. Davey.

5.   Matters Arising

The Chairman advised that one of the tenants of the Poor Land had not paid any rent in 2019 and to date had ignored requests for payment.  It has further been established that there had been a breach in the tenancy in as much as a park home is now sited on the Land.  A meeting with the tenant and site visit has been arranged.

6.   Official Correspondence and Circulation

Correspondence:-

Email correspondence received from Cllr. Maughan with regard to dates for a site visit from LCC Highways Department to inspect problems with the High Street zebra crossing.

Cllr. Maughan forwarded a copy of the LCC Bulletin for January which has been circulated to all Councillors.

SKDC have sent the updated Full Electoral Register for 2020.

Email received from Steve Shaw from Power for People Organisation asking for support of the Local Electricity Bill.  The proposition and request for support was discussed but it was decided the project was not something the Parish Council wanted to be involved in.

Letter from Chairman of the Governors of St Sebastian’s C of E School advising the Governors of St Sebastian’s C of E School, Great Gonerby and Marston Thorold’s Charity C of E School have unanimously agreed to form a Hard Federation between their respective schools commencing 1st January 2020.

Letter received from LCC regarding school admission arrangements for 2021 advising that they are proposing a reduction to the admission numbers to Grantham Gonerby Hill Foot Church of England School.

Email from the Environment Agency regarding Flood arrangements – no action necessary

Email from Memorial Hall confirming Meeting Room bookings for 2020

Email from LALC regarding Annual Training Scheme – it was decided the Council would continue to pay for Training Courses as and when required..

Circulation:

Clerks and Council’s News Bulletin

Gadson Village Gateways.

7.   Clerk and Members to Report Back on Matters Outstanding

Cllr. Thompson advised that 200 hawthorn plants would be required to repair Hill Top hedging.  This expenditure was agreed,  proposed by Cllr. Mavros and seconded by Cllr. Plant.

The Chairman requested the Clerk contact SKDC again with regard to the provision of the extra black bins.

The bench for the Pond Area was deferred to the next meeting as Cllr. Critchley is dealing with this project.

The Chairman ran through the pros and cons of establishing a Facebook page and after a discussion it was agreed not to proceed.

8.   Financial Matters

a)   Quarterly Summary of Accounts to 31st December 2019

The Clerk advised Payments continued to run  within budget with a couple of exceptions already reported, one being expenses and the other Maintenance at Hill Top Cemetery which ran over budget due to new gates being needed when new fence installed.

Receipts in respect of Burial fees are in excess of budget, as is Interest from the Bank as there is £30K on Term Deposit.

The Accounts and Bank balances were reconciled at the end of Quarter 3 duly signed by the Chairman and Clerk.

b)  Accounts for Payment

The following Accounts were presented for payment and unanimously agreed.

c)   Budget Setting for Next Year

The Budget for next year was discussed and agreed.  The Precept request in the sum of £28,836 has been submitted to SKDC, and the Clerk confirmed this is the same amount as for 2019/20.   The Chairman advised that the Parish Council is in a strong financial position.

9.   Advisory Groups

a)   Planning

Planning Applications:

S19/1901
Mr M Whitney – 4 Pond Street, Great Gonerby
Erection of single storey dwelling with detached double garage.

S19/2073
Mr G Gaduzo – 22 Long Street, Great Gonerby
New front entrance gates, wall and fence
Planning Granted:

S19/0210 – Mr B Durgan Mill House, Gonerby Grange, Gadds Lane
Replacement windows from timber frame to conservation style flush casement upvc.

S19/1789  Mr M Davis 1 Church Lane, Great Gonerby
Ashes T13 and T14 – minor pruning to lift crown by approximately 3m because of low branch overhang.  Planning granted subject to standard conditions.

S19/160
Mr M Gaunt – 59 Belton Lane, Great Gonerby
Creation of new vehicular access off classified road with new boundary wall, stone pillars and electric swan neck gates.

b)  The Environment

Cllr Thompson reported the church clock was not working.  He advised that a service is due and that he would be in touch with Smiths of Derby.

c)  Amenity Areas

Burial Ground Fees

The fees were discussed and it was agreed to an increase of 5% from the 1st April 2020.  Proposed by Cllr. Mavros and seconded by Cllr. Fletcher.

A discussion took place regarding village tree planting and it was agreed to let Parishioners  know that there are 25 free trees are available from the Woodland Trust if anyone was interested in taking part in the scheme.

d)  Highway Matters

The latest LCC Highways Hough report from Highways was made available to the Council. Indicating that the numerous potholes on Belton Lane are receiving attention

10.  Staffing Matters – Set appraisal dated for February

That Chairman will advise dates to the members of staff.

11.  Notices of motions for future meetings.

None.

12.  Any Matters for Urgent Discussion

The Clerk asked for permission for the potholes in the driveway to Hill Top Cemetery to be filled.  It was agreed to ask Cllr. Critchley to carry out this work.

The Clerk advised that Health and Safety check is carried out every 3 years at St Sebastian’s which was last done in 2017, requested permission to contact G H Linnell to carry out the inspection this year.  It was agreed the Clerk would request an estimate for the work.

The clerk produced a photo of the new memorial bench at St Sebastian’s Churchyard,  it was felt that a couple of paving stones will be needed in front of the bench. 

There being no further Parish Council Business the Meeting then moved into closed session to discuss staff matters

The meeting Closed at 21:45

GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL QUARTERLY SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS 30.9.19