Stanhoe Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday, 13th January 2011 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)
Mr. J. Seedhouse (JS)
No members of the public were present.
Prior to the meeting, a presentation was given by Mr. Peter Morris on “No Cold Calling Zones”. He distributed information booklets, issued by the County Council Trading Standards, which contained information on the setting up of such zones and an application form. The County Council would consider any applications and, if accepted, appropriate signage would be erected in the village warning potential traders of the existence of the zone. Any cold callers who persisted could then be reported to trading standards and legal action taken. It was agreed that consideration would be given this matter and it would be a topic for discussion at the Annual Parish Meeting to be held in April 2011. The Chairman thanked Mr. Morris for his contribution and Mr. Morris then left the meeting.
The Chairman welcomed Mr. John Seedhouse, recently co-opted as a Councillor, to his first Parish Council meeting.
1. To consider accepting apologies for absence
All councillors present.
2. To consider approval of the Minutes of the last meeting
It was noted that no notice had yet been put in “Saints Alive” regarding refuse bins being left out on pavements for long periods. TA agreed to do this. The new bench jointly purchased by Ms. Annabel Symington and the Parish Council had still not been put in place by the pond. Ms. Symington had agreed to arrange this and the Clerk would contact her about arrangements. It was agreed that a follow up letter would be sent to the County Council regarding possible changes to traffic flow on Cross Lane. The Minutes were then passed and signed by the Chairman.
3. To record declarations of interest from members in any item to be discussed
No declarations were made.
4. To adjourn the meeting to allow public participation
No members of public present.
5. SNAP
The Chairman had attended the recent SNAP meeting on 6th January 2011. This had been largely about anti-social behaviour in certain areas of Hunstanton. The police do take these matters seriously and any incidents taking place anywhere within the SNAP areas should be reported. Following a change in format, meetings were now much more constructive and allowed greater participation by members of the public. T.A. reported that Burnham Market and North Creake had been successful in bidding for funds to provide sports equipment and play area seating respectively and reminded councillors of the potential for obtaining small grants in this way. The next meeting would be held on 3rd. March 2011. T.A. would not be able to attend and urged others to do so.
6. Trading Standards
This topic had been covered by Mr. Morris’s presentation.
7. Village Emergency Plan
The draft had been updated following previous discussions and, subject to Borough comment, would be presented for acceptance at a future parish council meeting. It would also be a topic of discussion at the Annual Parish Meeting.
8. Code of Conduct
Although no problems had occurred in Stanhoe, the Chairman reminded all councillors of the importance of this Code. The clerk would circulate up to date copies of the Code.
9. Vacancies for Councillors
As a result of the co-option of Mr. Seedhouse, there were currently no vacancies but these could arise at the time of the forthcoming elections in May. Information leaflets on the role of a parish councillor had been circulated in the village in December 2010 but no interest had been shown to date.
10. Proposal to charge Parishes for Local Elections
The Borough had announced that, in future, Parishes would be charged the cost of any local parish elections which previously had been met by the Borough. If these elections were held on the same day as Borough, County or National elections, the cost would be shared but the cost to the parish could still be in the region of £600-£1000 which would have a significant impact on parish funds. These funds came from the Borough but were charged to residents within their council tax so any increased demand would also have to be charged in this way. T.A. had written to the Chief Executive of the Borough Council stating his concerns over the impact on residents’ tax bills but it seems certain that the change in policy will stand.
11. Planning
Jack’s Lane Wind Farm: T.A confirmed that he would be willing to speak to the Planning Committee at the Hearing on 7th February 2011. All agreed that he should oppose this development.
Station Road Drying Store: A planning application had been submitted by High House Farm to extend the grain store to accommodate heating and drying equipment. Concern had been expressed by local residents over possible noise and smell nuisance. The planning department had subsequently stated that no application was needed as the extension came within the range of permitted development. As a result, no objections could be made over potential nuisance. If noise and smell proved to be a nuisance, complaints could then be submitted to the Borough Council.
Ivy Farmhouse Entrance: An application had been received for the alteration of the entrance to create an additional pedestrian gate. Plans were circulated but no objections were raised by Councillors. A positive response would be sent to the planning department.
12. Parish Budget for 2011/12
The Clerk circulated a report showing the financial position as at 31st December 2010 and the projected final expenditure at 31st March 2011. This would be within the 2010/11 budget. Parish Councils had been advised that no increase should be made in parish precepts for 2011/12 and a budget for 2011/12 had been prepared accordingly. Certain costs such as insurance and playing field maintenance were set to rise so every effort would have to be made to control other expenditure. As previously stated in Item 10, the parish precept is received from the Borough but charged back to households in the village as part of the Council Tax. Although the parish precept would not increase for 2011/12, the amount charged to each household would increase slightly since there were fewer households in 2011 than there had been in 2010 so, in order to arrive at the precept total, each household would have to pay a little but more. Acceptance of the budget was proposed by P.R., seconded by D.B. and unanimously agreed.
13. Annual Parish Meeting
This was due to be held on Thursday, 14th April 2011, commencing at 7.30pm. Notices would be in “Saints Alive” and on village notice boards. P.R. agreed to organise refreshments. Suggested topics for discussion during the evening were:
- Village Emergency Plan
- Trading Standards & “No Cold Calling Zone”
- Parish Councillor vacancy
- Traffic on Cross Lane
- Jack’s Lane Wind Farm
Final details to be confirmed.
14. To approve payments
Payment was approved for the Clerk’s normal salary and expenses and for tax deductions to be passed to HMRC.
15. To receive items for the next Agenda and to agree future meeting dates
The following items to be on the Agenda of 10th March 2011:
- Finalise Agenda for Annual Parish Meeting – 14th April 2011
- Jack’s Lane Wind Farm
- Village Cross
- Proposal for incinerator at King’s Lynn
Subject to availability of the Reading Room, future meetings would be held on:
- Wednesday, 11th May 2011
- Thursday, 14th July 2011
- Thursday, 8th September 2011
- Thursday, 10th November 2011
- Thursday, 12th January 2012
All meetings to commence at 7.00pm.
No other items were discussed and the meeting closed at 9.30pm.