MINUTE 1226
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 14th
May 2012 at the Methodist Church, Bell Street, commencing 7.30pm..
COUNCILLORS PRESENT: - Mrs Batten (Vice
Chair) Messrs. Lambert, Cooper, Storey, Lawrence, Spanswick
and Mrs McGeeney. Also
present 20 members of public, 3 representatives from Football Club, PCSO Bortz.
Due to the Chairman’s resignation from the Council on 30/4/12, Mrs Batten took the chair.
APOLOGIES - none received.
ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON - Mrs Batten asked
for nominations for position of Chairperson, Mr Cooper proposed Mrs Batten as Chairperson, seconded Mrs
McGeeney - there were no further nominations Mr
Lambert & Mr Spanswick in favour,
Mr Storey & Mr Lawrence abstained - Mrs Batten
was duly elected as Chairwoman. Mrs Batten signed her
declaration of acceptance to office.
ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRPERSON - The Chairwoman
asked for nominations for the position of Vice Chair - Mr Spanswick
proposed Mrs McGeeney, Mrs McGeeney was not willing to
stand. Mrs McGeeney
proposed Mr Lambert, seconded Mr Cooper, there were no further nominations, all
agreed. Mr Lambert was duly elected as Vice Chair.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - none declared.
MINUTES of the last meeting were taken as read, agreed and
duly signed by the Chairwoman..
PUBLIC SPEAKING - the meeting was suspended for 1 minute, nobody
present wished to speak.
MATTERS ARISING
1 Vacancy - an election
will be held as there are 2 candidates.
2 SNT - PCSO Bortz gave crime figures for Feltwell from Jan-May -
burglaries 2 from dwellings, 10 non-dwelling, 2
criminal damage, 2 drug related, 1 fraudulent forgery, 1 theft of motor
vehicle, 6 thefts from motor vehicles mainly number plates, 3 people have been
arrested for these recently and 2 violence against a person. Overall Norfolk
remains one of the safest places to live. PCSO Bortz
left the meeting.
3 Risk Assessment - no
costs received from Mr Scarff re bases & panel. Clerk is meeting with CGM
re ivy on trees. Mr Glasscock did report, nothing new to report. Mr Cooper
would do next inspection.
4 REGBIO - Clerk advised
cost of poll was £1275.29, not as high as the estimate given by Borough. Clerk
advised the Council that if they felt intimidated to discuss this matter in
public then they could pass a resolution to discuss this matter in private, any
discussion would be private but the Minutes would be public. Mr Lawrence, Mr
Storey and Mr Lambert felt this should be discussed in public, agreed. Mr Spanswick advised that initially he was not 100% in
agreement with this proposed plant but he now feels that with what is happening
in the country a parish should try to support itself and he supports the
project, Mrs McGeeney
agreed. Mr Lambert advised he has not changed his mind personally but a vote
was held in the village and 70% of those eligible to vote did not so it can
only be presumed they do not care.
MINUTE 1227
MATTERS ARISING CONT
4 cont. - either way. The
Parish Council represents the village including those who voted in the poll, where
the majority was against this project, he could only come to the conclusion
that it is untenable to support this project further. Mr Lawrence felt that
these plants were not a good use of public money, the
Council has given the Parish a chance to speak. Mr Lawrence felt that advice
given by the past Chairman was not correct and that he should not have visited
the Hockwold plant without first advising the Council of his intention to do
so. Mr Cooper felt that Mr Lawrence should not have approached the MP about
this project without the Council’s knowledge, Mr
Lawrence advised anyone can go to the MP on any matter. Mr Storey congratulated
Mrs Batten on becoming the Chairwoman & thanked
Mr Garland for services to the Parish over the years, he advised that as a
Borough Councillor who serves on the DCB he has been
legally advised not to comment on issues that involve possible planning
permission, this is why he has not entered into any
discussions on this project. The Clerk enquired if this advice has been given
to Mr Storey, does this not apply to Mr Lawrence also? As Mr Lawrence is only a
substitute board member this does not apply as he can decide not to represent
on applications. Mrs McGeeney
feels the income that could be made from this project for the village would be
good and perhaps the Council should not make any decisions until the plant at
Lakenheath is built and running. Mr Spanswick
proposed that the Council makes no decisions on whether to proceed or not with
this project until the plant at Lakenheath is built & running, seconded Mrs McGeeney, Mr Cooper & Mrs Batten in favour, Mr Lambert
& Mr Lawrence against, Mr Storey abstained - motion carried. Clerk to
advise REGBIO. Mr Storey enquired about the area of land, REGBIO have paid a
holding fee until October.
5 Changing Rooms - Clerk
advised refund of £644.09 received re rates for c/rooms over past 2 years,
presently no rates due. The Chairwoman invited Mr Edwards (Feltwell FC) to
address the Council. Mr Edwards gave a representation of an amended way forward
to this project - the senior Saturday team has been promoted, for the first
time in the villages history, into the Anglian
Combination league and increased criteria for changing facilities is required.
The present project of new facilities plus hall is proving too big a project
for the club and they are asking if the Council would agree to the project
being split in two with the c/rooms rebuild being the first phase. Grants from
Norfolk FA will still be applied for but WREN only offer grants for fixtures
& fittings and for multi sport facilities. The FC will continue to fund
raise. The idea of a hall has not been dismissed. Mr Lawrence advised when Councillors met Mr Lemon (Norfolk FA) he advised that
referee facilities plus other criteria was required. Mr Samuels advised the
Council that the plans drawn up for the project could be split in two and that
the c/room facilities met all requirements/criteria. Mr Lambert enquired about
re-furbishment, Mr Samuels advised that the condition
of the walls & roof could prove costly against a re-build and the projected
costs were not that much more to rebuild just the c/rooms. Mr Lawrence felt the
building should be demolished. Mr Storey felt the building should be
demolished, the project should be supported, he
believes the present building was not built to a high standard. Mr Samuels
advised some materials can be sourced to help keep costs down. Mr Samuels
advised he had obtained the cost of hiring temporary c/rooms @ a cost of £8000
for 32 weeks. Mr Lambert felt the c/room rebuild should be done first. Mrs McGeeney felt that the
community needs a hall & that grants were more available if the Parish
Council joined forces with the football club. Mr Storey felt that from past
experience the playingfield is the wrong place for a
hall and that the village should be asked about spending a large amount of
capital money. After further discussion the Chairwoman proposed that plans
& specifications to rebuild just c/room facilities are drawn up and three
tenders obtained , Mrs McGeeney abstained, rest in favour.
Mr Cooper proposed Mr Samuels draws up plans for
Council, seconded Mr Spanswick, all agreed. Mr
Edwards thanked the Council for their support. Mrs
Batten asked Mr Storey/Mr Lawrence about a scheme within the LDF &
communities.
MINUTE 1228
MATTERS ARISING CONT
5 cont.- Mr Lawrence advised this is known as
CIL and replaces the section 106 agreements. Mr Storey would look into this.
Sqd Leader Neilds
arrived 8.20pm.
6 USAF Feltwell - Sqd Leader Neilds advised of new
commander - Kyle Robinson. Complaints about firing range usage, especially
early morning were advised, this would be looked into.
7 Land Registry - no
response yet from solicitors re progress.
8 Proposed Willows
Incinerator - NFN
9 Plaque, High St - NFN
10 Report to Highways - Rangers will visit village over next few
days. Potholes in P/Lane & Short Lane done.
11 EDF - Light - work to replace lines in High St being done
15/5, then light will be re-erected in Long Lane.
12 Oak Garden - no offers to clean up received, Clerk meeting
with CGM this week cost to clean up to be obtained.
13 Cheques - Mr Glasscock has since
resigned from the Council, another signature required to be added, mandate
change not yet complete. It was agreed Mrs Batten to
sign on account, new forms completed.
14 Audit - Governance statement & accounting statement were
agreed, completed and signed by Chairwoman, all Councillors
received balance sheet, accounts approved proposed
Chair all agreed. Mr Storey enquired about costs of c/rooms, Clerk advised
large water bill due to burst pipe and survey fees. Books to
be taken to TWR accountants for completion of internal audit.
15 Donation Request - Mrs McGeeney not yet completed order & costs.
16 Report to Highways -
pothole 3 Old Methwold Rd not yet done, on schedule, Clerk had again advised
very dangerous.
17 O Licence Enquiry - Clerk advised
that this enquiry had to be dealt with as any pre planning enquiry would, the
Council cannot make any comment without knowing what is in the application.
These applications do not normally come to Council’s. Resident advised.
18 E.On - due to
climate change levy, increase of £3.21 net per month to supply costs.
19 Residents Enquiry - withdrawn.
20 Review of Committee/Allotment Terms of Reference
- Allotment terms, agreed no
changes.
MINUTE 1229
MATTERS ARISING CONT
20 cont. - Committees - Rawlins Charity - Mr Lambert,
Mr Cooper & Mrs McGeeney. Fuel
Allotment - Mr Cooper, Mr Lambert & Mr Fox. Atmere
Charity - Mr Lambert. Allotment Committee - Mr Storey, Mr Cooper, Mr Spanswick, Mrs Batten ( one other required to determine when vacancies filled).
All agreed.
21 Review Rates Paid - Litter collector on NMW (£6.08ph), she
does a very good job a letter of thanks for the work she does is to be sent,
Clerk enquired if the Council felt that perhaps her hourly rate should be
increased due to the work she does? Matter to be discussed at
next meeting when past costs advised. Nothing received re Clerk’s pay
yet.
22 Resignations - Clerk read out letters of resignation from Mr
Garland, Mrs Smith & Mr Glasscock, thanks were
expressed for their services to the parish. The Chairwoman proposed a card is
sent to Mr Garland, all agreed. Mr Lambert proposed that after 23 years service
to the parish, 16 of them as Chairman, a gift to show our appreciation should
be presented to Mr Garland, seconded Mr Cooper, all agreed. Clerk enquired how
much should be spent? Mr Lambert proposed between £30-40, seconded Mr Cooper,
all agreed.
23 Viridor - Waste Transfer Note -
required for waste collected - signed by Chairwoman. Clerk advised she had
received notice of price increase, this does not apply
to us as we have just entered into contract.
CORRESPONDENCE
24 NCC -
Norfolk minerals & Waste development framework -
pre-submission documents comments by 29/6. Better broadband information sheet.
Free training for Clerk’s re NCC services.
25 F Davis - Sign writer/restorer.
26 Stroke Association - 1948 Torch trial - Mrs
McGeeney advised this was now part of the jubilee
celebrations up the school on 4/6, a fun run is being held and proceeds will go
to the association.
27 WNBC - Basic of planning session - training
event 19th June. WN Sports council - AGM
12/6.
28 NALC - Archive film in the community
presentation 15/5. Norfolk link. Summer event - the Broads 8/6 at Ludham.
Jubilee events - insurance cover details. Initial training
for Clerk’s & Councillors. Joint summer conference 3/7. Filestream storage.
29 NPFA - Playingfield
newsletter.
30 Brochures - Street snooker. Glasdon. Furniture
@ Work. Clerk’s & Council’s direct. Parish magazine.
31 CHEQUES - were signed for the following - L Peckham £723.66, Cash £10, Methodist Church £16, S Sargent £90.08, EAS Lambert £5, NALC £304.97, Berryman
£92.70, BCKLWN £1275.29, Viridor £54. Recycling
credit £618.22, VAT refund £1365.89 & rate refund £644.09 received.
32 PLANNING - E Porter & Son - Grange Farm, Old
Methwold Rd - extension building for grain storage & agricultural machinery
storage - APPROVED.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
33 Report to Highways - Potholes - Lodge Rd near new build &
further along. Hythe Rd near Church, o/s 25 Short
Beck, top Paynes Lane. Mr Spanswick
advised he has seen vehicles overtaking along Wilton Rd near junction Paynes Lane, very dangerous - this is perhaps a police
matter.
34 Computer Security - this runs out in 6 days Clerk purchased
Norton 360, £59.
Next meeting to be held 11th June. Meeting closed
9.30pm.