Stoke Ferry Parish Council meeting Minutes

Minutes of the aborted and subsequent successful Parish Council Meeting

Minutes of Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday 18 June 2008 at 7.30pm

1. Those Attending: Cllr M Ferrie (Chairman), Cllr D Summers, Cllr Mrs Mendoza, Borough Councillor C Sampson, PC Wood, PCSO Clipperton, Mrs C Hardy (Clerk) and 5 members of the public.

2. Apologies: County Councillor T White, Cllr M Precey, Cllr Mrs Mann, Cllr Mrs Leamon, Cllr J Nicholas-Letch, Cllr Mrs Lansdell-Williams and Cllr M Mycock

The Chairman welcomed those attending, but in view of the fact there insufficient councillors present to form a quorum, the meeting had to be cancelled. It was agreed to reconvene the meeting on Wednesday 2 July 2008 at 7.30pm.

The meeting therefore closed at 7.35pm

DRAFT

Minutes of Stoke Ferry Parish Council Meeting held in the Community Centre

At 7.30pm on Wednesday 2 July 2008

1. Those Attending: Cllr M Ferrie (Chairman), Cllr Mrs T Mann (Vice-Chair), Cllr D Summers, Cllr Mrs S Lansdell-Williams, Cllr Mrs R Mendoza, Cllr M Precey, Cllr Mrs M Leamon, Councillor J Nicholas Letch, and Mrs C Hardy (Clerk), 7 Members of the public.

2. Apologies: Apologies were received from Cllr M Mycock, Borough Councillor C Sampson and County Councillor T White.

3. Minutes of Last Meeting: Cllr Mrs Mann asked for the minutes to be amended under Election of Chairman - the words "this was not seconded" should be replaced with Mrs Mann declined to stand as Chair-person". Once this amendment had been made Cllr M Precey proposed that the Minutes be accepted seconded by Cllr Mrs R Mendoza.

4. Matters Arising:

a) Buckenham Drive - the Parish are still waiting to hear from the Borough Council what if any measures are to be taken on the points raised at the meeting on 4 April. Borough Councillor Sampson is also chasing up the relevant departments requesting feedback on the current position.

b) Clothing Bank at School - Cllr Mrs Mendoza advised the meeting there was some indecision by the school as to where this clothing bank should be placed. A suggestion had been made for it to be placed outside the school gates but this was not felt to be satisfactory by the Parish Council. If it was positioned on the school premises it would only be available during school hours. Cllr Mrs Mendoza to report any decisions as to whether the school wish to have the clothing bank to the next meeting.

Cllr Mrs Leamon joined the meeting at 7.40pm

c) Care Home - the PC still waiting for a copy of the signed Protocol document, Borough Councillor Sampson is also trying to chase this up in order that the matter may be closed.

d) New Bus Stops - timetables have now been placed on the bus stops in Wretton Road near the School and near the Blue Bell in Lynn Road.

e) Pot Holes Lynn Road - Cllr Precey is to inspect Lynn Road to see if all the pot holes have been satisfactorily filled and report back to the next meeting.

f) CCTV Camera - Cllr Nicholas-Letch informed the meeting that he was not happy with the use of a CCTV camera due to various legalities. It was pointed out that since the camera had been in place vandalism had been drastically reduced in the area. The camera was put in place following a letter from Inspector Bates stating that there was no reason why the PC should not install a camera providing suitable notices were put in place. The decision was taken at the meeting of the PC on 18 October 2006. Cllr Nicholas-Letch is to put together prudent points to be considered at the next meeting.

g) Post Box Buckenham Drive - this has now been painted.

h) Wretton Road - Following the query at the last meeting as to procedures if numbers are not put in place, the Clerk did ask the Borough Council Street Numbering Department, but they did not know and would ask their legal department. Nothing further heard.

i) Parking opposite Bus Shelter - a sign has now been put in place asking drivers of vehicles not to park across the dropped kerb.

j) Following the concerns of Cllr Mrs Leamon at the last meeting in respect of cars parking on the road outside the school because of changes to parking on school grounds, there had been no major problems.

k) Footpath between Wretton Road and Buckenham Drive - this had now been cleared of weeds

l) Footpath alongside Playing Fields - Cllr Precey has arranged for CGM to strim this area, he will also check to see if there is a problem with overgrown shrubs from the properties causing an obstruction. If so he will give the Clerk the addresses of the properties concerned.

m) Grassed Area Border Road/Fairfield Road - the problem of vehicles driving/parking alongside the bungalow has now been sorted out.

n) Loose Kerb junction Buckenham Drive/Wretton Road - still not attended to. The Clerk to chase Highways.

5. Provision of Litter Bins in Parished Areas:

Following the Borough Council's notification of future charging for emptying litter bins as from 2009, a check has been made as to how many and the sighting of bins in the village, there are currently 4 litter bins, The Hill, near the Village Sign, Bradfield Place junction with Lynn Road and The Common. It was agreed that the litter bin on The Hill should be designated as the "free" bin. Consideration to be given to re-sighting the bin near the village sign, but final decision would be made at the meeting with the BC representative, also any replacement bins or cost implications. Cllr Mrs Mann asked if a bin could be placed at the Playing Fields, she would investigate if there would be a problem with the locked gates and report to the Clerk prior to the meeting. Cllr Mrs Lansdell-Williams and Cllr Mrs Mann plus the Clerk would attend the meeting.

6. Parish Involvement in the Local Development Framework:

Cllrs Mrs Mendoza and Summers attended the meeting but they felt it had not been very constructive, issues scheduled to be discussed were not because some attendees thought it was a waste of time. The Clerk to write to the BC to find out what the situation is regarding the Local Development Framework.

7. Lighting Maintenance Contract:

The Clerk reported two quotations had been received - MHB Services £707.07 plus VAT per annum for the next three years and Cartledge £1099.02 plus VAT per annum for the next three years. It was unanimously agreed that the quotation of MHB Services Ltd be accepted.

8. Internal Audit:

The Clerk reported that this had been carried out successfully. The only point mentioned was in relation to insurance cover for lamp posts in relation to the number of lamps in the parish to ensure that we are adequately covered, as replacement lamp posts are very expensive. It was agreed to ask MHB Services to check on the number of lamp posts when next in the village.

9. Frequency of Payment - Clerks Salary/Expenses:

A request had been made by the Clerk for her salary/expenses to be paid monthly instead of quarterly, the internal auditor said there was no reason why this should not be agreed to as long as a copy of the minutes are attached to her contract. It was unanimously agreed that future payments should be on a monthly basis.

10 Planning:

Approved by Parish

Construction of dwelling at land adjacent to The Hunny Pot Furlong Road

Approved by the Borough

Restoration of attic room dormer windows on north wing at Park House High Street

Construction of dwelling and garage at Maltese House Lynn Road

Construction of extension at The Old Dairy Thompson's Lane

Notice of Planning Appeal

Against refusal of planning permission for conversion, part demolition and extension of existing store/workshop to dwelling at Eggetts Workshop Lynn Road.

11. Accounts for Approval

Direct Debit payment to e-on Energy £39.40 x 2 - Lighting - April and May

MHB Services - £65.78 - Lighting Maintenance June/July

Mr John Cross - £15 - Expenses relating to Internal Audit

James Bradfield School - £12.63 - Hire of Hall - May

Mrs C Hardy - £766.50 - Salary for 1/4 ended 31 May 2008

Mrs C Hardy - £95.56 - Expenses for 1/4 ended 31 May 2008

WP&P - £41.13 - Printing Fliers re Parish Plan Action Committee

Mr John Nicholas-Letch - £258.00 - Equipment etc for works in Cemetery

MHB Services Ltd - £65.78 - Lighting Maintenance June/July

CGM Ltd - £627.33 - 1/2 year Grounds Maintenance

Cllr Mrs Mann proposed payment seconded by Cllr Mrs Leamon

Statement of Account as at 21 May 2008 - Balance Brought Forward - £9518.99, less Payments to date £1771.79 Balance in Bank £8655.65. Un-presented cheques £908.45.

12 Correspondence:

The Mayor of the Borough of King's Lynn & West Norfolk - Veterans Badges - all holders of these badges are entitled to have them presented formally - a presentation will be held during July

BCKLWN - stating the Borough Council's Draft Green Space Strategy is available to view on their website.

NCAP&TC and Society of Local Council Clerks - Summer Conference 22 July 2008

BCKLWN - Start of Consultation - Housing Strategy and Policy in King's Lynn & West Norfolk - a vision for the next three years.

NCC - Inventory of Parish Owned Grit Bins

West Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau - inviting councillors to the inaugural meeting of the Friends of West Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau, 22 July 2008

BCKLWN - Register of Electors Annual Canvas - canvassers required

NCC - Changes to Mobile Library Service - placed on Notice Board and in The Pump

13. Councillors Other Business:

The Chairman reminded councillors not to hold on to Planning Applications for more than two days in order for them to get round in the 21 day time limit.

Wells Homes - in view of the meetings held between Wells Homes and The Village Hall Committee it was felt that a PC representative should attend.

There is a very bad smell, sewage, in Border Road and Oak Road. The Clerk to report this to Anglian Water.

Attendance at meetings - attending PC meetings is important, apart from holidays or sickness which obviously cannot be avoided. Cllr Mrs Mann was not happy with the letter received, as herself and Cllr Precey had tendered apologies some 10/11 weeks prior to the meeting due to holidays. It was agreed this should have been made clear in the letter.

Cllr Mrs Leamon asked why on the last two occasions the mobile police officers only had the use of a car. The Clerk informed the meeting that the normal vehicle had mechanical problems and it was taking some time to be remedied.

Allotments - there have been several enquiries lately by residents wishing to rent allotments. At the moment the PC do not have any allotments/land to rent out. The Clerk to enquire of the Borough Council where the nearest allotments would be, also enquiries to be made if there is any land available.

Cllr Mrs Mann queried whether the Trim Trail in the playing fields was also insured by the Playing Fields Committee. The Clerk to make enquiries, if it is it should be deleted from the Policy.

Clarification was requested on approaching any body/organisation on any issue - should it be as an individual or as a Parish Councillor. It was agreed that it is in order to discuss any matter with anyone then inform them you will take it to the PC.

Cllr Summers reported that following the last CAG meeting the PCSO's would like to set up a surgery in the village for a couple of hours every month. He had made enquiries on their behalf and the Village Hall Committee are prepared to let them have the use of the Village Hall for free. This would be in addition to the Mobile Police Office.

Buckenham Drive - problems with person(s) driving around on motorbikes causing problems, PC Wood was to look into the problem but so far no improvement.

Cllr Nicholas-Letch gave a brief update of proceedings in the Cemetery. Some of the grave stones need repositioning, he would do an assessment of what needs to be done with the help of Cllr Mrs Mann, then submit an estimate of costs involved. Following the restorative works it was hoped to form a group of volunteers to keep the Cemetery tidy, this will possibly be by about September.

14 Public Other Business

The Cemetery - any grave stones to be moved or realigned should be made public before work is carried out. A Notice should be placed on the Gate and on the Notice Board.

Wretton Road - following re-numbering house names had been deleted from Royal Mail database - any problems should be made directly to Royal Mail as stated in letter sent to all residents.

Foopath leading from Buckenham Drive to Lynn Road overgrown, also the tarmac in need of attention. To be reported to Highways.

Cars/motorbikes speeding in Buckenham Drive. Highways to be asked if there are any measures that can be put in place to slow traffic down, for example a staggered right of way system.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 23 July 2008 commencing at 7.30pm.

Parish Clerk