Stoke Ferry Parish Council - December

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

At 7.30pm on Wednesday 18 December 2013

1. Those Attending: Cllr J Nicholas-Letch (Chairman), Cllr Mrs J Hull, Cllr Mrs S Lintern, Cllr T Ryves, Cllr Mrs D Clements, Cllr Mrs M Leamon, Mrs C Hardy (Clerk), 7 Members of the Public.

2. To Consider Apologies for Absence: There were no apologies

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and wished them a Happy Christmas.

3. To Approve/Sign the Minutes of the Council Meeting of 13 November 2013

Cllr Mrs Hull proposed acceptance of the minutes seconded by Cllr Nicholas-Letch. Unanimously agreed.

4. Matters Arising:

There were no matters arising.

5. Declaration of Interest:

No declarations of interest given

The Chairman said he wished to change the order of the Agenda:

9) Remembrance Sunday/Christmas Carols Event:

The Chairman reported that the Remembrance Sunday Service was well attended with over 60 people there. This year members of the public were invited to take part, three youngsters read the names of the departed soldiers, a past chairman laid the wreath, various other parts were carried out by council members.

The Christmas Carols event was very well attended with at least 100 people present, again members of the public were asked to take part. Malcolm Mycock a parish councillor for 25 years and past chairman for many years, who has done sterling works for the village agreed to turn on the Tree Lights with the help of his granddaughter Chloe. There was also a Christmas story and a poem, plus of course carols. Paul Denny very kindly supplied the music by playing keyboard, he has done so for the last two years. We were also supported by Kit Hesketh-Harvey and his wife Kate who took photos.

Cllr Mrs Clements advised to date £120 had been raised from the Tree of Life. Cllr Mrs Hull thanked Cllrs Mrs Clements and Mrs Lintern for supplying the refreshments. The Clerk thanked the Chairman for all his hard work in preparing for the above two events.

8) Co-option:

A letter had been received from Mr Paul Denny who wishes to become a parish councillor. The Chairman advised he would thoroughly recommend him to the parish council, he would make a good councillor. Most members of the parish council have already met Mr Denny. Although he was unable to attend this meeting he can still be co-opted. Following some discussion the following was proposed.

Cllr Mrs Clements proposed that Mr Paul Denny be co-opted to the parish council seconded by Cllr Mrs Hull. 4 votes for, 1 against, 1 abstention. Mr Denny was duly co-opted.

6. To Receive from the Public Any Information or Reports to be considered for this meeting Agenda:

Cllr Mrs Clements proposed closing the meeting for public participation seconded by Cllr Mrs Hull. Agreed. The meeting closed for public participation.

a) Members of the public have not seen a copy of the draft budget therefore cannot make any comments on same, but would request a donation to help towards the Playing Fields insurance for next year. An equal sum should be put forward towards the car scheme and the playing fields.

The Chairman thanked the member of the public for their comments.

Cllr Mrs Clements proposed closing the meeting to the public seconded by Cllr Mrs Lintern - Agreed

7. To Approve/Sign Minutes of Admin/Finance/Personnel Committee Meeting of the 2 December:

The Chairman pointed out that an item in the Email/Correspondence Document required slight amendment. Cllr Ryves referred to the mention of encouraging members to use email but there are some members who do not have this facility, the Chairman advised the parish council did not insist on the use of email. There are three members who do not use this facility.

Cllr Mrs Clements proposed acceptance of the Minutes of the Admin/Finance/Personnel Committee Meeting, seconded by Cllr Mrs Hull. Unanimously agreed

10. To Finalise the Placement of the Refurbished Village Sign/consider letter regarding overhanging tree near the Gardens:

Cllr Mrs Leamon thought the best place for the sign would be in the garden, where it would be more visible for passers-by, rather than in the brick plinth.

Cllr Mrs Leamon proposed that the refurbished sign be placed to the front of the garden, seconded by Cllr Mrs Lintern. Unanimously agreed.

Cllr Mrs Leamon felt that the tree is on private property and should be the responsibility of the owner to arrange for this to be pruned.

Cllr Mrs Hull proposed that the parish council should not pay for any planning application seconded by Cllr Mrs Leamon. Unanimously agreed

11, To Consider the Draft Budget:

The Chairman went through the Draft Budget and highlighted a few points. Considerable discussion took place concerning the Community Car Scheme, the Chairman said that he would provide a full report on the car scheme for discussion under the budget item at the January meeting. Also discussion took place concerning the playing fields, the Chairman made it very clear, that despite constant interruptions, a critical review of the budget was necessary to establish the full support it could provide to the playing fields.

Council Elections - it had been agreed to put in a more realistic figure for this item - increased from £500 to £850

Grit Bins were addressed - a larger grit bin for Buckenham Drive and the existing one be relocated in the Drive, a new bin for Bradfield Place/Fairfield Road and for Oxborough Road

The Cemetery Works - currently the figure is £2000 but this may be cut back to a lower figure, possibly £1500

Grass Cutting will be looked into and maybe this can be split into two contracts, the current contract ends at the end of the 2014 season

Clerks Salary - this has been increased by 1% which is the national annual increase

Clerks Expenses - this has been increased due to the increase in costs for paper, printer ink etc.

Hire of Hall - this has been increased because of additional meetings being held

Lighting Maintenance and Electricity for Lights should be reduced considerably once the replacements lights are complete.

The Chairman thought this was a good budget to go forward for further discussion for approval at the January meeting of the parish council. Information had been received from the Playing Fields Committee to help decide on finalising figures.

Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed this Draft Budget go forward as a basis of further review and be presented for approval at the January Meeting, seconded by Cllr Mrs Clements. 4 votes for, 1 against, 1 abstention - Carried

Cllr Ryves proposed an amendment that a donation for the playing fields should be treated the same as for the car scheme. There were no seconders.

12. To Consider Planning Applications:

Refusal of Planning Permission - Conversion to create 6 new dwellings including the erection of two garages at Former Dukes Head and Premises Wretton Road

Removal of Condition No 1 of planning consent 2/82/2857/F/BR - Erection of Agricultural bungalow - to remove the agricultural occupancy restriction at Woodlands Greatmans Way. As discussed at the earlier Planning Meeting further information required before a decision can be made.

13. To Approve Payments to be Made;

E-on - DD - £45.99 - Lighting - November

James Bradfield School - £46.32 - Hire of Hall - October/November

Westcotec Ltd - £70.55 - Lighting Maintenance - November

NALC - £40.00 - Chairmanship Training

Mrs C Hardy - £372.31 - Salary/Expenses for November

Shaw & Sons - £63.73 - Receipts and Payments Book

HVW Ltd - £24.18 - 4 HiViz Waistcoats

Anglian Water DD - £15.23 - Cemetery Water Rates

Westcotec Ltd - £70.55 - Lighting Maintenance - December

Statement of Accounts as at 30 November 2013 - Balance in Bank - Community Account £567.22, Business Saver Account £13,274.02 - a total of £13,841.24.

Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed approval for payment seconded by Cllr Mrs Hull. Agreed Unanimously

14. Correspondence:

Mr Philpot thanked the PC for organising the replacement lights in the village

Email - Mrs Jones complaining about parking outside the village hall - complaints form to be sent

3Agriculture advising of Christmas and New Year working

BCKLWN - New House Name - Arden Lodge 22 Little Lane

Email BCKLWN Planning System Training in February

NALC - Initial Training for Clerks and Councillors

Watlington Parish Council - Basic Playground Management & Inspection Roadshow

Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau requesting a donation

Norfolk Age UK requesting a donation

15. To Receive Further Information or Suggested Items to be considered for the next meeting Agenda:

Cllr Mrs Clements proposed closing the meeting seconded by Cllr Mrs Hull. Agreed - The meeting closed for public session.

How many people in the village use the car scheme

Request for a report on the car scheme - an end of year report will be prepared

Some complaints have been made about the new replacement lights, have any other councillors received complaints. An audit will be carried out once the works are completed. If anyone has a complaint they should complete and sign a complaints form.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm

The Chairman wished everyone a Happy Christmas and thanked them for attending the meeting.

16. Date and Time of Next Meeting - Wednesday 15 January 2014 at 7.30pm

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND