Stanhoe Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday, 8th March 2018 at 6.00pm
in the village Reading Room
Clerk to the Council – , tel 01485 518570
Present:
Mr. D. Lord (DL) Chairman
Mr D. Bridge (DB)
Miss. R. Brown (RB)
Mrs. J. Lord (JL)
Mr. M. Roche (MR)
Mr. D. Vincent (DV)
Apologies: None
In Attendance: 3 Members of the Public and Councillor Andrew Morrison (Docking Ward)
1. To consider apologies for absence: None.
2. To consider approval of the Minutes of the last meeting held on 11th January 2018: No queries were raised and the Minutes were passed and signed by the Chairman.
3. To record declarations of interest in any item to be discussed: No declarations of interest were made.
4. To adjourn the meeting to allow for public participation: A general discussion took place between the members of the public in attendance regarding the recent imposition of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) against trees in the grounds of All Saints Church. Whilst some were in favour of felling all the trees covered by the TPO, others suggested that ‘thinning and lopping’ would be a more sympathetic approach. It was likely that a final decision would be made at a Borough Council Planning Committee Meeting scheduled for April/May 2018.
5. Tree Preservation Order – All Saints Church: The Council was pleased to have the opportunity of this discussion having not, prior to the TPO, received notice of the proposed action regarding the tree avenue, known as The Plantern. The Council is sympathetic to the Church’s well expressed concerns regarding the health of many of the trees, safety issues and the future cost of maintenance. The general view is that with these concerns in mind, the Council would choose to rely on impartial expert advice; the general objectives being 1) keeping the avenue of trees albeit in a reduced form 2) accepting the necessity of removing trees that are rotting or represent a threat to any building, particularly the Church and 3) to sanction suitable replanting of similar trees. In summary the Council wishes to assist the Church while supporting an acceptable tree management strategy; this does mean supporting the TPO in some modified form. The Council wishes to be represented at any Planning Meetings it is permitted to attend.
6. Tree Opposite Fern Cottage - Update: The Landowner had now contacted the Clerk and had indicated that he would, in the coming months, come to the village to have a look at the issue with the tree and associated cabling. In addition, The Chairman had been in contact with representatives both from BT and Openreach on numerous occasions but neither organisation would accept responsibility for the tree.
7. Electronic Speed Signs – SAM 2 Update: The Chairman had visited Westcotec and now had a better understanding of how to download and interpret data. The Chairman was able to advise Council of the highest speeds recorded in the village between September 2017 and February 2018, all of which were recorded in 30 mph zones:
25th September 2017 6.00am 85mph
2nd January 2018 7.15am 95mph
7th February 2018 9.50pm 85mph
The Chairman would liaise with the Speedwatch Coordinator to ensure that the Police were notified.
8. Surround to the Cross Lane Cross: Efforts would be made to contact English Heritage to establish what protective surround to the Cross would be acceptable. In addition, the Chairman and Clerk would invite English Heritage to come and view the Cross and explain the concerns the Council have.
9. Playing Field:
Dog Bin Provision and ‘No Dogs’ Signs: MR, as the Chairman of the MEHM Trust, advised Council that the Trust would consider the subject of a Dog Bin and ‘No Dogs’ signs at the next meeting of the MEHM Trust.
Playground Equipment: The Chairman and the Chairman of the MEHM Trust had yet to draw up a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the land on which the playground equipment is situated. Once this had been agreed, an approach could be made to Jack’s Land Wind Farm for funding for new/additional playground equipment.
10. Better Broadband for Norfolk (BBfN) - Update: The Chairman had emailed the Programme Director regarding the residents of properties who may not benefit from the Broadband upgrade. The Programme Director confirmed that further surveys had yet to be undertaken but following these surveys she would be able to provide a definitive list of those properties which would not benefit from the upgrade. The Chairman would request a further update in April 2018.
11. Extension to Village Maintenance Duties and Spring Clean: RB, subject to Council approval, suggested that tidying to the rear of the pond and around the seating should be added to the current duties undertaken by Derek Scales – Derek had confirmed to RB that he would content to do this. Council agreed that from April 2018 a further ½ hour per month could be added to Derek Scales’ contract to cover this additional work. The Chairman suggested that the Council, and possibly some village residents, may like to take part in the Great British Spring Clean Up – a general village ‘litter pick’. Council agreed and a date would be confirmed.
Subsequent to the meeting it has been agreed that, weather permitting, the Stanhoe Great British Spring Clean Up will start at 10.00am on Saturday 7th April with all volunteers meeting at the Reading Room.
12. Appointment of a Data Protection Officer (DPO): Further updates are awaited from NALC. Ongoing.
13. Planning Democracy: Whilst Council had supported the sentiments in the letter regarding Planning Democracy sent to the Borough Council by the Chairman of Castle Acre Parish Council, the Council Leader had subsequently confirmed that despite the changes the weight of consideration for a parish’s comments will be in no way diminished.
14. Arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting: The Annual Parish Meeting will take place at 7.00pm on 10th May 2018. The Chairman requested suggestions for inclusion should be forwarded to him by 31st March 2018. The Clerk would arrange publicity.
15. Planning applications and information: The following applications had been received:
| App Number | Applicant | Proposal | Council Response |
| 18/00130/F | Amy Lunt |
Side single storey extension and conversion of the garage to be used within the main dwelling. Existing conservatory will be upgraded and become part of main dwelling. Internal reconfiguration of dwelling. Windows to front elevation slightly enlarged. Michaelmas, Cross Lane |
No objections by Parish Council.
Application permitted by BCKLWN |
| 18/00122/F | Mr Michael Watson |
Extensions and alterations – The Lodge, Docking Road |
No objections by Parish Council. |
Notification of a new property address: – Isabel Lodge, Church Lane.
16. Financial Report and approval of payments: Up to date income & expenditure accounts, budget report and bank statements were circulated by the Clerk. No queries were raised.
Approval was sought and agreed for the following payments:
| Chq No | Payee | Reason | £ |
| 100721 | Westcotec | SAM 2 Battery | 96.00 |
| 100722 | Gooch Pest Control | Mole Control | 108.00 |
| 100723 | W. Leighton | Salary January and February 2018 | 288.46 |
| 100724 | HMRC | PAYE January and February 2018 | 72.20 |
| 100725 | West Norfolk Community Transport | First Year Contribution | 700.00 |
| 100726 | BCKLWN | Dog Bin Emptying | 82.37 |
17. Items for the next Agenda – meeting of 10th May 2018:
Playing Field – Dog Bin Provision and ‘No Dogs’ Signs
Appointment of a Data Protection Officer
BBFN Update
No other items were discussed and the meeting closed at 7.45pm.