Minutes for October 2010
MINUTE 1157
A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday the 11th day of OCTOBER 2010 at the Methodist Chapel, Bell Street - commencing 7.30pm.
COUNCILLORS PRESENT: - Mr Garland (Chairman), Mr Lawrence (Vice Chair), Messrs. Storey, Lambert, Glasscock, Spanswick, Cooper, Reeves, Mrs McGeeney and Mrs Batten .Also present PCSO Milburn and 3 members of public.
APOLOGIES - received from Mrs Smith & Sq Leader Neilds.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
MINUTES of the last meeting were taken as read, agreed and duly signed.
PUBLIC SPEAKING - meeting suspended. Public present enquired re a sign to be erected in Nightingale Lane to stop large vehicles having to turn around. Also enquired re the condition of the footpaths. It was advised whole estate is in a three year programme to re-surface footpaths etc. Clerk would enquire Highways. Members of public given Highways contact so they could enquire also.
MATTERS ARISING
1 RAF Lakenheath - Sq Leader Neilds has advised that the bases are on exercise so there may be problems with traffic entering the base at Feltwell.
2 SNT - PCSO Milburn reported incidents of minor crime on a regular basis but nothing major. A councillor enquired about motorbikes which were practising wheelies on the main roads, it was advised to report any incident to the police giving number plates if possible. A constant meeting place for youths was discussed as the property tenant may be on a ASBO, this was noted. SNAP meeting changed to 4/11.
3 Playarea - Planning withdrawn. Chairman has advised all organisations that gave/promised grants. Payment Council made to WREN re third party is to be returned. Letter from S Ashworth, Planning control manager re Council’s complaint advising original officer is on long term sick but that the comments made by the Council would be raised when they return to work. Swings should be replaced this week.
4 Risk Assessment - still waiting for quote to repair down pipe and damaged drain cover. Mr Lawrence gave report. Tennis court surface is slightly damaged, Clerk to seek advice. Graffiti on equipment. Wasp nest in changing rooms, Clerk has asked Mr Rolph to deal with this urgently, should be done over next couple of days. Mr Storey felt that Borough should also be contacted, Mr Rolph has been instructed already and would be quicker than Borough. Basically very clean and tidy, some branches near fence. Mr Reeves would carry out next inspection.
5 Concrete Pad - Wilton Road - Pad not yet put down, Clerk advised two letters received from residents concerned about the impact a seat would have on their properties if sited where proposed. Clerk read out letters and confirmed youths congregate at property near where seat may have been sited. Mr Lambert felt that because of concerns that the bench should not be sited along the Wilton Road. Mr Storey agreed that parishioners had a point. A discussion took place and it was agreed not to site the seat at present. Clerk reminded Council that a seat has already been purchased - suggestions for site - piece in magazine. PTO.
MINUTE 1158
6 Enquiries Borough - NFN. Mrs Batten advised resident has cut back growth off footpath as fed up with not being able to use the footpath properly with children. Clerk to chase Borough re progress.
7 Standing Orders - in hand.
8 Parish Enclosure - in hand.
9 Encroaching Hedges - 1 Crabbes Close has been cut back, footpath still full of rubbish.
10 War Memorial - Area cleared, trees down but stumps remain. Wall repair in the spring, area looks very tidy for Remembrance Sunday. It was agreed to obtain cost to remove tree stumps and if possible work to take place before Remembrance Sunday, Chairman to decide on quotes if work can take place in time, all agreed.
11 Wall, St Nicholas - NFN
12 Report to Highways - footpath outside St Mary’s & corner opposite Post Office have been repaired.
13 Verge/Hedge Wilton Road - email advising a contractor will be attending to works shortly - nothing done Clerk to chase again.
14 REGBIO Power - Clerk advised that several matters had to be discussed and agreed before permission to change the use of the land is obtained. Initially our solicitor has advised that agreement must be obtained that REGBIO meets all costs including our solicitors costs of each step and they have to apply for planning permission at their own cost - the solicitor needs to know the costs involved in not letting the acre of land, cost to keep clean for 12 months and admin costs. Clerk advised the area of allotment land was now vacant and a decision has to be made as to whether the acre of land is leased on a short term basis or not, if not what the cost would be re loss of revenue and to keep area clean. Mr Lambert proposed the land should not be let, seconded Mr Reeves, Mr Storey & Mr Lawrence abstained rest in favour. After some discussion it was agreed cost required to cover loss of revenue and to keep area clean is £420 plus land agents fee to measure area out. It was agreed to contact Mr Leech with proposed area which follows on behind the electricity sub station adjacent to Old Brandon Road. Mr Hawkins to be asked to mark 1 acre of land out so rest can be advertised for tenders. Solicitor advises that a surveyor/land agent should be hired to negotiate all the terms etc. for the Council. Mr Storey felt that this is the way forward but all costs must be met by REGBIO. All agreed that a land agent must be involved from the start re negotiations on behalf of the Council. Clerk to advise solicitor of initial costs, when agreement received then services of land agent to be obtained, all agreed.
15 MP E Truss Meeting - Chairman advised meeting still taking place on 15th October, he will take the meeting but the Council is not involved nor liable for the costs.
16 Munson’s Lane - verge has been cut but not very tidy, nettles still hanging over footpath - Trust to be advised, Mr Storey would also look at work that has been done. No action been taken by resident of corner property.
MINUTE 1159
MATTERS ARISING CONT
17 Highway Rangers - this scheme was delayed and is now starting from September. Clerk’s should be contacted prior to a visit and a list of what the ranger’s will cover was advised.
18 Report to Highways - verges have been cut.
19 Audit - completed, no problems, advertised as required.
20 Feltwell Junior FC - letter re continued usage of changing rooms/pitches, Mr Lambert proposed cost remains the same at £10 per home game, seconded Mrs Batten, all agreed. Clerk advised that the changing rooms have been kept quite clean but really need some upgrading as toilets etc in poor condition. Clerk to enquire if any work on the changing rooms can be paid for from capital monies. Clerk advised that the senior fc has reported that the grass may be diseased - Mr Storey advised Hockwold cricket club had experienced some problems and Mr Alsop may be able to give some advice.
21 KL&WNBC - Elections - letter from Borough re mini service review - views on proposal that Parish Council’s meet the cost of local elections and Parish polls. Proposal due to spending reviews and reductions ordered by central government. After some discussion it was agreed to object to these proposals as we are being asked to comment on unknown costs being levied. Does the proposed 2 year freeze on council tax apply to parish council’s? More information is required.
22 Vitalise - donation request - declined.
23 Planning Appeal - 1-5 Short Beck - notice that an appeal has been granted, Clerk to write confirming Parish Council’s objections due to parking availability off road.
CORRESPONDENCE
24 CGM - questionnaire of work undertaken - Clerk to complete.
25 NCC - proposed power & recycling centre at King’s Lynn - meetings proposed to be held in November, further information will be received. Norfolk matters newsletter - no longer in paper print. New pilot interactive digital TV service. Norfolk disability information service. A-Z of services. Year book. Highways re Christmas events on the Highway and road closures
26 KL&WNBC - 2011 census - handbook.
27 Norfolk Police - news.
28 Enertrag - notice of withdrawal from wind farm project at Weeting.
29 E.Cambridgeshire DC - Littleport master plan.
30 Dales Sports Surfaces - re-surfacing tennis courts.
31 NALC - Think green - low sustainability event 10/11/10. Members survey. Big society survey 2010. Norfolk waste partnership - conference 7/10. Norfolk link. Training calendar till July 2011. CiCLA Skills courses. Came & Co - parish matters newsletter.
32 Essex & Suffolk Water - Denver licence variation meeting 22/10/10.
33 Suffolk Game & Country Show - tickets available.
34 Brochures - Littlethorpe. Whitehouse Enterprises. Seton. Parish magazines.
MINUTE 1160
35 CHEQUES were signed for the following - L Peckham £633.33, Cash £10, Methodist Church £15, S Sargent £107.19, Post Office £300.50, Pearson’s £53.58, Mazars £334.88, Berryman £40.91.
36 PLANNING - Mr P Wing - 7-9 Bell Street - extension to dwelling including demolition of earlier sub-standard extensions - APPROVED. Due to the time limit the following planning was REFUSED by 4 Councillors - Enterprising Co - 1-5 Bell Street - change of use of furniture showrooms & interior design studio to 3 residential cottages including partial demolition, alterations & extensions.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
37 Dog Bin - to be sited on Old Methwold Road - next meeting.
38 Report to Highways - Potholes - Hythe Road & Munson’s Lane, also road sunk in Munson’s Lane. Southery Road edge becoming very dangerous again. Water problems Short Lane & Long Lane again. Mr Cooper advised he had written to Highways re the Short Lane water problem and they have advised that a scheme has been missed for this financial year and hopefully it will be placed in one for 2012/13.
39 St Nicholas Churchyard - hedge needs cutting around unused area, it was agreed to obtain quotes to do this work - hedge needs face & top Church side to be cut with care being given to adjacent properties. Skip needs emptying.
40 Potholes - Car Park - holes in car park especially near entrance - these prevent vehicles leaving the site at speed - notice to be erected re cars parked at owners risk.
41 Paynes Lane Traffic - letter from residents - to be discussed next meeting.
42 Photocopier - copier playing up when copying both sides, company had quoted £95 call out fee plus £20 for every 15 minutes plus parts required. Possible two journeys may be required if part not available.
43 Bulk Litter Bin - it was agreed to give notice to terminate contract from renewal at end March 2011.
44 NMW - Clerk advised NMW increased to £5.93 ph from 1/10/10 - this has been applied to litter collector from this date.
45 MP Meeting - Chairman took down notes on areas of concerns - these included water laying around village.
Next meeting to be held 8th November.
Meeting declared closed 9.10pm.