Stanhoe Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Held on Thursday, 10th July 2014 at 7.00pm
in the village Reading Room

Clerk to the Council – , tel 01485 518409

Present:

Mr. T. Austin (TA)
Mrs. P. Austin (PA)
Mrs. R. Brown (RB)
Mr. M. Roche (MR)
Mr. J. Seedhouse (JS) 

Absent:

Mr. D. Bridge (DB)
Mr. J. Seedhouse (JS)

1. To consider apologies for absence

Apologies had been offered by both absentees and were accepted.

2. To consider approval of the Minutes of the last meeting

Minutes 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

No public present.

5. SNAP Report

TA had attended a meeting on 3rd July. The usual problems of anti-social behaviour in the Hunstanton area were discussed. There is a particular problem of noise in Westgate, Hunstanton after pub and club closing times. Since the previous meeting there had been 2 domestic burglaries, 6 break-ins to garden sheds, 4 motor vehicle thefts and 2 break-ins to cars. A number of potential domestic abuse incidents had been reported and investigated.

Dog fouling continues to be a problem in some areas. If the names of dog owners are known they can be passed to the relevant PCSO who will visit those concerned.

It was noted that parking vehicles on or partly on the pavement is an offence. There is currently a clampdown on such parking in Cambridge where fines of approximately £30 are being imposed.

The possibility of forming a police cadet force was discussed for King’s Lynn and Hunstanton.

Councillors were reminded that any cold calls by telephone or unsolicited e-mails regarding possible financial investments were almost certainly a type of scam. Word should be spread around to remind residents to be extremely careful.

6. Update on Planning Matters

Due to a Borough planning department deadline, a separate meeting had been held the previous week to discuss the new application for the installation of solar panels at Stanhoe Hall. Councillors were concerned by some contradictory statements in the application which they passed on to the Borough. Councillors also requested that, should permission be granted, a condition should be that adequate evergreen planting should be put in place to permanently screen the panels from view. Permission has been granted for the erection of 3 holiday cottages on the site of Mill House, Burnham Road.

7. Update on Jack’s Lane Wind Farm

RES has issued a letter regarding the local electricity discount scheme (LEDS). The criteria for qualification which are applied nationally have resulted in some properties in Stanhoe and many properties in Syderstone not qualifying for the discount. RES will supply a map showing the areas which will receive LEDS but has confirmed that the criteria will not be changed. At the next CLG meeting on 23rd July 2014, TA will raise the matter of the materials used for the widening of Jack’s Lane which do not seem to be in keeping with the original proposals.

8. Village Emergency Plan

The draft plan has been finalised. Acceptance was proposed by RB, seconded by PA and agreed by all. Copies will be circulated to all councillors and the clerk.

9. WW1 Commemoration

On Friday 1st August 2014 there will be a wreath laying ceremony at the village war memorial at 11.00am. On Sunday 3rd August there will be a service with various readings held at 11.00am. in Sedgeford Church, led by Rev. Peter Cook.

10. Tree at the east end of village pond

A resident has asked if it would be possible to reduce the height of this particular tree as it casts a shadow on his property. A full discussion of this item was postponed until the next parish council meeting to allow councillors time to establish if the tree has a preservation order and what would be the consequences and costs of any alteration.

11. Increase in dog fouling in the village

The problem exists to some extent all year round but does seem to increase at holiday times with the increase in visitor numbers.

The situation will be monitored and an item placed in –Saints Alive’ reminding dog owners to clean up after their dogs.

12. Repairs to shed adjacent to the village hall

Following discussion of this item at the previous meeting, the clerk wrote to the MEHM secretary requesting a quotation for the cost of repairs to which the parish council would consider a donation. No reply was received. MR (also chairman of the MEHM Trust) acknowledged that repairs were needed and would try to progress this matter.

13. Dates & Times of future meetings

The following dates were agreed provisionally for 2015:

  • January 8th
  • March 12th
  • April 30th
  • July 9th
  • September 10th
  • November 12th

With the exception of April 30th, all meetings would be held at 7.00pm. in the village hall. The meeting on April 30th would be at 6.00pm. to be followed at 7.30pm. by the Annual Parish Meeting also in the village hall.

Parish Council Elections are due to be held in May 2015, therefore, the above dates and times may be subject to alteration depending on decisions of councillors elected at that time.

14. Financial Report & approval of payments

The clerk circulated Income and Expenditure and Budget reports to date in the current financial year. No queries were raised. Payment was approved for the clerk’s salary and payment of PAYE tax due to HMRC.

15. To receive items for the next Agenda – meeting of 11th September 2014

The following items were suggested:

  • Tree at the pond
  • Update on Wind Farm
  • SNAP Report
  • Update on repairs to shed
  • Planning matters:
  • Possible village inspection
  • Annual playground inspection

Any other items could be submitted to the clerk up to one week before the next meeting.

No other matters were discussed and the meeting closed at 8.30pm.