KPC Minutes March 2007
Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Tuesday 6 Mar 2007 in the Village Hall.
Present:
Alan Young (in the Chair)
Peter Kaye
David Spencer
Karen Herbert-Okey
Norman Dodd
Graham Jones (District Councillor)
3 Members of the Public.
1. Apologies - Sally Dodd.
2. Declarations of interest
MADRA - Norman Dodd
Pigneys Wood - Peter Kaye
3. Minutes
The minutes of the last meeting held in March were reviewed. Peter Kaye proposed that these minutes constituted a true record and that they be accepted. This was seconded by Norman Dodd with one amendment; the correct state of the website is that there is a holding page only on display. All are reminded that the address is www.knapton-village.co.uk With this correction the proposal was carried unanimously. The Chairman initialled and signed these minutes.
4. Matters Arising
(a) Notice board
The site had been surveyed, and old notice board removed to the tip. It is now being prepared for erection on site. The Parish Clerk stated that on his travels he noticed that the village bench near to the Church was broken again and beyond economic repair. For safety's sake he had removed this for disposal. The Parish should look at possible replacing this in the near future.
Action: Chairman, Peter Kay, Parish Clerk
(b) Village Plan update
District Councillor Graham Jones praised the current council for its excellent work on the Parish Plan. There was a long discussion on the way ahead which included surveying the youth of the village, forming a steering party, and producing a plan of attack. Patricia Spencer would be prepared to get involved with this along with her husband David. To that end David would contact the interested parties and report back at a later date.
Action: David Spencer
(c) Lottery Funding
This was discussed at length in particular the form of words to be used. It was decided that the Parish Council would review the document at the next meeting and call upon the assistance of others if required.
Action: All + Parish Clerk
5. Finance Statement
The Parish Clerk outlined the current financial situation. With all known bills paid there is £147.52 in the current account, and £3,752.69 in the deposit account. The Clerk asked for £752 to be transferred into the Current Account in order to pay bills next month.
The Clerks remuneration was agreed.
It was proposed by Norman Dodd and seconded by Karen Herbert-Okey that his be done. This was carried unanimously.
Action: Parish Clerk
6. Planning
Planning applications and sewerage in particular were discussed at length. David Spencer was of the opinion that there should be a Council Policy on this. It was agreed that the best way forward was to review each case on its merits and where appropriate the plans should be annotated if sewage would be an issue. It was proposed by David Spencer and seconded by Peter Kaye that this policy be formally adopted by the council. This was carried unanimously.
Action: Parish Clerk
7. Correspondence
On circulation.
8. Village Matters
Homewatch
Sally Dodd is still trying to establish contact with the area Homewatch Co-ordinator Mr Ted Gill. Pete Kay will try to establish contact as well as there appeared to several people being missed off the electronic circulation.
Action: Sally Dodd & Peter Kaye
9. Reports
Trees/Hedging
David Spencer stated that in the recent surveying of the hedges it was evident that the original work carried out to establish these hedges was exceptionally well thought out and very well implemented. The original team who helped established this area should be congratulated. This was endorsed by the council as a whole. It was proposed by David Spencer and seconded by Karen Herbert-Okey that up to £25 be spent on replacement saplings. This was carried unanimously.
Action: David Spencer, Parish Clerk
MADRA
It was reported by the current Chairman that the Annual General Meeting will be held next month.
North Norfolk District Council
Councillor Graham Jones reported:
Council Tax
An excellent result for North Norfolk District Council North Norfolk District Council - Council Tax
The latest full comparator is for 2006/07 where Norfolk Norfolk's Council Tax for District-run services rates as the 47th lowest out of 238 English Districts putting it in the lowest 20%. Amongst the 7 Norfolk Districts, Norfolk District's has the 4th lowest Council Tax being exceeded by South Norfolk, Great Yarmouth and Norwich.
If total local spend is considered (District plus Towns/Parishes) North Norfolk remains as 4th lowest amongst Norfolk Districts for 2006/07 being exceeded by Broadland, South Norfolk and Norwich. In some ways this is a more reasonable measure as the delivery of local services is a partnership. In some Districts the towns and parishes do more than in others and, indeed, Norwich has no parishes at all.
It is too early to fully judge the level of North Norfolk's Council Tax for 2007/08 with regard to other District Council's since not all authorities have yet set and published their information. Out of the 34 District's for whom full information is available, North Norfolk's increase of 2.5% ranks as the 8th lowest. Amongst Norfolk Districts, the 2.5% increase will be significantly below the average and I am expecting that the 4th lowest place will be maintained.
10. Date of next meeting and agenda items
Next meeting to be held on Tues 3 April 2007, at 1930 in the Village Hall.