2023 Annual Parish Meeting

DEEPING ST JAMES ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 

7PM TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2023  

CONFERENCE CENTRE, THE DEEPINGS SCHOOL 
PARK ROAD, DEEPING ST JAMES, PE6 8NF

MINUTES

1.   Welcome from the Chair including agreeing the minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2022.

Councillor Kate Shinkins-Hoppe, Chair of the meeting welcomed everyone and covered some general housekeeping rules regarding evacuation procedures in the case of fire and the location of the welfare facilities. 

She referred to the minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2022 asking for them to be approved, they were agreed by those who had been present.

Councillor Kate Shinkins-Hoppe then introduced Deeping St James’s resident Poet, who had appeared on the BBC, Si Fox, to read two of his poems  - ‘Overthinking’ about his Dogs and ‘Dog Rose Petal Jam’ about the Dairy Diary.

After thanking Si Fox, Councillor Kate Shinkins-Hoppe, reminded everyone that we were currently in the pre-election period and this meeting was not to be used a political husting but as an opportunity to acknowledge the work of all the voluntary groups within the parish, some of whom had put on displays that she encouraged people to view, and to celebrate those groups, young people and individuals who make a difference in the parish.    

Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe then thanked the Parish Council Clerk’s for all their work and all the community groups in the Parish, some of whom were present, and provided a brief report on some of the Parish Council’s work namely - 

The ongoing transfer of ownership of Jubilee Park from the District to the Parish Council which would enable the Parish Council to improve the play equipment and install CCTV 

The establishment of a rolling programme of assessment and work to ensure the safety of the trees that the Parish Council are responsible for

The ongoing work to obtain legal ownership of the riverbank along Bridge Street and Church Street, an area that the Parish Council had maintained for a number of years

The erection of signage stating that no motor cycles or motor scooters should be ridden along the permissible path through The Bell Public House car park into Bell Lane

The installation of a number of benches in the parish notably one commemorating the Platinum Jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II 

Ongoing bulb and tree planting and the maintenance of open spaces, play areas, pathways and the Cemetery which was all undertaken by the Parish Council’s maintenance team consisting of three resourceful and resilient individuals

The organisation of a number of events including the Platinum Jubilee Beacon lighting, the Bark in the Park Dog Show, Christmas Carols in the Park and annual footpath walks along with tonight’s presentations and the Coronation Picnic in the Park on Sunday 7 May 2023.  
 
2.   Presentation of the Making a Difference Awards.

Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe invited the Head of the Deepings Academy, Kirstie Johnson, to say a few words and make the presentations to the nominees listed on the papers provided with the agenda. 

Kirstie said that it was great to be invited to such a community focussed event and to see and hear from everyone supporting the community and each other. She advised that she is very community focussed being both a Parish Councillor and Trustee herself so understands the importance of these roles and how valuable these individuals are in a community. Kirstie offered her congratulations to every nominee and then presented certificates to all and a trophy to the winner of each category

YOUNG PERSON TO MOST MAKE A DIFERNECE – 

Ethan Jones 
Evie-Mai Latronico-Ferris
Penelope Baxter (overall winner) 

COMMUNITY GROUP TO MOST MAKE A DIFFERENCE – 

Deeping Ladies’ Coffee Club
Deeping Library Volunteers  
The Deepings School Student Librarians – Cole Coenen, Abigail Schofield, Evie-Mai Latronico-Ferris, Sean Calderbank, Sophie Snart, Lithia Koss, Layla Koss, Pacey Hutchcraft and Ethan Jones 
Friends Of Deeping St James
The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Volunteers
Cubs
Deepings Police Volunteers (overall winners)

CITIZEN TO MOST MAKES A DIFFERENCE – 

Lee Sutton
Stewart Lilley 
Alan Mckie
Liz Waterland 
Ray Torrington 
Lyn & Stuart Hodson
Raechell Culff
Carol Precey & Graham Thompson (overall winners) 
Matt Holland 
Chris Knight 

INDIVIDUAL TO MOST MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COURSE OF DOING THEIR JOB –

Mrs Phyl Williams 
Kathryn Wallis 
Will Bowell (overall winner) 
Heidi Latronico-Ferris
Darren & Lynn Grant 
The Garage Door Artist – Paul Bell

3.   Questions and comments of a non-political nature from members of the electorate. 

Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe invited questions but none were received. 

4.   Close followed by refreshments. 

Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe thanked everyone for attending inviting them to stay for refreshments.