2020 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

GREAT GONERBY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 21st July 2020 at 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall

Present:  Cllr. Hutchinson Chairman, Cllr. J Thompson Vice Chairman, Cllr. A Critchley, Cllr J Critchley, Cllr. K Davey, Cllr. H Fletcher, Cllr. M Neal, and Cllr. A Maughan (LCC)

There being ten members of the public present the meeting opened with a Public Forum.

A parishioner wished to inform the Council the new light at Hill Top was not working yet.  The Chairman advised that he hoped the installation of the new light would help reduce the number of anti-social incidents at the cemetery.  He further advised that the Parish Council are now in receipt of a quotation in the region of £2,000 for the installation of further CCTV cameras should it prove necessary once the new lights are working.

A Parishioner requested the installation of barriers with a code to stop unauthorised vehicles accessing the car park.  The Chairman advised that this would be considered as a last resort but was hopeful measures being put in place would solve the problems.

The problem of rubbish was mentioned and it was acknowledged that this has been a problem.

A Parishioner spoke of their wish for rooted plants but acknowledged that contractors are employed to do the mowing however requested owners to be able to look after their own plot and grass.

Another request was for wild flowers to be sown on the un-occupied land.

The current owners of the plots at Hill Top want the cemetery to look beautiful like Harlaxton and Barrowby where rooted plants apparently are allowed.

The Chairman explained the Parish Council needs to have certain terms and conditions and also the reasons why all Councils have different rules.

Great Gonerby Parish Council manages the land at Hill Top and the rules were set following problems experienced at St Sebastian’s churchyard.

The Parishioner asked the Parish Council to consider giving owners a voice in how Hill Top is run going forward, the Chairman advised that further consideration is needed and will discuss further with owners.

Another Parishioner spoke of anti-social problems experienced on the playing field and MUGA advising that it hard to relax in their own garden.  Noise is being heard late at night making it impossible for residents to relax.   The Parishioner requested consideration be given to locking the MUGA, the installation of better CCTV and the possibility of barriers for the car park.

Tony Saward responded on behalf of the Memorial Hall Committee advising that it was not wise to lock the MUGA gate as this had been done in the past which immediately resulted in the wire fence being vandalised.  Remedial work is in hand to stop the noise coming from footballs banging on the metal fence. 

It was acknowledged that the area is well used which is fine but the behaviour of the users needs to improve.

The meeting was advised that it was not just Great Gonerby experiencing these problems but other villages too.

The Chairman of the Parish Council advised that the Council is working with the Memorial Hall Committee to try and resolve the issues.

It was suggested a formal letter be sent to the police requesting regular surveillance and Cllr. Maughan has said he will do this.

Members of the public left the meeting at 20:05

1.  .  Apologies:    Cllr. I Hammond – Work Commitments, Cllr A Mavros – Work Commitments, Cllr. R Plant – Work Commitments,  Cllr. I Stokes – Work Commitments,  Cllr. R Kayberry-Brown (SKDC)

Apologies to be recorded only

2. Declarations of Interest/Dispensations

Cllr. J Thompson declared an interest in a payment made to Gonerby Moor Farms in respect of the purchase of plants and compost for additional High Street Planters and also an interest in planning permission granted under reference S20/0143 as landlord of the property concerned.

3. a)  Nominations of Chairman and Vice Chairman

The Chairman advised that he was happy to continue in the roll unless there was someone else who would like to take on the roll.  There being no other applications it was proposed by Cllr. J Critchley and seconded by Cllr. Davey  that Cllr. Hutchinson would remain as Chairman.

The Vice Chairman advised that he was also happy to continue.  This was proposed by Cllr. Hutchinson and seconded by Cllr. J Critchley. 

All in favour of the nominations.

 b)  Signing of Chairman’s and Vice Chairman’s Declaration of Acceptance

Forms Signed.

 c)  All Councillors to sign Acceptance of Office Statements

This was done prior to meeting as required by current Social Distancing regulations.

d)  Advisory Groups to be Up-dated

Up-dated and distributed.

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.  Official Correspondence and Circulation

Correspondence:-

Further correspondence received regarding ownership of hedge at 1 Grantham Road.  Cllr. Maughan advised that it had not been possible to determine ownership and it had been decided to share the cost of maintenance between LCC and SKDC or the cost of removal later in the year.

Correspondence received from Yorkshire Bank advising interest rate on Term Deposit Account to be reduced to 0.45% and on Business Cash Management Account to 0.01%

Report received from Cllr. A Maughan and distributed by email to all Councillors prior to meeting.  Report attached to Minutes

Email received from Parishioner re anti-social behaviour on playing field and MUGA

Further correspondence from Parishioner re works outstanding at Hill Top

Correspondence received from Parishioner re problems of anti-social behaviour at Hill Top

Up dated Register of Electors received from SKDC

Reply received from Centrebus re timetable problems and explanation.  Chairman requested Clerk to write again requesting slight amendments to their timetables.

SKDC sent Business Rates Bill for Hill Top – Nothing due as exemption in place.

Highways England responded re flooding on slip road to A1 advising will investigate further as to cause.

Parishioner advised of dog fouling problems on Long Street.

Circulation:

Clerks and Council’s News Bulletin

6 a) Cllr. Davey presented her proposal for a “Social Bench” to be sited on the Memorial Hall Field and advised that estimated costs ranged from £1,000 to £2,300.  The principal of the proposal was discussed and thought to be a good idea but Councillors wanted to defer a decision until the November meeting to enable monitoring of anti-social behaviour going forward and as to whether or not the addition of a bench would make matters worse.

b)  The Chairman updated the meeting with regard to a bench for the Pond area.  The idea is to gather up the “Covid” stones the children of the village have been painting and hiding and to set these stones into resin to form a bench.  The idea was approved and a budget of £1000 agreed.  Proposed by Cllr. Thompson and seconded by Cllr A Critchley.  All in favour

c)  The advertising board at Hill Top is on property belonging to Cllr. Critchley, no further action is to be taken.

7.  Review of Risk Assessment and Data Protection.

The Chairman read the Mission Statement to the meeting, no changes to be made.

Data Protection – LALC have provided a Guide for Parish and Town Councils, no amendments this year

8. Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations including Quotation Amounts

These were reviewed and no amendments made.

9.  Financial Matters

a)  To receive Year End Accounts

Year End Accounts were circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting and agreed.

b)  To consider, approved and sign the Annual Governance Statement 2019/20

The Chairman read through the AGAR Statement and was duly signed.

c)  To consider, approve and sign Accounting Statement for 2019/20

The statement was read and signed.

d)  To consider Chairman’s Allowance

The Chairman left the meeting whilst the Allowance was discussed.  It was unanimously agreed to increase the allowance to £550 for the next year.

The Chairman re-joined the meeting

e)  Accounts for Payment

The above payments were reported by email to all Councillors and authorised prior to meeting.

The following are payments from 1st July to date:-

The above payments were duly authorised proposed by Cllr. Thompson, seconded by Cllr. Critchley

f)  Review of Zurich Insurance Limits

Renewal documents were discussed and the Clerk was asked to advise Zurich of the addition of the lights at Hill Top.

All agreed current limits were adequate.

g)  Authorisation of Bank Transfer Details 2020/21

The above form was duly signed by the Chairman.  It was pointed out more payments are made by Bank transfer which are initiated by the Clerk and authorised by the Chairman or Vice Chairman

10.  Hall Representative for Next Year.

Hall Representatives are to remain unchanged with Cllrs Thompson and J Critchley

11.  Advisory Groups

a)  PLANNING FOR JULY MEETING  - SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO ALL COUNCILLORS – 17th June 2020

APPLICATIONS

S20/0348

Mr M Gromett

3 Long Street, Great Gonerby

Conversion of existing outbuilding to form double garage and annex accommodation

S20/0349

Mr M Gromett

3 Long Street, Great Gonerby

Listed Building Consent -Conversion of existing outbuilding to form double garage and annex accommodation

Listed Building Application

S20/0178

Mr L Matthews

57 Manor Drive, Great Gonerby

Erection of a single storey, flat roof extension

Prior notification under Part 12 Class A

S20/0438

Mr D Wrigglesworth

Manor Farm Cottage, 78 Long Street, Great Gonerby

Installation of a brick-based rectangular greenhouse of size 2.5 x 4m to west corner of garden

S20/0439

Mr D Wrigglesworth

Manor Farm Cottage, 78 Long Street, Great Gonerby

Installation of a brick-based rectangular greenhouse of size 2.5 x 4m to west corner of garden

Listed Building Consent

S20/0350

Mr M Gromett

3 Long Street

Section 73 to vary condition 2 of S18/0196 changes to rear extension.

S20/0886

2 Long Street, Great Gonerby

Mr C Harvey

Two storey extension to side of property

S20/0942

36 Long Street, Great Gonerby

Mr G Thomas

Internal alterations and widening of vehicular access

APPROVALS

S19/1901

Land at rear of 4 Pond Street

Erection of bungalow and detached double garage.

S20/0171

16 Green Street

Cut back tree from front of house

S20/0178

57 Manor Drive

Erection of single storey extension

Planning Permission not required.

S20/0438

Manor Farm Cottage, 78 Long Street

Installation of a brick based greenhouse

S20/0348

3 Long Street, Great Gonerby

Conversion of existing outbuilding to form double garage and annex accommodation

S20/0349

3 Long Street, Great Gonerby

Listed Building Consent -Conversion of existing outbuilding to form double garage and annex accommodation

S20/0438

Manor Farm Cottage, 78 Long Street, Great Gonerby

Installation of a brick-based rectangular greenhouse of size 2.5 x 4m to west corner of garden

S20/0143

Mr R Wilson

Motorcoss rear of College Farm, Old Great North Road

Section 73 application for variation of Condition 1 (days of operation) ofS16/2363 to allow for extra day of operation.

S20/0350

Mr M Gromett

3 Long Street

Section 73 to vary condition 2 of S18/0196 changes to rear extension on plots 2 and 3, materials, boundary treatment, fire sprinkler and land level details.

PLANNING RECEIVED SUBSEQUENT TO ABOVE

S20/0974

Mr C Thompson

25 Pond Street, Great Gonerby

Barn conversion to one residential dwelling and erection of one bungalow

S20/1053

Mr G Thomas

36 Long Street, Great Gonerby NG31 8LN

Listed Building Consent

Internal alterations including insertion and alteration of partition walling.  Insertion of roof light, insulation to loft.

Cllr. Maughan updated the meeting with regard to the proposed Drive-thru Coffee shop at Toll Bar which had recently been withdrawn due to outstanding investigations being carried out by Highways England.

b)  The Environment

The possibility of a new defibrillator for the village was discussed and it was agreed that this was a good idea.  The proposal is to site the additional machine on Kelham Road.  Two quotations were presented to the meeting and it was decided to proceed with the quotation submitted by Heartbeat in the sum of approximately £2250 to include a Community Awareness session.

Cllr. Maughan updated the meeting of the current situation with regard to Footpath 4 and advised that it was Case number 32 of 153.  Cases take time to resolve and it was unlikely our case would get resolved.  Cllr. Maughan asked for a definitive map showing the path and date so he can return to get the case progressed.

Cllr Thompson is to call a public meeting and requested an Officer from LCC to attend to discuss the situation.

c)  Amenity Areas

Quotation received from All Secure with regard to the installation of further CCTV cameras at Hill top in the sum of £2000.  It was agreed to hold the quotation in abeyance pending the outcome of the installation of the lighting

A discussion took place as to where to site some street art which used to be on display in the corner shop and has now been offered to the Parish Council.  Further enquiries are to be made regarding renovation works and costs to be available for  next meeting

The planting of mini daffodils on the area of green by the church was discussed and agreed with a budget of £50.

The white posts in the same area also in need of maintenance and this is receiving attention.

d)  Highway Matters

Cllr Maughan reported back to Council following the site meeting at the school having been in contact with the Minor work and Traffic department at LCC who have advised:

They reserve the use of Zebrite lamps to Zebra crossings on A roads and where reported injury accidents have occurred so this will not be an option for the site at Great Gonerby. LCC can however arrange for a pedestrian crossing survey to see if an upgrade to a Puffin Crossing in the village can be justified.

 The Department is not aware of any school safety zone signage in this county which incorporates amber flashing lights. Installations of this type need to be considered within the wider context of the potential demand from other parishes for a similar feature as part of their school safety zones, and the costs of installation and ongoing maintenance. This being the case LCC do not intend to pursue this request at this time.  LCC will however ensure that the existing provision of signage and road markings associated with the Zebra crossing and safety zone are up to standard.

The Department have advised the request for an assessment of the existing parking situation in the vicinity of the school and at Long Street and Easthorpe Road has been logged and will be investigated in due course

It was reported a sign at the top of Gonerby Hill had been damaged.  The Clerk will report to Fix My Street.

A number of potholes were reported in the High Street, again will be reported to Fix My Street

A discussion took place regarding speeding in the village and it was agreed to purchase an additional speed sign.  Quotations will be requested and distributed to Councillors for consideration and acceptance as appropriate.

12.  Notices of motions for future meetings.

None.

13.  Any Matters for Urgent Discussion

It was mentioned that the Community Cleaner had been working additional hours due to the large amount of litter being generated in the village.  It was discussed and acknowledged and was agreed an extra payment of £100 would be made to the Community Cleaner.

There being no further business meeting Closed at 22:05

Flag Flying Days:             

14th August   V J Day (Victory in Japan)

 3rd September  Merchant Navy Day

 11th September  9/11 Twin Towers (to be flown at half-mast)

15th September    Battle of Britain Day