MINUTE 1243
A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday the 10th day of SEPTEMBER 2012 at
the Methodist Chapel, Bell Street - commencing 7.30pm.
COUNCILLORS PRESENT: - Mrs Batten
(Chairwoman), Mr Lambert (Vice Chair) Messrs. Cooper, Storey, Spanswick, Cock, Samuels, Mrs McGeeney, Mrs Mills and Mrs Bane. Also present 8 member’s of public, Mr S Samuels, Sqd Leader Neilds, 2 PCSO Officers.
APOLOGIES - received from Mr Lawrence.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - Mr Cock declared an interest
to a planning amendment at site Bell Street - when the item was discussed.
MINUTES of the last meeting, Mr Samuels requested the Minutes
are amended to determine which Mr Samuels was addressing the meeting - item 3
should read Mr S Samuels advised re bug problem on golf course & during the
closed section Mr S Samuels advised re tenders - following these amendments the
Minutes were taken as read, agreed and duly signed by the Chairwoman.
RESOLUTION - the meeting will be closed to the public &
press at the end of agenda items as agreed at last meeting to further discuss
the tender’s for new facilities on playingfield.
PUBLIC SPEAKING - the meeting was suspended to allow members of the
public to address the Council. Meeting opened again 7.40pm.
MATTERS ARISING
1 SNT - One reported
theft from property in The Beck. When PCSO’s arrived they advised of increasing
fuel & scrap metal thefts in the area. They advised to report anything to
them direct.
2 USAF Feltwell - Sqd Leader Neilds advised he had
passed on concerns re cyclists riding wrong way along roads to safety team, no
response as yet. Gate 8 on Brandon Rd at USAF Lakenheath should be open by end
of this month. Chairwoman advised that some vehicles were not stopping before
exiting onto the Wilton Road off the base, vehicle details to be advised. A lot of activity on bases due to additional training re worldwide
events. Sqd Leader Neilds
offered his apologies for next meeting & left at 7.45pm.
3 Risk Assessment - Clerk
advised a quote from Mr Scarff to fill in hole re seat near play area was
missed, amount quoted £45 to fill with soil & whacker plate down, Clerk
advised inspection due next month again, it was agreed to leave until after
inspection is done. Mr Lambert advised grass quite long when he visited area,
Clerk advised grass has been cut fortnightly as per contract weather conditions
have not helped this season re growth. It was felt that extra cuts should be
added when new contract is determined. Clerk requested old frame from shelter
is removed from her property, Mr C Samuels would deal
with this. CGM contract includes spraying tennis court, this will be done
shortly. Areas sprayed today re chaffer bug, only those areas affected have
been sprayed. Clerk advised that the blue bin is regularly being filled by
person’s unknown, Viridor
has agreed that a lock can be put on the bin. Mrs
Mills proposed that a chain & lock is purchased, seconded Mrs McGeeney, all agreed. Mrs Batten done inspection - some tree debris laying around. Sucker growth needs removing & some tree
canopies need lifting - it was agreed these to be budgeted for next year. Chain on multi apparatus out of ground, leave until after
inspection. Mrs McGeeney to do next inspection.
.
MINUTE 1244
MATTERS ARISING CONT
4 REGBIO - Clerk advised
area of land next to vacant area is out to tender 14th October, this
is to be advertised, Clerk enquired if the vacant area is to be added into
area? REGBIO have advised they are willing to pay £500 to hold the 1 acre
vacant for another year, same terms as previous. Clerk advised average amount
paid for the farm tenancies is £130/140 per acre pa. Mr Cock proposed area is
returned to farming land, seconded Mrs Mills, Mr
Storey abstained, rest against, not carried. Mr Samuels felt that the most
revenue possible should be obtained and proposed the 1 acre is left vacant
& the holding fee paid by REGBIO is accepted for another year, seconded Mrs McGeeney, Mr Storey
abstained, Mr Cock & Mrs Mills against, rest in favour, motion carried.
5 Changing Rooms - letter
from football club enquiring if the back corridor & toilets can still be
used until the building is demolished to allow football to still be played in
the village, the changing rooms will no longer be
used. Mr S Samuels, through the Chair, advised that a risk assessment of the
area should be carried out. The matter was discussed, a risk assessment of the
corridor & toilets to be carried out ASAP, only the managers of the teams
would be allowed to enter the home team changing area to access and open up the
doors to the corridor area, no access to anyone re the away team changing room
as the ceiling is down, changing room area doors to be locked at all times when
corridor in use. Mrs Batten & Mrs
McGeeney would carry out risk assessment. Subject to
risk assessment and disclaimers from managers accessing the c/rooms being
signed and agreed Mrs McGeeney
proposed use of the corridor & toilets to continue until building is
demolished, seconded Mrs Bane, all agreed. Mr Ramsay
Chair of the football club was present & noted the Council’s decision.
Clerk has spoken with G Lemmon Norfolk FA and he advises that the senior grant
route is the best to take when p/permission is obtained. Clerk advised of
letter received re a venue to hold a mottlers group,
no address provided for response, Clerk advised that the Methodist Church could
be contacted by anybody wishing to set up a group.
6 Land Registry - Map
showing playing field’s was received and area agreed. Chairwoman signed
Disclosure of Overriding interests form. Upon advice from the solicitor the
Clerk contacted Highway’s re the Oak Garden area, Highways have advised that
NCC are responsible for the tree & walled surrounding, this is within the
highway boundary. A discussion took place, the Council are
not able to register this area, Mr Storey felt this removes the parish council’s
responsibility re the wall & highways should be asked to inspect this. Mr
Cock felt that some action should be taken to protect the tree which is of
significant historical value for the village. Mr Cock proposed that enquiries
are made to place a TPO on the tree, seconded Mrs
Mills, Mr Spanswick & Mr C Samuels against, rest
in favour, motion carried.
7 Plaque, High Street -
Mr C Samuels had emailed Borough, response advised that similar plaques have
been noted around King’s Lynn, it is believed these were installed sometime ago
by the authority. In terms of ongoing maintenance the officer is unsure who the
enquiry should be directed to, Property Services do not have a budget for
maintenance of these plaques & to the best of his knowledge were not responsible
for their installation. Clerk has copied this response to Mr Lawrence & he
advises that he has asked officers to look into this but at the moment they
have drawn a blank. If/when there is any news he will advise. Has the Parish
looked back in their records? Mr Cock advised the initial enquiry from the
Historical Society was to determine who was responsible following an enquiry
from the home owner, the plaque bears the Borough
Council name. Mr Cock advised the Historical Society would re-paint this plaque.
MINUTE 1245
MATTERS ARISING CONT
8 Report to Highways -
Clerk advised no list from ranger’s visit received. Clerk had meeting with
Highway officer, Mr Wallace, on 23/8 he advised that the scope the ranger’s can
deal with is not always being done & he would look into this. Various
reported areas were inspected & discussed - blocked drains, these would be
cleared, area in Bell Street has been programmed for
work. Footpath Munson’s Lane, urgent repairs, not yet been done Clerk will
advise again. Oakfields Estate footpaths - areas of
concern by officer, complaints of weed growth since re-surface have been made,
Clerk to report again. Hedges - hedge in Short Beck is their responsibility
they will cut back, Highways will write to owners of properties reported where
hedges are encroaching the Highway, if the owners do not take action highways
will carry out the work & charge the owners - hedges top of Paynes Lane & Oak Street were noted. White lining in
The Beck & stop line from base reported. Complaints re grass cutting, these
should be directed to Borough as NCC pays the Borough a lump sum to deal with
these areas. The speed limit cannot be extended in Hythe
Road as the area is not built up. Feltwell to Hockwold Rd - only course of
action they can take is to put uneven road signs up. It was agreed letter of
complaint to be sent to Borough re the grass cutting, contact details to be put
in magazine so residents can also complain direct.
9 Oak Garden - Highways
to be asked to liaise with Ms Wither’s re advertising on garden and maintaining
it. Ms Wither’s to be advised that Highways are responsible for area.
10 Audit/Balance Sheet - . Mazars LLP have been appointed external auditors for next 5
years.
11 Review of Committee’s - Mrs Mills volunteered to serve on allotment committee,
agreed.
12 Churchyard, St Nicholas - NFN
13 Code of Conduct - Clerk reminded
those Councillors who have not done so that forms
needed to be completed & returned.
14 Bin, Long Lane - Clerk to check
if removed/emptied.
15 NALC - Payment Methods - It was felt that
the 2 signature rule should not be removed from legislation.
16 WNBC - Changes to
Refuse Collections - December meeting.
17 Encroaching Hedges - Clerk still to
determine owner of part hedge in Oak Street. No action taken by owners of 2 Oak
Street, matter to be passed to Highways.
18 Insurance Renewal - renewal
quotation received of £1955.02, an increase of £25.79 due to index linking.
Chair proposed renewal accepted, all agreed.
19 Letter, Newcome Family - Clerk read out
letter received from family member re the mis-spelling
of the Newcombe Drive street name, this should be
Newcome. Borough has advised writer that a request to correct the spelling must
come from the Parish Council. After some discussion Mr Cock proposed a letter is
sent to Borough requesting the road sign spelling is changed, seconded Mr
Cooper, Mr Lambert & Mr Storey against, rest in favour,
motion carried.
MINUTE 1246
CORRESPONDENCE
20 NCC - Local list for
validation of CC planning applications - consultation.
21 W Suffolk CAB - recruitment
campaign.
22 Macmillan - coffee morning event.
23 Brochures - Kompan. IOG Saltex.
Parish magazine.
24 CHEQUES - were signed for
the following - L Peckham £830.10, Cash £15,
Methodist Church £25.50, S Sargent £102, KLWNBC £1332.55,
CGM £1392, Broker Network Ltd £1955.02, Berryman £98.24, Viridor
£66.72. Monthly S/O K&M Lighting £188.44 & D/D Eon £508.22.
25 PLANNING - G Russell - 60 Long Lane - demolition of
existing single storey extension & construction of two storey & single
storey side extensions - APPROVED. Amendments to application at Hall Farm, 21
Bell Street advised - no further comments made to original approval. Mr Cock
made no comment on these amendments and declared an interest.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
26 Encroaching Trees/Hedges- over hanging
branches along walkway off Newcombe Drive onto playingfield. Weed growth & wooden pots roadside o/s 16
Bell Street. Lodge Rd land boundary near bus shelter very overgrown. Letters to be sent to property owners/occupiers.
27 Burst Water Main - The Chair
reported that another pipe burst in the
road o/s 10/12 St Johns Way, road was closed
and damaged, fire brigade out. Drains were unable to cope with water.
28 Report to Highways - loose manhole
covers o/s 19 Short Beck & 10 The Beck. Road dips badly o/s 33 Long Lane,
water lays side of road. Mr Storey reported surface repair in Hythe Rd near Church done about 2 weeks ago, damaged again,
bad workmanship & waste of money, Clerk to report.
29 Overspill, Car Park - Doctor’s
Surgery - holes in surface, maintenance of this area is the Council’s
responsibility, lease expires October 2013. It was agreed to obtain costs to
fill in holes. When/if lease renewed then consideration to be given to whom is responsible for the maintenance of area.
30 Proposed Street Name - the developers
of Red Lodge Garage, Lodge Rd have put forward the name of “Skye Gardens” for
the new street name, it was felt this name does not have any significance to
the village an alternative is to be suggested.
31 NCC Southery Rd Closure - notice road closed for 7
days from 31/10 for re-surfacing.
32 Resolution to Close
The meeting was closed to the public & press at 9.15pm. It was
agreed Mr S Samuels could attend as agent to Council. A late tender was
received, the Chairwoman proposed the tender is accepted, Mr Storey against
rest in favour, motion carried. Clerk read out all
tender’s received, Mr S Samuels advised the content of the tender’s and the
usual process. After much debate Mr Spanswick
proposed that two of the tender’s are held for further discussion, seconded Mr
C Samuels, Mr Cooper in favour, Mr Lambert, Mr Storey
& Mrs Mills against, Mr Cock, Mrs
Bane, Mrs Batten & Mrs McGeeney abstained, Chair held casting vote and voted
against proposal, not carried.
MINUTE 1247
32 - cont…
Mr Storey & Mr Lambert both emphasised the
need for the public to be informed on how much funding the parish should make
towards the cost of building this new facility, it is public money being used
& the parish should have the opportunity to discuss this matter. The
Council should continue to remain as open as possible. From the tender’s
received the projected costs will be around £140,000 net. A parish meeting
should be held to give parishioners the opportunity to discuss this project now
that probable costs are known. The Clerk asked for clarification on holding a
parish meeting as at the last meeting it was agreed that the Council would not
convene a parish meeting to discuss the building of a hall - if a parish
meeting is called it would not be for the purpose of building a hall but to
discuss the project of building new facilities to replace the present changing
rooms on the playingfield. After further discussion
the Chairwoman proposed a parish meeting is convened to discuss “ THE PARISH’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE COST OF A NEW FACILITY ON
THE PLAYINGFIELD”, all agreed. Clerk to book the school for Friday 5th
October if possible, notices to be published. Mr S Samuels enquired what he had
to advise those who submitted tender’s, Mr Lambert proposed all tender’s to be
stood down for the present time, seconded Mr C Samuels, all agreed.
Next meeting to be held 8th October 2012.
Meeting declared closed at 10.05pm.