MINUTES OF THE GRIMOLDBY AND MANBY ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, GRIMOLDBY
ON WEDNESDAY 18th MAY 2022
Present Councillor T. Knowles (in the chair)
Parish Councillors C. Fairburn (CF), Mrs. L. Knowles (LK), Mrs. E. Billings (EB), N. Turney (NT), T. Vamplew (TV), The Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips and one member 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 2021
It was RESOLVED that the notes of the Grimoldby Annual Parish Meeting which took place on 5th May 2021 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:
Introduction by the Chairman
2021/22 has been another challenging year. But, once again the community has pulled together to bring us through. Obviously, the last year has been difficult for the Council but through it Grimoldby and Manby Parish Council have continued to meet and conduct business as best it could.
Council and Committees
Grimoldby and Manby Parish Council has now completed 3 years of a 4-year term. An election will be held in May 2023. When full, the Council comprises 14 Councillors but currently there are 6 vacancies.
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 Finance Committee and a Planning Working Group. The purpose of these is to spread the workload and review issues in more detail. Additionally, the Council also appoints Young People’s Advocates, a Village Hall Representative and a Green Champion.
The Council met on 10 occasions in 2021/21 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 30 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.
The Council also receive notification of road closures/traffic restrictions and proposed works to trees.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee comprises 4 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.
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 2021/22 remained at £0.
Members
Current members are: Councillors Mrs. Emma Billings, Michael Bruce, Chris Fairburn, Mrs. Linda Knowles, Terry Knowles, Mike Starsmore, Mrs. Nicola Turney and Terry Vamplew
The Council currently has 6 vacancies.
Grants
In 2021/22 the Council set aside £800 to awarded, £200 at a time, to successful applicants. However, no applications were received.
General Report
The Council is in a sound financial position 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 2020/21 and no concerns were raised. The Council’s Internal Audit for 2021/22 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 draft accounts for 2021/22 for review shortly. Following signing of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return the Financial records of the Council will be open to public inspection for a period of 30 working days. The accounts will be subject to external audit in July 2022 and the Council will formally publish the audited accounts no later than 30th September 2022. 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. Unfortunately, in 2021/22 the football goals installed on the playpark were badly vandalised and had to be removed. The Council’s Recreation Representative inspects the two areas on a regular basis and makes 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 and Parish Paths
For the past few years the Council have undertaken the cutting of amenity grass verges. The Council has about 5,976m2 to look after.
The Council also 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 and therefore, it maintains a good relationship with the local police. It also owns and maintains a defibrillator which the Village Hall kindly allow us to site on the outside wall of their premises and it owns a reactive speed sign which is moved around the two villages to deter speeding.
Allotments
The Council took ownership of the Manby Fields allotments in 2019/20, a sports field and a pavilion for use by the community. All of the allotments are currently rented out. If you are interested in renting an allotment please contact the Clerk who can place you on a waiting list.
Going Forward
The Council hopes to sign an agreement with Manby Football Club regarding their using the Pavilion and Football Field as their home ground and it is believed that the Council will be asked to take ownership of the Play Park and Tennis Courts by ELDC.
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
No members of the public spoke.
The meeting closed at 7.16pm
Signed______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________