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 16 March 2004 at 7.20pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

Borough Councillor Ansell and 2 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence: Cllrs Featherby, Harris and Rockcliffe.

MAR 04/1 Declarations of Interest

MAR 04/2 Minutes of the last meeting held on 27 January 2004

The Minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed as a correct record.

MAR 04/3 Clerk’s Report and Matters Arising (Not on the agenda)

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £10963. However, nearly £1500 is due to be paid by 1 April, and £5800 is budgeted for play equipment, traffic management measures and lighting in Britton Close.

The clerk also reported that the Broadband threshold level had been reached for the village but this is now subject to verification by BT. The first grass cut of the season has also taken place.

MAR 04/4 Insurance Renewal

It was proposed by Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Toates and agreed by Council that the insurance arrangements with Allianz Cornhill be renewed for 2004/2005 at a cost of £768.10.

MAR 04/5 Payments

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

* Council also approved the East of Ouse, Polver & Nar Internal Drainage Board cutting the playing field hedge in 2005.

MAR 04/6 Requests for Grants and Donations

On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Golding, the following decisions were agreed:

MAR 04/7 Planning Applications

The following decisions were agreed:

The following decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

Council noted that the official decision on the CJC Development Ltd application was still to be received.

MAR 04/8 Highways Matters

Council noted that the cutting of roadside verges in the village had now been undertaken.

Council noted that possible modifications at the A10/C54 junction had been put on hold, that the junction will be monitored for accidents for a further 12 months, that traffic turning counts and speed measurement will be conducted and other safety options considered. The outcomes of these studies are expected in spring 2005. Letters of thanks for support from Wormegay and Tottenhill Parish Councils were noted.

The letter from NCC regarding the footway problems along Downham Road was discussed. It was agreed that the response from NCC was not deemed satisfactory in that the same problem of water flooding from the highway applied to the other houses so if works have been carried out on No. 18 & 20 the same should apply to the other properties. It was agreed that a further letter would be sent to NCC, also seeking further information on the planned date of the highways work along Downham Road.

It was also agreed that Cllrs Pike, Miller and Widdowson would draw up a priority list of potential footway and highways works for the village for submission to the County Council, with all councillors reporting their own views to this working group through the clerk. The Council to consider the results of this study at the meeting in June.

A letter was read from a parishioner at the Magdalen end of Station Road, complaining of speeding traffic between the two villages on this stretch of road and seeking action, given the speed limit to be introduced between Runcton Holme and Watlington. On a proposal from Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Widdowson it was agreed that a 40mph speed limit would be sought for this part of Station Road.

MAR 04/9 Rail Station Car Park

It was noted that official notification had been received that WAGN has withdrawn its application for car park works at the station. BC Ansell stated that he was still lobbying both with the Borough Council and the County Council to have a scheme for the station. It was also noted that the were parts of the current car park that could be brought into use and that there were still problems of road parking around the station. After discussion it was agreed to write further to WAGN, NCC, BCKLWN and the Police to lobby for action. Local residents would be asked to cooperate, via the Gossip, by not parking all day in nearby roads.

MAR 04/10 Lease of the Glebe Lands

The chairman gave an analysis of the current situation regarding the possible lease of the Glebe Land and the potential problems that could arise if the lease is not watertight to avoid potential liabilities arising out of the current poor state of repair of the premises. After discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Toates, seconded by Cllr Pike and agreed by Council that, reluctantly, up to £300 additional funds be made available to secure the necessary amendment to the lease.

MAR 04/11 Community Projects Committee

The minutes of the meetings of the Community Projects Committee held on 2 February and 8 March (tabled at the meeting) were received. Cllr Toates explained the current thinking of the committee in the light of the Accessibility Report and the Play Equipment Inspection Report. After discussion the following points were agreed:

1)       Quotes would be obtained for cutting to shoulder height the hedges around the south and east sides of the Recreation Ground

2)       The grass on the Glebe Land would be cut, subject to agreement with the Chairman on quotes received; this work to be carried out as soon as possible. This would enable the football club to make use of the Glebe Land for matches as soon as possible.

3)       That when able to take regular mowing, Glebe Land grass cutting would be added to the existing grounds maintenance contract.

The Council also agreed in principal the following proposals regarding the Recreation Ground, these being subject to cost and agreement between interested parties:

1)       That the Skateboard Park be moved to the south-east corner of the Recreation Ground.

2)       That the new play equipment project be moved to current Skateboard Park Site.

MAR 04/12 Footway Lighting

The Council agreed to an extension of the existing street lighting Contract, this being subject to three months notice from either party, to allow for the situation regarding the current contractor’s future intentions to become clear.

The clerk reported that he was currently completing a BCKLWN application form to obtain joint funding for the proposed new light in Britton Close.

Cllr Miller reported on a site and neighbours visit concerning the light on Dolcie’s path. The Environment Committee could not recommend at this stage any change to the status of the light on the grounds that, apart from the complainant, nearby residents were keen to see the existing light retained. Cllr Miller was still trying to contact the complainant, despite repeated visits.  However the committee did recommend that costings should be obtained for an additional light at the junction of the path and Downham Road. Council agreed to these proposals. Cllr Miller also agreed to pursue seeing the complainant.

MAR 04/13 Environment Committee

The state of Fairfield Lane was discussed. It was agreed that some works were necessary, despite the longer term prospect of a new path through the new development from Station Road. It was agreed that the clerk would contact Cllr Rockcliffe to discuss obtaining planings for the path.

The Council noted that the noticeboard for the Medical Centre has been built and will shortly be installed. Cllr Pike advised that there would be a small additional cost for providing cement for installation.

Cllr Toates advised that the new container for the football club had been placed without notice to interested parties and that it was currently unlocked. The clerk reported that the football club would need to paint the container an environmental green colour to release the £100 grant awarded by the Council. It was agreed that the clerk would write to the football club to make sure the painting was carried out and that the container is kept locked when not directly supervised.

Cllr Toates advised that he had started research into the Village Map and would report back at a later meeting.

MAR 04/14 Millennium Green Update

Cllr Pike reported that work would be going ahead this year to make the pond shallower and larger, making a area for bog plants at the same time; this would not alter the plans for the bridge. Also a weeding session had taken place, Cllrs Harris and Toates attending. All agreed that the daffodils made a fine show.

MAR 04/15 Correspondence for Action

MAR 04/16 Correspondence for information