Stanhoe Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday, 12th January 2012 at 7.00pm
in the village Reading Room
Clerk to the Council – , tel 01485 518409
Present:
Mr. T. Austin (TA)
Mrs. P. Austin (PA)
Mr. D. Bridge (DB)
Mrs. R. Brown (RB)
Mr. M. Roche (MR)
Mrs. P. Roche (PR)
Mr. J. Seedhouse (JS)
Absent:
Mr. M. Roche
1. To consider accepting apologies for absence
An apology was received from Mr. Roche who was attending a funeral.
2. To consider approval of the Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on 10th November 2011 were passed 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
One member of the public present wanted an update on any progress made in trying to improve the scrap site near the Bircham Road/Fakenham Road crossroads. This was Item 8 of the Agenda and it was decided to deal with this item straight away.
The clerk reported that she had been in touch with the Borough planning department and enforcement officer as planning permission had been given some years previously for a stable on this site but certain conditions regarding clearance of scrap had been put in place. The enforcement officer had visited the site and had confirmed in writing to the clerk that an enforcement case had now been raised in regard to the use of the site. An outcome will be notified in due course. The member of the public thanked councillors for their action on this matter and left the meeting.
5. SNAP Report
T.A. had not attended the last meeting but reported that the SNAP Panel was aware of a lack of interest from some smaller parishes as meetings tended to focus on areas around Hunstanton. This was understandable due to the concentration of crime and anti-social behaviour in those areas as opposed to the much quieter and often crime-free situations in villages.
Police had reported a slight increase on crime level during the last year, however, the general trend on crime was downwards. Of particular concern were the traffic problems caused by Tesco lorries in Hunstanton and Heacham and anti-social behaviour in Hunstanton itself. The next meeting would be held on 2nd February 2012.
6. Updates on ongoing matters
a) Cross Lane traffic: No further developments on possible traffic restrictions.
b) Bottle Bank: In spite of the clerk having been told by the waste services department that a sound-proof lining was on order, nothing had been done to date. The clerk had e-mailed the Waste Services Manager for information and was awaiting a reply.
c) Blacksmith’s workshop: No information on ownership obtained to date but will be followed up.
d) Review of polling districts and stations: Councillors had objected to any change in existing arrangements and were awaiting a decision by the Borough Council.
e) Overgrown hedges: This was now being dealt with by the council’s highways department.
f) Geese on the pond: The number of geese had increased in recent months but no problems reported to date. Situation to be monitored.
g) T-junction sign on Bircham Road: J.S. had cleared some of the shrubbery which had obliterated the sign and the matter had also been attended to by the Highway Rangers.
7. Wind Farm Planning Appeal
The energy companies who had been refused permission for wind farms at both Chiplow and Jack’s Lane sites were appealing against the Borough’s decision. The hearing would last approximately 4 weeks and commence on 31st January 2012. T.A. had been asked to speak in support of objections to the wind farms and agreed to do so.
8. Scrap site at crossroads of Bircham Road & Fakenham Road
See Item 4 above.
9. Annual Parish Meeting
This was scheduled for Thursday, 26th April 2012. T.A. was trying to find a speaker for the evening.
10. Diamond Jubilee event progress
J.S., chairman of the joint working party, gave an update to councillors. The event, on Monday, 4th June, would start with a treasure hunt in the afternoon for both adults and children. There would be a first prize in each category and another member of the working party was hoping to receive a donation of prizes.
A barbecue would commence at 5.00pm and the ticket price would include entry to the afternoon’s treasure hunt. Food would be organized by D.B. It may be possible to have a bar run by the village pub but alternatively, drinks would be bought on a sale or return basis and a bar organized by the PCC.
A 1950s style skiffle group had been booked for the evening.
It was hoped that an oak sapling and some daffodil and/or snowdrops would be donated. The sapling would be planted and a plaque in commemoration of the Jubilee would be laid. Final details still to be decided.
It was hoped to purchase commemorative mugs which could be given free of charge to the under 16 children of the village and sold to adults. The clerk circulated samples of mugs obtained to date. More samples of artwork and types of mugs were being organized by a member of the working party. One of the existing samples shown to councillors was much preferred to the others but the final decision would lie with the working party. The point was made that, if the mug proved to be too costly, there was a possibility of them not being sold in sufficient quantities to cover costs.
A contribution of £200 from the parish council towards the overall costs of the event was suggested by J.S. and this was agreed by councillors. The other organizations involved, the PCC and the MEHM Trust would also be contributing.
11. Highway Rangers
Some recent work had been carried out but it was noted that a pothole which should have been filled in was left unattended but others had been done. Any highway issues noticed within the village should be notified to the clerk who would in turn inform the Rangers team.
12. Pond Maintenance
The pond area near the war memorial needed some attention. D.B. offered to deal with the matter.
13. Budget 2012/13
The clerk circulated details of the current year’s budgeted income and expenditure to date and a forecast of how the figures might be at the end of the financial year. She also circulated a draft budget for the coming financial year in which the total had been frozen at the previous year’s level so that no increase in precept would be requested from the Borough. This was in line with the Borough Council’s decision, announced in 2011, to freeze council tax levels for 3 years. After discussion, D.B. proposed acceptance of the draft figures. This was seconded by P.A. and unanimously agreed. Any resident requiring more detailed budget information should contact the clerk on 01485 518409.
14. Financial update and approval of payments
The clerk circulated a statement showing recent income and expenditure and a copy of bank statements printed from the on-line banking facility. These agreed with the printed statements received from the bank and were signed off by the chairman. Approval was given for the payment of the clerk’s salary and PAYE tax due to HMRC.
15. To receive items for the next Agenda
The following items should be included in the Agenda for the next scheduled meeting on Thursday, 8th March 2012.
- Updates on ongoing matters
- Diamond Jubilee event progress
- News and/or decision from the Wind Farms Appeal
- Annual Parish Meeting
No other items were discussed and the meeting closed at 9.00pm.