Stoke Ferry Parish Council -February

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

At 7.30pm on Wednesday 12 February 2014

1. Those Attending: Cllr J Nicholas-Letch (Chairman), Cllr Mrs D Clements (Vice-Chair), Cllr Mrs S Lintern, Cllr T Ryves, Cllr P Denny, Cllr Mrs J Stocking, County Councillor Martin Storey, Mrs C Hardy (Clerk), 6 Members of the Public.

2. To Consider Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received from Borough Councillor C Sampson, and PCSO Sara Clipperton. Cllr Mrs Leamon will join the meeting later.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

3. To Approve/Sign the Minutes of the Council Meeting of 15 January 2014

The Chairman pointed out a typing error under Item 11 To Consider Planning Applications - Cllr Mrs Clements name was incorrectly spelt.

Cllr Mrs Clements proposed acceptance of the minutes with the above correction seconded by Cllr Denny Unanimously approved.

4. Matters Arising:

Item 10 - Budget:

The Playing Fields - The Clerk advised that a meeting would be arranged with CGM at some point to discuss further the improvements to the condition of the playing field grass.

The Cemetery: - The Clerk advised that a quotation had been received from Glazewing for the provision of a 340ltr rubbish bin. The cost would be £7 per collection and could be either weekly or fortnightly. The Clerk to check that the bin would be two wheeled for ease of movement. Cllr Mrs Stocking proposed that we keep the existing bin plus the additional bin from Glazewing, they collecting every other week., seconded by Cllr Mrs Clements - unanimously agreed.

Item 13 - Correspondence: - A response had been received from Mrs White relating to damage to cars and the new lights in Buckenham Drive. She advised the cars were damaged prior to the lights being changed. There are still a number of lights to be changed, the Clerk to chase this up.

Village Sign: - The Clerk thanked all at Bonnets for the excellent job of refurbishing the village sign and placing it in the garden in High Street. A letter of appreciation had also been sent.

7. Co-option:

A letter had been received from Mr Lee McCarthy wishing to become a Parish Councillor. The Chairman asked if anyone had any questions or required a statement from Mr McCarthy. Mr McCarthy advised he would like to become a parish councillor again, he was a member about two years ago, he would like to move things forward in the village, hopefully more involvement from villagers.

Cllr Mrs Clements asked that following comments made in his resignation email stating he could not work with the current personnel, did he feel he could work with the Clerk in future. His response was affirmative. The Chairman asked for examples of what should be done in the village, he referred to the Parish Plan of 2007 stating things like Road Calming, Increased Bus Service, Surgery. The School, general appearance of the village. The Chairman stated that most of these items could be on a wish list, very difficult to get road calming, clearing the village etc.

Cllr Mrs Stocking proposed that Mr McCarthy be co-opted to the Parish Council, seconded by Cllr Denny. 4 Votes for, 2 Abstentions - Agreed. Mr McCarthy was duly co-opted.

5. Declaration of Interest:

No declarations of interest given

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 Denny. Agreed. The meeting closed for public participation.

No comments made - the Meeting went back into Standing Orders.

7.50 Cllr Mrs Leamon joined the meeting

8) Village Hall - Way Forward:

The Chairman advised that there had been several meetings with the Planning Department and the developers and suggestions for a way forward had been submitted. A Public Meeting will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 18 February 2014 commencing at 7.00pm. Two senior members of the planning department will be in attendance. A newsletter will be going out to all residents advising them of the meeting. The parish council will report back to the planning department following the meeting advising whether or not the community are in favour of the proposals. The Chairman asked if everyone was in favour of the public meeting.

Cllr Mrs Clements proposed that the Public Meeting on the 18 February 2014 should take place, seconded by Cllr Denny - 5 Votes for 2 Abstentions - Agreed

9) The War Memorial:

Cllr Mrs Clements advised the meeting that three quotations had been received for the refurbishment of the War Memorial - H Brett & Son, £1650, Holbeach Memorial Company £855.00 and Independent Memorial Inspection £1500.00. The Clerk was asked to request further information from two of the companies as to the exact works that would take place. Cllr Mrs Clements asked if she could now apply for a grant for these works.

Cllr Mrs Stocking proposed that the request for grant forms be completed be approved seconded by Cllr McCarthy. Unanimously agreed.

10. Membership on Committees:

The Clerk advised that following a couple of resignations replacement members are required on two committees ie The Cemetery and the Administration/Finance/Personnel.

Cllr Mrs Leamon advised she would like to be on The Cemetery Committee - this was agreed by all present.

Cllr Mrs Lintern advised she would like to be on the Administration/Finance/Personnel Committee - this was agreed by all present.

11. To Appoint a New Cheque Signatory:

Cllr Nicholas-Letch proposed that Cllr Denny be the new cheque signatory seconded by Cllr Mrs Clements - Unanimously agreed.

12. To Consider Planning Applications:

Grant of Planning Permission - 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.

Construction of a domestic double garage at Sunset Cottage 11 Wretton Road - supported by the Parish Council

13. To Approve Payments to be Made;

E-on - DD - £47.52 - Lighting - January

Mrs C Hardy - £369.56 - Salary/Expenses for January

NPTP - £165.00 - Training Sessions

Statement of Accounts as at 31 January 2014 - Balance in Bank - Community Account £119.48, Business Saver Account £12,275.78 - a total of £12,395.26.

Cllr Mrs Lintern proposed approval for payment seconded by Cllr Mrs Clements - Agreed

14. Correspondence:

Mr J Bissett - Large Tree overhanging the garden in High Street - it was agreed that the Chairman would meet with Mr Bissett to discuss this situation

Norfolk - Spring Conference - 14 March at Scratby

Norfolk Community Transport Association - Community Transport and Parish Councils Forum Meeting

BCKLWN - advising of financial assistance to commemorate World War 1

Magpas - requesting donations

NorfolkALC - Appraisal Training at various locations

NorfolkALC - Road Safety Meeting 19 March 2014

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

The Chairman suspended Standing Orders to enable information/comments from the public and councillors.

The last minutes printed in The Pump were for December. The Clerk advised that there is a cut off date for all matters for the Pump also depending on date of parish council meetings it is not always possible to achieve the cut off date.

Why is it not possible to have Draft Minutes published - the Chairman is in favour of a newsletter rather than publishing minutes in the Pump. In the opinion of the Chairman not many people in the village see a copy of The Pump. This will be an Agenda item for the next meeting.

Could Highway Rangers visit Furlong Road at some point to clear the excessive mud on the road. Also the stone wall along this road is becoming quite dangerous.

The Dukes Head and surrounding area is becoming an eyesore with dumped fridges and rubbish. The Chairman advised perhaps a Litter Pick can be organised at some point in the future. This will be an Agenda Item for the next meeting.

What exactly is the Public Meeting about re the village hall - the Chairman advised to discuss the suggested way forward being offered to the village hall committee by the developers and the surrounding area.

Feel Draft Minutes should be printed in The Pump

CC Martin Storey advised that NCC would be setting their budget on 18 February. The deferred decision on the Incinerator by Eric Pickles is making this difficult. Alan Gomm is the Manager of the LDF Team. There is a £5000 ceiling on the funding available from the Borough Council.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.53pm

15. Date and Time of Next Meeting - Wednesday 12 March 2014 at 7.30pm

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND