May 2020 Parish Council Statement
This statement is made on behalf of the majority of Normanby by Spital Parish Councillors (NbyS) who have voted to withdraw from the Neighbourhood Plan (NP).
It summarises our reasons for withdrawal, insofar as it is in the public interest, so that those being urged to attend our Annual Parish Council Meeting by the “NP Supporters Group” will have had the opportunity to consider them.
Previous statements have been made over the past year or more and relayed to members of the NP Steering Group which will not be repeated here. We also note there are joint ventures with our neighbouring parish council of Owmby by Spital (ObS) of the Community Park and Cemetery.
A successful joint venture of equal partners must have three elements, mutual trust, competence to perform the objectives and two way communication. Sadly, none of these have been much in evidence in dealing with ObS Parish Council, nor within our own Council from those charged to
report to us. Trust has broken down, we judge some of the group lack the necessary skills to oversee the projects, we are not consulted on actions before they are implemented, and criticised if we should dare to question the actions taken, as is our duty as Councillors.
While the two villages form a community, they are separate villages with different assets, served by two councils. Normanby has a redundant church and graveyard with war memorial, a school, shop and post office and public house with restaurant (now a Community asset) at its centre together with a bed and breakfast, motor repair business and mobile library, all facilities enjoyed by Owmby residents. Owmby used to have a golf course with dining facilities and the mobile library.
NbyS has worked successfully for over twenty years without any need for an election of Councillors or any “supporters groups” but has been disappointed by some of WLDC’s decisions and failure to enforce planning conditions over the siting of residential housing in the pub car park. In the view of some councillors, this distrust of WLDC was one reason not to have the NP. When the decision was taken to join the NP with Owmby as the lead, it was because it was thought a double grant would be available, which proved not to be the case, and that full reporting to NbyS would occur. Minutes of our meetings show the extent of the reporting of progress that was made. In particular, we were not satisfied that proper control of expenditure was exercised.
NbyS has sought advice from several local and national sources regarding NP potential benefits and shortcomings and noted the results of referenda around the county. WLDC officers provided conflicting advice on the procedure and penalties involved in withdrawing from it. NbyS have found the whole process exasperating and time wasting and concluded that withdrawal was the right action.
Parish Councillors are responsible for ensuring that Public Funds are spent in the proper manner and in line with Government Guidelines thus avoiding any possible misappropriation of such funds.
Any resident within three miles of Normanby by Spital can apply to become a Parish Councillor as and when a vacancy arises or at the next election due in 2023.
Published 24th May 2020