Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at 7.30 pm. on Tuesday 14th May 2024 in Denton Village Hall.
Present: Councillors; Cllr Hanner; Chairman, Cllr Bunn, Cllr Fearnley, Cllr Sida-Page, Cllr Jones, Cllr Ashton, Cllr Kerr.
Also present: Mrs J Loveday (Clerk).
1. To elect the Chairman
Helen Sida Page proposed Terry Hanner continue as chairman for the coming year, seconded Christine Kerr. Terry Hanner accepted and signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
2. To elect the Vice Chairman
All councillors agreed that Ken Ashton continue as vice chairman for the coming year and he was happy to do so.
3. To receive apologies from members unable to attend:
Cllr Brown; District Councillor.
4. To receive declarations of interest from members on matters on the agenda:
None.
5. To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting:
The minutes of the 12th March, 2024 meeting were approved and signed by Cllr Hanner; Chairman, as a correct record.
6. Open Forum for public participation (maximum 10 minutes):
An opportunity to hear from members of the public - None.
7. To discuss matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting which are not on the agenda
Parking at the playing field – The clerk has contacted our insurance company but they did not have any advice on whether this is allowed or not but did not think the council could be held negligent. This will continue to be monitored.
Stakes at bottom of Trunch Hill – Highways have been notified and they have sent a letter to the property owner requesting that they remove the 5 wooden posts from the Highway verge.
Pond – This will be investigated further.
Chris Brown; District Councillor emailed the following report:
- The leader of the Council, John Fuller, is standing down from this position after 17 years, having become Lord Fuller of Gorleston-on-Sea. A new leader will be chosen next week at their AGM on 20th May.
- The Council is now in No Overall Control, following a by-election on 2nd May, where the first Green councillor was elected. There are now 23 Conservative councillors and 23 from other groups.
- The Communities Action Fund for this year is £150,000, having been increased from the usual £50,000.
9. To receive updates on items from the minutes of the last meeting:
- 2 of the Finger Posts have been restored, there is one more to do. Thanks to all the people who have helped restore these.
- Village sign – this has now been restored and is back in position. The lady who did this is only charging £50.00. It was agreed that we would give her £100 in appreciation of the work she has done.
- Sale of the Elite Major Shredder. It was agreed that we would advertise this.
10. To receive Playingfield report:
Cllr Sida Page has carried out inspection. All was in good order.
The Clothing bank bin was full and when reporting this found that the phone number on the bin is the wrong number.
The big tyre on the playing field has one of the chains off.
11. To discuss broadband/telephone matters in village extremities:
Cllr Kerr spoke about broadband and her concerns over switching to digital at some point by the end of next year. The centre of the village is ok, it is the village extremities that are affected.
There are no plans to put in any fibre optic cables. Cllr Kerr has been given a quote of £27,000 to have fibre to premises.
Cllr Sida Page will speak to Karen O’Kane and Cllr Kerr will speak to Openreach to get more information.
12. Resignation of Cllr Jones and to advertise vacancy for parish councillor:
Thanks was given to Cllr Jones for all he has done and wished him luck with his new job.
The vacancy will be advertised.
13. To discuss and comment on planning applications received and related matters:
Ref: 2024/0422, Home Farm, Round House Hill, Denton. South Norfolk decision is approval with conditions.
14. Finance: To approve payments to be made and record money received:
Payments:
- Clerk salary £248.80 for 2 months.
- Dawn Creasy for renovating and painting village sign £100.00.
- Levi Farrow for grass cutting on playing field,2 x cuts £180.00.
- Terry Hanner for wood and screws for repairs to sign posts and play equipment £80.00.
- Hiscox Insurance Company for insurance renewal from 1st June 2024 to 31st May 2025 £988.99.
- South Norfolk Council Precept 2024 £4,500.
- Bungay Outney Common, final dividend for 2023/24 £150.00.
15. To approve the Annual Governance Statement 2023/24, the Accounting Statements and Certificate of Exemption for submission to the external auditor:
The accounts for year ended 31st March, 2024 have been approved and audited – Annual Internal Audit Report 2023/24.
The below were approved and signed by the chairman and clerk for submission to PKF Littlejohn, the external auditors:
- Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement 2023/24
- Section 2 – Accounting Statements 2023/24
- Certificate of Exemption – AGAR 2023/24 Form 2
15. Any Other Business:
None.
17. To agree items for the next meeting 9th July 2024:
Vacancy for parish councillor.
Cllr Hanner thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.40 pm.