Stanhoe Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday, 11th November 2010 at 7.00pm
in the village Reading Room
Clerk to the Council – , tel 01485 518409
Present:
Mr T Austin – Chairman (TA)
Mrs P Austin (PA)
Mr D Bridge (DB)
Miss R Brown (RB)
Mr M Roche (MR)
Mrs P Roche (PR)
Two members of the public were also present.
1. To consider accepting apologies for absence
All councillors present.
2. To consider approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting
These were approved by all present and signed by the Chairman.
3. To record declarations of interest from members in any item to be discussed
No declarations were made. The Chairman reminded everyone that forms entitled “Register of Members’ Financial and other Interests– would be circulated with the Minutes as these forms had to be completed and submitted annually.
4. To adjourn the meeting to allow public participation
One member of the public commented on the number of refuse bins left out on footpaths both long before and after the official collection day. Councillors agreed to put a notice in the village newsletter reminding residents and visitors that refuse bins should only be put out the evening before collection and taken in immediately after collection.
The other member of the public present stated that Henry Bellingham MP would be meeting him and some colleagues in Stanhoe on Friday 26th November 2010 to discuss various aspects of climate change and that a representative of the Parish Council would be welcome to join them.
5. SNAP (Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel)
The Chairman had attended a SNAP meeting on 4th November and reported that, contrary to previous occasions, there was an improvement in the format of the meeting and much more opportunity for participation by Parish Councillors and members of the public. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month, usually in Hunstanton Town Hall, however, consideration was being given to holding the meetings in a variety of venues to enable easier access by those living furthest from Hunstanton.
6. Update on Jack’s Lane Wind Farm Planning Application
This application will now be heard on Thursday, 6th January 2011 along with Chiplow Wind Farm application. On Sunday, 14th November 2010, a balloon will be flown from the Jack’s Lane site at the height of the uppermost tip of a turbine blade. This will allow local residents to gauge the visual impact of the turbines.
7. Possible change to traffic flow on Cross Lane
This had been raised by a member of the public at the previous meeting due to the volume of traffic using this lane as a shortcut from Docking Road to Bircham Road. The Clerk had contacted the County Highways Department to investigate a number of options, i.e., one way traffic flow, access only for residents, reduction in speed limit and/or traffic calming measures and reminded the Department that Cross Lane had no footpaths. The Clerk was informed that Cross Lane did not meet the criteria for any of these measures as there was no significant volume of pedestrian traffic resulting from the presence of a school, shops, community centre or similar. The member of public concerned would write to the local MP to raise his concerns.
8. Fast Broadband Availability
The Clerk confirmed that, at present, there was little possibility that BT would install the necessary fibre optic cabling in the near future which would enable superfast broadband to reach Stanhoe. Interest could be registered on the BT website and all relevant residents would be urged, via the village newsletter, to register their interest.
9. Clearance of Shrubbery by the Pond
This major task is ongoing and is being done by Councillor Don Bridge and village residents John Seedhouse and Ann Deam. A vote of thanks for all their hard work was proposed by MR, seconded by PR and supported by all present.
10. To receive updates on the following:
- Repair of the village cross: The person due to carry out repairs had been unable to do so due to pressure of work elsewhere. It was agreed that the other builders who had submitted quotes for the work would be contacted in an effort to have the repairs done before the worst of the winter weather.
- Geese on the Pond: One adult goose and some goslings had been found new homes. Unfortunately, another adult goose and two goslings were killed on the road by a passing motorist. Only two adult geese now remained on the pond.
- Recent planning applications: The Clerk confirmed that the owners of “Nightingales” on Docking Road had received permission to build an annexe.
- Re-positioning of bus stop: Efforts are ongoing to have the bus stop positioned at a suitably safe place for the weekly bus service.
- New seat by the pond: A new seat had been purchased jointly by the Parish Council and Ms. Anabel Symington to replace the badly worn bench previously donated by Ms. Symington in memory of her mother. The new seat would be installed in the near future.
11. Norfolk’s Local Transport Plan
Following a consultation process between the Borough Council and Parishes, it was agreed that road safety should be a major consideration in formulating a new transport plan.
12. Vacancies for Parish Councillors
Following the resignation of a Councillor earlier in 2010 and with a resignation pending in 2011, it was agreed that efforts should be made to raise awareness of these vacancies and to encourage local residents to consider the role of a Parish Councillor. A notice would be placed in the village newsletter and further information delivered to all households.
13. To approve payments
Payments were approved for the invoice covering maintenance of the play area and for the Clerk’s normal salary and expenses.
14. To receive items for the next Agenda:
Vacancies for Councillors
Code of Conduct
Parish Budget for 2011/12
Annual Parish Meeting – Spring 2011
Village Emergency Plan
Trading Standards
The meeting closed at 8.50pm.
Following the closure of the meeting, Councillors were joined by Mr. Peter Morris of the WNVCA who gave a presentation on the work of Trading Standards and the possible creation of “No Cold Calling Zones” within the village. These could not be created by the Parish Council but the Council could raise awareness amongst residents of the possibility of deciding for themselves if they wanted to create these zones. A zone could be a small group of homes or a whole street and notices could be displayed in homes warning potential cold calling sales people that they would not be welcome. If sales people persisted in bothering residents, the system allowed for these people to be reported to Trading Standards. There could be significant penalties against those who disregarded the “No Cold Calling” notices. Mr. Morris pointed out that individual residents could display a notice even if no official “No Cold Calling Zone” had been created. Companies carrying out cold calling by telephone could also be reported to Trading Standards. A number of Councillors confirmed that they had received such calls from an IT company. Mr. Morris took a note of the details and urged everyone to report such calls in future. Some information packs about the scheme would be available to Councillors in the near future.
With regard to Emergency Planning, Mr. Morris confirmed that assistance was available, if needed, to finalise the village emergency plan.
Councillors thanked Mr. Morris for his helpful presentation.