12 March 2024 Annual Parish Assembly
Minutes of Sutton Bridge Annual Parish Meeting, held 19:00hrs Tuesday, 12 March 2024, at the Curlew Centre
Present:
Parish Council Chair: Cllr M Middleton
Parish Clerk: Mrs Claire Smith
Parish Council Members: Cllr A Billings, Cllr M Booth, Cllr C Brewis, Cllr D Cook, Cllr S McLauglin, Cllr N Mills, Cllr M Philpott, Cllr M Pitt,
Local Electors: 5
1. Welcome
The chair, Cllr Mary Middleton welcomed everyone to the meeting including two new Cllrs Diane Cook and Michelle Pit. The Chair reported that the recent death of Cllr David Bruch was a very sad time for all at the Parish Council. He had achieved a great deal in a short space of time and was much missed. She concluded by Thank David for all his hard work in our community.
2. Apologies for absence
None received.
3. Signing of Minutes
It was agreed to approve the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting 14th March 2023.
4. Report from the chairman of the Parish Council
The chair presented a report summarising matters arising during the year (see appendix 1).
5. Report from clerk to the Parish Council
The clerk presented a report summarising financial matters for the year to date (see appendix 2).
6. Parish Council Vacancies and Forthcoming election
There were two vacancies on the Parish Council and an election to fill these would be held on 2nd May 2024.
7. Update on proposals for a new pavilion in the Memorial Park.
i. Planning – there were still some problems obtaining planning permission with requests from Sport England for further information. It was hoped that these would soon be resolved as Planning Officers were positive about the application.
ii. Ground Preparation – D Wall, volunteer contract manager, reported that all the preparatory ground work was now complete. Tenders were being drawn up. Further advice and research about heating, lighting and ventilation would need to be done. Technology in these areas was developing rapidly and advice from an independent industry expert was needed.
iii. Fundraising – C Brandon-King, volunteer fundraiser, reported that an expression of Interest to the Community Ownership fund had been submitted and received a positive reaction. The full submission would now be put together with an accompanying business plan for 80% of the project funding. Applications to the Football Foundation and East Coast fund would make up the majority of the rest of the funding for the project.
iv. Thanks to Chris, David and Lawrence were recorded for their volunteer help with this project.
8. Other matters.
i. A member of the public asked if the Council had discussed the Pylons that were coming to the area and if there would be any 106 monies for the parish – Cllr Brewis confirmed that he had attended the presentations and had made a response. His preference was that the cables should be underground and not on large pylons.
ii. 2nd Solar Farm at Gunthorpe – it was reported that the planning decision for this development had been devolved to West Norfolk District Council, the Parish Council could try to meet with the applicants to discuss any community funding.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 19:55 hrs.