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The Village Pump community magazine for residents of the Wissey Valley, Norfolk.

Wretton Parish Council meeting – November 2011

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MINUTES OF WRETTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD AT THE CHURCH

MONDAY 7th NOVEMBER 2011

 

Present–

Cllr David Llewellyn – Chairman, Cllr Mick Peake, Cllr Mandy Peake, Cllr L Beatty, Cllr John Wyett, Cllr. John Reeve.

 Borough Councillor C Sampson

3 members of the public

 1.         No Apologiesfor Absence received.    

2.         No Declarations of Interest made.

3.         The Minutes of the meeting held on 12/09/11were agreed as a true record.

4.         Matters Arising

  • · Trees to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Cllr. Beatty presented Councillors with a map indicating suggested area where trees could be planted in the parish. Packs of trees can be obtained free of charge from the Woodland Trust and it was agreed Cllr. Beatty should apply for a woodland fuel mix pack. It was agreed in principal to plant trees at the suggested locations but permission would need to be sought from land owners and from Highways for any tree planting on the roadside verges. Cllrs. agreed to research this matter further. Volunteers will be needed to plant the trees and young trees may need stakes and protection so some cost could be incurred.

Cllr. Sampson informed the Council that trees can be obtained through the Borough Council.

  • · Seat for Wretton Green to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Cllr. Wyett has looked into the cost of a stone seat for the Green. It is estimated a reconstituted stone seat would cost in the region of £400 to £500 but further quotes will be sought. There would be additional costs for a concrete base for the seat (estimated £150) plus engraving of the seat.

The seat will replace the wooden seat by the village sign.

It was suggested a recycled plastic seat could be considered rather than stone as a possible cheaper alternative.

  • · Padlock for Play Area

The Play Area gate is to be locked. As the grass cutting contractors need to be able to enter the area a key will be held by Cllr. Wyett and one will also be given to the grass cutting contractors.

  • · Annual Play Equipment Inspection Report

Cllr. Mick Peake has looked at recommendations on the report and those risks identified are noted as low risk. Cllr. Peake will consider what work may need to be undertaken and report back to the Council if any cost will be incurred.

A sign stating ‘No Ball Games’ has been erected inside the Play Area.       

 Cllrs Beatty, Reeve, Peake and Wyett to undertake further research.

 Cllr. Wyett to obtain further quotes.

5.         Chairman’s Report

  • · Item 8 of the agenda is to include an update from the Chairman regarding the new Parish Council website.
  • · Possible encroachment of a public Right of Way known asLydia’s Lane has been reported to the Parish Council. It appears that a fence adjacent to the footpath has been moved out and thus the width of the footpath has been narrowed. In places it is now very difficult to traverse the path without walking almost in the dyke.

It was noted that the path has recently been cut but there is still a place where bushes need trimming back. This will be reported to the Countryside Access Team who will also be informed of the encroachment.

Clerk’s Report

  • One vacancy remains on the Parish Council for which a volunteer has now come forward. Co-option will be an agenda item for the January Parish Council meeting.
  • Highways andNorfolkCounty Council Rights of Way Officer, David Mills have both been approached again regarding the classification of Lime House Drove. David Mills has confirmed that Lime House Drove is a Restricted Byway (No. 4 Wretton and No. 14 Stoke Ferry). This gives the public the right to access it on foot, horseback, cycle or horse and carriage, but excludes public access with motorised vehicles. There may be private rights held by the owners of the land, which may give them and anyone they gave permission to, a private right to drive on the track.

The first 50 metres are also registered as anUnclassified Country Road, so anyone can drive the first 50 metres. These are higher rights which override the Public Right of Way and consequently the surface of the first 50 metres is the responsibility of Highways to maintain. After 50 metres the Country Access Team is responsible for maintaining the Right of Way in a condition which allows the public rights to be exercised. Wear and tear resulting from the public use will be repaired but any damage caused by vehicular traffic remains the responsibility of the private rights holders (those causing the damage) to repair.

  • Padlocks have been purchased to allow the Parish Council notice boards to be locked.

 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

  • · Discussed under item 4. 

 7.         Accounts were presented and accepted for payment.

Cheques for approval of payment

MHB Services x2                                                                     £33.20

SJ Scarrott (Sept/Oct.)                                            £112.38

BCKLWN (play equipment inspection)                                    £70.02

Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal                               £17.00         

Padlocks                                                                          £4.60

A1 signs                                                                         £10.00

CGM                                                                             £408.60

 Financial position @ 31/10/11

Community Account Balance                                   £2825.66

Business Saver Account (1)                                          £686.48

Business Saver Account (2)                                   £12260.30

Business Saver Account (3)                                             £0.36

8.         Wretton Parish Council website

  • · The new Parish Council website is now visible to Councillors as a test site and suggestions as to the content of the website were requested. Soundwave Marketing is undertaking work for the Chairman through his company and an agreement has been made with them to construct the Parish Council website at no cost to Wretton Parish Council. The Parish Council will have content management and the website will be moved to a hosting provider who will supply full support also at no cost to the Parish Council.
  • · The Chairman asked for photographs of the village to be supplied which could be shared on the website.
  • · Photographs of Councillors and a short resume of members will be published on the website.
  • · It is hoped the website will go live in the New Year and thus there is a need to publicise the new site to the village.
  • · It was suggested a reminder should be posted on the website informing people that the recycling credits from the waste paper skip located by the bus shelter in the village goes towards maintenance of the village play equipment.
  • · The Chairman was thanked for his efforts to establish a new website and for saving the Parish Council money through the arrangement agreed with Soundwave Marketing

9.         It was agreed the 2012 precept request should remain the same as 2011 at £3576    

10.       Correspondence

10.1 Norfolk Link etc, includes information regarding training (to be e-mailed to Councillors).

10.2 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons booklet

10.3 Norfolk NRCC Signpost

10.4 Norfolk Association of Playing Fields ‘The Playing Field’

11.       No planning applications received for consultation.     

12.       Maintenance of village paths

Discussed under item 5. 

 13.       Schedule of meetings for the forthcoming year

It was agreed future meetings of the Parish Council will take place on the first Monday of alternate months unless otherwise agreed. The January 2012 meeting will be held on January 9th as the first Monday is a bank holiday.

A calendar of meeting dates will be published on the website.  

14.       Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

Councillors were provided with copies of the model Standing Orders and Financial Regulations supplied by the National Association of Local Councils. Both will be considered at the January meeting when Councillors have reviewed the content.    

15.       Reports from Councillors/items for the next agenda

15.1 It was noted that the footpath at AllSaints Placeis still overgrown. This has been reported to Freebridge Housing previously and will be again. 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

  • Members of the public voiced concerned regarding the issues of access along Lime House Drove. It was reported that Highways did arrive at Lime House Drove to dig out the gulleys but were unable to do so as a water pipe was discovered. Residents believe draining problems at the Drove entrance have been exasperated since the entrance was tarmaced. Highways need to find a resolution to the problems at the entrance to the Drove as it is impassable when wet.

It is felt a map is needed which identifies what land in the area is registered as Common Land as there is much confusion at present. Highways are still investigating the designation of parts of the Drove.

It was requested that a history of problems relating to the Drove should be compiled and that the matter should be an agenda item for the January meeting of the Parish Council.

  • A complaint was made that a loud noise seems to emanate from the British Sugar factory at Wissington each night at around1amand continues to4am. Investigation will be made regarding the origins of the noise.

 

 

 

 

West Dereham Heritage Group

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The Group held it’s Annual General Meeting on the 17th of November at St. Andrews Church.

The Agenda was proceeded with at a brisk pace with apologise for absence, a number of members were unable to attend, through to the minutes of theAGM2010 with Matters arising.

The Treasurer reported a small surplus for the year and spending of the Lottery Grant had started with the fitting of the Heritage Room cabinets, Projector and Screen for the Village Hall, Sound Recording Equipment, and Binding Tools & Accessories.

The Chairman, Jack Walker expressed his thanks to all the Groups Officers for their contributions throughout the past year. He was very pleased with the way the Group continued to progress not only as organisation committed to recording village history but as a social gathering as well.

Election of Officers was proposed and seconded en bloc as there were no nominations at this time. A new office was proposed, that of Researcher, Paddy Murfitt has already done so much work collecting field names it was felt his services would be invaluable to other areas as well particularly when it came to Mapping.

The Officers elected were:- Chairman- Jack Walker, Secretary- Pam Walker,

Treasurer- Ruth Marsters, Archivists- Pam Bullas, Webmaster- Janet Gough,

Researcher- Paddy Murfitt, Media & Reporting- Richard French.

After a great deal of discussion it was decided by a majority to increase the Annual Subscription to £15.00. At a previous Committee Meeting it was generally agreed that the subs had to be increased. Both Jack Walker and Richard French were in favour of making the increase to £15, both stated cases where similar organisations had failed owing to lack of funds. There was also the fact that had been no increase for the 5 years since formation, inflation reducing the value of subs and savings and the village hall hire would be a lot more once it re-opened. The Treasurer felt that a £5 increase was too much and might result in a loss of members so it was initially set at £12.50. per annum but the membership were in favour of a full £5 increase.

The Heritage Room is just about complete and once the builders have finished we can begin to furnish it and start placing in the archives that are at present in members homes or in storage.

A full programme for 2012 was thrashed out and there are to be some changes. There will be more occasions for “Round The Table Discussion” and some new speakers.

Last years outing failed but there seems to be a lot of enthusiasm for one next year but closer to home. With that in mind Ely Cathedral was suggested and agreed too.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm with refreshments and members chatting among themselves until 9.30. Special thanks to Graeme Pressley our Churchwarden who has opened the Church for our use and helped with the refreshments throughout the time we have been using St. Andrews also thePCCfor allowing us to use the Church while the village hall was refurbished.

Group Social Evening.

Held at the home of Ruth & Cyril Marsters on Hilgay Road on the evening of the 8th. of December at 7.30pm. Members gathered for a buffet style supper with all the usual beverages. Not quite so many present this year which was perhaps better as it was getting a little overcrowded last time. Several members had previous engagements which included the Thursford Show and a Wedding Anniversary. This will not be a problem in the future as we will be back in the village hall soon. The evening closed at about 11pm when the last members went home. Thanks to Ruth & Cyril for hosting the event, yet again, generous with their hospitality and time over the past years. Very much appreciated by all the members and the highlight of our social calendar. I shall look forward to seeing you all again this month when our new programme opens on the 19th of f January.

New members welcome or just came along anyway and see the new hall.

Happy New Year.

Richard C. French.

West Dereham Heritage Group.

December 2011

 

West Dereham parish Council Meeting – December 2011

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MINUTES OFWEST DEREHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD AT ST. ANDREWS CHURCH

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1ST 2011

 

Present:  Mrs Claire Cann – Chairman, Mrs Pam Bullas, Mr Tom Foy, Ms Paula Kellingray,

Mrs Ruth Marsters, Mrs Pam Walker.

 4 members of the public

PCSO Sophie Watson

 Papers presented to Councillors: Clerks timesheet, expenditure spreadsheet, 2012 budget, A Plain English Guide to the Localism Act, Glazewing Report.

 1.    Apologies for Absence accepted from: Mr Mark Dawson

 2.    No Declarations of Interest made.

 3. Approval of the Minutes.

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on03/11/11were agreed as a true record of the meeting.

4. Election of Vice-Chairman.

It was agreed to leave item 4. until the February meeting of the Parish Council when hopefully all members would be present at the meeting to vote in a Vice-Chairman.

 5. No Matters arising from previous meetings.

 

6.    Reports:

At this stage of the meeting PCSO Sophie Watson was invited to give a Police Report which would then free her to leave the meeting.

  • PCSO Watson informed the meeting that thePSCOassigned toWest Derehamhas been relocated and that in the New Year changes to the organisation of the Safer Neighbourhood Team will take place which should result inWest Derehamhaving a regular Police presence at meetings.
  • Since the third of November seven phone calls have been made to the Police relating toWest Dereham. These have included theft of metal, checking on a resident, speeding by the school bus, two instances of fly tipping and a lost dog.

The Chairman voiced concerns that there has been some anti-social behaviour occurring in the parish involving young people and that panes of glass have been broken in the two village telephone boxes. It was noted the Police have been involved with a family in the village and that some members of the family have now moved out ofWest Derehambut Police advice remains for residents to always report incidents of anti-social behaviour to the Police. The number of calls made from an area influences the frequency of Police patrols through a location. The Police are possibly in the village more than is realised as the Safer Neighbourhood Team use unmarked cars.

Comment was also made that no information seems to be made available at present through the Homewatch Scheme. PCSO Sara Clipperton keeps a register of those wishing to be part of the Homewatch Scheme and PCSO Watson offered to look into who is registered on the list forWest Derehamto receive Homewatch Voicemail messages.

 6.1 Chairman’s Report:

Village telephone boxes

Both telephone boxes inWest Derehamare being progressively vandalised and BT has confirmed that they will not repair phone boxes. The appearance of vandalised phone boxes on one of the main routes through the village is a bad advertisement forWest Derehamand therefore villagers will be asked, through the monthly leaflet drop, whether they wish to keep the boxes in the parish.

 NorfolkAssociation of Local Councils Autumn Seminar

The Chairman, Pam Bullas, Ruth Marsters and the Clerk attended the Norfolk Association of Local Councils Autumn Seminar held atSandringhamon November 15th.  Speakers gave presentations on celebrations for the Queens Diamond Jubilee, the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge (the aim is to protect 2012 outdoor recreation spaces across the country by 2012), Road Closures for events, and Civil Parking Enforcement.

  • Advice was given regarding governance, auditing and risk assessment. Councillors will consider risk assessment for the Council and this matter will be an agenda item for the February meeting of the Parish Council. Internal financial control has been implemented and regular monitoring of the accounts is undertaken by Ruth Marsters. The Chairman noted that the conference speaker emphasized the importance of recording account monitoring. [When the RFO and the Councillor meet to independently monitor the accounts the Clerk will record this under the Clerk’s report at the following meeting].
  • Previously on-street parking offences have been criminal offences discretionally enforced by the Police and progressed through the Magistrates Courts with any income going to the Treasury. On-street parking has now become a civil offence and can be enforced by the Local Authorities under Delegated Powers. Income will go to support the operation of the scheme and related transport projects. Local Authorities will be dealing with off street Local Authority car parks, yellow lines, on-street parking, residents parking and on-street pay and display. Car parking offences can be reported 24 hours on 01553 616222 or via e-mail parking.operations@west-norfolk.gov.uk.

 Youth Officers

It was agreed that Tom Foy and Pam Walker should act as Youth Officers of West Dereham Parish Council, in pursuance of the Parish Councils intention to provide activities and facilities forWest Derehamteenagers.

 6.2 Clerk’s Report

  • Before any work can be undertaken by Pear Technology to produce a digital map ofWestDerehamCemeteryan up to date ground plan of the Cemetery needs to be compiled. This will be undertaken by the Chairman, Pam Walker, Paula Kellingray and Tom Foy, to be completed by the February Parish Council meeting.
  • The owner of the conifer hedge adjacent to West Dereham Parish Council Allotments has approached the Council regarding a possible joint venture to see the conifers which presently shade the allotments cut back. The maintenance contractors will be approached again to obtain an up to date quote for the work to be undertaken.

 6.3 Village Hall Report:

  • Building work at the Village Hall continues and is nearly finished. The heating is working and a projector and screen has been installed. The custom made gates are ready for installation, a chef is being trialled and external works are expected to be completed in a fortnight.

 6.4 Glazewing Report:

  • Councillors were presented with a copy of the monthly Glazewing Report.
  • The Clerk has been sent a copy of complaints logged with Glazewing since January 2011.
  • It was noted that private vehicles which travel through the village to reach the Glazewing site can cause problems as do some Glazewing vehicles and a large amount of heavy vehicles are travelling through the parish at the present time. Concern was voiced that vehicles are increasing in size and it is not known what they may be carrying.

 6.5 Broadband Update:

  • Jeff Jones, who has taken over management of the Broadband for West Dereham Project from Andy Ambridge, was due to attend the December meeting of the Parish Council. However, he was unable to be present, nor could he find a substitute, so Norfolk County Council will be asked to ensure that a representative is sent to the Parish Council meeting to be held on February 2nd 2012.
  • Notice has been received that a planning application has been submitted for a Broadband Mast for West Dereham Village Hall. Andy Ambridge had verbally promised that a Broadband connection would be made available at West Dereham Village Hall free of charge in exchange for the Broadband mast being located in the grounds of the Village Hall. The Village Hall Committee will be sending a letter to Norfolk County Council asking for this commitment in writing. Once Norfolk County Council establishes services as a result of the Better Broadband for Norfolk Project the interim service which is being piloted inWest Derehamwill be withdrawn and therefore the mast will be a temporary measure. However, the Parish Council feels it should do its utmost to facilitate provision of Broadband forWest Derehamas soon as possible by whatever means are available.

 7. Accounts

Financial position update:

The Parish Council bank reconciliation stands at £10,809.70.

7.1 Payments agreed in accordance with the budget:

Clerk’s salary (November, including Inland Revenue PAYE)                   £332.50

Country Grounds Maintenance                                                                                      £107.90

NorfolkAssociation of Local Councils – training                                                        £92.60

Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal                                                                              £34.00

Society of Local Council Clerks annual subscription                                                 £24.60          

 7.2 Grave markers

It was agreed to purchase grave markers to be used inWestDerehamCemeteryas quoted.

The Council will purchase two sets of galvanised markers with stencilled letters A to J to be cemented into the ground, to denote the grave rows. Thirty black painted metal markers will be used to identify both vacant grave plots available for purchase and those already allocated.

In total the markers will cost approximately £650 and fitting will be charged at £28.00 per hour.

 7.3 Website

After discussion about the efficiency and value for money of the current Parish Council website provider it was agreed to trial a different website provider who will construct an easier to use Parish Council website complete with the ability to provide more than one e-mail address. It was estimated that the suggested website package will cost £50.00 per year compared to £115.00.

 7.4 Recreation space

The Chairman expressed concern that the only recreational space available in the parish is at one end of the village and it is enclosed by houses and gardens thus it is concealed and less of an obvious facility than it should be. The Chairman suggested that a more central village location would be more appropriate and it was agreed to contact the land owner adjacent to West Dereham Village Hall regarding the possibility of the Parish Council purchasing half to one acre of land for use as village recreational space. If successful this could be designated a Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Green or indeed named after the landowner. This location would have the added advantage of being close to the Village Hall but sufficiently isolated from domestic gardens for ball games not to be a nuisance.

 7.5 2012 Precept

Councillors were presented with an income and expense analysis and further discussion took place regarding the 2012 budget and precept request.

As considered at previous meetings money has been allocated in the 2012 budget for a projector and screen for the Abbey Room in the Village Hall; local election fees which must now be met by Parish Councils; future employment of a village handyman to undertake both some tasks no longer undertaken by the Borough or County Councils (emptying litter bins, washing street signs) and also maintenance work on village assets currently undertaken commercially and provision for youth equipment/trips. £3000 has also been included to allow for fencing of the planned extension ofWestDerehamCemetery.

On the day of the Parish Council meeting The Bank of England’s rate of inflation was 5%. Councillors agreed to increase the precept by 3.5% which will be sufficient to cover the additional items added to the 2012 budget. The precept request is for £7660.00 which it is anticipated will result in a £1.56 annual increase to the council tax for a Band D property inWest Dereham.

8.         Correspondence:

8.1    NorfolkRural Community Council Signpost Magazine

8.2      “1948 Torch Trail” – 2nd- 5th June 2012 (passed to Village Hall Committee)

 9.  Planning

9.1 The British Sugar planning application for a Bioenergy Facility at Wissington Sugar Factory has been approved.

9.2 Notice has been received that planning application 11/01411/F is to be considered by the Borough Council Planning Committee on December 5th 2011. The Parish Council has objected to this application to remove condition three from planning application 2/99/0243/F to allow unrestricted vehicle repairs at Ashcroft Farm,Main Road, Crimplesham. The Parish Council feels the condition was originally set to protect the environment by keeping vehicles being serviced in the Frimstone workshop to those already on site; therefore there would be no increase in vehicle movement to and from the site as a result of the workshop. This condition should control the level of activity at the site which is a concern to local residents. It was agreed to ask Borough Councillor Trevor Manley to speak on behalf of the Parish Council at the Planning Committee meeting to reiterate the concerns the Parish Council has with this application.

 

10.     Further Reports/items for the next agenda:

10.1            A query was raised regarding the siting of mobile homes in gardens. Information will be sought to clarify the position regarding the siting of mobile homes.

10.2            A query was raised regarding whether there is a right for the public to walk along river banks. This matter will be clarified.

 OPEN SESSION

No matters raised

 

 

 

Letter from Cyril Marsters

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Dear Ray,

I write to express my thanks to Ron Watts for his Village Soapbox piece in the December issue and to say how much I agree with his comments on the various aspects of the current financial crisis.  His remarks concerning the ridiculous heights of directors’ and executives’ self-awarded pay, certainly highlight the sheer unrestrained greed of these people, which shows no regard for anyone beyond themselves.  Ron’s quotation from Warren Buffet makes the point: “There’s a class warfare alright, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making the war, and we’re winning”

 Back during similar problems in the 1930s, the economist Lord Keynes, apparently had confidence that a time would arrive when the economic system would provide all of us with a comfortable living.  Speaking on ‘Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren’ he speculated that: “When the accumulation of wealth is no longer of high social importance, there will be great changes in the code of morals. We shall be able to rid ourselves of many of the pseudo-moral principles . . . by which we have exalted some of the most distasteful of human qualities into the position of the highest virtues.  We shall be able to afford to dare to assess the money-motive at its true value.  The love of money as a possession . . . will be recognised for what it is, a somewhat disgusting morbidity, one of those semi-criminal, semi-pathological propensities which one hands over with a shudder to the specialists in mental disease.”

 Unfortunately that ideal situation has not arrived and, whilst the needed financial controls and regulations remain absent, it is never likely to be make any kind of headway.  As Ron says, “We must implement the checks and balances that allow the capitalist system to operate fairly and safely.”  Otherwise, as Ron predicts, the current situation is going to cause trouble.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Cyril Cyril Marsters

Riverwatch Poem

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The River Kingdom

 The passage of time and rivers flow by

Forever beneath an endless sky

Seasons bring new then take again

We cannot change – its all in vain.

 

The secret of life is to enjoy it all

So many wonders both big and small

Out there is vast but also free

Providing a bounty for us to see.

 

The waters run deep and forever flow

Providing the means for all to grow

Thus Mother Nature provides a home

For some to swim and others to roam.

 

Wildfowl float and also in flight

Always a joy – what a beautiful sight

A mix of ducks and swans and more

Make up a glory you cannot ignore.

 

The fish in the deeps are seldom seen

But ripples and splashes show where they’ve been

In thick weeds a predator lays lurking

The pike for food is always searching

 

Creatures hide but then reappear

And with good fortune the favourite red deer

Together we share this special place

All we need is less rush and haste.

 

Dusk and night comes with new folk

Even a badger with stripes bespoke

Owls glide and circle dressed in white

Beautiful to see but mice take fright.

 

The wind and the rain can often distract

But it can’t take away all that is fact

Outside is rich with so many things

The glory of God and all that it brings.

 

Many folk ignore or just don’t see

About us the joys of what can be

So remember to look and also behold

See for yourself instead of be told.

 

By Ivor Hook