January 23 2019 - Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Nocton Parish Council held in the Village Hall,
Main Street, Nocton on Wednesday, 23 January, 2019 at 7.00 pm
PRESENT: Cllr Ian Goldsworthy (Chair), Cllr E Murray, Cllr N Faulkner, Cllr
Graham Jones, Cllr M Kaye, Cllr M Williams.
Also present:
5 members of the Public.
In the absence of the Clerk, the notes were taken by Cllr E Murray.
300
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No questions had been received at this time.
301
APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE
Apologies had been received from Cllr Jane Kania, reasons accepted. Apologies had also been received from Ruth Keillar, Clerk.
302
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
None received.
303
MINUTES
In the absence of the Clerk and the Minute Book, approval of the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 11 December 2018 and the Minutes of the Extra-Ordinary meeting of the Parish Council held on 10 January 2019 was held over to the next meeting.
304
NOCTON VILLAGE HALL – PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT
It was proposed by Cllr M Williams seconded by Cllr N Faulkner and RESOLVED unanimously to procure a Licence to enable the Nocton PC temporary use of the school playing field for storage purposes in connection with the closure of the Village Hall. The application will be made on behalf of the Social Club and Nocton Village Hall Management Committee who will jointly meet the cost of £200. It was noted that Beeswax Dyson Farming had indicated that they were hoping to be able to provide a suitable container free of charge.
305
CHARITABLE DONATION
It was proposed by Cllr M Williams seconded by Cllr G Jones and RESOLVED unanimously to make a charitable donation of £10 to St Barnabas Hospice in respect of removal of the Village Hall Christmas tree.
306
BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2019-2020
Cllr Goldsworthy had previously circulated a budget report and proposed precept.
The proposed precept equates to an increase of 17.6% / £12.13 per band D property. It was noted that this was less than the sum previously proposed at the time of the Village Hall survey. It was proposed by Cllr G Jones seconded by Cllr N Faulkner and RESOLVED unanimously that the Parish Council’s budget for 2019/20 and consequent precept as presented be approved and submitted to NKDC by the required deadline.
307
ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER AND CHARGES – STREET LIGHTING
It was noted that the cost of staying with E-On would be approximately £600 per year, compared to approximately £500 if a new supplier was used. It was proposed by Cllr G Jones seconded by Cllr N Faulkner and RESOLVED unanimously that the Parish Council move to a new supplier due to E-On price increases from 21 January 2019.
308
NOCTON PARISH COUNCIL – DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
It was noted that the next ordinary meeting of the Parish Council will be on 12 February 2019.
309
TO RESOLVE WHETHER TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC AND PRESS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS.
It was proposed by Cllr M Kaye seconded by Cllr E Murray and RESOLVED unanimously that the item be taken in public session.
Cllr Kaye summarised the background to the current position on negotiations with the owner of the village hall car park regarding its use as a builders' store. The owner's permission is required to rebuild the village hall and the owner has stated that he will only agree to the rebuild if the Parish Council gives up its right to the car parking area to the south of the village hall. The Parish Council had sought legal advice but this proved unsatisfactory and was received after an unacceptable delay. Alternative advice had subsequently been taken which confirmed that the owner was within his rights under the terms of the relevant Covenant to make such a condition. The owner has indicated that he could make another area in the land west of the village hall available as a replacement car park. The Parish Council has therefore written to the owner to say that it was willing to obtain a legally binding agreement to grant the 10m wide access to the land west of the village hall, in return for a 45m x 15m area south of the disused tennis court to use as a car park and that it wished to confirm this by 1 March 2019. It was proposed by Cllr M Williams seconded by Cllr G Jones and RESOLVED unanimously to authorise Cllr Kaye and another councillor to meet with the owner of the car park on site at the earliest opportunity to resolve the matter. Given the potential for delays to the project, the Parish Council agreed that, if necessary, it would deal with any negotiations, etc regarding the land for a replacement car park separately and once the owner’s permission to the rebuilding had been received. The Parish Council would, however, seek to obtain permission from the owner to use part of the land behind the village hall as a builder’s store, etc during the time of the rebuild.
The Parish Council also agreed to appoint Boodle Hatfield to act on its behalf in the matter.
Notwithstanding the above, the Parish Council remained confident that these issues could be resolved to enable the project to continue as planned.
310
Public Question Session
i. Beeswax farm visit – it was confirmed that this is planned for 2019
ii. The Chair confirmed that the Parish Council's insurers are aware of the rebuild and will provide the appropriate cover.
iii. Big Lottery bid – Cllr M Williams confirmed that this was turned down for reasons which were unclear. It remains possible to apply for a smaller amount. The WREN bid appears to be progressing.
iv. Straw on roads – the Chair confirmed that the District Council is responsible for the road sweeper machine.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 19.53.
Chair……..
Date……..
Nocton Parish Council – 23 January 2019