The Annual meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council 
was held on Monday, 4th September 2023 at 7.30pm 
in Biggin Village Hall

Present: J Coles, D Currington, M Heathcote, S Lovatt, S Fletcher and the clerk, S Hampson. There were no members of the public in attendance.

Part 1 non-confidential information

23.9.1 Apologies
There were no apologies from existing members of the parish council; however, apologies had been received in advance from District Councillor, Mr Chapman.

23.9.2 Casual vacancies and co-option
There had been no further interest shown in the most recent casual vacancy notice; therefore, one vacancy remains. The clerk had prepared a new casual vacancy notice.

Resolved: to continue to readvertise the vacancy until the position is filled by co-option.

23.9.3 Declaration of acceptance of office of new councillor
Please see above.

23.9.4 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting had been displayed on the noticeboard and forwarded to the members and the parish council’s website, in advance of the meeting.

Resolved: To accept the minutes as a true record of proceedings. Mrs Coles duly signed the minutes as a true copy of proceedings.

23.9.5 Matters arising and pre-meeting
Items were covered by the agenda.

23.9.6 Public Speaking Procedures Document
The document was available in the meeting.

23.9.7 Public speaking
There were no members of the public in attendance.

23.9.8 District Councillor and update on footpath from Cardlemere Lane to Newhaven
The District Councillor had advised the clerk that he would provide an update on the mowing of Cardlemere Lane. It was reported that mowing had taken place.

23.9.9 Planning applications, planning sub-committee, appeals and enforcement
NP/DDD/0723/0808 Newhaven Caravan Park.
Resolved: to support the change of colours of the static caravans, bases and access road.

NP/DDD/0723/0782 Biggin Grange
Resolved: to support the removal of cement render and repoint the walling stone.

NP/DDD/0723/0821 Green Farm. This application has now been withdrawn.

Decision notices had been granted for holiday let at The Homestead and barns and garage at Ivy House.

23.9.10 Village map
The clerk had requested and update on progress and had received a detailed response including some grant funding has been received, further funding applied for and a donation of art cloth has been received. A request was put to the councillors regarding the possibility of displaying a copy in the telephone box.

Resolved: to advise that a copy can be displayed on the wall facing the doorway into the former telephone box.

23.9.11 Telephone box
Mrs Coles reported that the parish history signs have now been made but the invoice has not been received. Items to be placed in the telephone box need to be laminated prior to pinning onto the cork board.

Resolved: Mrs Coles and Mrs Lovatt to liaise regarding material to be placed inside.
Resolved: Mrs Coles to place an article/update on the Biggin Community Facebook page.

23.9.12 Parish Council bank account and signatories
Resolved: to defer this item until the October.

23.9.13 Defibrillator and CPR training
Mrs Coles reconfirmed the new training date to be Saturday, 16th September. The invoice will follow.

The clerk had been advised from one of the local First Responders that a new defibrillator had been acquired by the primary school and whether the parish council would consider donating the older defibrillator to the First Responders. The clerk had advised members in advance of the meeting, and consequently, had not yet ordered a replacement battery for the old machine as it may be redundant.

Mrs Coles had contacted personnel at the school and it was confirmed that a new defibrillator had been received. The clerk suggested that the older defibrillator could possibly be placed at Heathcote. This was thought to be a good idea; a suitable location and electricity supply were discussed together with a new defibrillator cabinet. Members discussed the merits of a locked versus unlocked cabinet.

Resolved: the clerk to order a locked defibrillator cabinet to relocate the defibrillator to Heathcote.
Resolved: Mr Fletcher to investigate an electricity supply. The cost of the electricity supply to be reimbursed on an annual basis.
Resolved: Once installed, to register the Heathcote defibrillator on the ‘Circuit’.

23.9.14 Covid Memorial Plaque Ceremony
The vicar had confirmed her availability for a service on Sunday, 10th September at 3 pm and requested what was required. Mrs Coles had placed an article and information on Biggin Community Facebook.

Resolved: Mrs Currington to obtain refreshments and to be reimbursed.

23.9.15 Remembrance Day Service and Road Closure
The clerk had also contacted the vicar regarding the Remembrance Day service. A road closure had been requested between 2.30 and 3.30 pm (ref 749867) but no confirmation had been received in time for the meeting. The clerk had ordered a wreath and advised the vicar of the road closure times, the laying of the wreath and the playing of the Last Post.

Resolved: Mrs Currington to obtain refreshments and to be reimbursed.

23.9.16 Dog fouling
Unfortunately, Mrs Coles had not received the deadline for the News and Views submissions and as a consequence, the deadline date had been missed to place another article about dog fouling within the village.