November 10 2020 - Minutes
Nocton Parish Council – 10 November 2020
MINUTE NUMBER
Minutes of the Meeting of Nocton Parish Council held via Zoom on Tuesday, 10 November 2020 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Cllr Elisabeth Murray (Chair), Cllr Michael Clarke, Cllr Neil Faulkner, Cllr Philip Johnston-Davis, Cllr Hayley Wilson.
Also present: DCllr N Byatt, DCllr L Pearson
7 members of the Public
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
There were no public questions.
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS
Cllr Murray explained that the Clerk remains unwell and the Council wishes her well. Cllr Murray explained virtual meeting etiquette and how the meeting would proceed.
581.
APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr M Duff (reasons not accepted) and CCllr R Oxby.
582.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
No declarations were made.
583.
MINUTES
It was proposed by Cllr M Clarke, seconded by Cllr P Johnston-Davis and it was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held 13 October 2020 be taken as read and signed as correct.
584.
CO-OPTION FOR VACANCIES
There is currently one vacant seat on the Parish Council and there has been one application, from Mr George McDonnell. Cllr E Murray suspended the meeting temporarily to allow Mr McDonnell to make a statement in support of his application. Cllr E Murray thanked Mr McDonnell for his interest and explained that his application would be discussed in Private and Confidential session. The meeting then resumed.
585.
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
a) Local Police/CPP – no report available; the Community Police Panel has not met since the last Partish Council meeting.
b) District Councillor – DCllr N Byatt reported that the full council met remotely and that many council staff are still working from home. He advised that the planning application for 329 homes in Metheringham has been approved and expressed concern that local primary health care services did not have the capacity to accommodate the likely number of new residents.
c) County Councillor – CCllr R Oxby had submitted his report by email. Cllr E Murray gave a brief verbal update on his behalf.
586.
CHAIRMAN
a) The Parish Council noted the Chairman’s Report which had been circulated
143/2020
Nocton Parish Council – 13 October 2020
b) The Parish Council noted the Financial Report which had been circulated previously. It was noted that some items of expected expenditure were missing due to administrative issues with the bank.
587.
NOCTON HUB
a) The Parish Council noted that Cllr E Murray has met Maher Millard to discuss the snagging list and has identified the priorities to them. A meeting has been requested to discuss the latest financial situation.
b) The Parish Council noted that the Community Building Working Group (CBWG) is now dissolved.
c) The Hub Manager’s and cleaner’s temporary contracts expired during the Clerk’s absence and Parish Councillors had agreed by email to extend these as the Hub could not function without these roles. It was proposed
by Cllr P Johnston-Davis, seconded by Cllr M Clarke and it was RESOLVED that the contract extension should be ratified.
d) The Parish Council noted that the Hub Manager has volunteered to lead the project to plant the hedge on land at the rear of Pegasus and other members of the community have also come forward. Costed proposals will be submitted in due course, noting that a sum of £100 has previously been agreed.
e) Three window cleaning quotes have been received: 1) £20 internal and £20 external 2) £30 for 4 weekly clean, £40 for 8 weekly clean 3) £25 internal and £18 external. It was proposed by Cllr N Faulkner, seconded by Cllr M Clarke and it was RESOLVED to clarify whether quote 2) was for external and internal, or external only, and then accept the lowest quote.
f) Two contract cleaning quotes have been received for if the regular cleaners are not available. It has not been possible to obtain a third quote. 1) £11.50 per hour, minimum one hour. 2) £65 per hour. It was proposed by Cllr N Faulkner, seconded by Cllr H Wilson and it was RESOLVED to accept the lower quote.
g) The publicly available telephone number for the Hub is currently the Manager's personal mobile number and this is not ideal. Two options are available: 1) a call forwarding service from the landline number installed in Hub for a £30 annual fee plus a call charge for each forwarded call. 2) A virtual 01526 number with no initial or monthly fee and a cost of 7.5ppm for each forwarded call, with the ability to change the call forwarding target number twice a month at no charge. It was proposed by Cllr P JohnstonDavis, seconded by Cllr M Clarke and it was RESOLVED to proceed with option 2).
h) It was agreed in principle that a maintenance contract for the intruder alarm was appropriate but only one quote was available. Further quotes will be sought before a decision can be made.
588.
NOCTON HUB – MANAGEMENT GROUP AND USER GROUP
a) Two people have expressed interest. More are needed. Cllr P JohnstonDavis will make a further public request.
589.
CHARITABLE STATUS
a) No update was available.
590.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND ISSUES
a) The following applications were considered:
i. 20/1157/FUL Land to the rear of 1, 3, 5 & 7 Hodgson Close Nocton. It was noted that this application was a retrospective one to change use from agricultural land to domestic curtilage. It was proposed by Cllr M Clarke, seconded by Cllr N Faulkner and it was RESOLVED to submit a comment that: the Parish Council does not approve of retrospective applications; the application is not clear as to what the impact of new planting on the existing homes will be; and the Parish Council does not object as the land will continue to be green space, noting that future development on the site would not be supported.
ii. 20/1160/FUL Land adjacent to Kelkherd House Main Street Nocton. It was noted that this application has been amended and the proposed location is now within the settlement boundary. It was proposed by Cllr N Faulkner, seconded by Cllr P Johnston-Davis and it was RESOLVED to submit a comment supporting this application as the previous grounds for objection have been resolved.
The following applications were noted without a need to comment.
iii. 20/1217/VARCON Plot 6 Red House Farm Main Road Potterhanworth.
iv. 20/1310/FUL Hanworth Country Park Station Road Potterhanworth. It was noted that this was yet another retrospective application for this site.
v. 20/1346/HOUS Alyth Plough Hill Potterhanworth Booths vi. 20/1465/TCA 2 Manor Court, Nocton vii. 20/1466/TPO 40 Wegberg Road, Nocton
b) The following planning decisions were noted:
i. 20/0829/FUL Land north of The Park Potterhanworth - refused ii. 20/1007/FUL Hanworth Country Park Station Road Potterhanworth – refused
iii. 20/1143/HOUS 4 Potterhanworth Road Nocton – approved iv. 20/1008/VARCON Hanworth Country Park Station Road Potterhanworth – approved
591.
NOCTON PARISH COUNCIL – DATES OF FUTURE MEETING
a) It was noted that the Annual Parish Meeting may not be held virtually. It was not clear whether the meeting could be held in person but “extended” virtually. Cllr P Johnston-Davis will investigate this with ACRE.
b) It was noted that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 8 December via Zoom. It was proposed by Cllr P Johnston-Davis, seconded by Cllr H Wilson and it was RESOLVED to take out a subscription to Zoom at a maximum cost of £119 per year. Cllr E Murray will investigate a possible discount via LALC or government sources.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) A member of the public asked for clarification around a minute relating to expenditure; this was given.
b) A member of the public asked about plans for the Christmas tree. Cllr N Faulkner has previously agreed to provide this at no cost and the arrangements for its installation were clarified.
592.
TO RESOLVE WHETHER TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC AND PRESS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS.
It was proposed by Cllr M Clarke, seconded by Cllr H Wilson and it was RESOLVED to exclude the public and press for consideration of the following confidential matters.
The public and press left the meeting at this stage. (20:26)
a) Application for the vacant seat. One application had been received. Following vote by a show of hands it was proposed by Cllr M Clarke, seconded by Cllr N Faulkner and it was RESOLVED that Mr George McDonnell be coopted onto the Parish Council. Mr McDonnell will be issued with the following for completion: Acceptance of Office, Register of Members Interests form, Nocton Parish Council Code of Conduct. On receipt by the Chair Mr McDonnell will be eligible to take up office.
b) Staffing matters
i. Issues relating to the Clerk’s absence were discussed.
ii. Due to the current lockdown, it was agreed to furlough the Hub cleaner.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 20:57pm
Signed………………E. MURRAY Date………8/12/2020