Stanhoe Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday, 11th September 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)
Mr. D. Bridge (DB)
Mrs. R. Brown (RB)
Mr. M. Roche (MR)
Mrs. P. Roche (PR)
Mr. J. Seedhouse (JS)
Prior to the start of the meeting, the appointment of a vice-chairman was made. Mr. Don Bridge stated he would be willing to stand for this office. His appointment was proposed by PA, seconded by PR and unanimously agreed.
1. To consider apologies for absence
All members present.
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
One member of the public was present.
5. SNAP Report
TA had attended a recent SNAP meeting. There were still some concerns over anti-social behaviour and excessive noise in some areas of Hunstanton and also parking issues at Heacham Junior School. In general, crime had increased in Norfolk as a whole partly due to more robust reporting procedures, however, crime had slightly decreased within the SNAP area. There were currently no concerns in the Stanhoe area. At the next meeting, scheduled for 6th November 2014, speeding traffic in Syderstone and speeding motor cyclists in Holme would be discussed as well as the problem of heavy vehicles using some unsuitable streets in Heacham. It was noted that the attendees at this year’s Tennis Week in Hunstanton had been the best behaved group recorded to date since the inception of this event.
6. Updates on ongoing matters
- Planning applications/decisions: The application for the installation of solar panels at Stanhoe Hall had been turned down. It is understood the applicants may lodge an appeal with the Borough. An application had been submitted to the Borough for an extension to a property in Station Road but drawings and documentation were still awaited by the parish council.
- Jack’s Lane Wind Farm: Construction of the turbine bases is complete. Road closures in the vicinity will be lifted but put in place again in Spring 2015 for the transport of plant and equipment away from the site. Barwick Road will be returned to its original state after that time. Due to the inclusion of more properties within the electricity discount scheme, the amount of discount per qualifying household has been reduced from £117 to £100 per annum. The community fund has been set at £30k per annum (inflation linked) for the life of the turbines. The clerical administration of this will be handled by the Norfolk Community Foundation but decisions on allocation and spending of funds will be made by a panel of representatives from the affected areas. The panel will be set up in due course and terns of reference formally agreed with the energy company.
- Repairs to the shed adjacent to the village hall: MR confirmed that the MEHM Trust had appointed someone to carry out the necessary work.
- Trees around the village pond: A resident had requested that the parish council consider severely pruning a tree which casts a shadow on his property. It has been established that no tree preservation order exists for the tree in question but it does stand on common land which may have legal implications on any work done. This is to be investigated further by the clerk but it seems unlikely, in any case, that the parish council could fund such work.
7. Playground Equipment & Inspection
An annual safety inspection was done by a ROSPA approved inspector and a good report received. Following the removal of the fence, the fence posts have now been removed. On the advice of the inspector, the small moveable goal post has been repaired and is awaiting fixings to secure it to the ground. The junior swing which was replaced last year was showing signs of splits in the timber posts. Under guarantee, the suppliers have completely replaced all the timber.
8. Possible village inspection
It was agreed to hold this in the Spring 2015.
9. Parish Council succession planning
The current term of office ends in May 2015 at which time an election will be held for the appointment of a new parish council. A number of existing councillors have stated that they will not seek re-election, therefore, there is a pressing need for local residents to offer themselves as prospective parish councillors from Spring 2015. It is important to maintain a full and active council as the alternative would be for parish matters to be taken over by the Borough Council which would involve people who had little or no knowledge of matters relating to Stanhoe. All residents are welcome to attend any or all parish council meetings. The next meeting will be on Thursday, 13th November 2014 and further dates are listed on the village website or in Saints Alive. The clerk can be contacted at any time for information.
10. Highways
Following road accidents at the junction of Bircham Road and Burnham/Docking Roads beside the pond, the County Council agreed to re-paint the white road markings. To date, this has not been done but will be chased up. Recent Highway Ranger work has cleared shrubbery from partly obscured road signs around the village. RB pointed out that the –Give Way’ sign, at the road junction from North Creake on to Burnham Road opposite Mill House, is in need of repair. The clerk will contact Highways.
11. Financial Report & approval of payments
The clerk circulated Income and Expenditure reports, Budget reports and Bank Statements to date in the current financial year. No queries were raised. Payment was approved for the clerk’s salary and expenses and an authorisation letter to Barclays was signed for the cancellation of a subscription.
12. To receive items for the next Agenda
The following items were suggested for the next meeting due to be held on 13th November 2014:
- Planning matters
- Wind Farm
- SNAP
- Trees at the pond/Common Land
- Update on repairs to the shed
- Possible new councillors
Items may be presented to the clerk up to one week before the meeting date.
Prior to the close of the meeting, the clerk announced changes to the Borough’s collection of recycled items which would take effect from 1st October 2014. Information would be circulated to all households. RB commented on the poor quality of the compostable bags purchased from the Borough and the clerk agreed to investigate.
No other matters were discussed and the meeting closed at 9.15pm.