Denton Parish Council
Denton has a parish council of seven members elected all together every four years. Casual vacancies are normally filled by co-option. Parish councillors serve on a voluntary basis but the council employs a part-time clerk to provide administrative support.
There should have been an election on May 5th last year, but there were only six nominations for the seven places. The seventh place was filled by cooption at the first meeting of the new council The next elections will be in May 2015.
Each year the Council funds its activities by precepting a sum of money, £3,300 for 2012/13, from the district council. It is collected as part of all parish households' council tax. For the current year, 2011/12, this equated to £20.57 for a typical, Band D, property compared with £1,145.07 for the County Council, £191.16 for the Police Authority and £130.68 for the District Council out of a total payment of £1,487.48. This compared with £1,487.75 in 2010/11. The average town or parish council share of the council tax for a Band D property across the whole of South Norfolk is £59.68.
In common with many other authorities, for 2012/13 the Council agreed to raise the precept only very slightly on the basis thay some new properties will now be paying tax, and the rate of council tax will stay the same. Details of the current year's budget appear on the PC Finance Page.
Parish councils have a limited range of powers but they do have a vital role to play in representing the views and interests of the local community. They have a statutory right to be consulted by other bodies, notably the county and district councils, on issues affecting the village. In particular they are consulted on all planning applications that affect the parish and have speaking rights at planning committee meetings.
The Council sponsors this website and publishes a Village Directory which is delivered to every home.
Who is on the parish council?
NB. Eddie Winter, after 35 years of excellent service, did not seek re-election this year. All the other six retiring councillors were returned unopposed and Wayne Mayhew was co-opted at the Council's AGM.
- Mrs E. Cargill (Chairman) - Tel: 01986 788862
- Mr T. Hanner (Vice Chairman) - Tel: 01986 788414
- Mr R. Gibson - Tel: 01986 788502
- Mr A. Hipwell - Tel: 01986 788188
- Mr P. Hill - Tel: 01986 788619
- Mr W. Mayhew - Tel: 01986 788675
- Mrs A. Whiteman - Tel: 01986 788251
Clerk - Mrs P. Sandell
Address:
Woodbine Farm, Hoxne Road, Weybread, Diss, Norfolk, IP21 5UJ.
Tel: 01379 854454
e-mail: pauline@pineheath.fsnet.co.uk
The council is a member of the Norfolk Association of Local Councils.
When are meetings held?
Parish council meetings are normally held once a month in Denton Village Hall on the second Tuesday of each month (apart from August and December).
Most recent ordinary meeting: 10th January.
Next ordinary meeting: 14th February.
Members of the public are always welcome to attend. There is an item on the agenda – Questions from members of the public – which gives residents the opportunity to bring any relevant issues to the attention of councillors.
The agenda is displayed on the village noticeboard opposite the village hall and will also be available here when it is published.
Agenda for the next meeting. – 14th February.
Draft minutes of the previous meeting. – 10th January.
Minutes Archive
The minutes of previous meetings are also available.
Parish Meetings
The Council also organises an Annual Parish Meeting each year, normally in April (but for 2011 in March), where all the organisations in the village are invited to report on their activities and items of general interest can be discussed.
The 2011 Parish Meeting was held on Friday 18th March. Topics included:
- a) Improving the usage of the Chapel as a community building in order to improve the chances of funding for vital maintenance,
- b) Fund raising for the toddlers part of the Play Area,
- c) Allotments,
- d) Open Forum.
Agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting. – 18th March.
Draft minutes of the previous Annual Parish Meeting.
Joint Meetings
Occasionally, joint meetings are held for the five parish councils that make up the Earsham district council ward – Alburgh, Earsham, Topcroft and Wortwell as well Denton. Guest speakers are invited and issues of common concern discussed. These meetings are open to the public.
Council Finance
Details of the Council's finances, budgets and accounts, are available on the PC Finance Page.
Allotments
One power that parish councils do possess is the provision of allotments for local residents. DPC recently decided to make some plots, four initially, available on the old allotment land between the playing field and Rogerson's Wood. So far three have been allocated leaving one plot available.
Parishoners interested in renting a plot should contact the Chairman or Clerk.
Access to Information
Under the Public Information Act the Council is required to publish details of what information it holds and how the public can gain access to it. This is provided on the next page.