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 October 2007 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

3 members of the SNT and 4 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllr Mack, Murphy and Paget.

OCT 07/1Declarations of Interest

OCT 07/2 Open Forum

PC Smart from the Watlington SNT introduced PCSOs Ironside and Bishop to the meeting, who would be based eventually at the Marham office, and apologised for the absence of PCSO Bunting. A total of 6 PCSOs are due for the Watlington SNT and up to two will normally visit the village for a 2 hour tour of duty, though not to any rota. PC Smart reported that in the period 1 September to 22 October there were 13 crimes reported in the parish, namely 3 assaults, 3 criminal damage cases, 1 domestic dispute, 1 fraud, 3 thefts and 2 interferences with motor vehicles. It was noted that there are still problems in getting through on the 0845 reporting line.

The Chairman and Cllr Pike (apologies from Cllr Rockcliffe) attended the CAG meeting in Stoke Ferry, where local concerns were raised regarding cars accessing the Recreation Ground and police patrols levels on Halloween night. It was noted that all future CAG meetings are most likely to be held in Downham Market. It was agreed that the clerk would contact the SNT to see if the next meeting, due for 4 December, could be re-scheduled as this clashes with the date of the next Council meeting.

The PCSOs were on site at the Skateboard Park on 22 October when there was an accident reported. It was noted that there was a high level of litter again on the site.

Mrs Rosemary Harris and Mrs Val Dagnall displayed the storage case for handbells, which had been purchased by the Watlington Handbell Ringers with grant support from the Council. Councillors were pleased to note that the case had an inscription plaque that recognised the Council’s support.

Cllr Rockcliffe reported that the timetable for potential post office closures in this area was for an announcement in January followed public consultation and a decision in March. Council agreed that an extraordinary meeting of the Council be arranged for January if the local post office is threatened.

OCT 07/3 Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 11 September 2007

The Minutes of the Council Meeting on 11 September 2007 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

OCT 07/4 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising from the Council Meeting on 11 September 2007

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £22,753.41. Updated budgetary control figures were presented to the meeting. A street light in Church road has been damaged by a County Council contractor and a claim has been submitted for the cost of the works. The clerk reported that Miss Rebecca Charlton has been appointed as the new Litter Picker and that Abbigail Charlton (who sent a letter of thanks) has now finished her 3 months temporary littering picking job. The private subscription tour of the Palace of Westminster is on 22 April. Council noted that Cllr Murphy has joined the Environment Committee.

OCT 07/5 Remembrance Sunday Representative

Cllr Pike agreed to lay the Council’s Wreath on behalf of the parish. On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed that up to £20 be budgeted for the wreath.

Cllr Leedell reported that an additional gravestone is to be erected in the churchyard on behalf of Mr Charles Gathergood, a fallen First World War hero, whose remains are interred at Wiggenhall St Peter churchyard.

OCT 07/6 Payments

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

* Includes recoverable VAT

OCT 07/7 Budget 2008/9

Cllr Rockcliffe asked that £500 be included for support of the rail station car park extension. Cllr Pike asked that £5000 be included as in previous years for new play and ancillary equipment.

OCT 07/8 Planning Applications

The following planning decision was agreed:

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

The following planning decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

OCT 07/9 Martingales Development

The clerk reported that BCllr Mack has been pursuing the drainage issues and the Fairfield Lane footpath links at Borough Council level, following no outcomes from letters sent to the Head of Development Services and Persimmon. Unfortunately, no response had been received, despite reassurances from Persimmon. It was agreed that BCllr Mack be asked to continue chasing up on these matters.

Cllr Rockcliffe reported that, following representations from property owners abutting onto the Martingales site in Station Road, he advised that French Drains may be needed between the two sites. Council agreed that a letter be sent to Development Services and Persimmon regarding this issue, Cllr Rockcliffe to provide a suitable draft letter for the clerk.

Cllr Leedell reported that the road sweeper was proving ineffective in clearing the mud from roads leading to the Martingales estate. It was agreed that the clerk write to Development Services regarding this matter.

Cllr Pike reported that 30 houses on Martingales are now occupied, 4 are due for occupancy and a further 5 sold. It was noted that Longhurst Homes had not provided any figures for occupancy of The Coppice. It was agreed that the clerk write to Longhurst Homes to seek this information.

OCT 07/10 Highways Matters

The clerk reported that NCC Highways has approved the following:

Pedestrian warning signs for Downham Road near the bend to go either side of the crossing point to the footpath, that ‘Please Drive Carefully’ signs for the gateway signs are on order, that road linings through the village will be refreshed, along with the Zebra crossing and centre lines provided where the road width permits on major routes and that SLOW markings be included on John Davis Way and Church Road.

The clerk reported that the road by the school leading to the cycle/footway link to John Davis Way is not a highway and as such there was no authority to stop vehicles blocking the entrance to the link, despite it being an emergency access route to Martingales

The clerk reported that NCC consider that no improvements are required to the lighting scheme in Cecil Close and that it has been agreed to paint the lighting column on the Lacey Close – Station Road with anti-climbing paint.

The clerk also reported that the owners of 52 Downham Road have be written to regarding their hedging and hedging on the empty pot adjacent to 64 Mill Road will be cut back.

It was agreed that the clerk write to a reminder to NCC Highways about the possibility of junction protection yellow lines at the John Davis Way / Station Road junction.

The Chairman read an email from Magdalen Parish Council regarding the proposal for a footpath link from the village to Magdalen. It was agreed that the Chairman speak to the chairman of Magdalen Parish Council directly given that although the Council supported such a scheme, advice from NCC Highways made it clear such a footpath scheme was highly unlikely to be included in any programme of works.

The clerk reported that NCC Highways had advised that Rowan Close was not an adopted road and therefore the County Council has no powers to provide for a lighting scheme.

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed to fully support the footway buildout proposal nearby the community school to provide additional safe waiting space for school children and to discourage illegal parking in the junction area. The clerk to write accordingly.

Council noted that the proposal put forward in the school travel plan for a zebra crossing on Station Road nearby to Britton Close is currently being evaluated by the County Council.

OCT 07/11 Rail Station Car Park and Transport Matters

Cllr Rockcliffe reported that he had recently attended a meeting of the Norfolk Rail Alliance, where the importance of the need to expand the station car park was recognised. It was still that an expansion project could begin in 2008/9. Cllr Rockcliffe also reported that the Drainage Board are still working on an improved drainage scheme for this area.

OCT 07/12 Community Projects Committee

Following discussion on which sites are appropriate for a youth shelter, Council agreed a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Golding, that £50 be allocated to printing a consultation form to go to every household in the village to consult parishioners on the siting and style of a youth shelter. It was noted that further information would be available at the Information Centre and on the village website.

Council agreed the recommendations of the Committee relating to issues raised at the July Youth Forum. The Council’s response would now be fed back through the Gossip and the website. Council noted that the Gossip were due to have a meeting involving Mr Elliot Suiter, who has expressed an interest in starting a youth page in the magazine.

Cllr Pike reported for the Youth Football club that plans for the multi-games wall at the west end of the village hall is now well advanced and that landscaping work was now under way on the training area to the rear of the village hall.

Cllr Pike raised the matter of the floodlighting on the Recreation Ground, where new installations have taken place by the adult football team without the Parish Council being involved. Grave concerns were expressed over health and safety issues relating to safety of the installations. On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Pike, Council agreed that immediate steps be taken to cut the electricity supply to the floodlights until a satisfactory certificate of electrical safety had been received. Cllrs Golding, Leedell and Pike undertook to go to the Sports & Social Club following the meeting to undertake this task. It was further agreed that the clerk, as a matter of urgency, write to the Sports & Social Club and the adult football club to explain the decision taken and that the need for planning approval for the lights be explored.

On a proposal from Cllr Pike and Cllr Golding, Council agreed the purchase of two new fire resistant litter bins for the Recreation Ground at a cost of approximately £430, funding to come from the play equipment repairs budget.

Cllr Pike reported that Mr J Murfitt had kindly agreed to carry out repairs to the cagework at the Skateboard Park at no cost to the Council and that repairs to the woodwork are to be carried out by the Handyperson.

The clerk reported that the byelaws are now awaiting confirmation by the Secretary of State. Council noted that the cost of the notice in the Lynn News was £105 ex-VAT, £15 more than estimated.

OCT 07/13 Environment Committee

Following discussion on the Borough Council proposal to alter the arrangements for emptying litter bins in the village, it was agreed that a strong letter of objection be sent to the Borough Council, as this was seen as a service reduction and an attempt to pass costs onto the parish. It was also agreed to urge the Borough Council to have a glass recycling service available.

Council agreed that the Borough Council’s policy on Dog Control Orders, which would bring in a Dog Control Order with regard to dog fouling on all land to which the public have access. It was also agreed that the clerk seek to find whether the Borough Council would be providing any dog fouling notices.

Following a report from Cllr Dagnall, Council agreed a proposal from the Chairman that large logs be placed across the John Davis Way entrance to the John Davis Way Open Space to deter unauthorised vehicular access to the site. Cllr Rockcliffe kindly agreed to provide suitable logs.

Council agreed that the clerk write to the appropriate householders to seek that they cut back their hedges on the Warren Close Play Area side of the site. It was agreed that the clerk would meet the Handyperson to discuss cutting back the other hedges on the site; otherwise the work would be given to County Grounds Maintenance.

Cllr Golding advised the meeting that the Post Office stores were unwilling to have a bin outside the shop.

[Cllr Stevenson had to leave the meeting at this point]

Following a request from Watlington YFC, Council agreed a proposal from the Chairman that mole control work be undertaken on the Recreation Ground.

Cllr Rockcliffe reported on the Tottenhill Quarry Liaison Group meeting. He advised most of the work is now going on in the Police House Field. Investigations are taking place into concerns about the water levels, particularly as the spring at Tottenhill Row has dried up. There seemed to be little concern of dust and noise created at the site. Lorries were using the correct exit route via the A10. Tottenhill Parish Council is hoping to get support for environmental projects from Cemex and an archaeological visit is to be arranged.

It was agreed that the clerk write to the householder at 14 John Davis Way, seeking that they cut back their hedge, which is badly encroaching onto Paige Close.

OCT 07/14 Correspondence for Action

* Cllr Dagnall declared a personal interested in this item

OCT 07/15 Correspondence for information

OCT 07/16 Members Information Exchange

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed that Mr Richard Miller be reimbursed for the loss of padlock and chain when helping to secure the main gate at the Recreation Ground.

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Ron Payne, who is leaving the village, for his support over years.

There being no other business the Council rose at 9.35pm.

The next meeting of the Council is on Tuesday 4 December 2007 in the Village Hall at 7.00pm.

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                         4 December 2007