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SAHAM TONEY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON THE 3RD NOVEMBER 2014
A meeting of the Parish Council was held on the 3rd November 2014 at 7.30 p.m. at The Wells-Cole Community Centre.
Present – Mr. J. Kemp in the Chair supported by Messrs T. Bunce, R. Cooper, P. Cross, R. Harrold, B. Hinkins, J. Laws and Ms. M. Baldwin. Mr. C. Carter (District Councillor) was also present.
1. Apologies for Absence: Apologies received and accepted from Mrs. P. Grieff and Mr. M Nichols.
2. Declaration of Interest in Items on the Agenda: No councillor declared an interest in the Agenda items.
3. Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting held on the 6th October 2014 were taken as read, proposed by Mr. T. Bunce, seconded by Mr. J. Laws and unanimously agreed and signed.
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes and Action List:
· TROD on the other side of Cley Lane – on Agenda
· Registration of Coburg Lane – on Agenda
· Footpath alongside Clayland Development on Cley Lane, footpath through the Wells Cole Community centre land and fence on the boundary adjoining the Council’s land. Mr. C. Carter reported that he had raised these matters with the Planning Department immediately after the October meeting. The person dealing with the plan had left and no-one knew anything about it. It took Capita three weeks to get back to him and still there were no answers so he went to the Head of Capita who had to go to Clayland to find out what was happening. In response to the footpath issue on Cley Lane, Highways would not accept such as this would have necessitated piping the ditch and damage to tree roots. However, an alternative footpath will be delivered within the site boundary but will not run along the entire frontage. A 2m close boarded fence has been agreed along the boundary with the Community Centre. Clayland were to email their response to the queries but this has not yet been received. Mr. R. Harrold queried that footpath through the Community Centre land which was a condition of planning that no property shall be occupied until this path was built. The Council agreed not to accept the offer of a footpath but to date this condition has not been rescinded. One property was sold on the development and the purchasers were awaiting the electricity connection before they could move in. Mr. R. Harrold said this may be delayed as it had been agreed that the overhead cables at the Community Centre be rerouted underground as part of the development.
· Registration of Church Green – on Agenda
· Hedge from Playingfield entrance to Ashill Road – This had now been cut and the Council were very satisfied with the work carried out.
· Hedge alongside the Mere – reported to Mr. Buscall who has said he will attend to this when time allows.
· Hedge on Saham Road, Ovington – Highways informed but not yet cut.
· Decoration of the Community Centre – on the Agenda
· Email from Zurich Insurance re Playingfield Incident on 15th October 2011 – nothing further heard.
· White lines at Mill corner junction – not yet repainted
5. Resolution to Adjourn the Meeting for Public Participation and District/County Councillor Reports: The Chairman closed the meeting and reminded the public that this is the only time they can speak.
A parishioner said there were pot holes in the car park at the Community Centre. The Chairman will look at this.
A parishioner spoke re the proposed development at Coburg Lane. This is an unsustainable development on a greenfield site. There are no pavements in Coburg Lane or Hills Road. There are no shops and Saham Hills is not on a bus route. There is a risk of flooding. In 1996 when the same developer lost the right to develop the area, suffered from intimidation. The parishioner also complained about the speed at which Breckland update their website with the letters of objection on this plan.
A parishioner said the area had been flooded in 1993 and 2005 and even very recently when flash floods were experienced on 14th October 2014 with the manhole covers lifting and water in toilets backing up and yet the applicant says there is a low risk of flooding.
A parishioner asked if Breckland could carry out their own independent survey on the flooding risk. Mr. Carter said this was probably not possible because of the cost.
The Chairman reopened the meeting.
6. Correspondence:
· Letter from Norfolk County Council re lighting on development at Warwick Farm – asking if the Council want street lighting. The Clerk said there was no street lighting in the parish apart from Amys Close which had happened because houses were sold with the condition that street lighting would be provided. It was Council policy not to have street lights. On a vote it was unanimously agreed not to have street lights on the new development.
· Email from Playingfield re small extension – The Playingfield would like to add a small extension to the back of the score hut measuring about 12 sq metres for use as a store cupboard for cricket equipment. There was no objection to this.
· Information from NALC re new quality qualification - The Quality status is changing and as the Parish Council is a Quality Council we will be able to apply for the new quality scheme at a reduced cost. More information to follow.
· Letter from Breckland re Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation – This document will be circulated to all councillors and then discussed at the December meeting. Councillors Bunce and Hinkins to attend a drop-in event at Breckland on the 17th November.
· Email re Word Press Training for the Norfolk Parishes’ website. The Clerk said she thought that this course was expensive at £40 for half a day and it would also incur travelling expenses as it was to be held at Poringland. It was agreed not to attend.
· Email re Norfolk ALC Area Meeting at Breckland on 4th November. A member of the Breckland Planning team and a representative from NCC Highways will be in attendance. Councillors Bunce and Hinkins to attend.
· Email from NCC re Budget and services 2015-18 –The majority of the savings (£11.968m) will be achieved through further efficiencies but there are still some proposals which will involve changes to services. Details of all proposals on the consultation are now on the website and people are encouraged to give their view. The Consultation is open until 19th December 2014.
· Photo received from a parishioner to show the overfull dog bin at the Community Centre. This problem had now been resolved. A resident had said that the bin is directly opposite his dining room but it was not possible to move this bin as it is concreted in.
· Letter from St. George’s Church inviting the Chairman or another representative from the Council to attend the Remembrance Day service at 10.45 on the 9th November. This service will celebrate the 100th anniversary of WW1. The Chairman was unable to attend. Mr. J. Laws may be able to represent the Parish Council.
7. To Approve Accounts for Payment:
The following accounts are due for payment:-
· Mrs. J.S. Glenn - £497.55 – made up of Salary £477.56 and Broadband £19.99
· NALC - £90 – attendance at Autumn Conference
· Mr. J. Kemp - £7.56 – cement for fixing the new dog bin.
The payment of the above accounts was proposed by Mr. R. Harrold, seconded by Mr. P.Cross and unanimously agreed.
8. To Consider Planning Matters: Planning Permission received to Plan 3PL/2014/0602/F – demolish workshop and outbuildings and erect 3 dwellings with associated parking and amenities at Greys Farm, Hills Road. The following Plan was discussed:-
· Plan 3PL/2014/1036/O – residential development for 16 dwellings, 4 self build plots and ancillary works, Coburg Lane. Mr. T. Bunce said the main objection was the lack of infrastructure and increase in traffic – could be another 40 cars. Mr. B. Hinkins agreed with these comments. There is 20 acres of farmland at the top of Coburg Lane and the farmer is concerned about access for his farm vehicles. He had been told to bump his farm vehicles up the kerb if cars were in his way. Mr. P. Cross said owners of property on Coburg Lane have a right of way and should check their deeds as they may be able to stop access on legal grounds if the right of way is moved. Mr. R. Cooper said he can remember when the stream on Hills Road was a ford and sometimes you couldn’t cross it as there was so much water. The water problem is still there.
The Chairman proposed a vote on this plan and it was unanimously agreed to object and also include the residents’ objections.
9. To Discuss Planning Procedure and Infrastructure: Mr. T. Bunce said he had asked for this item to be on the Agenda. He felt the dialogue between Planning Officers and the Parish Council was lacking. When he attended the Planning Meeting re Warwick Farm he was only allowed 3 minutes to speak and part of that time was taking up with showing a slide. Once the Parish Council has submitted their comments they receive no response to the Council’s views. Mr. T. Bunce will raise this at the two meetings he is attending in November. Mr. C. Carter said councillors and parishioners can always ring up Breckland and discuss plans with the case officer.
Mr. B. Hinkins said the Breckland Local Plan was an ongoing consultation up until 2015. A copy of the first stage consultation had been received and would be circulated to all councillors and discussed at the December meeting. A plan for 73 houses in Saham Road, Watton had been submitted and this would affect the infrastructure of Saham.
10. To Discuss the Bid for a Parish Partnership Grant for a TROD on Cley Lane: Mr. T. Bunce had started to put together a case for a TROD but on speaking to the Highways Engineer the TROD does not look viable. If there was enough room along Cley Lane they would have to put kerbs in and consider the high pressure gas main. The cost would be considerable and the Parish Council can only claim half the cost from the new Parish Partnership Scheme. It was agreed that the Council have to accept that it is not viable.
11. To Discuss the Progress of the Registration of Coburg Lane: Mr. J. Laws reported that the Registration has been submitted to County. All the residents of Coburg Lane have received a letter.
12. To Discuss the Maintenance of the Wells-Cole Community Centre: Mr. P. Cross reported that the exterior of the hall needs decorating but internally the hall is in a reasonable shape. Quotes are being obtained for the redecoration of the outside of the hall and the ceiling in the Small Hall and hall way. These will be available before the Budget is discussed.
It was agreed to hold a preliminary budget meeting on Friday 28th November at 10.00 at the Clerk’s house – councillors Kemp, Grieff, Bunce and Hinkins to attend. The Budget would then be discussed at the December Council meeting with final decisions being made at the January 2015 Meeting.
13. To Discuss the Registration of the Church Green: This item to be deferred to the December Agenda as Mrs. P. Grieff was not present.
14. To Consider Reports from Outside Organisations: The Clerk read the Speedwatch Report. During October there had been 52 vehicles recorded as exceeding the speed limit in 4 different locations over 4 hours.
Mr. T. Bunce said that the allotment AGM was to be held on the 6th November at 7p.m.at the Community Centre.
15. Items for the Next Agenda (not for discussion): The following items to be on the December Agenda: To Discuss the Budget: To discuss the Breckland Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation document and Registration of the Church Green.
16. To Confirm the Date and Time of the Next Meeting of the Parish Council –Monday the 1st December 2014 at 7.30 at the Wells-Cole Community Centre.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.45 p.m.
Parish Matters
Mr. T. Bunce urged vigilance as diesel thefts had been reported. Also care to be taken with cold calling on the telephone and at the door.
Mr. R. Harrold said problems had been experienced with CGM at the churchyard. Wheel marks from the mowers were being left and there was a lack of strimming – Clerk to report to CGM.
3rd November 2014