Stanhoe Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday, 11th July 2013 at 7.00pm
in the village Reading Room
Clerk to the Council – , tel 01485 518409
Present:
Mr. T. Austin (TA)
Mrs. R. Brown (RB)
Mr. M. Roche (MR)
Mrs. P. Roche (PR)
Mr. J. Seedhouse (JS)
Absent:
Mrs. P. Austin (PA)
Mr. D. Bridge (DB)
1. To consider apologies for absence
Both absentees had offered apologies for not being able to attend and these were accepted.
2. To consider approval of the Minutes of the last meeting
JS queried why there was no “Matters Arising from previous Minutes” as an Agenda item. TA explained that under parish council rules, a general heading such as this was not good practice. Any specific item which a member wanted to raise following on from a previous meeting should be notified to the Clerk for inclusion in the Agenda. The previous 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 made.
4. To adjourn meeting to allow public participation
No members of public present.
5. SNAP
TA had attended a meeting on 4th July. As usual and unsurprisingly, all matters discussed related to the Hunstanton and Heacham areas where there were ongoing problems of anti-social behaviour and parking restrictions. The police reported that there had been no burglaries of domestic properties within the SNAP area during the preceding 2 months. There had been a number of thefts from beach huts and various types of outbuilding, 9 shoplifting incidents, 2 handbag thefts and the theft of a memorial bench in Thornham. During a speed monitoring session by police in Stanhoe in the month of June, 8 drivers had been caught speeding on Docking Road. All would be liable for prosecution.
6. Playground Inspection course
TA and the clerk had attended a playground inspection course run by RoSPA. This had proved very informative and included a visit to an outdoor playground to carry out a practical inspection. It was recommended that an inspection should be carried out every 1–2 weeks using a common sense approach to obvious hazards and signs of wear and tear.
An annual inspection by a fully qualified inspector with accreditation from RPII (Register of Play Inspectors International) should be done.
It was recommended that signs should be erected showing clearly the ownership of the playground, its exact location with postcode and contact details for the owners. This signage would be an Agenda item for the next meting.
It had also been clarified that perimeter fencing was not required unless the playground adjoined a potentially dangerous area such as a main road. There was some discussion in relation to Stanhoe’s playground where the perimeter fencing of the infant section had deteriorated badly. The play items for older children were not fenced and both areas were well away from roads and formed part of the main playing field. It was proposed by PR that the infant section fencing be removed completely. This was seconded by JS and unanimously agreed.
7. Possible change to meeting times and setting of future dates
Various suggestions were put forward for an earlier start to the evening meeting or a change to morning meetings. No agreement was reached and it was decided to postpone any decision until the next meeting when, hopefully, all members would be present.
8. Annual village inspection
There was discussion on whether an inspection should take place annually or not at all. It was agreed on this occasion that individuals should should take a walk round the village and note any items of concern which should then be brought to the next meeting as an Agenda item.
9. Updates on ongoing matters:
a) Cross Lane traffic control: County Council still unwilling to take any action.
b) Refurbishment of village sign and notice boards: The internal board had been replaced on the notice board beside the village hall. The woodwork on both notice boards would be re-stained in the coming days.
c) The Village Cross: The clerk had asked Mr. Shackcloth, a local builder, to inspect the flint base of the Cross and give his opinion on any repairs to be carried out. Mr. Shackcloth replied that he thought the base was sound and no repairs were needed.
d) Geese on the pond: No reported problems.
e) Visit to CITB: The clerk had received a response from the College just prior to the meeting offering two alternative dates for a visit – 1st OR 2nd August. It was agreed that 1st August suited most people with the visit starting at 12.30pm.
10. Planning decisions
The clerk reported that permission had been granted for a replacement dwelling at Mill House on Burnham Road and for the construction of an indoor swimming pool and enclosure at No. 3 Ivy Farm Barns.
11. To receive items for the next Agenda – meeting of 12th September
The following items were put forward:
- Meeting times and dates
- Comments on village following individual inspections
- Signs for playground
- Inspection schedule and rota for playground inspections
- Parish Council standing orders
12. Financial update and approval of payments
The clerk presented an up to date income and expenditure report together with copy bank statements. No questions were raised. Approval was given for payment of PAYE tax due to HMRC, the clerk’s normal salary payment and reimbursement to the clerk of the cost of new notice board material.
No further items were discussed and the meeting closed at 8. 45pm.
Following the meeting, TA congratulated MR (Chairman of the MEHM Trust) on his organization of the inter-village cricket match held on the playing field on 7th July between Docking and Stanhoe. It had been well supported and a very enjoyable day for all concerned. It was hoped that there would be more such occasions in future.