2022 Meeting Minutes

Gedney Hill Parish Council

Minutes of the Gedney Hill Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 17th January 2022.

Present

Councillors         K. James  (Chairman)

D. Mann

N. Watson

J. Venters

P. Redgate

Minutes               K. Sharp (Parish Clerk)

Also present 7 members of the public

Public Forum

It was requested that the minutes of the meeting be placed on the GHPC website.  Clerk to work with another Parish Clerk to understand how to proceed with this as there is little information to go on and previous efforts have failed. See Agenda Issue below.

Issues with Public Footpaths were raised with regards to the upkeep of such.  The Chairman advised this would be discussed during the agenda items.

Funding for the Jubilee – it was suggested that the community work together for funding. The Council were asked for a volunteer for the Jubilee Committee.  Cllr. James volunteered for this.

1. Apologies for absence and acceptance

No apologies were received.

2. Declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consideration of any requests for dispensation

Nothing stated.

3. To approve the draft notes of the meeting held on 15th November, 2021

The Councillors confirmed they were an accurate record of the Parish Council meeting, the Chairman duly signed them.

               4. Precept

Quotations have been obtained for the cost of hot water in the Pavillion, from local tradesmen, along with further expenditure for other projects identified on an urgent basis for the coming year 2022/23. The precept has been discussed by the councillors and it has been suggested by the Councillors that a “one off” additional increase in funding, for this year, be obtained in addition to the annual increase to cover the additional costs envisaged. 

5. Highways

The hedge at the corner of Lincolns Avenue still remains an issue at the time of the meeting.  However, this has been reported and we await further updates or action.

It was noted that the kerb stones by the village shop, were damaged, and that cars were parking on these.   Clerk has contacted highways to report this, and this is currently under investigation.  The Manager of the shop has suggested that his employees are unable to park round the back of the shop before 9.00 a.m due to previously raised noise concerns, and this also restricts the delivery lorries between certain time periods, but he would ask that they park at the back of the shop where possible, to avoid front parking.

It was raised by Councillor Watson, that a drain on Highstock Lane, where there had been a recent RTA, needs investigation.  Clerk has contacted highways on this matter, and this is currently under investigation.

An email from a local resident has commented on the state of the pavement on Highstock Lane where the builders are working.  The chairman stated that he had visited the area on several occasions and, although the pavement can be messy during the working day, the builders do clear up at the end of the day and at weekends. It is thought that only one of the building firms tend to cause an issue. These will be contacted should this continue.

               6. Cemetery

There have been no internments since the last meeting.

Moles are causing an issue and contact has been made to get these dealt with.

It has been suggested that the mower and shed will need replacing and these will be addressed during 2022/23 dependant on the precept.

The local handyman is now back from sickness and can continue maintaining the area.

               7. Footpaths

                              a. Right of Way – Identification

At the time of the meeting, the footpath been cleared between North Rd. and Mole Drove.  The other 2 footpaths are still outstanding but LCC has promised that these will be actioned asap.

               8. Project Dignity

The Council have stated that no planning permission appears to have been received to date.

9.  Parish Council Website

The Clerk has sought guidance from LCC but, needs further guidance on setting up the website.  The website has had nothing posted to date.  Clerk has contacted another Clerk for some assistance and guidance in setting this up.

10. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

It was suggested that a group project, for various events, be compiled.  Various ideas and activities were discussed.  The Council were asked for a volunteer on behalf of the Parish Council to be involved and to input.  Councillor James volunteered to do this.

               11. Welcome Letter to New Residents

A suggestion was raised by Councillor Watson, with regards to all the new builds and subsequent upturn in the increase of new local residents, for a welcome letter full of useful information to be delivered.  It was agreed that suggestions be discussed as to what information should be provided, and to obtain other information from the Community. A member of the public stated that there used to be such a newsletter a few years ago. She would try to find a copy and forward it to the PC.

12.  Planning

               a. To discuss current planning applications

The following applications received since the last meeting were discussed:

Planning approved

Undecided:

A member of the public raised the fact he was not happy with the amount of new developments in Gedney Hill.

13.  Pavilion/Playing Field

Quotations for hot water supply have been sought from local tradespeople.

Clerk has reached out to the local nursery (as a starting point) to try to promote the use of the pavilion for children’s parties or social events, but at the time of the meeting, no response had been received.

A question was asked as to the CCTV coverage at the Pavillion, as to whether coverage stemmed to the end of the field.  It was clarified that if it did, it would be of poor quality and low resolution.

BT have offered to fix the paving outside the school, as this has been earmarked as a hazard for wheelchair users or parents with pushchairs.

14. Community Speed Watch

a. To receive the CSW report

The CSW co-ordinator provided a report.  Data issued as follows:

Poor weather and short days have limited the Group’s activity since the last meeting. Overall since the groups formation 80 sessions have taken place, over those sessions 1152 vehicles have been recorded (15% of the passing vehicles) with highest speed recorded 67 mph.

The static sign however has been operational 24 hours a day, and over the past nine weeks has recorded 80636 vehicles exceeding the speed limit on Mill Lane, 58% of the passing vehicles,  14% (or 1 in 7) of the passing vehicles were exceeding  40 mph, 36 exceeded 60 mph, with a highest speed of 75 mph.

The Clerk had been contacted by a local reporter to ask what was being done about the local speeding issues.  It was suggested that Cllr. Watson provided some data to the Clerk who would then contact the reporter accordingly.

Councillor Redgate suggested that Cllr. Pepper be contacted to organise a 12 hour traffic survey and involve Sgt. Langham, who had contacted the Clerk offering to help with any issues within his remit.

15. Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported that she would be working with another Clerk to get the Gedney Hill website up to date. 

Work on VAT claim and the AGAR has also been the priority ready for the forthcoming audit in May.

16. Financial matters

               a.  Annual Governance and Accountability Return

It was suggested that GHPC operate with just 2 accounts, rather than the current 4. The Chairman stated that he was trying to address this matter but it was proving difficult as it needed to be done “on line” and there was an issue with email accounts.

b. To update on accounts

Account balances (account balances as of 17th January, 2022)

Account balances (account balances as of 17th January, 2022)

GHPC

Current account 06903266                                                                      £9335.47  

Business reserve 58607552 £1523.58 + £0.02 interest      =           £1523.60

GHSP

Current account 07582544 £585.10 (No transactions)

Business reserve 62021915 £732.64 + £0.02 interest  =                  £732.66

MONIES IN

GHPC

Current Account £ Nil                                                                                              

Business Reserve £0.02

Total £0.02

GHSP

Current Account £ Nil

Business Reserve £0.02

                                                                                                                                                      Total £0.02

ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

GHPC

                                                            Total   £755.49

Uncleared Cheques

                                                                                                         Total                                    £188.09

GHSP

Payee                                                 Chq No.                              Gross                   VAT       Nett

                                                                                                         Total                                   £0.0

               17. To advise of any items to be added to the next meeting agenda

None.

18. Dates of next meetings

The next Parish Council meetings are scheduled as follows, at 18:30. The individual venue will be communicated nearer the time.

March 21st 2022

May 16th 2022 (to include the annual meeting)

July 18th 2022

Sept 19th 2022

Nov 21st 2022

Jan 16th 2023

Mar 20th 2023

May 15th 2023

19. Other Business

Councillor Venters stated that it appears sewage is being discharged into the drain in West Drove North (LH side). The Clerk is to write to the District Council with a request to see if the local treatment plant can be checked.

The meeting was closed at 19:38 hrs.