Minutes July 2008
Present: G Ashby, R Townsin, A Long, B Wyvill, M Hoad, and two members of the public
Meeting of the Parish Council on
Monday, 7 July, at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall
MINUTES
1. Apologies from C Cole (unexpected guests), D Burgis (held up at work), were accepted.
2. No 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.
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. Contact sheet will be ready shortly.
5. The meeting was temporarily closed for Parishioners to express any concerns they may have.
• Sewerage. Clerk to contact Anglian Water to clarify position.
• Clerk to check that plans for Gypsy and Traveller site at Fakenham will be sent to Kettlestone. Discussed ways of informing residents.
• Chickens and cockerels causing a nuisance and noise. Clerk to follow-up with NNDC.
6. Financial business to consider payment of invoices and other financial business
i. Approved and signed accounts and audit form including statement of governance.
ii. To consider making a donation to Fakenham and Wells CAB Annual Appeal using S137 powers. RT proposed £30 which was seconded by MH. It was agreed to donate £30 to CAB as it provides a valuable service which can be accessed by parishioners.
iii. It was agreed to make the following payments
Clerk salary and expenses 221.98
Fakenham and Wells CAB 30.00
R Townsin (travel expenses to Swaffham) 6.75
total £ 258.73
Balance as at 31 May 08: in current account £ 1079.89 in savings account £ 2556.68
iv. No transfer required
7. Planning to consider planning applications and any other planning matters:
i. Notice of Decision: Permission for Development: Erection of two-storey dwelling with attached garages/stores at land at 45 The Street (ref: 01 20080703 PF)
ii. Problems with noise etc should be reported to NNDC environmental health. (see contact sheet)
8. Affordable Housing Update. Waiting for NNDC to continue with the process.
9. Report on Planning Conference arranged by CPRE. (RT/BW) It was reported to be a fantastic and informative day covering the following topics:
• Dark skies and light pollution. Lighting is essential and useful but there is growing concern about the effects of 'glow' on astronomers and wildlife as well householders. The 2005 Clean Neighbourhoods Act defines light nuisance and allows for the prosecution of offenders. More information, including specific details for lighting, can be found on the dark skies website.
0 It was decided that the clerk should write to Fakenham Town Council expressing concern about light pollution and its effect on Kettlestone and Pensthorpe and to inquire if the Town Council has a light pollution policy.
• Town and Parish Plans. Mostly concerned with urban areas.
• Wind farm development has an impact on a number of areas: human activity; wildlife; visual; access and facilities. Other considerations include wind direction speed and the 'footprint' of the turbine (a large turbine is supported by a base of 1000 tonnes of concrete. In Britain wind turbines are 24% download effective. While they do reduce CO2 they do not produce cheap energy. (At present wind developments are subsidized by the government). It is estimated that wind energy could only produce 14% of the country's need (although offshore farms are more cost-effective).
0 Food for thought for the Parish Plan.
10. Boundary Consultation and report on Fakenham Area Forum meeting (AL/RT/GA). Informative meeting which stressed the importance of responding to the consultations. Residents to be informed via the newsletter.
The preferred option of the Electoral Commission and Boundary Committee has been published today. It suggests that Norfolk should be one Unitary Authority including Lowestoft. Other options that are also mentioned are the 'doughnut' (Norwich as a Unitary Authority surrounded by the rest of Norfolk as another Unitary Authority); and the 'wedge' (Norwich, Yarmouth and Lowestoft as one and the rest of Norfolk as another Unitary Authority). Initial concern is the ratio of councillors to population.
The Parish Council's response will be discussed and agreed at the next meeting in time for the deadline of 26 September.
11. Flooding update on progress. Copy of letter received from R Lewis which he has sent to all those involved in the land drain. A contractor needs to be signed up within three months. Clerk to write to R Lewis expressing thanks for his help and time and to ask for a copy of the list of people involved. Clerk to consult with RT to ascertain that all those affected have been informed and to write a follow-up letter to ensure that they have received the most recent letter from R Lewis.
12. Highways and footpaths:
i. Slow signs have been repainted on the Little Snoring/Fulmodstone Road
ii. Willow tree at this junction obstructing visibility. (RT to talk to DB)
iii. Sign 'Not suitable for HGVs' on link road needs to be repaired (Clerk to inform Highways)
iv. Brambles encroaching on road from hedge by Old Rectory posing a hazard for pedestrians and cyclists. (Clerk to inform Highways)
v. RT attended an introduction to Community Speed Watch in Fakenham (teams of three monitoring speeds. His opinion is that he would not like to be involved due to the risk of abuse from members of the public and the lack of police recognition of this risk.
13. Bus shelter
i. Quote to repair existing shelter £480
ii. Second quote received £340. AL to inform Martin Boddy that his quote has been accepted and to ask him to carry out the work.
14. Parish Plan: Not much to report since previous meeting: information has gone to the printers.
15. To note correspondence from:
i. Request from NCC for info regarding grit bins. None are located in the Parish.
16. Any other business for placing on the agenda for the next Meeting
i. Support for Wensum Valley Trust
17. To confirm dates & time of next meetings as 7.30 p.m. on Monday: 8 Sept
Meeting closed 9.30pm