WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk: Colin Vince, 17 Bure Close, Watlington, KING'S LYNN, Norfolk PE33 0TN
DRAFT MINUTES
Minutes of the Annual meeting of WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL held on 15 May 2007
at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Lacey (Chairman); Cllrs Dagnall, Golding, Leedell, Mack, Miller, Paget, Pike and Rockcliffe.
Father James Nolan and 2 members of the public were also present.
Apologies for absence: Cllr Stevenson
MAY 07/1 Declarations of Office By Councillors
Councillors present at the meeting signed their Declarations of Office.
MAY 07/2 Election of Chairman of The Council and Declaration of Office
It was proposed by Cllr Leedell, seconded by Cllr Golding, and agreed by Council that Cllr Lacey be elected as Chairman of the Council. The Chairman signed his Declaration of Office.
MAY 07/3 Election of Vice-Chairman of The Council and Declaration of Office
It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Miller, and agreed by Council that Cllr Golding be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Council. The Vice-Chairman signed her Declaration of Office.
MAY 07/4 Committee Appointments 2007/2008
The following committee appointments were agreed for 2007/2008:
Planning – Cllrs Dagnall, Golding, Lacey and Miller.
Community Projects – Cllrs Dagnall, Paget and Pike.
Environment – Cllrs Dagnall, Leedell and Miller.
Finance – Cllrs Leedell, Golding and Rockcliffe.
Glebe – Cllrs Golding, Lacey, Leedell and Miller.
MAY 07/5 Appointment to Village Hall Management Committee (2)
The following appointments were agreed for 2007/2008: Cllrs Paget and Pike.
MAY 07/6 Committee Reports 2006/2007
The following committee reports were made:
Planning
24 applications were considered during the year and these resulted in planning permission being given for 24 new dwellings (6 applications), 7 extensions to dwellings, an extension to the Medical Centre, a 3 unit holiday accommodation, and security fencing at the Polver Pumping station. 5 applications were refused, 1 withdrawn and 2 are outstanding.
Work continues on the 182 houses on the Martingales site, with a number of houses now being occupied. Concerns remain over site access, traffic calming measures and drainage problems have recently emerged in Bennett Close. The new cycle/footway link to the school has now been opened.
The process for the new Local Development Framework is currently under way at Borough Council level, with the draft local spatial distribution plan expected soon for consultation.
Various minor highways works were carried out, some of these under a Minor Works programme set by the Council and carried out by NCC Highways, including the installation of offset barriers at the end of most of the village footpaths.
Speeding remains a problem along village access routes and the Council have been advised that, given current County Council funding policy, local initiatives will need to be considered. The Council has submitted a plan to the County Council for 20mph zones in parts of the village. The speed awareness team (SAM) visited the village, but the results were viewed with some scepticism.
Both NCC and First Capital Connect are undertaking feasibility studies into an extension to the rail station car park, but at present no works are expected until the 2008/9 financial year. Unfortunately, the unofficial extension to the car park provided by Mr Venni has recently been withdrawn, leading once again to cars being parked in John Davis Way and Station Road.
Community Projects
The committee has met regularly during the last year mainly to manage the current play equipment and to complete the plans for the second stage of the project to bring new play equipment to the village, to install fitness style play equipment plus some standard play equipment for the 5-12 age group. This bid is now with the Department of Communities and Local Government, with an announcement expected mid-June.
Managing the play equipment has seen the plans drawn up to improve or remove some of the existing equipment carried out this last year and at the annual inspection of the play equipment in February only a number of minor works were required to be undertaken. The committee has drawn up an action plan for 2007 to ensure that the play equipment remains up to current standards.
The handyperson, firstly Don Smith, replaced by John Harrington in January, has carried out a variety of minor repair jobs during the year, carried out painting work and undertakes a weekly inspection of the play areas, including the emptying of the litter bins.
The refurbishment of the village pound area around the village sign was completed during the year and has proved a great improvement to the environment at the eastern end of the Millennium Green.
Environment
A number of small environmental projects have been undertaken this last year. Daffodils have been planted along the sculptured mound at the entrance to the Glebe Fields; a new dog bin was installed at the same site and a replacement bin installed on the Downham Road entrance to the Glebe Land.
Litter remains a problem and to help reduce this problem the Council has budgeted extra hours during the summer months for litter picking. Lorraine Powell has taken on the job of main litter picker and was ably assisted during the 2006 summer by Abbigail Charlton. The impact of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 on this problem and that of dog fouling remains to be seen, with the Borough Council becoming more proactive in enforcement.
The Christmas Tree was a great success this year with permanent arrangements for an annual tree now agreed with the Millennium Green Trust.
Finance
The accounts for 2005/2006 were approved by the district auditor without comment. The 2006/7 precept rose by 5.6% to £23,500 to meet increased costs and make provision for the play equipment project.
The Council paid grants and donations totalling over £3000 during the year, including £1000 to the Millennium Green Trust, £420 for the upkeep of the churchyard, £1000 to the Pre-School relocation project and £267 to the Handbell Ringers Group.
There were no hardship payments from the Edward Shouldham Charity Fund during the year.
Glebe
Lacey’s Dyke has now been replaced by a sculptured mound, with daffodils being planted into the mound. This has considerably reduced the amount of litter dumped in this area and improved the visual appearance of the area. A new dog bin was installed at the eastern entrance to the Glebe Field to hopefully reduce the level of dog fouling. Major tree surgery had to be carried out on 2 of the trees at the south end of the Glebe Field during the year. Extra funds were committed for the coming year for additional grass cutting on the Glebe Field.
Negotiations are currently under way with the football clubs to allow the development of a sports training area on the site, between the current football pitch and the village hall.
MAY 07/7 Reports from Village Organisations
The following reports from village organisations were received:
Millennium Green Trust
The main points of the chairman’s report are set out below:
Grass: Mr. Samways gave up cutting the grass this year, but thanks to our new trustee, Simon Paget, the cutting of the grass either side of the pathways, and sometimes the petank area has carried on, owing to the generosity of Mr who gave us a new mower. The collection made at the village shop has enabled us to purchase our own strimmer and to pay the running costs. A vote of thanks was recorded to Jim at the shop.
Arrangements up to now for cutting the manicured area have varied; sometimes Peter from the Angel, and sometimes Simon using Peter's ride-on mower. As this area is more of a showpiece the committee feels that it should be cut more regularly, therefore it is proposed that a contractor be sought.
The main meadow cut was later this year, which was of benefit to the flora, and improved the quality and quantity of the hay, the profit being £140. Also because it was to be cut and bailed quickly it was able to be removed the same day by local buyers, to the detriment of the children who would be making dens, and having hay fights.
General maintenance: The amphitheatre and the field edges were kept short with the strimmer, and the boundary hedges had a spring and autumn prune, trustees and volunteers weeded the petank pitch and ornamental hedge, so our thanks to them.
Oak tree: This has been badly vandalised twice, with the growing leaders broken off. It was reported to the Police in both cases. Advice from a tree surgeon was to prune back all-round, this being carried out. Oak trees were sometimes coppiced in years gone by, so hopefully the tree will have a decent shape in maturity.
Maze: This project was completed in November, it needs a little tidying, but it will be fine once the grass and cowslips grow.
Christmas Tree: Richard Rockcliffe sank the holder for this in the ground. The large cut tree did look lovely with its simple covering of blue lights. The tree was provided for the Parish Council by Mr Prior.
As to the future:
The main project for 2007 will be the provision of suitable bases for, and to finish building the bridge.
There will be more saplings, bulbs, and seeds to be planted.
The ha-ha hedge to be cut level with the top of the ditch.
A little more work and planting in the bog area.
Fundraising possibilities by making a calendar, or cards, of the wild flowers in close-up
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the trustees and volunteers for their sterling efforts of the past year, and hope that they will continue to give of their time and energy in the future.
Village Hall Management Committee
The following report was read by Cllr Pike:
Annual Report to 30 Sept 2006; Constituted by Deed of Trust; Custodian trustees Watlington Parish Council.
The charity is run by the Management Committee formed at the Annual Meeting, at which up to seven persons are elected and representatives of the regular user groups and the Parish Council (2) appointed.
The charity maintains the Village Hall for the benefit of Watlington and surrounding communities. To encourage community use, hiring charges for community groups are purposely kept low. The continuing help of volunteers and the employment of two part-time cleaners help to make the hall a successful, safe and well used facility.
Watlington Village Hall is in a healthy position financially. This is reported in full by the Treasurer, who prepares management accounts for all management committee meetings.
While regular use of the facilities by community groups is the main source of income, “Box Office” events provided additional income as well as a wide range of cultural events. We acknowledge the help given by Creative Arts East (CAE) with two Puppet shows and a Canadian storyteller. We ran a Jazz night, the popular Keith Skipper Show and a Quiz. ‘Village Screen’ shows films monthly. It is building an audience and adding to community provision. Again the help of CAE is welcomed
The Hearing Loop supported by an “Awards For All Grant” was installed and has been well used.
Fourteen Groups and Clubs, a baby clinic and a Dancing School continue to use the hall on a regular basis. The hall is also in demand for private parties, wedding receptions, shows, fund raising activities and meetings. The Village Hall continues to support Watlington Information Centre by providing premises for it.
The Village Hall is a member of the Norfolk Association of Village Halls and the National Village Halls Forum.
Parochial Church Council
Father James Nolan spoke on the following topics discussed at the 4 meetings during 2006/7 of the Parochial Church Council :
Downham Market Church High School; Health and Safety issues; Quinquenial Inspection; Deanery Reorganisation; Should Women be Bishops; Holding the Anglican Communion Together; Fund Raising Events; Church School and Community School Reports; General, Diocesan and Deanery Synod Reports; Child Protection; Anti-social Behaviour; Christian Groups Trip to Uganda; Domestic Issues Concerning the Parish; Green Issues.
Watlington Information Centre
The following report was read by Colin Vince, Chairman of the Information Centre:
The Information Centre has now been open for 5 years and demand for the useful office services provided for the village has remained at a reasonably steady level.
Thanks are extended to all the willing volunteers who have staffed the office during this last year, when once again the Centre almost achieved a 100% open as advertised. There are currently 27 volunteers on the list, a number of new volunteers having been welcomed during the year
The Borough Council Community Information Point has been installed for over a year now and though the demand for the service remains low, one very positive advantage is the provision of the broadband connection allowing the Centre to continue to offer free internet access to everybody in the village.
The Centre’s finances are in a very healthy state. Two points of note are that firstly, thanks to the Village Hall Committee for their continued support in meeting the building and utility costs of the centre, including the telephone line and secondly to note the beneficial effects on the Centre’s finances of the free internet provision from the Borough Council .
The 2007 guidebook, with financial support from the Parish Council, has been published with a few minor changes.
The office continues to be used as a box office for productions in the village hall and members of the village hall committee are using the office for a large part of their administration work. The Parish Council also continues to use the office as a committee meeting room.
The Centre continues to provide the village website, which has a great deal of information from local history to parish council information to groups and societies information, as well as providing links to other useful sites.
Sports & Social Club / Payment of Peppercorn Rent
No report was received. Cllr Pike agreed to pay the 50 pence Peppercorn Rent on behalf of the Sports & Social Club.
Gossip
The following report was given by Mrs Jean Golding as a member of the editorial team:
The Gossip is now in its 9th year of publication and has become an essential tool in keeping the village informed of what is going on both within the village and in the surrounding area. The magazine is actively sought after by people outside the village although it is only delivered free within the village. Spare copies are left in the village shop and, when available, in the Magdalen village shop and are snapped up very quickly. Thanks must go to the delivery team who ensure delivery to every property in Watlington within days of publication. Older issues can be found on the village web-site and in the Watlington Information Centre.
The number of copies printed has had to be increased to 1,000 in order to cover the recently occupied new properties. Each magazine over the last 12 months has had 32 pages which costs £514.00 per issue printing costs (just over 50p per copy).
The Gossip continues to be self-funding from advertising revenue; in fact advertising space in the Gossip is so popular that the committee now have a waiting list of potential advertisers. The committee decided on a policy of not increasing the amount of space given to advertising in order to maintain a balance between advertising and other copy.
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.24pm.
SIGNED
Chairman: Clerk:
31 July 2007