Minutes July 2009
Present: G Ashby (Chairman), D Burgis (Vice-Chair), M Hoad, A Long, R Townsin, B Wyvill,
and Sarita Presland (Norfolk Association of Local Councils) and two members of the public
Meeting of the Parish Council on Tuesday, 21 July 2009, at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall
MINUTES
Welcome
Sarita Presland from Norfolk Association of Local Councils spoke about Quality Status and answered questions. Quality Status booklets were given to each councillor and a list of contacts.
1. No apologies. Clerk to write to the new County Councillor
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. In the case of a personal interest, the member may speak and vote. If it is a prejudicial interest, the member should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is discussed and may not vote.
3. Minutes of the previous Meeting 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 Fakenham Town Council in response to request for lighting policy. Clerk to contact CPRE to request help for pursuing the matter of light pollution.
ii. The Clerk checked with the fire service about the concern of water pressure or lack of water following the fire Harrison's Farm. It has been confirmed that was not a problem of water pressure or lack of water. The wait was for foam. There is nothing more for the Parish Council to pursue.
iii. Old Rectory Hedge. Clerk to follow up on correspondence with SpicerHaart.
iv. Clerk to follow up about frontage of Victory Houses on The Street.
v. Landscape Assessment: RT to follow up with CPRE and then confer about a public meeting.
vi. Training development meeting has taken place and the draft plan will be circulated for comments and discussion at next meeting.
5. Casual Vacancy. Progress report and to decide on next steps.
i. The public event to discuss the role and responsibilities of Parish Councils and Councillors was successful: the current councillors and members of the public improved their understanding of Parish Councils.
ii. There has been no request for an election so the Casual Vacancy is to be filled through co-option. A flyer with a return slip will be sent to all households inviting applications ready for co-option at the next meeting.
6. The meeting was temporarily closed for Parishioners to express any concerns they may have and for County and District Councillors to report.
• It was noted the Change of Use below has been granted
• It was noted that EDF Energy are returning to the village on 23/24 Sept to cut back growth around low voltage cables and might be persuaded to cut back the Old Rectory hedge at the same time.
7. Planning to consider planning applications and any other planning matters:
i. FYI: Planning application reference 20090516 Proposal: Change of use of land to garden at Church Farm Barns. Response sent on 26 June 2009 in support because it will convert a piece of inaccessible waste ground into a garden, therefore maintenance will be much better. Permission has been granted.
ii. FYI: Full planning permission has been granted for cattle shed etc at Land at The Street.
iii. To consider a response to the LDF consultation (15 June to 31 July) on the Legal Compliance and Soundness of the Site Specific Proposals Draft Plan (circulating). No response.
8. Local Govt Review: to consider comments to be sent to Secretary of State
From 15 July to 18 September 2009 there will be an opportunity for anyone to submit representations to the Secretary of State on any of the unitary proposals put forward for the counties, including those original proposals submitted by Norwich City Council.
Should a decision be taken to implement any proposals for unitary local government, the Secretary of State intends to lay the necessary Parliamentary Orders around the end of the year. This would mean that any new unitary council, if approved by Parliament, could be established by 1 April 2011.
Full letter from Secretary of State is available at
http://www.ncaptc.gov.uk/default.asp?page=Local-Government-Review.htm
It was agreed to write to request that the process is stopped immediately because it has already cost millions and the size and population of Norfolk is too large to be effective unitary authority as proven by Government's own figures. The Chairman will send the reply.
9. Highways and footpaths:
i. Verges cutting. It was agreed that the Clerk should get quotes from NCS and W Bloomfield for extra cuts of the verges at the two crossroads (The Street/ Snoring Road by the pond, and the junction with the road between A148 and Langor Bridge) The requirement is for flexibility and ability to respond to need to cut the verges particularly in the Spring and Summer to allow good visibility at the junctions.
ii. Potholes near manhole cover. RT to report. Clerk to email Highways link.
iii. Grups need clearing on Green Lane (Holt Road from junction with The Street by the pond up to A148). Clerk to inform Highways.
iv. Suggestion that a Highways officer is invited to speak and answer questions at a PC meeting in the future.
10. Parish Plan Actions
i. Litter Pick report
Very successful event in June. It was well-attended, less rubbish was collected but the group was able to cover a wider area. The whole village was covered excluding the 'A' roads. NNDC collected the litter bags. Thank you to all who took part.
ii. Village Pond. Letter received from T Pielow had been circulated with a questionnaire. The Clerk has written to Mr Harrison suggesting meeting with Parish Councillors to discuss plans for the pond. RT will talk to Mr Harrison about this. He will also request permission for the Parish Council to organize the removal of rubbish that has been tipped in the pond and is now visible due to the low level of water, and the possibility of planting. (If the event is organized by the Parish Council it will be covered by the PC insurance as long as no mechanical equipment is used.)
11. Projects
i. To consider working towards Quality Status. Following previous discussions and the talk with Sarita, it was resolved that the Parish Council would do everything possible to gain Quality Status.
ii. Clerk to thank Sarita for coming to the meeting.
12. Financial business to consider payment of invoices and other financial business
i. The donation of £60 to East Anglian Air Ambulance (in lieu of payment for two years internal audit) has been lost in the post. It was agreed to re-send the donation.
ii. It was agreed to make the following payments of invoices received
Clerk salary SO June 109.67
Clerk salary SO July 114.80
Clerk salary adjustment and expenses (as on invoice) 18.78
East Anglian Air Ambulance (in lieu of payment for internal audit 2007 and 2008) 60.00
total £ 303.25
Allianz Insurance chq no 100216 paid 26/05/09 314.36
Clerk to check that extended 3 year guarantee has been added to insurance.
Balance as at 29 June 09: in current account £1197.19
in savings account £1867.61
no 2 account £ 24.42
iii. Transfer £300 to cover payments
13. Reports
i. Local Area Forum. GA and BW attended this interesting meeting, and also met up with Councillors from Little Snoring.
14. To note correspondence from: various items were circulated.
i. Hedgelink DVD and leaflets, and pond dipping form available from Chairman.
ii. Letter from NNDC regarding Delegated Authority for Street Naming and Numbering. This was discussed and it was agreed that the Parish Council did not wish to have this delegated authority (and had in fact not been using it as the District Council had been naming and numbering recent developments). Clerk to inform NNDC.
15. Any other business for placing on the agenda for the next Meeting.
i. Training (draft proposal circulated)
ii. Setting budget and precept for 2010/11
16. It was agreed to fix the date of the meetings as the third Monday in alternate months (unless otherwise agreed). Please note the next meeting will be moved form September to the 5 October. The Clerk will add to the end of the Agenda that Councillors are available for conversation between 7.30pm and 7.45 pm when the meeting will begin.
17. To confirm date & time of next meeting as 7.45 p.m. on Monday 5 October 2009