Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 8th May 2018 at 7.30 pm in Denton Village Hall.
Present: Councillors: Kay Wiltshire (Chair), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Zoe Brown, Peter Grant, Roger Gibson, Christine Kerr.
Also present: 2 members of the public, Jackie Ellis (Clerk).
1. Welcome by the Chair, Kay Wiltshire.
2. To receive and accept apologies from members unable to attend:
Margaret Stone (County Councillor), Dr. M. Gray; District Councillor.
3. To elect a Chairman for the coming year:
Zoe Brown proposed Kay Wiltshire continue as chairman for the coming year, seconded Terry Hanner. All in agreement. Kay Wiltshire signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
4. To elect a Vice Chairman for the coming year:
All were in agreement that Terry Hanner continue as Vice Chairman for the coming year.
5. To approve the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2018:
The accounts were circulated to all councillors. All were happy with these. The Clerk has asked an accountant she works for to carry out the internal audit. All were happy with this. Proposed by Kay Wiltshire and seconded by Roger Gibson.
6. Review of parish council procedures:
All councillors were happy to receive correspondence by email as is the procedure at present.
It was suggested that meetings could go to alternate months, i.e. 6 meetings total a year. January, March, May, July, September, November. Additional meetings may be called if significant urgent arise. All were in agreement.
The length of meetings to continue at 2 hours maximum.
Standing Orders: NALC have published new model standing orders to incorporate new legislation introduced since the last model standing orders were published in 2013. Mrs Wiltshire will work through these.
7. To receive any declarations of interest from members on any item to be discussed:
None.
8. To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting:
The minutes of the March 2018 meeting were approved and signed by Kay Wiltshire, Chair, as a correct record.
9. The meeting was adjourned from 8.03pm to 8.13pm for public participation.
A member of the public raised the subject of the parking in Harleston and requested that we seriously think about making a contribution. This was discussed later on in the meeting.
Chris Ashton the Training Officer for the Army Cadets asked if they could use the playing field as an expedition base on the weekend of June 9th and 10th with a works party setting up on the 8th. All councillors were in agreement for this to go ahead.
10. Reports from County and District Councillors:
No report from Dr. Gray, District Councillor this month as there were no significant issues.
Mrs M. Stone, County Councillor, emailed the following report:
11. To discuss matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting:
Our membership of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is paid by direct debit. Membership gives access to advice about how to word planning application comments.
Kay Wiltshire and Jackie Ellis attended the General Data Protection Training. This comes into effect from the 25th May when the parish council will have additional responsibilities in regard to how personal data is processed and kept. This will be discussed further at our next meeting.
12. To discuss and comment on any planning applications received and related matters:
Decisions made: Ref: 2018/0435; Overdale, Norwich Road, Denton – New rear extension, enlargement of front porch and conversion of garage including new pitched roof. Approval with conditions.
Planning application received Ref: 2018/0721; Annexe at Beck Cottage, Trunch Hill, Denton.
All councillors approved the application.
13. Playing Field Report – Christine Kerr:
As Kerry Norfolk was not in attendance tonight, no report was received.
We had a very successful working party on the 24th March to replace the fort roof and remove the tunnel.
Norse have put weed killer around the posts.
We have submitted a ‘National Lottery Awards for All’ application on the 22nd March for a replacement seesaw and a Rota-Rocker.
Kay Wiltshire has put a ‘Waspinator’ in the willow structure to hopefully deter wasps this year.
14. Annual Parish Meeting to be held on Thursday, 24th May at 7.30pm:
Karen O’Kane will come and speak about Broadband.
15. Parish Partnership Funding:
50% funding for a SAM2 unit has been approved. To discuss next steps.
We have received confirmation that the application for a grant of 50% of the cost of a SAM2 unit has been approved by NCC. The funding is £2,134 of the total cost of £4,268 (Inc VAT) and has to be
spent on the equipment in the 2018/19 financial year. We now have to decide if we are to go ahead with SAM2 as we have to accept the grant.
The sites for the posts as suggested by Roy Payne of Westcotec (who install the posts/supply the equipment) are as follows:
- Norwich Road at the edge of Skinners Meadow
- Opposite village hall – near where the phone box was
- Near the Chapel (by Chapelfields sign) opposite Street Farm
- Trunch Hill between Field Lodge and Hillside
The position of the 4th post was discussed. Kay Wiltshire will contact Westcotec regarding a possible alternative location.
After discussion all were in agreement that we go ahead with this. The money to come from the Compost Fund.
16. Community SOS Project – South Norfolk Police:
PC Jim Squires (Engagement Officer) and some cadets, aged 14-16 years old can work on the footpath in Pocket Park on the 16th June between 10am and 3pm. We would need to supply the equipment which it was decided we could do.
17. Correspondence:
South Norfolk Council – Community Fund. There is a £50,000 pot available for funding community groups from £1,000 to £15,000 to support projects and initiatives that benefit local people.
Norfolk County Council – from 1st April 2018 there will be a charge for the disposal of all DIY type construction and demolition waste. DIY waste will be disposed of on a ‘Pay as you throw’ basis.
Redenhall with Harleston Town Council – we have received a request for contribution towards the cost of providing free car parking in Harleston. After discussion it was decided to discuss this at the Annual Parish Meeting.
Our Insurance is due on the 1st June. Came and Company are recommending Inspire again this year. The annual premium is £514.97. We can enter a ‘Long Term Agreement Option’ for 3 years, reducing the annual premium by 5% giving a total of £491.72 with a 5% discount in the following 2 years of the agreement. It was decided to take the 3 year contract.
18. To approve payments to be made and record money received:
-
Payments:
- Clerk salary and expenses £189.30.
- HMRC Paye £29.60.
- NALC Annual Subscription 2018-19 £117.59.
- Terry Hanner – Feather edge board for fort roof on playing field £95.00.
- Came and Company – Insurance £491.72.
Receipts:
- SNC Precept £1,775.50 and grant £49.00 – Total £1,824.50.
19. Any other matters to be brought to the attention of the Parish Council and for the next Agenda.
General Data Protection Regulations.
20. The meeting was not adjourned for public participation as members of the public had left earlier in the meeting.
21. Close of Meeting:
Kay Wiltshire thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.13 pm.