02. 13th February 2024

The Council Office Diamond Jubilee Lodge Wood View Road Hellesdon Norwich NR6 5QB
Tel: 01603 301751 www.hellesdon-pc.gov.uk email: clerk@hellesdon-pc.gov.uk

Minutes of the Meeting of Hellesdon Parish Council
held on Tuesday 13th February 2024 at 7pm
in The Council Chamber, Diamond Jubilee Lodge

PRESENT:

     Cllr L Douglass (Chairman)                        Cllr D Britcher
     Cllr G Britton                                    Cllr I Duckett
     Cllr D Fahy                                       Cllr R. Forder
     Cllr S Gurney                                     Cllr A Lock
     Cllr S Lowthorpe (co opted at item 5)             Cllr D Maidstone
     Cllr R Sear                                       Cllr S Smith

In attendance: Mrs F LeBon (Clerk) and eight members of the public.

Welcome by the Chairman – Cllr Douglass opened the meeting at 7pm and welcomed all in
attendance.

1. Apologies and Acceptance for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Barker, Cllr Fahy, Cllr Holland and Cllr Johnson.

2. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
No declarations made or dispensations applied for.

3. Minutes from Full Council meeting held 9th January 2024
The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 9th January 2024 had been previously circulated.
It was RESOLVED TO ACCEPT these Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

4. Public Participation
A member of the public representing Hellesdon Horticultural Association advocated turning Plot
19 into a community allotment garden. It was noted that there was a previous proposal from the
Horticultural Association in a similar form, but was withdrawn after the safeguarding and
monitoring requirements were deemed too onerous. Cllr Maidstone invited the member of the
public to attend the next meeting of the Playing Fields, Allotments and Amenities committee. The
Clerk and Cllr Maidstone will arrange this meeting and advise the Horticultural Association of the
date so that they can make representation. The Horticultural Association were encouraged to
obtain further information on the safeguarding and monitoring of such a project.
A member of the public asked if the Parish Council could facilitate a signposting service for
disabled people to obtain support. An email had been sent to Cllr Gurney previously about this
which had enabled research into this. Cllr Gurney advised that Norfolk County Council has a
signposting service based at Hellesdon Library.
A member of the public queried the lack of availability of the community centre on a Sunday, as
he would like to bring a regular booking to the centre. This will be delegated to the Community
Centre committee, with the member of the public being advised of the date.

Approved…………………………………………………

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Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 13th February 2024
5. Governance
a) To Receive Nominees and Co Opt One Member to Hellesdon Parish Council
Cllr Gurney provided the meeting with a biography of Mr Shaun Lowthorpe and proposed that he
be co opted on to Hellesdon Parish Council. This was seconded by Cllr Maidstone and carried.
Mr Lowthorpe signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and took his place at the council
table.
b) To Receive Update on By-Election
The by-election for the final vacant position had been called for 7th March 2024. The Statement
of Persons nominated had been displayed in the parish and circulated to councillors.

6. Council Reports
a) To Receive Clerk’s Written Report
This had been previously circulated. The Clerk added that the installation of the defibrillator at
the parish hall had been chased. The Clerk is to find out if there has been an installation date
agreed for the library bollards.
There was a query raised about the duration of the roadworks along Middletons Lane. Cllr
Gurney advised that there had been some complications which had delayed the completion of the
works. Cllr Britcher requested that the batteries on the traffic lights were changed on a more
regular basis, especially over the weekend period.
Cllr Gurney reported that Cadent had advised that they would be doing works to the north of the
parish in the near future.
The Clerk’s report was ACCEPTED.
b) To Receive Reports from District and County Councillors
District Council reports had been circulated.
Cllr Gurney, in her capacity as county councillor reported that:
• Part of her Members Grant would be spent on the replacement of two flashing 30mph
vehicle activated signs for the Low Road. The remainder of the grant would be spent
working in collaboration with the member for the Wensum Ward at Norwich City Council
to install 30mph roundels on Low Road. A meeting is being arranged onsite for residents
to meet with the Norfolk County Council member for Highways, Infrastructure and
Transport.
• Repairs are underway on the Westgate roundabout. Patching has taken place and a
permanent repair will follow.
• An announcement is imminent about the Cromer Road bus lane. Government guidance is
awaited on bus lane usage, after which there will be a consultation about usage of the
Cromer Road bus lane.
• The yellow pedal way is now through the planning and design stage and contact is being
made with the relevant landowners.
c) Verbal Update from Chairman
There were no further updates in Cllr Johnson’s absence

Cllr Britcher advised he could not provide a report on the Western Link until the official minutes
from the last meeting were released. This will be an agenda item for the next meeting.

7. Financial Matters
a) Bank Reconciliation – January 2024
It was AGREED to accept this reconciliation.
b) Earmarked reserves summary
It was AGREED to accept this report.
c) Approval of Payments – January 2024
The payments detailed in the written report were AGREED.

Approved…………………………………………………

Date…………………………………………………….
Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 13th February 2024
 d) Receipts – January 2024
The receipts detailed in the written report were AGREED.
e) Detailed Income and Expenditure 1st April 2023 – 31st January 2024
It was AGREED to note the details in this report.
f) To Receive Report and Agree Payment on aged (June 2020) invoice to Kompan for Play
Equipment on Meadow Way and Recreation Ground
A report had been circulated about an aged invoice for £18,939.67 + VAT payable to Kompan,
which was claimed at the time of the goods provided. The Clerk and Finance Officer had checked
the details and confirmed that the invoice is valid and payable, despite its aged status. Payment
of this invoice was AGREED after a proposal from Cllr Maidstone and a second from Cllr Britton.

8. Planning Committee
a) To Note the Decisions made by the Planning Committee on 9th January 2024 and 23rd January
2024
The minutes and decisions arising from the Planning Committee meetings held on 9th and 23rd
January 2024 had been circulated. Cllr Britton reported that the Parish Council had since been
reconsulted on the planning application for the Broadland Snooker Centre, and had raised
concerns about the proposed EV charging points which would take away from the already limited
parking provision. It was AGREED to note the minutes and the decisions made.

9. Events Committee
a) To Receive Report on Through the Decades Event on 27th January 2024
A report was circulated about the profit made from this event. Cllr Douglass reported that the
event was very well received and there is a desire for more events of a similar nature. This will be
further discussed by the committee.
b) To Consider Purchase of Beacon to Commemorate D-Day 80 and Future Events
A report was circulated regarding the fabrication of a beacon by a local firm for D-Day 80. The
beacon would be designed to fit in a sleeve in the ground so could be removed when not in use.
It was AGREED to accept the quote of £808.50 + Vat and order a commemorative beacon.

10. Community Centre
a) To Receive Update report on WC Improvement Project
The drainage problems with the new WCs have been identified and will require either a
replacement of the pipework to a 100mm straight waste pipe, or change the new DDA to a
macerator system, with the latter being less disruptive to the running of the community centre on
installation. The building contractor had quoted £2,972 for the macerator system. The tender
price was £78,879, with the contract currently standing at £60,933 with only the cost of the
drainage survey to be accounted for. It was AGREED after a proposal from Cllr Forder and a
second from Cllr Smith, to proceed with the macerator system to resolve the drainage problems.
The Clerk is to ensure that there is sufficient signage in the DDA toilet to ensure that wipes or
other cosmetic items are not flushed down the toilet, which would risk damage to the macerator.
b) To Receive Update in West WC Refurbishment and Appoint Contractor, Subject to Grant
Approval
The grant application form was reviewed. The Parish Council should be advised of the grant
body’s decision in late February, early March. It was AGREED to proceed with the project after a
proposal from Cllr Gurney and a second from Cllr Sear, subject to grant approval.

11. Neighbourhood Plan
a) Receive Update on the Neighbourhood Plan
The minutes from the meeting of 15th January had been circulated. The Working Group had met
again on 12th February, focussing on further ideas for policies and progressing the community

Approved…………………………………………………

Date…………………………………………………….
Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 13th February 2024
 consultation. A survey will run from 1st to 31st March. People will be encouraged to fill in the
survey online, but hard copies will be available in the parish office, community centre and other
local establishments by agreement. It was noted that when the original Neighbourhood Plan was
being devised, collection points had been made available around the parish for people to drop off
to, but there had been no option of a digital survey at this time. A better option would be, for the
limited amount of hard copies which would be sent out, to include a stamped addressed envelope
for ease of return.
Drop in sessions will be held on Friday 22nd March and Saturday 23rd March between 10am and
4pm in the council chamber for residents to drop in and talk to councillors about the
Neighbourhood Plan and complete the survey. The Clerk will email councillors to arrange a
volunteer rota to man each drop in session.

12. Training
a) To Consider Attendees to the NPTS Essential Updates Seminar
The Clerk reported that The NPTS Essential Updates Seminar was very useful in 2023. This year
the seminar will be held on 21st March between 10am and 3pm. The cost of this is £67.50 per
delegate. The Clerk read out the list of speakers planned at the event. It was AGREED that Cllr
Gurney, Cllr Lowthorpe and the Clerk will attend.

13. To consider a resolution under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 to exclude
the press and public for the duration of the items 14 and 15 in view of the confidential nature of
the business to be transacted. This was AGREED after a proposal from Cllr Britton and a second
from Cllr Sear.

The Meeting was Closed to the Press and Public

14. Community Centre Outstanding Matters
a) To Consider Further Action to Bring Contract Works to a Close
The Clerk reported the latest position of the building contractor, as reported on companies house.
Official correspondence is awaited.

Cllr Lowthorpe and Cllr Sear Declared Interests in Agenda Item 15 and Left the Meeting

15. Land Matter
a) To Consider Meeting Date
A delegation was AGREED to meet with representatives from the land owners.

The Meeting was Re-Opened to the Press and Public

16. Matters for the Next Agenda
Update report on the Western Link
Decisions of the Playing Fields, Allotments and Amenities Committee
Decisions of the Community Centre Committee

17. Time and Venue of Next Council meeting.
Tuesday 12th March 2024, 7pm at Diamond Jubilee Lodge

The meeting closed at 8.55pm

Approved…………………………………………………

Date…………………………………………………….
Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 13th February 2024