WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk :  Colin Vince, 17 Bure Close, Watlington, KING'S LYNN,  Norfolk PE33 0TN

DRAFT MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL held on 1 February 2005 at 7.30pm in Watlington Village Hall.

Present: Cllr Lacey (Chairman); Cllrs Amor, Dagnall, Garton, Golding, Leedell, Pike, Toates and Rockcliffe.

Borough Councillor Ansell, Mr D Smith (Appointed Handyperson) and 1 member of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllrs Miller and Widdowson.

FEB 05/1 Declaration of Office

Cllr Dagnall signed his Declaration of Office and was duly co-opted to the Parish Council.

FEB 05/2 Declarations of Interest

FEB 05/3 Minutes of the Council meeting held on 7 December 2004

The Minutes of the Council meeting on 7 December 2004 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

FEB 05/4 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising (Not on the agenda)

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £20,546.17.

The clerk reported that the WAGN franchise has been extended to 31 March 2006 and this might prove a difficulty in achieving any extension to the railway station car park in the short term.

The clerk reported that work is expected to take place this month to cut back the Leylandii hedging on the Recreation Ground.

The clerk reported that Watlington Information Centre is currently producing a village map for inclusion in the village guidebook It will include all road names and local facilities. The map will also be available separately from the guide.

The Chairman read an e-mail from Cllr Miller highlighting the success of the Christmas Tree 2004. Thanks were extended to all those involved in the project and it was agreed that letters of thanks should be written to Mr K Prior, Mr J Murfitt, Mr R Aisthorpe. Mr/s R Howlett and Mr R Miller. On a proposal from Cllr Rockcliffe, seconded by Cllr Leedell, Council agreed that a payment of £12 should be sent to Mr & Mrs Howlett for the cost of electricity for the Christmas Lights.

FEB 05/5 Precept 2005/2006

Following discussion on the change to the Tax Base, the number and extent of projects for the coming financial year, the need to keep a reasonable reserve and the need to limit any rise in the Council Tax charge, it was proposed by Cllr Rockcliffe, seconded by Cllr Golding and agreed by Council that the Precept for 2005/2006 be £22,250.

FEB 05/6 Millennium Green Trust Annual Payment

After discussion and agreement that the Millennium Green Trust should provide the Parish Council with annual statements of income and expenditure, on a proposal from Cllr Toates, seconded by Cllr Leedell, Council agreed that an annual payment of £1000 should be paid to the Millennium Green Trust.

[Noted for the record that Cllrs Golding, Pike and Rockcliffe as trustees abstained from voting on this matter].

FEB 05/7 Payments

On a proposal by the Chairman, Council agreed that the following payments be made:

* Council also agreed to this work for 2006.

FEB 05/8 Grass Cutting Contract 2005

Following a presentation of four quotes, the Council agreed to renew the contract with Country Grounds Maintenance Ltd for 2005, their quote being the lowest submitted, as set out below:

FEB 05/9 Planning Applications

The following decisions were agreed:

* Council noted that this application has subsequently been withdrawn.

The following planning decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

FEB 05/10 Highways /Traffic Management

The final version of the zebra crossing scheme was circulated amongst members and it was noted that work would start as soon as possible after 21 February with a duration of approximately 4 weeks. It was agreed that the plan of the crossing and remodelled junction should be laminated and displayed on the Council’s main noticeboard.

The Chairman read a letter from the NCC Cabinet member for Transport seeking the Council to join the A47 Alliance. Council declined the offer. However, Cllr Rockcliffe agreed to keep a watching brief for the Council on any proposals relating to this road.

Following a site visit and report back by members of the Environment Committee, Council agreed that it did not consider there were particular grounds for additional signage at Lacey Close to indicate that this was a ‘No Through Road’, given the’T’ indicator on the road name sign.

Council however did agree that there was an inconsistency in ‘No Through Road’ signing in the village and it was agreed that the clerk would write to the borough council accordingly to ask that any replacement programme should include, where appropriate, the ‘T’ indicator.

FEB 05/11 Skateboard Park

The Chairman read a letter from the Council’s insurers Allianz Cornhill, which clearly set out that information signs must be displayed at the Skateboard Park and that if not displayed the park would need to be closed. Cllr Pike reported that the Skateboard Park Information Sign had been completely defaced, although the upright support was still in place. New signs had been ordered from Graphic Attack, which are built up as a mosaic and therefore more difficult to destroy. Cllr Garton has agreed to install the sign into the face of the skateboard equipment, the sign to be covered by anti-vandal glass. Cllr Pike also reported that the other play area signs had been either removed or defaced and would be installed again using the same principals as for the Skateboard Park sign, but would be on two supporting posts. Installations would take place one at a time to judge the effectiveness of the measures taken.

After much discussion it was agreed that there was a need to notify users and supporters of the Skateboard Park of the insurance situation and of the need for the signs to be in place. It was therefore agreed to call a public meeting for Saturday 5^th February so that the Council’s policy could be clearly explained. Cllr Toates and the clerk to organise hall booking and publicity respectively. It was also agreed to give publicity to the insurance situation through the Gossip.

Further discussion was held on what should happen if the re-signing of the site was unsuccessful and following a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Leedell, Council agreed the following motion: “that if the terms of the insurance policy relating to the Skateboard Park cannot be met, then the Skateboard Park will be removed”. There were 2 abstentions to the proposal.

FEB 05/12 Community Projects Committee

Cllr Pike reported on the activities of the committee. Mr Don Smith was introduced to councillors as the appointed handyperson. Following the interviews, the committee had decided that there were one or two minor adjustments needed to the job description, particularly relating to fence line and noticeboards inspections and these would be discussed with Mr Smith.

The inspection of the existing play equipment is expected in the next month and a visit by the Dog Warden to advise on the setting up of dog free play areas is being organised.

The contract from WREN has now been received, so all the funding is now in place to go ahead with the under fives’ play area, a meeting having been arranged with the preferred contractor, Wicksteed's. There are still concerns over the type of safety surfacing to be included in the project.

With the appointment of the handyperson the committee will now be considering the purchase of litter bins for the site, though this will need to be done in conjunction with the outcome of the issues raised in Minute FEB 05/11, above. The clerk advised that there is £300 available in the budget for the purchase of litter bins.

FEB 05/13 Glebe Committee

Discussion was held on the specification for the fencing for the boundary of the Glebe onto Downham Road, particularly in relation to the need to avoid damage to the site drainage. On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Leedell, Council agreed that quotes should be sought on the basis that the fence line is moved back from the highway, a new easy to open return spring gate is included, concrete posts are used with mesh fencing. Cllr Rockcliffe agreed to mark the drain line to help when quotes are sought.

A meeting with the football club had proved difficult arrange. Cllr Leedell offered to help in this matter. It was noted that the new football pitch, although well grassed, had a number of problems and concerns were expressed about attempts to use the pitch in its current state.

FEB 05/14 Environment Committee

It was noted that the inspection of Dolcie’s footpath was still to be carried out by the Chairman and Cllr Pike, who would also look at the stagger railing on the exit to Downham Road, part of which is missing.

Cllr Leedell asked about the fencing, which has been in a poor state of repair for some time at the rear of 14 John Davis Way, backing onto the John Davis Way Open Space. The clerk advised that the owner of the property had been advised twice of the own liability in this matter, but there was little else the Council could do given that the fence was leaning inward onto the property.

FEB 05/15 Millennium Green

Cllr Rockcliffe reported that Mrs C Carpenter had taken over as Chairman of the trust at the recent AGM, with Mrs J Golding appointed as Treasurer. The grass cut had now taken place and plans would be drawn up soon for the coming season. Cllr Pike advised that volunteers were welcome on the coming Saturday to help, to carry out pruning work and other tasks.

FEB 05/16 Footway Lighting

BCllr Ansell and the clerk reported on the bid for the light in Britton Close. Money had now been approved in principle by the borough council to assist the Council in the installation of the light, though the exact scheme needs to be the subject of further consultation. It was agreed that the clerk would write to the Heading of Housing Management, Christopher Smith, to urge a resolution of this matter and to ensure there is residents’ participation in the final agreed scheme. BCllr Ansell would also be pursuing the matter further.

Cllr Rockcliffe reported on efforts to resolve the dispute over the light along Dolcie’s footpath. Following discussion it was agreed on a proposal from Cllr Leedell, seconded by Cllr Rockcliffe, that given the lamp has currently failed that a flat glass 70W SON-T lantern, which greatly reduces the light glare, increases the light on the ground and reduces light spill, be fitted at a cost of approximately £185, subject to a satisfactory quotation.

FEB 05/17 Correspondence for action

FEB 05/18 Correspondence for information

FEB 05/18 Members Information

Cllr Amor enquired about the need for overnight lighting at the railway station and was advised by Cllr Leedell that Network Rail considers lighting essential for security.

Cllr Golding spoke about the continued congestion along Mill Road. Cllr Rockcliffe would be investing whether a proper footway has not been installed outside a newly build property in Mill Road.

Cllr Pike had received complaints about the parking congestion outside the school and agreed to speak to the Police regarding the legality and safety of some of this parking.

At 9.27 the Chairman invited public comment. BCllr Ansell paid tribute to the work of the Community Project Committee and would continue to support their work through NPFA. He also referred a problem regarding a strip of grass by bungalows in Britton Close and that he was still seeking to resolve this issue.

The parishioner present said that he objected to the Council’s decision on the No Through Road signs at Lacey Close.

There being no other business the Council rose at 9.30pm

The next meeting of the Council is on Tuesday 15 March 2005 in the Village Hall. This meeting will start immediately after the Annual Parish Meeting, which is at 7.00pm

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                        15 March 2005