Minutes 2024/25

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF GRIMOLDBY AND MANBY PARISH COUNCIL 

HELD AT GRIMOLDBY VILLAGE HALL  

ON WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2024 

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

Councillors: C. Fairburn (CF), N. Hind (NH), Mrs. L. Knowles (LK), M. Starsmore (MS), T. Vamplew (TV) 

Councillors not present: A. Bunting (AB), Mrs. E. Billings (EB), M. Bruce (MB), R. Hampton (RH),  

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

82. Apologies for Absence 
    Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. MB and AB. 
     

83. Chairman’s Remarks 
    Cllr. Knowles reported that 1) he had spoken to the owner of Beech Grove who had confirmed that he and the new owner of Tedder Hall were going ahead with a scheme.  A report had been received by email and the Chairman read this out.  It confirmed that the land would be divided into segments for private residential, care home, special needs educational school and a care home for the pupils.  2) he had spoken to the gentleman leading the Biodigester proposals and he had confirmed that they had only just received the S106 agreement from LCC and they were still moving forward.  3) he had also spoken to the lady who heads up the company who took over from Wingas and she had confirmed that they were not considering a gas field at present.  4) there was a problem with the speed sign.  This was being investigated and a solution sought.  5) he had liaised with LCC to get the corner going out of Grimoldby towards Cockerington cut back.  6) a window had been broken at the Pavilion.  This was the third time.  He was aware of the culprit and was to speak to them.  7) Cllr. Adams had resigned.   
     

84. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations 
    No declarations of interest nor requests for dispensations were made. 
     

85. Council Minutes 
    It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 16th October 2024. 
     

86. Committee Minutes 

1. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to confirm receipt of the minutes and adopt the resolutions therein of the Finance Committee meeting held on 3rd November 2023. 

2. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to receive for information the draft notes of the Finance Committee meeting of 6th November 2024. 

87. Finance 
    It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Council should receive, note and duly authorise: 

1. The Financial Report for November, showing a closing balance on 7th October 2024 of £89,206.92 which agreed to the closing balance on the bank statement issued on 14th October 2024.   

2. Cheques for authorisation, listed on the Cheque Schedule 112024 totalling £2,723.97.  Following explanation by the Clerk it was also proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the writing, signing and sending of a cheque in payment of the external auditors fees.  

168. Planning 

1. Applications received by the Local Planning Authority 
   The Committee considered all current applications including those listed in the schedule (Plans_11_20_24) / ratify comments already made by the Planning Working Group.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED as follows: 

1. N/113/01620/24 and N/113/01621/24 – Manby House, Carlton Road - retain a neutral position with the condition that the concerns of neighbours are taken into account, the tree officer is content and it is ensured that there is access for emergency vehicles 

2. N/067/01631/24 – Land off Middlesykes Lane – no objection. 

2. ELDC Planning Decisions to Note 
   The Council noted the following planning decision: 

1. N/067/01294/24 – Tree Tops, Eastfield Lane, Grimoldby – ELDC has granted Full Planning Permission. 

3. Temporary Traffic Restrictions 
   At the time of printing there were none. 

4. Proposed Work to Trees 
   The Council considered the following proposed work to trees, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to leave the decisions with the tree officers at ELDC, the experts: 

1. Location: 29 Tinkle Street.  Proposal: A6 - Several Ash, Beech, Elm, Oak, Scots Pine, Sycamore And Willow Trees In A.006 - G002 on plan (English Elm) reduce to 4m stem as standing habitat stem due north. T003 on plan (Beech) raise lower branch over the footpath to provide 3m clearance and target prune around amenity wire for 0.5m clearance from footpath, road, street light and amenity wire. T004 on plan (Sycamore) crown lift to 3m over footpath and target prune around amenity wire for a clearance of 0.5m for clearance of footpath, overhead wires and road. T010 on plan (Flowering Cherry) remove tree to near ground level due to multiple cavities, decay and leaning towards neighbouring patio area, to avoid damage to neighbouring property. T015 on plan (Sycamore) reduce height by 1-1.5 m to 16m, and reduce lateral branch due north by 1.5m. Due south branches; reduction of 3m to reduce sail risk and reshape. Tree spread is currently 12m, suggesting a reduction to 7.5m in total. Remove deadwood exceeding 40mm diameter and tidy previous pruning stubs to B. S. T021 on plan (Sycamore) reduce to allow 1.5m clearance from property roof line to avoid damage to residential property. Reason: A6 – As per proposals. 

2. Location: Land adjacent Grimoldby Cricket Club.  Proposal: G26 - Group Consisting Of 4 Ash - Second tree from the west (marked on site) reduce to a 6m high pollard.  Reasons: G26 - Extensive basal decay and Inonotus hispidus present.  
    

169. Local Government Pay Claim 2024/25 
     The Council noted that agreement had now been reached on the above and as agreed at the October meeting this had been implemented from 1st April 2024, in line with NALC recommendations. 
      

170. Risk Management 
     Following a recommendation from the Finance Committee it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the Risk Register.  
      

171. Village Maintenance  
     Following discussion and a recommendation from the Finance Committee it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that in 2025/26 Village Maintenance work be re-evaluated, as per the new draft schedule (tabled), hours being averaged out over the year, invoiced monthly, advertised and the works being awarded under new terms.  
      

172. Finance Policies for Adoption 
     Following a recommendation from the Finance Committee it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the draft Investment Policy and draft Reserves Policy be approved for use.   
      

173. Budget 2025/26 / Precept Approval 
     The Council noted that the Finance Committee had considered draft budget proposals for 2025/26 on 6th November 2024 alongside the Earmarked Reserve Report.  It noted current year spend, projections and the condition of its reserves.  Following a recommendation from the Finance Committee it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that: 

1. The Earmarked Reserves Report be approved. 

2. The draft budget 25/26 be approved. 

3. A precept of £21,634.00 be levied in 2025/26 which equated to a 7% increase on 2024/25 and an annual cost to a band d ratepayer of £32.92.  It was also noted that these calculations were based on 2024/25 tax base figures and should decrease slightly when current tax base figures were released.   

4. Authority be delegated to the Clerk to complete the necessary forms and submit to ELDC, the Collection Authority. 
    

174. Sexual and General Harassment 
     Following the introduction of new legislation which places greater responsibilities and legal requirements on all Employers (which includes each individual Councillor), to take proactive steps to prevent Sexual Harassment at Work.  Councillors received a draft policy in relation to the above.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve this for use.  Council also noted that annually Councillors would be asked to attend training and sign a document to confirm that they had received, read, understood and would abide by the policy.   
      

175. Town and Parish Council Scrutiny Survey 
     Councillors received details of the above.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that individuals should respond and that a corporate response should be considered at the Council’s December meeting.   
      

176. Lloyds Bank, Application for Online for Business 
     Further to circulation by email on 15th November of the above it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that signatories should sign the document and that this should be submitted to apply for online banking. 
      

177. Bins 
     Following previous discussion and action, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to progress the installation, if possible, of a fourth bin on the corner of Amelia Wood Way. 
      

178. Next Meeting 
     The Council considered arrangements for its December meeting and agreed that this should go ahead, if quorate. 
      

179. Closed Session Items 
     At 8.27pm it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 due to the business to be discussed in the following item, information being of a third party, commercial and confidential nature in relation to the Jet Provost Village Sign.  Councillors considered quotes and it was agreed to defer this item while another quote was sought.  At 8.31pm it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to move out of closed session.  
      

180. Any Other Business 
     Cllr. MS reported on the exhibition he had recently attended about proposals to store nuclear waste offshore at Theddlethorpe.  He confirmed that if the proposals went ahead, the waste would be delivered in concrete cubes or stainless steel cylinders by rail and a new railway line would have to be built.  He had not been able to establish that there was any contingency for the flooding of a new railway line by the sea.   He confirmed that the project leaders had stated that if the community said it didn’t want the nuclear development then it probably would not go ahead.   

The meeting closed at 8.41pm 
 
________________ (Chairman)         Dated_________________________