MINUTE 1355

 

A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday the 12th day of JANUARY 2015 at the Methodist Chapel, Bell Street - commencing 7.30pm.

 

COUNCILLORS PRESENT: - Mrs Batten (Chairwoman), Mr Lambert (Vice Chair) Messrs. Cooper, Storey, Spanswick, Cock, Leamon, Mrs McGeeney and Mrs Bane. Also present Sq Leader Neilds and one member of public.

 

APOLOGIES - received from Mrs Mills.

 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -  none

 

MINUTES of the last meeting were taken as read, agreed and duly signed by the Chairwoman.

 

PUBLIC SPEAKING - meeting suspended 7.32pm - member of public reported Highway issues. Meeting re-opened 7.34pm.

 

MATTERS ARISING

 

1   RAF Feltwell - Sq Leader Neilds advised of recent news that USAF Mildenhall will be closing within the next 5-7 years, not a lot of information available at present. The possible impact on Feltwell is unknown at present. Sq Leader Neilds left the meeting at 7.36pm.

 

2   SNT - crime reports received - a lot of thefts from vehicles recently in Feltwell & Hockwold. Norfolk PCC - S Betts - soon to determine police budget - have your say meeting being held at Lynn 21st January.

 

3   Risk Assessment - Mr Storey advised report not completed, he will do for next meeting.

 

4   Changing Rooms - no response re Mr Samuels.

 

5   Balance Sheet - no queries.

 

6   Allotment Pest Control - monthly report.

 

7   NALC - weekly updates. December Norfolk link issue. VAT notice. Members survey Clerk to complete.

 

8   Rangers Visit - email advising work carried out by rangers 22 &23rd October. Next visit due w/c 19th January. No reply from Borough re operative.

 

9   E Truss MP - email re letter re vulnerable church’s - passed to PCC.

 

10 Play Equipment - Chair & Clerk had looked at equipment at Trenchard Sq - a lot of equipment sited, this could be moved and re-sited on our playing field, this would be a big decision and commitment. After some discussion it was agreed to try and arrange for more councillors to view equipment before next meeting, Clerk to try and arrange a meeting on a Saturday morning, agreed.

 

11 Skate Park – NFN

 

MINUTE 1356

 

MATTERS ARISING CONT

 

12 Walkway - Falcon Road - in hand.

 

13 Trees Playingfield - contractor waiting for UK Power re dates for turning off power supply.

 

14 Street Light - Clerk has requested on three occasions for a costing nothing yet received. Clerk to obtain details of company used by NCC.

 

15 Grounds Maintenance Contract - advert inviting tenders in EDP 19th December - only one enquiry/quote received from CGM Ltd. Clerk advised costs quoted to remain the same as last season at £2555.40 net total as per specifications. This was fully discussed, the lack of response was disappointing, Mr Lambert proposed quote from CGM Ltd is accepted for a one year contract, seconded Mr Storey, all agreed. Clerk to, again, advise the Council reserves the right to with hold payment if the work is not carried out satisfactorily or as per the specifications. Payment terms offered to remain as mid-term and end of contract, agreed.

 

16 Small Works/Odd Job Person - job advertised around village and in magazine - no interest - to hold over till next month.

 

17 NALC - National Salary Award - NALC has advised that the one off payment is instead of back pay and because the pay award will run until 2016. Clerk advised she was not seeking the pay award.

 

18 KL&WNBC - Site Allocations & Development Management Policies - consultation period 12th January to 23rd February. Areas recommended being put forward for Feltwell remain as previous - 15 dwellings land rear 24 Oak Street, 40 dwellings land north of Munson’s Lane & 10 dwellings land rear of Skye Gardens. Mr Storey advised any comments will now be put to the planning inspectorate and it is envisaged to adopt the plan October-November time.

 

19 Precept - each Councillor had received summary of expenditure and approximate monies to carry forward. Tax base and costs advised, grant reduced from £2005 to £1470 for the 2015/16 financial year. Clerk had advised re possible cost increases and  possible election costs must be considered. After some discussion Mr Leamon proposed precept requirement to be set at £25,000 plus grant again this year, seconded Mr Storey, all agreed.

 

20 Clerk’s Position - the Chairwoman read out letter of resignation received from the Clerk, as per her contract 3 months’ notice was required, resignation effective from 1st April 2015. The Clerk has been employed by the village for nearly 26 years and felt the time was right to leave. After a lot of discussion it was agreed to advertise the position around the village, in parish magazine and in the Thetford & Brandon Times - 15 hours per week, working from home, salary negotiable - applications in writing with CV’s to the Vice Chairs home address by 6th February. The Clerk is presently waiting for a job evaluation from NALC to determine the scale of pay for a new Clerk, the salary offered would be agreed by the Council. Applications to be discussed by full Council at the next meeting in a closed session, proposed Chair all agreed. Interviews will then be arranged. The next meeting of the Parish Council will be closed to the press & public at the end of open business. Clerk advised a lot of paper’s to burn and enquired re purchasing storage boxes for items that required to be kept, it was agreed boxes could be purchased. A lot of items are now on the internet so paper copies were not required to be kept.

 

MINUTE 1357

 

MATTERS ARISING CONT

 

21 Norfolk Police - 50/50 Scheme - Letter advising on a scheme that allows for a dedicated resource over and above the PCSO ratio within a community. Partner’s contribute 50% and Norfolk constabulary contribute 50% of a match funded PCSO. If we would like to discuss the details further and arrange for a meeting contact details given. Mr Lambert felt that the tax payer already funds the police, local government whose funds come from the taxpayer should not. It was agreed not to pursue this matter at present.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

22 Came & Co Insurers - To grit or not to grit - cover & requirements.

23 NHS - West Norfolk - Clinical commissioning group meetings.

24 UK Power - Stakeholder engagements update.

25 RCC - e-newsletter.

26 Barclays Bank - reminders about business banking accounts.

27 CPRE - Light pollution survey.

28 NCC - War & well. Dry January & NHS Health check posters.

29 Brochures - Clerks & Councils direct. New Anglia growth hub. Realise futures. Parish magazine.

 

30 CHEQUES - were signed for the following - L Peckham £985.31, Cash £10, Methodist Church £10.63, S Sargent £120.93, Post Office Ltd £337.64, G Smith £36, Anglian Water £93.73, Berryman £76.01, DG Waters £184.80, Viridor £108.24.

 

31 PLANNING - Mr/Mrs Holness - 25 Old Methwold Road - extension & alterations to dwelling - APPROVED.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

32 Fly tipping  - Lodge Rd, Munsons “Piggy” Lane a lot of tyres have been dumped, Southery Rd corner in dyke.

 

33 Incinerator - Mr Storey advised planning application has been withdrawn.

 

34 Report to highways - email from resident 34 Paynes Lane re flooding in garden due to road surface - photo’s included. Clerk has advised resident to contact highways direct, Clerk to also report.

 

35 Rural Housing Alliance - next meeting.

 

36 Allotment Terms of Reference - next meeting.

 

37 Mayor’s Civic Awards - Mr Storey reminded nomination date ends 16th January.

 

Next meeting to be held 9th February 2015.

Meeting declared closed 8.50pm.

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