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ALBURGH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday, 9th February, 2012 at 7.30pm in Alburgh Village Hall.
Parish Councillors present:
Mr. Denny (Chairman)
Mrs. Walton (Vice Chairman)
Mrs. Gladden-Fenn
Mrs. K. Love
Mr. E. Renaut
Mrs. Goose
Mr. R. Morris
Also attending:
Mr. Gedge
Mrs. P.Wright
Apologies:
Dr. M. Gray, District councillor
Minutes of the last council meeting
The minutes of the January 2012 meeting were amended and signed by Mr. D Denny, the Chairman as a correct record.
No declaration of interest from members was declared.
Public Participation
HSBC Bank branch in Harleston is due to close in April this year and discussions took place as to whether we wish to sign a petition or write a letter of support to try to keep the branch open. It was agreed to write a letter of support to the bank.
Matters arising None
Correspondence
Willows Power & Recycling Centre Newsletter and update on proposals
Norfolk Link
South Norfolk Local Development Framework Policies
Above all in circulation
Millennium Garden Pond
E-mail received from a parishioner who read our November 2011 minutes on the web site and commented on our statement about the reeds needing pulling up. We want to clarify that it is impossible to remove all the reeds and we have never removed all the reeds but some tidying up of dead reeds is carried out from time to time to keep it tidy. The Pond is fed from a natural spring and there are newts in the pond.
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Playing Field Report
Mr. Denny did inspection. There were no problems. Mr. Upson has repaired the seat.
Playing Field Design
The design has been agreed and we have agreed for Mike Bentley to do the work but no contract has been signed yet. The price quoted is £33,145.00 plus VAT. Mr. Bentley is applying for grants on our behalf. Nothing has been agreed as yet. Grants have been applied for from Awards for All, Adnams, Saffron, South Norfolk, Norfolk Community Foundation, and other things which he needs to discuss with Meryl Harding first.
Playing Field Committee Report
Mrs. Gladden-Fenn has organised a Race evening for the 24th March. The bar will be open, people can bring their own snacks if they want to. Helpers are required for the evening. A Raffle will be held and the event will be advertised. Mr. Denny gave thanks to Mrs. Gladden-Fenn.
Easter Fun Treasure Hunt is being organised with the Toddler Group. More details to follow.
Planning
Decisions received:
Ref: 2011/2086/H The Cartlodge, Mill Road, Alburgh. Notification that this application has been withdrawn.
Applications received: None
Update on Affordable Housing
Apologies received from Peter Ramsdale who was unable to attend this evening as he is due to go on holiday in the early hours of the morning. He has sent an e-mail giving a summary of the Open Information event. The event was attended by an estimated 35 plus people. The afternoon had a good feel about it with no outspoken critics of the design, constructive suggestions were made. Clearly those households closer to the site were less forthcoming in their support. He received only 12 written comment slips on the day. He is in communication with the architects and has asked if they could review and update the plans and elevation in time for our next parish council meeting.
Web Site Training
Mr. Morris is organising a training course and is happy for this to be held at his house. This was arranged for Tuesday, 6th March at 7.30pm.
Tuesday Group Fund raising for Playing Field
An afternoon has been arranged for Wednesday, 14th March from 2pm to 4pm for Champagne and Cup Cakes or Tea and Cakes. Charges will be £3.00 for Champagne and £2.00 for Tea. There will be a Raffle and a Bring and buy.
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Accounts
Payments: J Ellis, clerk salary £186.80
APCC, it was agreed to donate £625.00 from the Parish Land account.
Stationery £26.41
Tower Mint Limited £187.50
Receipts: £5.50 – War Memorial Booklets
To discuss replacing Ash Tree in Millennium Garden with new Oak Tree for Jubilee
All felt this was a good idea. Discussions on where to get an Oak Tree from. Mr. Denny will ask Mr. Flatt and if not will discuss with Mrs. Gladden-Fenn who has some ideas. Mr. Denny and helpers will cut down the Ash Tree.
Colin Walton has offered to clean and tidy up the ‘Alburgh’ sign. All councillors were happy for him to do this.
County and District Council News
Dr. Gray e-mailed the following report in his absence:
- SNC’s legal team (4-5 staff), will be transferring to the County Council team and SNC will obtain legal services from that team as from 1st April.
- The Waveney Valley Neighbourhood Board will have £80,000 to spend this year on a list of eligible services or ‘social action projects’ designed to encourage volunteering. This is in the context of the ‘Big Society’/Localism themes of the government. Mike Bentley will be explaining this at the Joint Parish Council meeting at Wortwell on 14th May, but there will also be a workshop for parish councils at South Norfolk soon.
Public Participation
Gill Gedge has decided to step down from her volunteer position with Norfolk Constabulary. Mr. Denny gave thanks to her for all the work she has done for us.
New Items
Parking at the School has been particularly bad especially in the bad weather and a sign has been knocked over because of this. Clerk to organise a site meeting with Highways hopefully at school dropping off or picking up times so that they can see how things are.
Items for next Agenda
SAM Report
Mr. Denny thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.55pm.
Mr.Denny, Chairman Alburgh Parish Council, 1st March 2012.