Minutes of Stoke Ferry Annual Parish Council Meeting

Minutes of the 2010 Stoke Ferry Annual Parish Council meeting

DRAFT

Minutes of Stoke Ferry Annual Parish Council Meeting held in The Community Centre

At 7.30pm on Wednesday 12 May 2010

Those Attending: Cllr Mrs T Mann (Chairman), Cllr Mrs S Lansdell-Williams (Vice-chair), Cllr Mrs R Mendoza, Cllr M Precey, Cllr Mrs M Leamon, Cllr Mrs J Markwell, Cllr D Summers, Councillor J Nicholas-Letch, Mrs C Hardy (Clerk) and 11 members of the public.

Apologies: Apologies were received from CC T White and BC C Sampson

Election of Chairman:

Cllr Mrs Mann stood down and Cllr Mrs Lansdell-Williams took the chair - she asked for nominations for the position of Chairman. Cllr Mrs Leamon proposed Cllr Mrs Mann, seconded by Cllr D Summers. Cllr Mrs Mann was asked if she was prepared to stand again, she agreed. There were no further nominations. It was unanimously agreed that Cllr Mrs Mann be Chairman for the coming year.

Cllr Mrs Mann took the Chair

Election of Vice-Chairman

Nominations were asked for the position of Vice-Chairman. Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed Cllr Mrs Lansdell-Williams seconded by Cllr Mrs Leamon. The Chairman asked if she was willing to continue as Vice-Chairman, she agreed. There were no further nominations. It was unanimously agreed that Cllr Mrs Lansdell-Williams be Vice-Chairman for the coming year.

Election of Personnel to Working Parties:

Planning - The same personnel prepared to continue - Cllrs Mann, Lansdell-Williams, Precey, Nicholas-Letch and Markwell.

The Cemetery - The same personnel prepared to continue - Cllrs Mann, Lansdell-Williams, Summers and Leamon (Cllr Leamon would be Chair)

Land/The Common - Cllrs Mann, Mendoza, Precey, Lansdell-Williams will stand - Cllr Lansdell-Williams Chair)

Allotments - The same personnel will continue - Cllrs Mann, Precey, Nicholas-Letch (Cllr Precey Chair)

Personnel - The same personnel will continue - Cllrs Mann, Lansdell-Williams and Precey (Cllr Lansdell-Williams Chair)

War Memorial - The following personnel were appointed to this working party - Cllrs Mann, Markwell, Mendoza and Precey (Cllr Markwell Chair)

Standing Orders - The following personnel were appointed to this working party - Cllrs Nicholas-Letch, Markwell and Mann (Cllr Nicholas-Letch Chair)

It was also agreed to appoint a councillor to liaise on the following:

Playing Fields - Cllr Lansdell-Williams

School Governors - Cllr Mendoza - Cllr Leamon also agreed to be involved

Youth Club Project - Cllr Leamon

LAG and CAG Meetings - Cllr Mendoza informed the meeting that the LAG meetings will be disbanded and become part of the newly formed CAG Meetings. Therefore a representative will not be required as CAG meetings are open to the public

Village Liaison Meetings the representatives will remain as Cllrs Mann and Summers

Minutes of the last Meeting: Councillor Mrs Mendoza proposed acceptance, seconded by Cllr Mrs Leamon

Matters Arising:

a) Great Mans Way - An application has apparently been received for livestock to be kept on this footpath, and a request for the gate to remain in situ. The parish council are attempting to organise a meeting with the owner/occupier of this land and will report back to the next meeting.

b) Fence/Footpath near The Moorings/The Old Bull - A planning application is awaited from the owner to have fishing lakes in this area, which may take some time to be forthcoming.

c) Buckenham Drive - from the responses received from Freebridge and the Borough Council we seem to be back where we started, with no sign of parking spaces for the bungalows and no widening of the hammerhead. It was agreed to make contact with BC Sampson for his help

d) Footpath School Lane towards Wretton - this will be monitored over coming weeks

e) Dog Fouling Wretton Road - Still waiting to hear from the Borough Council that they have received the appropriate licence from NCC - will continue to chase this up, perhaps CC White could assist in this matter.

f) Limehouse Drove Bridleway at end of School Lane - following a report there is still a large hole along the Drove and vehicles could not pass, the Clerk informed the meeting that the Footpaths Officer has informed her that it is illegal for members of the public to drive along the Drove. It was agreed to ask CC White for advice/help in this matter.

g) Footpaths - The Footpaths Officer has informed the Clerk that the addition of these footpaths is desirable in the long term as it adds a sense of completeness to maps published in the future, but as these routes are in everyday use it is not top priority. The Clerk to enquire how long it will take to add these to the maps.

h) Concrete Posts end of Common near River Bank - the Environment Agency has added a post and wire but the wire had be broken down by the following day. It was thought an extra post was required as cars can still get to the river bank. The Clerk will contact the Environment Agency.

i) Chapman's Field Footpath - a member of the public had informed the Clerk this footpath was being reinstated.

j) Potholes - Furlong Road/Drove, Wretton Road, Buckenham Drive - to be monitored

k) Training for Councillors and Clerks - this will be considered in June or July.

l) Personnel Committee - The Clerk had perused the Job Description and queried one point relating to Risk Assessment. Cllr Mrs Markwell informed the meeting that Risk Assessments should be carried out in relation to The Cemetery, Bus Shelter, Village Sign and the Clerks working environment. It was therefore agreed that this item in the Job Description should be removed.

m) The Cemetery - The Chairman reported that the Probation Service had been working over the last few weeks and have done a sterling job . It has been agreed that no further materials will be ordered once the current stocks have run. The situation will be reassessed towards the end of the current financial year or early next year. The Chairman thanked Cllr Leamon for her hard work in keeping the personnel supplied with refreshments and the Clerk for the extra work this had created.

n) Standing Orders - The Chairman informed the meeting that the PC will produce their own Standing Orders and would probably begin discussions in June.

o) Parish Council Insurance - not happy with the Declaration Clause included in the renewal documents. The Clerk to investigate another quotation.

p) Wretton PC - the Clerk had written to Wretton asking if they would be prepared to share costs relating to The Common, and has been advised it will be discussed at their next meeting.

q) Blue Bell Hedge - still to be cut back when lilac has finished flowering

r) Buckenham Drive Footpath - the Clerk has just been informed the person who normally deals with these problems has now retired and has now written to the "new member of staff"

s) Ragwort - unfortunately the Clerk has not had time to do anything about this as yet, the Environment Agency suggest contacting Natural England.

t) Furlong Road Untidy Building Site - it was agreed not to take any further action on this matter

u) Furlong Drove Bollards - Highways have erected a row of bollards to prevent lorries parking on the verges. The Clerk has thanked them for the prompt attention to this matter.

Adoption of Financial Regulations:

The Clerk asked if everyone had read the Financial Regulations Documents and if they were in agreement.

Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed acceptance seconded by Cllr Precey. Unanimously agreed

Adoption of Risk Assessment and Management:

The Clerk asked if everyone is in agreement with the Risk Assessment Document.

Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed acceptance seconded by Cllr Mrs Mann. Unanimously agreed

Adoption of Annual Accounts:

The Clerk asked if everyone was in agreement with the end of year accounts she had prepared.

Cllr Mrs Mendoza proposed acceptance seconded by Cllr Precey. Unanimously agreed

The Clerk passed round to everyone the Annual Governance Statement Section 2 asking for approval

Cllr Mrs Markwell proposed acceptance seconded by Cllr Mrs Leamon. Unanimously agreed

Street Lighting Policy - Introduction of Part Night Lighting - NCC

The Chairman informed the meeting that a meeting had been held with Martyn Wegg from the Street Lighting Department at NCC on 21 April at which meeting he informed us that The Moorings were also included in this scheme. The Chairman advised that further consultations would be held at the beginning of 2011, all residents who will be affected should received a letter advising them, they will also be able to respond/put their concerns forward. The two lights on the footpaths at the top of Border Road and between Oak Road and Manor Road will remain lit. The PC will fight this.

Allotments

A meeting was held on 6 May with owners of a parcel of land in the village. The owners advised that the land had been put forward into the LDF scheme for future development but should their land not be required they will make contact with the parish council. The Chairman informed the meeting that this process is not likely to be sorted out until September at the earliest. Cllr Nicholas-Letch asked why we did not contact the Borough Council regarding the 4 1/2 hectares of land in Fairfield Road. Again if anyone knows of any suitable land please contact the PC. The Chairman thanked Cllr Precey for his hard work in this matter.

Your Council Your Decision (Youth Club Project):

A meeting had been held with some of the committee members of the youth club project, but since this meeting further information has been received from NALC. The PC have been informed that VAT cannot be claimed back on this money. The PC must monitor/check that the money is spent on the items requested in the application and that receipts/copy invoices are received. The Clerk to further enquire of NALC regarding items such as Public Liability Insurance, First Aid Training, CRB checks etc which were not included in the list of requirements, whether this is applicable. The Committee must open a Bank Account before any monies can be transferred.

It was proposed that an amount of £500 can be transferred to an appropriate Bank Account, receipts to be obtained for this sum before further monies can be transferred.

Litter Pick/The Common:

The Chairman wondered because of the problems of getting the rubbish cleared from The Common what did the parish councillors feel about organising a Litter Pick. She had been in touch with Clean-Up who would provide all the necessary equipment required to carry this out. The date suggested was Saturday 22 May. This was agreed - the event will be advertised round the village - to commence at 1.30pm. It was hoped as many people as possible will come along.

Planning:

Withdrawal of Application

Residential Development comprising 20 dwellings, retirement complex comprising 8 retirement cottages and a residential care home at Lark Road.

Approved by the Borough

Two storey side extension and single storey front extension at 2 River Drove School Lane

Erection of steel framed agricultural barn for storage of agricultural vehicles, implements and equipment at Flint Farm Oxborough Road

Refusal of Planning Permission

Alterations to existing cottage and construction of two dwellings following demolition of shed and existing extension at Church Cottages High Street

Received after Publication of Agenda

Erection of 12 affordable dwellings with associated parking and landscaping at land East of Manor Road

Accounts for Approval

Travis Perkins - £80.02 - Materials for Cemetery

Travis Perkins - £101.00 - Materials for Cemetery

Thomas B Bonnet - £4.69 - Materials for Cemetery

CGM - £146.33 - Grounds Maintenance for April

Mrs C Hardy - £265.15 - Salary for April

Mrs C Hardy - £69.93 - Expenses for April

E-on - DD - £39.40 - Lighting - April

As the PC Insurance is due to be renewed by 1 June the Chairman asked if approval could be given for a cheque to be signed for an amount of up to £750.00 to cover this.

Statement of Account as at 15 April 2010 - Total Receipts - £19613.41, Less Payments to Date £2403.54. Balance in Bank as at 15 April - Community Account £3042.59, Business Saver Account £14167.28.

Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed approval for payment seconded by Cllr Mrs Leamon

Correspondence:

Mr J Fiedler - Tendering his resignation as a parish councillor for family reasons, wishing the council every success in their future projects. The Chairman said we would be sad to see Joe go.

H Brett & Son - request for memorial in Garden of Remembrance - James Alfred Clements - approved

BCKLWN - Change of property address from Greywell to Ferry End House, Great Mans Way

BCKLWN - Verification of property address - La Chaumiere Great Mans Way

NALC - Meeting re allotments at Sprowston Parish Council on 28 June

BCKLWN - Borough Council Standards Committee - Appointment of Members

Norfolk Constabulary - Dates for Mobile Police Office July - December

Councillors Other Business:

Cllr Mrs Mann asked if CGM could clear the grass after cutting in The Cemetery as it looks untidy. The Clerk will contact them.

Public Other Business

GMW - planning permission was given for the property but retrospective planning permission is to be applied for for the barn.

The Moorings - the lights are within the boundary of Stoke Ferry

Drain near 38 Wretton Road has been marked - still blocked - the Clerk to contact Highways

Has Joe Fiedler passed back the footpath papers that Mr Philpott passed to him. Will chase

Tracks/Droves - land rovers/farm vehicles are allowed on these tracks

School pick up near post office - children playing football right on the corner - could be dangerous. The Clerk to contact the school

Children seen on top of the factory wall (Vion) between 6.30 and 7.00pm. Will report to Vion/Police

GMW - the track to the river is a public right of way. Will a passport for the animals be sought, public liability insurance, will the animals be vaccinated, users of footpath/track should not be threatened

Food/rubbish being thrown on ground causing rats in the area of Fairfield Road grassed area. A notice to go in The Village Pump

Horse riders appear to be riding across the playing fields, this is not allowed

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 9 June commencing at 7.30pm.

Parish Clerk