Stanhoe Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting

Held on Thursday, 11th May 2017 at 5.45pm
in the village Reading Room

Clerk to the Council – , tel 01485 518570

Present:                     

Mr. D. Lord (DL)                            Chairman
Mr D. Bridge (DB)
Miss. R. Brown (RB)
Mrs. J. Lord (JL)
Mr. D. Vincent (DV)

Apologies:                 

Mr. M. Roche (MR)

In Attendance:

4, one of those arriving part way through the meeting

1.         Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman:  RB proposed that DL be elected as Chairman for a further year. DL stated his willingness to accept the chairmanship for a further year.  The proposal was seconded by DV and unanimously agreed.   JL proposed DB as Vice-chairman which was seconded by DV and also unanimously agreed.                     

2.        To consider apologies for absence:  The Clerk had received a written apology from MR.                                   

3.         To consider approval of the Minutes of the last meeting held on 9th March 2017:  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:  DL and JL would step aside for part of the discussion on ‘planning applications’ as one of the applications to be discussed involved a property owned by their son.

5.         To adjourn the meeting to allow for public participation:  The 3 members of the public present from the start of the meeting expressed serious concerns regarding speeding along Burnham Road.  In particular, they highlighted a school bus which passed the Methodist Church around 8.00am on school days and always appeared to be travelling in excess of the speed limit. DL explained that the Council were continually looking at options to combat speeding in the village and that those options would be discussed later in the meeting and as part of the Annual Parish Meeting. In addition, DL would ask the Speedwatch Coordinator if he could arrange for speed checks to be done along Burnham Road earlier in the day. Furthermore, DL agreed that he would write to the company operating the school bus to highlight residents concerns.        

6.         Parking Issues: Council had previously received complaints regarding parking issues along Cross Lane. These issues now appeared to have resolved themselves and no further action would be taken.

7.         Geese on the Pond: It had not been possible to establish ownership of the geese on the pond.  The Council agreed therefore that they would accept responsibility for the geese.

8.         Electronic Speed Signs:  DL confirmed that funding through the Parish Partnership Scheme had been approved for the purchase of a SAM 2 system. The total cost involved would be approximately £3400, with 50% being funded through the Parish Partnership scheme. Council agreed unanimously to the purchase of a SAM 2 system.  In addition, Council agreed that it would be appropriate to invite the Speedwatch Coordinator to the initial and any subsequent site survey.         

9.         Playground – New Playground Equipment:  Following an assessment of the current playground equipment by DV, it had been identified that there was a lack of play equipment for children in the 2 – 8 year old age bracket.  DV would look at what was available to cater for this age group and report back at the next meeting with suggestions and costings.

10.       Moles on the Playing Field: CGM had provided a quote for £310 + VAT to carry out mole control. DL advised council that Paul Crouch, a local mole controller, would charge £18 per visit. Council agreed unanimously that DL should contact Paul and instruct him to undertake mole control. 

11.       Community Transport/Go to Town: The Clerk advised Council that a meeting would take place on 18th May 2017 to confirm the route, and any revisions, for the Go to Town bus provided by West Norfolk Community Transport. The Clerk would obtain a further update from West Norfolk Community Transport following the meeting. 

12.       Recycling Survey: DL advised Council that an opportunity to take part in a recycling survey had been missed due to the lack of notice given before the survey actually closed. DL had subsequently visited the recycling centre at Docking and requested that they inform him personally of any future surveys to enable a positive input to be submitted. Council echoed that the Docking Recycling Centre was a valuable community asset which was sorely missed during a period of closure and that everything possible should be done to ensure that it does not become the subject of any future cost saving measures. 

13.       Request for Funding from the Parochial Parish Church (PCC): DL had received a letter from the Treasurer of the PCC requesting a donation for the upkeep of the churchyard.  Whilst DL suggested a donation of £400, Council agreed that a donation of £200 would be more appropriate and would like to see it spent on the upkeep of the ‘new churchyard’. DL would reply to the PCC Treasurer accordingly. 

14.       Report of possible Japanese Knotweed in the area of the Pond opposite the Duck Inn: A resident of ‘The Green’ had reported to the Clerk a possible infestation of Japanese Knotweed in the area of the Pond opposite the Duck Inn. Following advice from the Environment Agency and the BCKLWN Environmental Health Department, the Clerk had contacted the Highways Department at NCC as it was understood that the possible infestation was on land owned by the Highways Department.  Highways confirmed it was their land and that it was Japanese Knotweed. The weed-spraying contractor will inspect again in the autumn, treat as necessary, and then continue to treat on an annual basis.

15.       Planning applications and information:  The following applications had been received: 

App   Number

Applicant

Proposal

Council   Response

17/00503/F*

Mr   Mike Wilson

Extensions   & alterations
The   Lodge
Docking   Road

No   comment

17/00788/F

Mr   Ben Lord

Alterations   & extension
Bramley   Cottage
Docking   Road

Supported

 * Please note that the Clerk was notified on 12th May 2017 that the proposed application for extensions and alterations to ‘The Lodge’ had been permitted

16.       Year End Accounts 2016/17: Year End accounts as at 31st March 2017 were circulated by the Clerk.  Whilst the year had ended with a substantial surplus, forthcoming expenditure on the SAM 2 and the potential addition of new playground equipment would vastly reduce the current surplus. No specific queries were raised and acceptance of the accounts was proposed by DB, seconded by RB and unanimously agreed. The Clerk would now make arrangements for the accounts to be inspected by the internal auditor.

17.       Financial Report and approval of payments:  Up to date income & expenditure accounts, budget report and bank statements for the new FY were circulated by the Clerk. No queries were raised. 

Approval was sought and agreed for the following payments:           

Chq No

Payee

Reason

£

100695

NALC

Annual   Subscription

92.63

100696

Came   & Company

Annual   Insurance

359.50

100697

BCKLWN

Dog   Bin Emptying

81.12

100698

W.   Leighton

Salary   March and April 2017

307.13

100699

W.   Leighton

Clerk’s   Expenses

14.63

100700

HMRC

PAYE   March and April 2017

76.60

18.       Items for the next Agenda – meeting of 20th July 2017:  

  • New Play Equipment (DV)
  • Geese on the Pond (All)
  • Transparency Fund Application for 2017/18
  • Community Transport/Go to Town 

19.       Chairman’s Remarks:    Before closing the meeting, the Chairman thanked Councillors and the Clerk for their continued support and he also took the opportunity to thank the members of the public for their attendance at today’s meeting.

No other items were discussed and the meeting closed at 6.55pm. The Annual Parish Meeting then followed. 

 

Signed:           ……………………………………………………..

                        Chairman

 

 

Date:               ……………………………………………………..