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 5 September 2006 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

BCllr Ansell, PC Bodley and 18 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  None

SEP 06/1 Declaration of Office by Cllr Mack

Cllr Mack signed his Declaration of Office and was welcomed onto the Parish Council by the Chairman following his by-election victory on 27 July 2006.

SEP 06/2 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest for the meeting, though Cllr Mack advised he would declare an interest if there was discussion on the planning decision relating to the Medical Centre.

SEP 06/3 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 25 July 2006

The Minutes of the Council Meeting on 25 July 2006 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

SEP 06/4 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising from the Council Meeting

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £22,529.74 and from the circulated budgetary control figures it was estimated that the Council has a little over £3000 unallocated before any matters are considered at this meeting. There were no matters arising from the Minutes.

SEP 06/5 Litter Picker and Handyperson Hourly Pay Rates

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council approved the rise in the hourly rate for the Litter Pickers to £5.35 an hour from 1 October 2005 to meet the minimum wage regulations and approved the rise in the hourly rate for the Handyperson to £5.50 an hour to meet minimum wage regulations and to maintain the hourly rate differential between the Handyperson and the Litter Picker.

SEP 06/6 Edward Shouldham Charity

Council approved the letting of the Edward Shouldham Charity Land for the period 11 October 2006 to

10 October 2007 to Mr W Zipfell, the only bidder, for the sum of £80.

SEP 06/7 Payments

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

* Includes VAT

SEP 06/8 Requests for Grants and Donations

Council agreed the following payments:

SEP 06/9 Planning Applications

The following planning decisions were agreed:

Planning Committee recommendations were available at the meeting for inspection.

The following planning decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

* The clerk advised the meeting that a further application had been received today seeking to extend the time for dealing with reserve matters on the existing approval on this site (2/03/2076/O) and that he was seeking further information on this for the planning committee.

The clerk advised that following a meeting of the BCKLWN Standards Committee a note would be included in the agenda / minutes to advise that Planning Committee observations on Planning Applications are available for inspection at subsequent Council meetings.

SEP 06/10 Police Liaison Officer Information Exchange

It was agreed that the formation of a Police Liaison Committee should be referred for consideration to the Anti-Social Working Party meeting on 2 October. Cllrs Miller and Garton (if available) agreed to attend this meeting along with Cllr Pike. On a request from Cllr Mack, use of CCTV at trouble hotspots would be considered at this meeting.

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed that for this and future Meetings the Police Liaison Officer Information Item would be an open forum to allow free discussion on policing issues in the village both by members of the public and Council.

PC Bodley reported that since 25 July there had been 5 crimes reported in the village, 3 of criminal damage, 1 assault and 1 case of deception. There had also been 26 calls to the Police during the period, including 5 cases of inappropriate behaviour and 5 cases of inappropriate use of motor vehicles, particularly mini-motors. PC Bodley confirmed that the number of calls to the Police had increased since the introduction of the reporting cards.

PC Bodley advised that at the incident of overnight camping at Warren Close Play Area some people had been allowed to remain as at the time they were not being rowdy and there was no notice disallowing camping. As a result of this incident and a similar one at John Davis Way Open Space it was agreed that the clerk would investigate the need to have bye-laws covering the 3 Council open areas covering all aspects of site behaviour. Cllrs Garton and Pike agreed to liase over placing up to five additional information signs on the 3 sites.

Council noted a response from the Norfolk Constabulary Joint CDRP Core Team regarding methods of reporting and recording crime.

Following a report from Cllr Miller on delay times (38 Minutes in one case) at the Police Call Centre and general discussion on reporting of incidents it was agreed that the clerk would write to the Chief Constable, with a copy to the local Superintendent and to Cllr Harry Humphrey, regarding the poor quality of the service, which did not encourage reporting. It was also agreed that the e-mail address obtained by Cllr Miller for reporting should be included in these Minutes, being enquiries@norfolk.pnn.police.uk.

SEP 06/11 Consultation on the Proposal to Close the Station Road-Cecil Close Footpath (2F 154)

Discussion was held on the request received by Norfolk County Council to stop up the Station Road – Cecil Close footpath. Matters considered were path usage, illegal vehicular use, anti-social behaviour, a letter of objection from residents in Lacey Close and the drain which runs under this footpath. On a proposal from Cllr Toates, seconded by Cllr Golding, Council agreed to oppose the closure of this footpath on the grounds of the Council objecting to the closure of any footpaths in the village particularly when walking is promoted as part of healthy living, because of concerns over the drain and because the Lacey Close footpath was build as an addition to this footpath not a replacement.

On the issue of anti-social behaviour and illegal vehicular use of the footpaths it was agreed that the Council write to Norfolk County Council requesting that offset barriers be installed on both the Lacey Close and Cecil Close Footpaths and that the Planning Committee review other village footpaths to see whether any others required such offset barriers. It was further agreed to add the barrier work to the Minor Works Scheme to be proposed to NCC.

SEP 06/12 Highways Matters

A letter was read from a resident in Lacey Close regarding speeding in St Peters Road. Discussion followed on traffic calming measures and Cllr Rockcliffe agreed to find out the cost of newer, smaller style flashing speed warning signs. The clerk advised that NCC Highways are going to install enhanced 30mph signs at Downham Road, Station Road and St Peters Road. PC Bodley also agreed to follow up on the matter of Police monitoring of traffic speeds, including when and where monitoring is done.

The clerk advised that the hedges at the junction of Thieves Bridge Road and Downham Road have now been cut back; the boundary hedge at 31 Thieves Bridge Road has now been cut back; the road sign at Thieves Bridge Road has now been re-affixed; the Church Road to Village Hall Footpath would be considered for widening by NCC; the zebra crossing road markings have been identified by NCC for renewal; Britton Close footway renewal is identified by NCC but not during this financial year.

The clerk updated the Council on the list of jobs for the Minor Works Scheme which will be submitted to NCC Highways when the survey of footpath barriers has been completed.

SEP 06/13 Rail Station Car Park

Cllr Rockcliffe reported that there had been delays following discussion with Network Rail but NCC proposals for an enhanced car park would now be available for the next meeting of the Council. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Venni for his allowing continued use of the extended car park.

SEP 06/14 Community Projects Committee

Cllr Toates reported that the Committee had now agreed proposals for new fitness / play equipment both the Recreation Ground and Warren Close Play Area including fencing and gates at both sites. Cllr Toates set out the details of the equipment being sought, which would allow for a bid for a grant of £18,500 from the Borough Council. It was hoped that work could start on the scheme in spring 2007.

On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Golding, Council approved the commitment of £5000 from the 2007/8 budget towards the completion of the Play Project Phase 2, allowing a bid of £18,500 to be made to the Borough Council’s Play Equipment Fund and that, following receipt of competitive quotations, Miracle Design and Play Limited be the preferred bidder for the play equipment.

Cllr Pike advised that the swings at Warren Close Play Area had now been upgraded with a new raised area safety surfacing. Concerns from Cllr Golding were noted over the wooden edging to the safety area.

Cllr Pike advised that one of the swings at the Recreation Ground had to be removed and that there may be problems with the equipment passing the play equipment inspection in 2007.

The Chairman on behalf of the Council thanked the Committee, and in particular Cllr Toates, for all the hard work in getting the Play Project bid ready for submission.

Following a receipt of an e-mail from the youth football club it was agreed on a proposal from the Chairman that a mole control company would need to be employed on the site.

The clerk advised that a second quote was awaited for the repair works to the Recreation Ground gate.

SEP 06/15 Glebe Committee

Following initial information from a tree specialist regarding the ash tree on the Glebe Land it was agreed that additional quotes be sought for carrying out remedial works. Cllr Rockcliffe would advise the clerk of two alternative tree surgeons.

A letter from Watlington Village Hall Committee was received agreeing the installation of a litter bin on the Village Hall Glebe Land, the bin now having been installed. The Committee also asked that the new protective mound be strimmed. On a proposal from the Chairman it was agreed that the strimming of the mound be added to the schedule of works to be carried out under the grounds maintenance contract, this item being on an as required basis. The Chairman on behalf of the Council thanked Cllr Pike for carry out an initial weeding of the mound. It was also agreed to add mowing of the non-statutory path on the Glebe field to the contract, the purpose of this being to encourage dog walkers to keep to the paths and off the football pitch.

SEP 06/16 Environment Committee

On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Leedell, Council agreed the installation of a new dog waste bin on the Glebe Land at the east entrance at a cost of approximately £180 plus £50 a year for waste disposal.

It was agreed that there would be a Christmas Tree for 2006, the Millennium Green Trust having approved the sinking of a support pipe at the usual site. It was agreed that Cllrs Rockcliffe and Miller would liase over obtaining a suitable tree and that Cllr Paget would liase with the Handyperson over the installation of the pipe, to be kindly donated by Cllr Rockcliffe.

The clerk updated Council on the jobs outstanding for the Handyperson. It was agreed that the task of replacing the dog waste bin by the Downham Road entrance to the Glebe Land should be a priority.

The Chairman advised Council of two letters of noise complaint regarding a music charity event at the Angel. This matter is being dealt with by Borough Council Environmental Health Officers and the letters after being laid on the table were passed to BCllr Ansell.

Council noted the booklet ‘A Guide To Improving Your Local Environment’ which would assist the Council in dealing with issues concerning such matters as litter, graffiti, noise and anti-social behaviour.

SEP 06/17 Correspondence for Action

SEP 06/18 Correspondence for information

SEP 06/19 Members Information Exchange

Cllr Mack asked that the following issues be on the agenda for the next meeting:

            Cuts to the local bus services particularly routes 37/47.

            Speed control measures for Stone Close at the completion of the Martingales site

            Breaking of the conditions of planning approval for the Martingales Site

            The provision of parking lay-bys for Mill Road and Plough Lane.

Council agreed to a request from Cllr Pike that daffodils be planted on the new Glebe protective mound, Cllr Rockcliffe kindly agreeing to provide 200 bulbs. Volunteer planters welcomed.

Cllr Toates congratulated the Gossip Committee on the latest issue and thought that the placing of a copy of the Incident Reporting Card next to the current episode of The Watler was very apposite.

The chairman then opened the meeting to parishioners:

A parishioner stated that he felt that any chicanes to cut speeds on St Peters Road would be impractical given the heavy farm machinery using the road. He was also aware that Police speed checks along the road were carried out after 9.00am. He also stated that the SAM average speeds would have been distorted lower by traffic turning out of Lacey Close. He also supported concerns about the pipe under the Cecil Close footpath.

A parishioner asked that a letter asking for overhanging shrubbery be sent to the owner of the open area at the top of St Peters Road. The clerk to investigate and write accordingly.

BCllr Ansell advised the meeting that negotiations were currently under way regarding the noise complaints against the Angel Pub.

There being no other business the Council rose at 9.23 pm.

The next meeting of the Council is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 17 October 2006 in the Village Hall.

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                         17 October 2006