Minutes November 2009
Present: G Ashby (Chairman), M Hoad, A Long, R Townsin, B Wyvill, D Linnell
and: A Green (District Councillor), R Wright (County Councillor) and four members of the public
Meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 16 November 2009,
at 7.30 for 7.45 p.m. in the Village Hall
MINUTES
Welcome
1. Apologies from D Burgis (detained 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. 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. Holt Road fly tipping. RT to meet with YOT leader on Tuesday. NNDC not able to help with disposal but have asked to be informed if there are any 'identifiable' items in the rubbish.
ii. Light pollution. David Hook (CPRE) has advised that light pollution would need to be demonstrated that it is a nuisance. He suggests that the planning conditions for the driving range lighting are checked, and possible pursuing that way. He advises that Fakenham Town Council should be asked about the responsibility for lighting in the town. He confirms that NCC is implementing a light reduction measures.
5. Casual Vacancy (co-option). One application has been received from Dulcie Linnell. She is known to the members. No one felt the need to ask questions. The Chairman asked her to leave while the Council made its decision. She was duly co-opted.
proposed BW seconded MH vote all
DL returned to the room. She completed and signed the declaration of acceptance of office and joined the Parish Council.
6. The meeting was temporarily closed for Parishioners to express any concerns they may have and for County and District Councillors to report.
• R Wright (NCC) said that he would not always be able to attend but that he was contactable via NCC website
• Comments about dog bins
Good idea in principle but do not always work in practice
Urban street furniture not really appropriate for a rural location, but it means that there is no excuse for offenders.
DL: survey of 10 dog walkers: 5 in favour, 5 no need.
• Questions about travellers site outside Fakenham. Concern about the 'catchment area'
7. Planning to consider planning applications and any other planning matters: None
8. Highways and footpaths:
i. Verge cutting. Clerk to confirm with W Bloomfield if he will cut the verges next year.
If not then to get other quotes.
ii. Hedging leaflet booklets were distributed
iii. RT to inform DB of the large dead branch hanging over the road at Green Lane.
9. Parish Plan Actions
i. Village Pond
a. Letter of appreciation for student volunteers sent to head teacher at Fakenham College
b. Press release sent to a number of newspapers and magazines
c. DB will ask D Harrison to dig out the pond as agreed
d. Clerk to ask Steve Dalliston (WVT) for planting and management plans.
ii. Dog bins and collection
a. The feedback was considered. Careful siting on Holbrigg Lane would be necessary (not close to houses but accessible). Clerk to check with NNDC and Highway.
b. Cost: £60.40 + VAT to purchase a bin (incl. jubilee clips and delivery) (2m post with base plate would cost £40.90); £2.60 per empty (usually weekly in summer, fortnightly in winter). Hiring a bin costs £60 per annum.
c. Offer from Summerhill vets to donate bin and pay for first year of collection.
It was agreed to take up this generous offer from Summerhill vets. The Chairman will inform them. The Clerk will order the dog bin (but not a post) for delivery to MH, and make the necessary arrangements with NNDC.
proposed RT seconded BW vote all
iii. The possibility of producing a 'welcome pack' for new comers (perhaps in conjunction with the Village Hall) was discussed.
10. Quality Status.
i. BW thanked members for the comments on the policies that had been circulated. These will be looked at next time. Ideas for promoting democracy and citizenship were circulated.
ii. DL agreed to work on a community engagement statement in consultation with BW & GA.
11. Landscape Character assessment. Ian Shepherd (CPRE) suggested that it would not be necessary for the Parish to produce its own character assessment as the NNDC one was such a good document. NNDC have provided a copy of the policy because of the support that it received from the Parish Council during the consultation period. It was suggested that the Parish Council should obtain a large scale map and transpose the 'landscape' criteria on to it.
12. Financial business to consider payment of invoices and other financial business
i. National Association of Local Councils and Society of Local Council Clerks have completed the salary negotiations and agreed on the settlement for salaries from 1 April 2009 increase of £0.088 per hour for SCP 18. This was approved. Adjustments included in invoice below. It was agreed to amend the Standing order payment as from Dec 2009.
ii. Litter pickers etc. are on order.
iii. It was agreed to pay the following invoices received
Clerk salary SO Oct & Nov 229.60
Clerk expenses (as on invoice) and salary increase 27.28
Balance as at 29 October 09:
in current account £1844.33, in savings account £1867.84, no 2 account £ 24.42
iv. Transfer £0.00 to cover payments
13. Consultations
i. NNDC LDF: Conversion & Re-use of Rural Buildings as Dwellings Draft Policy (2 Oct - 13 November 2009) Response already submitted following circulation:
Kettlestone Parish supports this policy. Allowing the conversion of rural buildings for residential purposes makes complete sense.
ii. EERA East of England Plan > 2031 Scenarios for housing and economic growth closing date 24 November 2009
Q 2 Kettlestone Parish Council objects strongly to scenario 4 in particular, as it would completely change the character of the West of Norfolk.
Q 3 Kettlestone Parish Council prefers scenario 1 as it appears to be the best plan for this sensitive and special area. It appears to allow for a locally democratic and controlled development, which will facilitate a more natural 'organic' growth. Fewer houses would also make lower demands on limited water resources in the East Anglia region.
Q 4 Kettlestone Parish Council is concerned that the proposals give no indication of how public transport should be improved to cope with an increasing population. The document does not mention the underpinning problem of population saturation. This cannot be ignored indefinitely.
iii. NCC: Waste and Minerals Site Allocations Development Plan Documents: further issues and options (preferred options) (19 Oct -11 Dec).
Kettlestone Parish Council welcomes the withdrawal of the site MIN 52 (at Langor Bridge).
14. Reports
i. RT & GA: Annual Parish and Town Council Conference was well attended and interesting.
15. To note correspondence from:
i. Fakenham Urban Expansion Draft Masterplan: CD received. Clerk will also email a copy
ii. Planning in North Norfolk meeting. Councillors interested but felt that it was too far. Clerk to request if one could be held nearer to Kettlestone.
16. Employment: (see report)
The Council resolved to exclude the public (and the Clerk) for this item due to the confidential nature of discussing pension arrangements.
It was agreed to contribute the Clerk's Pension as follows:
Kettlestone Parish Council resolves under Regulation 4(3) of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Administration) Regulations 2008 that Joanna Otte should be designated as being eligible for membership of the LGPS with effect from 1 December. 2009.'
i. The Employer's Pension Policy Statement (a formal document required by Norfolk Pension Fund) was approved.
ii. It was agreed to set up standing order instructions for salary and pension payments. Forms to be completed.
17. Any other business for placing on the agenda for the next Meeting
18. To confirm date & time of next meeting as 7.30pm for 7.45pm on Monday 18 January 2010
Meeting closed 9.45pm