04. 11.03.2025

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 11th March 2025 at 7pm
in The Council Chamber, Diamond Jubilee Lodge

PRESENT:

     Cllr D. Britcher                                   Cllr N. Barker
     Cllr G. Britton                                    Cllr R. Forder
     Cllr S. Gurney                                     Cllr M. Hicks
     Cllr A. Lock (from 7.05)                           Cllr S. Holland
     Cllr D. Maidstone                                  Cllr M. Maidstone
     Cllr S. Smith

In attendance: Mrs F LeBon (Clerk) and one member of the public.

Having received apologies from the Chair and Vice Chair, it was AGREED after a proposal from Cllr
Britton and a second from Cllr Hicks that Cllr D. Maidstone should chair the meeting.

Welcome by the Chairman – Cllr D. Maidstone welcomed all in attendance.

1. Apologies and Acceptance for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllr L. Douglass, Cllr I. Duckett, Cllr D. Fahy, Cllr B Johnson and Cllr R
Sear.

2. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
None declared.

3. To Agree Minutes as a True and Accurate Record of the Full Council Meeting held on 11th
February 2025
The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 11th February 2025 had been previously circulated.
It was RESOLVED TO ACCEPT these Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

4. Public Participation
a) To Receive Questions from the Public
A member of the public raised that the Community Hearts event was very enjoyable. Thanks
were given to Cllr Smith for her work on this project.

5. Council Reports
a) To Receive Clerk’s Written Report
This report had been previously circulated.
The Clerk updated the meeting that the flooring work in the community centre had been
instructed but will cause disruption to the community centre and the café. The work has been
programmed in for 8th – 11th April. There will also be a safeguarding collaboration seminar with
the Family Hub on 6th May.
The report was ACCEPTED.

Approved…………………………………………………

Date…………………………………………………….
Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 11th March 2025
 b) To Receive Reports from District and County Councillors
A report from Broadland District Council had been published in the agenda pack.
In her role as County Councillor, Cllr Gurney reported that the Parish Council had been successful
in obtaining parish partnership funding for the bus shelter seating and the parish gateway, but the
officers had yet to send out the letters.
c) To Receive Report from Airport Consultive Committee
Cllr Gurney reported that that airport numbers had increased, partly due to new flights from Ryan
Air, although the number had still to reach pre-covid levels. The group had recently been invited
to view the new electric plane at Saxon Air.
d) Verbal Update from Chairman
No update.

6. Financial Matters
a) Bank Reconciliation – 28th February 2025
The bank reconciliation for 28th February 2025 was ACCEPTED.
b) Earmarked reserves summary – February 2025
The earmarked reserves summary for February 2025 was ACCEPTED.
c) Approval of Payments – February 2025
The payments for February 2025 were AGREED.
d) Receipts – February 2025
The receipts for February 2025 were AGREED.
e) Detailed Income and Expenditure 1st April 2024 – 28th February 2025
The detailed income and expenditure was ACCEPTED.
f) To Agree Treasury Management Policy
A draft policy had been circulated. This was ACCEPTED after a proposal from Cllr Gurney and a
second from Cllr Britton. Two abstentions were noted.
g) To Receive Report on Parish Council Investments
It was AGREED that further work was required on this, to tie up with the Parish Council’s
earmarked reserves and future plans. The options for investment are to be referred to PP&R to
establish whether investments can be linked to the earmarked reserves, and brought back to Full
Council for agreement. An updated forward plan is to be generated by input from the full council.
h) To Receive Internal Auditor’s Report and Action Recommendations
The internal auditor had provided 2 recommendations:
1) That aged minutes which were missing from the Parish Council’s website be added. This had
already been corrected prior to the meeting.
2) That the Parish Council formally agrees that the Deputy Clerk be added to the Parish Council’s
bank mandate. Cllr D. Maidstone proposed that the Deputy Clerk be added to the Parish
Council’s Bank mandate. In addition to this, the Deputy Clerk should be appointed as
temporary RFO when the Clerk leaves until such time as to when a new Clerk is appointed.
This was seconded by Cllr Gurney and CARRIED.

7. Planning Committee
a) To Note the Decisions made by the Planning Committee on 11th and 25th February 2025
The minutes and decisions arising from the Planning Committee meeting held on 11th and 25th
February 2025 had been circulated. It was AGREED to note the minutes and the decisions made.

8. To Receive Feedback on Meeting with the Director of Place at South Norfolk and Broadland
Councils about the Persimmon Applications.
Broadland Council had provided a summary of the questions that will assist the Parish Council in
coming to a conclusion about what it wishes to achieve from the Persimmon development.

Approved…………………………………………………

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Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 11th March 2025
 Cllr Britton raised concerns about the access to the proposed playing field, with nowhere for
spectators to mingle.
It was AGREED to form a working group from all areas of the Parish Council, drawn from PP&R
and other interested parties. This will be referred to PP&R to arrange this.

9. Playing Fields
a) To Note Decisions Made by the Playing Fields, Allotments and Amenities Committee
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 25th February 2025 had been previously circulated. Cllr
D. Maidstone provided the meeting with a precis of the decisions made.
It was AGREED to note the minutes and the decisions made.

10. To Consider Sale of Baby Grand Piano in Community Centre
Cllr Forder reported that the baby grand piano is unused, takes up space, is costly to tune and
repair, and is regularly damaged by events.
Despite it’s cost of £5,299 (inclusive of VAT), a recent valuation has been obtained for only £500
due to its damage and lack of popularity.
Cllr Gurney advised that, despite its purchase price, it was worth approximately £9,000 at the
time of purchase.
It was AGREED to defer this matter for six months whilst more pressing issues are addressed, and
to obtain at least one further valuation.

11. To consider a resolution under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 to exclude
the press and public for the duration of items 12 and 14 in view of the confidential nature of the
business to be transacted
This was AGREED.

The Meeting was Closed to the Press and Public

12. Contracts
a) To Consider Prices for Food Waste Collection
A report was provided on the Parish Council’s obligations under the new recycling regulations
coming into effect on 31st March 2025. Three quotes were provided for food waste contractors,
and it was AGREED to proceed with Veolia at a cost of £472.95 per annum.
b) To Consider Extra General Waste Collection
A report was provided to members advising that due to the busy nature of the community centre
and parks, extra waste collection was required from the community centre. It was AGREED for a
second general waste bin from Biffa to be sited at the community centre at a cost of £683.07 per
annum.
c) To Consider Prices for Insurance Renewal
The Parish Council’s insurance expires on 31st March. To date only one company has provided a
quote. It was AGREED that additional quotes should continue to be sought, and the Parish
Council’s current insurer should be contacted to ensure that this is the best quote they can
provide. The best value quote for comparable cover should be taken up prior to the expiry of the
current policy. Cllr’s Johnson, Douglass and Britcher will check the quotes and all councillors will
be advised by email.

13. Staffing
a) To Note Decisions Made by the Staffing Committee on 27th February 2025
Cllr Gurney advised that the draft minutes which had been circulated in the pack had since been
superseded. Updated copies of the draft minutes were provided to the meeting.

Approved…………………………………………………

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Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 11th March 2025
 The Clerk updated the meeting on the issues encountered with the interviews for the admin role.
It was AGREED after a proposal from Cllr Britcher and a second from Cllr Hicks that the Clerk be
permitted to approach an agency to fill the role on a temporary basis at the earliest opportunity.
This would allow the Parish Council time to consider its options for the role on a permanent basis.
b) To Agree Additional Persons for the Clerk Interview Panel (2no) and Substitute (1no)
It was noted that the interview date is proposed as 14th April 2025. It was AGREED that these
additional panel members should be Cllr Hicks and Cllr Duckett (if available) with Cllr Holland in
reserve.
c) To Consider Working Group for Community Café Staffing
The Staffing Committee had agreed that a working group was required to review the staffing and
volunteer arrangements of the community café. It was AGREED that the working group should be
Cllrs Smith, Douglass, Forder and Gurney. This group will report back to full council.

14. Councillor Behaviour and Discipline
a) To Remind Members of the Civility and Respect Pledge and Dignity at Work Policy
A discussion occurred about the political nature of the Parish Council.
It was AGREED to note the Civility and Respect Pledge and the Dignity at Work Policy.

The Meeting was Reopened to the Press and Public

15. Matters for the Next Agenda
To consider changing format of minutes going forwards to add first names of councillors.

16. Time and Venue of Next Council meeting.
Tuesday 8th April 2025, 7pm at Diamond Jubilee Lodge

The meeting closed at 8.55pm

Approved…………………………………………………

Date…………………………………………………….
Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 11th March 2025