MINUTES OF THE GRIMOLDBY AND MANBY ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, GRIMOLDBY
ON WEDNESDAY 15TH MAY 2019
Present Councillor T. Knowles (in the chair)
Parish Councillors Mrs. D. Copeland (DC), C. Fairburn (CF), Mrs. L. Knowles (LK), P. Oughton (PO), N. Turney (NT), T. Vamplew (TV), The Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips and two members of the public were also present.
- Welcome by the Chairman
The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting.
- Minutes of the Grimoldby Annual Parish Meeting 2018
It was RESOLVED that the notes of the Grimoldby Annual Parish Meeting which took place on 16th May 2018 should be signed by the Chairman as a correct record of that meeting.
- Annual Report by the Chairman of the Parish Council
The Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr. TK gave the following report:
Council and Committees
Grimoldby and Manby Parish Council has now completed 4 years of a 4-year term. The Council comprises 14 Councillors and currently, there are 3 vacancies on the Manby Ward and 2 on the Grimoldby Ward which can be filled by co-option.
The Council takes overall responsibility for all decisions but can choose to delegate authority to a Committee or to a Council Officer, it can never delegate authority to a Councillor.
To be more effective, the Council has a number of Committees. The purpose these Committees have is to spread the workload and review issues in more detail. The standing Committees comprise Finance, Planning and Recreation. Additionally, the Council also appoints two Young People’s Advocates and a Village Hall Representative.
The Council has met on 11 occasions in 2018/19 and the Finance Committee on 1 occasion.
Planning
The Parish Council is a planning consultee and has no power to approve or refuse applications, simply give an opinion. The Planning Authority that determines Planning Applications is East Lindsey District Council.
Grimoldby and Manby Planning Committee has had no need to meet this year due to extensions for comments being sought and granted on all planning applications received. This has enabled the full Council to formulate a corporate response at full Council meetings to any applications received. However, the Committee does have delegated authority from Council to respond to consultation requests in respect of urgent Planning Applications, if required.
This year the Council considered 34 planning applications and in each case the Council decided to support, object or comment. In most cases, objections were supported by the relevant planning reasons. In some cases, the Committee’s opinion was conditional. Full details of decisions are contained in the minutes of the Council, which are available on our website and the comments are also available on the East Lindsey Planning Website.
In 2018/19 the Council has also received notification of been consulted on 3 road closures/traffic restrictions.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee currently comprises 5 Councillors including the Chairman and Vice Chairman. This Committee has responsibility for examining and monitoring the Council’s expenditure and for considering the setting of the precept each year.
This year, on a recommendation by the Finance Committee, the Council agreed to raise its precept by only 5p per band d property.
Councillor’s Allowances
Under the provisions of the Local Authorities (Members Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003, Council can resolve to pay its members an allowance. However, Grimoldby and Manby Parish Councillors choose not to receive an allowance and, therefore, allowance rates for 2018/19 remained at £0.
Members
During this year there were three resignations and one co-option. Two Councillors also stood down at the Elections on 2nd May.
Current members are: Councillors Mrs. Emma Billings, Michael Bruce, Mrs. Dorothy Copeland, Chris Fairburn, Mrs. Linda Knowles, Terry Knowles, Peter Oughton, Mrs. Nicola Turney and Terry Vamplew
The Council currently has 3 vacancies on the Manby Ward and 2 on the Grimoldby Ward.
Training
Grimoldby and Manby Parish Council is committed to training and actively encourages Councillors and employees to attend regular training to raise awareness of responsibilities, improve skills and keep updated with legislation. Training courses attended this year include CiLCA, Elections 2019, Diversity and Community Engagement, Freedom of Information and General Data Protection and VAT. The Clerk also attended the Clerk and Councillors Networking Day held by the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) Annual Conference.
Grimoldby and Manby Parish Council have also joined the LALC’s Training Scheme which enables them to attend LALC’s training courses at reduced rates.
Attendance Records at Council and Committees
Below is a list of Councillors and the number of Council meetings at which they were present during the year and the percentage attendance.
|
Councillor |
No of Council Meetings Summoned To |
No of Attendances |
% Attendance |
|
Mrs. Emma Billings |
11 |
7 |
64% |
|
Michael Bruce |
11 |
6 |
55% |
|
Mrs. Dorothy Copeland |
11 |
10 |
91% |
|
Alan Eves |
11 |
9 |
82% |
|
Chris Fairburn |
11 |
9 |
82% |
|
Michael Hancock |
5 |
4 |
80% |
|
Mrs. Linda Knowles |
11 |
6 |
55% |
|
Terry Knowles |
11 |
11 |
100% |
|
Corry Martin |
10 |
3 |
30% |
|
Paul Smith |
1 |
1 |
100% |
|
Mike Starsmore |
11 |
9 |
82% |
|
Mrs. Nicola Turney |
11 |
7 |
64% |
|
Terry Vamplew |
11 |
11 |
100% |
Grants
This year the Council awarded a grant to Grimoldby and District Cricket Club and Citizens Advice Lindsey of £200 each.
Councillors Attendance at Meetings of Interest
Councillors and staff have attended meetings outside of the Parish Council such as Parish Walkabouts and East Lindsey Area Forums on behalf of the Parish Council throughout the year. Representatives of the Council also met with the owner of the Lancaster Inn to discuss the possibility of purchasing it for the community. The Chairman has also attended many meetings wearing his ‘District Councillor Hat’ from which information has been gleaned which has been of use to the Council.
General Report
The Council is in a sound financial position having delivered its objectives for the year within the overall approved budget and has set aside money for future projects and to offset future risks, in specified earmarked reserves. The Council maintains a General Reserve which it can use in case of emergency or for unbudgeted items of expenditure.
Internal Audit reviewed the Council’s Internal Controls for 2017/18 and one concern was noted which the Council addressed. The Council’s Internal Audit for 2018/19 will shortly take place.
The Council has reviewed its Governance Documents: Financial Regulations, Standing Orders, Risk Management Schedule and its Asset Register.
The Council will receive reconciled accounts for 2018/19 for review shortly following Internal Audit. The Financial records of the Council will be open to public inspection for a period of 30 working days from 28th June. The accounts will be subject to external audit in July 2019 and the Council will formally publish the audited accounts no later than 30th September 2019. The Annual Return will show the actual position and this and other financial information will be posted on the website once approved by Council.
Street Furniture
During the past year, the Council’s contractor has maintained several public benches including re-painting and repairing as necessary. They also ensured that the Council’s 5 Bus Shelters were kept clean and tidy.
Tennis Courts and Play Park
The Council continues to provide these facilities which not only allow for the playing of tennis but also football. However, it is asked that children do not / are not allowed to move the nets away from the Tennis Courts please. The Recreation Committee members inspect the two areas on a regular basis and make notes. They also empty the bins and keep the area generally tidy. The Council instructs a local firm to maintain the shrubbery and plants in the area, as required.
Amenity Grass Verges
Last year the Council took on the cutting of amenity grass verges and have agreed to carry this on in 2019/20. The Council has about 5,976m2 to look after. Please help us by keeping verges clear from obstructions, including parked cars. Litter is always a problem when cutting verges. We want to avoid shredding plastic, tins, paper or dog poo as this damages our environment and makes it less pleasant for everyone. Please help by taking your litter home or by placing it in a rubbish bin.
Parish Paths
The Council instructs a local firm to clear and maintain the pathways in Grimoldby and Manby for public use, as required. This involves litter picking, strimming and mowing of paths. As with the verges, litter and dog poo is a big issue, please help by making sure you either bin it or take it home.
Safety
The Council recognises that a safe environment makes for a happy environment. The Council therefore maintains a good relationship with the local police. The Council also owns and maintains a defibrillator which the Village Hall kindly allow us to site on the outside wall of their premises. A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest (dead). This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it is an essential life saving step in the chain of survival. After a cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces someone's chance of survival by 10 per cent. The Council also owns a reactive speed sign which can record traffic data which could be used as evidence to support local authorities in cases, as required.
Going Forward
The Council will shortly take ownership of 10 half size allotments, a sports field and a pavilion for use by the community. Please contact the Council if you would like to explore renting an allotment. The Council is also looking into the possibility of acquiring the Lancaster Inn as a community pub. However, local support will be required. The Council has already issued a questionnaire to all residents and the response has been very favourable. The Council will soon be looking at the best way to move forward with this project, probable actions being holding a public meeting and forming a steering group.
Conclusion
The Council continues to work hard to ensure improvements are made throughout Grimoldby and Manby for the benefit of its residents. You may be sure that the Council will continue to serve you to the best of its ability.
- Public Forum
A member of the public commented on a planning application, asking for clarification on a matter relating to the declaration of interests, should he stand for Council.
The meeting closed at 7.26pm.
Signed______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________