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 December 2006 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

BCllr Ansell and 5 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllrs Golding, Leedell and Mack.

DEC 06/1 Declarations of Interest

DEC 06/2 Council Procedures

Following discussion on public participation at Council meetings, Council approved a proposal from the Chairman that if the Police Liaison Officer is present the Open Forum will be at the start of the meeting, otherwise it would be at the current point on the agenda and that both policing and other issues that parishioners wish to raise would be discussed.

Council approved a proposal from Cllr Miller, seconded by Cllr Rockcliffe, that that for any project involving the installation of new equipment or street furniture Council agrees an appropriate scheme of consultation.

DEC 06/3 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 17 October 2006

The Minutes of the Council Meeting on 17 October 2006 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

DEC 06/4 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising from the Council Meeting on 17 October 2006

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £18270.82. The clerk also reported that the 200 daffodil bulbs had been planted on the boundary mound on the Glebe Field, the work being done by Cllrs Pike and Toates, Mr Keith Camp and the clerk. Council extended its thanks to Cllr Rockcliffe for providing the bulbs.

DEC 06/5 Payments

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

* Includes VAT

DEC 06/6 Budget 2007/8

Council noted the draft budget for 2007/8, particularly the fact that expenditure would have to be closely monitored throughout the year. It was agreed that there was a need to keep any increases in the precept to within the current inflation figure when fixed at the meeting in January 2007. Cllr Rockcliffe and the clerk to investigate electricity costs for street lighting, which have risen considerably in the last year.

DEC O6/7 Annual Review of Subscriptions for 2007

It was proposed by Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Toates, and agreed by Council that the current four subscriptions should be renewed for 2007; namely Norfolk County Association of Parish & Town Councils, Norfolk Playing Fields Association, Norfolk Rural Community Council and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

DEC 06/8 External Audit

Council noted that the 2005/2006 External Audit has been completed and that there were no matters arising.

DEC 06/9 Requests for Grants and Donations

Council agreed the following payments:

1) Proposed Cllr Rockcliffe, seconded by Cllr Pike, as an amendment to a proposal from

 Cllr Miller to donate £200.

            2) Proposed by Cllr Rockcliffe, seconded by the Chairman.

            3) Proposed by Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Miller.

DEC 06/10 Planning Applications

The following planning decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

On a request from Cllr Rockcliffe it was agreed that the Planning Committee would investigate the roofing on planning application 05/02636/F Marsh Farm, Bells Drove.

The chairman read a letter from the BCKLWN Planning Control Manager, following a meeting held between the Borough Council and Parish Councils, attended by Cllr Miller. The main points to emerge from the meeting was the need for closer partnership between the planning authority and Parish Councils, the need for the Planning Department to improve its customer care and the need for training for Parish Councils in dealing with planning matters. The clerk advised that the spatial proposals under the Local Development Framework were due to be published in February 2007.

DEC 06/11 Martingales Persimmon Development

Cllr Miller reported that she had met the site managers and that the problems of dealing with ‘early running’ and speeding in Stone Close by some contractors were recognised and being dealt with where possible. Cllr Miller also reported mud on the road on 4 December. Cllr Pike and the clerk had visited the site twice in the last week and reported on the cleanliness of both the Stone Close and John Davis Way site entrances.

Cllr Rockcliffe advised that he would be seeking suitable signage from NCC to avoid contractors attempting to use Fairfield Lane as an entry point to the site.

The chairman read a letter regarding incorrect information in the Persimmon advertising brochure. It was agreed the clerk would advise Persimmon and write to the parishioner accordingly.

BCllr Ansell advised that he had concerns over the future of the easement area between Martingales and the Meadows Estate, particularly the possible misuse of the area if left entirely open. Council approved his suggestion of a meeting, to be progressed by BCllr Ansell, between the Parish Council, the Drainage Board, the Police and Borough Council to discuss this issue.

DEC 06/12 Police Information Exchange Open Forum

Cllr Pike reported back from follow-up meetings from the joint anti-social behaviour working party. The Sports & Social Club had declined to have a junior membership scheme, but were willing to take police advice on anti-vandalism measures. The Village Hall Committee were investigating improved security around the building, including appropriate lighting and filling in the alcove area at the rear of the building, with this possibly being offered as an office for the Police Community Support Team. The Village Hall Committee would also be considering schemes to lessen anti-social behaviour in the village hall car park and possibly seeking to install a football wall at the west end of the building. At present the Committee was not keen to see the installation of CCTV, given the cost against the cost of repairs attributed to vandalism in the last year.

After further discussion on the other ideas raised at the joint anti-social behaviour working party, Council agreed to approach the Downham High School to consider a visit for village based students to visit a Parish Council meeting to help encourage good citizenship. Cllrs Pike and Garton to work with the clerk on this. It was also agreed that it would be recommended to other parties involved that the joint anti-social behaviour working party should meet twice a year. The matter of a youth shelter was deferred at present.

After discussion on the problems of anti-social behaviour in the Lacey Close area, visited recently by Cllrs Golding, Pike, Paget and Toates, it was agreed that a consultation would be undertaken with residents in Cecil Close, Lacey Close and parts of Station Road, on possible measures to combat this problem. Cllrs Pike and Paget to assist the clerk in this matter.

The clerk reported that following further letters to Norfolk County Council and the Police Authority, it was hoped a visit to the Contact and Dispatch Centre at Wymondham could be arranged, which would give an insight to procedures. The clerk briefly advised the meeting on the operation of the Centre following a discussion with the Centre Manager.

DEC 06/13 Highways Matters

The clerk reported that he had received an apology from NCC Highways in that they are backed up with work at present and are delayed in carrying out agreed works in the parish.

Cllr Rockcliffe reported that the 7.5 Ton Weight Restriction in the Tilney / Terrington / Walpole and West Walton areas was to be made permanent, which would be of benefit to Watlington in reducing larger size vehicle numbers passing through the village.

A response was awaited from the BCKLWN Planning Department regarding speed / traffic control measures in Stone Close, which would then be forwarded to NCC for consideration as the responsible authority.

Council agreed, on a proposal from the Chairman, that NCC Highways be asked to consider a 40mph zone in Thieves Bridge Road, beyond the 30mph zone, to reduce speeding in an area that is used by pedestrians.

The chairman read a letter from NCC Highways regarding the possibility of parking lay-bys in Mill Road and Plough Lane. NCC Highways advised that they would not support such a scheme nor seek to provide any resources for such a scheme. Given the response from NCC, on a proposal from the chairman it was agreed that the Council would not pursue this matter.

Cllr Miller advised the Council that she had reviewed the 37/47 bus service and there were 5 buses daily each way between King's Lynn and Downham Market stopping at Watlington, but the Saturday service was very poor.

Council noted the NCC Local Transport Plan, which is available on-line at www.norfolk.gov.uk.

DEC 06/14 Rail Station Car Park

The chairman read a letter from Mott MacDonald, updating the situation regarding expansion of the station car park. Issues remain with access visibility, possibly requiring land purchase, possible drainage problems and the expense of the works which Network Rail might seek to recover through car parking charging, this possibly leading to displaced parking on nearby roads which the Parish Council is keen to avoid. It was noted that the scheme would now realistically be deferred to 2008/9.

DEC 06/15 Community Projects Committee

The clerk advised that the proposed by-laws had now been reviewed by all the committee members and it was hoped to bring a completed version to the next Council meeting.

Cllr Pike reported that one candidate had been interviewed for the Handyperson post, but as the advert had also appeared in the Gossip the post would remain open until Christmas Day, with an appointment hopefully to be made for the start of January 2007.

On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Paget, Council agreed an expenditure of £180, quote from the suppliers Batramps, to carry out necessary repair works to the Skateboard Park.

Cllr Pike reported that the main gate on the Recreation Ground was due to be replaced this week, that the faulty gate on the tots’ play area was also due to be fixed by the manufacturer this week and that work on the upgrade of the village pound area had commenced, this latter work being done at the same time as the maze was being constructed on the Millennium Green by the Trust.

Cllr Pike reported that the Play Equipment Project application was with the Department of Communities and Local Government and it was hoped to hear the outcome soon.

DEC 06/16 Glebe Committee

The chairman reported that the necessary tree surgery had been undertaken on the Glebe Field, but that honey fungus had been noted at the site. It was agreed to monitor this situation.

The chairman read a letter from the Youth Football club seeking an extra floodlit training area on the Glebe Field. After discussion it was agreed that the Council could not accede to this request at the current time, as there were concerns over the extent of the area to be used, the lack of detail in the plan, the intrusive nature of the lighting columns, the longer term viability of the adult football club and the fact that the Council wishes that parts of the Glebe field remain in a natural state. It was agreed that the clerk would write accordingly, including to find out whether the lights on the Recreation Ground are adequate for purpose.

DEC 06/17 Environment Committee

Cllr Miller reported concerns over the level of water in the Fairfield Lane ditch. Cllr Rockcliffe advised that the lane owner Mr Cayley was aware that he was required to clean out the ditch.

Cllr Miller reported that the bin on the village hall car park had been uprooted and needed attention and that the bins on the Skateboard Park had been damaged. The clerk reported that the gate on at the Downham Road entrance to the Glebe needed attention. These items would be prioritised for the new Handyperson.

Cllr Miller reported that roots were coming through the footway near the village pump. It was agreed that this information should be forwarded to NCC Highways.

Cllr Miller reported that Mr/s Howlett had agreed to provide electricity for the Christmas Tree and that Mr Prior had agreed to provide a large tree for the occasion. Cllr Rockcliffe was thanked for digging in a new 18” /45cm support pipe for the tree and for agreeing to provide the transport to move the tree on site. On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed a budget of £40 for additional lights, preferably LED style, which Cllr Miller agreed to purchase.

DEC 06/18 Correspondence for Action

DEC 06/19 Correspondence for information

There being no other business the Council rose at 9.20pm.

The next meeting of the Council is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 23 January 2007 in the Village Hall.

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                         23 January 2007