Minutes 2023/24

Minutes November 2023

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF GRIMOLDBY AND MANBY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD AT THE PAVILION, GIBSON WAY, MANBY

ON WEDNESDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2023

 

Present                                          Councillor T. Knowles (TK) (in the chair)

 

Councillors: M. Bruce (MB), A. Bunting (AB), C. Fairburn (CF), N. Hind (NH), L. Knowles (LK) and T. Vamplew (TV)

 

 

Councillors not present: Mrs. E. Billings (EB) and M. Starsmore (MS)

The Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips was also present. 

  1. Apologies
    Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Mrs. EB and MS.
     
  2. Chairman’s Remarks
    The Chairman reported 1) That he had been supposed to have a meeting with the new owner of the Tedder Hall site. The owner of Beech Grove and another but due to a mix up this had not gone ahead.  He believed that there was a grandiose scheme in mind and confirmed he would keep the Council briefed.  2) That Mrs. Turney had resigned from her post as a Councillor.  3) He had had a conversation with Mr. Dorman regarding the proposed Bio-digester and it looked as though the application would be considered by LCC on 4th December.  Further, it seemed that the Planning Officer was to recommend approval by the Committee.
     
  3. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
    There were no declarations of interest or requests for dispensations.
     
  4. Council Minutes
    It was RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 18th October 2023.
     
  5. Committee Minutes
    1. It was RESOLVED to confirm receipt of the Minutes and adopt the resolutions contained therein of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 2nd November 2022.
    2. It was RESOLVED to receive the draft notes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 3rd November 2023.  
       
  6. Finance
    The Council received, noted and duly RESOLVED to authorise:
    1. The Financial Report for November, showing a closing balance on 13th October 2023 of £86,454.57 which agreed to the closing balance on the bank statement issued on 13th October 2024.
    2. Cheques for payment, listed on the Cheque Schedule 111523 totalling £1,119.75.

 

  1. Planning
    1. Applications received by the Local Planning Authority
      The Council considered all applications including those listed in the schedule (Plans_11_15_23) and RESOLVED as follows:
      1. N/113/02096/23 – Bowen House, Manby Park, LN11 8UT – To take a neutral stance.
      2. N/113/02095/23 – Bowen House, Manby Park, LN11 8UT – To take a neutral stance.
    2. Planning Decisions
      The Council noted the following planning decisions received from ELDC:
      1. N/11/01477/23 – Bowen House, Manby Park – ELDC has granted Listed Building Consent.
      2. N/113/01478/23 – Bowen House, Manby Park – ELDC has granted Full Planning Permission.
      3. N/113/01779/23 – The Gatehouse, Manby Park – ELDC has granted Full Planning Permission.
    3. Temporary Traffic Restrictions
      There were no temporary traffic restrictions to note.


       
  2. Proposed Work to Trees
    The Council considered the following proposed work to trees and RESOLVED to make no comment as it was a matter for the tree office at ELDC:
    Location: 37 Tinkle Street.  Proposal: A6 – Several Ash, Beech, Elm, Oak, Scots Pine, Sycamore and Willow Trees in A.006 – Ash marked on plan – fell.  Reason: A6 – Ash Dieback.
     
  3. Local Government Pay Claim 2023/24
    The Council note that agreement had been reached on the above and RESOLVED that it be implemented from 1st April 2023 as soon as possible, in line with NALC recommendations.
     
  4. Village Maintenance
    The Council received and RESOLVED to approve a recommendation from the Finance Committee that in the absence of village maintenance work being undertaken by the appointed contractor in 2023/24 and a lack of contact from that contractor, the Council should look to have some work undertaken by another contractor as an emergency measure in order to keep on top of some areas. 
     
  5. Risk Management
    On a recommendation from the Finance Committee the Council RESOLVED to approve the Risk Register.
     
  6. Village Maintenance
    1. On a recommendation from the Finance Committee It was RESOLVED that
      1. in 2024/25 Village Maintenance work be re-evaluated, as per new draft schedule, hours being averaged out over the year, invoiced monthly and the works being awarded under new terms. The following was to be added to the schedule: Cleaning of door and window frames of Pavilion.
      2. Any further comments on the schedule to be emailed to the Clerk by 2nd January 2024 for discussion at the January meeting.
         
  7. Budget 2024/25 / Precept Approval
    1. The Council noted that the Finance Committee had considered draft budget proposals for 2024/25 on 3rd November 2023 alongside the Finance Monitoring Report.  It noted current year spend, projections and the condition of its reserves.  Noting that the general reserve contains the funds needed for all day to day costs and that it also held a surplus for expenditure, which exceeded that budgeted for, and which could be used for unexpected costs or in an emergency.  At 30th September the General Reserve stood at £58,818.49.  £8,806.86 of which was expected to be spent on day to day expenditure in the six months to 31st March 2024.  That would leave £50,011.63 surplus, 50% of which was held to cover the Council’s running costs for 12 months, which is recommended practice, should an eventuality arise whereby, for instance, the District Council were unable to pay over the precept. That would leave an actual surplus of £25,005.81 to cover the Council in the event of an unexpected event or emergency such as the tennis courts requiring resurfacing or the fence around the tennis courts requiring replacing or the playpark equipment requiring total renewal or extensive roof repairs being required at the Pavilion. The Committee also examined each earmarked reserve individually to confirm its purpose, need and balance.  It also discussed arrangements regarding Village Maintenance.
    2. The Council considered the draft budget and on a recommendation from the Finance Committee it was RESOLVED to make a precept request for 2024/25 of £20,282.94 which using new tax base figures, supplied by ELDC, equates to an 11% decrease on 2023/24 and an annual cost to a band d ratepayer of £30.87.  
    3. Council to delegate authority to the Clerk to complete the necessary forms and submit to ELDC, the Collection Authority.
       
  8. Amenity Grasscutting
    The Council RESOLVED to renew its agreement with LCC regarding amenity grasscutting in 2024/25.
     
  9. Membership of SLCC
    The Council RESOLVED to approve renewal of the Clerk’s membership with the Society of Local Council Clerks at a cost of £139.
     
  10. Next Meeting
    The Council RESOLVED not to hold a meeting in December.
     
  11. Any Other Business
    Councillors discussed possible ways to give funds to Grimoldby School and Cllr. MB, who was a member of the Friends of Grimoldby School, agreed to ask the school to contact Cllr. Knowles or collect a form to give to them so that they might apply for monies from his District Councillor funds.  Councillor Hind also confirmed that he had just submitted a report to the Clerk regarding bins in the village.  The Clerk confirmed that it would be an agenda item at the next meeting.

 

 

The meeting closed at 8.17pm

 

 

 

Signed_______________________ (Chairman)         Dated_________________________