Draft Minutes 09 09 25
Nocton Parish Council
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE FULL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
held on
Tuesday 9th September 2025 at 7.00pm at Nocton Hub, Main Street, Nocton.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL:
Chair: Councillor Andy Hone
Vice-chair: Councillor George McDonnell
Councillors: Lesley Routh-Jones, Richard Robinson, Richard Marshall, (2 vacancies)
Clerk: John Money RFO: Gordon Roe
Attendance: Chair: Councillor Andy Hone; Councillors: Lesley Routh-Jones; Richard Robinson and the Clerk John Money. Plus 11 members of the public.
Public forum: Two residents of the village raised concerns about the night work that the LCC Highways division carried out on the evening and night of the 4th of July 2025, the noise of the works was considered unacceptable, the attitude of workers towards a member of the public was poor and advance notice of the works was not given. Counsellor Ian Carrington assured residents that he would look into it. He also said that the work on the Main Street through Nocton was only a temporary measure because there was not money available during this year‘s budget, but it was hoped that a proper job would be done next year. Another resident gave an account of how the poor surface of the floor in the Hub cellar had arisen.
County and District Councillors' reports: Councillor Ian Carrington commented on the restructuring of the County Council since the election in May 2025 and said he had reservations about some of the policies that had been instituted. He also commented on the restructuring of the county into a unitary authority.
Agenda Items:
1. Apologies for Absence: Apologies from Councillors George McDonnell; Richard Marshall and David Parry were noted.
2. Declarations of Interest: None given.
3. Minutes: Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 8th July 2025 signed as a true record of the meeting.
4. Chair’s Report: The Chair of the Council reported that Mrs Sheila Redshaw, previously the oldest village resident had sadly died and her service to the community should be noted. He went on to report that a new Hub Manager (Mrs Leanne Strange) had been appointed and recorded the Parish Councils thanks to Mrs Michaela Hall for her Sterling service while carrying out the duties of Hub Manager. He reported that the solar panel installation was saving 25% of the electrical use during the summer and a total saving of £871 had been made so far this year and it looked as if the £1,280 contribution that the Parish Council had made to buy the installation would be paid back in this financial year. He wanted to record thanks to the volunteers from the CGI ITUK who cleaned the beck. He also reported that Ben Wills of 360° who was the agent for the owners of the old Nocton Hall site had said they intend to remove more scrub and to provide a new fence around the old ruin. He explained that the external audit results had been received with only one small comment regarding the updating of risk assessment.
5. Hub Manager’s Report: The Hub Manager had given a comprehensive report which the Chair paraphrased with issues surrounding the meeting room and disposal of waste. Action Clerk.
6. Parish Clerk’s Report: The Clerk reported that when he went on holiday 10 days ago, the correspondence was all up to date and he was going to comment on the local government reorganisation/unitisation but Councillor Ian Carrington had already covered that subject in detail.
7. To discuss whether to reform the NPC HR Committee: it was resolved that Councillor Lesley Routh-Jones joins the reformed committee.
8. Repair of the cellar floor. To discuss a proposal to repair the floor and to pursue costs from the original builder through the small claims court: After some debate it was resolved that the Clerk drafts a request for specific performance to the contractor giving him 14/28 days to carry out the remedial works as identified during the defects liability period of the contract. Failure to execute this specific performance the Council will further inform the contractor that they will undertake the works themselves and make a claim from the contractor for full recompense of all costs expended, together with details of the defect discovery. Action Clerk
9. The suggested amendments to the SLA with the Ripon Arms were agreed. A meeting to be arranged with the RA to sign the document to be arranged. Action Chair / Clerk
10. Recruitment of Parish Councillors: The Chair made a request to the community to recruit two more Parish Councillors. Action all.
11. Nocton Hub electrical safety inspection - works required and actions: after a short debate it was resolved that T Newton the electrical contractor who carried out the quinquennial inspection for the installation be authorised to carry out all the remedial work necessary to right the original installation. With regard to some irregularities in the solar panel part of the installation it was further resolved that the solar panel contractors be informed of this and be given the opportunity to either rectify the works themselves or recompense the Parish Council or the contractor for the costs involved. Action Chair
12. To agree which street lamp standard works to undertake following the recent report from Eon: After a short debate it was resolved that the Clerk contact National Grid/NPower to ascertain what standards they may still be responsible for. It was further resolved that the urgent works specified must be carried out, how we are going to finance these works will depend on the research that the officers will be undertaking regarding grant aid or accessing finance from the Public Works Loan Board. Action Clerk/RFO.
13. To agree whether the 2025 Local Government Services Pay Agreement should be applied: it was resolved thus agreed to accept the NJC local government services pay award of 3.2% and that this payment should be backdated to the 1st of April 2025. Action Chair to inform payroll..
14. To agree whether an invitation to tender for the installation of a ventilation system for the events hall should be sent: After a short debate it was resolved to procure three estimates for the installation of the ventilation system as specified. Action Clerk.
15. To agree whether payment should be made for the purchase of gravel used to repair the village dandelion on the green: It was resolved to pay for the purchase of the gravel retrospectively. Action Chair, Clerk/RFO
16. Planning Matters: It was resolved to support the application for an extension to a domestic property at 37 Wellhead Lane (25/0981/HOUS). Action Clerk.
17. Financial Matters:
(a) To note the current bank balances: duly noted.
(b) To ratify payments for the months of July and August 2025 and to approve the list of upcoming payments: it was resolved these payments be made. Action Chair/RFO.
18. Date of Next Meeting: To agree when the next meeting will take place (14 10 25). Duly resolved as such.
Public forum: a parishioner asked for the details relating to the land transfer south of the hub. It was explained that the covenant now required is actually an overage/clawback covenant which is rooted in the original transfer and has a penalty of 50% of the increase in the value of the said land should a planning consent be granted. There was also a discussion regarding introducing natural light into the meeting room.
The Meeting closed at 8:45pm