Geldeston Parish Council

Geldeston Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

held on Wednesday 22^nd February 2006

At 8.00pm in the Village Hall

COUNCILLORS PRESENT: P Cracknell (Chairman); K Loffstadt; J Crowfoot (from 8.35pm)

A Norman; D Witham; M Fenwick

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT:

Mr & Mrs Streames; Canon Bestalink; Mrs Cox; Mrs Cutter; Mrs Bullock; Mrs Fuller; County Councillor Burrell

Minutes taken by Colin Barrett

1. Apologies for absence: PC D Shulver; S Rolt;

2. Declarations of Interest: None

3. Crime Report: PC Shulver had sent in a report advising that there had been no reported crimes this month.

4. Minutes: parish council meeting of 18 January 2005

Acceptance proposed: MF ; Seconded: AN All agreed.

	ACTION
5. Matters Arising:
5.1. Playground: The clerk had placed an entry into the parish magazine for someone to carry out minor repairs. Some of these repairs were long outstanding and it was agreed urgent action was required. PC advised that someone has now offered to do this work.
5.2. Sports Field: The draft lease document had been received and circulated for comments. The Poors Trust had been informed that Council were unlikely to require the services of a solicitor. The £150 per annum lease charge quoted is higher than expected and reference to VAT was thought not to apply since the Trust is a charity. Proposed by AN to accept; seconded by KL; all agreed. Clerk to inform the Trust. The corner pedestrian gate still to be fitted	CB MF
5.3. Sluice Gate Fencing: The clerk has written to the Environment Agency to seek an estimate of when the replacement fencing might be fitted and to seek an interim change of colour to the existing fencing.
5.4. Council Web Site BN has opened this site and intends to have a village meeting on 1^st March in the village hall to explain its operation. The web site domain is www.geldeston.org. DW mentioned that the Locks Inn would like a link.
5.5. Notice Board Outstanding. PC to continue his efforts to resolve.	PC
5.6. Composting A meeting was held on 15^th January 06 with a very positive response and offers of help. MF is to place a notice in the parish magazine giving details. The clerk to assist MF in completion & submission of the forms at a cost of £125 per application . Acceptance proposed by KL; seconded by DW and agreed	MF
5.7. Parish Tree Warden The clerk had added a request in the summary parish magazine report and to request a volunteer for this role. Ellie Peters had been asked but is unable to assist with this role.
5.10 Local Development Framework Further information had been received identifying 3 additional possible sites. Identified as: 604A – Off The Street adjacent to Heath Road 604B – Old allotments behind Wherry Inn & Village Green 604C – Area bordered by Little Row & Big Row (off The Street) All 3 sites being owned by Sir Philip Dowson. The Chairman then read out a communication from Sir Philip confirming that site 604A should not be considered as possible building land and that site 604b should take no more than three houses. The Chairman mentioned that the parish survey had found that infill was the preferred option for development. As a template for any larger developments it was thought that the approximate 15 houses per hectare density of the Kell’s estate was a reasonable guide. It was also felt that flood risk information should be collated relative to any proposed site. Council discussed the implications of these new sites and agreed that a meeting needed to be held to inform people of the latest information and that a flyer be sent out about the meeting. The clerk to reproduce A4 laminated copies of the sites in question. The meeting date was set for 8^th March.	CB

6. Correspondence

Sent:

NRCC Subs payment

M Gates – Hall hire payment

SLCC Subs payment

SNC – Planning application return 3 Kells Acre

SNC – Planning application return Newlands caravan park

Environment Agency – re Station Road fencing

Received requiring decision/Action

Item received

Action required

Deadline

New parish clerk pay rates

SNC - Playground inspection report & invoice

SNC – Further Local Development Framework proposals

NCC – Bus stop improvement proposals

SCC – Minerals Core Strategy consultation report & questionnaire

Broads Authority – Sustainable Visitor Itineraries invitation to participate

Norfolk Constabulary – Mobile Police Office timetable

– Passed to PC for future consideration

– Pay invoice

– Passed to PC for info

– Response sent by Clerk.To await further proposals

– No offers to action received

– Noted

– To be posted on notice board

For Information:

Sender

Subject

Passed to:-

Norfolk Constabulary

NCAPTC

WDC

Broads Based Partnership Project

SLCC

Norfolk Parent Partnership

South Norfolk Homewatch

SNC

NPFA

NCC

South Norfolk Alliance

Advice re hire of village halls for “Raves”

Norfolk Clerk of the Year [NO CHANCE HERE!]

Useful articles on Flood funding; Footpaths & Community Halls for Rural People Defra website launch (Details attached)- Norfolk Link-

LDF Core Strategy & Community Involvement details

User workshop invitation

Re-launch of Suffolk branch & AGM details

Parental support – free training offer

Newsletter

Greensheet

Parish & Town Council Conference

Possible Local Government Re-organisation – Advance warning & chance to comment - Garden Waste Leaflet & suggested magazine article- Leisure, culture and countryside service – Events diary leaflet– Crime Reduction Partnership – Strategy brochure 2005-2008

The Playing Field newsletter

Local bus service changes leaflet- Beccles & Bungay community transport leaflet

7 March Forum meeting advice & agenda – Loddon

Passed to

B Norman

PC and CB volunteered to attend

7. New Issues

7.1. Meeting dates: It was felt that council news published in the parish magazine was often more than a month out of date due to the magazine articles deadline being about a week prior to the next council meeting. JC proposed; seconded by DW that meetings be brought forward to try to attempt meeting the magazine deadline and that the Clerk approach Tony Tomkinson, the magazine editor, to see if his deadline could also be delayed by a few days. The clerk to then advise on revised dates.

7.2.Grass damage to front of Kells Way: Council had commented to SNC and later to Saffron Housing regarding damage being caused to the grassed area leading to the green at Kells Way. Saffron have visited the location and spoken with those concerned but feel that, without some enforcement action no change is likely. However, councillors felt that others had a right to enjoy these areas and it was agreed that the clerk respond to this to remind Saffron of their duty of care towards residents and others visiting the properties and that driving over communal areas not only damages and disfigures the grass but also creates a safety hazard, particularly to children.

7.3.Proposed vehicular barrier to rear of Kells Acre: Steve Allen (SNC) has written to Kells Acre residents informing them of their intention to install a barrier to prevent vehicular access. This letter was copied to the clerk by Mr Raymond of 7 Kells Acre, together with his objection to the proposal. PC also mentioned other residents who have stated their intentions to object on the ground of long term permitted vehicular access to the rear of their homes. SNC have commented that anyone can prove such right of access then SNC will install a lockable gate and provide just those residents with a key. SNC claim that the pathway along the rear of these homes has never been other than a public footpath. Parish Council to await the outcome of the objections..

7.4.Parish Council Seal: JC proposed Council consider adoption of an official seal and that he would be willing to assist withy the cost of this.. This requirement came about following a request by solicitors acting for the Poors Trust in negotiation on a new lease for the sports field. It was agreed that this could be useful and it was agreed that a simple rubber stamp would suffice. The clerk to design and obtain, together with a red ink pad..

8. Parish 10

8.1. re LDF . Request that Dockeney, West End and Dunburgh all be included.

8.2. re gate to sports field. Councillor A Burrell asked how soon this might be provided. MF advised that she would be cooperating with SR to get this work done in the near future.

9. Committee Reports

Development & Parish Plan – JC mentioned that he now considered this committee to be responsible for conservation as well as development. LDF to be a main topic. The parish plan being the other until complete and produced.

Janet Peachey had been in touch to remind the clerk of the end February deadline for submitting final claims. He explained that he had been awaiting an update of the final printing costs but that he would submit the claim on time. JC and CB to resolve any outstanding details/invoices etc.
AN mentioned that she had not received any further comments on the draft action plan other than whether a request for a speed gun survey. It was proposed by KL to request a speed survey instead; seconded by MF and agreed. AN to now produce the final action plan version. The clerk presented the header details he had submitted to the Countryside Agency with the draft.
AN proposed the plan include both actions and recommendations.

JC/CB

Finance Intermediate internal audit to be arranged. PC & KL to do during March.

PC/KL

Emergency Planning –.The clerk to copy the Broadland Flood alleviation web site details to councillors (This is www.bfap.org ). This site shows the various compartments making up the project, with details of consultations and progress.

Snakes Lane/Sandy Lane -.Outstanding. This could now become more important following the LDF announcements.

Village Hall – There has been good progress on hall painting and the requirement is now for people able to make up curtains. Offers to B Norman.

10. Finance

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

Payments for approval: (See Finance Sheet)

All items proposed for acceptance by: Seconded by: All agreed

The clerk issued a copy of the national wage agreement to PC for consideration.

11. Planning

Newlands Caravan Park: After consultation Council submitted objections to this proposal.

Replacement Footbridge Locks Inn: This application had previously met with Parish Council approval. There have been objections regarding future possible need for extended navigation through to Bungay. BESL have given assurances that they will replace the bridge to allow this if and when navigation extension gains approval.

Manor Barn (Dormer windows):Notification that this now falls within the Broads Authority Appeal ref now APPE9505/A/05/1197518
JC mentioned that planning applications falling within the Broads area are to be taken over gradually by the Broads Authority with complete transfer by 2007. He understood that the BA approach to be less open than the SNC system. PC to approach the BA to ask for clarification of intended parish council involvement expectations.

Bauhaus, 80 The Street: Proposed extensions to side and rear. On circulation for comments at time of meeting but no known issues raised

12. Any other business - .

Notice Board – PC had spoken with Mr Bennett. There is too much work for them to make entirely but they are willing to cut the timbers for someone else to assemble.

Defibrillation units - .PC has received additional information and been advised that Beccles would be the area covering Geldeston.

Meetings:

Next meeting: 15th March 2006 at 8 pm

Future meeting dates: To be agreed with the Chairman and advised

Suggested dates are:

12th April

17th May (AGM)(Statutory) & Annual Parish Meeting

14th June

19th July

No August meeting

13th September

18th October

15th November

No December meeting

The meeting ended at

9.30 pm