Stanhoe Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Held on Thursday, 12th May 2016 at 6.00pm
in the village Reading Room

Clerk to the Council – , tel 01485 518409

Present:

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

Prior to the start of the meeting and with the full agreement of all councillors, TA completed the Governance Report forming part of the Annual Return to Mazars LLP, the external auditors. He and the Clerk both signed the Annual Return which would now be submitted to the auditors.

TA handed a letter to the Clerk which stated his wish not to be nominated as Chairman, a post he had held for 7 of the 10 years he had been a Councillor, and also stated that he would be resigning as a Parish Councillor with immediate effect. He then vacated the Chair.

1. Election of Chairman & Vice-chairman

MR proposed the nomination of DL as Chairman which was seconded by DB and unanimously agreed. DL accepted the post and took over chairmanship of the meeting. DL proposed that DB continue as Vice-chairman for a further year. This was seconded by DV, unanimously agreed and accepted by DB.

DL took the opportunity to express the sincere thanks of all councillors for TA’s 10 years of dedicated service and in particular his years as Chairman during which he had ensured the democratic and efficient running of the Council. He had carried out his duties with professionalism and diligence. These comments were endorsed by DB, RB and MR, all of whom were long standing members of the Parish Council. TA thanked Councillors for their kind remarks. He was invited to stay for the remainder of the meeting.

2. To consider apologies for absence

All members present.

3. To consider approval of the Minutes of the last meeting held on 22nd April 2016

No queries were raised and the Minutes were passed and signed by the Chairman.

4. To record declarations of interest in any item to be discussed

No declarations made.

5. To adjourn the meeting to allow for public participation

No public present.

6. Planning matters

The Clerk reported that a previous application, for alterations to the garage at Barn End, Station Road, to which the Council had already given support, had now been withdrawn. A new application had been submitted for slightly different alterations to the garage. Councillors examined the proposed plans but could find no valid objection on planning grounds. Comments would be submitted to the Borough Planning Dept.

7. Geese on the pond

It had been reported that a goose had been hit by a fast moving car near the pond area. The car did not stop. The RSPCA attended the goose which was still alive and eventually took it away. Three geese remain, two of which are owned by a nearby resident. No other problems had been reported. Despite some opposition in the village, Councillors agreed that the geese should remain on the pond.

8. Dog fouling around Cross Lane pond

This had been reported at the previous meeting. The Clerk had arranged for a notice in the next edition of Saints Alive to remind residents and visitors to remove their dogs’ waste and place it in the bin provided. It was agreed that a notice would be placed beside Cross Lane pond.

9. Financial Report and approval of payments

Up to date income & expenditure accounts, budget report and bank statements were circulated by the Clerk. No queries were raised. Approval was sought and agreed for the payment of the annual insurance premium, the internal auditor’s fee and for salary due to the Clerk from 1st March 2016 to 13th May 2016. The existing clerk had resigned and would cease employment on 13th May 2016.

10. Possible charitable donations

Various requests had been received but it was agreed that a decision on possible donations should be postponed until the next meeting in July.

11. Appointment of new Clerk

Mr. Wayne Leighton, a local resident, had applied for the post and had been interviewed by the Chairman in recent weeks. There had also been the opportunity for all Councillors to meet Mr. Leighton to discuss the post. Satisfactory references had been received. DB proposed that a formal job offer should be made which was seconded by MR and unanimously agreed. Mr. Leighton accepted the offer. Contract documents would be signed in due course. The Chairman welcomed Mr. Leighton to the Parish Council and wished him every success.

12. Items for the next Agenda – meeting of 14th July 2016

It was agreed that Councillors would carry out a village inspection walk, as in previous years, at 4.00pm on Wednesday, 15th June starting out from the village hall. The result of the inspection would be an Agenda item. Other suggestions were:

  • Dog fouling
  • Charitable donations
  • Vacancy for a Councillor
  • Waste bins belonging to holiday homes
  • Village pond & footpaths

Before closing the meeting, the Chairman and Councillors expressed their thanks to Miss Thuburn, the outgoing Clerk for her work and dedication in recent years. She, in turn, thanked Councillors for their co-operation and support.

No other items were discussed and the meeting closed at 7.25pm. The Annual Parish Meeting then followed.