Minutes September 2008
Present: G Ashby, C Cole, D Burgis, B Wyvill, M Hoad
and District Councillor A Green, and approx 10 members of the public
Meeting of the Parish Council on
Monday, 8 Sept, at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall
MINUTES
1. Apologies from R Townsin (on holiday) and A Long (detained at home by computer) were accepted. Also apologies from County Councillor J Howe.
2. Declarations of interest by the Councillors in any of the agenda items listed below. The Code of Conduct for Members requires that declarations include the nature of the interest and whether it is a personal or prejudicial interest. None.
3. Minutes of the previous Meetings were approved and signed as a true record.
4. Matters arising: Progress on items from previous meetings for information or reminders only. Items not on this agenda requiring decisions will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
i. Letter from NNDC regarding hens and cockerels. The noise is being monitored. However NNDC is unable to help with hens entering gardens etc as it is the property owner's responsibility to secure his property so that hens etc cannot enter.
5. The meeting was temporarily closed for Parishioners to express any concerns.
Members of the public were concerned about the planning application for the temporary gypsy and traveller site outside Fakenham. Particular concern was in regard to the road safety with cars turning right off the A148 into the site. The opinion was also voiced that it was a 'done deal' and that the consultation last year had been a sham
A Green clarified that the site would be fenced and would have a lockable gate to be opened when the site was to be used (i.e. when police moving gypsies/travellers from unofficial sites) when temporary toilets and bins would be installed.
A request was made that if the site had to be made then there should be a conditional clause added that it would be for a provisional term of a limited period e.g. 5 years and that only if the site was shown to be needed would another provisional term be granted.
6. To note that the Parish Council now has an e-mail address as follows: kettlestonepc@googlemail.com
7. Financial business to consider payment of invoices and other financial business
i. It was agreed to set up a standing order for monthly payment of clerk's salary.
The necessary standing order form was completed to start payments from October.
ii. It was agreed to make a payment of £4 per month for the clerk to operate the new e-mail address as a contribution towards the costs of broadband.
iii. It was agreed to apply for membership of Wensum Valley Trust for a year. This was justified under
section 137 of the Local Gvt Act 1972 because the membership would contribute to the management and conservation of the river which runs through the Parish and the Trust might help with the clearing up work along the river in Kettlestone. Thus membership would be of benefit to the inhabitants and the environment.
iv. It was agreed to make the following payments of invoices received
Clerk salary and expenses £278.62
Donation to East Anglian Air Ambulance in lieu of payment to internal auditor for 2006-07 and 2007-08 2x £30.00 £60.00
Wensum Valley Trust membership £25.00
total £ 363.62
Balance as at 31 July 08: in current account £ 686.97; in savings account £2572.30.
v. Transfer £ 340.00 to cover payments
8. To consider and agree the budget and precept for 2009-2010
i. The draft budget was considered and it was agreed that the proposed £450 for Parish Plan initiatives would be sufficient. DB proposed that the budget (as attached) should be accepted and the precept set at £2500 as last year. This was seconded by CC. All were in favour.
9. Planning to consider planning applications and any other planning matters:
i. Construction of short stay facilities for gypsies and travellers at land south of A148
In addition to the comments already sent to NNDC on 2 Sept 2008, it was agreed to send another letter stating the following.
If the planning application was granted for the site then it should contain a conditional clause that the permission would be for a provisional term of a limited period e.g. 5 years and that only if the site was shown to be needed would another provisional term be granted.
It was also decided that the Clerk should contact CPRE for advice regarding the encroachment on the countryside posed by this site.
ii. Kettlestone House: change of use of agricultural land to tennis court and erection of fence ref: 20081163 (no objection sent on 21 Aug 2008)
10. Boundary Consultation
i. GA reported on the meeting at NNDC
ii. It was agreed that the Clerk and the Chairman should compile a response using information from NNDC and other documentation to object to the draft proposal from the Boundary Committee. A letter would also be sent to the Secretary of State pointing out that the boundary Committee appears to have ignored all the criteria.
11. Litter Day of Action
i. It was agreed to organise a litter-pick day one Saturday in the Autumn. The Chairman has registered for a free Keep Britain Tidy pack. There is also some information at CPRE Stop the Drop but there are no freebies.
12. Flooding update on progress.
i. A meeting was facilitated by the Parish Council in July.
13. Highways and footpaths:
i. Bridge sign on Fulmodeston is damaged. Clerk to notify Highways.
14. Bus shelter report on progress (AL)
i. Everything is in hand.
15. Parish Plan: is nearing completion. Launch date to be arranged
16. To note correspondence from:
i. Cut your Carbon. BW has registered Kettlestone. She will write a précis for the newsletter
17. Any other business for placing on the agenda for the next Meeting
i. Progress to quality status
18. To confirm dates & time of next meetings as 7.45 p.m. on Monday: 17 Nov 2008 N.B. please note later start time.
Meeting closed at 8.30pm