DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MOUNTFIELD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 14th JULY 2026
Present: Councillors R. Farhall (Chair), N. Whines (Vice-Chair), J. Giles, S. O’Sullivan
Mrs. I. Marchant (Parish Clerk/RFO)
County Councillor K. Field
District Councillor E. Kirby-Green
30th July 2026
The Chair signed the Declaration of Office at the start of the meeting.
1. Disclosures of interest
None declared.
2. Dispensations
None required.
3. Apologies for absence
Councillor Hardy sent apologies.
4. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting
RESOLVED: that the draft minutes of the annual meeting held on 12.05.26 be confirmed as being an accurate record of the proceedings. Councillor Giles proposed and Councillor O’Sullivan seconded, the voting was unanimous.
5. Open Forum
5.1 County Council report (ESCC) – Councillor K. Field
- There is to be a scrutiny review of the booking system at the Mountfield Household Waste Site.
- ESCC are looking into free bus passes for all veterans.
- All ESCC will be involved in the Devolution process, not just the Executive.
5.2 District Council report (RDC) – Councillor E. Kirby-Green
- The planning process is changing due to Government guidelines – any housing developments of 9 or less will not be called in to the Planning Committee, this includes listed buildings.
- There is a consultation regarding RDC Enforcement with the Parishes.
5.3 Public Question Time – no members of the public present.
6. Co-option of 2 new members
This process will continue and Members are urged to talk to residents about joining.
7. Data Audit and Data Protection Training
7.1 RESOLVED: to approve the Data Audit as presented by the Clerk. Councillor Whines proposed and Councillor O’Sullivan seconded, the voting was unanimous.
7.2 The Clerk will seek appropriate training for Members and herself. (CLERK)
8. Devolution
The Members considered the proposals from RDC for Local Government and NACs (Neighbourhood Area Committees). The Chair is to reply on MPC’s behalf. (CHAIR)
9. Dark Skies
Members agreed to encourage RDC to incorporate this in their emerging Local District Plan.
Members also agreed to informally promote and encourage Dark Skies for Mountfield. Using “we aspire to be a Dark Skies neighbourhood,” in their planning responses.
10. Parish Profile
This was briefly discussed and will be on the agenda for the meeting in September.
11. Full transition to .gov.uk
- The full transition is now complete.
- Emails and website now have the suffix .gov.uk and the suffix org.uk is acting as an alias.
- EasySpace is the Mountfield Registrar.
- MPC would like to thank Uniserve for their work and advice on this project.
- The Clerk is the administrator for all queries/changes.
12. Defibrillator at Solomon’s Lane
The Clerk has contacted Wel Medical (supplier) and they have sent a loan defibrillator (installed) while the original one is being sent back to the manufacturer (Germany). (CLERK)
13. Village Waste Collection
- Things appear to be quite clear at the moment
- MPC will continue to monitor the situation.
14. Telephone Box
It has been difficult finding persons able to refurbish the telephone box. The Clerk will continue trying and the Chair is to estimate costs. (CLERK/CHAIR)
15. Grit bin replacement and refill
The Chair is to carry out a survey on the state of the Mountfield bins and whether they are needed in the current locations. (CHAIR)
16. Southern Water Solar Array
Nothing further to report at the moment.
17. Duck House
The condition of the duck house will be inspected and will be on the agenda at the MPC September meeting.
18. Legionella assessment
This item will be on the agenda at the MPC September meeting.
19. Planning
19.1 Planning applications for consideration:
- RR/2026/0501/HOU – Keepers Cottage, Mountfield Lane.
Demolition of modern flat roof side extension and detached rear duel pitched structure, construction of rear addition and complete renovation of the property including internal alterations.
AGREED: to support this application subject to the approval of the RDC Conservation Officer.
- RR/2026/0501/LBC – Keepers Cottage, Mountfield Lane.
Listed building consent for above application.
AGREED: to support this application subject to the approval of the RDC Conservation Officer
- RR/2026/0605/HOU – 9 Eatenden Lane
Proposed single-storey rear extension to replace partially demolished addition.
AGREED: to support this application.
- RR/2026/0473/HOU – Old Park Pale, Mountfield Lane
Proposed timber frame extension to family room. Installation of wood burning stove into family room and reduction of existing kitchen floor level to match family room floor level. Reconstruction of existing garage to create a new annexe for ancillary accommodation to the main house.
AGREED: to support this application subject to the approval of the RDC Conservation Officer.
- RR/2026/0474/LBC – Old Park Pale, Mountfield Lane
Listed building consent for above application.
AGREED: to support this application subject to the approval of the RDC Conservation Officer.
19.2 No other planning matters for discussion.
20. Enforcement
20.1 No Mountfield items on RDC’s most recent enforcement list.
20.2 Any other enforcement matters for discussion.
- MPC have not heard of any action on the extreme light pollution from the Morrisons store on the A21.
- The RDC Local Enforcement Plan was sent to MPC on 10.07.26. All responses will be via RALC.
21. Highways/Rights of Way
Nothing urgent or new to report, potholes and general state of the roads are still a problem.
Battle Ramblers continue their good work on monitoring footpaths and their July-September walks programmes are available on the Mountfield website –
www.mountfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk
22. Finance
22.1 Bank balances at 30.06.26
- MPC deposit account – £5,983.34
- MPC current account – £7,036.22
- KGF current account – £1,880.18
22.2 RESOLVED: to approve the following payments. Councillor Whines proposed and Councillor O’Sullivan seconded, the voting was unanimous.
- Clerk salary/home office Jun/Jul 2026 – £1,151.00
- Uniserve WordPress hosting – £135.13
- Satswana DPO service 2026-27 – £90.00
- * Uniserve set up website hosting/domain/backup – £93.60
- * H&T Building Services KGF cesspit – £6,960.00
- * ICO registration 2026-27 – £52.00
- * Turtle Medical defibb box – £444.00
- * Mailpoet premium service 2026-27 – 112.01
- * Defibb Store new pads Solomon’s Lane – £81.60
- * Uniserve email service 2026-27 – £332.64
- * Cricket match refreshments – £65.67
* already paid
22.3 RESOLVED: to approve the first quarter accounts at 30.06.26, with the amendments by Councillor Whines, as presented by the Clerk. Councillor Whines proposed and Councillor O’Sullivan seconded; the voting was unanimous.
23. Dates of next meetings
- 11.08.26 – Full Council Meeting (provisional only)
- 08.09.26 – KGF meeting (starts 7.00pm)
- 08.09.26 – Full Council Meeting