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 04 May 2004 at 7.30pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

Borough Councillor Ansell and 15 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence: Cllrs Amor, Featherby and Widdowson.

MAY 04/9 Declarations of Interest

MAY 04/10 Councillor Absence From Meetings

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed to extend the period of office of Cllr Featherby following his recent illness.

MAY 04/11 Minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2004

The Minutes of the meeting on 16 March 2004 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

MAY 04/12 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising (Not on the agenda)

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £31643.91 with the precept for 2004/2005 having been received and banked.

Cllr Golding reported that there were continuing difficulties in trying to reach an agreement with the developers of the Warren Close Play Area with Rowan Close. After discussion, it was agreed that Cllr Golding and the clerk would investigate the matter further. Cllr Rockcliffe spoke on the issue of the planning consent for the houses on Rowan Close. The clerk would liase with the planning department about concerns raised at previous Council meetings.

MAY 04/13 Budget 2004/2005

Council approved the revised budget for 2004/2005

MAY 04/14 Accounts 2003/2004

Council approved the 2003/2004 Unaudited Accounts presented to the meeting.

MAY 04/15 Appointment of Internal Auditor 2003/2004

Council approved the re-appointment of Mrs M Doubleday as Internal Auditor for the 2003/2004 Accounts.

MAY 04/16 Payments

It was proposed by Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Pike and agreed by Council that the following payments be made:

MAY 04/17 Planning Applications

The following decisions were agreed:

The following decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

* On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Leedell, Council also approved the lighting scheme for the new housing development adjacent to the school, the preferred option being the Roadway Standard.

MAY 04/18 Highways Matters

Cllr Rockcliffe reported on the NCC Traffic Management Programme (TMP) for 2004/2005. The 40mph zone between Runcton Holme and Watlington should be in force soon. The proposed 40mph zone between Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen and Watlington and the yellow lines restrictions for the area around the Church Road/School Road junction would go out for consultation in the next few months.  It was reported that there was spare NCC money in the crossing schemes budget and the Church Road/School Road is a possible candidate, although NCC were now requesting a further information on the Council’s preferred option. The clerk to follow up on this matter. No information was to hand as to the situation of Village Gateway Signs / Speed Reactive Signs on the TMP.

Council noted the letter of support from Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen Parish Council for the 40mph zone between the villages.

Cllr Rockcliffe reported that he would be having a site meeting with NCC Planning & Transportation to discuss the water drainage problem affecting the west side of Downham Road and would report back on the matter.

Council noted that road C54 would be closed for 3 weeks for conveyor tunnel installation and that St Peters Road would be closed at the level crossing on the night of 6/7 May.

MAY 04/19 Rail Station Car Park

The chairman read letters from Norfolk Constabulary, NCC and BCKLWN regarding the Council’s desire to see improved car parking facilities. The letter form the police advised that there was nothing that could be done about cars parked all day in the vicinity of the station as they were not parked illegally. NCC advised that the scheme would be looked at as part of the Local Transport Plan and BCKLWN advised they supported the scheme and still had £1500 set aside to assist the budget. The chairman also highlighted the NCC Interchange Draft Plan that had been received. This document set out improvements that are desirable at the station, including an additional 40 parking space. BC Ansell and Cllr Rockcliffe will continue to pursue the issue on behalf of the community, including seeing whether more basic improvements to the surface and layout of the site could be an alternative solution.

MAY 04/20 Lease of the Glebe Lands

The chairman updated the Council on the lease agreement. The latest copy of the lease met the concerns over the repair of the property and possible flooding at the Downham Road end of the site and exchange of copies and court matters were now proceeding, hopefully leading to an early closure of the agreement.

The chairman then read 5 letters of complaint from parishioners regarding the recent cutting of the pitch and the location of the football club container. The chairman explained that the grass cutting had been carried out by the Sports & Social Club, without the permission of the chairman, who had been delegated authority to receive and agree the quotes for the first cut of the site. This had resulted in the extensive cut and this had lead to rumours about the extent and number of pitches that the football club wished to have on the site. The chairman also advised that the Parish Council had not contributed towards the cost of this grass cut.

After initial discussion the chairman closed the meeting at 8.38pm to allow for public discussion of the issue. The meeting was reconvened at 9.05pm.

During subsequent discussion it was noted that the Parish Council would be able to allow the football club to use the site under the terms of then tenancy, but a sub-let would not be sanctioned.

After taking account of councillors’ views, the views of parishioners and the football club  the Council agreed the following two measures:

On a proposal from Cllr Rockcliffe, seconded by Cllr Golding and agreed by Council the football club container would be moved to the north-east corner of the field, once the tenancy agreement has been completed. Cllr Rockcliffe advised that he would be able to assist in the move. It was also agreed that if necessary planning permission would still need to be sought by the football club.

On a proposal from Cllr Toates, seconded by Cllr Harris and agreed by Council a single football pitch would be allowed at present on the site, this to be located at the site of the old football pitch and that the current grass cutting contractors would be contacted to address the problem of future grass cutting, with the only area to be cut at present the site of the football pitch. It was further agreed that the above arrangements would be put in place through the Community Projects Committee, who would invite the football club for discussion on the best way to achieve this plan and to consider their need for other football pitches.

Council also noted that the site fell within the 30mph zone and as such dogs would have to be kept under control at all times and that the only designated public footpath was on the west side of the site.

The clerk advised the council that no further works could be carried out on the site until the tenancy agreement had been delivered. Discussion on the strip of land towards Downham Road was deferred until the next meeting.

The proposed £100 grant to the football club was deferred as the container has yet to be painted.

MAY 04/21 End of Meeting Time

Because of the lengthy discussion on the above item Cllr Rockcliffe proposed, Cllr Pike seconded and Council agreed that the meeting end at 10pm with any remaining items deferred until the next meeting.

MAY 04/22 Community Projects Committee

Council received the Minutes of the Community Projects Committee meeting on 5 April 2004.

Cllr Toates explained the Committee’s ideas for relocating the existing basketball court and skateboard park, allowing for a site for the proposed new play equipment. As there was opposition to the plans, it was agreed that this matter would be deferred to the next meeting to allow all councillors to further consider the ideas and come up with any alternative plans.

The clerk advised the meeting that an application for £20,000 funding for new play equipment had now been submitted to WREN, now that it had been confirmed that BCKLWN would be the 3^rd party backer with the sum of £2,200 assured. Cllr Pike proposed, Cllr Harris seconded and Council agreed thanks to Cllr Toates, Mrs B Church and the clerk for all their hard work in getting the application form to WREN completed in a very short space of time.

Because of time constraint and objections to the plan to cut the Leylandii hedge by the village hall car park, this matter was deferred for further discussion at the next meeting.

MAY 04/23 Footway Lighting

The clerk reported that quotes have been received for the provision of a new footway light in Britton Close and that the application for a support grant has now been submitted to the Borough Council.

Cllr Miller reported that she had spoken to the complainant of the light along Dolcie’s Path, who was still aggrieved despite having been advised that her other neighbours were happy with the light. She now wished for the light to be a white rather than a yellow light. Because of time constraint and the need to discuss alternative options, this matter was deferred to the next meeting.

MAY 04/24 Environment Committee

Council approved the expenditure of approximately £50 for the repair and upgrade of the Council’s main noticeboard by the shop, the work to be carried out by Mr G Beaumont.

MAY 04/25 Pre-School Fun Day 10 July 2004

Council approved the one day exemption to allow dogs onto the Recreation Ground for the Fun Day event, subject to them being kept on leads and fouling to be cleared immediately.

MAY 04/26 Correspondence for Action

MAY 04/27 Correspondence for information