May 2024 DRAFT Minutes Annual Parish Meeting
NORTON DISNEY ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Held on Monday 20th May 2024
Those attending were:
Parish Councillors
Vanessa Hall
Clive Moles
Pat Gibson
Tracey Whitton
Roy Husemeyer
And 5 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 started by saying that it had felt like a ‘normal’ year at last, after Covid and then a year when the Monarch changed. Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group’s Roman Dodecahedron, found on Brills Farm was the year’s highlight. Other subjects mentioned were Fosse Green Energy proposals for a large solar panel farm, severe winter flooding, potholes and, on a more cheerful note, the new village signs and gates. 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 the concern expressed locally for both the size and density of the proposed solar farms in the county as well as the substations which will cover a considerable area. Other issues mentioned were ‘Devolution’ ( proposed Mayor for the region), £30m coming to Lincolnshire following the scrapping of parts of HS2 and getting the go-ahead for North Hykeham’s relief road
3. District Councillor’s Report
Mary told the meeting that a new District Council Chairman had been appointed recently, and that the Council had remained financially ‘solid’ during the period enabling investment to be made where needed for future growth. She went on to outline the problems encountered by the area’s Internal Drainage Boards following the worst winter floods in living memory where vastly increased electricity prices coupled with increased usage of their pumps had led to costs rising astronomically leading to requests to Central Government for additional financial help urgently.
4. Church Report
The Church Warden’s report, compiled by John Rowland, presented by Cllr Husemeyer, stated that the PCC is beginning to engage in a discussion about the future of the Parish and its historic church buildings.
St Peters Church has had a major recent refurbishment making it structurally very sound. It also attracted media interest with the centenary celebration of the Disney Foundation.
Also, on 12th August 2023, the Church hosted an evening with Naomi Field, the County’s Archaeological expert followed by a supper in the Old Rectory Gardens.
5. Village Hall Report
Jenny Wright reported that there had been 178 bookings during the year, an increase of 30% on the previous one. The Village Fete will again be held in September on 7th. The ‘acoustics’ issue in the hall has been rectified. The Ladies toilet is the next item ‘on the agenda’. Overall a surplus of £632 was made in the year.
There being no questions from the public, the annual parish meeting was concluded.