Obituary for Nettleham Parish Councillor Allan James Bonney

Nettleham Parish Councillor Allan James Bonney , born Monday, 18th September 1939, passed away on the morning of Friday, 3rd October 2014. 

Allan was by trade a Builder and Civil Engineer having served his apprenticeship under John Laing & Sons Ltd. After his retirement he came to Nettleham in October 2006 and settled in Highfields, Nettleham with a smaller and more manageable garden than he had been used to.

Allan James Bonney 1939 - 2014

Before moving to Nettleham he had been President of the Middlesex Bowling Association and a member of the English Bowls Association Committee. He was a member of the Nettleham Bowls Club where he collected old newspapers on their behalf to raise funds and was the ‘Greens Advisor’ for Bowls Clubs in Lincolnshire.

He was first elected to the council in 2010 where he filled one of three vacancies following the retirement of councillors Meg Davidson, Alf Frith and Ray Sellars. It was not long however before he would have to seek re-election to council the following year. He was successful and continued his service to the parish.

In 2011 Allan was appointed by the council to the Skate Park Steering Group and served as a Deputy on the Property Committee, Planning Committee and Mulsanne Park Users Committee. In 2012 he was appointed to the Nettleham Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee and became a full member of both the Planning Committee and the Mulsanne Park Users Committee. He was also appointed as one the the parishes first two Snow Wardens, along with the Vice-Chairman of the Council, Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton.

In 2013 he came off the Musanne Park Users Committee and was promoted by the council to be the lead Snow Warden, also becoming one of the parish's Flood Wardens. Finally, in 2014, with his health impaired, he stepped back to be a deputy again on the Planning Committee and relinquished his roles as a member of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, and both the Flood and Snow Warden roles.

Allan's four year service to the parish of Nettleham was characterised by a determination to ensure the best for local people, that the council's resources were properly spent and represented value for money. He was never afraid to challenge and enquire about the actions of other authorities and bodies which affected the lives of people within the parish.

Allan was no stranger to the local Domino and Cribbage Club where he was an active member. He served on the Committee of Nettleham Garden Club and helped at their Saturday morning store.

The flag at the Old School, Mill Hill, Nettleham is expected to be flown at half mast on Monday, 6th October 2014. A service of Cremation will take place at 11:10 on Friday, 17th October 2014 at Lincoln Crematorium. 

Allan is survived by his wife Teresa, daughter Hazell and son Ian, together with his seven grandchildren

Liberal Democrat's Attendance at Meetings Slumps to New Low

Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward), a Nettleham Parish Councillor, is revealed to be the poorest attending member of Nettleham Parish Council.

Cllr. Leaning, has been ranked as the poorest attending member of Nettleham Parish Council in figures attached to the  Chairman's Annual Report. Cllr. Leaning - who is both a district and parish councillor - is known to enjoy extensive holidays away from representing his constituents. This has lead to a slump in the number of meetings he has managed to attend.

In the third year running, figures showing the attendance of Nettleham's Parish Councillors have been attached to the Chairman's Annual Report. On average Cllr. Leaning's colleagues attended between 82%-97% of their meetings.  It would be remiss not to mention that Cllr. Leaning, having both district and parish roles, will potentially have diary conflicts; but such a low figure of attendance brings in to question the viability of fulling the expectations of  local residents to do both functions properly. The wards second district councillor and county councillor, Cllr. Ray Sellars, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward and Nettleham & Saxilby Division), has sensibly not re-joined Nettleham Parish Council after stepping down in 2010 - but even he managed an attendance figure of 69% that year. The county council also meets during the daytime, whilst the district council in the evening.

Cllr. Leaning's figure is even more surprising when considering that his presence was only required at the 13 Full Council Meetings (of which he managed to attend 7). Other councillors take on significant additional roles and contribute hundreds of hours a year to help the village. The parish council's Deputy Chairman, Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton, was expected to attend 30 meetings during 2011-12, achieving a 97% attendance rate. Meanwhile, Cllr. Alf Frith, who was expected to attend 20 meetings during 2011-12, achieved a 90% attendance rate.

Cllr. Leaning hasn't attended a single meeting since the start of the year and was notably absent from the meeting held on Tuesday, 20th March 2012 - when many villagers turned out to express there concerns over controversial plans to develop a 'custody suite' at Nettleham Police Headquarters. Local residents can only hope that Cllr. Leaning will make an effort to improve his attendance.

Parish Council Summary of Appointments

Nettleham Parish Council, at it's Annual Parish Council meeting, on Wednesday evening, made a string of both internal and external appointments. First off was the re-election of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, Cllr. Terry Williams and Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton respectively.

The council undertook a new system of electing councillors to the various committees and outside bodies.

In previous years there had usually not been sufficient interest from members of the council and so positions were filled without a contest. Last year however, after a somewhat difficult set of exchanges, the committees were eventually decided. It was therefore agreed that for the current year as ballot would be held to determine committee memberships.

The members of Nettleham Parish Council's Committees for 2010/11, as elected at the meeting, are:

Property Committee

• Cllr. John Downs
• Cllr. Alf Frith
• Cllr. John Hill
• Cllr. Giles McNeill
• Cllr. Mike Spencer

Planning Committee

• Cllr. John Downes
• Cllr. John Evans
• Cllr. John Hill
• Cllr. Giles McNeill
• Cllr. Mike Spencer

Field Path Committee

• Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton
• Cllr. Mrs. Susan Harland

Parish Plan Action Committee

• Cllr. John Evans
• Cllr. Joe Siddall

Mulsanne Park Users Committee

• Cllr. John Downs
• Cllr. Mrs. Susan Harland
• Cllr. Giles McNeill

Nettleham Parish Council also made a number of appointments to outside bodies for 2010/11, as elected at the meeting, they are:

Village Hall Committee

• Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton
• Cllr. Giles McNeill
• Cllr. Joe Siddall

Nettleham Infant School Board of Governors

• Cllr. Giles McNeill

Nettleham Twinning Association

• Cllr. Mrs. Susan Harland

Flood Wardens

• Mrs. Frances Buckle
• Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton

Skate Park Steering Group

• Cllr. Joe Siddall
• Cllr. Alan Bonney
• Cllr. Mrs. Susan Harland

New Nettleham Parish Council Elected

The following twelve persons have been elected as Parish Councillors for Nettleham Parish Council, to fill twelve vacancies:

 

1. Cllr. Allan Bonney, Re-elected.
2. Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton (Vice-Chairman of the Council), Re-elected.
3. Cllr. John Downs (Chairman of the Property Committee), Re-elected.
4. Cllr. John Evans (Chairman of the Parish Plan Steering Committee), Re-elected.
5. Mr. Alf Frith, Returning after a one year absence.
6. Cllr. Mrs. Susan Harland, Re-Elected.
7. Cllr. John Hill (Chairman of the Planning Committee), Re-elected.
8. Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Re-elected.
9. Cllr. Giles McNeill (Chairman of the Mulsanne Park Users Committee), Re-elected.
10. Mr. Joe Siddall, NEW
11. Cllr. Michael Spencer, Re-elected.
12. Cllr. Terry Williams (Chairman of the Council), Re-elected.

The following persons will retire from the Parish Council:

• Cllr. Mrs. Valerie Darbyshire, after five years of service.
• Cllr. Mrs. Stephanie Rouse, after one year of service.

District Councillor Says 'Yes' to Nettleham Rugby Development

Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward) has given his support for planning permission to be granted to the Lindum Rugby Club's proposed development on Lodge Lane, Nettleham.

With a meeting of the West Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee only days away, Cllr. Leaning has stunned local residents opposed to the plans by endorsing the proposed scheme, recommended for approval in the officer's report, which states:

"Anticipating that a decision on the application could well be made whilst he was going to be away, Councillor Leaning has explained he is fully aware of the lengthy discussions which have taken place between the Club and the parish council and at public meetings. He has received messages of support and objections. Whilst he would have preferred to have the benefit of a full report from officers, as this was not available at the time he decided on the basis of what information was available on balance to support the proposal. In so doing he pointed out that Mulsanne Park has no spare capacity for pursuits other than those which take place there at present and this will result in a greater choice for residents, and that Nettleham as a community tries to cater for all age groups in its population."

The meeting of the Planning Committee to discuss the planning application will take place on Wednesday, 28th July at 6:30pm at the Guildhall, Marshall's Yard Gainsborough and it is widely expected that planning permission will be granted.

Tell Police If You're Leaving The Village

The Lincolnshire Echo are reporting that local police are urging homeowners in Nettleham who have been targeted by burglars to let them know when they go on holiday.

Detectives are continuing to investigate a spate of break-ins in the village of Nettleham outside Lincoln after twelve break-ins and attempted break-ins in a matter of days. Police have been posting advice to residents in an effort to boost vigilance - 600 leaflets have been delivered by PCSO Jackie Parker.

It has been revealed the burglars were targeting empty homes in the village, officers have taken the unusual step of urging anyone going away to let them know. The move comes as local fears grow about the burglaries – and against a background of break-ins in nearby Welton.

Ms Debra Tinsley, a spokesman for Lincolnshire Police, said officers were doing everything they could to catch the culprits. She said:

"The investigation is still ongoing, and we are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of things.

"We are urging residents to follow basic crime prevention advice to minimise the risks they face."

Police say people going away should let them know so that patrols can be stepped up in the right areas but they are also advising locals to take their own measures – such as cancelling milk and papers, informing neighbours when away, using timers for lighting at night and setting burglar alarms.
Police this week attended the meeting of Nettleham Parish Council to update the council on the investigation.

Cllr. John Hill is reported to have said:

"Nettleham has a very low crime rate. We have never had something like this before and I hope it is a one-off. But the police have issued very good advice. Keep a watchful eye out, particularly if a neighbour is away on holiday."

The spate of break-ins began on Saturday, 29th Ma y2010 has seen homes across the village targeted. So far, there have been no arrests. The case has some parallels with a spate of break-ins in nearby Welton in May. Now locals are hoping the intensifying police investigation will soon lead to a breakthrough.

Cllr. Alf Frith, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward), is reported to have said people were concerned about what was happening in their village.

"It's alarming, I have been away for a few days and when I went away I was rather concerned about what might happen. It's upsetting, especially because a lot of people were away when their homes were broken into."

Anyone with information about the break-ins should call police on 0300 1110300. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Giles McNeill vs Alf Frith

The Lincolnshire Echo is today reporting that a young Conservative hopeful is looking to end the 26-year tenure of a Lincolnshire council stalwart in an electoral battleground near Lincoln.

Cllr. Alf Frith, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward) and Conservative challenger Giles McNeill, are contesting the Nettleham Ward in the West Lindsey District Council election to be held on Thursday, 6th May 2010. The paper declares that with both men at opposite ends of their political careers, the choice is an intriguing one for the nearly four thousand residents of Grange-de-Lings, Greetwell, Nettleham, North Greetwell and Riseholme.

The paper reports that Cllr. Frith has lived in Nettleham since the age of two, spent the last forty-six years as a Parish Councilllor and represented the area at district council level since 1984. The paper reports Cllr. Frith as saying:

"Planning is the biggest issue for the area.

"A lot of residents feel now we have reached a point where, with traffic problems in the village, we have got to capacity.

"Giles has been putting himself around a lot and the campaign is hotting up a bit I'm hoping I will be re-elected, but who can tell?"

At the West Lindsey District Council Civic Dinner, held on Friday 16th April 2010 sources close to senior councillors have said there was considerable rumour and speculation that that Cllr. Frith may not serve the full four year term if elected, and retire after a year.

The paper describe Conservative Candidate and recently re-elected Nettleham Parish Councillor, Giles McNeill, as a long-term Nettleham resident - having lived in the village for two decades. He said:

"I feel I can make a positive difference to Nettleham in four years.

"Cllrs. Leaning and Alf are less Nettleham men at West Lindsey and more West Lindsey's men at Nettleham."

"It's time Nettleham started getting fair funding and has a stronger voice in West Lindsey. You can't vote for change in Nettleham by voting Lib Dem as they are the establishment."

Commenting separately on the rumour regarding Cllr. Frith not serving a full term of office Cllr. McNeill said:

"I think it is a matter for Cllr. Frith to answer. I plan to work hard as the Councillor for Grange-de-Lings, Greetwell, Nettleham, North Greetwell and Riseholme, for the full term I am elected for."

When Is An 8% Increase Not An 8% Increase?

Related content: 'Nettleham Parish Council Budget 2010/11' and 'Nettleham Parish Council Agree Tax Freeze'.

On Wednesday evening at the Nettleham Parish Council meeting held at the Mulsanne Park Pavillion a member of the public enquired as to how the comments made by Cllr. Giles McNeill, on behalf of the Parish Council, in the most recent winter edition of Nettleham News that:

"The Parish Council met towards the end of October and provisionally agreed to freeze the level of tax charged through West Lindsey District Council to local residents, known as the precept."

Could be reconciled with Council Tax bills issued by West Lindsey District Council that show an increase in the Parish Precept of 8% for the average Band D property.

The article continued and talked about the reduction in two subsidies, one for the operating costs of the burial ground, the other known as the 'per capita subsidy' which has traditionally been £2 per elector.

Under the Local Government Act 1972 s.150 the Parish Council raises most of its income through a separate chargeable levy on the parish, known as the precept, issued to the council responsible for collection of local government taxes, locally that falls to West Lindsey District Council. A parish council is a local precepting authority and may issue a precept each financial year.

The member of the public was correct that thier Council Tax bill from West Lindsey District Council shows an 8% increase in the level of Parish Precept charged as a component of the Council Tax to local residents. £74.01 in 2010/11 which is an increase on the previous year from £68.52 in 2009/10.

In the current financial year, 2009/10, the parish council has received £101,243 as precept income. This comprised of £90,358 as precept collected through the Council Tax, £4,967 as burial ground subsidy, £100 as the automatic base per capita subsidy - all parish and town councils currently recieve £100 - together with £5,818 being £2 per elector within the parish.

The figure quoted in the booklet, which accompanied Council Tax bills, for 2010/11 shows a precept of £98,222 collected through the Council Tax, but excludes £100 as the automatic base per capita subsidy together with £2,921 being £1 per elector within the parish, which is collected through the council tax, but found from West Lindsey's part of the Council Tax. The total being a precept requirement of Nettleham Parish Council of £101,243 the identical amount as the current year.

The increase shown on Council Tax bills is therefore not an increase in the amount of money precepted by Nettleham Parish Council but in fact is caused because revenue that used to be collected through the District Council's portion is now being accounted for through the Parish Council's portion of the Council Tax.

Cllr. McNeill has said:

"I apologise if this was not clear; the term 'freeze' applied to the level of precept income received and not the level of taxation charged to residents."

District and Parish Councillor Cllr. Alf Frith, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward) noted at the meeting that the per capita subsidy had been introduced many years ago to ameliorate the fact that Gainsborough did not have it's own Town Council, which changed in 1993 when Gainsborough Town Council was established. Cllr. Frith also noted that at that time the per capita subsidy had come to the end of it's natural life and should have finished.

A senior official at West Lindsey District Council has indicated that:

"I know of no other authority in the country that has a per capita subsidy like this."

Nettleham's Lib Dems Fail To Support Flood Prevention Bid

Last night Nettleham Parish Council agreed to a proposal by Cllr. Giles McNeill to attempt to draw down new funding from West Lindsey District Council to assist in Flood Prevention.

The funding package of £165,000 was announced in West Lindsey District Council's Budget at the beginning of March and made a priority for the district by Cllr. Mrs. Meg Davidson, Conservative (Fiskerton Ward), who is also a Nettleham Parish Councillor. A bid for somewhere in the region of £10,000 will be made.

In the floods of June 2007 numerous properties were flooded and the Parish Council were active in investgating and seeking recommendations for solutions. To that end the Parish Council engaged the services of Faber Maunsell, leading consultants on such matters and a report was produced. A key recommendation was:

"Development of a hydraulic model of Nettleham Beck and its tributary through Danby Hill."

This would assist in the analysis of various scenarios and potential solutions. Whilst every other member of Nettleham Parish Council were able to support this proposal. Cllr. Alf Frith, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward) and Cllr. Ray Sellars, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham & Saxilby Division) could not support the proposal.

Cllr. Giles McNeill said:

"I think it is what we have come to expect from [Cllrs. Sellars & Frith], they dither and attempt to rationalise their actions, but in reality they didn't have a good reason to object, it was political posturing and not in our community's interest.

"The money from West Lindsey District Council lets us take action that helps to build the argument for making improvements against the flooding risk situation in the village."

Nettleham Parish Councillors Annoyed by District Council's Planning Decision

Last night West Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee met for the first time this year, following the postponement of the meeting from last week due to adverse weather conditions. At the meeting a long-running dispute between a property owner, the parish council and the planning authority was resolved. Resolved, much to the dissatisfaction of those members of Nettleham Parish Council who attended last night's Parish Council meeting.

For four years now the parish council has objected to a gated-lean-to area constructed in a sensitive location in the conservation area in the village, the district council supported the parish council's objections in March last year and refused retrospective planning permission.

Last night, Cllr. Alf Frith, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward), effectively torpedoed any possible satisfactory amelioration of the issues by stating the parish council's continued objection at the meeting and then giving his own, personal, contrary view.

Cllr. Frith said:

"Thank you Chairman - I'll declare an interest as a member of the parish council. I don't take any part in planning discussions at the parish council, but I have been asked tonight, because the parish councillor who should have come can't make it - I have been asked tonight if I will put their representation forward - which I will do.

"They, the Parish Council, still maintain their objections to what is there and to this planning application. They have, it has - a long running - saga. I think it's about four years ago when it first started - when it first started, things - things happening, without planning permission. So it has gone on a long time and I can understand the Parish Council's frustration because it has gone on, and on, and on. So they still maintain their objection to it, they think - they believe this should be turned down as it was previously in March.

"My own view is that in March, in the report of the planning officer, it did say 'car-port access gate which is set back from the High Street frontage building line with a plainer style of gates with railings would be a more appropriate treatment'. Now with that being in the refusal, in March, I take the view that this, now, which has been negotiated - I know a lot of work has been gone in by the conservation officer and the planning officer and a lot of work - erm - I think now - I - er - accept the application as it has come forward. I - er - I take no notice of the letter which we have received recently it's - I - it's an ongoing [smirks] problem, but I will support the present application."

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Cllr. Chris Underwood-Frost, Conservative (Scotter Ward), then enquires of Cllr. Frith:

"Can I just ask if you are moving it?"

Cllr. Frith responds:

"No, no I won't move it because I represented the Parish Council."

The Planning Committee voted unanimously in favour of approval. Whilst at the Parish Council meeting I received a text message informing me of this fact and informed those present of the decision that had taken place at West Lindsey District Council. The reaction from fellow councillors can be summed up as at best annoyed and at worst angry.

Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward), who also serves on Nettleham Parish Council and is a member of the Planning Committee at West Lindsey District Council failed to attend either the Parish Council or Planning Committee meetings.

Parish Council to Object to Rugby Club's Proposal

Nettleham Parish Council last night agreed to formally object to the proposal by the Lincoln Rugby Football Club, in their role as a statutory consultee.

At a packed meeting held in the village hall, Parish Councillors voted 4 to 3 (with two abstentions) on a proposal to object.

At the beginning of the meeting Cllr. Terry Williams, Chairman of Nettleham Parish Council, made introductions and welcomed the large number of the public who had made the effort to attend and participate.

Cllr. Williams gave a brief summary, by way of a background, to the activities that had led to the meeting last night.

Ultimately, despite pleas from the Chairman that all councillors should attend only seven participated in casting a vote one way or the other. Cllrs. Sellers and Hill were away on holiday and Cllr. Mrs. Davidson was absent on urgent business. Cllrs. Frith and Leaning both abstained as is their tradition in matters relating to planning.

The vote in the end was very close and represented very much the clear division that exists within our community between the 'yes' and 'no' camps.

I believe that the Parish Council will ultimately struggle to provide a substantive set of planning reasons for objecting. For now however all eyes turn to West Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee who will make a decision now expected as late as Wednesday, 3rd February 2010.

Local Liberal Democrat Councillor voted UKIP at European Election

I was speaking Cllr. Frith earlier this evening at the Nettleham Parish Council's Allotments on Lincoln Road near Nettleham Heath and he confirmed that he is at odds with his party's pro-European positions saying:

"I voted UKIP last time... I've always been anti-European."