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 14 June 2005 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

Borough Councillor Ansell, PC Bodley and 5 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllr Toates.

JUN 05/1 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interests for this meeting.

JUN 05/2 Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 3 May 2005

The Minutes of the Annual Council meeting on 3 May 2005 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

JUN 05/3 Matters Arising from the Annual Council Meeting

There were no matters arising from the Annual Council Meeting.

JUN 05/4 Minutes of the ordinary Council Meeting held on 3 May 2005

The Minutes of the ordinary Council meeting on 3 May 2005 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

JUN 05/5 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising (Not on the agenda)

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £34504.33. There had been no demand for an election for the vacant councillor post, so the co-option notices would now be displayed and the co-option process completed at the next meeting. There were no matters arising.

JUN 05/6 Budget 2005/2006

The clerk advised that the budget was now set out in a committee based format. On a proposal from the Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Miller, Council approved the 2005/2006 budget.

JUN 05/7 Annual Audit Return 2004/2005

Council completed Section 2 – Statement of Assurance - of the Annual Return form for the 2004/2005 audit, which was then signed by the Chairman and clerk.

JUN 05/8 Edward Shouldham Charity Accounts 2004/2005

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council approved the Edward Shouldham Charity Accounts for 2004/5.

JUN 05/9 Banking Arrangements

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed that the Council’s reserve fund should be transferred to the new StepSaver Account from Barclays and that the clerk review the impact of this change in due course.

JUN 05/10 Payments

On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Pike, Council agreed that the following payments be made:

JUN 05/11 Requests for Grants and Donations

On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Garton, Council agreed that the Watlington Parochial Church Council should be awarded an annual payment of £400, to be increased annually by the inflation rate, from 2006/2007 and that additional budget provision be made for this above the current sum allocated for grants and donations.

On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Garton, Council agreed that the sum of £1000 should be allocated in the 2006/2007 budget for the Watlington Pre-School project, any reserves from this year’s grants and donations budget to be brought forward to help fund this payment.

On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Pike (Cllr Garton for the King’s Lynn Contact Centre), Council agreed the following other decisions:

JUN 05/12 Insurance Cover for the new Play Equipment

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed that insurance cover should be provided for the new play equipment, effective from 20 June 2005, but given that only animal or vehicle impact would be covered for fences and gates, cover not be excluded for these items.

JUN 05/13 Footway Lighting

The Chairman advised the Council that Alfred McAlpine Utility Services SE Limited have terminated their street lighting maintenance agreement with the Council with effect from 12 August 2005. After the figures for two quotations were presented by the clerk, on a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Pike, Council agreed to accept the quotation for a three year contract from MHB Services Ltd. The quotations are set out below:

MHB Services Ltd          Three year total cost      £4348.17           5 day maximum repair call out

May Gurney                  Three year total cost      £4980.95           7 day maximum repair call out

Both companies offered the same level of service cover.

Cllr Ansell advised the Council that the borough council will shortly be carrying out a survey of residents in Britton Close to see whether they would support the provision of increased lighting and that consideration was being given to the best way to fund any scheme if agreed.

JUN 05/14 Watlington Quarry Liaison Group

The Chairman reported that at the first meeting of the Watlington Quarry Liaison Group, a site visit had been arranged to show the working processes. At the subsequent discussion Cllr Rockcliffe was appointed Chairman of the group and there was general agreement that the processes were currently working well with minimal local disturbance, though monitoring of the local springs and drains would be undertaken by NCC as part of the overall monitoring compliance carried out under the planning agreement. A further meeting has been arranged for 15 September. The issue of local funding support by Cemex was raised and it was noted that this matter was being pursued with the company.

A site visit to the archaeology workings is due to be arranged and will be advised by the Chairman.

JUN 05/15 Planning Applications

The following decisions were agreed:

The following planning decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

JUN 05/16 Police Liaison Officer Information Exchange

PC Bodley gave a crime summary for the period 1 April to 6 June. There were 4 reported assaults (all between known parties), and 1 report of criminal damage. The clerk advised of the incident of criminal damage to the Skateboard Park, but had been unable to report the matter due to an excessive holding delay at the call centre. It was agreed that a letter of complaint should be sent regarding this to the Norfolk Constabulary.

Problems of anti-social behaviour at the railway station were discussed. It was agreed that PC Bodley would contact the British Transport police for an update on this matter. Continuing parking problems in roads near the station were discussed. PC Bodley advised that where vehicles were causing obstruction traffic tickets would be issued. Summary reports were read from NCC and BCKWLN on the need for car park improvements. It was agreed that pressure needed to be kept up to increase the car park capacity, that the Chairman and clerk would meet to discuss a car parking survey and that a letter be sent to the local MP, seeking support in this matter. Council noted that a new cycle storage facility had been installed.

Parking at the bend by 40 Downham Road was discussed. PC Bodley advised that any obstruction or dangerous parking must be reported to allow action to be taken where appropriate.

Cllr Ansell raised the issue of Quad Bikes using the Stone Close Play Area. PC Bodley was aware of this matter, which was being pursued both by himself and by the borough council.

JUN 05/17 Highways / Traffic Management

Council agreed that the priority list for highways and footways works outstanding should be re-submitted to NCC Highways for consideration with minor amendments, the list being set out below:

a)       Footway improvements to the west side of Downham Road to the junction with Rectory Lane.

b)       Church Road highway and footway from the shop to the Recreation Ground.

c)       Footway improvements on the north side of School Road.

d)   Lynn Road footway provision from the village hall car park to Mill Road.

Cllr Amor complained about the poor quality of the resurfacing work carried out recently on the footways on the Meadows estate. It was agreed that the clerk would survey the area on behalf of the Council and draw to the attention of NCC Highways the problems caused by the works.

Council noted that the 7.5 tonne Weight Restriction Order on many roads to the west of the parish came into effect from 20 May initially for 18 months, which should help reduce the volume of heavy vehicles travelling though the village.

JUN 05/18 Community Projects Committee

Council agreed to site the spare litter bin at the Church Road end of the footpath to the village hall, subject to the emptying being carried out by ServiceTeam.

Council agreed to the repainting of the Skateboard Park walls and also the access barriers to the Recreation Ground, the colours to be left to the discretion of the committee.

Cllr Pike reported that work was well under way on the new play area, with completion expected by the week ending 24 June. Excess soil from the site has been delivered to the Warren Close Play Area, as part of the scheme to remodel the sloped area to allow disability access.

It was agreed that there should be an opening ceremony for the play area, this to take place on 10 July at 3pm, with Julia Suiter for the Pre-School Group, Father James Nolan and Mrs E Nockolds, Cabinet Member for Culture at BCKLWN, and the local MP to be invited. The Community Projects Committee to organise the event.

JUN 05/19 Glebe Committee

On a proposal from the committee Council agreed the following:

i) That a single football pitch as previously agreed is prepared on the site with the management of the pitch area to be undertaken by the football club in conjunction with the Sports & Social Club.

ii) That the Council agrees not to develop any other activates on the site at the present time, to allow for future consideration of the installation of a junior football pitch on the site at the village hall end of the site.

iii) That the football club is allowed to move the goal posts on the Recreation Ground to the Glebe pitch.

iv) That the Council agrees in principle to purchase new smaller size goal posts for the Recreation Ground, subject to cost and suitability.

v) That the Council re-affirms the offer of £250 towards the layout of the full size pitch on the Glebe site.

vi) That the field margins are not cut until after the end of the wild flower season, given the wide range and diversity of flora on this site.

Concerns were expressed about the new fencing and access to the Glebe site from Downham Road. To help preserve the old access route through the kissing gate it was agreed that this area would be tidied up and the kissing gate painted as part of the project. Council confirmed that the new gate arrangements were as a result of the Council wishing to improve disability access. It was also hoped that the footway in front of the gate would be widened by NCC Highways.

JUN 05/20 Environment Committee

On a proposal from the Chairman, Council agreed that the remaining tall conifers on the Recreation Ground boundary be cut down to the level of the other conifers at the end of the nesting season and that the quote of £300 ex-VAT from the contractors (Kew Grasscare), who carried out the previous work, be accepted.

Council agreed that the footpaths should be sprayed under the terms of the grounds maintenance contract.

JUN 05/21 Correspondence for Action

JUN 05/22 Correspondence for information

JUN 05/23 Members Information

Cllr Amor asked about the damage to the Millennium Green fencing and was advised that repair work would be carried out when volunteer labour was available.

Cllr Golding advised the council that Mr Barry Shears had resigned from the Gossip editorial team and that the team were seeking new volunteers.

BCllr Ansell advised the Council that flail work along Plough Lane had suddenly stopped adjacent to 21 Mill Lane. The clerk to investigate.

The meeting was then opened to the public who urged the Council to seek support for the Trafalgar Weekend. It was also advised that it was hoped that the church bells would be rung on 21 October.

There being no other business the Council rose at 9.05pm.

The next meeting of the Council is on Tuesday 19 July 2005 in the Village Hall.

SIGNED

Chairman                                                          Clerk                                         19 July 2005