MINUTE 1261
A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday the 14th
day of JANUARY
2013 at the Methodist Chapel, Bell Street - commencing 7.30pm.
COUNCILLORS PRESENT: - Mr Lambert (Vice Chair) Messrs. Cooper,
Storey, Spanswick, Cock, Samuels, Leamon
and Mrs Bane. Also present 5 members of public.
Mr Lambert (Vice chair) took the meeting due to the absence of the
Chairwoman.
APOLOGIES - received from Mrs Batten,
Mrs Mills, Mrs McGeeney & Sq Leader Neilds.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - none.
MINUTES of the last meeting were taken as read, agreed and
duly signed by the Vice Chairman, following a correction to the end time of the
meeting being 9pm & not 9am.
PUBLIC SPEAKING - the meeting was suspended, nobody wished to speak,
meeting resumed.
The Chairman welcomed Mr Leamon onto the
Council.
MATTERS ARISING
1 Dispensation Application
- Mr Leamon applied for a dispensation to allow him
to be involved in setting the budget/precept of the Council. Dispensation was
granted, all agreed.
2 Vacancy - Mr Leamon was duly elected onto the Parish Council at the
election held in December. Cost of election £1291.25.
3 SNT - several thefts of
no plates from vehicles in the village reported. Also
attempted theft of diesel. Email re action fraud, a new department
dealing with fraud.
4 Risk Assessment - Digley’s have reported that the safety inspection has been
delayed due to illness, this is in hand. Electric meter door has been repaired.
Clerk reported N Power has pruned branches from electric wires around perimeter
of Playingfield, a lot of branches laying,
some have been removed. Quotes for fence repair received - Mr Ayres quoted to
weld a steel box over the top & fix existing wire, total £784 net. Chase
Fencing quoted to remove & replace chain link fence, folding over to rear -
cost £860 net, Mr Scarff quoted to replace chain link fence, folding over
approximately 1’, total £1177.60. Mr Storey felt that the quotes did not cover
the same criteria, so no decision can be made. (Mr Spanswick
arrived 7.40pm) Mr Samuels felt the quotes reflected what those
submitting them felt was required. Clerk advised she had met with all
those who submitted a quote to explain what was required. Mr Storey enquired if
replacing the fence was a capital expenditure? Clerk would enquire, Mr Storey
proposed any decision is deferred until this is determined, seconded Mr
Samuels, all agreed. After some discussion it was agreed to obtain quotes for
rest of fence bordering car park & playingfield,
some posts would need repair along fence with play area & new gates
required. Mr Storey gave his report - a lot of branches laying
around, these to be removed. Gate catches are broken, light, protruding cable
& down pipe on changing rooms. Walkway to changing rooms is covered in
debris from trees. Tennis court needs sweeping, Clerk advised litter collector
usually starts to do this again March/April time, it was agreed to leave until
then. Panel out in shelter. Boundary wall is
deteriorating work needs to be done before it becomes dangerous. Concrete block
under climb frame, Mr Storey would remove this. Items were discussed by
Council,
MINUTE 1262
MATTERS ARISING CONT
4 cont - panel not to be
replaced as discussed a few months ago. Clerk to inspect wall & send
letters to owners to advise of condition of wall.
Changing rooms to, hopefully, be demolished shortly, condition to be monitored.
Mr Spanswick would do next inspection.
5 Changing Rooms - letter
from AWA re plumbing survey, Clerk has responded advising plans for building.
Clerk advised £65,000 grant awarded by the Norfolk Community Construction fund,
monies received & banked. Clerk has sent letters of thanks to grant board,
NCC & Cllr White as our sponsor on behalf of the
Council & parish. Email received from Mr Ramsay, Chairman of football club,
advising that so far £2120 has been raised by the football club but this is in
a pavilion fund and cannot be transferred to a changing room fund while there
is still a potential for a pavilion to be built and then only if everyone who
contributed agrees to the transfer. Mr Spanswick thought
that the football club were fund raising to help
towards this project. Mr Edwards, from the senior team, advised the Council
that he was not aware of the money raised being for a pavilion, he thought the
football club was raising money to improve the facilities. Mrs
Bane advised that a lot of people did fund raise for a pavilion. Mr Samuels felt that the project is a
village project and a contribution from the football club was not necessary. Mr
Storey felt that it should be stipulated what monies raised are being used for,
both at this meeting & in the public domain, it should be made clear. The
cost to rebuild this facility is approximately £140,000, £65,000 grant & £75,000
from parish capital funds. Mr Storey felt that who will be responsible for running
the building should be determined so that everyone knows their position before
a brick is laid. Mr Cock felt that the Council would be responsible for the
building for all time. Mr Storey felt the Council would oversee the project
with somebody else running it. Clerk advised probably two ways forward -
Council runs the building & users pay a rent or the football club have a long term users agreement on the building making
them responsible for costs, maintenance, cleaning etc. no decisions have yet been
made. A discussion took place, it was felt a meeting was to be held involving
the football club to determine this matter, Mr Samuels proposed a parish
meeting is held, seconded Mr Storey, Mr Spanswick
proposed an amendment to this proposal, that the football club holds a meeting
& invite the Council to attend, seconded Mrs Bane
- a vote was taken on the amendment Mr Cooper, Mr Leamon
& Mr Lambert in favour, Mr Storey, Mr Cock &
Mr Samuels against - a vote was taken on Mr Samuels proposal, Mr Storey, Mr Cock
in favour, Mrs Bane, Mr
Cooper, Mr Lambert, Mr Leamon & Mr Spanswick against - Mr Spanswick
proposal was carried. Clerk to write to Chair of football club requesting that
the club committee meets & decides, as a whole, the way forward for them
and then a meeting to be held to discuss this with the Council. The Chairman
invited Mr S Samuels to address the meeting to discuss quotes received re an
asbestos report, building control, energy report - all these are required
before any work can progress. Mr S Samuels advised the Council of requirements.
Two quotes received re asbestos survey - Asbestos Surveys & Inspections £350
net, ASI Environmental £450 net. Mr C Samuels proposed quote for £350 is
accepted, seconded Mr Cock, all agreed. Clerk advised the Borough Council does
not carry out building control in house, a firm is used
CNC Consultancy. Two quotes received re building control costs CNC quote £600
net, London Building Control £495 net - Mr C Samuels proposed LBC quote of £495
is accepted, seconded Mr Spanswick, all agreed. Two
quotes received for SBEM assessment - CNC £496.87 net, JR Payne £375 net - Mr C
Samuels proposed JR Payne quote of £375 net is accepted, seconded Mr Spanswick, all agreed. The Chairman read out a letter from
Calvert, Brain & Fraulo re project managing, they
quoted £2750 plus disbursements & VAT, they advise their role would be to
carry out periodic site inspections which infers
occasional site visits, they outlined the work they would undertake for this
sum. Mr S Samuels has been asked to submit his costs to project manage this
work, through the Chair Mr S Samuels advised the Council that when he initially
agreed to carry out the work on this project
MINUTE 1263
MATTERS ARISING CONT
5 cont - for the football club he offered his services free, this offer
still stands as it is a community project. Mr Cock felt it was a very generous
offer to make. Mr S Samuels advised a project manager would manage the site but
the ultimate responsibility still lays with the Parish
Council. Mr S Samuels advised that he has been answerable to the Council only,
since they took over sole responsibility of this project. Mr Storey felt the
offer was generous but that it should be turned down, he felt Mr S Samuels
should be paid, at least, something for the work he undertakes. After some
discussion it was agreed that Mr S Samuels would submit a quote to manage this
project, to be received for next meeting. Clerk enquired re a CDM coordinator , Mr S Samuels advised one would have to be
appointed re health & safety requirements, he would obtain quotes. Clerk
enquired re tender’s for work, it was agreed to obtain
more detailed tender’s. Mr Cock proposed J Halls & S Seals are invited to
submit tender’s, seconded Mr Spanswick,
all agreed. Mr S Samuels enquired if the Council would consider forming a
sub-committee re this project, Mr C Samuels, Mr Leamon,
Mrs Bane, Mr Lambert would
be on committee, Mrs Batten to be asked also, agreed.
6 Land Registry - NFN
7 Report to Highways -
Clerk has chased Highways, no response. Next rangers visit due w/c 4/2 Clerk
has advised areas.
8 Oak Garden - NFN
9 Balance Sheet - Mr
Storey enquired the cost of insurance for c/rooms, Clerk advised about £250.
10 Churchyard, St Nicholas - meeting in hand. Mr Lambert advised
trees & bushes have been cleaned up by member’s of his family.
11 Bin, Long Lane - this has been emptied.
12 Encroaching Hedges - owner of land contacted someone should be
on site next week. Letter been sent to 10 Newcombe
Drive re encroaching growth into walkway.
13 Allotments, Pest Control - Mr Smith rang Clerk upon receipt of
letter, there is one hole about 3/400m along the Hythe
Rd in the hedge, he can treat this if required at a extra cost. The bait boxes
are emptied once a month as per agreement, which is sufficient as not all bait is
taken, most uptake along Piggy Lane hedge. He advises that rats
will go where there is a food source, once the beet heads are gone then they
will move to where there are chickens or grain stores. Mr Cooper advised he has
spoken with an allotment tenant who advised there were no problems with rats.
Mr Storey would check the hedges along Hythe Road and
deal with if necessary.
14 WNBC - letter from NCC re incinerator
enquiry.
15 Tree P/Field - in hand.
16 War Memorial, Brick Pillar - work complete to a very good
standard.
MINUTE 1264
MATTERS ARISING CONT
17 Property, Bell Street - resident emailed copy of
correspondence to highways re erecting bollards, Clerk enquired to highways,
the bollards will be wooden & are on order with the contractors, these will
be chased for installation.
18 Bin, High Street - Bin received, £10 off with voucher. Clerk
advised Mr Scarff would charge £45 to install bin but if it does not fit
straight into existing fittings an extra cost for drilling & bolting of £25
would be made. Mr Scarff’s quote to be held. Mr
Cooper would try to install bin. Clerk enquired if refuse collectors or litter
collector should be asked to empty bin, it was agreed litter collector should
be asked to empty this when in place.
19 Edmund Moundeford Trust - Mr Storey apologised
he has not spoken to Mr Hawkins re this matter, he will report at next meeting.
20 Report to Highways - pothole in Newcombe
Drive has been repaired to a poor standard, Mr Leamon
reported gravel left on road & repair already sunk, Clerk to report to
highways, copy to Mr White CC.
21 Village Greens - no cars parked on green recently.
22 Boundary, The Beck - site operators
have erected fence on boundary of site. Letter from NCC re street lighting of
new road, options available, it was agreed that NCC be responsible for this new
lighting.
23 Precept - Clerk advised changes to the benefit system &
second home charging have reduced the tax base to 608, a reduction of 65 on
last year. To help reduce the impact on Council’s the Borough has been given a
grant, by central government, which it has to pass onto parish & town councils.
Feltwell will receive £2305 this year, this grant will
most probably be a one off and not available next year. Clerk outlined
expenditure & income for the current year, £11400 was bought forward from
last year plus £25,000 precept, the approximate figure in hand at the end of
this year should be £5/6000, a 50% reduction, this is mainly due to the costs
of the village poll & elections. If
the requirement remains at £25,000 this can be made up to include the grant or
the grant can be an extra amount. It was advised that next year it may be
possible that parish council’s will be capped and any scope to cover increased
costs would reduce. Due to the reduction in the tax base those paying the
council tax will have to pay a little more than last year if the requirement
stays the same. After some discussion including the reduced revenue reserve,
increasing costs & possible projects the Chairman proposed the precept
requirement remains at £25,000 for 2013/14, grant monies extra, Mr Storey &
Mr Cooper against, rest in favour, motion carried.
24 Natural England - Ash tree reported on land along Lodge Road,
not on Council land.
25 NCC, Highway Services - partnership bids - all councillors to receive copy, next meeting.
26 Equal Opportunity Policy - all councillors
received copy of proposed policy, Chairman proposed policy is adopted, all
agreed.
27 Came & Co Insurer’s - letter from insurer’s re increased
public liability claims, they advise for areas to be inspected weekly and that
if we are responsible for any tree’s to have a survey carried out.
MINUTE 1265
MATTERS ARISING CONT
27 cont - Mr Samuels proposed that quotes are obtained to carry out a
survey on the tree’s on playingfield,
there was no seconder for the motion.
28 Esco NRG Ltd - email from
company enquiring about renting about 20 acres of allotment land along the OBR
to site a solar farm, they are willing to pay £900 per acre per annum, for 25
years. Mr Samuels proposed enquiry is considered, there was no seconder for motion.
CORRESPONDENCE
29 NCC - Smoking in bus shelters - signs received, Clerk will put
in shelters. Waste summit seminar invitation being held 7/2. Norfolk
Minerals SS allocations - LDF - submissions & documents available.
30 NALC - letter from J Scarrott,
Parish liaison officer. Norfolk link. Quality parish scheme update.
31 Norse - landscape development brochure.
32 Norfolk RCC - e.newsletter.
33 Parish magazine.
34 CHEQUES - were signed for the following - L Peckham £869.20, Cash £15, Methodist Church £17, S Sargent £86.66, Post Office Ltd £449.66, G Smith £36, AWA £312.07,
Glasdon £162, Viridor £54.12,
Berryman £173.69, WNBC £1291.25.
35 PLANNING - Mr/Mrs Vaughan -
land east 46 Paynes Lane - Construction of a detached
dwelling with garden room & attached double garage - APPROVED.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
36 Fit Norfolk Roadshow - funding
opportunities to improve playing fields, pitches etc. Clerk to copy to football
club.
37 Buses - Hereward Way - Clerk advised
of complaints re school buses turning & picking up on Moatside
estate, Clerk waiting for email from complainant re further details.
38 Community Construction Fund - notice of
second funding round.
39 HGV Complaint - Mr Storey advised that on Sunday 13/1 at
10.35am a sugar beet lorry travelled along Paynes
Lane, resident complained. It was agreed to write to the Wissington
factory to advise of this complaint - lorry firm DJ
Transport.
Next meeting to be held 11/2/13.
Meeting declared closed 9.50pm.
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