December 2021

Gayton le Marsh Parish Meeting 8th December 2021

Held – Gayton le Marsh Village Hall 7.30pm

1. Present: Rick Crust (Parish Chair), Keith Robinson (Vice-Chair), Mark Henry (Parish Clerk), Peter Buckeridge (RFO). 19 residents present.

Apologies: Michael and Carol Marsden, Les and Marilyn Milton.

2. Approval of Minutes:

Minutes of Parish Meeting, held on 28 June 2021, were approved by those present. The Chairman stated that a copy of the minutes was posted on the Village Hall notice board and on the Village website.

3. Matters arising:

The Chairman mentioned that he had received correspondence via email from Carol Marsden and Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) regarding the state / repair of the road in the village. LCC suggested the Parish Meeting, could pay Contractors to repair the part of the road concerned. The Chairman stated that a meeting would take place with a representative from LCC.

4. Financial Report:

The Responsible Finance Officer provided details of current balances as of 30/11/2021.

Parish Meeting current Account: £2,455.73

Windfarm Fund current Account: £20,534.51

Windfarm Fund savings Account: £23,885.93

Windfarm Fund 25year savings Account: £12,904.83

5. Correspondence/Updates:

The Clerk spoke about Dog litter bins as whilst out delivering the Wheelie bin stickers, some residents voiced concerns to him regarding dog litter. Contact has been made with East Lindsey District Council. A request to be made by the Parish Clerk requesting dog litter bins. This matter to be chased up by the Parish Clerk.

Parish Clerk updated the meeting regarding the speeding issues and said that Passive 30MPH signs have been put up in various parts of the village, along with the 30MPH wheelie bin stickers that have been handed out to residents. In June’s Parish Meeting we discussed Passing Place signs, initial contact was made with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), with the idea that the Passing Place signs are also discussed during the same meeting about the road repairs. Parish Clerk to chase up. The Chairman mentioned about Dyke clearing, this is to be arranged.

6. Community Fund criteria:

A member from the Windfarm Fund Committee informed the meeting of the current criteria for the Windfarm Community Fund, in respect of personal applications. He gave an overview regarding the roles and adhering to the current general principles, including that members of the Parish are required to reside within 5km of the Village.

As it stands, the criteria for Community projects is fine, the committee member gave an example of this, referencing the work completed in the Churchyard.

Grants for personal applications for sports and education from Windfarm funding should not produce personal gain. The current criteria for Community Fund application, under personal financial gain states: ‘if an individual benefits financially from the fund – If the answer to the question ‘Would it be necessary to pay this if there was no Windfarm Fund – is YES then this strongly indicates Personal Financial Gain. That if previous personal grants given were reviewed by a third party, they would not agree’.

The committee member mentioned that personal grants should have no personal gain, but said that Means Testing the applicant wouldn’t be ethical for the Windfarm committee whilst trying to assess the applicants capacity to pay. He stated that the Parish Meeting needs to change the principles for the criteria on Personal Gain and gave an example of commercial gain.

The committee member also mentioned issues in responding to applications. He suggested that perhaps a longer period was needed.

The Chairman spoke about the current constitution of the Community Fund, with the financial aspect of the current criteria being the sticking point in assessing applications. He suggested that the Personal Financial Gain part of the criteria is taken out or reworded. He mentioned that the criteria for applications for a community project, is fine as it stands. He stated the rewording of the criteria, or adding an appendix, for Community Funds, would enable individuals to apply and get grants, from the Windfarm Fund.

There were valid discussions from several residents present, concerning aspects of community benefit and part of the criteria of the community fund. The Chairman again pointed out that it was the Personal Financial Gain element of the current criteria that is causing problems.

Those residents present at the meeting were asked to vote on whether the current criteria stays the same, there was unanimous vote for ‘no’. The Chairman asked those present to vote that the criteria be changed to support individual applications for funds in respect of education, sport and skills – 12 residents voted for, 6 residents against and 1 resident abstained.

The Chairman proposed that the current funding continues, there was unanimous agreement on this. He also proposed the personal application for funds from the Community Fund, be put on hold until the criteria for the Community Fund is reworded – 14 residents voted for, 5 residents abstained. That applications for Community funding (personal) are put on hold, that applications for a Community project, to carry on.

The Chairman pointed out that there has been delays in responding to applications. This is due some members of the Windfarm Fund Committee working and other commitments. He proposed that the current time to review applications be increased from 2 weeks to 4 weeks. This was approved unanimously.

7. AOB:

A resident, along with other residents present, mentioned the state of the main road in the village, specifically at the lower end as it needs repairing. As previously mentioned, this is to be brought to the attention of an LCC representative. Parish Chairman and Clerk to chase up.

A resident spoke of her concern of the lack of amenities in village for children, especially during the lockdown period and that she had to travel to another village. She suggested a play area in village would be helpful. The Chairman suggested this could be a Community Fund project application. He mentioned that some land in the village maybe purchased for this. A possible site would be near Billswood. However, this site maybe already sold. The Chairman to make enquiries.

Some residents were concerned of the lack of street lighting in the village. The Chairman said that he didn’t think LCC would deem it necessary to add more lights.

A concerned resident mentioned the state of Grit boxes, that a resident from the village sustained an injury due to the recent cold icy weather. She stated that grit in the box was lumpy and asked that on days when ice is on the roads, perhaps villagers would use the grit to clear the road near to them. Also that the grit box lid was broken. Parish Clerk to contact Lincolnshire County Council.

A resident mentioned road sweeping in the village, he felt it was ineffective, at this time of year. The occurrence of road sweeping to be reviewed.

Parish Clerk spoke about a few instances of fly tipping at the bottom end of the village. Some residents were not aware of this. He stated that this had already reported to East Lindsey District Council. Parish Clerk advised that should residents come across or see fly tipping taking place, to report it to the Council, and if possible, note the make or model and registration of the vehicle/s concerned.

Another resident mentioned the instances of Hare coursing that had taken place in nearby locations close to the village. The Chairman mentioned that where Hare coursing is taking place, the Police are to be contacted using the 999 system. If it’s not actually taking place, but there’s evidence of it, to contact Police on 101, non-emergency number.

The Parish Chairman and Clerk thanked those who attended the Parish Meeting. It was emphasised that the rewording of criteria for the Community Fund application, was to be dealt with as reasonably practicable.

The meeting was closed at 9.10pm.