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 11 September 2007 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

5 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllr Dagnall, Golding, Paget and Stevenson.

SEP 07/1 Declaration of Office by Cllr Murphy

Cllr Murphy signed his Declaration of Office and was duly welcomed onto the Council by the Chairman.

SEP 07/2Declarations of Interest

SEP 07/3 Open Forum

Discussion took place on the Community Action Group (CAG) meeting held in August. It was noted that the reported crime figures related to the Watlington group of villages rather than to this parish. It was agreed that the clerk would report back on the structure of Watlington group and seek to ascertain the crime figures for this parish. One of the three priorities for the Safer Neighbourhood Team was tackling graffiti in Watlington. It was noted that speeding issues could not be addressed through the CAG agenda. The next meeting of the CAG is at Stoke Ferry on 10 October, the Chairman and Cllr Rockcliffe agreeing to represent the Parish Council.

An apology was received from PCSO Bunting for being unable to attend the Parish Council meeting and no replacement officer attended. A letter from Inspector Bates stating that there are no current plans to cease the mobile police station service to the village was noted. It was agreed that a reminder for each Parish Council meeting would be sent to the SNT.

Mr Elliot Suitor was introduced to the meeting. He is keen to introduce an information page for village youth either through the Gossip or the village website and hopes to be able to provide feedback from issues raised at the recent Youth Forum.

David Curl from Watlington Youth Football Club updated the meeting on progress to produce the training area at the rear of the village hall. This would now be in use from next year as ground works had been delayed by the poor summer. He requested that the training area be allowed to remain at its current size given the numbers of youngsters now involved with football training. Mr Curl also advised that plans were well under way to install a multi-games wall at the west end of the village hall.

A discussion was held on the need for an increase in the number of litter bins, especially on the Recreation Ground, where litter is still a major problem around the Skateboard Park area. It was noted that the matter of new litter bins is due to be taken forward by the Community Projects Committee.

SEP 07/4 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 31 July 2007

The Minutes of the Council Meeting on 31 July 2007 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

SEP 07/5 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising from the Council Meeting on 31 July 2007

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £24,500.12. Updated budgetary control figures were presented to the meeting. The clerk reported that the new dog bin is now installed on the cycleway adjacent to the school and that there are 17 people wishing to go on the private subscription tour of the Palace of Westminster in April.

SEP 07/6 Litter Picker / Handyperson Hourly Pay Rates

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council approved the increase in the Litter Picker pay rate to £5.52 per hour from 1 October 2007 in accordance with the Minimum Wage Regulations and that the hourly pay rate of the Handyperson be increased to £5.75 per hour from 1 October 2007.

SEP 07/7 Edward Shouldham Charity

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council approved the letting of the charity land for the period 11 October 2007 to 10 October 2008, to Mr WE Zipfell at a rental of £85 for the year.

SEP 07/8 Payments

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

* Includes VAT

SEP 07/9 Requests for Grants and Donations

Council agreed the following payments:

*Proposed by Cllr Leedell, seconded by Cllr Pike.

SEP 07/10 Planning Applications

The following planning decision was agreed:

The Planning Committee recommendation was available at the meeting for inspection.

The following planning decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

Cllr Murphy reported that application 07/01203/F Land at corner of Station Road and Gypsy Land had been refused by the Development Board.

Cllr Mack reported that discussions were ongoing between the planning officers and the developers regarding application 07/01416/RMM Land west of Glebe Avenue to seek ways to reduce the visual intrusion of the development.

The clerk advised that a training and information session on planning issues was being organised by the Borough Council and that attendance by members of the Planning Committee was recommended.

SEP 07/11 Martingales Development

Cllr Pike reported that the site build was now up to 127, of which 27 sales had been completed, 2 were in process of exchange of contract, 5 were reserved and a further 24 released for sale.

Cllrs Mack, Murphy and Rockcliffe raised the issue of Persimmon not carrying out their requirements under the planning approval for the site, particularly in relation to site drainage and other infrastructure matters. Cllr Murphy also advised that the Internal Drainage Board is currently taking legal action against Persimmon for non-compliance. It was agreed that the clerk would write, under advisement from Cllr Rockcliffe, to the Chief Planning Officer to seek re-assurance that the Borough Council is enforcing all conditions of the planning approval.

[Cllr Leedell left the meeting at this point]

The clerk reported that the Planning Officer would be visiting the Fairfield Lane end of the Martingales site to investigate the proposed footpath links between Martingales and the lane, given that there is a 5 metre gap between the site boundary and the existing footpath line. The clerk further reported that the Planning Officer had indicated that the Borough Council would not adopt the green open space between Martingales and The Meadows until landscaping requirements had been met, this to include the low barrier-style fencing around the open space.

Cllr Pike advised that Persimmon is going to renew the Stone Close Play Area. It was agreed that the clerk would write to Persimmon asking for details of the play equipment to be installed at this and on the other play area on the site, as this could impact on the choice of play equipment for other sites in the village.

 SEP 07/12 Highways Matters

The clerk reported that an update on outstanding highways issues was awaited from the County Council.

A letter from the Medical Centre requesting Council support for a lighting scheme for Rowan Close was read. Council agreed on a proposal from the Chairman that a lighting scheme be supported but the Council would not offer financial support to any such scheme.

[Cllr Mack declared a personal interest for this agenda item and left the room for part of the discussion.]

SEP 07/13 Rail Station Car Park and Transport Matters

Cllr Rockcliffe reported that Mr Venni has re-opened the extension car parking area, despite negotiations not having been concluded with Network Rail on possible leasing / insurance arrangements. It was agreed that the clerk would write to Mr Venni to thank him accordingly. Cllr Mack reported that First Capital Connect have proved unreliable in attendance at meetings relating to the development of the station facilities.

The clerk reported that the platform lighting is now off during daylight hours following an intervention from FLUA.

SEP 07/14 Community Projects Committee

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council sealed the bye-laws, which have now received provisional approval from the Department of Communities and Local Government and approved the expenditure of £90 ex-VAT for advertising the sealing of the byelaws in the local press.

Following discussion on the paper presented by Cllr Pike on the July Youth Forum meeting, Council agreed the following:

i) The Community Projects Committee to investigate possible sites for a Youth Shelter and to undertake consultations with interested parties.

ii) The Community Projects Committee to draw up a list of suggestions from the Youth Forum meeting in a tabular form, with a potential response to each item.

iii) Items requiring input or action from other village organisations be forwarded to them for action.

iv) That a publicised response be given to all items raised at the Youth Forum.

v) The Community Projects Committee to start work on a 3-5 year plan for improved youth facilities in the village.

Cllr Rockcliffe advised that he may have materials to provide a youth shelter and that there might be an opportunity for young people to be involved in the building of such a shelter.

Cllr Murphy advised that the Borough Council has a Rural Transport Fund which is available to provide transport funding for youngsters from outlying areas to use sports facilities in King's Lynn.

SEP 07/15 Glebe Committee

On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Rockcliffe, Council agreed that the Youth Football Club be allowed to continue work on producing the training area to the rear of the village hall.

Council agreed that the annual flail mow of the Glebe Field and the flail of the Leylandii hedge on the Recreation Ground be undertaken.

SEP 07/16 Environment Committee

Council noted that the Litter Picker has given two weeks notice of resignation. It was agreed that the job be advertised on the local noticeboards and that the authority to appoint a new Litter Picker be delegated to the Chairman and clerk.

It was agreed that the members of the Environment Committee would pay a site visit to the John Davis Way Open Space to assess the need for more site access restriction because of continued unauthorised access by cars.

The clerk reported for Cllr Golding i) that the Gypsy Lane path to Bells Drove needs cutting. It was agreed that this to be forwarded to the County Access Officer. ii) That the hedging needs to be cut on the Warren Close Play Area. It was agreed that this to be considered by the Community Projects Committee.

Cllr Mack asked on behalf of a parishioner that the Chestnut Lane - Downham Road footpath be cleared. It was agreed that the clerk would discuss this with the Handyperson.

Cllr Miller asked that the Handyperson be asked to leave rubbish outside her property on Thursdays is at all possible. The clerk agreed to speak to the Handyperson about rubbish clearance. It was agreed that a ‘No Nappies Disposal Sign’ could be put by the Litter Bin in the Tots Play Area.

The clerk updated the meeting on jobs outstanding for the Handyperson, including the re-siting of the dog waste bin on the Glebe Field and painting of some of the play equipment and the Glebe kissing gates.

SEP 07/17 Correspondence for Action

SEP 07/18 Correspondence for information

SEP 07/19 Members Information Exchange

Cllr Rockcliffe advised that he would be attending the NCAPTC AGM on Saturday 15 September.

Cllr Rockcliffe asked other councillors to advise himself or the clerk if they knew of any elderly or vulnerable people who needed smoke detectors fitted, as a national free installation scheme available through the County Council. A local leaflet campaign is also to be started to advertise the scheme.

Cllr Murphy advised that he would report back on the potential risk of higher water levels in the Relief Channel from the proposed paper mill at Saddlebow.

There being no other business the Council rose at 9.00pm.

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

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                         23 October 2007