LANGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 2nd July, 2024 in the Village Hall at 7.00 p.m.
                                 
Present:  
Anne-Marie Coe (Acting Chair)
Louise Goodenough
Sir Richard Gozney 
Peter O’Hare 
The Clerk

1.        Apologies for Absence
Patrick Allen, Ben Phelps, Michael Dalby (County Councillor) and Sarah Butikofer (District Councillor).
James Priest had resigned since the last meeting.

2.       Declarations of Interest
None

3.   Minutes of the last meetings (Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and Annual Parish Meeting) held on 14th May, 2024   –   were approved by all members (proposed by Richard Gozney and seconded by Louise Goodenough)

4.         Updated information and matters arising from the previous meeting:
a)         Peter O’Hare said that he had agreed to take over the responsibility of moving the SAM camera around the village and not to maintain and assume responsibility for the functioning of the camera. Reassurance was given that his understanding of the situation was correct and should there be a problem at any time with the camera, the other members of the Parish Council should be advised. There is no expectation on anyone to maintain the equipment and ensure the functionality. This requirement would be passed to specialist contractors.			

b)        The defibrillator has been successfully installed. 

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5.      Finance
Income
31/5/24   Norfolk County Council (delegated grass cutting – 2023)		       £340.49
3/6/24     Bank interest (4/3/24 to 3/6/24)					         £44.63
				     			
Expenditure
2/7/24     K & M Lighting Services (street lighting maintenance – June)              	         £21.36
2/7/24     Norfolk Parish Training & Support (Induction for Councillors)	                        £52.00
2/7/24     Mrs. D. Dann (Internal Audit and completion of AGAR)		                        £40.00
2/7/24     Community Heartbeat Trust (defibrillator and equipment)	                   £2,952.00
2/7/24     S W Horticulture (mowing)				   		        £100.00
2/7/24     S W Horticulture (first dethatching)       		       		        £200.00
2/7/24     S W Horticulture (mowing)       		       			                      £100.00
2/7/24     K. Webb (Clerk’s pay for April, May and June)	                                                £1,211.38
2/7/24     HMRC (tax on Clerk’s pay)	      				                      £302.60
2/7/24     S W Horticulture (general gardening duties)			                        £80.00
27/7/24   S W Horticulture (mowing and dethatching)			                      £300.00
27/2/24   K & M Lighting Services (street light maintenance – July)                                    £21.36
20/5/24   K. Webb (quarterly computer allowance)				         £20.00															
Acceptance of expenditure approved by all members. (Proposed by Richard Gozney and seconded by Louise Goodenough)

Balances of Bank accounts (as at 27/6/24 – Current - £4,394.15, Business Saver - £11,979.60)

It was agreed to pay the Clerk on a monthly basis (in accordance with the terms of the original contract of employment) with effect from 1st October, 2024. Proposed by Richard Gozney and seconded by Peter O’Hare. All in favour.

Peter O’Hare mentioned that Unity Trust Bank currently pays interest at the rate of 2.77% to account holders and may be a suitable replacement for Barclays Bank, the Parish Council’s current service provider. The Clerk will research the options and services available (please refer to item 8).

The possibility of utilising solar power for the streetlights in the longer term, as mentioned in previous meetings, is to be considered. 

6.	      Specific duties of individual members
Members are to give consideration to their personal preference regarding involvement in and responsibility for Parish Council areas of operation so that a discussion can be held at the next meeting.
7.         Langham Village Recreation Ground update
The Committee is to reapply for a grant from the lottery fund. More information was requested by them. Fund raising events will be held in the near future – a coffee morning and a pampering evening.	

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8.         Mandate update and Internet Banking
The Bank requirements regarding the new mandate have been completed. The alternatives regarding the utilisation of Internet Banking will be considered (please refer to item 5) 

9.       Planning applications and determinations.
Applications
a)	Change of use of an agricultural building to a flexible commercial use – storage and distribution (land south of Cockthporpe Road, Langham) – PU/24/1145
b)	Extension and external alterations to dwelling including insertion of rooflights, replacement roof to single storey section. Alterations to some windows and doors; alterations to detached outbuilding including insertion of rooflights and canopy to front; swimming pool – Old Haybarn, Holt Road, Langham – PF/24/1259 – no comments.
c)	Detached single bay carport to front of dwelling – Chalkstone Lodge, Holt Road, Langham – PF/24/1341 – no comments.

Determinations
a)	Change of use of an agricultural building to a flexible commercial use – storage and distribution (land south of Cockthporpe Road, Langham) – PU/24/1145 – refusal of prior notification/approval

10.	Correspondence		
1)	Confirmation from the Information Commissioner’s Office of the annual renewal of the Data Protection registration.
2)	Confirmation from Clear Councils of the renewal of the Parish Council’s annual insurance policy.
3)	Update on pay review which should have been effective from 1/4/24.
4)	Confirmation from Barclays Bank of a successful Mandate Change Request.
5)	NCC Highways Grit Bin Audit.

 11.       Report from County Councillor
 New Business Board seeks members to boost Norfolk’s economy
A call has gone out for experienced and influential members of the local business community to join the Norfolk Business Board. 
The new board is looking for candidates who are interested in enhancing skills in the county and boosting the local economy. 

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The new board has been created following the integration of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) into Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council. 
The board will meet 4-6 times a year and work closely with partners such as district councils, neighbouring counties and national economic and trade bodies.
Norfolk Business Board representatives will: 
•	Be responsible for shaping the economic growth agenda for the county
•	Use their expertise to shape and influence strategic thinking, policy, and funding decisions for the county
•	Be a voice for industry to advocate across sectors, geographies, and business types. This will be at a local and, when required, national level. 
•	Help us to create an environment where local business can flourish and grow the economy
For an informal discussion email c.starkie@norfolk.gov.uk 
To apply, send your CV to norfolkbusinessboard@norfolk.gov.uk by 5pm on 30 June.
Further information about the role is available. Visit the Norfolk Business Board representative recruitment page.

Long-term Dental Plan
The ICB’s Primary Care Commissioning Committee on the 7th May 2024 approved the Long-Term Dental Plan. See below the link to the presentation to the Dental Plan.
PowerPoint Presentation (improvinglivesnw.org.uk)
CLLR Michael Dalby
Michael.dalby.cllr@Norfolk.gov.uk
07306886552

12.	Public Participation
None – no parishioners present.

13.	Any other matters (for information)
The webmaster is experiencing problems with Open Reach but these are in the process of being rectified. Ben Phelps is to replace James Priest as the Parish Council’s website co-ordinator. It was agreed to follow the advice for each member to have a bespoke e-mail address linked to the Parish Council’s address, langhampc@outlook.com. 

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14.        Agenda items for next meeting   
i)	 Specific duties of individual members (carried forward from the last meeting)  
ii)	 Banking arrangements
iii)           Streetlights update
iv)           Website

 15.	Date of next meetings :   Tuesday, 3rd September 2024 at 7.00 p.m. in the Village Hall 

             

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.03 p.m.					

					
											
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