WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

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

MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL held on 19 January 2010 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

1 member of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence: Cllr Drake.

JAN 10/1 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest for this meeting.

JAN 10/2 Open Forum Notes

A parishioner complained about the uneven drainage along Church Road from the Downham Road junction to the village pump. This causes excessive puddling leaving people using the footway being badly splashed by passing cars even when there is a small amount of rain. The clerk advised that this was an ongoing matter and would be raised again with NCC Highways.

Cllr Rockcliffe requested that a late item be added to the agenda to allow the use of part of the Glebe Field for overflow parking for the gathering after the funeral of Mr J Pope.

JAN 10/3 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 20 October 2009

The minutes of the Council Meeting on 8 December 2009 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

JAN 10/4 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising from the Council Meeting on 20 October 2009

The clerk reported that the current balance of funds is £15528.01. The clerk also advised that there had been no applications to fill the vacant councillor post and as such the vacancy would be re-advertised.

JAN 10/5 Payments

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council approved the following payments:

 *Includes recoverable VAT

JAN 10/6 Budget and Precept 2010/2011

On a proposal from Cllr Miller, seconded by Cllr Golding, Council approved the presented draft budget and agreed a precept of £28,400 for the 2010/2011 financial year, this giving a 0% increase to individual households.

JAN 10/7 Planning Applications

7(i) Planning Applications

Note: Recommendations from the committee are available at the meeting for inspection.

7(ii) Planning Decisions

The following planning decision has been received from the Borough Council:

JAN 10/8 Martingales and The Coppice Developments

Cllr Mack reported that the Borough Council will be issuing a Breach of Conditions notice against Persimmon by 29 January, for not culverting the drain adjacent to the school.

Cllr Mack reported that the Persimmon / Borough Council Stone Close Play Area is due for completion by 24 January. On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed that a letter be sent to the Borough Council about the lack of consultation on the development of play areas on Martingales / The Coppice, the reduction to a single all ages site and the fears of anti-social behaviour and the potential for intimidation of younger children as a result.

JAN 10/9 Rowan Close Development

The clerk reported that there is still a legal dispute relating to the planning application for the Rowan Close site and that the Borough Council are awaiting a legal opinion.

JAN 10/10 Local Development Framework Core Strategy - Proposed Submission Document

The clerk reported that the Core Strategy document to be submitted for independent examination to the Secretary of State by the Borough Council had one main difference from the original proposal, in that Watlington would now be one of 24 Key Service Centres, not the 37 originally put forward. Council agreed to note the Core Strategy document, given that due process had been followed in its compilation.

JAN 10/11 Local Government Reorganisation in Norfolk

Council noted the proposal by the Boundary Committee for a unitary authority for the whole of Norfolk, given that the Council had submitted previously to the review opposing any change to the current local government arrangements in the county.

JAN 10/12 Red Telephone Kiosk Mill Road

After noting that BT have made the financial implications of adopting or purchasing a redundant telephone kiosk more transparent, Council agreed that this item be deferred to the next meeting for a decision on adopting the Mill Road telephone kiosk, given that the Borough Council has now objected to the closure of all 63 kiosks up for closure in West Norfolk.

JAN 10/13 Highways and Transport Matters

Cllr Rockcliffe advised that Norfolk County Council was usually well supplied with salt for the roads and that a further supply was expected. A discussion was held on the need for salt / grit bins in the village.

The clerk advised that NCC Highways have two additional teams to work on road potholes and that any potholes noted could be reported to the clerk. Cllr Rockcliffe advised of a pothole at the Thieves Bridge Road / Downham Road junction needing attention. The clerk further advised that St Peters Road had not been gritted as this was not a recognised through route. It was noted that the emergency extreme weather gritting plans (not used as yet) would not include any gritting in the village, the nearest gritted route being the A10. It was agreed that the clerk would respond to a letter from parishioners in Cecil Close regarding the lack of gritting in that area. Cllr Mack advised that the Medical Centre had been unable to salt / grit any paths in Rowan Close following the receipt of legal liability advice.

It was agreed, on a suggestion from Cllr Rockcliffe, that an article be put in Watlington Gossip seeking ideas and views from parishioners on a proposal for a befriending type scheme in the village to help and support vulnerable residents in extreme weather conditions. It was also agreed that advice would be sought on how such a scheme would be affected by the Vetting and Barring Scheme, which comes into force in February.

The clerk advised that a response from NCC Highways on highways issues raised at the last meeting had been delayed as a result of work pressures arising from the Big Freeze.

Council discussed a proposal from the County Council to turn off 74 estate lights in the village after midnight (1.00am in summer). As there are arguments both in favour and against this action, Council agreed to defer any comments until consultations take place on the turning off of specific street lights in the village.

Council noted a response from Norfolk Constabulary regarding the legal position relating to the placing of No Parking cones on Station Road. The cones are not currently in place and it was agreed that the Council would monitor the situation to seek their re-installation if necessary.

Cllr Rockcliffe reported there are still difficulties in acquiring the land necessary for the new car park at the rail station, but that there had been a reassurance that funding was still available for the project and that as a result land acquisition was still be sought.

JAN 10/14 Community Projects Committee

Cllr Pike reported that Watstock have employed a professional company to undertake all aspects of security for Watstock 2010, that no alcohol will be allowed onto or off of the site during the event and that discussions are still on-going between the Watstock Committee, the police and licensing authority. Watstock are also keen that local groups and clubs participate in the event.

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed the urgent repairs needed to parts of the metalwork on the Skateboard Park.

JAN 10/15 Allotments

The clerk reported that there is an expected lease start date for the Britton Close Allotment site of 1 February. Council agreed that the views of the plotholders for the site be sought on the need for water access, given that there would be a minimum connection charge of £432 form Anglian Water, this on top of any charges for the installation of pipe work from the roadway onto the site.

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council refused a request from the plotholders adjacent to the site to have their plot rent free on the grounds that they would be providing security for the site, given that they were awarded a plot on the basis that this would help improve site security not provide site security.

On a proposal from the Chairman, it was agreed that the plot rental for the Britton Close site would be £30 a year, start date to be agreed, and that Tenancy Agreements should be drawn up accordingly.

Cllr Mack reported that he had been able to secure a supply of free compost for the site from the Borough Council and Cllr Rockcliffe advised he would provide assistance for site clearance.

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed to defer unto the next Council meeting pursuing the compulsory hiring of land following the recent death of the landowner, Mr J Pope.

Cllr Rockcliffe agreed to speak to NCC concerning the possibility of acquiring some land for allotments near the rail station.

JAN 10/16 Environment Committee

It was agreed that the Christmas Tree had been a success this last year although the lights now need replacing. On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed that expenditure of up to £50 for new Christmas Tree lights (Cllrs Rockcliffe & Pike), that letters of thanks be sent to Mr Ken Prior and Mr Chris Prior for supplying and delivering the tree and to Mr Howlett for allowing the electricity feed. On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed to donate £20 to church funds, as requested by Mr Howlett for the cost of electricity. The Chairman also thanked Cllr Pike for coordinating on behalf of the Council.

On a proposal from the Chairman Council agreed the following maintenance jobs:

1)     Mill Road - Glebe Field footpath, to cut back overhang: Handyperson or NCC Countryside Team.

2)     Large hole on Gypsy Lane: NCC Countryside Team

3)     Clear Chestnut Close – Downham Road footpath: Handyperson

4)     Fairfield Lane potholes: Cllr Rockcliffe

5)     Dealing with moles on the Recreation Ground: Handyperson, with additional costs to be met for any lost traps.

The clerk advised that he now had the name of a suitable tree surgeon to survey the large oak tree in the Glebe Field.

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed the use of the outer areas of the Glebe Field, outside the football pitch, for car parking overflow from the village hall car park on Friday 22 January, for the gathering to be held following the death of Mr J Pope.

JAN 10/17 Correspondence for information

JAN 10/18 Correspondence for information

JAN 10/19 Members Information Exchange / Agenda Items

Cllr Stevenson asked about submitting a request for charity donations and was advised by the clerk that a written request needed to be made.

On a request from Cllr Stevenson, Cllr Rockcliffe agreed to seek to supply some planings for the Angel Pub car park.

Cllr Miller reported missing fingerposts from the Thieves Bridge Road / Downham Road signpost and fly tipping along St Peters Road. The clerk to report both these items.

Cllr Pike reported that the Millennium Green will be holding a 10^th anniversary Jazz Concert on May Bank Holiday and that the Village Hall Committee has been awarded a grant of £2501 by Norfolk Community Foundation towards the installation of new projector screens and projection equipment.

There being no other business, Council rose at 8.55pm.

The next meeting of the Council is on Tuesday 16 March in the Village Hall, following the Annual Parish Meeting, which is at 7.00pm.

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                 16 March 2010