WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk: Colin Vince, 17 Bure Close, Watlington, KING'S LYNN, Norfolk PE33 0TN
DRAFT MINUTES
Minutes of the Annual meeting of WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL held on 2 May 2006
at 7.25pm in Watlington Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Lacey (Chairman); Cllrs Golding, Leedell, Miller, Paget, Pike, Rockcliffe and Toates.
Borough Councillor Ansell and 3 members of the public were present.
Apologies for absence: Cllr Dagnall.
MAY 06/1 Declaration of Office by Cllr Paget
Cllr Paget, having been co-opted at the last meeting of the Parish Council, signed his declaration of office.
MAY 06/2 Election of Chairman of The Council and Declaration of Office
It was proposed by Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Leedell, and agreed by Council that Cllr Lacey be elected as Chairman of the Council. The Chairman signed his Declaration of Office.
MAY 06/3 Election of Vice-Chairman of The Council and Declaration of Office
It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Miller, and agreed by Council that Cllr Golding be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Council. The Vice-Chairman signed her Declaration of Office.
MAY 06/4 Committee Appointments 2006/2007
The following committee appointments were agreed for 2006/2007:
Planning – Cllrs Dagnall, Golding, Lacey and Miller.
Community Projects – Cllrs Garton, Paget, Pike and Toates.
Environment – Cllrs Dagnall, Garton, Leedell and Miller.
Finance – Cllrs Leedell, Golding and Rockcliffe.
Glebe – Cllrs Golding, Lacey, Leedell and Toates
MAY 06/5 Appointment to Village Hall Management Committee (2)
The following appointments were agreed for 2006/2007: Cllrs Paget and Pike.
MAY 06/6 Committee Reports 2005/2006
The following committee reports were made:
Planning
32 applications were considered during the year and these resulted in planning permission being given for 12 extensions to dwellings, 5 (3 applications) new dwellings and 2 changes of use to residential. 2 applications were refused and 13 applications are outstanding.
Work started late summer 2005 on the 182 houses on the Martingales site, with the first occupations expected shortly.
The process for the new Local Development Framework is currently under way at Borough Council level, with much scrutiny needed at local level in the coming months.
The zebra crossing and traffic management scheme at the Angel Corner installed last year has been welcomed widely. There have been a number of minor highways works carried out in the last year, notably the improvements to the footway at the entrance to the Glebe Land along Downham Road and the kerbing installed along Fen Road.
Speeding remains a problem along village access routes, although it is hoped that the County Council can provide some initiatives in this area.
Community Projects
The committee have met regularly during the last year mainly to manage the current play equipment and to complete the first part of the project to bring new play equipment to the village- the tots play area being installed in June last year. This followed many hours of research by the committee and visits to various play areas and meetings with play equipment companies.
Plans are now well in advance to bring more new equipment to the village in the form of fitness style play equipment for the 5-12 age groups; this follows consultation with the youth football teams and the primary school. The committee would like to thank the adults that assisted in the consultation exercise at the school and from the youth football teams.
Managing the play equipment has seen the monitoring of the risk and repair state of the play equipment. Plans are currently being drawn up to improve some of the existing equipment up to current safety standards and to propose the removal of certain items that would not prove cost effective to improve. Vandalism remains a problem on play equipment particularly on site signs.
The handyperson, Don Smith, has carried out numerous minor repair jobs during the year, carried out painting work and undertakes a weekly inspection of the play areas, including the emptying of the litter bins.
The committee drew up plans for the refurbishment of the area around the village sign and pound; it is hoped that this work can be undertaken shortly.
The committee is also currently leading on plans for the landscaping work to replace Lacey's Dyke at the rear of the Village Hall
Cllr Pike, as committee chairman, thank all the members of the community projects committee for the man hours they have given up during the last year, both parish council members and co-opted members. He also thanked the Village Information Centre for the continued use of their facilities and of course to the help, guidance and professionalism from the clerk, Colin Vince.
Environment
A number of environmental projects have been undertaken this last year. Daffodils have been planted under each of the village gateway signs; a new dog bin installed in Britton Close and a new waste bin by the village pump; the remaining tall conifers have been cut back by the village hall.
Litter remains a problem, but the litter picker Mrs Zagorska, supported by Tom Bodley for part of the year, has carried out her work diligently to help keep the village tidy. The impact of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 on this problem and that of dog fouling remains to be seen, with regulations just coming into force.
Unfortunately there was no Christmas tree this last year, but it is hoped that agreement can be reached with the Millennium Green Trust for the coming year.
The possible installation of a street light adjacent to the Britton close garages remained on hold, although the Borough Council have carried out pruning works that have improved visibility along the adjoining footpath.
Play Areas and footpaths have been kept in good conditions this year and recently the County Council agreed to cut back some taller trees along Dolcie’s footpath. Drainage and sewerage problems remain to be resolved in Fairfield Lane and Lacey Close.
Finance
The committee agreed a hardship payment from the Edward Shouldham Charity Fund. Following a review of the fund it was agreed that, given the size of the fund, it should remain solely for payments in hardship cases.
The Council paid grants and donations totalling £1660 during the year and agreed long term support grants for the Millennium Green and the upkeep of the churchyard.
The accounts for 2004/2005 were approved by the district auditor without comment. The precept rose by 3.4% to £22,250 to meet increased costs, including a 10% rise in insurance costs. During the year a new contract was agreed with the clerk, approving a nationally negotiated scheme.
Glebe
New fencing was installed at the Downham Road entrance to the Glebe Land, this tidying up a derelict area and also providing easier access to the Glebe footpaths.
Grass cutting specifications for the site were approved and these are now included in the grounds maintenance contract. Also maintenance arrangements for the football pitch were agreed, the pitch having been in use for most of the season. The Council, as part of these arrangements, agreed to allow the full size goal posts on the Recreation Ground to be used on the new pitch and provided new junior goal posts on the Recreation Ground.
The Council also agreed that Lacey’s Dyke should be replaced by a sculptured mound. On the rest of the site dog fouling remains a serious problem, whilst a wild flower survey revealed that the area could be the site of an ancient meadow.
MAY 06/7 Reports from Village Organisations
The following reports from village organisations were received:
Millennium Green Trust
The report from Kate Carpenter (Chairman of the Millennium Green Trust) was read by Cllr Pike. Since our report to you last year, we have:
1. Hedges. Spring and autumn pruned and trimmed boundary and Ha-ha shrubs. Planted Snowdrops and Daffodils along the Ha-ha. Planted saplings to fill in empty spaces in tree plantation.
2. Pond. Planted several donated plants Yellow Flag, Marsh Marigold, Sedges and Reeds, Plantains, and Crow’s-foot. Most planting on bottom landing due to lack of rain but some Flags and low Willow on upper terrace. The grass path to the pond will not be mown until the area is more established.
3. Flower Meadow. Maturing nicely, the Cowslips are particularly prolific at the moment and have spread to the other side of the pathway. The hay cut last summer was rather sparse due to the enforced early spring cut; however, we did just about recover the cost of the cutting.
4. Our volunteers continue to mow the Petanque end and either side of the pathways, trustees and helpers the more inaccessible spots. General litter/tidy/ bin emptying/ hand weeding Petanque pitch has been carried out by volunteers.
5. We had our AGM in January Chairman and Treasurer re elected, new Secretary Peter Ryder and new Trustee Simon Paget.
Future plans, include, maze/puzzle walk around the sundial (new design, so site remains mainly grass) and at present are getting estimate for the work.
Pillbox: we think this might become a problem in the future, youth drugs etc. What we would like to do is clear the scrub from the surrounds so it becomes less secret. We don't know to whom it belongs. Can the Parish Council find out? It will require cleaning out, it being full of rubbish, can we do this as a joint venture?
Christmas Tree. We are happy to agree to an annual Christmas tree being placed on the green and would like an idea of the site and the method of securing it.
Weed treatment. The Petanque pitch doesn't need treating this year as we believe it was due to grass seeds blown from the then road works. However, there are some Docks on the amphitheatre that do need treating. The Trustees would like to express thanks to the Parish Council for their continued support.
Cllr Golding, as Treasurer of the Millennium Green Trust, would present the Trust’s Accounts to the next meeting of the Parish Council.
Village Hall Management Committee
The following report has been received from the Village Hall Committee:
Watlington Village Hall, Church Road, Watlington, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE33 OHE. Registered Charity No. 298454, constituted by Deed of Trust, the custodian trustees being the Watlington Parish Council. The Charity is administered by managing trustees being the Management Committee formed at the Annual Meeting, consisting of seven persons who may be elected, two representatives of the Parish Council and representatives appointed by the regular community group hirers.
Up to November 2005 the elected members have been Mike Cooke (Chairman, Licensee and Booking Secretary) John Church (Treasurer, Cleaning Coordinator and Badminton Club Rep) Barbara Church (Correspondence and Minute Secretary) Jill Stone and Brenda Newman. Representative members have been Cyril Pike and Ronald Amor (Parish Council) Mandy Jeffreys and Jancy Skinner (Under Fives) Kate Carpenter (Watlington Players) Maureen Carter (Pre-School) Enid Campbell (WI) Dick Carter (Short Mat Bowls) Joy Stephens (Carpet Bowls) Joy Toates (Luncheon Club) Sylvia Featherby (Wednesday Club)
The object of the charity is to maintain the village hall for the benefit of Watlington and the surrounding communities. This is carried out with the continuing help of local volunteers and the employment of two
part-time cleaners, Sally Dibley and Meg Wagg.
The financial situation is fully covered by the statement and report submitted by the Treasurer, who provides a detailed report to each regular meeting of the Management Committee.
In addition to monies from hirings, income has also been generated by fund raising in the form of Quiz Nights, Coffee Morning and Social Evening with Racing, New Years Eve Party, two Jazz Evenings, two puppet shows and other entertainment supported by Creative Arts East. The 200 Club Draw once again provided income for hall funds.
Hall usage is still very much in demand and competition for certain slots continues. Fourteen groups or clubs, a baby clinic and a dancing school hire on a regular basis and there is still frequent use for private parties of all types, wedding receptions, shows, fund raising activities and meetings in both halls.
The Village Hall continues to support the Information Centre by providing the premises, heat and light. The Centre covers all other costs.
The hall continues to be a member of the Norfolk Association of Village Halls which provides valuable support and advice.
Parochial Church Council
The following report from Father James Nolan was read by Cllr Miller:
Watlington Parochial Church Council met four times throughout the year. The main items on the agenda were:
1) The completion of Project 2000 and dedication by the Bishop of Ely.
2) Registration of Glebe Land.
3) Health and Safety matters with regard to the Church and Churchyard.
4) Appointment of a new architect.
5) Correspondence with regard to Entertainment Licences.
6) Trafalgar Celebrations.
7) Ongoing debate on women Bishops in the Church of England.
8) Deanery reorganisation to 2017.
9) Downham Market Church High School
10) All reports from Deanery, Diocesan and General Synods.
11) Our giving to the world’s needy.
12) Child protection.
13) Insurance of the church.
14) Exploring closer links with the school play group and uniformed organisation.
15) Planning fund raising events to raise Watlington’s part of the £26,000 that is needed to have a priest in the group of Parishes and house him each year.
Watlington Information Centre
Colin Vince read the following report:
The Information Centre has been open for 4 years now and continues to provide useful office services for the village, with the addition this year of the community information point. The centre currently has 24 volunteers.
This last year has seen the installation of a computer with broadband donated by the borough council. This is for the setting up of the Community Information Point. Unfortunately the Borough Council is still waiting to install software onto their website which will allow customers to fill on forms on-line, so in some senses the launch highlighted in the ‘Your Council’ magazine was a little premature. One very positive advantage of the provision of the broadband service by the borough council as that the centre is now able to offer free internet access to anybody in the village.
The other useful additions to the office this year has been a shredder and a new handset style phone with message and answerphone facilities, which has enabled a single telephone number to be used for both the village hall and information centre.
The Centre’s finances are very healthy at the moment, particularly with the cost of the telephone rental costs being met by the Village Hall and the broadband costs being met by the Borough Council. Also sales through use of the photocopier and laminator have increased on the previous year. This has meant that the centre has not needed to seek financial support from the Parish Council this year.
The 2006 village guide has been published with quite a few changes made and as print runs are only small information can be updated during the year.
Apart from the setting up of the Community Information Point, the office is now being used as a box office for productions in the village hall and members of the village hall committee are using the office for a large part of their admin work. The Parish Council also continues to use the office as a committee meeting room.
The Centre continues to provide a village website, which has a great deal of information from local history to parish council information to groups and societies information, as well as providing links to other useful sites.
Sports & Social Club / Payment of Peppercorn Rent
No report was received. The Peppercorn Rent (50 pence) was paid on behalf of the Sports & Social Club by Cllr Pike.
MAY 05/8 Any Other Matters
It was agreed that for the 2007 Annual Parish Council meeting that a report would be included from the Watlington Gossip.
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.45pm.
SIGNED
Chairman: Clerk:
13 June 2006