Stanhoe Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Held on Thursday, 10th March 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)
Mrs. R. Brown (RB)
Mrs. P. Roche (PR)

Absent:

Mr. D. Bridge (DB)
Mr. M. Roche (MR)
Mr. J. Seedhouse (JS)

No members of the public were present.

1. To consider acceptance of apologies for absence

Apologies were accepted from all absentees.

2. To consider approval of Minutes of the last meeting

These were approved and signed by the Chairman.

3. To record declarations of interest from members in any item to be discussed

No declarations made.

4. To adjourn meeting to allow public participation

No members of public present.

5. SNAP

TA had not been able to attend the SNAP meeting held on 3rd March 2011 and had not yet received any Minutes. One of the usual topics of discussion at SNAP meetings was the incidence of crime within the West Norfolk area. Stanhoe has an extremely low level of crime with only one burglary listed on the UK Crime website, however, TA reported having seen and heard possibly suspicious vehicles in the village during the night. RB had had similar experiences. It was agreed that a note could be taken of registration number, make and model of any such vehicles which could be useful in the event of any subsequently reported incident. It was stressed that no-one should take risks in approaching the occupants of any suspicious vehicle.

6. Council support for Community Information Point

Due to the generous donations given by users of the CIP, the level of financial support required from the Parish Council had been less than anticipated with the net cost for 2010/11 being in the region of £200. A representative from the Borough Council had visited and had been impressed by the way in which the facility was used and managed and confirmed that Borough funding would continue.

It is the intention to maintain the CIP for 2011/12 although, depending on the number of volunteers available, the numbers of hours per week may be reduced. A suggestion was made that a CIP session could coincide with a Mobile Library visit to the village which might encourage CIP use and promote the social aspect of the sessions.

7. The Duck Inn Licence – proposed variation

A notification had been received from solicitors representing Elgood’s brewery and the current tenant, Mr. Julian Rivett, to say that an application would be submitted for a variation to the current licensing hours. A meeting was held in the Duck Inn to explain the proposed variation. Those involved were Elgood’s solicitor, a brewery representative, Mr. Rivett and his assistant premises supervisor. Local residents who had written to object to the original proposal in 2010 were invited. TA was one of those present.

In order to run the business profitably and to offer attractive facilities, Mr. Rivett wanted to be able to erect a marquee in the grounds (at the furthest point from the pub and nearby residents) to host wedding receptions/ parties etc. A variation was needed to the licence in order to provide music at such events. He also wanted an extension to the licensed catering hours so that hot drinks and refreshments could be served after 11.00pm. Under the current licence restrictions, nothing hot (not even tea or coffee) could be served after 11.00pm.

The new proposed hours would be 10.00am. to 2.00am. seven days per week with the possibility of live or recorded music until 2.00am. inside and until midnight in the marquee. There would be no more than 12 outside events per year with a maximum of 250 attendees. Guests and their vehicles would be well managed and additional parking would be made available in an adjacent field to avoid any congestion in the village. Mr. Rivett assured everyone that he had considerable experience in organizing events of anything up to 60,000 people and knew how to minimize potential disruption.

The consensus was that the variation application would probably be granted with residents having the power to report any serious disruptions from noise or traffic to the Borough Council who would then take appropriate action.

8. Village Matters

a) Norfolk Green, the operators of the weekly No.31 bus service which came through the village each Thursday on route to Fakenham (and return) had announced the service would end on 7th April 2011. This would leave the village with no public transport whatsoever and would seriously inconvenience and isolate those in the village who had no other means of transport. A community bus service operated on some days but had to be booked in advance. Seats were not always available as only a mini-bus was used. It was agreed that the clerk would write to Norfolk Green to register a complaint and the letter should be copied to the MP and to the Passenger Transport Unit at the County Council.

b) The two remaining geese on the pond were proving to be aggressive on occasion. It was understood that these were wild geese and agreed that the situation would be monitored.

c) The dog waste bin had again become insecure. This would be investigated with a view to securing the current bin to a concrete post and base rather than incur the considerable expense of a replacement.

d) There was a considerable amount of mud on some roads within the village but this had been reported to the highways department. The Community Rangers (a County Council maintenance team) would be visiting the village in the very near future and would hopefully attend to such matters.

e) Work had been done on the Village Cross to remove loose mortar and to re- point with lime mortar and secure loose flint work.

9. Agenda for Annual Parish Meeting on 14th April 2011

A report would be given by the Chairman on Parish Council activities during 2010/11. Peter Morris of the WNVCA would give a presentation on the work of the organization. Mark Roche would give a short presentation on proposals for continuing refurbishment of the village hall and proposed uses. It was also intended that the village Emergency Plan would be explained and discussed. PR kindly offered again to organize refreshments for the evening.

10. Update on Jack’s Lane Wind Farm

Due to RES submitting additional information, the planning hearing had been postponed once again and was now scheduled for 18th April 2011.

11. Proposed Waste Incinerator at King’s Lynn

The Borough had held a referendum on this matter but, despite an overwhelming vote against the proposals, the County Council had decided to proceed with a contract for the development.

12. The Duck Inn Planning Application

An application had been submitted by the brewery for the building of a wooden shelter in the beer garden to house some tables and seating for customers. Having looked at the plan and specifications, councillors agreed that the proposal was acceptable and no objection would be registered.

13. Forthcoming Elections – 5th May 2011

The clerk distributed nomination papers to those interested in standing again for election. Seven vacancies would be available for the Parish Council. If more than this number were nominated, an election would be held. If not, those nominated would be elected unopposed. All papers to be submitted by 4th April 2011. County elections would be held on the same day as well as a referendum on the alternative voting system for election of MPs.

14. To approve payments

This was approved for the clerk’s salary and expenses.

15. To receive items for the next Agenda:

  • Election of Chairman and vice-chairman
  • Geese on the pond
  • Wind Farm
  • Bus service
  • Financial accounts for year ending 31st March 2011

The meeting closed at 9.10pm.