Stanhoe Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Held on Friday, 22nd April 2016 at 12.0pm
in the village Reading Room

Clerk to the Council – , tel 01485 518409

Present:

Mr. T. Austin (TA)
Mr. D. Bridge (DB)
Miss. R. Brown (RB)
Mr. D. Lord (DL)
Mrs. J. Lord (JL)
Mr. M. Roche (MR)

Two members of the public was present whom Councillors had invited to the meeting. One was a prospective Councillor and the other a prospective Clerk.

1. To consider apologies for absence

All present.

2. To consider approval of Minutes from the Parish Council meeting of 10th March 2016 and the Planning Meeting of 22nd March 2016

These were all 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 the meeting to allow public participation

See Item 7 for details.

5. LAIS 1388 Planning Changes

The Local Associations Information Service (LAIS) document no. 1388 had been circulated to all members prior to the meeting. This detailed many proposed changes to the planning process initiated by Government which would greatly affect the way in which planning applications would be considered in future. The main change involved the creation of a two stage planning process in which the default position would be that permission would be granted in principle and would be followed by a Technical Details stage when planning conditions and obligations would be set. The current consultation process with local councils would be greatly eroded and there would be no right of appeal against any planning decisions which may adversely affect local communities. The Norfolk Association of Local Councils (NALC) was formulating a reply to the proposals, on behalf of its member Councils, setting out a number of objections to the proposed changes. Councillors agreed that they would support the response from NALC.

6. Planning application re: ‘Petersfield’, Cross Lane

This property was currently undergoing refurbishment and an application had been made to clad the existing brick front elevation in flint and to formally acquire permission for a bedroom and bathroom in the rear part of the garage which had been installed some years previously without permission. Councillors considered the plans and raised no objections to either proposal.

7. Possible appointment of Clerk and co-option of a new Councillor

A local resident had applied for the position of Clerk which would become vacant from 12th May 2016. He had already had a discussion with the Chairman and was now present to give all Councillors the opportunity of meeting him and asking relevant questions. Councillors spent some time talking with the resident who was very much interested in the post. It was agreed that his skills and experience were appropriate and a decision on his employment would be taken after the close of the meeting. He would be notified in due course.

Mr. David Vincent, a resident in Stanhoe since 2011, had shown an interest in joining the Parish Council to fill a vacancy which had arisen. The vacancy had been advertised locally according to proper procedures but no other person had shown interest. After Councillors had talked with Mr. Vincent for some time, DB proposed his co-option to the Council. This was seconded by JL and unanimously agreed. All necessary paperwork would be signed by Mr. Vincent following the meeting.

8. Future planning of Council tasks

The Chairman explained that the following duties would have to be re-allocated following the resignation of the current Clerk and his own impending departure.

a) A representative to sit on the Community Benefit Panel in connection with the allocation of funds from Jack’s Lane Wind Farm community benefit scheme. DL agreed to undertake this duty but would be unable to attend the next meeting on 25th May due to a prior arrangement. MR agreed to attend in his place on that occasion.

b) A representative to attend the bi-monthly SNAP meetings. It was agreed that this would be decided in future but in the interim TA would continue to attend and report any relevant issues to the Council.

c) Monthly playground safety inspections. These had been carried out by the existing Clerk and TA. They were an insurance requirement but no specialist training was necessary, only a common sense awareness of possible defects to play equipment. A full annual RoSPA safety inspection would continue to be necessary. The new Councillor, Mr. Vincent, agreed to carry out the inspections possibly assisted by the new Clerk.

9. Year End Accounts for 2015/16

Year End accounts as at 31st March 2016 were circulated by the Clerk. The year had ended with a substantial surplus partly due to the re-negotiation of Insurance and playground maintenance contracts at a significantly reduced cost. No specific queries were raised and acceptance of the accounts was proposed by DL, seconded by MR and unanimously agreed.

10. Financial Report & approval of payments

A brief report was circulated of items to date for the new Accounts year 2016/17. No queries were raised. Approval was sought and given for the payment of the Annual Subscription to NALC.

11. Annual Parish Meeting

This was scheduled for 7.30pm on Thursday, 12th May. Invitations would be distributed to every household in the village. There would be no guest speaker this year but TA would give the usual verbal annual report. TA would also arrange for the supply of refreshments.

12. Items for the next Agenda – meeting of 12th May (prior to the Annual Parish Meeting)

The following items were raised:

  • Appointment of Chairman & Vice-chairman
  • Decisions on any charitable donations from the Council
  • Geese on the pond
  • Dog fouling around the pond in Cross Lane

No other items were discussed and the meeting closed at 2.10pm.