DRAFT 10th March 2026
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Held onTuesday 10th March 2026 at 7.00pm
MEMBERSHIP:
Chair: Councillor Andy Hone
Vice-chair: Richard Robinson
Councillors: Richard Marshall, Lesley Routh Jones, Andrew Davy (2 vacancies)
Clerk: John Money RFO: Gordon Roe
Attendance:
Chair: Councillor Andy Hone, Vice-chair: Richard Robinson
Councillors: Richard Marshall and Andrew Davy, Parish Clerk: John Money
County Councillor Carrington plus 9 members of the public
Public forum: a resident of Wellhead Lane who lives in one of the NKDC properties made representations relating to the village keeper cleansing the watercourse and associated grille outside of her property; the resident also made representation regarding correspondence that had been exchanged with the Clerk to the Council. The Chair assured the parishioner the issue would be investigated, and information received would be communicated back; she raised other issues related with the village which will also be investigated. At this point, two members of the public left the meeting. A parishioner was informed that the Welcome pack was now posted on the website. A parishioner raised concerns that landlines were being discontinued in the parish now copper cabling is being discontinued.
County Councillor’s report: Cllr Ian Carrington updated all present regarding the county council tax rate that has been fixed for 2026/27 and also informed the amount of money to be spent on highways throughout the county. Local issues: he said that the signage on the bridleway was adequate considering the amount of private usage; he also assured us the remedial road works to Main Street would take place within the year 2027/28. From a district point of view, he informed us of the roll out of the food waste caddies. The Chair of the Council thanked Cllr Carrington for his input and he left the meeting at 7:34pm
Agenda Items:
1. Apologies for Absence: To note the absence of Cllr Routh- Jones and Cllr Parry (district)
2. Declarations of Interest: None recorded.
3. Minutes: To approve as a correct record the notes of the Full Council Meeting held on 10th February 2026 and to authorise the Chair to sign them as the official minutes. Duly authorised.
4. Chair’s Report: The Chair of the Council reported the traffic issue in Wellhead Lane is in progress; The tree works that had been requested and scheduled by NKDC in their report is being carried out this weekend; he said he will be in attendance and all interested parties have been informed.
He also made comments regarding the solar panel installation and the usage that will be ultimately charged to the Ripon Arms via a sub-meter assessment (which a contractor is looking into); the other charge that will have to be considered to the Ripon Arms is a calculation of the daily standing charge. He also informed the meeting that the internal auditor is coming next week.
5. Hub Manager’s Report: The Chair took the opportunity to thank the Hub manager’s husband for carrying out small works to the Hub building. The Hub manager reported that bookings are up, there is a dance group going to use the events hall after Easter, also a theatre group. The Hub will be used as a polling station on the 6th of May 2026
6. Parish Clerk’s Report: The Clerk reported there had been a request to add a book by a local farming family to the archive - which all appeared to agree with. He is attending an NKDC forum next week on local government issues. He also informed that he was having an operation on his foot on the 11th of April 2026 and would be incapacitated for two weeks, therefore missing the April meeting. He also reminded Members relating to the drafting of an emergency plan and that all correspondence was up to date.
7. To receive an update on progress in the plan to update the NPC risk register: Councillor Andrew Davy said the document is almost complete should be ready for adoption at the April meeting. Action Chair/Clerk.
8. To receive an update on progress towards land transfer with AG Properties. (Cllr Hone): The Chair side he had correspondence from John Roper the solicitor stating that the transfer document is almost ready for execution. Action Chair/Clerk.
9. To receive an update on the situation regarding lamp post replacements and the arrangement of a loan to facilitate it: The Parish Clerk stated that Gillian Corner of Eon was still waiting for a quotation for road closure and traffic control relating to one replacement lamp standard before she can finalize her quotation, also the matter of vegetation on the lamp standards that are of a timber construction was raised; the Chair agreed to approach the tree feller on Saturday morning to consider if he was able to undertake this removal work. Action Chair/Clerk.
10. To receive an update on progress towards installing ventilation into the event hall: The Parish Clerk stated the successful contractor intended to carry out the ventilation works during the month of April 2026. Action Clerk Hub/Manager.
11. Staff welfare. (Cllr Hone): The Chair noted that there had been two incidents where members of staff/colleagues had suffered verbal abuse which is not acceptable, the council's terms of reference and policies emphasizes how seriously we should consider these matters which are not acceptable and every available resource will be used to stop this behavior from both customers and members of the public. Action Chair/Clerk.
12. Nocton Parish Council policy review - to consider proposed changes to policies reviewed and submitted so far by Councillors: The Chair thanked Members for their efforts in reviewing these policies and it was hoped that they could be consolidated into a draft form for acceptance and resolution at the April 2026 meeting. Action all concerned.
13. To discuss the “Call for Sites” request issued by NKDC and Norton Hall / hospital: After debate it was resolved that the Clerk contacts NKDC LPA/CLLP to ascertain when further information regarding the publication of the sites will be available. It was agreed that the Nocton Hall and hospital site would be the subject of the May Annual Parish meeting. Action Clerk.
14. Meeting room hire - removal of free access to hirers of other rooms: It was resolved that the charge would be made for the use of this meeting room irrespective of whether the higher hired the Events Hall. Action Chair and Hub Manager.
15. Planning Matters: It was noted that the tree officer had given permission for the tree works on the green and to the front of the Hub.
16. Financial Matters:
(a) To note the current bank balances: Noted
(b) To ratify payments for the month of February 2025 and to approve the list of upcoming payments: Ratified. Action RFO.
17. Date of Next Meeting: To agree the date of the next meeting of the Council - 14/04/26: agreed
Public forum: The possibility of using the Hub rather than the Church for coffee mornings for a local charity was discussed. The Parish Clerk noted the length of time the public forum is regularly taking, it is 100% more than what is allowed, i.e. 30mins rather than 15mins