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LANGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 5^th July 2021 in the Village Hall at 7.00 p.m.

Present:  
Carole Blundell (Chair)
Paul Godfrey (Vice Chair)
Patrick Allen
Barbara North
Clerk
Richard Kershaw (District Councillor)
Three parishioners

1.	Apologies for Absence
None
2.	Declarations of Interest
Ms. North said that she formerly worked for the Harper Hotel.
3.   Minutes of last meeting held on 20^th May, 2021   –   were approved by all members. It was mentioned, however, with regard to item 25, that it was believed that the laminated notices had not been placed in position by North Norfolk District Council but by a parishioner. 
4.  Outstanding actions from previous meeting:
a)	The updating of the Asset Register is to be carried out by Messrs Godfrey and Allen. Mr. Allen is 
    	to check for an existing register. 
b)           Mr. Godfrey is to check with Richard Kershaw regarding the laminated signs on the Cornfields.
c)            The playing field grounds maintenance contract will continue to be monitored.
d)	It was confirmed that charity donations would be discussed in November when the annual 
	budget is formalised.
e)	There is to be a “Party in the Park” event on Sunday, 29^th August.
f)	A meeting has been arranged for Tuesday, 13^th July to enable members to discuss the new 
	website.
g)	There are still three vacancies on the Parish Council. Information is to be delivered to 
	parishioners.
h)	It was generally felt that the material for a new notice board should be recycled plastic.
i)	The telephone box is to be repainted. Mr. Allen is to facilitate.

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5.      Finance
Income
30/4/21      North Norfolk District Council (Precept – six months)	              		 £4,813.00        
4/5/21	      HMRC (refund of VAT from 11/3/20 to 17/7/20)		     	    £388.98
2/6/21        Norfolk County Council (delegated grass cutting for 2021)             	    £274.21
2/6 to 24/6/21  Various contributions to gift for retiring NCC member	     	    £210.00

Expenditure
1/6/21        Haven Power (electricity – April)			     	                     £62.46
2/7/21        Haven Power (electricity – May)					       £64.43
5/7/21        K. & M. Lighting Services (street lighting maintenance – June)        	       £18.42
5/7/21       SCS Accounting Solutions (payroll service from Apr to June, 2021)               £12.00
2/7/21       CGM Group (grounds maintenance)				     	     £220.70
2/7/21       K. Webb (Clerk’s pay for April, May and June 2021	    	     	     £749.40
2/7/21       HMRC (tax on Clerk’s pay)					    	     £187.20
2/7/21       K. Webb (contribution to annual PC Cloud Backup)		       	       £10.00
2/7/21       D. Dann (Internal Audit)						       £40.00
2/7/21       Grove Farm Partnership (annual rent for Playing Field)		       £10.00
20/5/21     K. Webb (quarterly computer allowance – standing order)	       	       £20.00
Acceptance of expenditure approved by all.

Balances of Bank accounts:- Current - £12,238.78 credit, Business Saver- £45.78 credit
(as at 25^th June, 2021)			
				
6.    Planning applications and determinations
None

7.	Correspondence
1)	Police Community update for June, 2021
2)	NCC Streetscene Inspectors visiting week commencing 28/6/21
3)	NCC advising continuation of the Parish Partnership Scheme for 2022/23.
4)	King’s Lynn Festival brochure (18/7/21 to 31/7/21)

8.	Report from District Councillor
Covid situation.

82% of adult in Norfolk and Waveney have had first dose. 2nd out of 42 health regions.
64% of adults in Norfolk and Waveney have had second dose. 4th out 42 health regions.
Lateral flow tests are being sent to businesses. The number of wardens has been increased to ten (dealing with litter, parking and noise). Grants totalling £120m have been issued in the last 15 months.

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9.	The parking of hotel staff vehicles in North Street				 
Cars parking outside the hotel are resulting in complaints being received on a regular basis and it is understood that they belong to members of staff. Mr. Kershaw confirmed that three parishioners had sent letters to him about parking and safety issues. The matter has been referred to County Highways. Mr. Godfrey was concerned that vision splays had been compromised.  It is now apparent that the Travel Plan, which was an important part of the original planning application, was never provided. Permission was granted on 30^th January, 2014 and condition 6 stated:-
“Prior to the hotel first being opened to the public, a Travel Plan shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority in consultation with the Highway Authority”. Extreme disappointment is felt that this key requirement was not met. The stated reason for this requirement was “to ensure that the development offers a wide range of travel choices to reduce the impact of travel and transport on the environment, in accordance with Policy CT5 of the adopted North Norfolk core Strategy”.
In addition, condition 7 stated :-
“The approved Travel Plan referred to in condition number 6 shall be implemented upon the hotel first being opened to the public and shall continue to be implemented for at least five years thereafter”. The stated reason for this condition was also “to ensure that the development offers a wide range of travel choices to reduce the impact of travel and transport on the environment, in accordance with Policy CT5 of the adopted North Norfolk core Strategy”.
It appears that there has been a major failure by the District Council in ensuring compliance with these conditions. 
						
10.    	Parishioners’ Participation
The following comments were made regarding the situation with the hotel:-
a)	A large number of cars are being parked near Rippinghall Yard which seriously compromises 
	visibility when exiting. It is not possible to see whether traffic is approaching until residents have
	moved halfway across the road.
b)	North Street has a speed limit of 20 mph and it is suggested that the Speedwatch Scheme 
	should be reintroduced. The Chairman is to put details on the Facebook pages, requesting 
	volunteers to be part of a new team.
c)	It is claimed that condition 5 of the planning permission is not being complied with on a regular
	basis. This states that “no commercial delivery, in association with activities connected with the 
	use of the hotel and ancillary development hereby permitted shall be taken to or despatched 
	from vehicles parked along North Street, Langham at any time”. The stated reason is “in the
	interests of highway and pedestrian safety and to accord with Policy CT5 of the adopted North
	Norfolk Core Strategy”
d)	Members of staff are leaving the hotel premises to take a smoking break on North Street. This 
	action has litter repercussions.
													
 11.    Agenda items for next meeting   
          None
            			  
 12.	Date of next meeting :   Monday, 6^th September 2021 at 7.00 p.m. in the Village Hall 

The meeting closed at 7.52 p.m.

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