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 23 January 2007 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

BCllr Ansell, PC Bodley and 19 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllrs Garton and Rockcliffe.

JAN 07/1 Declarations of Interest

JAN 07/2 Requests for Grants and Donations

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council confirmed the following grant:

Cllr Dagnall declared in interest in this item and took no part in the discussion or vote.

JAN 07/3 Police Liaison Officer Information Exchange and Open Forum

Cllr Miller advised that there have been anti-social behaviour incidents in the tots play area, including 2 reported to the police, one of which involved having to remove a large quantity of broken glass from the area.

The clerk reported that a litter bin has been destroyed by fire at the Warren Close Play Area and two lights in Mill Road had been shot at with an air rifle, both reported to the Police. Also reported was graffiti damage to the Skateboard Park and Village Hall, this offence resulting in two persons being reprimanded by the Police and ordered to remove the graffiti. The Chairman read a letter from a parishioner in John Davis Way regarding anti-social behaviour in that area.

It was noted there is a possibility that there may be far fewer Police Community Support Officers and that their hours of working may be restricted. Council also noted that the Information Centre was being offered as a possible base for the PCSO service.

Cllrs Pike and Paget presented their report on the anti-social behaviour questionnaire distributed in Lacey Close, Cecil Close and surrounding roads. Following discussion on causes and solutions, including the need for greater youth facilities in the village and possible improved security solutions in the Lacey Close area such as closure of footpaths, it was agreed that NCC Highways would be invited for a site meeting to look at the problems and particularly the need for and siting of offset barriers to lessen motorbike speeding on footpaths. Residents were also reminded to report any anti-social behaviour incidents to the police.

JAN 07/4 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 5 December 2006

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

JAN 07/5 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising from the Council Meeting on 5 December 2006

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £14,770.17, however there are payments of approximately £5000 due in the next two months. The Council has received a payment of £250 from the Inland Revenue for filing the 2005/6 tax return on-line, included in the above figures. Work on the Village Pound has now been completed; the new gate on the Recreation Ground installed and the Christmas Tree had proved a great success this last year.

The clerk reported that there was no damage to Parish Council property as a result of the storm on 18 January and that it appears that the village had only one short spell without power during that day.

JAN 07/6 Precept 2007/8

Following discussion on a proposal from Cllr Paget, seconded by Cllr Golding, Council agreed a precept of £24,500 for 2007/8, an increase of £1000 or approximately 3.8%, in line with the Retail Price Index.

During discussion Cllr Pike advised Council that the Millennium Green Trust would only be seeking a £500 grant towards maintenance of the green during the coming year.

JAN 07/7 Payments

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

* Includes VAT

JAN 07/8 Planning Applications

The following planning decision was agreed:

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

Council noted a CPRE campaign / guidance note on energy efficiency in new developments. It was agreed that this would be copied to members of the Planning Committee. Details are also available on the CPRE website.

JAN 07/9 Martingales Persimmon Development

The clerk reported that he had received one complaint regarding early site delivery. Cllr Pike reported that he was now living on the new development and had not observed any matters relating to site works that required attention.

The clerk reported that he had been advised that Persimmon would shortly be seeking to build the emergency access / cycleway up by the school, but this required approval from the Planning Authority and was also subject to discussion between the school and Persimmon. The clerk also advised that the rear of the site on Fairfield Lane was fully fenced off again, so no site access would be possible via the lane.

Council agreed that a meeting be arranged with interested parties, including the Drainage Board, Police and Borough Council regarding the green strip between the development and The Meadows. BCllr Ansell advised that it was likely that the Drainage Board would seek that the site remains a grassed open area.

JAN 07/10 Highways Matters

The clerk reported that none of the highways works agreed with NCC had yet been carried out and that there had been no response to the request for speed control measures in Stone Close. It was agreed that the clerk would follow-up on these matters.

Council agreed on a suggestion from Cllr Paget to see if the shop end of Church Road could be road swept as there is a considerable level of leaf detritus.

Council agreed on a proposal from Cllr Paget, seconded by Cllr Pike, Council agreed that a working group be formed through the Community Projects Committee, to consider the introduction of 20mph speed restrictions on residential roads in the village.

JAN 07/11 Community Projects Committee

The clerk reported that an updated draft version of the bye-laws has now been completed, but before submitting it to the Department for Communities and Local Government, consultation would be necessary with groups such as the Charity Commission, horse riding, metal detecting and model plane organisations. Council agreed that the necessary consultation take place and that the proposed bye-laws be posted on the village website for consultation generally in the village.

JAN 07/12 Environment Committee

The Chairman introduced Mr John Harrington, who has been appointed as the Council’s part-time Handyperson. The clerk advised that he, Cllr Pike and Mr Harrington had untaken site visits and had agreed an updated list of tasks for the Handyperson, this list being read to the meeting.

Cllr Leedell reported that the lid to the litter bin in Britton Close had to be removed as it had on more than one occasion been thrown into Station Road.

Cllr Dagnall reported on the high level of the water in the ditch alongside Fairfield Lane. Council agreed that Cllr Rockcliffe be advised that no action had been taken by the landowner.

On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Leedell, Council agreed to further mole control on the Recreation Ground and also on the Glebe football pitch.

Cllr Miller reported that the Christmas Tree had been a great success, being 26 ft high and that the LED lights had provided an excellent display and were available for next year as there had been no damage. Council agreed on a proposal from Cllr Miller, seconded by Cllr Golding, that letters of thanks be sent to Mr Prior for providing the tree and to Mr/s Howlett for the electricity supply and that £10 be paid to Mr/s Howlett for the electricity cost, this sum to be donated to the Parochial Church Council at their request. Council also agreed that the help erecting the tree be recorded in the Gossip, including the willing band of volunteers from the Angel pub. The Chairman also thanked Cllrs Miller and Paget for all their hard work in bring the project to a successful conclusion.

JAN 07/13 Correspondence for Action

JAN 07/14 Correspondence for information

JAN 07/15 Members information Exchange

Cllr Mack requested that the Community Speed Watch Scheme be placed on the next agenda.

Council agreed on a suggestion from a parishioner, raised by Cllr Mack, that the installation of a directional sign to the railway station at the west end of the Millennium Green verge be sought from NCC.

Cllr Mack requested that a hedging problem in Britton Close be placed on the next agenda.

Council agreed on a suggestion from Cllr Leedell that First Capital Connect be written to requesting the replacement of the outside seat on the down (Lynn) platform at the railway station.

Cllr Golding, on behalf of a parishioner, requested details of the plans for the layout of the Warren Close Play Area and was advised by the clerk that the plans are available in the Information Centre.

Cllr Golding, on behalf of a parishioner, requested that the Council ask NCC Highways to consider SLOW road signs near the glebe footpath entrance on Downham Road and pedestrians crossing signs at the same point. The clerk to seek a site visit with NCC Highways.

Cllr Golding also raised the issue of contacting the Borough Council Dog Warden Service and the level of available service and in contacting the Borough Council in general. The clerk and BCllr Ansell to investigate.

Cllr Pike advised that the Millennium Green Trust had written to the Council seeking that the contractor for the Village Pound work be contacted to rectify the spoilt landscaping adjacent to the site. The clerk to contact the contractor accordingly. Cllr Pike requested that the Millennium Green report be presented to the next Council meeting.

BCllr Ansell advised the meeting that there was still no news from the Borough Council on the funding bid for new play equipment. Council agreed that given the length of time a letter be send to the Borough Council Chief Executive seeking a response to the bid.

There being no other business the Council rose at 9.18.

The next meeting of the Council is on Tuesday 13 March 2007 in the Village Hall, following the Annual Parish Meeting (7.00pm).

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                         13 March 2007