ALBURGH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the parish council meeting held on Thursday, 7th July 2016 at 7.30pm in Alburgh Village Hall.
Parish Councillors present:
Mr. Denny – Chairman
Mrs. Gladden-Fenn
Mrs. Beckett
Mr Renaut
Mrs Goose
Mrs Davis
Also attending: 8 members of the public
Dr. M. Gray, District councillor
Margaret Stone, County councillor
Apologies: Mrs Walton
To approve the Minutes of the last council meeting
The minutes of the June 2016 meeting were signed by Mr. Denny, Chairman, as a correct record.
Public Participation
None
Update on Matters arising from previous minutes
Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday Celebrations – The event went well although the weather did spoil things a little. Mr. Denny thanked Dr. Gray and everybody for coming along. The raffle raised £260.00 and East Anglia Air Ambulance items sold raised £30.00. £290.00 in total has been donated to E.A.A.A.
Gritting of Broad Road – Highways will hand our request over to the depot who will be in contact with us shortly to discuss further. Margaret Stone will also look in to this for us.
Correspondence
None
Ongoing problems with Broadband
Many parishioners are still having ongoing problems with Broadband in the village. Richard Gedge who works for BT in their research department has kindly come to the meeting tonight to speak to us about suggestions/advice on how to treat the problem. He explained how service providers work and talked about Ofcom. He spoke about how to complain by emailing the chairman of BT and the chairman of Open Reach. He suggested getting as much evidence as possible. He gave the clerk the email addresses. It was also felt that we should complain as a parish council. Mr. Gedge kindly offered to put a survey on our website. Mr. Denny asked everyone to complete this and then when we have enough evidence we will email the chairman of BT and Open Reach as a parish council.
906
Footpaths
Mrs. Walton spoke to NCC on the 29th June and was told that it is advisable to apply for the path running from Ivy Farm in an easterly direction, which Rice’s Lane joins, to be on the Definitive Map as well. NCC will send a form which Mrs. Walton will deal with, but there will not be any need to submit further user evidence forms.
Our application is sound and if the path is granted ‘restricted byway’ status, NCC will be responsible for its maintenance.
Film Night
The last showing was ‘Bridges of Spies’ which was again an enjoyable film. The new programme for the autumn is on the web site and available for people to vote on.
It was also agreed that we would do a Christmas show again for children. The date decided was 21st December 2016. Further details to be discussed at a later date. Dr. Gray also mentioned that there may be a grant available again this year which will probably become available in the autumn.
Allotments – Request by Mr Whymark to cut down a Walnut Tree in Orchard
Parish councillors have been to look at this. Discussions on this and what would be the best course of action. It was felt that two of the walnut trees could be taken out and that some of the lower branches could also be taken off the other trees. Mr. Denny and Mr. Renaut will go and have a chat with Mr. Whymark to see what he would be happy with.
Allotments – Mr. Denny and Mrs. Walton have been to look at the allotments and discovered that a lot of them have become very messy and are not being looked after. It was agreed to write to allotment holders and ask them to tidy their allotments up.
Roadside Verges
The roadside verges have not been cut as in previous years. This is all the verges surrounding the village with Burnt Oak Lane being the worse. Margaret Stone agreed to look in to this for us. Clerk to also email Bob Edwards of Highways.
It was also agreed to ask Saffron again about cutting the hedge at Three Acre Row where the affordable housing is. We have requested this before but it has not been done.
Playing Field
Mr. Renaut did inspection. All was in good order.
The bark has been purchased and has been delivered. Mr. Denny is arranging for this to be distributed.
All the hedges around the playing field need cutting. Mr. Denny has spoken to Chris Thomas who can do this for us at a cost of £200.00 as per last year. Mr. Denny will organise this.
Mrs Gladden-Fenn will ask S & A Services to cut the garden hedges as per last year.
The new Refuse collection days are not going well. There have been several problems with bins not being collected on the correct day and being collected late. Dr. Gray will look in to this.
907
Results on Litter Pick
SNC have informed us that we were successful in the prize draw and have won £200 to benefit our local community (as well as the £20 for taking part). They require bank details and also information as to what the money will be spent on. It was agreed that the money will be spent on tidying up the playing field, i.e. hedge cutting.
Fence and Seating in Millennium Garden
Mrs. Davis offered to stain the fence in the garden and Mr. Denny will do minor repairs.
One seat needs a rub down and treating and the others need a good scrub/wash. Mrs. Goose offered to do this.
Telephone Wires in particular from Manor Farm, Broad Road and along Mill Road
Mrs. Gladden-Fenn reported that there are wires in the trees along these roads. Mr. Denny advised that this is the responsibility of the home owner. It was agreed that we would write letters to the people involved informing them that they can trim the trees around their wires.
Mrs. Gladden-Fenn will let the clerk know the names and addresses of people involved.
Planning
Ref: 2016/1097 Agricultural Building at Gayridge Farm, Alburgh has been approved but with conditions attached. These are available to view online at SNC.
Ref: 2016/0760 Denbridge, The Street, Alburgh has outline planning only with 16 conditions attached. 3 of these conditions concern approved contamination remediation schemes. Full details can be viewed online at SNC.
Reports by District Councillor and County Councillor
Margaret Stone reported:
Devolution Update: A final proposal for devolution was agreed initially by the ‘Leaders’ of all 16 authorities in Norfolk and Suffolk. The main points of the deal are:
More money coming into Norfolk and Suffolk to spend on new roads, transport links and other services that communities need. There will also be money to help build affordable homes plus an additional £30m specifically for Norwich and Ipswich.
More say over the money already spent here – i.e. helping employers with apprenticeship grants to create more apprenticeships, investment in key roads, flood and coastal risk management, trainings and skills for adults, helping the disabled and a direct elected Mayor. NCC will be sending an information leaflet to every household to help residents have all the facts and then direct them to an online survey.
Carer’s Emergency Card – If you are caring for someone, it is important you get a Carer’s Emergency Card to ensure that the person will be safe if you are caught up in an emergency.
For more information call the Carers Helpline on 0808 808 9876.
Dr Gray reported:
Boundary Changes: SNC confirm that the main Parish boundary review will happen next year and will be handled by SNC itself rather than the Boundary Commission which is overseeing the current Ward boundary review.
908
Electoral Review of South Norfolk – review in two stages. This is to look at the boundaries of the 46 wards at present and try and even up all the areas in South Norfolk so that the electoral role is more even for each councillor.
The clerk had received a letter from the Boundary Commission which Dr. Gray saw for the first time tonight. Mrs Beckett asked about changing her boundary from Wortwell to Alburgh. Dr. Gray advised that she should go ahead and respond to the letter putting forward her proposal.
Accounts
Payments: J Ellis, Clerk salary £142.05 plus expenses £15.60
HMRC Paye for first quarter £106.40
Moviola Film Night £94.40
Redenhall with Harleston Town Council – Car parking contributions for Harleston
£300.00
Simons Landscaping – Bark – £155.00
Alburgh Village Hall – Insurance for film equipment £72.81
Queen Elizabeth’s Celebrations – Costs:
Alburgh Village Hall – Music £200.00
Food £228.00
Alburgh W.I. – Tea, Coffee, etc £25.50
Mrs. Davis – Table covers, napkins, etc – £7.00
Receipts: Film Night £164.00
Clerk Pay Rise
The clerk is entitled to a 1% pay rise with effect from April 2016. It was agreed to increase the clerk’s hourly rate to £9.20 and to backdate this to April 2016.
Public Participation
Mrs Beckett wished to give thanks to everybody who came and helped at the Village Fete.
She also wished to thank the W.I. and the Feoffees for the Over 60’s tea party which was lovely.
It has also been noted that Denton parish council have requested 30 mph speed limit stickers to put on their bins.
A speeding vehicle which has been seen travelling through the village at speed on numerous occasions has been reported to the police. The police have located the address of the driver and aim to speak with them to give them suitable words of advice with regard to their manor of driving through the village. Unfortunately they have not found the driver at home as yet. They advise that they are on the case and will update us when this has been done.
To receive items for next agenda
None
Mr. Denny thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.05pm.
Mr. Denny, Chairman Alburgh Parish Council, 1st September, 2016.