Geldeston Parish Council

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

held on Wednesday 18 January 2006

At 8.00pm in the Village Hall

COUNCILLORS PRESENT:    P Cracknell (Chairman);        K Loffstadt;      J Crowfoot (8.30pm)

                                                  S Rolt;              A Norman;    D Witham;        M Fenwick

                                                 

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT:      Canon W Bestelink; Richard Gibson;     Gloria Bushell

Ian Ansell;     District Councillor Mandy Smith;

County Councillor A Burrell (9.00pm)                       

                                                   Minutes taken by Colin Barrett

 

1.      Apologies for absence:    PC D Shulver;  Councillors Smith & Burrell (late arrivals)

2.      Declarations of Interest:    None     ( But see Parish 10)

3.   Crime Report:   PC Shulver had sent in a report advising that there were four recorded crimes in December, mainly of criminal damage to vehicles in Kells Way area. There has not been any crime yet recorded for 2006 within the Geldeston area. The clerk tabled a series of Southwatch crime reports, the main points being a warning of two white males entering properties to steal on the pretext of being Water Board workers and thefts from vehicles, business premises, farm buildings and sheds.

 

4.   Minutes: parish council meeting of 23 November 2005


Acceptance proposed:      D Witham;  Seconded:        M Fenwick        All agreed.

 

 

ACTION

5.         Matters Arising:

 

5.1.   Playground:     KL had been trying to employ the contact he knew for the required repairs but this source had gone out of business. He is now seeking an alternative person or contractor for this work. PC suggested advertising in the parish Magazine for someone local who may be able to complete good quality minor repairs. This was agreed, quoting KL as the contact. The clerk to include in his summary magazine report.

 

 

 

 

 

CB

 

5.2.   Sports Field:    The Poors Trust were informed that the purchase price for this field was beyond the financial capability of the Parish Council and that a renewed 21 years lease would be considered. The Trust have now instructed solicitors to act for them in this respect and requested the Parish Council to do likewise. After discussion it was agreed that Council would not need a solicitor to act on its behalf. The Clerk to notify the Poors Trust.
MF raised the issue of the creation of a new pedestrian access to the field and proposed it went ahead. Seconded by SR and agreed. MF to arrange for this work, which cost should not require having to obtain multiple quotes.
The clerk to inform John Housley NCC
It was also agreed that “No dogs” notices should be obtained and erected. The clerk to seek details and costs.

 

 

 

 

 

CB

 

 

MF

CB

 

CB

5.3.   Sluice Gate Fencing:    The clerk had been pressing the Paul Mitchelmore of the Environment Agency to have this replaced by fencing more in keeping with the conservation area. Although EA had agreed to this they will only make this change when they have an alternative location for the existing metal fencing.
EA had requested that the Parish Council contribute towards the cost of replacement but, following councillors comments had replied that money from the precept could not be justified since it was not the Parish Council who had requested the installation of the metal fencing which was provided by the EA as part of their duties to maintain a safe barrier. It was agreed the clerk write to EA thanking them for their agreement to change the fencing and to request their efforts to seek replacement in the near future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CB

 

 

 

5.4.      Council Web Site      AN apologised that her husband was not able to present his suggestions on a web site but would attempt to do so at the February meeting.
JC mentioned that a domain name had been purchased (Geldeston.org) and displayed an interim chart showing a site having 6 sub-sites. These sub-sites are to be for Conservation, History of the village, Events Calendar, Village Hall, Parish Council and Parish Plan.. Access to the site to allow reading and downloading but all changes and data entry to be via a chosen web master. AN suggested also having links to other sites (eg South Norfolk Council).

 

 

 

 

5.5.      Notice Board            Outstanding. PC to continue his efforts to resolve.

 

PC

5.6.      Composting               MF mentioned a scheduled 25th January meeting to discuss this. She is to advertise this meeting.

 

 

5.7. Parish Tree Warden     AN suggested mapping important trees. JC suggested a possible person for this task. However, it was agreed that the clerk add a request to the summary parish magazine report and to see if anyone comes forward for this role.

 

 

CB

 

5.8 Goalpost Safety Requirements        PC had analysed the document on this aspect and concluded that there was no obligation on the Parish Council to replace or upgrade the existing goal posts and that it would be up to any group who wishes to use these posts to decide any action before usage. No further action required.

 

5.9    Services Mapping       It was agreed that such mapping could be an addition to the web site.

 

5.10                      Traffic Hazards – The Clerk had spoken with Liz Millwood who is to have a meeting with Alan Burrell and John Housley to review and report back on progress on all the areas covered by their walkabout. Since then John Housley had written giving an update and showing that much of the required tasks had now been entered onto work schedules. The clerk to maintain contact with NCC on these issues and to determine scheduled completion dates.

 

5.10  Local Development Framework         No response yet received but it is believed that the process has now slipped some months. It was also felt that the suggestions within the report were not firm proposals and may never become more than initial suggestions.

 

 

6. Correspondence

Sent:                                                                                                                             

Countryside Commission copy of 6/10/05 letter & village plan draft

R Ashe re sports field

SNC Planning Application returns x 2

Smith & Pinching – Acceptance of insurance terms

BESL – Geldeston Lock footbridge comments & request for more info on the Flood Alleviation Project

Gillingham PC re The Street traffic problems

Durrants re 55 The Street

The Village Players response giving general supporting comments

South Norfolk Housing Partnership – Request for inclusion re free crocus bulbs

NCAPTC/CRC Questionnaire on Rural Crime (Completed & returned by the Clerk)

 

 

Received requiring decision/Action

Item received

Action required

Deadline

R Ashe (Poors Trust) re need for solicitor to act on new lease

The Clerk to respond to inform that Council would not be in need of a solicitor.

 

NCC re: Norfolk Fire Authority – Questionnaire

AN Volunteered to complete

 

Broads Authority – Local Development Framework – Core Strategy (information available on www.broads-authority.gov.uk

Comments direct to BA

 

NRCC – Membership renewal request (see Finance)

None required

 

BESL – re Geldeston Footbridge additional information

None required

 

NCC – Norfolk Minerals & Waste Development Framework

PC to complete & return questionnaire

 

Audit Commission – 2004/2005

No action as given clean bill of health

 

SNC – Precept request.

Completed and returned following Precept Finance meeting

 

SNC – Leader invitation to 31 March 06 conference (One person only) 10am -3pm

PC to respond and to attend if possible

 

 

 

For Information:

Sender

Subject

Passed to:-

SNC –

South Norfolk Housing Forum notes of 17 Nov 05 meeting

 

SNC –

Parish Member of the Standards Committee appointment

 

SNC –

Housing Strategy April 06 – March 07 Addendum & revised Action Plan

 

SNC –

Planning Handbook (Useful high level advice)

PC

SNC –

Area Forum meeting dates

 

SNC –

Free Business Breakfast (Business & the Environment) 8-10 am 25th January 06

KL

SNC –

Removal of Garden Waste Label Service 1/5/06. + new initiatives

 

Broads Authority –

Strategy for Sustainable Tourism & Recreation document

 

ODPM –

Standards of Conduct – The Future – Discussion Paper

 

Reaching Communities

Big Lottery Fund) Briefing 23 Jan 06 (£10k - £500k grants)

AN

NRCC –

Signpost news sheet

 

Anglia in Bloom –

Invitation to participate

 

Norfolk Constabulary -

Police sector inspectors & Police Authority member chart

 

NCAPTC –

Norfolk Link (Quoting 2.95% national pay increase budget proposal)

 

NCAPTC –

Free seminar on “Let’s Talk Quality” 8 February 06

 

NCAPTC –

Guidance for Management of Unauthorised Gypsy encampments

 

NCAPTC –

Seminar info on “Current Initiatives Challenging Parishes” 7 March 06

 

Waveney DC –

Statement of Community Involvement

 

NCC –

Gritting Routes 2005-2006 brochure

MF

NCC –

Norfolk Matters Newsletter (Copies for all Councillors)

 

7.   New Issues 

7.1.   Goalpost safety/standards/replacement – Postponed from last meeting

7.2.   Services Mapping – Postponed from last meeting

7.3.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.   Parish 10

8.1.    

 

 

 

 

9.     Committee Reports

Development  &  Parish Plan

.

 

 

 

 

  

Finance    Scheduled 13th December Precept meeting postponed and held on 4th January, due to Clerk illness. Precept was calculated and to remain as for 2005/06 at £6200. This was considered by those present and proposed by P Cracknell; seconded by   and accepted.

 

  

Emergency Planning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snakes Lane Project  Meeting held at the Clerk’s house and outstanding issues resolved. Clerk now submitting final application and supporting documentation.

  

 

 

  

            Village Hall

             

 

 

 

10.  Finance
The external auditors report has been received for 2004/2005 financial year with nothing raised requiring action or comment.

Monthly account statement for January 2006 meeting tabled and discussed.
Proposed for acceptance by:                                Seconded by:                        All agreed

Payments for approval: (See Finance Sheet)

PC mentioned that he had become aware of a misunderstanding regarding the agreement reached at the annual pa review for the Clerk and that the Clerk salary had not thus been increased by the nationally agreed cost of living increase. He tabled a calculation showing this to have led to a shortfall of the amount paid to the clerk of  £50.33.

Proposed for acceptance by:                             Seconded by:   All agreed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.       Planning

Manor Barn, Dunburgh Road – Notice of appeal re proposed dormer windows

 3 Kells Acre – Application on circulation

Orchard House – Approved with basic conditions

Dunburgh Cottage – Approved with basic conditions

The Old School – Approved with numerous conditions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.       Any other business  

   .

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meetings:

Dates for 2006 are:

 

 February 22nd  March 22nd          April 19th       May 17th AGM & Parish Meeting

June 21st           July 19th        No August meeting       September 20th    October 18th   

November 22nd No December meeting.                                                                       

 

 

Next meeting:              22nd February 2006 at 8 pm    

 

The meeting ended at        pm