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 7 December 2004 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

Present: Cllr Lacey (Chairman); Cllrs Amor, Garton, Golding, Leedell, Miller, Pike, Rockcliffe and Widdowson.

Borough Councillor Ansell, Police Sgt Dexter, PC Bodley, K Nowosinski (NCC), S Barker (Mott McDonald),

M Cooke (Watlington Information Centre) and 11 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllr Toates

DEC 04/1 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest for this meeting.

DEC 04/2 Disturbance In Village 27 November 2004

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed to discuss first, and allow floor discussion, on issues arising out of the disturbance of the evening of 27 November. The Chairman introduced Police Sgt Dexter who set out details of the events, stating that well known troublemakers from outside the village were the instigators of the problems, gatecrashing a legitimate 18^th birthday party at the village hall. The police have subsequently warned off those involved not to try for a repeat affray. Police involvement was from 8.50pm to the early hours of the morning, although events started as early as 7pm at the local shop.

After discussion it was agreed with Mr M Cooke, representing the Village Hall Committee, that the Committee would advise the Police if in their judgement they felt any booked event might have potential for anti-social activities. Also members of the public were strongly urged to use the 999 service if they knew of any anti-social activities needing police presence.

DEC 04/3 Traffic Management / Highways

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed to take traffic management / highways matters, and allow floor discussion, as the next item. The Chairman introduced Mr S Baker (Mott McDonald) and Mr K Nowosinski (NCC), who detailed the proposed zebra crossing scheme at the Angel Corner. After discussion and agreement on the need to have slight modifications in the design including appropriate bollards, the Council approved the scheme, this being supported by a show of hands amongst members of the public. A revised layout would be forward to the Council by NCC as soon as possible. It was hoped that the work would commence in late February 2005. it was also agreed that NCC Highways should be approached with a view to having remedial works on the badly sloping footway along Downham Road carried out in conjunction with this scheme.

After discussion on the proposed waiting restriction scheme in the Angel / shop area, given the scope of the junction modifications in the zebra crossing scheme, it was proposed by Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Leedell and agreed by Council that NCC be advised that the Council would withdraw support for the waiting restriction scheme at present.

After discussion on the need for additional speed roundels through the village and Cllr Rockcliffe agreeing to investigate further the legality / viability of such roundels it was proposed by Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Garton and agreed by Council that the £2400 previously allocated to the gateway signs, now installed at no cost to the Council by NCC, be allocated to the play equipment project to allow this project to commence. Borough Cllr J Ansell warmly welcomed this decision on behalf of the Community Projects Committee.

The Chairman read a letter from a parishioner regarding the need for extra cul-de-sac signage at the entrance to Lacey Close. After discussion, it was agreed to refer the matter to the Environment Committee for a site visit.

DEC 04/4 Minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 October 2004.

The Minutes of the Council meeting on 19 October 2004 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

DEC 04/5 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising (Not on the agenda)

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £22,730.47. This increased figure from the last reported is due to the award of £5000 having been received from Awards for All for the new play equipment.

The meetings cycle for next year for 2005 was noted.

Cllr Miller reported that plans were advanced for the Christmas Tree and that it was hoped to put up a rooted tree this year on the weekend of 11/12 December with the lights installed a week later.

DEC 04/6 Co-Option of a New Councillor

After discussion, and rejection, of a late application, the Chairman read a letter of application from Mr Peter Dagnall, who was unable to attend to the meeting due to work commitments, as a candidate for co-option to the fill the Council vacancy. A secret ballot was held and Mr Dagnall was duly co-opted as a member of the Council.

DEC 04/7 Committee / Village Hall Representative Vacancies

Cllr Leedell agreed to fill the vacancy on the Planning Committee.

Cllr Garton agreed to fill the vacancy on the Community Projects Committee.

Cllr Pike agreed to fill the vacancy as second Village Hall Committee Representative.

DEC 04/8 Watlington Information Booklet Launch

Mr Mike Cook, as Chairman of the Watlington Information Centre, presented the Councillors with copies of the Information Booklet. Mr Cooke referred to its predecessor publication from 1977 and explained that the publication would be kept up to date both on an as printed basis and with an annual review. It was hoped to add a village map to the centre of the booklet. He also referred to a letter of congratulations that had been received from Gillian Shephard MP. Copies have been given to Father James Nolan for free distribution to newcomer households and copies were now available to buy at a cost of £1 a copy, to recover production costs. Also the charging system to the Parish Council for the free copies had been set in place.

The Chairman, on behalf of the Council, thanked Mr Cooke and the Information Centre Committee for all their work and commitment in bringing the project to a successful launch.

DEC 04/9 Annual External Audit 2003/2004

The Council noted that the 2003/2004 Audit of Accounts had been completed and that there were no matters arising.

DEC 04/10 Budget 2005/2006

Council noted the draft budget for 2005/2006 and would agree the precept at the next meeting.

DEC 04/11 Annual Review of Subscriptions for 2005

It was proposed by the Chairman and agreed by Council that the current four subscriptions should be renewed for 2005, namely Norfolk County Association of Parish & Town Councils, Norfolk Playing Fields Association, Norfolk Rural Community Council and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

DEC 04/12 Payments

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

DEC 04/13 Requests for Grants and Donations

On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Leedell and approved by Council the following decisions were agreed:

DEC 04/14 Grass Cutting Contract 2005

Council agreed to retain the current specification for the grass cutting contract, with the addition of a separated specification for cutting the margins on the Glebe Land main area and the strip to Downham Road. This additional specification item not to preclude contractors quoting for the rest of the contract if unable to undertake this particular item.

DEC 04/15 Planning Applications

The following decisions were agreed:

The clerk reported that no further correspondence had been received from Orchid Properties regarding their intensions relating to the Warren Close Play Area boundary.

DEC 04/16 Millennium Green

The Chairman read a letter from the Minute Secretary to the Millennium Green Trust and Council subsequently agreed to allow floor discussion for this item. Concerns were expressed at the state of the green and the lack of a grass cut this year on the main area. Trustees present reminded parishioners that the Green was being developed as a conservation zone, but themselves were disappointed that a late cut had not taken place. Cllr Rockcliffe as Chairman of the Trust apologised for his lack of being able to drive the project forward in recent months and advised that he had organised an AGM. He also advised that he would be approaching the Council for £500 to help with liability insurance for 2005. He expressed thanks to the other Trustees for their continuing work and to Mr W Samways for grass cutting works done.

DEC 04/17 Community Projects Committee

Cllr Pike reported that the information signs had been installed at the Recreation Ground and at Warren Close Play Area, but that 2 signs at the Recreation Ground had been knocked down by vandals. Cllr Pike reported that the clerk had advised him that the Council’s insurers were insistent that an information sign be prominently displayed by the Skateboard Park and that continued removal might mean the Council having to consider closing the Skateboard Park. After discussion on fixing methods, it was agreed to allow Graphic attack to refit the sign by the Skateboard Park (kindly being done at no cost) and that Cllrs Pike and Garton would investigate re-fixing the other sign.

Cllr Pike also reported that funds were in place for the play equipment project, but the committee were reviewing the type of safety surfacing to be used following a site visit to Tilney St Lawrence.

On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Golding, council agreed to give authority to the Community Projects Committee to appoint the Handyperson, application for which closes on 7 January 2005.

DEC 04/18 Glebe Committee

The Chairman read a letter from a parishioner regarding possible future use of the Glebe Land outside the allocated football pitch area. Council re-affirmed its decision that this land would be used for the benefit of the community at large as an open space and not be developed with sports facilities.

The clerk reported that the Glebe Committee was still to meet with the football clubs and that the committee would need to further consider the specification for the fencing along Downham Road.

DEC 04/19 Environment Committee

Cllr Golding reported that vegetation was overgrowing onto Dolcie’s footpath. The Chairman and Cllr Pike agreed to meet on site to assess the situation.

Cllr Amor reported that he had put up the temporary ‘No Dog Fouling’ signs on the John Davis Way Open Space and had to replace them after vandals had removed the signs.

The clerk reported that the litter pickers had advised him that they were not currently having any problems in disposing of collected litter.

Cllr Miller reported that she had had a response from the Village Hall Committee regarding their waste disposal, in that the committee were reviewing the bin size needed and now had a key to stop unauthorised waste disposal.

The problem of hedge trimmings in the dyke was noted by Council; parishioners being urged to dispose of green waste in an appropriate and environmentally friendly manner.

DEC 04/20 Footway Lighting

The clerk and Borough Councillor Ansell reported that the Borough Council were giving further consideration to the Britton Close light and were drawing up a range of options for the site, which may include not lighting the area.

DEC 04/21 Correspondence for action

DEC 04/22 Correspondence for information

DEC 04/23 Members Information

Cllrs Amor and Leedell raised the issue of the amount of road parking on the Meadows Estate as overflow from the railway station. It was agreed that a bigger car park was needed and that the Council would need to press again for an expansion of the site.

Cllr Pike advised the Council of the School Carol Service on 15 December. All welcome.

The Chairman read out a hand produced Christmas card from the school chess club.

There being no other business the Council rose at 9.55pm

The next meeting of the Council is on Tuesday 25 January 2005 in the Village Hall.

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                        25 January 2005