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 October 2005 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

Present: Cllr Lacey (Chairman); Cllrs Amor, Dagnall, Finnis, Golding, Leedell, Miller, Pike and Toates.

BCllr Ansell and 2 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllrs Garton and Rockcliffe; PC Bodley.

OCT 05/1 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest for this meeting.

OCT 05/2 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 6 September 2005

The Minutes of the Council meeting on 6 September 2005 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

OCT 05/3 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising (Not on the agenda)

The clerk reported that Council’s funds currently stand at £16,532.45. There were no other matters arising.

OCT 05/4 Annual Poppy Appeal

Cllr Miller agreed to lay the wreath on behalf of the Parish Council at the Annual Remembrance Day Service on 13 November.

OCT 05/5 Budget 2006/7

It was agreed that councillors would contact the clerk regarding any items that they would like to see included in the draft budget for 2006/7, to be tabled at the December meeting.

OCT 05/6 Payments

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

*Includes VAT

OCT 05/7 New Housing Development

The clerk reported that the BCKLWN Planning Enforcement Officer is investigating the breaches of conditions for this site namely that the contractors were not complying with the Approval Condition regarding construction traffic entering the site before 09.00 and that a wheel cleaning device is not installed at the site entrance. Council noted that these conditions were still being breached and given the time lapse from the initial complaint it was agreed that the clerk would write to the Chief Planning Officer and to the main contractors on this matter, with a copy to the Lynn News if appropriate to show the real concerns there are in the community that the conditions of approval must be met by the developers.

The clerk reported that the site is now completely fenced off and in Fairfield Lane this had revealed that there is an approximately 5m strip between the site and the footpath. On a proposal from the Chairman it was agreed that the clerk would seek to ascertain ownership of this strip, including paying a Land Registry Fee if appropriate.

OCT 05/8 Planning Applications

The following planning decisions were agreed:

A brief discussion was held on application 05/01059/O were it was noted that this was a renewal application.

The following planning decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

OCT 05/9 Police Liaison Officer Information Exchange

The clerk read the crime report submitted by PC Bodley who advised that during the period 5 September to 16 October there were 10 reported crimes in the parish, resulting in 3 detections. There were 2 assault cases both where the offender is known to the injured party, 4 thefts and 4 criminal damage cases.

Cllr Pike reported on the meeting between PC Bodley and the Village Hall Management Committee. The meeting raised a number of security issues that would need to be resolved, including possible input from the Parish Council.

Council agreed to join on a working party along with the Village Hall Committee and the Sports & Social Club to consider ideas for combating anti-social behaviour around the village hall site, suggesting that 2 representatives from each organisation be appointed. Cllrs Finnis and Pike agreed to be the Council’s representatives. The clerk advised that PC Bodley had also indicated his willingness to be included in the working party. The clerk to contact the other organisations to set up a preliminary meeting.

Council noted the Norfolk Police Authority’s publication “Accessing the Police in Norfolk -The Future”.

OCT 05/10 Highways / Traffic Management

The clerk reported that the following works had been carried out or were under way:

Kerbing work along Fen Road; Footway patching along Downham Road towards the Rectory Lane end; Footway widening at the Glebe Land entrance in Downham Road; Footway patching at the St Peters Road end of School Road.

The clerk reported the following updated information from NCC Highways:

The Mill Road/Lyn Road junction visibility problem would be investigated; The Council’s request to paint the finger directional signs would be taken up when resources and conditions are favourable, but that the Parish Council would be unable to do this work because of insurance requirements; The householder at 6 Britton Close would be reminded that their boundary hedge needs attention; the hedging at 52 Downham Road would be kept under review.

Council noted that NCC is launching a Speed Awareness Message (SAM) this autumn. It was agreed that the clerk would contact the responsible officer at NCC regarding this survey and with a view to further dialogue on speeding problems in the village.

The clerk advised that parishioner complaints about fly posting at the zebra crossing had been forwarded to NCC Highways, who had acted promptly in this matter and the signs had now been removed in advance of this meeting.

It was agreed that the clerk would report the following highways matters:

Cllr Dagnall: The school sign in Fen Road is obscured by vegetation; Cllr Dagnall: The footway between Nos. 30-44 Station Road needs to be investigated following reports that an elderly parishioner suffered a fall;

Cllr Golding: 52 Station Road hedging is already causing problems again.

OCT 05/11 Railway Station Car Park

The clerk reported on his survey of usage of the station car park and the parking of cars in nearby roads. The survey, done on 12 days, revealed that the car park was full on 9 of the days, with only one space available on 2 of the other days. During the 12 days only one car was parked in each of Station Road and Britton Close. In John Davis Way there were cars parked on 9 of the 12 days, with between 2 on 6 cars on these days. Councillors also reported on continued problems in John Davis Way and on one day when there were cars parked on the grass verge in Station Road. A letter from a parishioner expressing concerns at the continuing problems was also read. The housing development in St Germans was also noted, which could well increase pressure on the station car park.

After discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk should contact NCC with a view to seeking at least a temporary parking restrictions in John Davis Way and Station Road during the housing development building programme, the restrictions to possibly tie in with the planning conditions for the site. It was also agreed to copy this information to the Fen Line Users Association and to send an article to the Gossip urging that where possible local residents should either walk or cycle to the station to help make more spaces available. BCllr Ansell agreed to raise the car park issue once again with the Borough Planning Department.

The clerk reported that support had been received from the King's Lynn Chamber of Commerce for expansion of the cark park. It was noted that no decision had yet been announced by the government on which company had been awarded the new rail franchise.

OCT 05/12 Community Projects Committee

Cllr Pike reported that the committee had visited High Lodge and Church Farm (at nil cost to the Council) to look at adventure style play equipment for 6-12 year olds. Information had been received from 17 companies and this would be used as a basis for a short list to carry out a consultation exercise through the school and the Youth Football Club. Options would be based on either wood or metal structures and would tend towards fitness style equipment though the option of traditional play items would be included. Once consultations had taken place the committee would be in a position to consider funding options.

Regarding Warren Close Play Area, Cllr Pike reported that a new embankment slide would prove expensive to install and that the committee were minded to wait for the Play Inspector’s report next spring after which full discussion on the future plans for the site would be needed. Cllr Pike reported that part of the old wooden climbing frame had been removed and part of the metal climbing frame would be removed as these no longer met safety requirements.

Cllr Pike introduced options for improvements to the Village Pound Site. After discussion it was agreed that the Council would prefer to see the area boundary marked by a 3 foot bow top fence, that the surface be a solid material and should extend to the footway, that the seat should remain in the same direction and that if funds allow a new litter bin be purchased. It was also agreed to carry out a community consultation through the Gossip and direct consultation with the Millennium Green Trust.

The chairman on behalf of the Council thanked the Community Projects Committee for all their hard work in seeking to secure improved play facilities in the village.

An e-mail from a parishioner was read regarding anti-social behaviour at the Warren Close Play Area. After discussion it was agreed that the parishioner be written to advising that the Council would be looking at the provision of Bye Laws for the site which would include banning overnight camping, would be providing improved signage and liasing with PC Bodley. The parishioner also to be advised that the whole site would be subject to a usage review in spring 2006 and the difficulty of policing the area pointed out. It was also agreed that the clerk would discuss with the Handyperson the emptying of the litter bin on the site.

Cllr Golding raised the issue of the footpath through the site that would link to the possible development in Rowan Close. It was agreed to reconsider the footpath location when any planning application for Rowan Close is received.

At this point BCllr Ansell advised the meeting that the Medical Centre were looking to increase both their building and car park capacity.

OCT 05/13 Glebe Committee

Council noted the wide range of plants present on the Glebe Land, indicated in the independent survey carried out by local resident, Mr R Payne.

Cllr Finnis advised Council that concerns had been raised with him regarding safety of the goal posts on the Glebe Land. He had spoken to the FA and been advised that there was no immediate need for replacement but efforts would be made to remove the net hooks to improve safety. Cllr Finnis also advised that the football club would be seeking to carry out pitch maintenance, including rolling, following concerns raised over the current state of the playing surface.

OCT 05/14 Environment Committee

Council agreed that a Christmas Tree would be installed this year; the kind offer, relayed through Mr J Murfitt, of a donated tree, being accepted. On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed that funds would be made available if required to ensure the tree lights were up to standard and that final arrangements would be agreed at the meeting on 6 December.

Cllr Golding raised the issue of rules applying to garden bonfires. It was agreed that the clerk would obtain guidance from the Borough Council on this matter. Parishioners with bonfire problems were advised to contact the Environmental Health Service at the Borough Council.

It was agreed that the kissing gate at the top end of the Glebe strip should be painted by the Handyperson.

Council noted with regret that Tom Bodley had resigned as a Litter Picker. It was agreed that a letter of thanks should be sent to him for the conscientious way he carried out his duties. Council also agreed that the two hours Litter Picking duty undertaken by Tom Bodley should be transferred to Mrs Zagorska, who had expressed an interest in taking on the extra hours.

The clerk reported that the remaining tall conifers on the Recreation Ground boundary have now been cut back. Council agreed that an approximated sum of £50 should be allocated to flail cutting of the other hedging around the Recreation Ground by the Local Drainage Board.

Cllr Pike reported that he had collected the daffodil bulb pack. Volunteers up to plant the bulbs – Church Road: Cllr Miller; Thieves Bridge Road: Cllr Toates; St Peters Road Cllr Dagnall / clerk; Downham Road: Chairman / Cllr Finnis; Station Road: Joint effort.

OCT 05/15 Correspondence for Action

OCT 05/16 Correspondence for information

OCT 05/20 Members Information Exchange

Cllr Finnis gave advance notice that the Sports & Social Club would be seeking a building extension.

Cllr Dagnall asked on behalf of the Parochial Church Council if the Council wished to have a Christmas Tree in the Church, but the offer was not taken up this year.

Cllr Miller reported that the Army Evening in King's Lynn had been well presented and that there was an Information Pack available that would be lodged with the clerk.

Cllr Miller reported on behalf of Cllr Garton a request that football teams playing on the Glebe make sure they clear any rubbish left after games. Cllr Finnis agreed follow up on this matter.

Cllr Toates asked that Council ensure that now the Leylandii hedge on the Recreation Ground had been cut that a regular maintenance schedule be agreed.

There being no other business and no floor speakers the Council rose at 9.08pm.

The next meeting of the Council is on Tuesday 6 December 2005 in the Village Hall at the conclusion of the open meeting (7.00pm) to hear the speaker from NRCC regarding parish plans.

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                         6 December 2005