May 2023 Minutes APM & APCM
NORTON DISNEY
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING & COUNCIL MEETING
Held on Tuesday 16th May 2023
Those attending were:
Parish Councillors
Vanessa Hall
Clive Moles
Pat Gibson
Tracey Whitton
Roy Husemeyer
And 2 members of the public
The Parish Clerk
M Salmon
County Councillor
Marianne Overton
District Councillor
Mary Green
1. Vanessa Hall – Parish Council Chair
In her annual report, among many matters covered, Vanessa mentioned the functions held in the Village Hall to commemorate last year’s Platinum Jubilee and this year’s Coronation of King Charles, Norton Disney History & Archaeology Group’s autumn excavation works and site visit, the equestrian events held on the Weller’s farm, the ‘Lost Village’ very welcome contribution of £1500 towards new village signs, planning applications and the recent local elections. She ended by saying it was a privilege to be the Parish Council ‘Chairman’.
2. County Councillor’s Report
Marianne’s report ranged over many issues including Highways, County Council planning application’s rules changes – to show environmental consideration – solar panels and wind turbines and their likely visual impact if future applications are granted for large areas of the County, RAF Scampton / asylum seekers, the pressure on the NHS and the ‘disappearance’ of the PSCO’s.
3. District Councillor’s Report
Mary told the meeting that the Parish was now part of a ‘single person ward’ following a boundary reorganization prior to the District Council elections early in the month. She commented on the ability of NKDC to balance their budget in 2022/23 and stated that they were financially ‘solid’. Projects mentioned were the South Moor Investment Park in Sleaford where £53m had been invested and in Potterhanworth, 8 ‘passive’ houses had been built with a ’nil’ carbon footprint.
4. Church Report
The Church Warden’s report, compiled by John Rowland, presented by Cllr Husemeyer, stated that the Diocese is in financial difficulty. For many years, its revenue costs have been supported by using fixed assets which is not sustainable. Thus, the impact of the reorganization mentioned in last year’s minutes will mean fewer clergy ( the Rector will not be replaced in the Withamside group of parishes ) and parishes are going to have to work together to share resources.
However, there is still a strong worship pattern thanks to Rev’d Jeff Parr & Canon Robert Wright and a lay Pastoral Support Contact Team is being created for the area.
5. Village Hall Report
Jenny Wright reported that there had been 135 bookings during the year, a welcome increase on the previous one. The Village Fete will again be held in September. The issue of ‘acoustics’ in the hall is hopefully being addressed in the coming year.
There being no questions from the public, this meeting was followed by the Parish Council meeting where the first item on the agenda was to elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Election of Chairman & Vice Chairman
Proposed by Cllr C Moles and seconded by Cllr T Whitton, Cllr Vanessa Hall was elected as Chairman. Cllr V Hall proposed Cllr C Moles as Vice Chairman and this was seconded by Cllr R Husemeyer. Cllr C Moles was duly elected.
Minutes of the previous meeting.
The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 20th March were accepted and signed as a true and accurate record.
Village Signs
Having considered the quotes received, the designs and their costs on offer were narrowed down, so that at the next meeting a decision can be made.
Planning Applications/ Decisions in the period 20/05/23– 15/05/23
Applications awaiting a decision:
23/0277/VARCON and 23/0278/VARCON – both submitted by Cole & Cole.
Annual Accounts and financial matters
Were presented to the meeting, signed off and forwarded to the Auditor for Smaller Authorities.
Reference the 2023/24 financial year, the precept of £3500 was received on 3rd April and £222.43 paid out. Thus, the balance on the Community account as at 28th April was £5081.06.
Councillors comments.
Cllr Moles updated the meeting on the Norton Disney History & Archaeology Group’s forthcoming excavation works on Brills Farm commencing on 7th June, which will last for 2 weeks. There has been media interest in the Group’s work and findings and ‘Timeteam’ have made a visit.
Regarding the Bomber County Gateway Trust, Cllr Moles reported that money was coming in online and that steady progress was being made.
Date of next meeting
Monday 17th July @ 19.00 was confirmed.
The meeting closed at 20.30 hours