MINUTE 1222
A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday the 16th day of APRIL
2012 at the Methodist Chapel, Bell Street - commencing 7.30pm.
COUNCILLORS PRESENT: - Mr Garland (Chairman), Mrs
Batten (Vice Chair) Messrs. Lambert, Glasscock, Cooper, Storey, Lawrence, Mrs McGeeney and Mrs Smith. Also present 14 members of public.
APOLOGIES - received from Mr Spanswick.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - none.
MINUTES of the last meeting were taken as read, agreed and
duly signed by the Chairman.
PUBLIC SPEAKING - the meeting was suspended for 3 minutes.
MATTERS ARISING
1 Vacancy - an election
has been requested to fill this vacancy, if more than one candidate stands then
an election will take place on 24th May, the cost of an election to
the Parish would be approximately £2/2200. Borough have enquired if polling
cards are required, cost of these would be approximately £650/700 extra, Mrs Batten proposed no polling cards necessary, seconded Mr
Glasscock, all agreed. As the vacancy is for the Feltwell Ward, then those
parishioners living in the Anchor Ward would not have a vote, postal &
proxy votes would still be available.
2 SNT - Theft of number
plates in Short Lane & trailer from garden Bell Street during March, Clerk
advised that crime figures are published in magazine when possible.
3 Risk Assessment - quote
from Monster Play for replacement panel youth shelter received, panel £745
& £450 installation charge - total £1195 net. A discussion took place, Mr
Storey enquired about its use & initial cost, this shelter is well used by
youths & the initial cost was raised by a youth group in the village. Mr
Lawrence suggested that Mr Scarff is asked to quote to replace the perplex
panel with like or alternatively with a solid piece of metal, all agreed.
Damage could be claimed off insurance, excess £250 plus loss of NCD bonus.
Clerk has quote to remove ivy from trees in hand. Cost to remove, cover bases
not yet received. Mr Spanswick did inspection,
nothing new to report. Mr Glasscock would do next inspection.
4 REGBIO - Clerk read out
result of poll & advised of piece in magazine as follows - there are 1726
electors eligible to vote in the parish, of these 512 electors voted in the
poll which equates to approximately 30%. Of those who voted (of the whole
electorate) 388 or 22.5% voted NO & 123 or 7.5% voted YES, 1 paper was
marked void. The Chairman advised that he did not propose to discuss the implications
of the poll tonight but simply ask Councillors to
take some time to consider their response to the result. In particular think
about the fact that a Parish poll is not binding to the Council. There was a
vote of confidence in the Parish Council at the Annual meeting. Be aware that
the Parish Council may be open to an audit challenge as why, when it had an
opportunity to make money from an asset, it failed to do so. The Parish Council
may have to explain why it has not taken an opportunity to get X amount of
money for the Parish and to maximise its resource,
when only 22.5% of the electorate voted against it. Remember that the Borough
will impose planning restrictions as Forest Heath DC did.
MINUTE 1223
MATTERS ARISING CONT
4 The restrictions imposed can
be viewed on the FHDC website and Councillors were
urged to check this. As lease holders the Parish Council can
impose its own restrictions in addition to any imposed by the Borough.
The Chairman proposed that Councillors discuss this
matter further at the next meeting, all agreed. Mr Lawrence asked if his
figures for those who voted in the poll were correct at 75% No & 25% Yes,
Clerk confirmed that these were correct for those who voted. Mr Lawrence
submitted a copy of email received from Ms Truss, MP in which it states that
she does support Mr Lawrence’s decision, as a Borough Councillor,
in opposing the scheme.
5 Changing Rooms - Clerk
advised rates received £382.50pa, as the building is rated under £6000 she has
applied for these to be reviewed and hopefully no payment will be required.
Clerk read out emails received, one advises that they are unable to submit an
application for a grant from WREN as they will not own the building, any
application would have to come from the Council. This is not correct, the
football club would own the building the Council would lease them the land to
build it on. Clerk to speak with WREN re this. Another email received advised
that they are completing a grant application to the FA and part of the form
asks for the supply of the tenancy/lease document that gives the FC access to
the land/building for the next 20-25 yrs, is it possible to have a lease
document drawn up? After some discussion it was agreed that a lease could not
be drawn up yet but Clerk to enquire if a letter of intent, from the Council’s
solicitor, showing that a lease for X amount of years would be given to the FC
would suffice?
6 Land Registry - NFN
Clerk to enquire progress.
7 Signs - Borough has advised
St Mary’s St sign cannot be moved as Highways require street names to be
visible from every direction , therefore, new sign will be erected on paper
shop wall.
8 Parking, Bell St -
situation has improved, Mr Storey advised he has not yet visited the residents due
to the improvement.
9 Proposed Willows
Incinerator - additional information received by NCC this can viewed on
website. Mr Storey advised that this will again be discussed at County
middle/end May and felt the Parish Council should again advise of its objections. Clerk advised previous comments will be noted.
Mr Storey proposed that another response of objection suggesting that the
application is referred to Eric Pickles MP, is advised, seconded Mr Lawrence,
all agreed. The Borough has advised they will continue with their request for a
judicial review.
10 Report to Borough - property in Oak
St has been repossessed and is up for sale, now responsibility of HSBC.
11 Came & Co - advice to Councillors is on their website.
12 FOI Enquiry - Clerk advised request on hold, cost to
provide information has been advised at £5.20.
13 Plaque, High St - Clerk has made
enquiries, Borough require photo of plaque, Chairman would do this.
MINUTE 1224
MATTERS ARISING CONT
14 Report to Highways - no work yet done
to reported potholes. Next rangers visit is w/e 7/5/12, Clerk read out areas
reported. County has sent information on footway works, Nightingale Lane, Fair
close & Fairfield Way will have preparation work carried out 14-18 May,
ahead of slurry veneer surfacing at a later date.
15 High Street, EDF - the proposed
work was not done but work in Long Lane to replace a pole was carried out 13/4
- damage was caused to the footpath (BT cover) this has been reported for
urgent attention to EDF who advises it is BT’s responsibility, Highways have
also been advised. Street light has been removed from pole and not installed on
new pole, Clerk to chase as area very dark.
16 Oak Garden - area getting
over grown again, what action to take? After some discussion it was agreed to
place piece in magazine asking if anybody would like to clean up voluntarily?
17 Cheques/Minutes - Mr Garland has
previously advised he intends to resign from the Council shortly, he presently
puts the Minutes on website and he agreed to continue to do this after his
resignation, agreed. Mr Garland is also one of four councillors
able to sign cheques, it was agreed that more
signatories were needed, Clerk had new change of
mandate forms from the bank. Mr Lambert, Mr Glasscock & Mrs
McGeeney all banked personally with Barclays and
agreed to be added to the signatories on the Council’s account, the Chairman
proposed Mr Lambert, Mr Glasscock & Mrs McGeeney are added to the signatories, all agreed, relevant
forms were signed. Mr Garland to be removed. Three
signatures are required on cheques, when the change
is in force any three of the following Mr Storey, Mr Cooper, Mr Spanswick, Mr Lambert, Mr Glasscock & Mrs McGeeney will all be able to
sign cheques etc.
18 Minutes - at the last
meeting Mr Lawrence questioned the amount of information contained in the
Minutes & felt people should be named so that who makes enquiries is known.
Hockwold’s meetings last as long as ours but they
produce more pages of Minutes, the same applies to Borough meetings. Clerk
responded to Mr Lawrence, she has been advised that the public section of the
meeting should not be Minuted
as it does not form part of the Parish Council meeting, so in future this will
not be Minuted. Great care is required when naming
members of the public due to the data protection act. With regard Hockwold’s minutes (the Clerk had a copy) the format &
layout used by Hockwold Clerk is different from that used by the Clerk. Minutes
are records of decisions taken and not of comments or information received,
Minutes are approved on the accuracy of decisions taken at a meeting and not on
the style they are presented as each Clerk has different styles. As long as the
decision process together with the proposer, seconder
and vote is recorded correctly then that is all that is required The Clerk advised
she stands by the way she produces the Minutes. Mr Storey felt that Councillors needed to be named, Clerk advised that Councillors are and will continue to be named when
required. The Chairman felt that the Minutes are acceptable as present, agreed.
19 NALC Subscription - renewal
invitation, £304.97, Chairman proposed subscription renewed, all agreed.
20 Audit - audit date 24/7
- return has to be approved by Council by 30/6 & sent to auditors by 4/7.
Return to be completed at next meeting. Internal auditors TWR cost to remain at
£250.
21 BT - new contract,
saving on present contract.
MINUTE 1225
MATTERS ARISING CONT
22 Donation Requests - letter from Mrs McGeeney asking for consideration to help with costs
towards two sporting events for the village, the first request to part fund a
archery course is now being donated by the Parish Magazine. The second request
for a donation towards the cost of supplying T-shirts for the competitors of
the inter village games, which Feltwell has won the last two years, due to this
being an Olympic year. Team Feltwell is
made up of about 100 villagers with ages ranging from 8 -60yrs+, the
approximate cost for the T-shirts is £400, would the Council consider part or
full funding these? Mr Lambert proposed that the Council funds the full cost of
these T shirts £400, seconded Mrs Batten, Mrs McGeeney abstained, rest in favour. The Chairman gave a vote of thanks to Mrs McGeeney for all she has done
for sport in the village over the past few years.
Tapping House Hospice donation request, declined.
CORRESPONDENCE
23 Norfolk RCC & NPFA - membership
invitations & e-news letter. WN Older persons forum - how
to join.
24 NCC - recycling credit
rates increased from £47.64 per ton last year to £49.07 pt for 2012/13.
25 NALC - Parish online
workshop 9th May - Chair will look at this.
26 Wind Turbines - e petition.
27 Anglian Water - hosepipe ban
leaflet.
28 RBS - interest rates
offered.
29 Came & Co Insurers - E. newsletter.
30 Brochures - Woodberry. Running Imp. Alexandra. Total security solutions. ROSPA. Playingfield newsletter. Wicksteed. Glasdon. Online playgrounds. Arbor. Parish magazine.
31 CHEQUES - were signed for
the following - L Peckham £663.22, Cash £10,
Methodist Church £16, S Sargent £133.80, Post Office
Ltd £117.38, CGM £99, KL&WNBC £289.54, Environment Agency £34.67, Viridor £252.61, Berryman £68.77, Anglian
Water £301.20. Precept payment received & banked.
32 PLANNING - none
for this meeting.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
33 Report to Highways - pothole o/s 3
Old Methwold Rd, edge of cover, also some further along OMR. Road dips near
entrance to bowls club, Long Lane for about 4m.
34 Operator Licence Enquiry - next meeting.
35 E.On - climate rate increase from 1/4 - report
change next meeting.
36 Computer Problems - Clerk advised of
telephone call received from Windows Live support team, it was advised this is
a scam & Mr Lambert gave information of free programme
to download to clear any problems.
37 Residents Enquiry - next meeting.
38 Review of Committee’s
& Allotment Terms of Reference - next meeting.
39 Review of Rates Paid - next meeting.
Next meeting to be held 14th May will be the Annual Meeting
of the Parish Council - election of Chairperson/Vice Chairperson - 7.30pm.
Accounts ledger will be on show.
Meeting declared closed 9.05pm.