MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF NORTHWOLD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the 2010 Northwood PC Annual meeting

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF NORTHWOLD PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL TUESDAY MAY 4TH 2010

Present: Mrs R Crisp, Mr D George, Mrs S Leet, Miss A Muir, Mr J Norris, Mr M Peake, Mr M Roberts, Mrs T Waller, Mr M Wells.

2 members of the public

1. Election of Chairman

Mrs R Crisp was nominated and seconded and with no other nominations re-elected as Chairman.

2. Mrs R Crisp duly signed the Chairman's declaration of Acceptance of Office.

3. Apologies for absence

Mrs V Lynch

County Councillor, Mr Tony White

4. No Declarations of Interest made.

5. Election of Vice-Chairman

It was agreed to leave this position vacant.

6. The minutes of the meeting held on 06/04/10 were agreed and signed as a true record of the meeting.

7. Matter arising from previous meetings

7.1 No update regarding Manor House.

7.2 It was reported that the Parish Council team performed well at the Village Hall Quiz Night.

7.3 Item 4. of the April minutes referred to installation of water meters at the Playing Field. It was stated three meters may be needed but two will suffice, at a total cost of £124.

7.4 The notice board at Little London is leaning badly and is in need of maintenance work.

7.5 It was noted windows in the phone box have been repaired.

7.6 Smiley face speed notification signs have been used along the A134 and the Safety Camera van has also been in position along the road recently.

8. Reports

8.1 Chairman's Report

* The driver who crashed through the fence at the Old Chalk Pit has not contacted the Chairman as requested regarding repair of the fence. It was suggested a second solicitor's letter should be sent to the driver.

* Complaints have been received that opening hours of the recycling centre at Crimplesham have been cut and there is concern that this will result in increased fly tipping in the area.

* A constructive meeting was held on April 27th between representatives of Northwold Sports & Social Club and members of the Parish Council. A copy of the draft agreement for lease of the Social Club had been sent to Norfolk Association of Local Councils for their legal advisor to pass comment. The Parish Council hopes both parties can work together and a copy of the draft agreement will be passed to the Sports & Social Club. The agreement will be considered at the June Parish Council meeting. A copy of the accounts for the Sports & Social Club has been passed to the Parish Council. It may be necessary to alter the agreement relating to the payment of water rates at the Playing Field as water meters are to be installed. It was agreed to proceed with locating the water pipes at the Playing Field with the intention of installing two water meters up to an estimated cost of £150. This matter will be ratified at the June Parish Council meeting.

* The closure of the gate of the new play equipment was causing concern but this has been adjusted by Mr M Roberts and is now considered safe.

* Two complaints have been received relating to grass cutting in the cemetery. A flower holder has been damaged and grave stones have been covered with grass. Concerns will be passed to the grass cutting contractor.

* It was reported that the play equipment at Whittington Playing Field could be hazardous.

8.2 The Clerk had nothing further to add.

OPEN FORUM

* Report from Mrs Howarth regarding mapping of the cemetery:

Mrs Howarth has completed a plan showing grave allocation in Northwold Cemetery, but further information has come to light so slight alterations will be made. There are some gaps remaining in the records, especially relating to reserved graves. Anyone who has a reservation will be asked to contact Mrs Howarth so the records can be updated.

The Parish Council will review burial fees once Mrs Howarth has completed her work.

* The Rights of Way sign by 30 School Lane is in need of repair and it was reported the sign the other end of the footpath is missing.

9. The following payments were agreed:

Clerk's salary (April) £176.40

Mazars (External Audit 2008) £182.12

Mazars (External Audit 2009) £182.12

CGM (Grass cutting) £290.00

MHB Services (Street light maintenance) £50.14

E.ON (Street light electric) £293.96

Internal Audit £75.00

Village Hall £10.00

9.1 Councillors were presented with the bank balance for March 31st 2010 and accounts for the year ending March 31st 2010 were accepted. The Annual Return was completed and duly signed by the Chairman.

9.2 It was agreed to continue with Mr. B Fox as Internal Auditor.

10. Correspondence

10.1 A report of the condition of trees in the Old cemetery has been received together with a quote for work suggested to ensure the trees are safe. Further quotes will be sought and this matter will be an agenda item for the June Parish Council meeting.

10.2 Northwold A134 Crossroads improvements. A scheme is now at design stage and programmed for construction during 2010/11. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the accident record at the junction by implementing a variety of measures, including signing, lining and improving the visibility for drivers.

10.3 Norfolk Link etc. including training courses for new councillors (attendance to be an agenda item for the June Parish Council meeting). It is possible Weeting Parish Council may also offer a training evening for local Councillors.

10.4 Norfolk Rural Community Council AGM.

10.5 Borough Council Standards Committee - Appointment of Members.

10.6 Letter requesting financial assistance with upkeep of the Churchyard at Whittington (to be considered at the June Parish Council meeting).

11. Planning

Notice of Decision:

Construction of conservatory and conversion of garage to garden room at 64 School Lane, Northwold IP26 5NB

Parish Consultation

11.1 Removal of condition 2 attached to planning consent reference 2/87/4400/CU to allow annexe to be sub-let for a temporary period at the Old Rectory, 63 High Street, Northwold 10/00616/F Support

11.2 Extension to dwelling following removal of existing conservatory at 4 Normandy Close, Northwold IP26 5NN 10/00653/F Support

Mr M Wells declared an interest in item 11.2

11.3 Single storey extension at 29 School Lane, Northwold IP26 5LL 10/00566/F Support

12. Standing Orders and Financial Regulations will be considered at the June Parish Council meeting.

13. Agreements for hire of Constables Charity Land, Garden Land and the Old Chalk Pit will be considered at the June Parish Council meeting.

14. Item 14 was dealt with under item 8.

15. Further reports

15.1 Fifteen people attended the Social Housing Open Day. A need for six to eight dwellings to accommodate local people has been identified but this does not mean affordable housing will be provided. The Open Day is the first step in a long process to ascertain feasibility of providing Social Housing. Land owners may be contacted regarding availability of land and the Borough Council will continue to monitor interest.

15.2 Highway and the Borough Council are reported as being in debate regarding sponsorship of Whittington roundabout.

15.3 Provision of grit boxes will be put on the agenda for the June Parish Council meeting.

15.4 It was suggested information regarding the role of the Parish Council should be made available to parishioners.

HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL

TUESDAY MAY 4TH 2010

Present: Mrs R Crisp, Mr D George, Mrs S Leet, Miss A Muir, Mr J Norris, Mr M Peake, Mr M Roberts, Mrs T Waller, Mr M Wells.

2 members of the public

1. Election of Chairman

Mrs R Crisp was nominated and seconded and with no other nominations re-elected as Chairman.

2. Mrs R Crisp duly signed the Chairman's declaration of Acceptance of Office.

3. Apologies for absence

Mrs V Lynch

County Councillor, Mr Tony White

4. No Declarations of Interest made.

5. Election of Vice-Chairman

It was agreed to leave this position vacant.

6. The minutes of the meeting held on 06/04/10 were agreed and signed as a true record of the meeting.

7. Matter arising from previous meetings

7.1 No update regarding Manor House.

7.2 It was reported that the Parish Council team performed well at the Village Hall Quiz Night.

7.3 Item 4. of the April minutes referred to installation of water meters at the Playing Field. It was stated three meters may be needed but two will suffice, at a total cost of £124.

7.4 The notice board at Little London is leaning badly and is in need of maintenance work.

7.5 It was noted windows in the phone box have been repaired.

7.6 Smiley face speed notification signs have been used along the A134 and the Safety Camera van has also been in position along the road recently.

8. Reports

8.1 Chairman's Report

* The driver who crashed through the fence at the Old Chalk Pit has not contacted the Chairman as requested regarding repair of the fence. It was suggested a second solicitor's letter should be sent to the driver.

* Complaints have been received that opening hours of the recycling centre at Crimplesham have been cut and there is concern that this will result in increased fly tipping in the area.

* A constructive meeting was held on April 27th between representatives of Northwold Sports & Social Club and members of the Parish Council. A copy of the draft agreement for lease of the Social Club had been sent to Norfolk Association of Local Councils for their legal advisor to pass comment. The Parish Council hopes both parties can work together and a copy of the draft agreement will be passed to the Sports & Social Club. The agreement will be considered at the June Parish Council meeting. A copy of the accounts for the Sports & Social Club has been passed to the Parish Council. It may be necessary to alter the agreement relating to the payment of water rates at the Playing Field as water meters are to be installed. It was agreed to proceed with locating the water pipes at the Playing Field with the intention of installing two water meters up to an estimated cost of £150. This matter will be ratified at the June Parish Council meeting.

* The closure of the gate of the new play equipment was causing concern but this has been adjusted by Mr M Roberts and is now considered safe.

* Two complaints have been received relating to grass cutting in the cemetery. A flower holder has been damaged and grave stones have been covered with grass. Concerns will be passed to the grass cutting contractor.

* It was reported that the play equipment at Whittington Playing Field could be hazardous.

8.2 The Clerk had nothing further to add.

OPEN FORUM

* Report from Mrs Howarth regarding mapping of the cemetery:

Mrs Howarth has completed a plan showing grave allocation in Northwold Cemetery, but further information has come to light so slight alterations will be made. There are some gaps remaining in the records, especially relating to reserved graves. Anyone who has a reservation will be asked to contact Mrs Howarth so the records can be updated.

The Parish Council will review burial fees once Mrs Howarth has completed her work.

* The Rights of Way sign by 30 School Lane is in need of repair and it was reported the sign the other end of the footpath is missing.

9. The following payments were agreed:

Clerk's salary (April) £176.40

Mazars (External Audit 2008) £182.12

Mazars (External Audit 2009) £182.12

CGM (Grass cutting) £290.00

MHB Services (Street light maintenance) £50.14

E.ON (Street light electric) £293.96

Internal Audit £75.00

Village Hall £10.00

9.1 Councillors were presented with the bank balance for March 31st 2010 and accounts for the year ending March 31st 2010 were accepted. The Annual Return was completed and duly signed by the Chairman.

9.2 It was agreed to continue with Mr. B Fox as Internal Auditor.

10. Correspondence

10.1 A report of the condition of trees in the Old cemetery has been received together with a quote for work suggested to ensure the trees are safe. Further quotes will be sought and this matter will be an agenda item for the June Parish Council meeting.

10.2 Northwold A134 Crossroads improvements. A scheme is now at design stage and programmed for construction during 2010/11. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the accident record at the junction by implementing a variety of measures, including signing, lining and improving the visibility for drivers.

10.3 Norfolk Link etc. including training courses for new councillors (attendance to be an agenda item for the June Parish Council meeting). It is possible Weeting Parish Council may also offer a training evening for local Councillors.

10.4 Norfolk Rural Community Council AGM.

10.5 Borough Council Standards Committee - Appointment of Members.

10.6 Letter requesting financial assistance with upkeep of the Churchyard at Whittington (to be considered at the June Parish Council meeting).

11. Planning

Notice of Decision:

Construction of conservatory and conversion of garage to garden room at 64 School Lane, Northwold IP26 5NB

Parish Consultation

11.1 Removal of condition 2 attached to planning consent reference 2/87/4400/CU to allow annexe to be sub-let for a temporary period at the Old Rectory, 63 High Street, Northwold 10/00616/F Support

11.2 Extension to dwelling following removal of existing conservatory at 4 Normandy Close, Northwold IP26 5NN 10/00653/F Support

Mr M Wells declared an interest in item 11.2

11.3 Single storey extension at 29 School Lane, Northwold IP26 5LL 10/00566/F Support

12. Standing Orders and Financial Regulations will be considered at the June Parish Council meeting.

13. Agreements for hire of Constables Charity Land, Garden Land and the Old Chalk Pit will be considered at the June Parish Council meeting.

14. Item 14 was dealt with under item 8.

15. Further reports

15.1 Fifteen people attended the Social Housing Open Day. A need for six to eight dwellings to accommodate local people has been identified but this does not mean affordable housing will be provided. The Open Day is the first step in a long process to ascertain feasibility of providing Social Housing. Land owners may be contacted regarding availability of land and the Borough Council will continue to monitor interest.

15.2 Highway and the Borough Council are reported as being in debate regarding sponsorship of Whittington roundabout.

15.3 Provision of grit boxes will be put on the agenda for the June Parish Council meeting.

15.4 It was suggested information regarding the role of the Parish Council should be made available to parishioners.

Parish Clerk