A Meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday the 13th day of JULY 2015 at the Methodist Chapel, Bell Street – commencing 7.30 pm
COUNCILLORS PRESENT: Mrs Batten (Chairwoman), Messrs Cooper, Rayner and Leamon, Mrs Bane and Mrs Mills. Also present 4 members of the public and Sq Leader Neilds.
APOLOGIES: Received from Mr Lambert, Mr Storey, Mr Cock and Mrs McGeeney.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.
MINUTES of the last meeting were taken as read, agreed and duly signed by the Chairwoman.
PUBLIC SPEAKING: The meeting was suspended for 5 minutes to allow members of the public to speak.
MATTERS ARISING
1. RAF Feltwell
– Sq Leader Neilds expressed his great disappointment at the 4th
July celebrations having to be cancelled in view of the threat to security and
the safeguarding of the general public, and said this was not a decision made
lightly. The Chair said she felt that
everyone understood and appreciated why this action was necessary and Sq Leader
Neilds said he had been very impressed at the amount of support received from
the general public which was very much appreciated. Mrs Mills asked for an update on
2. SNT – No report received.
3. Risk Assessment – Mrs Mills carried out the playing field inspection during the morning of Saturday 11th July. She said there was a lot of rubbish everywhere which she tidied up. She asked if a notice could be put into the Parish newsletter reminding users of the tennis court to tidy up their rubbish after use. The plastic mesh drain cover has fallen down, handyman to replace. Weeds on roof of scout hut need spraying or digging out. Lots of weeds on concrete area, Clerk said CGM coming Monday to spray. Next report to be carried out by Clerk.
4. Changing Rooms – Carpet has been removed and rent money has all been paid; £255 cheque from the Senior team and £40 cash from the Junior team. Mr Kennedy has asked if he can pay on a monthly basis and the committee felt this was acceptable. Chair proposed, all in favour. Mr Kennedy has emailed the Clerk a list of forthcoming friendly home fixtures, two of which are charity football matches. He has asked if the Parish Council would donate the fees for these games to the charities of both causes. It was felt that if the Parish Council chose to do this, they would be setting a precedent and would have to then do this for other charities that may wish to use the changing rooms, therefore on this occasion it was decided that the fee would be still be charged to the Football Club for both matches. Mr Cooper proposed, Mr Leamon seconded, all in favour. Clerk to inform Mr Kennedy of this decision.
5. Balance Sheet – No queries.
6. Allotment Pest Control – Monthly report received.
7. NALC – Weekly updates.
8.
MATTERS ARISING
CONT
9. Trees Playing Field – Clerk reported that an email had been received from Anglia Woodlands stating that they are awaiting a confirmation date from UK Power Networks.
10. Grounds Maintenance Contract –The Chair spoke with CGM on Friday 10th July who said they had heard nothing regarding the headstone being lifted and therefore have not as yet been able to level the ground and reseed. Mr Rayner said the relative who owned the grave had informed him that the gravestone was lifted three weeks ago and CGM had not returned. Chair to inspect the graveyard and contact CGM should this be the case. No other complaints have been received.
11. Trod – Long Lane – Clerk reported that she had received an email from the Planning Enforcement Officer stating that an inspection has been carried out and he is now awaiting advice from his planning colleagues. Chair proposed this matter be postponed and the money saved put towards the cost of the double swings requested for the playing field. She felt that the swings would have more use than the trod and therefore the money would be better spent. All in favour.
12. Elections – No applications have been received regarding the casual vacancy in the Anchor Ward.
13. Clerk’s Position – Clerk advised she would be at her property for at least a year and asked if a phone line could be installed as the mobile reception was not great. Mrs Bane proposed, Mr Leamon seconded, all in favour. Hourly rate for Mrs Peckham to continue to be paid on an advisory level was agreed at £10/hour. Mrs Batten proposed, all in favour.
14. Pensions Regulator – Clerk is awaiting further instructions from the Pensions Regulator.
15. Bus Stops – Signs have now been installed.
16. Report to
Highways – Pothole on
17. Playing Field – Swings – Clerk presented quotations received from three different companies, details of which were perused. Swings to be purchased from Fenland Leisure at a cost of £2819.00 + VAT which includes supply and fit, grass mats and excavation of soil. Mrs Bane proposed, Mr Rayner seconded, all in favour. Swings to be installed in 4-6 weeks time. Clerk to proceed with order and organise a site visit.
18. Play Equipment Inspection – Inspection was carried out on Friday 5th June and the Chair advised contents of the report. Some areas are medium to high risk. The access gate doesn’t stay shut and fencing needs to be replaced. Clerk presented three prices for galvanised chain link fencing. Chair proposed fencing to be bought from Chase Fencing at a cost of £120.14 + VAT for a 1200 x 25m roll, all in favour. Clerk to purchase. Some welding is required on the top of the fence, Mr Batten to undertake. The seesaw needs painting, Mr Vincent to do this week.
MATTERS ARISING
CONT
Report advised mats be taken up from underneath the cantilever swing, levelled and relaid. Also that the surfacing under the climbing frame has multiple trip hazards and should be made good. Chair didn’t think either of these were necessary at present but said they should be monitored. Some of the fixings on the aerial cableway are becoming corroded. Cableway spring break is contorted and broken. Clerk to contact original supplier for replacement price. The break spring is positioned too closely to the end frame allowing the seat to come into contact with the structure. Chair to investigate whether it’s adjustable. One of the fixing points on the toddler swing is bent. Chair to look at. Powder coating on the multiplay unit is starting to peel away, Clerk to ascertain whether this is under guarantee. One polycarbonate panel and fixing frame is missing from the rear of the teen shelter. Clerk to write to Mr Samuels who has in the past offered to supply and fit a replacement panel. Tennis court – posts are corroded and the net discoloured. Chair advised posts will be painted but the nets are fine.
19. Grass Verges – Once again, the grass verges have not been cut as per the three week rota. Clerk to contact NCC. Clerk to display contact details for NCC “Open Spaces Department” on the Parish Notice board and within the Parish Newsletter to urge residents to contact them direct as this will have more impact.
20. Hedges –
Clerk has written to owners of
21. Memorial Wreaths – Information printed from the War Memorials Trust was submitted regarding the timescale for removal of wreaths from a memorial ground and the information advised at the previous meeting was challenged. Clerk to pass on information to Mr Cock.
22. Review of Committees – It was agreed to carry this forward to the next meeting due to the number of Councillors absent.
CORRESPONDENCE
23. NCC – Pupils in Lingwood celebrate opening of new £3.9m school, Extra incentive for smaller parishes as County Council launches new Parish Partnership round, A greener County Hall as solar PV installed, Interactive campaign aims to get young people working in Norfolk’s six growth sectors., Funding supports communities to improve their own health, Norfolk names in top 5 local authorities for tackling homophobic bullying, Norfolk Police & Crime Commissioner’s annual report to be discussed by panel
24. The Third Age Trust - A self-help learning organisation which gives purpose and stimulus to those in retirement – introductory letter
25. Bacon – A weekly newsletter which advertises parish events
26. Brochures
– Parish Magazine,
27. CHEQUES – Were signed for the
following – J Martin £672.96, S Sargent £105.23, K Vincent £98.00, Cash £15.00,
30. PLANNING – There were no planning applications.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
31. Bench – Mrs Bane asked if a couple of benches could be provided on the playing field. To be discussed at next meeting.
32. Report to Highways-
Clerk reported a complaint from a
33. Bridleways – Mr Leamon has received complaints from a few residents about gates being erected on bridleways. He asked if it was possible to obtain a map to clarify that these were actually bridleways and not privately owned. Clerk to contact NCC.
34. Rangers Visit
– Clerk advised that the Rangers would be in the village week commencing 20th
July and asked if any issues could be reported to her beforehand. Already on the list is the overgrowth at
35. Mr & Mrs
Massingham – The Chair read out a letter from Mr & Mrs Massingham of
36. One-way System – An email was read out from a resident concerned about the village one-way system and the increasing amount of traffic going the wrong way along High Street, in particular from Mulberry Close although a one-way sign is positioned directly opposite the junction. Clerk to ask Borough to visit and to suggest sufficient road signage be put in place.
Next meeting to be held 10th August 2015 at 7.30 pm.
Meeting declared closed 8.45 pm.