LANGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 20th May, 2025 in the Village Hall at 7.14 p.m.
                                 
Present: 
Sir Richard Gozney (Chair) 
Anne-Marie Coe (Vice Chair)
Louise Goodenough
Peter O’Hare
Ben Phelps
Matthew Reynolds  
The Clerk
Five parishioners

1.	Resignation
Patrick Allen announced his resignation as both Chairman and a member of the Parish Council. On behalf of the members, Anne-Marie Coe offered sincere appreciation for his outstanding contribution over a considerable number of years.

2.	Election of Chair
One nomination as follows:
Richard Gozney (proposed by Anne-Marie Coe and seconded by Peter O’Hare). All in favour.

3.	Election of Vice Chair
One nomination as follows:
Anne-Marie Coe (proposed by Richard Gozney and seconded by Louise Goodenough). All in favour.

4.        Apologies for Absence
None

5.       Declarations of Interest
None
6.   Minutes of the last meeting held on 4th March, 2025  –  approved by all members. Proposed by Richard Gozney and seconded by Anne-Marie Coe. 

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7.         Updated information and matters arising from the previous meeting:
a)         The situation regarding the website has progressed with the sum of £403.00 being paid to Abby Wilson, the former webmaster, in respect of fees taken by Wix from her personal account over the past three years of which the Parish Council had previously received no notification from either party. Wix has now returned registered ownership of the website from Ms. Wilson to the Parish Council so it is hoped that matters can now be returned to a firmer footing.
b)	Negotiations have continued with Drax for the continued provision of electricity for the street lights electricity. It was agreed by all to enter a contract for one year (proposed by Mr. O’Hare and seconded by Mrs. Goodenough). The monthly commitment will be in the region of £120 per month.
c) 	Our contribution of £1.6K to the aborted Parish Partnership trod project near the church has still not been returned despite numerous requests made to the County Council by the Clerk. This will be chased again.
d)	It had previously been confirmed that the agreement in respect of the new defibrillator had been signed and approved at the Parish Council meeting on 2nd July, 2024. Included was annual support at a cost of £165.00 per annum. This covers all electrode/pad replacements (adult) both time expired and post-rescue, replacement batteries, replacement rescue kits, replacement safety items, loan defibrillator if out of action for more than seven days, courier fees, software upgrades, rescue date downloading, post rescue counselling and telephone support. It was felt that this continued support was essential.					
						
8.(a)      Finance
Income
4/4/25     HMRC (VAT refund from 1/4/24 to 1/1/25)                                                £752.65
23/4/25   NNDC (Rental)						              £50.00
30/4/25   NNDC (Precept – 6 months)					        £6,721.50
6/5/25     NNDC (Recycling)							£64.06				    				     			
Expenditure
17/4/25   Anglian Water (Playing Field 2/1/25 to 1/4/25) – (direct debit)                £58.33
20/5/25   K & M Lighting Services (street lighting maintenance – April)                   £25.43
20/5/25   K & M Lighting Services (street light maintenance – May)                         £25.43
20/5/25   SCS Accounting Solutions ( quarterly payroll to 31/3/25)                           £36.00
20/5/25   K. Webb (Clerk’s pay for March)	      			            £462.48
20/5/25   HMRC (tax on Clerk’s pay)					            £109.00
20/5/25   K. Webb (Clerk’s pay for April)			                                         £462.48
20/5/25   HMRC (tax on Clerk’s pay)					            £109.00
20/5/25   SW Horticulture (second mow of recreation ground)		            £110.00
20/5/25   SW Horticulture (third mow of recreation ground and dethatching)     £360.00
20/5/25   Community Heartbeat (annual support)			            £228.00
20/5/25   Clear Councils (annual insurance)				            £481.53
20/5/25   Mrs. D. Dann (Annual Internal Audit)				              £40.00
20/5/25   SW Horticulture (fourth mow of recreation ground)		            £110.00

Acceptance of expenditure approved by all members.
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Balances of Bank accounts:- Current - £7,870.86 credit, Business Saver- £6,060.62 credit  (as at 9th May, 2025)
Patrick Allen is to be removed from the mandate, with Richard Gozney and Peter O’Hare being added. Arrangements will also be made for them to have PINsentry cards to enable them to have involvement with Online Banking, together with Anne-Marie Coe and Louise Goodenough. 

8. (b)	AGAR (Annual Governance and Accountability Return)
The Clerk presented the Income and Expenditure Accounts for the year ended 31st March, 2025. These showed income of £12,155.91 (£20,308.77), expenditure of £24,558.38 (£13,785.41) and Bank balances of £6,358.07 (£18,760.54). These will be placed on the website together with the Certificate of Exemption (form 2), Annual Internal Audit Report (plus observations and responses), Annual Governance Statement, Accounting Statements, Bank Reconciliation Report, Explanation of Variances Report and the Notice of Public Rights. Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the financial year. 
The accounts and associated documentation were proposed for acceptance by Richard Gozney and seconded by Matthew Reynolds. All in favour.
As neither income or expenditure exceeded £25K, Certificate of Exemption (form 2) will be forwarded to the External Auditors.

9.         Langham Village Recreation Ground update
Louise Goodenough reported that by 31/3/25, the group had raised a total of £7,569.91, holding six events in 2024/2025 which were tuck shop, pamper evening, children’s toy tombola, Christmas market, Christmas bingo and live music in the village hall.

Grove Farm have very kindly donated an 8-seater picnic bench which sits perfectly where the old tractor climbing frame was and sincere thanks were expressed to the Phelps family for this extremely generous gesture. An online just giving campaign has been started to raise money to purchase a second bench. It is planned to reapply for a lottery grant to install the walking/cycling/scootering path.

Numerous playground equipment suppliers have been approached for quotes to help preparations for a grant application to Hornsea 3 windfarm. It is hoped to reach £8,000 by the time the application is ready but with the last two events not gaining the support that had been hoped, this may not be possible.

Fundraising income for the year ended 31/3/25 amounted to £7,783.65 (£3,279.00) with expenses of £562.32 (£866.96). Total assets held, represented by funds with Barclays Bank and cash in hand, were £7,569.91 (£348.58).

Full details of the accounting information can be viewed on the website.

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10.	 Neighbourhood Plan/Design Statement
Local Plan meetings were held in April. There are potentially eleven new Small Growth Villages with Langham included and Neatishead having recently been added to the original ten. A request was made for the Settlement Boundary to be changed but there was an impression given that the Inspector was not in favour of this. A letter was produced by the Inspector, who wants to get the Local Plan adopted as soon as possible, with some 60 modifications to the Plan. 
Useful information had been provided by Iain Withington, Acting Planning Policy Manager at North Norfolk District Council. It was agreed by all to discuss the matter further at the next Parish Council meeting in July. 		
										
11.       Planning applications and determinations.
Applications
a)	Internal works associated with installation of a stairlift – Langham House, 30 Holt Road, Langham – LA/25/0809.

Determinations
a)	Internal works associated with installation of a stairlift – Langham House, 30 Holt Road, Langham – LA/25/0809 – approved.

12.	Correspondence		
1)	Confirmation from the RoSPA Play Safety Team that the play area inspection has been scheduled to take place in June,
2)	Note from Barclays Bank advising of changes to terms and conditions due to regulatory updates.
3)	Request from Chelsea Collinson, Nutrient Mitigation Fund Scheme Administrator, for help to promote the Nutrient Neutrality Fund.
4)	North Norfolk District Council’s public consultation regarding dog control orders which expire on 11th June, 2025.
5)	Letter from local charity Age UK Norfolk requesting a donation – declined.
6)	Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan (NM&WLP) – Publication of Inspector’s Report
7)	Update on the Save Benjamin Court campaign.
8)	Information and update from Cllr Kay Mason Billig, Leader of Norfolk County Council, on devolution and local government reorganisation. 

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13.       Reports from County Councillor, District Councillor and Member of Parliament
Mr. Dalby, Mrs. Butikofer and Mr. Aquarone had all submitted reports and these will be placed on the website for residents to read.

14.	Public Participation
A number matters were raised :-
a)	A beech tree is pushing a wall out on the Field Dalling Road (opposite to where the proposed trod was going to be). The plan is to leave the tree and to move the wall around it.
b)	The footpath in St. Mary’s is becoming narrow as brambles grow. The position is to be monitored.
c)	The village Facebook page could be used to put on things such as agendas and minutes.

15.	Any other matters (for information)
None

16.        Agenda items for next meeting   
Neighbourhood Plan/Design Statement.
		  
 17.	Date of next meeting :   Tuesday, 8th July 2025 at 7.00 p.m. in the Village Hall.

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

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Date								Chairman

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