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 19 October 2004 at 7.00pm in Watlington Village Hall.

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

Borough Councillor Ansell and 4 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Apologies for absence:  Cllr Leedell.

OCT 04/1 Declarations of Interest

OCT 04/2 Minutes of the Council meeting held on 7 September 2004.

The Minutes of the Council meeting on 7 September 2004 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

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

The Chairman paid tribute to the work of former councillor John Harris, who had recently resigned from the Council. On a proposal from Cllr Toates, seconded by Cllr Pike, it was agreed by Council that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Harris for his service on the Parish Council. The clerk reported that there had been no call for an election for a new councillor so notices would be posted seeking a co-opted appointment, to be decided at the next meeting under the Council’s agreed procedure.

The clerk reported that the Council’s funds currently stand at £19,517 and that the annual rental for the Edward Shouldham Charity has been received and banked.

The Driveway Unit on the Skateboard Park has now been removed. Thanks were expressed to Mr Samways.

The equivalent dates to this year have been submitted for the meetings cycle next year and will be circulated to councillors when confirmed.

OCT 04/4 Committee Vacancies

Cllr Garton agreed to fill the vacancy on the Environment Committee. It was agreed to hold over the other vacancies until the next meeting.

OCT 04/5 Remembrance Day 2004

Cllr Miller agreed to lay the wreath on behalf of the Council at the Annual Remembrance Day Service.

OCT 04/6 Budget 2005/2006

Councillors agreed to submit any suggestions for areas of expenditure to the clerk before the next meeting.

OCT 04/7 Clerk’s Salary & Expenses

Council agreed an in increase from £15 to £20 in the part of the clerk’s monthly salary that is paid as expenses to cover the costs of providing computer facilities and home office facilities as previously agreed in Minute JUN 03/9, this increase having no effect the overall remuneration to the clerk and at a nil cost to the Council’s budget.

OCT 04/8 Footway Lighting Maintenance Contract

Council noted that after consideration of two quotes by the Finance Committee under Minute SEP 04/10, an annual contract has been signed with McAlpine Utility Services SE Ltd, payable on a monthly basis.

Council also noted that information had lately been received information on an alternative maintenance contract through the County Council. It was agreed that this should be considered for next year.

OCT 04/9 Payments

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

OCT 04/10 Planning Applications

The following planning decisions from BCKLWN were noted:

OCT 04/11 Rowan Close Development

The Chairman read a letter from Orchid Properties Ltd regarding the hedge at Warren Close Play Area. It was agreed that the Council write again to the company stating that the hedge should be conveyed to the Council as part of the site development.

OCT 04/12 Highways

The Chairman read an e-mail from NCC Planning & Transportation in which they have agreed to provide the village gateway signs and 30mph roundels at no cost to the Parish Council. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to NCC and that consideration be given at the next meeting to re-allocating the £2400 set aside for this project.

Council noted that legal notices for the 40mph zone towards Magdalen along Station Road and the waiting restriction notices for Angel Corner have been published. It was also noted that parishioner objections were being made regarding the waiting restriction area.

It was agreed that the clerk would enquire further about the design of the zebra crossing as there were concerns over the exact nature of the widening of the footways in this area.

A letter was read from a parishioner concerning parking and flooding problems in the Mill Road / Plough Lane Area. Following a discussion on the drainage problems, Borough Councillor Ansell agreed to seek advice from the local drainage board and to involve Cllr Rockcliffe who had previously expressed concerns. It was also agreed that the clerk would write to the parishioner saying the Council would further consider parking problems when the last of the current housing builds was finished.

OCT 04/13 Footway Lighting

The clerk and Borough Councillor Ansell reported that no progress had been made on whether the bid to BCKLWN for an extra footway light in Britton would be successful. Cllr Ansell further reported that complications may arise if the transfer of council housing stock to a housing association takes place. The clerk and Cllr Ansell would continue to pursue the matter.

OCT 04/14 Community Projects Committee

Cllr Pike reported that subsequent to the awarding of £7500 from WREN for the play equipment project, a letter had been received from them stating that the Council was now registered with ENTRUST, the regulators, but that no contract could be issued until a successful application to Awards for All. This application is now being submitted. The letter also contained a reference to the possible shortfall of funds for the project. Cllr Pike advised that the Committee would be further considering this issue. A decision from NPFA for part of the funding was expected in December.

Cllr Pike reported that he had received two quotes for the proposed information signs for the Recreation Ground and Warren Close Play Area, the lowest of these being £485 from Graphic Attack to provide and install 5 metal signs on 4 posts to agreed specifications. On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Miller, it was agreed to proceed with the quote from Graphic Attack subject to this being confirmed in writing.

Cllr Pike reported that NCC had carried out widening work on the Church Road entrance to the Recreation Ground, to meet access requirements of the Disability Act. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to NCC for carrying out this work.

A discussion was held on the continuing litter problems, particularly on the Recreation Ground. It was agreed that the clerk would investigate the cost of the borough bags and speak to the Litter Pickers about rubbish disposal methods.

OCT 04/15 Handyperson Post

On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Pike, it was agreed by Council that the proposed Job description for the Handyperson be approved including the hours and pay rate suggested. subject to the inclusion of the need for a Police Check given that most of the work would be on the Council’s play areas. It was agreed to advertise the post through The Gossip and on local noticeboards. It was noted that the proposal will cost the Council a minimum of £600 in a full year, this to be included in budget proposals at the next meeting. 

OCT 04/16 Glebe Committee

Cllr Toates reported that the Glebe Committee had met and proposed that the Committee meet with the football club and the Sports & Social Club to consider the pitch layout. This was agreed, along with this meeting further discussing the management of the other areas of the Glebe Land, including a cutting regime. It was also reported that it was hoped that the football pitch would be ready early in 2005, seeding having recently taken place.

The clerk and Cllr Toates would pursue the matter of quotes for the fencing work on the Downham Road boundary to the Glebe.

It was noted that a fence post had been knocked down on the footpath by the football equipment container. The clerk to investigate.

OCT 04/17 Watlington Information Booklet

Cllr Toates reported that most of the information for the booklet had now been received and it was intended to publish the first edition after the Information Committee meeting on 15 November. Examples of the design for the front cover were shown to the meeting, but it was unlikely that the glossy photographic paper would be used as this would increase the unit cost above the projected £1.

OCT 04/18 Environment Committee

Cllr Amor raised the matter of the high levels of dog waste on the John Davis Way Open Space, an area used for play by children. On a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Pike, it was agreed that temporary notices would be put around the area to deter fouling.

Cllr Pike advised the meeting that the School Head and Cllr Rockcliffe had agreed with NCC a branch loping programme for the tree opposite the school to reduce the risk of fallen branches.

OCT 04/19 Christmas Tree 2004

After discussion it was agreed on a proposal from Cllr Golding, seconded by Cllr Pike, to have a budget of up to £75 for a Christmas Tree, preferably a rooted tree, on the Millennium Green. It was also agreed that the Chairman would approach Mr Prior about the provision of the tree.

OCT 04/20 Millennium Green

Concerns were expressed over the state of the Green, particularly the lack of a cut of the main grass areas. Cllr Pike agreed to liase with Cllr Rockcliffe about the Council’s concerns and it was agreed that future plans for the Millennium Green should be an agenda item for the next meeting.

OCT 04/21 Correspondence for action

OCT 04/21 Correspondence for information