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 18 March 2008 at 7.15pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

13 members of the public, Glen Watkins (BCKLWN) and Jackie Squires (BCKLWN) also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllr Stevenson

MAR 08/1 Declarations of Interest

MAR 08/2 Open Forum

The clerk advised the meeting that during the 3 months to February 8 crimes had been reported in the parish – 2 domestic incidents, 1 vehicle theft, 2 woundings, 1 assault and 2 cases of criminal damage. The police recently carried out speed checks in the village and this resulted in 6 verbal warnings for excessive speed and two fixed penalty notices for the same offence.

Glen Watkins and Jackie Squires from the Borough Council gave a presentation on how the Council could move forward on youth issues. They praised the Council for its recent Youth Forum initiative and emphasised the need for youth involvement and consultation. A process of involvement / ownership in facility provision helps to reduce petty vandalism, especially in the 13-15 age group. There was discussion on the installation and location of youth shelters and the viability of forming a youth club, along with possible resource provision for youth facilities. The recent rapid population growth of the village was emphasised and the consequent need for the Parish Council to address facility provision as a consequence. A parishioner spoke in favour of the installation of a youth shelter.

Cllr Pike advised that the Council has been offered display facilities at the Watlington Youth Football Club presentation evening and that this would present a good opportunity to update young persons on the Council’s initiatives. Cllr Murphy advised that free transport is available for young persons to attend local leisure centre facilities in the borough.

A parishioner raised the issue of litter from Martingales building site coming onto Fairfield Lane. It was agreed that the clerk would contact the Borough Council to have this dealt with as a case of fly tipping. It was also agreed that the clerk would contact the owner of Fairfield Lane regarding the fence line to Martingales which was reported by a parishioner to have been moved into the lane.

MAR 08/3 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 22 January 2008

The minutes of the Council meeting on 22 January 2008 were agreed and signed as a correct record

MAR 08/4 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 18 February 2008

The minutes of the Council meeting on 18 February 2008 were agreed and signed as a correct record

MAR 08/5 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising from the Council Meetings on 22 January / 18 February

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £15485.85, with over £2500 payments due this month. The clerk advised that the end of year projection indicated a year end balance of £11,470. However this would have been reduced to approximately £1470 if the £10,000 allocated to the play project had been spent. The clerk also advised that over 30 letters of objection have been received by the Planning Authority in relation to the application to build 33 dwellings on the Rowan Close site.

MAR 08/6 Payments

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

* Includes recoverable VAT

MAR 08/7 Insurance Renewal

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed the renewal of the insurance arrangements with Allianz Cornhill plc. It was noted that the premium has risen by £36.94 (2.98%), to £1,275.61.

Council noted a change in the insurance policy which means that any faults to play equipment reported at the independent annual inspection are required to be repaired within 60 days.

MAR 08/8 Damaged Street Light in Church Road

The clerk reported that the insurers for May Gurney have asked for more time to settle this claim.

MAR 08/9 Criminal Damage to Street Lights in Fen Road.

Council noted an emergency expenditure of £130 (ex-VAT) agreed by the Chairman for the replacement of lantern bowls in units 9034 and 9035 in Fen Road. The clerk has reported the damage to the police.

MAR 08/10 Requests for Grants and Donations

Council agreed the following payments:

* Proposed by Cllr Paget, seconded by Cllr Golding.

** Proposed by Cllr Rockcliffe, seconded by Cllr Pike.

Cllr Dagnall declared an interest in this item and took do part in the debate or vote.

MAR 08/11 Edward Shouldham Charity

Council noted a medical hardship payment of £100 from the Edward Shouldham Charity Fund agreed by the Finance Committee and noted that a letter of thanks had been received from the recipient.

MAR 08/12 Planning Applications

The following planning decisions were agreed:

The Planning Committee recommendations were available at the meeting for inspection.

The following planning decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

MAR 08/13 Martingales and The Coppice Developments

Cllr Mack agreed to respond to a parishioner regarding her concerns at works traffic for Martingales using Fairfield Lane. Cllr Rockcliffe advised that bollards could not be installed as the lane is in private ownership, but a cul-de-sac sign will be installed. Cllr Paget raised concerns over the width of the footpath exit from Martingales onto Fairfield Lane as this might allow vehicular access. It was agreed the clerk would investigate this and advise Persimmon and Mott McDonald, who are carrying out feasibility study on upgrading Fairfield Lane to a footpath / cycleway.

MAR 08/14 Norfolk Minerals and Waste Development Framework

Council agreed that the clerk would respond to NCC from the written submissions presented by members of the Environment Committee, who have expressed concerns over the environmental and traffic impact at potential mineral extraction sites both in Watlington and Tottenhill.

MAR 08/15 Consultation on the Local Development Framework and Sustainable Community Strategy

Cllrs Mack and Rockcliffe advised that the Borough Council are having a further look at the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, but as yet there is no further information if this will result in any changes to the policy of only small sustainable developments in rural villages.

MAR 08/16 Planning Enforcement Rules

The clerk advised that a letter had been received from the Borough Council which appeared to imply that the Parish Council could not take the lead if a planning enforcement issue was raised by a parishioner. However, this has since been resolved and the Parish Council can continue to act in such cases.

MAR 08/17 Highways Matters

The clerk advised that that Downham Road has been marked for surface repairs.

The Chairman read 3 emails regarding dangers to pedestrians from illegal parking at the Fen Road / Rectory Lane corner during the school drop and collect times. Cllr Pike agreed to take this issue to the next CAG meeting. It was also agreed that the clerk respond to the emails urging the concerned parishioners to also attend the CAG meeting, as it was felt that appropriate police action, including penalties, might have the quickest impact on this problem. It was also agreed that the clerk would write to the school.

MAR 08/18 Railway Station Car Park

Cllr Rockcliffe distributed copies of the preferred option for 132 car parking spaces, which has been drawn up by Mott McDonald. A planning application is expected shortly, which, if approved, could mean work starting in early 2009. The clerk advised that the Department of Transport were expected to give a grant of £170,000 towards the project.

MAR 08/19 Community Projects Committee

Cllr Pike reported that attendance at the Youth Forum on 23 February had been disappointing, a total of 25 young persons. Several new ideas had been put forward and these would be available on the village website as an update to the Youth Forum Summary. Cllr Pike thanked those attending including Glen Watkins, Jackie Squires, Cllrs Paget and Mille, also to the Youth Football Club and the Sports & Social Club for providing the refreshments.

After discussion on the advantages and problems and concerns over the installation of a youth shelter in the village, Council agreed a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Paget that a youth shelter be installed in the village subject to sufficient funding from the Council’s budget and from external grants. Voting was 7 for the proposal and 2 against. It was also agreed that an article should appear in the Gossip and that efforts are made to seek young persons to come forward to assist in the project.

After discussion on concerns over the location and safeguards if there are anti-social behaviour problems, Council agreed a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Dagnall, that the proposed youth shelter be installed on the Recreation Ground, adjacent to the Skateboard Park, subject to full plans, including an equipment movability option, being presented to Council. Voting was 6 for the proposal, 1 against with 2 abstentions.

Cllr Pike advised that there is no further news on the release date for the lottery funding for the Play Equipment Project Phase 2.

Cllr Pike reported that the annual play inspection had taken place and there were several issues raised including sand under the swings, signage, mole control at Warren Close Play Area, equipment painting and gating at the Recreation Ground. The Community Projects Committee would take forward the recommendations of the inspector. Council agreed one urgent item on a proposal from the Chairman that £150 be spent on necessary repairs and strengthening of the caging on the Skateboard Park.

MAR 08/20 Watlington Village Festival 2008

On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Paget, Council agreed to have a stall to showcase the Council’s activities at the 2008 Festival; the date from a choice of 12/13/19 July to be agreed.

MAR 08/21 Environment Committee

Cllr Mack advised that he and Cllr Pike had a site meeting at the Borough Council Stone Close Play Area. This had resulted in a council officer inspection with the outcome that the slide surfacing will be repaired and the swings removed. Cllr Mack agreed to pursue the issue of new play facilities on this site and the issue of other facilities due to be installed by Persimmon on Martingales. It was agreed that consultation with the Parish Council was required to ensure a good age range of facilities are installed.

The clerk advised that the Handyperson had completed a number of tasks including rebuilding the Glebe Mound, hedging work at Warren Close Play Area and hedging work by the village pump.

A letter from a parishioner regarding dog fouling in Fairfield Lane was read. Council agreed that, as the lane was already served by 2 dog waste bins, an additional bin was not the solution. Cllr Golding agreed to contact Keith Lovejoy at the Borough Council regarding additional signage.

A letter was read from the owner of Fendykes Farm regarding access rights along the lane to his property. The Chairman advised that NCC Highways had advised that lane was in private ownership and that the Norfolk Definitive Rights of Way Map had not shown any right of public access to the lane. The Chairman agreed to receive any documentation presented by parishioners regarding public access rights to the lane.

MAR 08/22 Correspondence for Action

MAR 08/23 Correspondence for information

MAR 08/24 Members Information Exchange

Cllr Paget reminded of the private subscription trip to the Palace of Westminster in April. He would forward details to those going.

There being no other business the Council rose at 9.45pm

The next meeting of the Council is the Annual Council Meeting on Tuesday 6 May 2008 in the Village Hall.

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                         6 May 2008