Stanhoe Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday, 11th May 2022 at 6.00pm
in the village Reading Room
Clerk to the Council – , tel 01485 518570
Present:
Mr D. Lord (DL) Chairman
Miss R. Brown (RBR)
Mrs R. Birkin (RB)
Mr M. Wilson (MW)
Dr S. Shaw (SS)
Mr W Leighton Clerk
Apologies:
Mr B. Gorton (BG)
Mr T. Fitzjohn (TF)
In attendance:
8 members of the public
1. Re-election of Chairman: The Chairman informed Councillors that, subject to their approval, he would be willing to serve a further term as Chairman. Councillors were unanimous that the Chairman should continue to serve a further term.
2. To consider apologies for absence: BG and TF had given their apologies.
3. To consider approval of the minutes of the last meeting held on 16th March 2022: No queries were raised and the minutes were passed and signed by the Chairman.
4. To record declarations of interest in any item to be discussed: No declarations of interest were made.
5. To adjourn meeting to allow public participation: A Bircham Road resident reported that the recent change in bin collection days for Bircham Road had not proceeded as indicated, bins continued to be emptied on a Wednesday. The Clerk would take up with the BCKLWN. Note: Residents of Bircham Road have subsequently received a letter from the Serco apologising for the error and advising that the bin collection day for Bircham Road will remain as ‘Wednesday’.
A resident requested details on the progress of arrangements for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations planned for 4th June. The Chairman explained that the event was being organised by a committee independent of the Parish Council and that any queries would be better answered by that committee. MW, as the Parish Council’s representative on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Committee, kindly invited the resident to attend their next meeting.
6. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations: MW advised arrangements were progressing well and a further meeting was scheduled for 16th March at 5.30pm in the Reading Room. The Chairman thanked MW, and his wife Rachel, for their significant contribution.
7. Go to Town Bus Service: A new timetable had been issued on 18th April, with an improved service for Stanhoe residents. The timetable is available at https://www.gtt-online.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/NEW-Routes-21-TT-Leaflet.pdf.
8. Parish Emergency Plan: Deferred to July meeting.
9. SAM 2 Update: The fastest recorded speeds within the 30mph limit from 3rd March to 30th April 2022 had been:
| Date | Time | Speed | Sign Position |
| 9th March | 06:40 | 55mph | Longwall Barn facing Bircham |
| 19th April | 21:55 | 70mph | Grange facing Docking |
During March (from 3rd) 13,804 vehicles passed the speed sign, in April, the figure was 16,138 vehicles. From May 2022, DL would also provide the Speedwatch Coordinator with a copy of the statistics.
10. Egmere Meeting – 27th January 2022: MW had now received the presentation from the meeting held on 27th January 2022. Overall, last year’s harvest had gone without significant issue and the impact on Stanhoe residents had been much less intrusive than in previous years.
11. Children’s Play Area - Update: The shackles and caps had now been replaced. BG and DL had power cleaned all the play equipment. The annual inspection had also been completed with nothing deemed to be higher than ‘low risk’.
12. War Memorial: The Chairman had contacted a local stonemason and had requested that an inspection of the War Memorial be undertaken and a report and quotation be provided for any remedial work deemed necessary.
13. Memorial Plaque: Unfortunately no Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk County Council was available to present the plaque. The Chairman would now undertake the duty at the Annual Parish Meeting, which would immediately follow this meeting.
14. A Paperless Parish Council: Councillors were in full agreement with the suggestion by SS that wherever possible the Parish Council should adopt the same approach as other organisations and become more and more paperless. The Clerk had not produced the usual hard copy reports for this meeting and it had not caused any issues. MW would investigate the possibility of using, when required, the projector and screen in the Reading Room to display information during meetings.
15. Provision of a Defibrillator: SS felt that a defibrillator in the village would be an invaluable asset. Fewer than 1 in 10 people survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest and with ambulance response times at an all-time high, SS firmly believed that access to a defibrillator in the village could significantly enhance the survival rate of anyone who may suffer a cardiac arrest. With a donation of £500 from London Hearts, a defibrillator and external heated locked cabinet could be purchased for £1241.00 plus any costs associated with installation. Councillors agreed that this was worthy of further discussion. In the interim, the Chairman would approach the Jack’s Lane Wind Farm Community Fund administrators regarding a possible grant.
16. Public Footpaths and Rights of Way: Deferred to July meeting.
17. Planning Applications and Information: No planning applications had been received or decided upon since the last meeting.
In accordance with the CIL Regulations, all Parish/Town Councils who have received CIL payments must complete an Annual CIL Report for each financial year (the 12 months ending 31st March). Stanhoe Parish Council had received £10.51 for FY 2021/22 so the Clerk presented the Annual CIL Report to Councillors for approval. Councillors were unanimous that the £10.51 had been offset against repairs to the children’s play equipment; the Chairman was therefore able to sign off the Annual CIL Report.
18. End of Year Accounts, Financial Report and approval of payments: Year End accounts as at 31st March 2022 had been circulated to Councillors, via email, by the Clerk. The accounts had been inspected by the Internal Auditor and all was found to be in order. Council agreed unanimously with the End of Year Accounts. The Chairman and the Clerk were therefore able to sign the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2021/22.
Up to date income & expenditure accounts, budget report and bank statements had also been circulated, via email, to Councillors by the Clerk. No queries were raised.
The Chairman advised Councillors that an increase of 1.75% to the Clerk’s salary, backdated to 1st April 2021, has been recommended by the National Joint Council for Local Government services. Councillors agreed unanimously with the recommendation and approved a 1.75% increase to the Clerk’s salary backdated to 1st April 2021.
Approval was sought and agreed for the following payments:
| Chq No | Payee | Reason | £ |
| 100856 | Playscape | Play Equipment Repairs | 570.00 |
| 100857 | BHIB | Annual Insurance | 392.63 |
| 100858 | W. Leighton | Salary March & April 2022 | 325.68 |
| 100859 | W. Leighton | Clerk’s Expenses – Stamps | 22.80 |
| 100860 | R. Canwell | Internal Audit | 40.00 |
| 100861 | HMRC | PAYE March & April 2022 | 81.40 |
19. Resident’s Concerns/Issues Raised after the Agenda was Published:
Domesday Book Plaque: A resident had suggested that, as Stanhoe had appeared in the Domesday Book, Councillors may wish to consider the purchase of a plaque in recognition of this, particularly in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. Following a short discussion, Councillors were in agreement not to pursue the suggestion at this stage.
Cat’s Eyes: A resident highlighted that cat’s eyes in the road surface are not a legal requirement in areas where there is a 30mph speed limit. In addition, the noise created by vehicles driving on cat’s eyes was annoying. Furthermore, the resident understood that an agreement had been reached with Highways a number of years ago that when the cat’s eyes required checking/servicing/repairing they would be removed. The Clerk would establish placement of all cat’s eyes in the village and report back at the next meeting. A further discussion would then be held..
Docking Football Club: Some Councillors had heard that Docking Football Club were planning to use the Stanhoe playfield field as their ‘home ground’. MW agreed to contact the club manager to confirm the club’s intent.
20. Items for the Next Agenda – Meeting of 13th July 2022:
Parish Emergency Plan
SAM 2 – Update
War Memorial
Provision of a Defibrillator
Public Footpaths and Rights of Way
Cat’s Eyes
Docking Football Club
No other items were discussed and the meeting closed at 7.00pm.