MINUTES OF THE GRIMOLDBY AND MANBY ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, GRIMOLDBY
ON WEDNESDAY 17th MAY 2023
Present Councillor T. Knowles (in the chair)
Parish Councillors Mrs. E. Billings (EB), T. Vamplew (TV), M. Bruce (MB), N. Hind (NH), A. Bunting (AB), M. Starsmore (MS), 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 2022
It was RESOLVED that the notes of the Grimoldby Annual Parish Meeting which took place on 18th May 2022 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 informed those present that hard copies of his report were available to view. He ensured that everyone had one which read as follows:
Introduction by the Chairman
It is an honour for me, as Chairman to once again give the Council’s Annual Report.
Council and Committees
Grimoldby and Manby Parish Council has now completed 4 years of a 4-year term and elections have been held. We welcome Councillors old and new back as follows: Emma Billings, Michael Bruce, Any Bunting, Chris Fairburn, Noel Hind, myself, Mike Starsmore and Terry Vamplew. 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 which meets to go through the draft budget and make recommendations to full Council and a Planning Working Group which makes comments on planning applications when ELDC deadlines do not sync with Council meetings. These comments are then ratified by Council at the next opportunity. 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 9 occasions in 2022/23 having to cancel its meetings in September and December because of the Death of HRH The Queen and unavailability of Councillors and officers to ensure a quorum. The Council does not hold a meeting in August. Additionally, the Finance Committee met on 1 occasion in 2022/23.
Planning
The Parish Council is a planning consultee and has no power to approve or refuse applications, it simply gives an opinion. The Planning Authority that determines Planning Applications is East Lindsey District Council.
Grimoldby and Manby Planning Working Group receives all applications by email and members email their comments back to the Clerk and the working group Chairman who collate them. If ELDC’s deadline for comments is before the next meeting of the Council and cannot be extended the comments are submitted to ELDC and those comments are ratified by the Council at the next opportunity. If the next Council meeting is before the deadline for comments the comments are considered by the Council, resolved upon and submitted. This year the Council considered 26 planning applications and in each case the Council decided to support, object or comment. Objections were supported by the relevant planning reasons. In some cases, the Committee’s opinion was conditional. Full details of both our decisions and ELDC’s corresponding decisions are contained on ELDC’s website or can be found in the minutes of this Council.
The Council also receive notification of road closures/traffic restrictions, proposed works to trees and appeal decisions.
In 2022/23 it was consulted by ELDC for a scoping opinion on the possible installation of a Biodigester in the village. The Council objected and put forward its concerns. It remains vigilant and if and when a formal application for such is submitted it has already agreed that it will call a public meeting to enable the community to discuss the matter and put forward its views to the Council so that the Council can lobby other local authorities effectively and represent the Community properly.
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 2022/23 remained at £0.
Members
Members in 2022/23 were: Councillors Mrs. Emma Billings, Michael Bruce, Ant Bunting, Chris Fairburn, Mrs. Linda Knowles, Terry Knowles, Mike Starsmore, Mrs. Nicola Turney and Terry Vamplew.
As previously, mentioned elections have just occurred and current members are Emma Billings, Michael Bruce, Any Bunting, Chris Fairburn, Noel Hind, myself, Mike Starsmore and Terry Vamplew. The Council currently has 6 vacancies.
Grants
In 2022/23 the Council set aside £600 to award in grants, £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 2021/22 and no concerns were raised. The Council’s Internal Audit for 2022/23 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 2022/23 this evening for review. 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 2023 and the Council will formally publish the audited accounts no later than 30th September 2023. 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
In 2022/23 the Council formally took ownership of these facilities rather than just leasing them. They not only allow for the playing of tennis but also football. Unfortunately, very recently the football goals installed on the playpark were badly vandalised and have 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.
In 2022/23 the Council obtained grant funding from the District Council to commemorate HRH The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The Council is in the process of using the money to rename the Play Park in honour of this and will shortly erect new signage. It has also installed a new bench therein on which a plaque commemorating the Platinum Jubilee will be placed and it is discussing replacing (like for like) the ramp feature which was highlighted at the recent Annual Inspection as in need of some TLC as well as looking at repainting all of the equipment.
Platinum Jubilee
As well as the above, the Council also purchased commemorative mugs with the assistance of the Chairman who used funds available to him as a District Councillor and these were distributed to local school children.
Amenity Grass Verges and Parish Paths
For the past few years the Council has 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.
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 kindly taken down, charged and put up again, moving around the two villages, by a volunteer to deter speeding. In 2022/23 the Council received complaints about mud on the footpath opposite the Post Office and adjacent to the layby. It contacted the East Lindsey Pride Team who are a group run by ELDC to tidy up grot spots. They were happy to visit Manby and in April they cleared the mud from the path. They and the Clerk also reported the matter to LCC who are in charge of footpaths and highways asking if there was anything that could be done to minimise the problem long term.
Bins
The Council was approached in 2022/23 by members of the public who were concerned about the amount of dog poo on footpaths used by mums and children going to and from school. Councillors discussed the matter and all were concerned. It was agreed that the Chairman should contact ELDC and ask them to empty the villages bins more frequently. Councillors also agreed that they would undertake a review of current and possible placement with a view to purchasing more bins.
Relocation of ELDC
On 23rd January 2023 ELDC officially relocated to Horncastle having sold their buildings and car park to a private buyer. The Community are obviously worried about what will happen to the site and the Chairman is working tirelessly to ensure that any plans will be favourable for residents while also working with the local Sports Association to keep the gym open for as long as possible and working with the Police and the new owners to ensure that the site is not used for mischief.
Allotments
The Council took ownership of the Manby Fields allotments in 2019/20, a sports field and a pavilion for use by the community. The football field and Pavilion are predominantly used by Manby FC who it is hoped are to enter into a licence with the Council very shortly. A local Thai Chi group rents a room regularly within the Pavilion for use and the Parish Council now also meet here each month. All of the allotments are currently rented out and are being beautifully kept. If you are interested in renting an allotment please contact the Clerk who can place you on a waiting list.
Conclusion
The Council continues its work to ensure improvements are made throughout Grimoldby and Manby for the benefit of its residents.
Going forward it intends to strengthen its relationship with the local Police in order to help combat antisocial behaviour in the community. It will represent the views of residents as required and on controversial issues will ensure that residents are given a chance to voice their opinions in a public arena. It will continue to work closely with the District Council and with the County Council on any issues which might affect the villages striving for outcomes that residents want.
Please do not hesitate to contact your Councillors as follows:
List of Councillors and Contact Details as at 16th May 2023:
Mrs. Emma Billings - 01507 327445 - manbycllr1@outlook.com
Mr. Michael Bruce - 07772591282 - grimoldbycllr7@outlook.com
Mr. Chris Fairburn - 07816953167 - grimoldbycllr2@outlook.com
Mr. Terence Knowles - 01507 601739 - grimoldbycllr1@outlook.com
Mr. Mike Starsmore - 01507 327428 - grimoldbycllr4@outlook.com
Mr. Terence Vamplew - 01507 327235 - grimoldbycllr5@outlook.com
Mr. Ant Bunting - 07515354119 - grimoldbycllr6@outlook.com
Mr. Noel Hind - 07723018170 - grimoldbycllr3@outlook.com
- Public Forum
No members of the public spoke.
The meeting closed at 7.05pm
Signed______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________