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 17 October 2006 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

BCllr Ansell, PC Bodley and 6 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllr Garton.

OCT 06/1 Declarations of Interest

OCT 06/2 Council Procedures

The chairman apologised to Cllr Mack for not asking other Councillors to introduce themselves at the last meeting. It was noted that name plates had now been provided for councillors.

Council agreed on a proposal from the chairman that BCllr Ansell and PC Bodley should have allotted seating to provide for better communication between all at meetings.

Council agreed on a proposal from the chairman that there should be an agenda item for the next meeting to discuss Council procedures at meetings, including the timing and extent of the open forum element. The Chairman reminded the meeting that apart from the Police Information Exchange Open Forum that Council debate was closed unless specifically opened for wider discussion.

OCT 06/3 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 5 September 2006

The Minutes of the Council Meeting on 5 September 2006 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

OCT 06/4 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising from the Council Meeting on 5 September 2006

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £19885.99. The next meeting of the Council will see the draft budget for 2007/8, so councillors were asked to forward any items they wish to be considered for 2007/8 to the clerk. The Village Hall Open Day, where the Council had a stand was supported by Cllrs Dagnall, Paget, Pike and Toates, along with the clerk. The clerk advised that the Information Centre is currently updating the Village Guide and that any amendments or additional information should be submitted as soon as possible. Also the Information Centre is currently updating the village website. Jobs that have been completed are the installation of the new dog waste bin on the Glebe Land, the replacement of the dog waste bin at the Downham Road entrance to the Glebe Land and the clearing of moles on the Recreation Ground. There were no matters arising from the Minutes.

OCT 06/5 Remembrance Sunday Wreath

Cllr Miller agreed to lay the poppy wreath on behalf of the Parish Council.

OCT 06/6 Payments

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

* Includes VAT

OCT 06/7 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:

OCT 06/8 Martingales Persimmon Development

Cllr Mack raised the issue of the contractor in the Martingales development breaching condition 6 of the planning approval, namely arrival of contractor’s vehicles before the 09.00 allowed start time and other problems of concern to nearby residents, particularly traffic access and egress from the site through Stone Close. On a proposal from Cllr Mack, seconded by Cllr Leedell, Council agreed to facilitate the establishment of a Local Liaison Group consisting of membership from local residents, Persimmon and the Council, to deal with problems arising from the construction work. It was also agreed that Cllrs Mack and Miller would be the Council representatives, with support from the clerk.

BCllr Ansell reported that he was currently investigating with borough planning the options for the eventual use of the large open space at the site margin, backing onto the Meadows Estate. He also advised that approximately 10 houses had been sold at Martingales.

OCT 06/9 Police Information Exchange Open Forum

The chairman read the letter of response from the Norfolk Constabulary regarding response times from their call centre. Council agreed that the reply was inadequate as it appeared not to address the problem of call handling times after the switchboard pickup had been transferred for call grading. It was agreed that the clerk would write again on this matter and also again to Cllr H Humphrey at Norfolk Police Authority who had not responded to the initial letter. It was also agreed to report all the methods of reporting incidents to the police (phone, e-mail, text, website) in the next issue of the Gossip.

PC Bodley reported that since 5 September there had been 10 crimes reported in the village, including 4 of criminal damage, 2 assaults (victims known) and 3 of theft from vehicles. One suspect from a previous spate of thefts from cars had been apprehended.

Council noted that the proposed completion date for the introduction of the Safer Neighbourhoods Scheme and Police Community Support Officers in West Norfolk is Winter 2007. A public meeting in Downham Market on 19 October regarding Safer Neighbourhoods was also noted.

A letter from a parishioner regarding anti-social behaviour at Halloween was read and the parishioner spoke to the matter. PC Bodley responded that there would be a 25% increase in visible police presence on the night. Parishioners were also urged to contact the police to report any incidents of anti-social behaviour on the night. Cllr Golding agreed to meet with the parishioner to discuss his concerns over safety in Lacey Close and to include a consideration of the street lighting in the area.

PC Bodley also reported that police had been speed monitoring in the village recently and would more likely attend if reports of specific problem times are received. He advised that 2 speeding cases are due in court and a number of speeding tickets have been issued.

A parishioner raised the issue of speeding in Fen Road during the school run and Cllr Golding spoke of illegal parking at the same time. PC Bodley agreed to follow up on these matters.

The clerk reported that model byelaws are available for the Council’s open spaces and that he had prepared a rough draft, which needed to go to committee for scrutiny and completion. It was noted that the Community Projects Committee had already been delegated to carry this project forward.

Cllr Pike reported back from the meeting of the joint anti-social working party. Following general discussion on the matters raised (problem areas, youth shelters, CCTV and site security) it was agreed that this should be considered more fully at the next Council meeting, hopefully when some feedback from other groups at the meeting would be available. It was agreed that notes of the meeting would be circulated to all councillors.

OCT 06/10 Highways Matters

The clerk reported that the proposal to close the Cecil Close – Station Road footpath had been suspended.

The clerk reported that all the items requested from NCC Highways under the Minor Works Scheme had been agreed and that items reported at the last meeting had been agreed by NCC Highways for action.

Cllr Mack raised the issue of cuts to local bus services by Norfolk Green in May/June and again in July, leaving a very patchy and incoherent local service to and from the village. After discussion, including subsidy levels and the need for flexibility in the provision of public transport, Council agreed a proposal from Cllr Mack, seconded by Cllr Toates, to write to Norfolk Green seeking why the cuts had taken place and what initiatives could be put in place to enhance the service, with Cllr Mack providing information for the letter to Norfolk Green.

Cllr Mack raised the issue of speed controls for Stone Close on the completion of Martingales. The clerk advised that NCC Highways had raised this issue in their submission to the planning application in 2003, but that there appeared to be no reference to this in the report submitted by planning officers to the Development Board. It was agreed that the clerk and BCllr Ansell would pursue this matter further.

After brief discussion, Cllr Mack agreed because of time constraints to defer the issue of parking lay-bys for Mill Road and Plough Lane to the next meeting.

Council noted the Community School Travel Plan, which aims to encourage walking and cycling to School.

OCT 06/11 Rail Station Car Park

Cllr Rockcliffe reported that NCC are interested in a scheme that involves expansion of the existing car park into the adjacent field with a new entrance point towards Gypsy Lane. The owner of the field has indicated that he is willing to consider letting this land go as part of a development which would see the remainder of the field housing a conference centre facility. As the land is outside the current village development envelope, any scheme would be subject to close scrutiny by planning officers. Council also heard concerns over drainage, charges for parking, and security issues and the possible use of the redundant buildings site at Gypsy Lane. Council agreed to reserve judgment and await further developments.

OCT 06/12 Community Projects Committee

Cllr Pike presented the plans for the proposed new fitness / play equipment for the Recreation Ground and Warren Close Play Area. After discussions about noise concerns, particularly from Cllr Miller (who had declared an interest) and consultation procedures, Council agreed a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Golding to approve the layout for the proposed equipment both at the Warren Close Play Area and Recreation Ground site.

Cllr Miller agreed to defer her proposal on consultation on Council projects to the next meeting.

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed to accept a quotation of £348.90 (including 12’ gate) from J Heffron, Fencing Contractor, for the replacement of the main gate on the Recreation Ground, this being the lowest of 3 quoted received.

Council noted the resignation of Don Smith as Handyperson and agreed that his contract should cease at the end of October. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent for his services to the Council. Council also agreed that a new appointee be sought for the post of Handyperson, and that the appointment process includes any amendments to the job description / person specification from the experience of working with the current postholder. Council agreed to delegate the appointments process to the Community Projects Committee.

Cllr Pike reported that following the news of Mr Smith’s resignation the Millennium Green Trust have agreed to undertake the piping work for the Christmas Tree. The Chairman thanked the Trust through Cllr Pike.

OCT 06/13 Glebe Committee

The clerk reported that despite contacting 3 specialists only one quote had been received for the required works to the ash tree on the Glebe Field. One a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Pike, Council agreed to accept the quote from Chris Hotson, Tree Surgeon, of £480 ex-VAT given that the clerk had striven to obtain 3 quotes.

OCT 06/14 Environment Committee

Council noted the Great Ouse Tidal River Flood Risk Management Strategy Review being carried out by the Environment Agency. Cllr Rockcliffe advised that he was concerned about river silting and agreed to provide the clerk with information for the review.

A thank you letter from Miss A Charlton, who has now finished her duties as temporary litter picker, was appreciated by Council. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to Miss Charlton for her services to the Council. Council also agreed that the clerk should add 3 hours a week for 3 months additional litter picking duties to the draft budget for 2007/8. Council also thanked Mr Powell for his voluntary work in cleaning the ditch next to the football container.

The clerk advised that the water leak by the rail station was due to be undertaken on Sunday 15 October, however Morrison's (the contractors) had advised that the works had not been done and were being

re-scheduled, but that at least 14 days would be required.

The clerk advised that he had contacted the Borough Council to arrange for shrubbery to be cut back on the Stiffkey Close – Britton Close footpath and along St Peters Road and for the Warren Close sign to be

re-placed.

Cllr Golding advised Council that the hedging on the Warren Close Play Area would need attention.

Cllr Dagnall reported that the road surface at the junction of Beechwood Close and Thieves Bridge Road needed attention and that the hedging by 31 Mill Road needed cutting back. The clerk to write accordingly.

OCT 06/15 Correspondence for Action

OCT 06/16 Correspondence for information

OCT 06/17 Local Development Framework – Core Policy

Because of time constraints and following a brief summary from the clerk on the spatial planning aspects of the core policy document it was agreed that councillors would feed back their views on the document to the clerk, who would then collate their information into a response to the Borough Council.

OCT 06/17 Members Information Exchange

Cllr Pike reported that some repairs would be necessary to the Skateboard Park and agreed to consider this through the Community Projects Committee, using the play equipment repairs budget if appropriate.

There being no other business the Council rose at 10.00pm.

The next meeting of the Council is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 5 December 2006 in the Village Hall.

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                         5 December 2006