5. Minutes Full Council 14.04.26

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 Full Council meeting held on Tuesday 14 April 2026 at 7pm in
                         Council Chamber, Diamond Jubilee Lodge, Hellesdon.
     Present:      Cllr David Maidstone (Chairman)
                   Cllr David Britcher                         Cllr Roy Forder
                   Cllr Sue Holland                            Cllr Mel Maidstone
                   Cllr Robin Sear                             Cllr Shelagh Gurney
                   Cllr Andrew Locke                           Cllr Mike Hicks
                   Cllr Ian Duckett

In attendance
Rebecca Larke (Deputy Clerk)
David Marshall (Admin)

1. Apologies and acceptance for absence
Apologies were received from the following Councillors and ACCEPTED: Cllr Lacey Douglass, Cllr David
Fahy, Cllr Bill Johnson, Cllr Nigel Barker

2. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
None

3. Minutes from Full Council meeting held 10 March 2026
The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2026 had been previously circulated. It was AGREED to accept
these minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

4.   Co Options
a)   After three rounds of voting the following applicants were ELECTED to the Parish Council:

John Knowles and Gemma Diffey

Cllr Gemma Diffey was not present. Cllr John Knowles signed his Office of Acceptance and joined the
meeting. The Chairman thanked the unsuccessful candidate for their interest in the position.

5. Appointments to Committees and Panels
It was AGREED that Cllr John Knowles be appointed to both the Staffing Committee and the Community
Centre and Café Committee plus act as a substitute for the Disciplinary Panel. It was AGREED that Cllr
Gemma Diffey be appointed to both the Events Committee and the Community Centre and Café
Committee plus to act as a substitute for the Grievance Panel.

6. Public Participation
No public present at the meeting.

Approved…………………………………………………...…
Cllr David Maidstone
Chairman of Hellesdon Parish Council

Date………………………………………

Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 14 April 2026
7. Council Reports
a) To receive a report from the Clerk
Report was previously circulated to Council members. The Deputy Clerk added that the Annual Parish
Meeting has been provisionally booked for Wednesday 27th May 2026. The Clerk is waiting for
confirmation that the CEO of Broadland District Council, Mr. Trevor Holden, can attend. Cllr David
Maidstone, Cllr Mel Maidstone and Cllr Sue Holland all advised they were unable to attend on that date.
The report was noted.

b) To receive reports from County and District Councillors.
Cllr Shelagh Gurney advised she had met with County Council officers in respect of the parking issues in
Middleton’s Lane adjacent to the Jet Garage and officers were looking to put permanent parking
restrictions within that area. It appears some vehicles have been present in that area for extended periods
and used for airport parking.
It was noted that the temporary traffic lights on Holt Road are not sequencing correctly and are not
communicating with each other, which is causing traffic issues. At present, the lights are being manually
operated.
It was noted that a reduction in the speed limit on Drayton High Road from 40mph to 30mph had been
suggested. It was further noted that Kier would be responsible for addressing the reported potholes.
Cllr Shelagh Gurney confirmed that the two Oak trees on Holt Road near the allotment site would be
remaining and those to be felled are near The Nest facility site although there has been no consultation as
yet. The report was noted.

c) Report from the Chairman
Cllr David Maidstone and Cllr David Britcher updated those present that they had met with the Clerk to
discuss how best to support him and the staff moving forward. The Chairman referred to a bullet point list
of notes which could be circulated to fellow Councillors after this was agreed with the Clerk. It was
suggested that members should drop the Clerk an email before calling to avoid unnecessary disruption.
The report was noted.

7. Financial Matters
Items a to d.
The Deputy Clerk in the absence of the RFO advised that financial reports were unable to be produced.
However reassurance was provided that the bank reconciliation has been completed for February and
March 2026. There are a few queries remaining that need to be processed and resolved prior to the
reports being produced. Richard Bishop will be returning this Thursday to resolve any outstanding issues.

e) Bank Mandate signatories.
The Council RESOLVED to add Cllr Mel Maidstone and Cllr Mike Hicks to the bank mandate.

8. Reports from Committees

Events Committee
Connie Ackers was commended for her work with the Events Committee in organising the Summer Fayre.
Further details regarding the event will be published on the Parish Council website in due course. It was
AGREED that the Christmas Carols on the Lawn event, including food and drink stalls, will take place on
19 December 2026.

Approved…………………………………………………...…
Cllr David Maidstone
Chairman of Hellesdon Parish Council

Date………………………………………

Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 14 April 2026
a) Playing Fields Allotments and Amenities Committee
Cllr Mike Hicks provided a verbal report and it was noted that repairs to the Beehive Shed had now been
completed. There were no updates available regarding the use of hosepipes or the repair of potholes at the
allotments. It was further requested that progress on compost bins and the new keys for the padlock on the
allotment entrance gate be followed up.
b) Staffing Committee
Cllr David Britcher advised that the Committee had engaged a professional HR consultancy for a five-year
period to assist the Clerk. Additionally, subject to an amendment to the Council’s Standing Orders,
mandatory HR training would be requested for members of the Staffing Committee, although this training
would be made available to all members who wished to attend. It was noted that the committee had asked
for the disciplinary panel to convene.
c) Planning Committee
Cllr Roy Forder updated council following the Planning meeting held earlier in the evening and advised of
the objections to the applications discussed.

It was noted no meetings have been held since previous Full Council meeting for Community Centre and
Café Property Policy and Resources and Environment Committees.

9. Other Business
The Chairman suggested it would be beneficial for all councillors to attend training. Cllr Sue Holland agreed
in principle but was mindful of only one year remaining before Parish Council elections and suggested an
amendment to Standing Orders to this effect. The Council RESOLVED that all new councillors, whether
they join by election or co-option should be offered and actively encouraged to undertake training. Costings
of training providers would be sought by the Clerk. Cllr Ian Duckett requested if the Clerk could obtain any
details of any environmental training.

10. Next Meeting

The next full Parish Council meeting will be on 12 May 2026 at 7pm in Council Chamber, Diamond Jubilee
Lodge, Woodview Road Hellesdon Norwich NR6 5QB. Members were advised to note this will be the
Annual Parish Council Meeting.

Meeting closed at 20.29

Approved…………………………………………………...…
Cllr David Maidstone
Chairman of Hellesdon Parish Council

Date………………………………………

Hellesdon Parish Council, Full Council Minutes 14 April 2026