12.05.26 Minutes

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

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FULL COUNCIL

              Minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on Tuesday 12 May 2026 at 7pm in
                           Council Chamber, Diamond Jubilee Lodge, Hellesdon.
   Present:      Cllr David Maidstone (Chairman)             Cllr Bill Johnson
                 Cllr David Britcher                         Cllr Roy Forder
                 Cllr Nigel Barker                           Cllr Shelagh Gurney
                 Cllr Robin Sear                             Cllr Mike Hicks
                 Cllr Andrew Locke                           Cllr Mel Maidstone
                 Cllr Ian Duckett                            Cllr John Knowles
                 Cllr Gemma Diffey

In attendance
Jonathan Hall (Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer)
Rebecca Larke (Deputy Clerk)
Three members of the public

The meeting was opened at 7pm.

1. Election of Chairman of the Council and Declaration of Acceptance of Office

It was RESOLVED to re-elect Cllr David Maidstone as Chairman of Hellesdon Parish Council. Cllr David
Maidstone signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

2. Election of Vice Chairman of the Council

Cllr David Britcher was elected as Vice Chairman of Hellesdon Parish Council.

3. Apologies and acceptance for absence

Apologies were received from the following Councillors and accepted: Cllr Lacey Douglass, Cllr David Fahy
and Cllr Sue Holland.

4. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

None.

5. To agree Minutes as a True and Accurate Record of Full Council meeting held 14 April 2026

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2026 had been previously circulated. It was RESOLVED to
accept these minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

6. Public Participation

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

Date………………………………………

Hellesdon Parish Council, Annual Meeting of the Full Council Minutes 12 May 2026
 A parishioner raised concerns about a development at the rear of their property. They were advised to
contact the planning compliance department at Broadland District Council.

7. Council Reports

a) To receive a report from the Clerk and note

The Clerk advised the old village sign has been taken away and a new sign is being made.

The Clerk informed everyone about a consultation taking place at Hellesdon High School on 19 May 2026
from 3pm to 5pm concerning a three class specialist resource space for which planning permission will be
sought. Information will be forwarded to Councillors. Cllr Shelagh Gurney provided further detail on the
proposed building project which is being undertaken in conjunction with the Cullum Family Trust.

Further to recent posts on Facebook, the Clerk is in contact with NP Law. The Clerk will circulate the Press
and Social Media Policy to all Councillors to remind them of their responsibilities when posting comments on
Facebook regarding Parish Council matters

b) To receive a report from the District and County Councillors and note

The Chairman formally thanked the outgoing County Councillor Cllr Shelagh Gurney for all her hard work
during her time served as Hellesdon’s County Councillor.

Cllr Shelagh Gurney confirmed that the cul-de-sac area of Middletons Lane will now be subject to timed
waiting bays and double yellow lines in certain sections. Cllr Shelagh Gurney will continue her work with
Hellesdon High School in her capacity as District Councillor.

Cllr Lacey Douglass had provided a written report and advised that both applications for the development
of the former Jarrolds site on Heath Crescent are to be considered by the district’s planning committee.
Planning breaches in the parish will continue to be monitored.

Cllr Nick Taylor, the recently elected Norfolk County Councillor for Hellesdon ward had given his apologies
and provided a written report which was read out by the Chairman.

(Include as an appendix to the minutes)

c) To receive a report from the Chairman and note

The Chairman gave a verbal report and advised that a number of matters had been raised with the Clerk
during their usual monthly meeting with the Chairman of Staffing.

8. Financial Matters

a) Bank Reconciliation

b) Earmarked Reserves Summary – 31 March 2026

c) Approval of Payments – 31 March 2026

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

Date………………………………………

Hellesdon Parish Council, Annual Meeting of the Full Council Minutes 12 May 2026
 d) Approval of Receipts – 31 March 2026

e) Detailed Income and Expenditure – 31 March 2026

It was RESOLVED to approve the financial reports from items a to d

9. Committees

a) To Appoint Members to the Planning Committee (6), Appoint Chairman and Vice Chairman and
Review Terms of Reference

It was RESOLVED that Cllr Roy Forder would continue as Chairman and Cllr Robin Sear would continue as
Vice Chairman. Other members remain unchanged.

b) To Appoint Members to the Community Centre & Cafe Committee (6), Appoint Chairman and
Vice Chairman and Review Terms of Reference

It was RESOLVED that Cllr Roy Forder would continue as Chairman and Cllr Nigel Barker would continue
as Vice Chairman. Cllr David Maidstone and Cllr Mike Hicks have stood down from this committee.

c) To Appoint Members to the Events Committee (7), Appoint Chairman and Vice Chairman and
Review Terms of Reference

It was RESOLVED that Cllr Mel Maidstone would continue a Chairman and Cllr Roy Forder would continue
as Vice Chairman. Other members remain unchanged.

d) To Appoint Members to the Playing Fields, Allotments and Amenities Committee (6), Appoint
Chairman and Vice Chairman and Review Terms of Reference

It was RESOLVED the Cllr Mike Hicks would continue as Chairman and Cllr David Fahy would continue as
Vice Chairman. Other members of the committee will continue and Cllr Gemma Diffey will join.

e) To Appoint Members to the Staffing Committee (7), Appoint Chairman and Vice Chairman and
Review Terms of Reference

It was RESOLVED that Cllr David Britcher would continue as Chairman and Cllr Shelagh Gurney would
continue as Vice Chairman. Other committee members to remain unchanged.

f) To Appoint Members of an Environment Committee, Appoint Chairman and Vice Chairman and
Review Terms of Reference

It was RESOLVED the Cllr Ian Duckett would continue as Chairman and Cllr Mel Maidstone would continue
as Vice Chairman. Other members of the committee remain unchnaged and Cllr John Knowles will join.

g) To Agree the Policy, Property and Resource Committee to be made up of Committee Chairman
for all of the above and Appoint other Member(s) so Membership Equates to 7. To Appoint
Chairman and Vice Chairman and Review Terms of Reference

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

Date………………………………………

Hellesdon Parish Council, Annual Meeting of the Full Council Minutes 12 May 2026
 It was RESOLVED the Cllr Shelagh Gurney would continue as Chairman and Cllr David Maidstone would
continue as Vice Chairman. Other members of the committee will remain unchanged and Cllr Mel Maidstone
will join.

h) To Appoint Member to be the Parish Council Internal Scrutineer (as required by Financial
Regulations)

The Parish Council Chairman cannot be the Internal Scrutineer so it was RESOLVED that Cllr Nigel Barker
would take on this role replacing Cllr David Maidstone.

10. Local Bodies and Groups

a. To Appoint Member(s) to the Norwich Airport Consultative Committee

It was RESOLVED that Cllr Robin Sear would step down and be replaced by Cllr Shelagh Gurney
representing Hellesdon. Mike Hicks to continue as substitute.

b. Appoint Members(s) to the Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel

It was RESOLVED that Cllr Roy Forder and Cllr Mel Maidstone (substitute) would continue as members of the
Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel.

c. To Appoint/Note Member to represent the council at meetings of Norfolk ALC

It was RESOLVED that Cllr Shelagh Gurney would continue in this role and Cllr David Britcher would be the
substitute.

d. To Appoint Armed Forces Representative

It was RESOLVED that Cllr Nigel Barker would continue in this role and Cllr Mike Hicks would be the
substitute.

e. To receive report from (outgoing) Member(s) of the Norwich Airport Consultative Committee
meeting held 22nd April 2026.

The Head of Regional City Airports was present at the last meeting. Norwich Airport is now picking up post
covid mainly through Ryanair flights. Four members of committee are carrying out a customer satisfaction
survey in the airport. The number of noise complaints is down quite considerably. Jersey flights are back on
the timetable.

11. Committees

To receive reports from the (outgoing) Chairs of Committees and note:

a) Events Committee

Cllr Mel Maidstone confirmed the committee had met on 11 May 2026.. The main focus is the Summer Fayre
and things are progressing well. Cllr Mel Maidstone asked all members to consider volunteering at the event.
Once the Summer Fayre is over, the committee will progress to dealing with the Senior Christmas Party and
the Community Hearts Award Presentation evening.

b) Planning Committee

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

Date………………………………………

Hellesdon Parish Council, Annual Meeting of the Full Council Minutes 12 May 2026
Cllr Roy Forder confirmed the committee continue to look and planning applications and review them before
sending comments to Broadland District Council. The Clerk had received a response from the development
company concerning the size of the car park for the proposed care home on the former Jarrold site on Heath
Crescent The Clerk will circulate this to members.

c) Staffing Committee

Cllr David Britcher will request committee members to attend HR training and this will be agreed at the next
staffing committee meeting. The Clerk confirmed that HR Governance and Support consultancy are able to
attend staffing meetings virtually.

d) Environment Committee

Cllr Ian Duckett confirmed the committee had met earlier that day and were provided with detailed plans for
the woodland planting project. The grant money has been received and the project must be completed by
the end of December 2026. An update to residents will be communicated via the Just Hellesdon magazine.

e) Playing fields, Allotments and Amenities Committee

There have been no meetings since the last Full Parish Council meeting.

Cllr Mike Hicks queried issues around keys being delivered to allotment holders, the compost bin, beehive
roof and hosepipe use. Pot holes on the site will be repaired in time along with installing speed limit signs.

The Clerk is still trying to agree a suitable meeting date with the LTA.

f) Community Centre & Café Committee

There have been no meetings since the last Full Parish Council meeting.

12. To Review the Following Primary Policies

a) Standing Order

The Clerk had forwarded proposed changes to Standing Orders prior to the meeting, including the
requirement for staffing committee members to undertake professional HR training within three months of
theor appointment to the committee. The terms Chairman and Vice Chairman to be replaced by Chair and
Vice Chair to become gender neutral. The request to speak will continue by the raising of the hand.

b) Financial Regulations

The Clerk had circulated proposed changes to the Financial Regulations prior to the meetin. The changes
were proposed to ensure these mirrored standing orders and the scheme of delegation. However, it was
acknowledged that there was more work to do once officers had fully embedded in the Council’s new
accounting software Scribe to reflect the more open and transparent processes for financial reporting and new
bank mandates which were yet to be completed.

c) Members’ Code of Conduct

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

Date………………………………………

Hellesdon Parish Council, Annual Meeting of the Full Council Minutes 12 May 2026
This is unchanged as the document is issued by the Local Government Association.

d) Scheme of Delegation

The Clerk circulated proposed changes prior to the meeting to bring the document inline with Standing Orders
and Financial Regualtions.The document may need to be revisited once fully conversant in Scribe.

e) Statement of Internal Controls

No proposed changes were made to this document

f) Financial Reserves Management

No proposed changes were made to this document

It was RESOLVED to accept these.

13. To consider request from YMCA Norwich to hold an event in the foyer of the Community Centre.

After an amendment to the recommendation it was RESOLVED to allow the event to take place on a Monday
only.
14. To consider requesting permission for Gateway Vineyard Church to hold an event on Hellesdon
Recreational Ground on Sunday 16 August 2026.

After a lengthy discussion it was RESOLVED to decline the event., six members had abstained from voting.

15. Time and Venue of next Council meeting to be confirmed as:
Tuesday 9 June 2026, commencing at 7pm at Diamond Jubilee Lodge

Meeting closed 8.42pm

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

Date………………………………………

Hellesdon Parish Council, Annual Meeting of the Full Council Minutes 12 May 2026
 ITEM NO: 7.2

Report for : Full Council
Date: 12 May 2026
Item Title: Report from County & District Councillors

Cllr Lacey Douglass
For my district report it has been busier than usual.
"I have called in both planning applications for the former Jarrolds site due to the level of
public interest when the site was previously brought forward. Planning breaches continue to
require reporting and follow up and these continue to be monitored. There have also been
queries over surveillance equipment placed on the Persimmon site which has been
confirmed by Persimmon to be for environmental surveys ahead of any new planning
applications for the remaining phases.

Despite requests by the planning officer, the agent for Wetherspoon has not engaged with
me on the conditions applied to their grant of planning in regard to on-street parking
improvements. The agents contact details have been shared with me and I will follow this up
directly. "

Cllr Lacey Douglass

Report from the (incoming) County Councillor – Cllr Nick Taylor
I am delighted and honoured to have been elected as Norfolk county councillor for
Hellesdon.
I have already spoken with some of you and I look forward to meeting the whole committee.
Hellesdon is very fortunate to have such an active and well organised parish council and I
am looking forward to working with you all for the benefit of Hellesdon residents regardless
as to how they voted in the local elections. Electioneering is very political but thankfully
actually being a county councillor is not about politics, it is about public service which I am
greatly looking forward to.
Kind Regards
Nick Taylor