Geldeston Parish Council

Geldeston Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

held on Wednesday 14^th march 2007

At 8.00pm in the Village Hall

COUNCILLORS PRESENT: P Cracknell; S Rolt; D Witham; A Norman;

J Crowfoot; K Loffstadt

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT: Mr Whitwell; Mrs Cutter; Mrs Bullock; Mrs Cox; Mrs Pagannini; Mr Oxley; County Councillor A Burrell

From 8.45 pm: Canon W Bestelink & M smith

Minutes taken by Colin Barrett

1. Apologies for absence: M Fenwick

2. Declarations of Interest: None

3. Crime Report: There was nothing to report of any significance this month.

4. Minutes:

Parish Council meeting minutes of 21^st February 2007
Amendments: Para 5.10 “refugees” should read “refuges”; Para 5.11 to remove the comment re bringing forward the work on the Dockeney Wall, as this was unconfirmed.

Acceptance proposed by SR Seconded by: JC All agreed.

ACTION

5. Action Plan Progress
Target 1: The Environment; wildlife & footpaths

5.1 Land Management JC mentioned that he had top cut the saw pit hedge and cleared from around the beech tree. He suggested that fitting some chicken wire to discourage entry at this location. Agreed, JC to install. Other land management issues to be considered later in the year.

5.2 War Memorial. Nothing to report this month.

5.3 Composting. A meeting had been held last October and the minutes of that meeting were referred to by PC, at which some positive actions had been agreed. A further meeting is scheduled for next Monday at David Weir’s 48 The Street. It was agreed that entries into the Parish Magazine of the composting activities are best left to the composting group to submit.

5.4 Snakes Lane NCC are still in the process of seeking comments and have written to Councillor A Burrell to seek his views. A N to assist in answering Mr Burrells questions.

5.5 Footpath Group No action this month.

Target 2: The Memorial Hall

5.6 Village hall PC informed council of the Hall Management’s decision to purchase new staging to replace the existing staging which is in poor condition and asked that this be purchased using the set-aside council budget. They had considered three options and selected one best meeting the usage needs of the hall users. The cost being just over £2000. There is a tight timescale to purchase this within a discounted price offer, by 27^th March 2007. Proposed by PC; seconded by KL and agreed. The clerk to send in the order and request invoicing to the Parish Council but delivery via B Norman. (See also item 10 below)

Target 3: Road Maintenance and Cleanliness

5.7 Playground repairs
The clerk had compiled a folder of all relevant information, forms etc and passed this to Mr Tuttle. PC mentioned that the warning signs had been produced and installed closing the site while repairs are made. An account has been opened with C C Betts & Son for materials and Mr Tuttle given the go-ahead to draw on this account for the required repair materials to an agreed limit. It had been agreed with the Hall Committee that any tools may be stored in the village hall shed if necessary. A problem of dog litter had been mentioned and JC proposed organising a village clean up day. It was felt that gloves, bags etc will ned to be organised and it was agreed an article be placed in the Parish Magazine of the intention. JC produced two sample posters he had produced regarding dogs and play areas.

5.8 Road improvements The two refuges in Station Road have been widened and a central post installed in each. However, the dug out area of each is insufficient to accommodate a push chair. The clerk to write to thank NCC for the work done and to ask that the refuges be widened.

Target 4: Road Safety

5.9 Speed limits. The extended 30 mph speed restriction has now been extended along Station Road as far as Fulchers Loke. Police Inspector Anderson had responded to the request from the clerk to the effect that no recent speed checks had been made and that a lack of resources prevents him from carrying out checks other than in high accident rate areas. He agreed to look at conducting a speed check after the new Station Road speed limit is introduced. PC then confirmed that police presence with speed cameras had been noted this past week. It was agreed that the clerk now write to thank the police for this prompt action. JC agreed to put a notice up at The Locks Inn about the revised speed limit. The clerk to add something to the Parish Magazine about the new speed limit and the police monitoring.

5.10 Road signs. The clerk to check with NCC regarding this outstanding action.

Target 5: Plan Documents

5.11 Flood Management. Council response to concerns regarding the work on the Dockeney Wall have been submitted to BESL.

5.12 Emergency Plan: K Loffstadt has offered to assist with this matter.

6. Correspondence

Correspondence received and sent was read out.

Sent to:	Details
Mr S Driver	Payment for bus shelter electricity usage
Kirby Cane & Ellingham Parish Council	Advising of the Station Road extended 30 mph speed limit and to pass on comments about the Geldeston Road/Station Road poor surface condition.
E-mail to BESL	Comments on the proposed Dockeney Wall improvement

Received from:	Details:	Agreed Action:
Audit Commission	2005-2006 External audit - Audit completion satisfaction report	Notice to be displayed
NRCC	Council Meeting of NRCC & Discussions at Hempnall 28^th March 07 @6.30pm	Places need to be booked by 23^rd March
NCC	Greenwaste payment of £181.06	Banked
Broads Authority	Changes to Planning Services from 1^st April – Guide for Parish Councillors	To be copied to Councillors
	Leader newsletter (3 copies)	Issued at meeting
NCAPTC	Leaflets re becoming a Councillor	Issued at meeting
Norfolk Constabulary	Reply to Council’s request for speed monitoring	Fairly negative response but speed monitoring action followed

7. New Issues:

7.1. Parish Clerk appointment: There had been 5 applications for the post, from which 3 were selected for interview. One of these had subsequently found another position and withdrew; the remaining two applicants were interviewed and Ms Dana Adams selected. PC mentioned that the standard of applications was high and that the choice had not been an easy one. Dana is to commence her duties from 1 May 2007 but is already working alongside the existing clerk in a training capacity. Any remuneration for expenses during this overlap period to be decided.

7.2. May 2007 Elections: Nomination papers and timetables have been received and issued to those indicating an interest. Return deadline for nominations is noon on 4^th April 2007. The clerk has spare forms.

7.3. Annual Parish Meeting: As this is an election year and could result in some existing councillors not standing for election it was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting must be held in April 2007. PC mentioned that he had requested Angela Rowe of BESL for a speaker for this meeting. It was agreed to combine this meeting with the planned April Council meeting; the Annual Parish Meeting to start at 6.30 pm, followed by the Parish Council meeting commencing at 8 pm as usual. It was agreed that refreshments would be provided between the two meetings; PC to arrange. The clerk to send a confirmation letter to Angela Rowe.
It was agreed that there should be some mention of the Action Plan and its operation.
Other community groups within the parish are welcome to this meeting.

Finance cmty

8. Parish 10

8.1. A request was made for a copy of the “dogs” poster for West End and also for a “No Horse Riding” sign for the footpath from West End to Kells Way.

8.2. Mr Oxley asked to see a copy of the Parish Council return to BESL on the proposals for Compartment 25b. He mentioned that the dyke adjacent to the wall on his land is to be replaced by a fence.

8.3. Councillor Burrell commented on the lack of a post office in Geldeston and suggested looking at Denton who have recently opened a post office for 2 days per week. He also mentioned that NCC have been given a grant of £2.6m towards supporting old people at home. Canon Bestelink requested a copy of the NCC paper on this.

9. Committee Reports

9.1. Development: The notice board now ready for erection on the Old School House wall. JC offered to pay for half the cost of this board as he wished it to be a general Geldeston Parish Board and not restricted to use by the Parish Council. This was agreed and JC to now invoice council for half the cost.

9.2. Finance: A meeting is required to determine the new clerk starting pay scale point and to review the required working hours.

9.3. Emergency Planning: No meetings held (but see 5.12 above).

9.4. Snakes Lane/Sandy Lane: No meetings held (but see 5.4 above)

9.5. Village Hall: (See 10 Finance).
.

10 Finance
Monthly account statement for February tabled and discussed.

Payments for approval: (See Finance Sheet)

Proposed for acceptance by Seconded by : All agreed

PC highlighted a decision of the Village Hall Committee to replace the hall staging and had chosen from a shortlist of suppliers. They were requesting that money already set aside by Council be used for this purchase. As Council had already voted an amount towards the village hall fund as a determined part of the annual precept it was argued that Council approval for this purchase was not required. The clerk advised that, whilst this was correct, it would still be wise to vote this sum as a true record of the decision to purchase this specific item. Proposed by PC; seconded by KL and agreed.

11 Planning

No new applications received

12. Any other business –

SR mentioned that the village sign & seat have been refurbished after winter storage and should soon be back in place.

The sports field grass is in need of cutting. PC to arrange

Future meeting dates for 2007 are:

Meetings:

Next meeting: 18^th April 2007 @ 8 pm. (To follow the Annual Parish Meeting)

9^th May 2007 Council AGM

Subsequent dates to be set by the new Council after the 3^rd May elections.

The meeting ended at 9.25 pm