Geldeston Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

held on Wednesday 17^th January 2007

At 8.00pm in the Village Hall

COUNCILLORS PRESENT: P Cracknell; S Rolt; M Fenwick; K Loffstadt; A Norman

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT: Canon W Bestelink; District Councillor M Smith

Minutes taken by Colin Barrett

1. Apologies for absence: J Crowfoot

2. Declarations of Interest: None

3. Crime Report: The clerk had circulated a Southwatch report giving warnings about thefts, burglaries and criminal damage across the region and of people being duped by intruders into homes and by telephone scams. These were summarised vocally by the clerk.

4. Minutes:

Parish Council meeting minutes of 22^nd November 2006
MF referred to Para 5.5 and mentioned that a second meeting had been held. It was agreed to amend the record to “a meeting was called”.

Acceptance as amended proposed by; KL Seconded by: AN All agreed.

	ACTION
5. Action Plan Progress Target 1: The Environment; wildlife & footpaths
5.1. Land Management Nothing to add this month 5.2. War Memorial. The Parish Council and Church Authorities have yet to meet to discuss the requirements and costs. 5.3. Composting. Nothing further to add this month.
5.4. Snakes Lane The clerk outlined progress since November. Following a request for additional information he had sent a form and map and covering letter to each of the original respondees and all but one of these had now been returned. These are to be forwarded to NCC for their continuance of the application. AN wished for it to be recorded in the minutes that she considered that this whole process had not been handled properly and had taken far too long.
5.5. Footpath Group A proposal from NCC had been received and circulated by the clerk to Councillors prior to the meeting for consideration of the Parish Council taking over maintenance of all verges and hedges currently maintained by NCC. The proposal stated that payment would be made per linear metre cut, but the amount of payment had not been stated. It was noted that not all footpaths in the parish were maintained by NCC and that those maintained by the Broads Authority were done to a high standard. MF mentioned that this NCC proposal was as a result of enquires she had made. After discussion it was proposed by KL that MF make further enquiries to determine what commitment and value there might be for the Parish Council, seconded by SR and agreed.	MF
Target 2: The Memorial Hall
5.6. There was nothing to add this month. Target 3: Road Maintenance and Cleanliness 5.7. Playground repairs The clerk had contacted Steve Allen SNC regarding theim not cutting the grass within the playground as a part of the SNC schedule; as per the agreement reached at the meeting in July 2005. It was thought that this might now occur correctly if confirmed to have been included on the 2007 schedule. The clerk to write to Steve Allen SNC to remind him of the agreement. Nothing further had progressed regarding finding someone to provide regular inspection and maintenance of the playground and its facilities. It was suggested sending out a flyer to seek interest in this work but it was proposed by KL and seconded by SR to seek local professional quotes. This was agreed. The clerk to try to locate suitable contractors for both equipment maintenance and landscaping.	CB
5.8. Road improvements None to report on this month.
Target 4: Road Safety 5.9 Speed limits. Written confirmation had been recieved that Station Road is to have the 30 mph limit extended along to the boundary with Ellingham. The clerk to seek confirmation of when this is to occur. 5.10 Road signs. The clerk had been chasing NCC for an update on progress and would again seek a scheduled date for this work. He will also check with PC Shulver or the Inspector at Diss to see if a speed check is scheduled. Target 5: Plan Documents 5.11 Flood Management. AN reported that Environment Agency surveyors had been checking properties to determine them for flood risks levels. She also mentioned the Japanese Knot Weed problem found at Reydon and the need to monitor soil types being imported. The clerk reported hat there had not been any update to compartment 25a on the BESL website.	CB CB
5.12 Emergency Plan: Progress update not available as DW was not present.

6. Correspondence

Correspondence received and sent was read out.

Received:

For Action:	Details:	Agreed Action:
Geoffrey & Ruth Dickinson	Station Road speeding – request for road calming
South Norfolk Alliance	Request for nominations for Exec Board member
Society of Local Council Clerks	Membership renewal details (See Finance)
Campaign to Protect Rural England	Energy efficiency guidelines & request for Environmental Lead Officer nomination
Broads Authority	Local Development Framework – Development Control Document – request for comments (15 Jan 07 deadline)
	Request for e-mail contact for correspondence	Clerk has actioned this.
Waveney District Council	Local Development Framework – Sustainability Appraisal for Lowestoft – Consultation period 8 Jan – 19 Feb 2007	Comment as required on planningpolicy@waveney.ov.uk website
South Norfolk Council	Area Forum Discussions Notes+ 6 March 07 next mtg date
	Planning for Gypsies & Travellers in South Norfolk paper (Waveney Valley)	Respond by 29 January 2007
Norfolk County Council	E-mail re Highway Inspection visit –	received too late to comment but response sent
Mrs M Rose	Re Parish Plan & rabbit culling	Initial response sent
To note:
South Norfolk Council	Re 62 The Street – Application has been withdrawn
	Guide to Election Procedures
	Letter from Richard Carden re promoting local democracy
Environment Agency	Coastlines newsletter
Norfolk County Council	Local Transport Plan
	Local Government possible changes
	Station Road 30 mph Order – extending limit from January 2007	Acknowledgement response sent
	Norfolk Matters news sheet
	Norfolk Gritting Leaflet
NCAPC	FREE LUNCH & SEMINAR (on Quality Status)= Training info	Training info e-mailed to all
	New Web Site details
Waveney District Council	LDF Site Specific Allocations & Dev Control Policies consultations
Suffolk County Council	Minerals Core Strategy Options Paper
Norfolk Police Authority	Budget consultation evening on 8^th January 2007 &Wymondham
General information:
Diss CAB	Thank you letter for the donation
South Norfolk Home Watch	Newsletter

7. New Issues:

Parish Clerk Retirement:

The clerk has submitted an advertisement for inclusion in the parish magazine and will shortly also submit a small ad for inclusion in the Beccles & Bungay journal and a similar one for e-mail out from NCTAPC. The details of these were approved by those present.
The schedule of dates or interviews etc was considered. I was agreed that application short listing to be at PCs home at 7.30 pm on 19^th February and to conduct interviews on 28^th February at 7.30 pm in the village all.
The clerk to draw up a suitable application form and to ask that all applications be sent direct to PC.

PC

8. Parish 10

8.1 Canon Bestelink advised that Wicksteed do work on playgrounds and may be a source for Geldeston playground repairs.
He also mentioned that he has joined a group within Kirby Cane dealing with this issue.

9. Committee Reports

Development
Nothing to report.

Finance: -
A Precept meeting had been held and a budget set that was “cost neutral” requiring no increase for the second year running.
The clerk mentioned that the Audit Commission had written asking for additional information regarding Council’s reserves. The clerk to request details of village hall plans for repairs and improvements and to then respond to the Audit Commission request. AN reminded the clerk that the playground funds transferred to the Parish Council account had not been raised through any precept but raised through both public donations and fund raising for that purpose.

Emergency Planning
No meeting this month

Village Hall – .

Nothing further to report this month

10. Finance
Monthly account statement for November 06 – January 07 tabled and discussed.
Proposed for acceptance by KL Seconded by SR All agreed

Payments for approval: (See Finance Sheet)

PC proposed a payment for provision of bus shelter lighting. SR proposed £20 seconded by KL and agreed. PC to determine to whom this should be paid.

Invoices proposed for acceptance by KL Seconded by : SR All agreed

11. Planning

62a The Street application withdrawn.

12. Any other business -

SR mentioned that the village seat & sign had both been removed for winter storage and that some sandbags had been moved from outside Godfrey’s to improve access.
MF mentioned that she is to receive a “helpful composter” certificate from NCC for her efforts on the setting up of the composting facility. Council members commended her on this achievement.

Future meeting dates for 2007 agreed as:

21^st February

14^th March

18^th April

May 2007 meeting date to be determined to meet the 2007 election criteria

Following dates to be determined by the newly elected council

Meetings:

Next meeting: 21^st February 2007 @ 8 pm.

The meeting ended at 9.45 pm

Geldeston Parish Council Income & Expenditure Statement January 2007