Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting for the Village of Great Gonerby
held on Wednesday 8th of May 2024 at 7:15pm
Present: Chairman – T. Bridle, Cllr K. Davey, Cllr G. Beckett, Cllr M. Neal, Cllr C. Cundall, Cllr J. Cundall, Cllr K. White, J. Walker – Clerk, A. Bennett – Clerk.
The Chairman opened the meeting welcoming everyone to his 13th Annual Parish Meeting.
1. Apologies: Cllr A Maughan
Mr J Thompson
2. Minutes:
The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 15th March 2023 were signed as a true record.
3. Chairman’s - Annual Report 2023/24
My report is broken down into various areas of activity -
The Memorial Hall / Recreation Ground – The hall, field and its management committee have continued their great work in managing the hall and field.
There was great summer success between the Memorial Hall and Events team with the Family Fund and Car Boot, I hope we can get to see more of such activities in the near future.
We must thank the Memorial Hall team for their work and continue to collaborate to support the village experience.
Gonerby, Hill Top Cemetery – The cemetery continues to provide a first-class amenity for the village and provide additional car parking capacity for the recreation ground and Memorial Hall. We introduced an agreement where plot owners can take over the maintenance of the plot and plant some flowers which has been taken up by a few plot owners. The additional lighting and extended CCTV system has reduced the reports of anti-social behavior and damage.
High Street – The hanging baskets again this year continue to improve and softened the look of the high street, its easy to take for granted the joy from subtle splashes of colour, they truly are a great display and feature of the village. I must thank all helpers for planting up the baskets each year and for the watering and feeding of the baskets during the dry spells.
We have three sticking new village signed, installation thanks is given to Tony Critchley, they are another great character addition to the village.
Pond Area – The pond area with its friendship bench/ lock down bench continues to provide a pleasing focal point of the village; and a point to admire Charlie against the church backdrop.
Parish Area - The village continues to be maintained to a high standard and our ongoing decision to take over and increase the LCC verge grass cutting ensures that the village continues to be a pleasant and well-maintained place to live.
Additional developments this year have been the planting of the Coronation Tree, Clearance and tidy up of the Millenium Wood and Village Sandbag provisions following the Long Street flood incident.
the addition of Sandbags.
Parish Council changes – This year has many changes in long standing Councillors, starting with Blake Hutchinson retiring from 12years as Chairman, as well as resignations from Cllr Fletcher, Cllr Critchley and Cllr Mavros as well others. We thank them for their service and contributions to the Parish Council and village, we wish them every success for the future and I’m sure they will continue to be around and supporting the village where possible.
Parish Developments – there has been numerous developments and challenges the Parish Council and Village had to face this year.
In September 2023 a new website was developed, there are still aspects that need attention and correction making it a key item to resolve in the coming Parish year.
In November 2023 through our first village meeting, we decided to embark on a Neighborhood Plan which is a lengthy and legal process in collaboration with and sponsored by SKDC. Under the guidance of SKDC we progressed into the Designated Area aspect of the process.
The second village meeting was in March 2024 where the Parish and village came together and developed a strategic approach to respond to the draft SKDC Local Plan consultation. Through online and paper activities over 200 responses were collected and submitted, which SKDC have confirmed receipt of and praised the approach, voicing it as an impressive and constructive response.
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Grant applications became a focus and developing activity within the Parish this year, one that has seen white posts, bus shelter, speed signs and jointly with the Memorial Hall solar panel applications accepted.
We continue to find a balance between representing the views of our residents and the longer term development of the village. It is important that the village retains its character, history and identity, but also evolves to meet the needs of both existing and new residents. The village will continue to expand and we must reiterate our absolute resolve to ensure that no development applications breach the clear separation between Great Gonerby and Gonerby Hill Foot/Grantham and through the Neighborhood Plan we can ensure the village develops and expands in a way that the majority of the residents approve of. Overall, we, together with the residents of Great Gonerby should be proud to live in such a pleasant and desirable parish.
Our financial position is good, having managed our budgets diligently and with good sense. The bank balance at the end of the last financial year 31st March 2024 was £35,194 which is slightly less than previous years due to a number projects being undertaken to the benefit of the village. The Parish Council agreed there was a necessity to budget for an increased Precept for 2024-25 in the sum of £31,450.
I must thank Janet Walker, our clerk for all her help throughout the year. She is retiring from this role as Clerk soon and continues to be a great support to Parish Team. We thank her for the last 6 years services and her diligent activities to bringing our new clerk up to speed, wishing her every success in her future. Now is also a good time to also welcome Arlayna Bennett as our new Clerk.
I also need to record our thanks to Pat Eland for her invaluable work in keeping the village in such a clean condition. Although Janet and Pat are paid employees, I know they have regularly gone over and beyond their duties to ensure their respective roles are fulfilled. I must also like to thank all councillors their hard work, support, and dedication during this last year, as well as thanking the members and volunteers of the social committee for their excellent work in organizing village events and activities.
It’s great to see the village coming together, whether to celebrate or jointly protect and develop the community.
Yours faithfully
Tim Bridle
Chairman Great Gonerby Parish Council
4. Poor Land Report for 2023/2024
The poor land committee remains unchanged with the trustees being:
Secretary/Trustee – Karri Davey
Trustee – Blake Hutchinson
Trustee – Jenny Chritchly
GREAT GONERBY POORS LAND
In the previous 12 months the two plots of land have remained in the control of the Trustees.
Plot 1 / Gonerby Moor
1yrs notice was given to the tenant in Dec 22 to vacate the land, Dec23 the tenant and unauthorized sub letter/buildings remained in place.
The trustees are looking at one of two actions :-
A/source legal eviction
B/ have the land put on the market with sitting sub letter in place.
Interest has been shown for the land, with and without the issues connected to tenancy.
However, the Charities Commission have criteria that has to be followed with regard to sale of registered Charity Land.
This is ongoing, we don’t see this being actioned in the very near future due to difficulties.
Plot2/ Allington
This plot has been let to the tenant for many years, it is landlocked by the tenant’s farmland and is the smaller of the 2 plots.
The tenant has requested to purchase the land, at a reasonable price, the trustees in principle have agreed to action this as the rentable figure is minimal due to being landlocked.
The trustees are sourcing their own valuation and legal advice regarding this. The Charities Commission are acceptable to the reasons for selling this plot to the tenant.
Capital from either plot will be held.
Interest incurred from amounts after sale (should they be/ once completed), will be held or allocated to and for the Poor of Great Gonerby, by the Trustees.
The Charity Account balance stands at: £59.20 March 24
Money Maker Account stands at: £2296.23 March 24
Rent 2024:
Plot 1 - Unpaid
Plot 2- Paid
It is suggested that the rentable amount, should the sale not be completed before December 2024, is re-evaluated and this should take place for Jan 31st, 2025.
K Davey - Secretary/Trustee - Great Gonerby Poor Land Charity
5. Memorial Hall End of Year Report 2024
Ian Skellern presented the following report prior to the meeting and read key points during meeting.
1. Trustees
The most recent Trustees Annual General Meeting was held on 23 June 2023.
The following Trustees were confirmed :
Ian Skellern – Chairman
Glendyr Saward- Secretary
Tony Saward – Treasurer
Jenny Critchley
Karri Davey-Parish – Parish Council Liaison
Andy Mayer
Janet Thompson
Jeff Thompson
Annette Callow – Bookings Secretary
Matt Trimm
Sue Nash
Kelly Walton
Dave Witheridge
Matt Tipton - Gonerby Youth FC Liaison
2. Hiring
The use of the Hall is subject to a hiring agreement which must be signed by the hirer when booking. The hiring agreement sets out the conditions of hire and identifies the respective responsibilities of each party to the agreement .There are three main types of hiring undertaken.
• Monday to Friday, 08h30 to 16h00 Pre-school classes (term time only)
• Regular leisure activities, Monday to Friday evenings
• Weekend parties/celebration events on a one-off basis (Trustees provide opening and closing duties to ensure building security is maintained)
The weekend bookings are taken On-line only through Lemon Bookings which has taken a considerable work load away from the Bookings Secretary.
3. Finance
At the end of February 2023 (end of our financial year) our finances were as follows:-
Treasurers Account:- £ 24,047.42
Savings Account:- £ 16,014.08
3G Account:- £ 687.16
Cash:- £ 1.80
TOTAL:- £ 40,750.46
As at the end February 2024, our financial position is as follows:-
Treasurers Account:- £ 27,222.74
Savings Account:- £ 16,014.08
3G Account:- £ 20,687.16
Cash:- £ 1.80
TOTAL:- £ 63,925.78
Since the end of February 2023, our Income has been £45,125.83 and our Expenditure has been £21,950.51. This has resulted in an excess of income over expenditure at a record £24,175.32. As usual the parties again providing the lion’s share of the income at £12,640.00 after the deposits had been repaid, followed by the Pre-school at £6,615.00.
The 3G Football facility continued to provide a good income at £6,570.00 which is a little down on last year but the maintenance costs are down at £1,758.21.
The maintenance costs for both the hall and the field and playground are considerably down as there has been no major work carried out.
4. Health & Safety
All the statutory inspections and servicing have been carried out, including the fire alarm system. PAT Testing carried out on 17 July 2023.
5. Maintenance
As can be seen from the provisional accounts, there has been less expenditure on Hall Maintenance, Field & Playground Maintenance and on the 3G Football Pitch Maintenance. Further details of the major items are given below:-
Hall Maintenance
Upgrade of toilets £ 522.00
Field & Playground Maintenance
General maintenance £ 855.00
Grass Cutting £1,238.00
3G Football Pitch.
Fence repairs £ 564.00
New goal posts £1,128.12
6. Potential Expenditure in 2024 and Beyond.
Football Pitch Upgrade.
Following inspection by the Football Association the football pitch has been rated as “Basic”. The Trustees were advised that a grant was available from the Football Association to assist in upgrading the pitch. It was agreed that we should apply for this grant and we have been awarded a grant of £ 12,800.00 over the next 6 years which will cover approximately 50% of the cost of the upgrade. A Contract has been placed with Fine-turf to carry out the work starting in July/August 2024.
Solar Panel Installation
We were advised by the Parish Council, who actually own the hall that they were intending to apply for a grant from SKDC for the supply and installation of Solar Panels and battery storage on the roof of the football changing rooms. The PC proceeded to obtain quotations for this work to be carried out and have applied for a grant from SKDC Prosperity Fund to cover 70% of the cost of the installation, the remaining 30% to be paid by the Memorial Hall, which will amount to approximately £ 6,000.00. We have received confirmation that the application has been approved in principle, but as the SKDC are now short of funds we are not sure exactly how much we will receive. It is possible that this project may not proceed at this stage.
7. Summary
Overall, we have had a very good year financially, with our income exceeding expenditure by £21,950.51.
Perhaps it is time for the Trustees to consider whether we should spend some of available funds on improvement projects.
C. I. B. SKELLERN – CHAIRMAN. A .F. SAWARD - TREASURER
07 April 2024
6. Matters Arising by Parishioners
Memorial Hall chairman had questions regarding grants contributing to the hall’s solar panels in the future; Chairman T. Bridle has agreed to arrange a meeting to discuss accordingly.
There being no further business, the Annual Village Meeting closed at 19:40.