pc minutes sept 2010
DESCRIPTION
Parish Council minutes from September 2010 meetingTRANSCRIPT
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Minutes of the Meeting of Tasburgh Parish Council held on Monday 20th
September 2010 at 8pm in Tasburgh Village Hall, Small Hall.
Present: Brian Hill
Geoff Merchant
Dave Moore
John Mann
Deborah Sacks
Tony Lacey
Keith Read
Lenny Thompson
Julie King, Clerk
Also present: 10 members of the public.
1. Apologies
It was resolved to accept apologies from Don Proudfoot – transport mission.
2. Declaration of interest for items on the agenda
None.
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 17th
August 2010
These were agreed as a true record of proceedings with no amendments,
proposed by John Mann, seconded by Geoff Merchant, all in favour.
4. Minutes of the planning meeting held on 7th
September 2010
These were agreed as a true record of proceedings with no amendments,
proposed by Keith Read, seconded by Brian Hill, all in favour.
5. Urgent Items to the raised through the Chair
None.
6. Update on Matters Arising from Minutes
Bus Stops – Church Road
The Clerk had submitted the recommended locations to Norfolk County Council and
had initially received a response indicating that they did not intend to take the Parish
Council’s views into consideration. However, having explained the reasons for the
recommended sites they had agreed to contact the Parishioners concerned. Mr Schug
of 12 Church Road was “unhappy at the prospect of a bus stop outside his property”,
and on the basis that there had been no objection to siting one between 8 and 10
Church Road, Norfolk County Council intended to go ahead with this position,
along with the Parish Council’s suggestion of outside the substation.
The Parish Council had received a letter from Mr and Mrs Schug, which was read
out.
Playbuilder Funding
The Clerk had written to Richard Bacon MP regarding the Council’s disappointment
at the likely ‘pulling’ of the Playbuilder Funding. A response had been received
stating that Mr Bacon had written to Secretary of State for Education, the Minister
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for Children and to the Director of Children’s Services at Norfolk County Council.
It seemed that little more would be known until the Comprehensive Spending
Review in October.
Freedom of Information Request
Payment had not been received from Mr Youngman following the forwarding of the
required information; the Clerk had sent an initial chase by e-mail.
Highways
The Clerk was continuing to chase Highways with regard to the cutting of the hedge
at the top of Grove Lane; Dave Moore had cut the overhanging brambles.
The Clerk had reported, to Highways, the damaged fingerposts at the junction of
Church Road, Grove Lane and Church Hill and the top and bottom of Flordon Road.
Highway and Community Rangers
The rollout of this programme was due to commence in September 2010 and the
Clerk was awaiting details of the dates that the Rangers would be visiting Tasburgh.
The scheme was aimed at tackling small ‘street-scene jobs’ that were of priority to
the Parish. The Clerk said that she would begin to compile a list of jobs that needed
doing and invited anyone to feed into the list.
7. Correspondence
Crime Stats
In August there had been three crimes, recorded as ‘theft from a motor vehicle’,
‘theft other’ and ‘other’.
Norfolk County Council – E-planning
Norfolk County Council was moving to an electronic planning service and was
offering to send planning applications to the Council via e-mail instead of the paper
copy. As the Council had previously indicated that they would not find this so
convenient, the Clerk had not taken Norfolk County Council up on their offer.
Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way
A new copy of the definitive map had been received, as there was a change in a
neighbouring parish; the map was passed to the Traffic Solutions Advisory
Committee as it may be helpful in their work with footpaths.
Publications
The following publications had been received and would be circulated:
- Clerks and Councils Direct
- Inspire East - REPortage
Meetings
- Norfolk Police, Ceremonial Parade – Sunday 26th September, 11am, Bethel
Street Police Station to the steps of City Hall.
- SNC, Sustainable Communities Day – Saturday 2nd October, 10am,
Costessey Centre (Dave Moore would be attending).
- Norfolk Waste Partnership, Conference and AGM – Thursday 21st October,
9.30-4.20, John Innes Centre.
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- Norfolk ALC, Think Green…There is no Planet B – Wednesday 10th
November, 2.30-4.30 or 6.30-8.30, Easton College.
8. Reports on Meetings Attended
Geoff Merchant and Brian Hill had attended a meeting hosted by Norfolk Rural
Community Council on engagement with the Youth and the Old. They had been
impressed by a scheme that had just begun in Potter Heigham which aimed to
encourage others to help the elderly and vulnerable with practical tasks.
It was agreed to agenda, for the following meeting, an item to look at
encouraging the community to help each other including increasing the
awareness of Tasburgh United Charities.
Clerk
9.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
Finance
It was resolved to pay the following:
Julie King Salary/Expenses(£386.41/£25.39) £411.80
Norfolk Pension Fund Pension Contribution £105.25
Post Office Ltd Tax and NI £84.00
Sky Link Events Cutting of Burrfeld Park £60.00
Norse Commercial Services Ltd Verge Cutting £144.39
Mazars External Audit £334.88
South Norfolk Council Printing of the Quarterly £357.72
Tasburgh PCC Church Rooms £22.00
Norfolk ALC Chairmanship and Engagement Course £45.00
SLCC Regional Conference £37.12
Norfolk ALC Election Training £12.50
10.
Public Participation and Exchange of Information
The meeting was suspended to allow the public and those Councillors with a
prejudicial interest to speak.
A question was raised asking why money was being spent on the grass cutting of
Burrfeld Park when a strimmer had been purchased the previous year for use at the
site. The response included explanation that the contract was for mowing of
Burrfeld Park, something that a strimmer was not the most suitable equipment for,
that volunteers were more suitable for other jobs at the park and that the intention
when the strimmer was purchased was not for the long term mowing of the site.
Questions were raised and answered regarding the insurance and safety of those
using the equipment. The Chairman thanked Parishioners for their comments and
said that the contract for mowing would come up for renewal at the end of the
current mowing season.
A question was asked regarding the terms of the lease for Burrfeld Park, as the
answer was not available at the meeting the Clerk would forward the details to the
Parishioner.
Mr Schug of 12 Church Road voiced his concern at the potential siting of a Bus Stop
outside his property and displeasure of not being consulted by the Parish Council.
He also felt that there was no need for a stop on Church Road and that the money
Clerk
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would be better spent on a bus shelter in Lower Tasburgh. The Chairman explained
that the need for the bus stop was determined by Norfolk County Council and that
the Parish Council had only become aware following an approach from a
Parishioner of Church Road. The bus stops had been discussed on numerous
occasions at Parish Council meetings and the agendas and minutes of such meetings
were publicly available.
A Parishioner said that the previous weekend Watton had hosted a village games
event. Several South Norfolk villages had been involved although it was her
understanding that South Norfolk would be more involved next year. She said that
she raised the subject at this time as decisions regarding the next year’s precept were
imminent.
A Parishioner voiced their concern at a later agenda item concerning the possible
renaming and renumbering of the section of Woodland Rise beyond the junction
with Chestnut Road. He said that this would create large amount of work not least
for the residents themselves, he suggested that better signage may be a preferable
option.
The meeting was reconvened.
11.
a)
b)
Planning
Planning Decisions
None.
Next Planning Meeting
It was agreed that the next planning meeting would be on Tuesday 5th October
Councillors available: John Mann, Geoff Merchant, Dave Moore and Keith Read.
Dave Moore would be the Councillor responsible for receiving the plans prior to the
meeting.
GM/DM
JM/KR
12.
a)
Advisory Committees
Traffic Solutions
Geoff Merchant said that the Traffic Solutions Advisory Committee had met and
gave an update as follows:
Grove Lane Bends
He said that there had been no progress, Alison Thomas, County Councillor had
offered to approach Highways regarding the awaited survey and that a response
from that approach was awaited.
Footpaths/Allotments
Following an approach to Peter Read with regard to a footpath on his land on Low
Road, Peter had offered for sale, at current agricultural rate, one or two strips of
land, each of approximately half an acre for allotments and footpath. The conditions
were that the Council undertakes a survey of the land to ascertain the price and that
he retain right of way to the land he was to retain. It was agreed that this would be
investigated by the Traffic Solutions Advisory Committee who would
recommend to the next full Council Meeting the way forward, proposed by
Geoff Merchant, seconded by Brian Hill, all in favour.
A question was asked regarding the approach to the owner of land opposite the
Traffic
Solutions
Advisory
Committee
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b)
c)
Village Hall, the Clerk had ascertained the owner’s name but not the address, Keith
Read agreed to supply the address.
Footpath Church Hill
Peter Wade-Martin of Norfolk Archeological Trust had indicated that he had no
objection to a pedestrian entrance at Church Hill to allow access to the Heritage
Site; however there were problems to overcome with changes in levels and disabled
access, this item had been postponed as there were other priorities.
Promotion of Cycle Path to Long Stratton
A request for a cycle path to be included in any future plans for a Long Stratton by-
pass had been submitted and acknowledged, this item was therefore complete.
Bus Shelters
This item was ongoing.
Trees/Shrubs for Church Road
Highways had confirmed their ownership of a strip of land along the roadside of the
land between 60 Church Road and Old Hall Farm. Steve Beckett, as Tree Warden,
had offered to seek approval from Highways for tree planting.
Inconsiderate Parking
A letter, prepared by Norfolk Police, had been delivered to households in Church
Road, Woodland Rise and Chestnut Road.
Community Speedwatch
Geoff Merchant agreed to liaise with the Clerk to progress this.
Procedural
The Procedural Advisory Committee had not met; this item was therefore adjourned
until the next meeting.
Development / Parish Plan
South Norfolk Council’s Site Specific Policies and Allocations Document had been
received and the Development Advisory Committee (all Councillors had been
invited) had met to recommend the way the Parish Council should respond. It was
agreed that the following timetable be adopted:
Prior to the Parish Council meeting in October – Development Advisory
Committee (all Councillors to attend if possible) to consider the draft
response, as circulated.
October’s Parish Council meeting – to ratify the draft response.
To consult with an officer from the Planning Policy team at South
Norfolk Council.
To hold a public meeting in order to inform Parishioners and to consult
on the draft response.
November’s Parish Council meeting – to ratify the final response.
Submit response prior to deadline of 19th
November
proposed by Geoff Merchant, seconded by Deborah Sacks, all in favour.
Clerk/KR
GM/Clerk
Procedural
Advisory
Committee
13.
a)
Ongoing Projects
Burrfeld Park
A meeting had been held on 2nd September and notes of the meeting had been
circulated. The bench had been moved and recommendations had been made. In
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b)
particular it was felt that the Advisory Group should be re-established should meet
and report back to the next Parish Council meeting.
Deborah Sacks spoke about asking a group called the Green Light Trust for
management advice. Keith Read apologised for not attending the meeting as he had
received his minutes too late.
Recreation for All
Deborah Sacks said that the most urgent need was for refurbishment of the
toddler/preschool area as it was expected that many of the current items would be
condemned when the latest inspection was received, costings were being obtained
and the funding would be sought.
DS
14.
a)
b)
Ongoing Items
‘Tree Week’ Tree Planting
This had been discussed at the Traffic Solutions Advisory Committee and reported
earlier in the meeting, however it was noted that it was getting rather late for an
application for the current year.
Renaming and numbering of a Section of Woodland Rise
It had been suggested that consideration be given to the renaming and numbering of
the section of Woodland Rise beyond the junction with Chestnut Road. The main
concern was that visitors found it difficult to identify this section of Woodland Rise.
It was agreed that renaming or renumbering would cause too many difficulties
and that what was needed was better signage, proposed by Keith Read,
seconded by Tony Lacey, all in favour. Geoff Merchant, Dave Moore and the
Clerk were due to meet with Robert West from Highways to discuss grit bins on
Valley Road, it was agreed that they would raise it at that time.
GM/DM/
Clerk
15.
a)
b)
New Items
Planning Permission for Additional Storage Containers for the Village Hall
Deborah Sacks, Tony Lacey, Dave Moore, John Mann and Lenny Thompson
declared an interest as they are Trustees of the Village Hall Management
Committee. John Mann explained that the Village Hall Management Committee
were looking at installing additional container/s for storage purposes and would be
required to obtain planning permission. If the Parish Council were to apply on their
behalf, the cost would be half that normally charged. It was agreed that there was
insufficient information upon which to make a decision, however historically
the Parish Council has supported such requests.
Providing of IT facilities at the Village Hall
Tony Lacey explained that, on behalf of the Village Hall Management Committee,
he was looking at securing funding in order to provide IT facilities for those
Parishioners who don’t currently have the benefit of such at home. As a user of the
Village Hall, the Parish Council were being asked for their opinion on the need for
such a facility. It was agreed that Councillors could see a need for both
recreational and educational uses, the Clerk was therefore asked to write
expressing the Council’s support, proposed by Geoff Merchant, seconded by
Keith Read, all in favour.
Clerk
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16.
a)
Budget and Precept 2011/2012
Fees and Services of the Council
It was agreed to increase the fees charged for advertising in the Quarterly and
the hire of the Father Christmas outfit by 2%, proposed by Tony Lacey,
seconded by Deborah Sacks, carried.
Bus Stops, Church Road
Following the update provided under correspondence and the views expressed
during public participation, it was agreed to speak with the owners of number 8 and
10 Church Road to confirm that they were happy with the proposal to for the stop
between their properties and to feed any views back to Norfolk County Council,
Dave Moore and John Mann to speak with owners.
DM/JM
17. Items for Next Month’s Agenda
- Community Emergency Plan
- Quarterly Articles
18. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting would be Monday 18th October 2010.
The meeting closed at 9.38pm.