May 2024 Minutes
MINUTES OF WHAPLODE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT SARACENS HEAD VILLAGE HALL ON WEDNESDAY 8TH MAY 2024
Present;
Cllrs Morris Stancer, Richard Barlow, Bob Merchant, Pam Langstaff, Stephen Mackman, and the Clerk.
Apologies:
Cllr Beal and County Cllr Pepper.
Public Forum:
Four public members present, no matters raised.
Election of Chairman:
On the proposition of Cllr Stancer, seconded by Cllr Merchant and agreed by all Cllr Barlow was elected Chairman and duly signed his declaration of office.
Election of Vice Chairman and offer officers:
On the proposition of Cllr Barlow, seconded by Cllr Stancer and agreed by all Cllr Langstaff was elected Vice Chairman and duly signed her declaration of office. The Clerk was confirmed as the SHPVCS representative and Cllr Stancer as wind farm liaison.
Co-option:
Three candidates had come forward to represent the two positions for
Whaplode St Cathrines. Councillor Merchant suggested that as there were
only 2 vacancies in Whaplode St Catherines ward, the third candidate could
be co-opted on to a vacancy in the Whaplode ward. The clerk advised this
was not allowed. After a ballot Chris Bristow and Kevin Prince were duly co-opted.
Minutes and Matters arising:
On the proposition of Cllr Merchant seconded by Cllr Stancer, the minutes of the full council meeting in February and Finance meeting in April having been previously circulated were signed by the Chairman, as a true record.
Police matters:
No report.
Finance Report;
The Clerk reported the following cheques for payment which members agreed,
G Hawkes salary £ 481.20
HMRC £ 120.20
Clear Insurance brokers £ 847.73
Anglian wayer £ 97.83
Balances:
Business Prem £ 53,116
Current a/c £ 31,062
Less cheques £ 1,600
Balance £ 82,578
The chairman requested that at the next and future meetings the clerk
presents printed bank statements from the current and savings accounts.
Date of next meeting:
There will be a Finance meeting on 7th August, and a full council meeting on 5th June at Whaplode St Marys church..
Planning applications,
The Clerk reported that applications had been dealt with as per annexed and circulated to members.
Allotments;
The Clerk confirmed that he had written to the Millers Rest garden allotment holders to confirm their ongoing commitment to use. D Erskine had given up allotment 3 at Whaplode Drove
Whaplode cemetery:
Following the completion of the GPS survey the Clerk and ward members had a site meeting to clarify the way forward. The Clerk will now meet the grave digger to free up some more plots.
Buttercup world is due to be installed shortly.
The Clerk will chase E Sterma regarding the tree removal contract.
Highway matters:
Whaplode St Catherines – issues will be reported on fix my street.
Saracens Head – Cllr Langstaff reported that Washway Road will now be serviced with a SID and will liaise with Cllr Barlow re the fixing bracket.
Whaplode – Dist Cllr Coupland confirmed budget for a feasibility study to be undertaken has been allocated re the byepass.
Whaplode Drove – no new issues Cllr Mackman reported no progress on a number of old issues although some pot holes had been repaired.
Whaplode Playing Field:
Cllr Merchant reported that it was being well managed, some tree work has been done. The Committee are looking for new members.
Whaplode St CathrinesPlaying Field:
Cllr Merchant reported that it was being well managed, the mole problem has been sorted out.
The National grid pylon proposals:
Whaplode Parish Council continue to oppose this issue.
Correspondence/AOB:
None.
The meeting closed at 20.45pm
Chairman