LANGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 4th March, 2025 in the Village Hall at 7.00 p.m.
                                 
Present: 
Patrick Allen (Chair) 
Anne-Marie Coe 
Louise Goodenough
Sir Richard Gozney
Peter O’Hare
Ben Phelps
Matthew Reynolds  
The Clerk
Michael Dalby (County Councillor)
Sarah Butikofer (District Councillor)
Four parishioners

1.        Apologies for Absence
None

2.       Declarations of Interest
The Chairman stated that he would not be involved with any discussions regarding the Local Plan and, if necessary, for this part of the meeting the Vice Chair, (Anne-Marie Coe), would assume the Chairmanship.
3.   Minutes of the last meeting held on 7th January, 2025  –  approved by all members. Proposed by Peter O’Hare and seconded by Ben Phelps. 

4.         Updated information and matters arising from the previous meeting:
a)         Anne-Marie Coe confirmed that a response to the consultation to the Local Plan had been submitted on behalf of the village. Unitary and devolution matters dominate the current climate. Further discussions are to be held at the next meeting. In the meantime, Sarah Butikofer will continue to forward details.

				
					1/8

					
						
5.      Finance
Income
3/3/25     Bank interest (2/12/24 to 1/3/25)					         £21.36				    				     			
Expenditure
17/1/25   Anglian Water (Playing Field 2/10/24 to 1/1/25) – (direct debit)                      £51.53
20/2/25   K. Webb (Clerk’s quarterly computer allowance) – (standing order)                £20.00
4/3/25     K & M Lighting Services (street lighting maintenance – February)                     £25.43
4/3/25     K & M Lighting Services (street light maintenance – March)                               £25.43
4/3/25     SCS Accounting Solutions( quarterly payroll to 31/12/24)                                   £12.00
4/3/25     K. Webb (Clerk’s pay for January + back pay from 1/4/24)	                     £756.26
4/3/25     HMRC (tax on Clerk’s pay)					                     £182.60
4/3/25     K. Webb (Clerk’s pay for February)			                                   £462.28
4/3/25     HMRC (tax on Clerk’s pay)					                     £109.20
4/3/25     Norfolk Parish Training & Support (annual subscription 2025/26)                  £134.43
4/3/25     K. Webb (Clerk’s annual expenses)				                       £96.50
4/3/35     Langham Parish Room (seven meetings)				       £210.00
4/3/25     SW Horticulture (first mow of recreation ground)			       £110.00

Acceptance of expenditure approved by all members.
Balances of Bank accounts:- Current - £2,841.76 credit, Business Saver- £6,060.62 credit  (as at 3rd March, 2025)
The annual fee in respect of the Data Protection renewal, (currently £52.00), is due on 15/4/25. It was agreed by all to pay this by direct debit now and in future years, thus obtaining an annual reduction of £5.00.

6.         Langham Village Recreation Ground update
Louise Goodenough reported that, unfortunately, the music night on 15th February received no support at all. An Easter Egg hunt is to be held. Grant applications are to be made (Lottery and Wind Farm). The Paper Bank has been emptied but no credits have yet been received. Some replacement trees are needed.

						2/8					 
7.	 Pavements, trods and trees
The proposed Parish Partnership scheme for a trod of about 60 metres on the “blind corner” on Field Dalling Road had been agreed in the early months of 2024 but had controversially been cancelled a few days before the work was due to commence with all arrangements, including road closure, in place. The scheme was regarded as a vital part of improved and future road safety for the village. The reasons for the project being cancelled were that the County Council failed to consult North Norfolk District Council who decided that it would damage trees and give an appearance that was “too urban”. There are two additional and unsatisfactory things to add to this sad farrago. Firstly, the whole episode has been blamed on a trainee, presumably working without appropriate supervision, and secondly, the Parish Council contribution of £1.6K to the scheme forwarded to the District Council in May, 2024 has still not been returned, despite a number of requests.				

8.       Electricity contract for the street lights
Negotiations continue with Drax for a new contract to continue a supply of electricity for the village street lights. It appears that the monthly cost will probably be slightly in excess of £100 plus VAT. It should be recalled that exhaustive attempts to find an alternative supplier have been unsuccessful with no energy companies having a willingness to take on business of this kind. The last payment made to Drax was in September, 2024. Louise Goodenough repeated the previous suggestion that the use of solar panels may prove to be a possible long-term alternative as a means of powering the lights.

9	 Website
Abby Wilson, a previous webmaster of the Parish Council site, gave up her involvement with the website some four years ago. She recently advised the Parish Council that she had incurred costs of £388.65 in the time since. Copy invoices have been provided. The website is operated by Wix who have a Head Office in Israel. It has been established that the original annual charge was £14.35. In addition, in January, 2022, Ms. Wilson was debited with the sum of £86.40 covering the period from 4/1/22 to 4/1/25. In January, an increased charge of £259.20, covering the period from 4/1/25 to 4/1/28 was also made. We have received no prior notification of these charges and it would appear that Ms. Wilson has only recently become aware of them herself. Wix insists that correspondence has been sent to her advising full details but no response was forthcoming. Wix also are not prepared to engage with the Parish Council as Ms. Wilson is regarded by them as the “registered owner” and only instructions from her will be accepted. We will continue to liaise with Wix and Ms. Wilson in an attempt to bring this unsatisfactory situation to a conclusion for the benefit of all parties.

10.       Confirmation of the final
 Budget and Parish Precept 2025/2026
The increased tax base of 214.50 has been further uplifted to 244.10 as a result of the Second Homes Premium being agreed by initially the County Council and then, at an extraordinary meeting, the District Council. It was confirmed by all members to retain the new Band D contribution of £55.07 per annum, an increase of 3%, representing an additional household contribution of 3p per week. This now gives rise to a Parish Precept of £13,443 with predicted income of £14,293 and expenditure of £14,595. All in favour of the new arrangement.

						3/8

11.       Parking of cars in the Cornfield
The Chairman reported that there had been several expressions of concern regarding a large number of cars parked in the Cornfield. These are owned by just one resident who was present at the meeting. He claims to currently have eight vehicles, all of which are parked outside his house. He explained that he has a condition which requires him to buy lots of cars. He is hopeful that the number of vehicles will decrease in the next few weeks.    
										
12.       Planning applications and determinations.
Applications
	None
Determinations
a)	Erection of single storey rear extension following removal of conservatory, alterations to front dormers, raising part of roof to rear and installation of rooflights on the south side – Rowan Cottage, Hollow Lane, Langham – PF/24/2430 and LA/24/2251 – approved.

13.	Correspondence		
1)	Police Priority Setting Meeting at Wells on 15/4/25
2)	Note from Barclays Bank advising of reduction in rate of interest on savings account from 1.35% to 1.25%.
3)	North Norfolk District Council notification of hearing sessions in April regarding the Local Plan.
4)	Training on “Planning related” topics from NNDC.
5)	Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation presentation.
6)	Details of nutrient reduction projects in Norfolk. 

14.       Reports from County Councillor
London Landmark Half Marathan
On April 6th, I’ll be lacing up my running shoes to make a difference. This cause is close to my heart, and your support means the world to me. Together, we can create change – every donation brings us one step closer to our goal. Please consider contributing and joining me on this meaningful journey.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michaeldalby2024?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL 
Thank you for all your continues support!

					4/8
Norfolk County Council delivers a balanced budget
Norfolk County Council has agreed a balanced budget for the fiscal year 2025/2026, despite facing significant financial pressures, due to inflations, increased demand on Adult and Children services.
Key facts and figures from NCC Budget:
•	Gross budget: Norfolk County Council has a gross expenditure budget of £2.2 billion (£1.7 billion excluding schools)
•	 We spend over £700 million in Adult Social Care, £367m in Children's Services (non-schools), £283m in Infrastructure, £44m in Communities and Environment and £46m in Fire. 
•	Net Budget: The Council has a net budget for 2025-26 of £572m. This is the amount we raise in Council Tax to fund the services we provide. 
•	Budget growth: The 2025-26 budget provides growth of £121m, including  
•	£31m of inflationary pressures 
•	£35m Legislative pressures (including increase in National Living Wage) and the cost of increased Employers National Insurance 
•	£15m demand and demographic pressures 
•	Budget growth of over £25m to fund recurrent 2024-25 overspends in Adult and Children's Services. 
•	Funding and savings: At the same time as £121m cost pressures, funding has only increased by £32m. Government has abolished Rural Services Delivery Grant and diverted funding from rural areas to metropolitan areas. To balance the position, the 2025-26 budget includes savings of £45m. 
•	Council tax: For 2025-26, an increase of 4.99%, including an increase of 3% for general council tax, and 2% for the Adult Social Care precept.  
•	A Band D household will pay £1,755.63 per year, or approximately £34 a week, for County Council services in 2025-26.   
Norfolk County Council 2025-26 council tax bands: 
•	A - £1,170.42 
•	B - £1,365.49 
•	C - £1,560.56 

5/8

•	D - £1,755.63 
•	E - £2,145.77 
•	F - £2,535.91 
•	G - £2,926.05 
•	H - £3,511.26 
Household hazardous waste days
Following the NCC setting the budget for the year ahead which includes money to hold an extra series of household hazardous waste events this year.
The event will take place at seven recycling centres this spring and are in addition to the usual events which take place in the autumn.
Customers must use the recycling centre booking system to attend the free of charge events which will be held throughout April and May 2025. Booking are expected open a week before each event.
The spring hazardous waste events will be held on:
•	4 and 5 April at King's Lynn
•	11 and 12 April at Dereham
•	25 and 26 April at Thetford
•	2 and 3 May at Norwich North
•	9 and 10 May at Hempton
•	16 and 17 May at Caister
•	23 and 24 May at Norwich South
What is hazardous waste?
Waste is hazardous if it can cause harm to humans or the environment and includes any waste that needs specialist disposal.
We don't normally take these items at our recycling centres.
A list of what can be disposed of at the hazardous waste days can be found here: www.norfolk.gov.uk/hazardouswaste

					6/8
Norfolk Highway set for major investment in the year ahead
A series of investments and improvements to Norfolk's highways infrastructure will be reviewed by the Norfolk County Council's Cabinet next month.
Papers released today outline how 97 parishes, from Antingham, to Worstead, will benefit from schemes which will be delivered thanks to the councils Parish Partnership scheme.
The 2025/26 programme will deliver what communities have told us they need, this includes trods, village gateways, bus shelters and vehicle activated signs.
The programme is funded by Norfolk County Council matching contributions made by Town and Parish Councils. This year Norfolk County Council plans to contribute £425,476 which means a programme of local works totalling £848,702 will be delivered.
Cabinet will also review the highways capital programme which highlights some of the successes from the last year and outlines how and where highways maintenance funding is going to be spent over the next 12 months. This includes an extra £15 million this year received from DfT.
This additional money will see an extra 100 miles of roads in Norfolk getting a new surface this year, and benefitting from our proactive highway maintenance approach which is proven to help prevent potholes forming. There will also be extra resources for local repairs and patching works across the county.
New apprenticeship starts in Norfolk increase by a staggering 11%
New apprenticeship starts with Norfolk businesses and organisations soared by 11% in the first three months of the academic year 2024/25 - against a national increase of less than 1.5%.
The growth between 1 August to 31 October 2024 compared with the same period in 2023/24 equates to 2,025 new starts in the county. That is 199 more than the previous year and the highest volume in the same period for more than five years. 
Apprenticeships Norfolk says starts have grown across the 16-18, 19-24 and 25+ age groups - by 7.4%, 9.6% and 14.6% respectively. These are fantastic results for younger apprentices because it's also the strongest set of Q1 starts for those aged 16-18 for over five years.
Department for Education (DfE) stats also show local businesses have been recruiting, with the number of 'newly recruited' apprentices (up to 3 months in employment at the start of their apprenticeship) rising by 10.4% compared to the previous year, and in real numbers this accounts for 94 more starts.
Analysis of the size of employers shows non-levy funded apprenticeships (i.e. those started by small to medium sized businesses) grew by 10.3% (69 more apprentice starts) compared with the same period in 2023/24. Larger businesses have also been starting more apprenticeships, with 11.2% growth or 130 more apprentices.
						7/8

CLLR Michael Dalby
Michael.dalby.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk
07306886552

Cllr Sarah Butikofer (North Norfolk District Council) has also submitted reports. These can be viewed on the Parish Council website.

15.	Public Participation
A number of concerns were raised – a dangerous kerb, a deep hole, the stream blocked and the manhole cover outside the public house is cracked and in danger of breaking. The Chairman will bring these matters to the attention of Chris Purvis, Highways Department.

16.	Any other matters (for information)
None

17.        Agenda items for next meeting   
None
		  
 18.	Date of next meeting :   Tuesday, 20th May 2025 at 7.00 p.m. in the Village Hall – Annual Parish Meeting to be followed by the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.					

					8/8