Geldeston Parish Council

Minutes of the Annual General Parish Council Meeting held on 17^th May 2006

in the Village Hall (following the Annual Parish Meeting)

Those present:

Parish Councillors:

Mr P Cracknell (Chairman); Mr D Witham; Mr K Loffstadt; Mrs M Fenwick;

Mr S Rolt; Mrs A Norman; Mr J Crowfoot.

Members of the public:

A few members of the public were remained after the end of the Annual Parish Meeting.

Apologies:

County Councillor Alan Burrell (attending other parish AGMs); Mrs E Peters

Minutes produced by Colin Barrett – Parish Clerk

1. Introduction by retiring Chairman:
Mr Cracknell, the retiring chairman outlined the procedure for the election of Chairman & Vice-chairman and mentioned the intention of dealing only with essential items. At this point he then retired and the chair was temporarily taken by Canon Bestelink for the next item.

2. Election of Chairman & Declaration of Office:
P Cracknell was proposed by D Witham; seconded by K Loffstadt; All agreed.
Mr Cracknell was duly elected and re-signed a Letter of Acceptance of Office.
Mr Cracknell then resumed as chairman of the meeting.

3. Registration of Interests of the chairman: These were confirmed to be as for 2005.

4. Election of Vice-chairman: KL proposed D Witham; seconded by SR

AN proposed J Crowfoot; seconded by MF
A vote of hands was taken, with a tied result. At this point the Chairman had to use his additional vote to enable selection. He mentioned that both candidates had good strengths for this role but thought that D Witham would be the most suitable choice this year. D Witham was duly elected.

5. Co-option of Council vacancies: There were no vacancies as all existing councillors had offered to continue. The meeting was then reminded that 2007 is election year, when all councillors must retire and may stand for re-election.

6. Registration of interests of councillors: These were confirmed to be as for 2005.

7.      Appointment of Committees:
Village Hall & Flood Alleviation:                 SR to lead
Emergency Planning:                                   DW to lead
Finance:                                                      PC to lead +KL & AN
Development & Conservation:                    JC to lead
All councillors were asked to consider which committees they wished to serve on and to let each lead member know.

8. Motions to amend Standing Orders: There were no motions raised.

9. Minutes of the 2005 AGM: (These had been agreed at the June 2005 council meeting)
There were no matters arising not covered elsewhere.

10. Minutes of the 12^th April 2006 council meeting: Proposed as correct by KL; seconded by SR and agreed.

11. Matters arising:

	11.1. Playground Some tree clearance work has been done and a broken post repaired near the walkway. It was noted that the grass has not been cut by SNC as agreed – The clerk to discuss with Steve Allen SNC.	ACTION CB
	11.2. Sports Field: The location for the gate had been agreed. PC to coordinate with MF to get the gate installed. It was agreed to leave the pedestrian survey until after this gate and the footpath to it have been installed.
	11.3. Sluice gate: The clerk to write to Paul Mitchelmore of the Environment Agency to ask when this work is to be done and to point out the good example of the new river bridge at the locks area.	CB
	11.4. Web site: The cost of continuing the Geldeston.org web site was discussed. SR proposed the annual cost be borne by council; seconded by Pc and agreed. It was agreed that the clerk; JC and B Norman get together to discuss what to place on this site and how to be managed.
	11.5. Notice board: PC agreed to chase this issue up.
	11.6. Composting: The weighing machine has been obtained at a cost of £30.00. SR to provide a bill of sale for this. MF reported a frustrating delay in getting planning approval due to the amount of people/organisations that SNC have to contact. The Parish Council have also been asked to comment on its own proposal. The clerk assisted MF in completing the comment form. PC mentioned that a mini digger could be hired at £60.00 a day if required.	SR
	11.7. Local Development Framework: Nothing to report this month.
	11.8. Kells Acre grass damage: The clerk to ask Saffron what action they have taken.	CB
	11.9. Cricket team: DW to remind the team leaders that they will need council approval for any cricket fixtures	DW
	11.10. Parish Plan: To be presented to the June meeting
	11.11. Dog bin: It was agreed that the clerk order the smaller FIDO 25 bin with supporting ground post.	CB
12. Correspondence: This was briefly mentioned by the clerk. There was nothing requiring immediate action or consideration.
13. Finance: The annual balance sheet had been distributed to all present at the Annual Parish Meeting. This was proposed by JC for acceptance; seconded by KL and agreed.
14. Planning: Newlands Caravan Park: This had been refused. PC has a full summary of the reasons, which he will copy to the clerk and councillors.		PC

15. Urgent Matters Arising:

15.1. JC Believed council needed to be more pro-active, with a fairer distribution of the actions. He had noted from numerous past minutes that the clerk and chairman took an unfair burden of these.

Canon Bestelink advised that council contact SNC to seek advice on parish council responsibilities regarding adoption of the war memorial, to determine what grants might be available and to seek a risk assessment. Council to discuss at next meeting. AN agreed to search for more information.

Meeting ended 1030 pm

June 14^th

July 19^th

No August meeting

September 13^th

October 18^th

November 15^th

No December meeting (Other than for setting the Precept)