Alburgh

November 2017 Minutes

Posted on by jackie

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ALBURGH PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday, 2nd November 2017 at 7.30pm in Alburgh Village Hall.

 

Parish Councillors present:

Mr. Denny – Chairman

Mrs. Gladden-Fenn – Vice Chair

Mr Renaut

Mrs. Davis

Mrs Beckett

Mrs. Gedge

Mr. Stiffel

 

Also attending: 2 members of the public, Dr. M Gray: District Councillor, Mrs J Ellis: clerk.

 

1   Welcome by the Chairman

 

  1. To receive and accept apologies for absence: Margaret Stone, County Councillor

 

  1. To receive any declarations of interest from members on any item to be discussed – None

 

  1. To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the October 2017 meeting were signed by Mr. Denny, Chairman as a correct record.

 

  1. The meeting was not adjourned for public participation as no member of the public had any comments.

 

  1. Reports from our District and County Councillors

Dr. M. Gray reported as follows:

  • SNC are to sign a new lease with Harleston Town Council which means car parking will be free for the next 10 years.  The Co-Op has agreed to contribute £30,000 per year and the Town council will provide the remainder.
  • Norfolk County Council has won £3.05 million of government funding to replace Hempnall crossroads with a roundabout.  There is still a two year delay before work commences.  This is to allow developers time to obtain planning permission, as they are to contribute to the cost of the roundabout.

 

  1. To discuss matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting – None

 

  1. Correspondence

We have received an email from Jody Thurston at Norfolk County Council about Footpath 13.  This was an update that Mr Harvey, the new owner of Ivy Farm is going to install at either end of the footpath two rambler’s gates.  These are the pull apart type structures.  Mr. Harvey will need to remove some hedge and old fencing to get these gates in and he hopes to get the footpath open again in the next couple of months.  Jody Thurston has ordered two new fingerposts to be erected.

 

 

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  1. Update on Film Night

Mr. Denny reported: The last film showing was ‘Churchill’ and was again well attended.

It was agreed that Julie Davis would carry on with the Scampi/Pie and chips until December and then review this.

 

The children’s Christmas film ‘Trolls’ will be shown on 21st December, at 2.00pm.  Entrance to this showing will be free for adults and children.

 

  1. Playing Field Report

Mrs. Davis did inspection.  All was in good order.

Mr. Renaut reported that there is a problem with the drains on the car park; the ditch between the car park and the allotments and he cannot find anywhere to rod it.  It was agreed that we need a digger to sort this problem out and Mr. Denny would look in to this.

Mrs. Gladden-Fenn with the help of Harry Vincent (doing his Duke of Edinburgh Award), has treated both seats and the picnic table and washed some of the equipment.

Rio Lazaretti has informed Mr. Denny that he cannot carry on cutting our grass and hedges etc.  It was agreed that we would leave this until the Spring to find somebody else to do this.

The screen on the notice board in the car park was broken and Mr. Stiffel has replaced the Perspex panel.

David Bracey has carried out our Play Area Safety Inspection and sent us a copy of the report. This has been emailed to all councillors to study and will be discussed at our January meeting.

 

  1. Update on speed camera in village

Mr. Denny and some of the councillors have met with Roy Payne from Westcotec to discuss possible sites for a speed camera.  After discussion with Roy Payne, it was thought that rather than having a fixed camera we could have two portable SAM 2 devices.  These can be placed in the more problematic places in the village. The signs would also include data software and leads.

It was agreed that we would go ahead with this and complete the funding form from the parish partnership.

 

  1. To discuss and approve new Risk Assessments  

It was agreed that we would discuss this further at our January meeting.

 

  1. To review Allotments and pricing

It was agreed to keep the prices of the allotments the same for the coming year.

 

  1. To look at Training for new and all councillors and clerk

We have looked in to bespoke training from the Local Council Executive Officer. It was decided that we would like to go ahead with this and the clerk will contact Wortwell parish council to see if they would be interested in sharing this.  It was decided to see if  Tuesday, 6th February 2018, at 7.00pm is available.

 

  1. Report on Millennium Garden from Cllr Gill Gedge

Gill Gedge currently looks after 2 beds for the Tuesday group and 1 bed for parish council.  She asked if she could put it to the Tuesday Group that the parish council controls all of the beds.  All councillors were happy with this.

 

  1. To discuss the issue of Fly tipping and litter

Gill Gedge has reported 3 issues of fly tipping in recent months. She would like to make everybody aware and ask them to be vigilant about this matter.  Two problem areas were Low Ditch Road and Burnt Oak Lane.

Gill Gedge has also gathered up a lot of litter recently.

These matters will go in the parish magazine.

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  1. To report on planning decisions, applications commented on since last meeting

We have received the following decisions on planning applications:

2017/2228 & 2230 – both for Rose Cottage, Low Road, Alburgh.  Decision:  Approval with Conditions

2017/2232 & 2233 – both for Holly Cottage, Low Road, Alburgh. Decision:  Approval with Conditions

 

We have received the following new applications:

2017/2451 – Land Off Low Ditch Road, South Farm, Alburgh.  Proposal:  Change of use to site two holiday railway wagons and minor alterations to two existing small buildings.  Councillors approved this application.  Some concerns were that this would grow to more wagons in following years.

2017/2032 – Denbridge, The Street, Alburgh.  Applicaton Type:  Reserved Matters.  This proposal has been amended.  Councillors had no further comments on this.

 

  1. To look at budget figures for next year

The clerk has prepared a budget for 2018/19 and this has been circulated to councillors prior to the meeting for their perusal. It was agreed that this would go on the January Agenda for further discussion.

 

  1. To discuss donations to be made

It was agreed to donate £40.00 to the following:

Leonard Cheshire Homes

Norfolk Accident Rescue

Citizens Advice Bureau

Air Ambulance

Break

EACH

 

  1. To approve payments to be made and monies received

Payments:  J Ellis, Clerk salary £178.55, plus expenses £21.60

Widget Works Ltd (Kris West) – Domain name and hosting for 2 years £66.00

David Bracey – Play Area Inspection £102.00

Chris Thomas for hedge cutting £144.00

Mr. A. Stiffel for repairing notice board £25.00

Rio Lazaretti for grass cutting £222.00

Receipts:    Film Night £252.00 plus £29.00 ice creams

SNC Recycle Adopter Payment £200.00

SNC CIF Levy £152.76

 

  1. To receive items for the next agenda

Play Area Inspection Report

Budget Figures for 2018/19 and setting the precept

 

The date and time of the next parish council meeting will be Thursday, 4th January 2018 at 7.30pm.

 

  1. The meeting will be adjourned for public participation (maximum 10 minutes)

Ann Wrench sought the view of the Parish Council on the proposed extension to All Saints Church.  The collective view was that it was a good idea and very much in the village interests and Mr. Denny wondered whether the Church, Parish Council and Village Hall could combine in fund raising activities.

 

  1. Close of meeting

Mr. Denny thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.41pm.

 

Mr. Denny, Chairman Alburgh Parish Council, 4th January, 2018.