KPC Minutes June 2005

Knapton Parish Council

Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Tuesday 7 June 2005 in the Village Hall.

Present:
Alan Young (in the Chair)
David Ross
Karen Herbert-Okey
Norman Dodd

Two members of the public.

1. Apologies

Nil.

2. Declarations of Interest

None.

3. Minutes:

(a) AGM held on 10 May 2005.

(b) Parish Meeting held on 10 May 2005.

David Ross proposed, Karen Herbert-Okey seconded, and it was agreed that the above minutes constituted a true and correct record. The Chairman initialled and signed them.

4. Matters Arising

(a) Insurance

This was held over since the last meeting to allow the Clerk to negotiate a better deal. This has now been done, and a saving of £16.37 was achieved. It was proposed by David Ross and seconded by Karen Herbert-Okey that the revised sum of £356.70 be paid.

(b) Millennium gardens

The Clerk stated that the current gardener (Mr Colin Baxter) was now unable to undertake the upkeep of the gardens. After discussion the Clerk was instructed to contact other village organizations with a view to getting these maintained.

The Clerk stated that he had received several complaints that the barrier to the above car park was difficult to open. The Chairman stated he would look into this. After discussion the Clerk was tasked with contacting the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee, with a view to having some signs erected directing visitors to the car park rather than parking in the restricted area adjacent the village hall.

(d) Pond Lane sign

Or should it be Pond Road. The Clerk was asked to look into what it should be called, and then organize a sign to be erected as the original sign had disappeared.

5. Finance

(a) The Clerk outlined the current financial situation and urged the Council to be prudent in its spending for at least the next quarter. The Clerk further suggested to the Council that a sum of money be placed on deposit to cover any unforeseen expenditure in the future. David Ross proposed that a sum of £1,000 be placed in the 30 day deposit account. This was seconded by Karen Herbert-Okey and carried unanimously.

(b) The Clerk's remuneration of £133.36 was authorised.

It was proposed by David Ross and seconded by Karen Herbert-Okey, that the Clerk pay the sum of £7.50 in favour of Linda Rysebrow for the excellent refreshments served at the recent presentation to Henry Wild.

(c) The outstanding invoice of £300.33 has still not been paid to CHP Solicitors. The Clerk stated that he was still awaiting the outcome of a meeting between the Chairman and Senior Partner of CHP.

(d) It was proposed by Norman Dodd, seconded by David Ross that a grant of £500 be paid to the Knapton Village Hall committee. This was carried unanimously.

6. Planning

(a) The Clerk had attended the NNDC at Cromer, to meet with the Planning department.

(b) The Clerk stated that planning permission had been received for a single storey extension at 2 Pond Lane. The householder was present and thanked the Council.

(c) The Clerk stated he had received an invite to attend a meeting in North Walsham to explain the new planning procedures, was anyone else interested in attending? Norman Dodd and Peter Kaye (a proposed co-opted Council Member) expressed their wish to go to this meeting. The Clerk will co-ordinate this.

7. Correspondence

The Clerk stated that he had received a letter of thanks from Don Venvell for the kind gift presented to him and Mrs Venvell for the services they had performed during their terms of office as Knapton Council Officials.

The Clerk also stated that he had received a letter from the Village Hall Committee requesting a grant of £500. (This was dealt with under Finance in Para 5).

8. Village Matters

(a) The constitution of the Council needed to be urgently addressed now there had been one resignation and others pending. The Clerk informed the council he had placed the adverts for 2 positions on the notice board for over three weeks. He had confirmed that there had been no replies sent to NNDC for these positions. After discussion it was proposed by Norman Dodd and seconded by Karen Herbert-Okey that up to 4 people be approached for co-option onto the Council. This was unanimously agreed. The two members of the public present were willing to fulfil these co-opted roles, and the Clerk was tasked with getting the paperwork raised for this.

(b) It was reported that sewerage is flowing on the road outside of the property known as Blind Swan Cottage. The Clerk was tasked with reporting this to NNDC.

9. Reports

(a) Norman Dodd reported that he was now able to update the Knapton website, and had been in discussion with NNDC regarding software. Norman asked about the Welcome to Knapton booklet, it was agreed that this be brought up at the next meeting, as several points would need to be discussed, and it may need a sub committee to work these through.

(b) David Ross reported that the football tournament had gone very well, the feedback being excellent. There did not appear to be any problem with coach parking as a local farmer had offered the use of his field.

(c) The Village Walk had taken place on 30 May 2005, the idea being to test the condition of the pathways around the village. The results were on the whole good, but the bridleway up to Green Lane needs cutting. This would be brought up with NNDC (Mr Dugdale); the Clerk was tasked with looking into this.

(d) David Ross drew the attention to the Council that a Summer Concert was being held at the Church on the 25 June, the North Norfolk Youth Choir would be performing, and it promised to be a good evening.

(e) The Clerk stated that he had been in touch with Planning regarding a flagpole being erected in the gardens. There had been a verbal agreement, but the Clerk would be getting written confirmation.

(f) The Clerk stated that he had been approached by a parishioner asking if it was possible to rent an allotment. Currently there was not an appointed Councillor to look after the administration of the allotments since Henry Wild had resigned. This too was placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

10. Date of next meeting and agenda items

July 5, at 1930 in the Village Hall with agenda items as highlighted in the above minutes.

Signed _____________________________

Chairman