Stoke Ferry Parish Council Minutes - September 2012

Minutes of Stoke Ferry Parish Council Meeting held in The Community Centre

At 7.30pm on Wednesday 12 September 2012

Those Attending:

Cllr T Ryves , Cllr Mrs J Buckley-Stevens (Vice-Chair), Cllr Mrs D Clements, Cllr Mrs M Leamon, Cllr R Bivon, Cllr J Nicholas-Letch, Cllr Mrs S Lintern, Cllr L McCarthy, Mrs C Hardy (Clerk), Borough Councillor C Sampson and 8 Members of the Public

Apologies: PCSO Sara Clipperton

Election of Chairman:

Cllr Mrs Buckley-Stevens informed the meeting that Cllr Ryves had resigned as chairman. She then asked for nominations for this post. Cllr Mrs Leamon proposed Cllr Bivon seconded by Cllr Mrs Lintern, Cllr Mrs Clements proposed Cllr Nicholas-Letch, there were no seconders. Cllr Bivon was duly elected as chairman by 5 votes for and 1 against. Cllr Bivon then took the chair.

Minutes of the last Meeting:

Cllr Mrs Clements advised she had given the incorrect month for the next Village Liaison Meeting, it should have been October.

Cllr Ryves queried whether the Community Car scheme was covering emergencies, Cllr Nicholas-Letch advised it was only for hospital appointments in King’s Lynn and the Doctors surgery in Boughton.

Cllr Mrs M Leamon proposed acceptance of the minutes seconded by Cllr Mrs Buckley-Stevens

Matters Arising:

a) Cllr McCarthy queried because the length of the Agenda for the previous meeting was so long several items were deferred, should Any Other Business for the Public be brought forward on future Agendas. Cllr Mrs Leamon advised it had always been at the end of the Agenda. Cllr Bivon felt it should be left for the time being and monitor the length of future meetings.

b) Cllr Bivon asked if the statistics he had requested from the Police had been forthcoming, the Clerk advised she would chase this up.

c) Cllr Bivon asked that regular progress reports should be prepared on the Community Car Scheme to accompany the Agenda for each meeting

Committees, Working Parties and Membership/Standing Orders Update:

Cllr Bivon advised he would like to think about these two items and would like a meeting with the Clerk and Cllr Nicholas-Letch to discuss what is required and who would be on the various committees. Cllr Bivon proposed that these two items be deferred to the next meeting in October, seconded by Cllr Ryves. 7 votes for 1 abstention. Carried

The Cemetery & Garden of Remembrance

A group of councillors and the Clerk met to review the Fees Charged and Regulations relating to the Cemetery and Garden of Remembrance. It was recommended that the existing fees be doubled. Cllr McCarthy asked what other parishes were charging, Cllr Mrs Clements advised the recommended fees were still less than most parishes in the area. Cllr Nicholas-Letch felt the Stoke Ferry fees were approximately 1/5th less than other parishes. After considerable discussion, Cllr Mrs Leamon proposed accepting the new fees with with effect from 1 November 2012 with a proviso they are reviewed every two years, seconded by Cllr Mrs Buckley-Stevens. Unanimously carried.

Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed one amendment to the Regulations - “all new graves must be allowed to settle for up to 6 months following which they must be ground level and not mounded to allow grass cutting

Cllr Mrs Leamon proposed acceptance of the Updated Regulations, seconded by Cllr Mrs Clements. Unanimously agreed.

Cllr Mrs Leamon queried whether it was possible to have a further wheelie bin for rubbish. The Clerk will investigate this and report back.

Parish Training:

The Clerk informed the meeting that Norfolk ALC do provide training for parish councillors in a nearby location at a cost of £150 for a two hour session with a maximum number of 20 people. It was suggested contact be made with parish councils in the vicinity to see if they would be interested in joining Stoke Ferry. The Clerk will make arrangements to book a session as soon as possible.

Disclaimer for Emails

The Clerk had submitted two versions for parish councillors to consider, one based on Norfolk ALC and one on the Borough Council version. After discussion it was thought the NALC version would be more appropriate to the parish council, with the inclusion of the Parish Council official address. This would be used for all official external emails that are sent.

Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed that the parish council use the NALC version with Stoke Ferry Parish Council address for all formal emails seconded by Cllr Bivon. 6 Votes for, 1 Against, 1 Abstention. Carried.

Stoke Ferry Milestones:

The Clerk read an email from Nigel Ford (Milestone Society) who is in the process of restoring sixty stones to celebrate the Queen’s 60 year reign - The Jubilee Milestone Project - asking if the parish council would be interested in being involved. Alongside the project they are compiling a Commemorative Book of Norfolk Milestones to be gifted to Her Majesty. The cost would be £60 per stone. After some discussion it was agreed this was a good idea.

Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed that the parish council go ahead with this, seconded by Cllr Ryves, all in agreement.

Remembrance Sunday:

The Clerk advised this was on the Agenda so that parish councillors could get together and decide what they wish to do for this Sunday, the next meeting is the last one before Remembrance Sunday so ideas etc need to be in place by then.

Cllr Mrs Clements suggested organising a small display of poppies on the War Grave in The Cemetery. BC Colin Sampson suggested that she make contact with the British Legion when they have their Poppy Lodge Day asking for 3 large poppies and the PC giving a donation. This was agreed by all present.

The Village:

This item will be discussed at a future date

Planning:

Application for Planning Permission

Installation of one small (15m) wind turbine at Boughton Farm Boughton Road - supported by parish council

Proposed 32 No Fishing Pegs along River Bank and proposed 2 No temporary boat moorings along with retrospective approval for upgrading existing road surfacing and kerbs at Bridge Road - rejected by parish council

Received Post Publication of Agenda

Application for Extension of Time for the Implementation of a Planning Permission reference 08/02466/F - construction of nine dwellings and conversion of three existing dwellings, varying condition 2 of permission 05/02590/F to allow for contamination investigation to be undertaken in a phased manner at Geoff Allen Timber Merchant Old Station Yard Bridge Road - has been withdrawn

Accounts for Approval

Westcotec Ltd - £70.55 - Lighting Maintenance - August

James Bradfield School - £15.44 - Hire of Hall - August

CGM Ltd - £149.45 - Grounds Maintenance - August

Mrs C Hardy - £337.74 - Salary/Expenses August

E-on - Direct Debit - £47.52 - Lighting - August

Stone Ferry Village Hall - £12.00 - Hire of Hall 30 August

Statement of Account as at 31 August 2012 - Balance in Bank - Community Account £258.70 Business Saver Account £13862.63 A total of £14121.33

Cllr Mrs Leamon proposed approval for payment seconded by Cllr McCarthy

Correspondence:

Mr E Taylor - tendering his resignation as parish councillor

Email from Vion thanking the PC for their letter re Wretton Road

Norfolk Association of Local Councils - advising of AGM on 1 November 2012

Norfolk Police advising of next SNAP Meeting - 19 September at William Burt Centre West Winch

Mrs L Brouwer and Miss R Brouwer complaining about the works in the Garden of Remembrance

Mrs C Nicholas-Letch also complaining about the works in the Garden of Remembrance

The Clerk advised the meeting that the problem had that day been rectified by CGM

The Audit Commission confirming that Mazars would be the External Auditors for the next five years

Councillors Other Business:

Cllr Mrs Leamon queried whether all complaints should be made in writing. Cllr Nicholas-Letch advised that in most cases this is the best option as it covers the parish council as to correct information given

Cllr Mrs Leamon complained she had caught her trousers on laurel bushes which Freebridge had been asked to cut back - the Clerk will chase up

Cllr Mrs Leamon reported brambles on the footpath traversing from the playing fields to Fairfield Road - this area used to be kept tidy by Bennetts but since the new development is seems to be a no mans land

Cllr Mrs Leamon reported bushes overgrown near Fairfield Road/Oak Road grassed area

Cllr Mrs Leamon queried why only some of the pot holes along Lynn Road had been filled. The Clerk advised that possibly those which had not been done were in Wretton even though she had reported pot holes along the whole length of the road.

Cllr Nicholas-Letch reported overgrowing hedges along Bridge Road - the Clerk will contact the owners of the land in question

Cllr Mrs Clements reported the mess left following horses coming from the playing fields and along the footpath into Border Road

Cllr Mrs Buckley-Stevens suggested organising something from Christmas - bazaar or such like

Cllr Bivon advised that the Blue Bell Public House would shortly be reopening.

Borough Councillor Sampson advised that Wretton PC had also reported the pot holes along Lynn Road

Public Other Business

Various hedges overgrown - by the Fish Shop growing over Vion wall, the Village Hall covered with Ivy. The Clerk will write to the owners.

Indigo Road Lighting not working - this would be an issue for NCC

Light in Buckenham Drive not working

Rubbish everywhere - the village now looks a complete mess. It was suggested that parish councillors organise a village clear up day. This will be put on the Agenda for the next meeting

Pizza Shop do not appear to have a rubbish bin outside again. The Clerk to write to them also contact the Borough Council.

Furlong Drove corner of Furlong Road bollard which has been placed there does not leave room for wheelchair or buggie to get past.

Bollard near Vion Entrance has not been reinstated - will be reported to Highways

Bridge Road Planning - the fence was placed along the wrong line

Hedges other side of Bridge in Bridge Road overgrown

Furlong Road to Boughton Road query whether a lower speed limit could be placed on this road

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 10 October 2012 commencing at 7.30pm