DRAFT
Minutes of Stoke Ferry Parish Council Meeting held in The Community Centre At 7.30pm on Wednesday 11 January 2012
Those Attending: Cllr Mrs J Buckley-Stevens (Vice-Chair), Cllr Mrs D Clements, Cllr R Bivon, Cllr Mrs M Leamon, Cllr B Seymour, Cllr J Nicholas-Letch, Cllr E Taylor, Mrs C Hardy (Clerk) 5 Members of the Public. Borough Councillor C Sampson and PCSO Sophie Watson
Apologies: Cllr T Ryves
Before the meeting commenced Cllr Nicholas-Letch asked if one item on the Agenda could be brought forward, it was therefore agreed that the Community Car Share Scheme would be discussed prior to the Budget item.
Police Matters:
PCSO Watson was welcomed to the meeting, she reported 13 calls had been received by the police since our last meeting, including a variety of incidences, violence, domestic, theft, burglary, anti-social behaviour etc. The two priorities from the last SNAP meeting were the Sincks in Shouldham and William Burt Centre in West Winch. Matters reported to PCSO Watson were solar lights being removed, large number of beer/lager cans around the village. The next SNAP Meeting will be held on 15 February 2012 in Stoke Ferry Village Hall commencing at 7pm. PCSO Watson left the meeting.
Minutes of the last Meeting:
Cllr Mrs D Clements proposed acceptance of the minutes seconded by Cllr B Seymour
Matters Arising:
a) Cllr Nicholas-Letch advised that he would be removing the Christmas Tree at the end of the week. One set of lights would be returned to Cllr Mrs Clements for storage, the other set belonged to Cllr Nicholas-Letch. He also advised that Mr Hesketh-Harvey was happy with the tree/lights being placed in the Church grounds
b) Cllr Mrs Clements asked if a response had been received relating to the cutting back of blackberry brambles in the Cemetery. The Clerk advised that she had not written to the occupiers of properties as yet but would do so.
Community Car Share Scheme:
Cllr Nicholas-Letch advised that he had held further meetings with NCC who had advised there was not a problem with funding being approved for this scheme, he felt the PC should put £350 in the budget to cover their costs. The PC would only have to send a letter to NCC setting out the scheme/costings/the areas to be covered etc. It was anticipated journeys would be to the Boughton Surgery, KL Hospital, Swaffham, Watlington, and possibly to assist people visiting relatives who were in need of help. There would be no age limit, open to all ages. It was hoped to start the scheme in March/April 2012. No CRB checks will be required, should there be a need for any NCC will organise/pay for them. A co-ordinator would need to be appointed to manage the scheme also keep the accounts in order.
Cllr Bivon thought the scheme a good idea and was generally in favour of it, but felt before getting involved further investigation needs to take place on the possible take up. BC Sampson thought the surgery would be able to give an idea of how many patients were likely to need this service, he also advised there is already a hospital car service in operation for hospital appointments.
Cllr Mrs Leamon asked who would be the volunteer drivers. Cllr Nicholas-Letch said get the scheme working then volunteers would come forward.
Considerable discussion took place.
Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed that £350 be included in the Budget for 2012/2013 to cover journeys to the areas referred to above, seconded by Cllr Taylor
Cllr Bivon proposed an amendment of less money ie £200 to be included in the Budget for 2012/2013 for journeys covering a smaller area, Boughton Surgery/necessary trips to Swaffham, seconded by Cllr Seymour. A vote was taken on this amendment, 3 for, 4 against – Not carried.
A vote was then taken on the original proposal, 4 for, 1 against, 1 abstention. Carried
Budget 2012/2013:
Following the last meeting the Clerk presented everyone with updated figures as proposed. She advised the meeting that taking into account the £350 to cover the Community Car Share Scheme the £11,900 Precept proposed would still be sufficient.
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Clements seconded by Cllr Bivon that the amended Budget and a Request for a Precept of £11,900 be approved. Unanimously agreed by all present.
1948 London Olympic Torch:
Cllr Leamon advised that six people had put their names forward to be put in the draw to be torch bearers plus two others who only wished to run part way with the torch. They were Susie Whyman, Megan Phillips, Paul Cole, Mark Weston, Claire Cole and Ed Taylor. Borough Councillor Sampson carried out the draw – the two lucky people were Megan Phillips and Ed Taylor, who will be presented with a T-Shirt and Medal. Further details of the route, exact times will be available a bit nearer to the event. Please everyone in the village come along on Sunday 3 June to support the runners and join in, you do not have to run you can walk.
SNAP Meetings:
This was dealt with under Police Matters
Commons Management:
Cllr Nicholas-Letch referred to the Asbestos which had been dumped on the Common, and pointed out that because the area/land is privately owned the Borough Council will not go onto this land to remove rubbish. He was wondering whether consideration could be given to setting up a Management Agreement with the owner of the land. Removal of asbestos would have to be carried out by specialist contractors. BC Sampson advised that Environmental Health should be contacted and asked to remove the asbestos, submitting their account for this service to the owner of the land. It was agreed that the Clerk will contact Environmental Health. Consideration of a Management Agreement to be discussed at a later date. Cllr Nicholas-Letch also advised the meeting that he had cleared a considerable amount of dumped rubbish before Christmas, he was thanked for doing this.
SFPC Meeting 9 November 2011:
Cllr Nicholas-Letch advised he had some papers to distribute relating to this and asked for this to be placed on the Agenda for the next meeting.
Planning:
Planning Application and Conservation Area Application – Extension to dwelling at Mill House Cottage, High Street.
The Clerk advised the meeting that this application was sent to the Planning Committee in the middle of December with a request for her to receive comments by the 31 December. An extension of time of 48 hours was requested and approved (6 January), but these plans were not received back by the Clerk until 8 January. Therefore a “No Comments Received” response was given to the Planning Department.
The Clerk again requested that Councillors advise her if they are going to be away from home for more than two days at a time so that this does not happen again.
Cllr Nicholas-Letch stated, that although he is not on the planning committee, he does not know what planning applications there are. The Clerk informed the meeting that all Councillors are advised of any planning application as soon as she receives them, the planning committee having the drawings, which other members can see if they so wish.
Grant of Planning Permission
To paint the external front wall to disguise unsightly repairs to render in a colour as near to the original as possible at Park House High Street
Retention of shed/barn at Ferry End House Greatmans Way
Accounts for Approval
MHB Services Ltd – £70.55 – Lighting Maintenance December/January
HMRC £211.80 – PAYE Income Tax (3 months)
Mrs C Hardy – £345.30 – Salary/Expenses December
Ferrie Electrical Services Ltd – £114.00 – Electrical works for Christmas Tree
James Bradfield School – £15.44 – Hire of Hall – December
E-on – Direct Debit – £45.70 – Lighting – December
Thomas B Bonnett – No Charge for Making and Fixing Christmas Tree Holder – a letter of thanks has been forwarded to them.
Statement of Account as at 31 December 2011 – Balance in Bank – Community Account £254.98 Business Saver Account £9459.94 A total of £9714.92
Cllr Mrs Leamon proposed approval for payment seconded by Cllr Mrs Clements
Correspondence:
Norfolk Police – Invitation to their Open Meeting to discuss the Police Budget for 2012/2013
Mrs Clare Smith – thanking the PC for donation towards Home Watch Road Signs
Communities and Local Government – Council Tax Referendums
BCKLWN – Road Numbering Scheme for Indigo Road
BCKLWN – Advising of Training Sessions relating to the continuing changes to planning
Councillors Other Business:
Lighting at New Development Indigo Road – The Clerk informed the meeting she had been approached by NCC stating that the lights for this development had been designed to a Roadway Standard and that Parish Councils cannot legally take on this type of lighting. Are the Parish Council prepared rescind their previous decision in view of this. It was agreed by all that NCC be responsible for these lights.
Cllr Mrs Clements – Queried the condition of the Phone Box. The Clerk informed the meeting that this will be an Agenda Item for the next meeting. Cllr Ryves has some ideas for its use.
Cllr Mrs Clements also referred to the Kebab shop and the untidy state of the area, also the number of people living in the adjacent unit. The Clerk will chase this up.
Cllr Seymour advised that his acquaintances at Frimstone had very kindly offered to supply free of charge sufficient gravel (2½ tons) for the Garden of Remembrance area in the Cemetery. Cllr Seymour can arrange transport of the shingle. It was agreed arrangements for this to be made around March time, helpers to do this work will be required. Many thanks to Cllr Seymour and Frimstone.
Cllr Mrs Leamon a water meter cover is loose in Oak Road – the Clerk to check.
Public Other Business
Could a couple of Agendas be placed on seats for the public at each meeting
Weeds growing through the footpath again between 42-43 Buckenham Drive – the Clerk to report to Highways
Potholes still not repaired in Bridge Road where works have been carried out – the Clerk to chase up.
The Wood Yard hoarding blown down in the high winds – the Clerk to report
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05pm
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 8 February 2012 commencing at 7.30pm