January 2025 Minutes (Full Council)
GEDNEY HILL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY FULL COUNCIL MEETING
Held at the Gedney Hill and District Memorial Hall, Hillgate, PE12 0NN
On Monday 20 January 2025, at 6.30pm
PRESENT:
GHPC Councillors: N Watson (Chair), M Shepherd (Vice-Chair), A Watson, P Redgate
Clerk: V Watson
Also present: SHDC Cllr L Eldridge (arrived late)
24 member of the public
PUBLIC FORUM (15 minutes)
Dog waste bins and rubbish bins. The bins in the village do not appear to be emptied on a regular basis.
Cllr Redgate informed the meeting that only the red dog waste bin by the school and the two rubbish bins outside the shop were the responsibility of the GHPC to empty and the handy-man does this on a regular basis.
The other bins are the responsibility of SHDC and LCC. If you see a bin that requires emptying please report it at: www.fixmystreet.com
Fly tipping, loose paving, dog mess, vandalism and broken street lighting can also be reported at the same address.
1. Chairmans remarks.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. It was great to see such a big turnout.
2. Apologies for absence and acceptance.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr K James
3. Declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consideration of any requests for dispensation.
Cllr Redgate will remove himself from any decision making around funding for the play park project. He sits on the planning committee and is the Portfolio holder for Finance at SHDC.
4. PPC Update.
a) Presentation from S Berrisford
The PPC produced an informative proposal for the play park which had been distributed to each member of the council. S Berrisford, the Vice-Chair of the GHPCPPC, gave a presentation to summarise this proposal giving the pro’s and con’s of each proposed contractor. The floor was opened to questions.
What is the construction duration? – 10 weeks from booking then 6 – 8 weeks to build – constructors have been informed they must work around school hours.
Were there any restrictions on construction? There were no concerns about access, remedial repairs to the field and path were included in the price.
What is a lifetime guarantee? The guarantee covers use, not vandalism.
Is there a double gate for mower access? Yes this is included in the plan but is not to scale.
Is the matting guaranteed? A short guarantee. Suggested buying spares in advance.
Why does the plan include wet pour? Some of the equipment has to be put down on wet pour for correct installation.
What value will the chosen contractor put back to the community? They have given a discount and agreed to provide extras for the park opening day.
Do the PC agree with the PCC recommendation? GHPC are advised by the PPC and will be guided by them.
Proposal:
GHPC would like to note the hard and thorough work conducted by the Play Park Committee and Working Group.
It is proposed that Wicksteed be chosen as the contractor for the Gedney Hill Parish Council Play Park.
Proposed: N Watson
Seconded: M Shepherd
AGREED, UNANAMOUSLY
b) UKSPF GRASSroots Grant
Cllr Redgate left the room.
8 January SHDC notified GHPC UKSPF GRASSroots Grant was open to apply for funding, the closing date was 17 January. An application was made by the PPC and parish clerk for benches and goal posts for the play park, the cost is £9,358.92. All paperwork was seen by Councillors before the application was sent off.
Proposal:
To ratify the application to UKSPF GRASSroots funding for £9,358.92 by GHPC.
Proposed: N Watson
Seconded: M Shepherd
AGREED, UNANAMOUSLY
Cllr Redgate returned.
5. To approve the draft notes of the meeting held on 18 November 2024.
The minutes were agreed and signed by the Chair.
6. Clerks report on matters outstanding.
The Clerk reported on matters outstanding.
The Play and Plan day was very successful.
PPC had held meetings, minutes had been circulated.
Pre-planning application for the play park had been put in an answer from SHDC is awaited,
CCTV policy needs to be written.
7. Financial Report.
Play Park Current Account: £250
Play Park Saving Account: £1553.29
Wind Farm Account: £5007.12
GHPC Current Account: £882.83
GHPC Savings Account: £20973.32
Account Income Expenditure Balance
Wind Farm Account £5007.12 £0.00 £5007.12
GHPC Current Account £1000 £2145.73 £882.83
GHPC Savings Account £146.18 £1000 £20973.32
8. 2025/26 Budget
The clerk has reported to councillors anticipated expenditure for 2025/26. The proposal requires a precept of £19,397, a rise of £1,647 on the current year. The tax base for 2025/26 is 281, which produces a band D annual figure of £69.02 (£5.75 a month). The annual increase on 2024/25 is £5.63, which equates to £0.47 per month increase per band D property.
Proposal:
To accept the budget and precept of £19,397 for 2025/26.
Proposed: N Watson
Seconded: M Shepherd
AGREED, UNANAMOUSLY
9. Medicine Cabinet for use in Morrisons Daily, Gedney Hill
Morrisons will soon be undertaking a refit and will no longer be able to store behind the counter the medication delivered from the pharmacy. After discussion with the manager it was agreed the medication could be kept elsewhere if the parish would provide a lockable cabinet. Being able to collect medication from the shop is of great service to the parish.
Proposal:
To ratify the decision to purchase a lockable cabinet and extra shelf at a cost of £303.99.
Proposed: N Watson
Seconded: M Shepherd
AGREED, UNANAMOUSLY
10. To discuss any issues relating to the Parish Pavilion.
No issues were raised.
11. Speedwatch Group update.
There are two new volunteers and sessions will start again when the days lengthen and hopefully the weather improves.
12. Planning
a) To discuss current planning applications and decisions.
Since the last GHPC meeting the following applications have been before SHDC:
H07-1090-24 The Willows, PE12 0NU Erection of conservatory Lawful use cert Approved
H07-0953-24 The Cottage
PE12 0NN Erection of rear extension Lawful use cert Approved
H07-0815-24 Holy Trinity
PE12 0NN Works to trees
Preservation order 1 - 1984 TPO Tree Works Approved
H07-0629-24 Cordon Villa
PE12 0NP Proposed single storey extension, detached garage, stable and menage Full Approved
H07-0967-24 North View Fishing Lakes 8 lodges and 32 caravans for use as tourism accommodation Full Undecided
There are no current plans to discuss.
b) To discuss consultations and concerns.
None
13. Cemetery matters
None
14. To advise of any items to be added to the next meeting agenda.
Wind Farm Small Grant Scheme
15. Confirmation of Clerks appointment.
The Clerks appointment has been confirmed.
16. Date of next meeting – Monday 17 March 2025 at 6.30pm
Cllr Redgate apologises for his absence.
The meeting closed at 7.20pm