WATLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk: Emily Harvey, 38 Stone Close, Watlington, Norfolk. PE33 0TE
Tel: 01553 811905e-mail:
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Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council meeting
Main Hall, Watlington Village Hall, June 28th
JUN 11/1 ATTENDEES
Cllr Lacey (Chairman), Cllrs Golding, Leedell, Scully, Dagnall, Miller and Pike.
6 members of the public also attended the meeting.
JUN 11/2 APOLOGIES
Cllrs Mack and Miller sent their apologies.
JUN 11/3 co-option of new councillor
Richard Rockcliffe was proposed as a new Councillor by Cllr Lacey and seconded by Cllr Golding. Council voted and with a majority vote, Cllr Rockcliffe was welcomed as a new Councillor.
It was requested by Cllr Scully that it be minuted he was not in favour of the appointment.
The Declaration was duly signed.
JUN 11/4 Declarations of Interest
Councillor / Agenda Item / Personal or Prejudicial / Matter under discussionCllr. Pike / 7.2 / Personal & Prejudicial / Grant to Millennium Green Trust
Cllr. Pike / 12.0 / Personal / Village Hall Car Park
Cllr. Golding / 7.2 / Personal / Grant to Millennium Green Trust
Cllr. Dagnall / 7.2.1.2 / Prejudicial / Parochial Church Council
Cllr. Dagnall / 12 / Personal / Village Hall Car Park
Cllr. Leedell / 6.2 / Personal / Watlington History Group
Cllr. Rockcliffe / 7.2 / Personal / Grant to Millennium Green Trust
Cllr. Rockcliffe / N/A / Personal & Prejudicial / Land Ownership in the Village
JUN 11/5 open forum
- JUN 11/5/a– Village Hall Car Park resurfacing
A letter was read out from the Watlington Village Hall Management Team, outlining the car park resurfacing project, requesting that the Parish Council look to contribute to the costs(currently estimated at £50,000), or manage the project, given the land is leased by the Parish Council.
It was agreed this would be discussed under agenda item 12.0.
- JUN 11/5/b – Minutes of 19th May 2011
A member of the Football Club highlighted his disappointment with the publishing of minutes in the Lynn News and felt it was a poor reflection of the parties mentioned and also factually incorrect. It was requested that matters such as this be handled outside the Parish Council meeting.
A letter from the Sports and Social Club was read out disagreeing with the statements made in the minutes. Specifically, highlighting that those asked to leave the Football pitch were seen vandalising it, by digging holes for Cricket stumps.
Cllr Pike reported that the 2008 byelaw states that Cricket and Golf are not to be played on the Glebe Field. The Clerk is to review the 2008 Byelaw.
- JUN 11/5/c – Village Facilities
A letter from a Parishioner was read out regarding lack of facilities in the Village and abuse of the Recreation Ground. It was agreed that this would be discussed under village review.
On proposal from the Chairman and agreed by Council, invited to the next meeting to discuss the points raised.
- JUN 11/5/d – Litter and dog waste
A Parishioner thanked the Litter pickers for their invaluable work.
It was also reported that there is dog mess accumulating near the school. Norfolk County Council is to install the bin soon and the Clerk will contact for a completion date.
- JUN 11/5/e – Highways issues
It was reported that the footpath between the Village Hall and Church Road (by Village Pump) is cracking and uneven as a result of tree roots. The Clerk is to raise this with Highways.
- JUN 11/5/f – Planning application for Willows Incinerator
Open forum was re-opened at 20:35 to Council understand the views of the Public on Planning response, and whether a further full Parish Council is required.Members of the public felt that their views were understood by Councillors and were happy for the Planning Committee to respond.
A member of the public highlighted a report regarding Gothenburg incinerator which highlights the health impacts of emissions. Cllr Leedell added it would be useful to understand the performance of other Cory Wheelabrator plants. The Clerk is to review for planning meeting.
Open forum was closed at 21:17
- JUN 11/5/g – Village bodies requests for funds.
Open forum was re-opened at 21:50 to allow representatives from Village associations to make representations to the Council.
Millennium Green Trust (MGT)
Cllr Rockcliffe gave the background to the formation of the MGT.
A MGT representative gave an overview of the work that is completed by volunteers to maintain the MG at minimal cost. Details of fundraising activities were also described.
Cllr Golding discussed an income and expenditure report for the coming year.
Football Club
A Football Club representative requested that funding be made available to the Football Club to upgrade the lighting at the Recreation ground.
Open forum was closed at 22:10
JUN 11/6 clerks report
The Clerk provided a breakdown of costs incurred in the month.
It was agreed that the Clerk would liaise with Cllr Leedell regarding the archiving of aged documentation.
JUN 11/7 payment authorisation
The following payments were agreed by Council.
Payee / Gross Amount / Authority / Reason / Date PaidBCKLWN / £150.00 / MAY 10/23 / Britton Close allotment site land charge
Shaun Cotton Testing / £1,440.00 * / MAR 11/20 / Paige Close Water Installation
BCKLWN / £193.91 * / DEC 02/14 / Dog Waste Bins emptying
MHB Services / £144.00 * / Standing Order / Street Lighting and Maintenance
Julia Suiter / £180.00 / MAY 11/18 / Internal Audit 2010/11 fees
Watlington Village Hall / £24.00 / Admin / May 19th meeting Hall hire
E. Harvey / £486.65 / Admin / Chairman / May Salary (£463.79), home expenses (£15.86) and Glebe Field keys (£7.00) / 01/06/2011
E. Harvey / £536.76 / Admin / June salary (£463.79), petrol costs (£10.40) & home and quarterly computer costs (£62.57)
N. J. Roberts & Son / £103.50 * / Chairman / 3 tonnes of sand for Swing area Recreation Ground, inc delivery.
D. Golding / £60.00 * / MAR 11/20 / Bollard for Paige Close allotments
J. Harrington / £91.79 ** / Admin / Salary to 21/06/11, including £18.36 Tax
A. Bullock / £177.90 ** / Admin / Salary to 28/06/11, including £35.58 Tax
JUN 11/8 internal controls
On proposal from the Chairman and agreed by Council, the following internal controls are to be implemented: -
- Quarterly review of accounts by non cheque signatory.
- Increase reserves to 40%, as NALC recommends 50%, with 2010/11 reserves running at 30%.
- Introduce an Employment Sub Committee to undertake the Clerks appraisals and deal with employment matters.
- The Clerk is to appraise all staff in the coming weeks.
JUN 11/9ANNUAL AUDIT RETURN
It was reported that the annual Internal Audit had taken place. Cllr Lacey read the Annual Governance Statement from the Annual Return, which was agreed by Council and duly signed.
JUN 11/10 planning
JUN 11/10/a Planning Applications
Reference No. / Applicants / Address / Application / Planning CommitteeC/2/2011/2000/2022 / Frimstone Ltd. / Watlington Quarry, Watlington / Revised phasing plan for Gravel extraction and redevelopment / Response required by 13/07/11
PP/C/2/2011/2020 / Cory Wheelabrator Technologies Inc / The Willows Business Park / Power and Recycling Centre proposed Energy from Waste facility / Response required by 03/08/11
N/A / NCC / Norfolk Core Minerals and Waste Development Management Policy Development Plan Document / Comments to be supplied by 01/08/11
It was proposed by Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Leedell and agreed that the Planning Committee would respond, with a Committee meeting to be scheduled by the Clerk. Cllr Rockcliffe abstained.
Cllr Rockcliffe gave an overview of the County’s requirements for long term solutions to waste.
On proposal from the Chairman was agreed that the Incinerator Planning Application would be placed in the Information Centre. The Clerk would issue links to online material and Cllr Rockcliffe would highlight the key reading material.
JUN 11/10/b Notice of Planning Decisions from BCKLWN
Reference No. / Applicants / Address / Application / BCKLWN Decision11/00485/F / Norfolk Architectural Design Services / Plot 2 South West of Willowdown, Barnards Lane / Construction of semi detached dwelling / Permission granted
11/00517/F / Mr J Partridge / 51 Fen Road / First floor extension and alterations to form Chalet. / Permission granted
11/00596/F / Mr M Hancock / 58 Paige Close / Single story porch extension / Permission granted
11/00635/F / Mr R Beeby / 37 School Road / Construction of link attached dwelling and alteration to parking arrangements / Permission granted
JUN 11/11FREIGHTLINER SAND TRUCKS
An update e-mail from Freightliner was read, regarding the use of chemicals to form a crust preventing blow-off. Progress is to be monitored.
JUN 11/12 FIRST CAPITAL CONNECT & NETWORK RAIL COMMENTS
A letter received from FCC was read. On proposal from the Chairman and agreed by Council, a further letter would be sent to FCC clarify the procedures if passengers do not have a permit to travel. It was agreed that FLUA would also be made aware of the issues.
It was noted that a response has not yet been received from Network Rail regarding the pedestrian gates at the crossing in Watlington.
JUN 11/13 CLLRS REPORTS ON HIGHWAYS ETC
Overgrown hedging was reported in two locations within the Village. The Clerk is to write to the owners to action.
JUN 11/14 parish plan
It was agreed that the Parish Plan would be deferred to the next meeting, due to time restrictions.
JUN 11/15 ALLOTMENTS UPDATE
It was reported that Anglian Water will be connecting the Supply on 30th June.
The quotation provided for the installation of bollards was rejected. Further options will be reviewed.
A reply letter from the adjacent landowner was read out, citing potential legal action. A further letter from Cllr. Golding was read out, citing boundary and dyke clearance disputes should be taken up with the Lessor and IDB respectively. Council agreed that no further correspondence would take place until the landowner responds.
JUN 11/16 LITTER
It was proposed by Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Scully and agreed by Council that the Litter Picker’s hours would increase by 1 per week to take account of the increased size of the Village.
The Clerk provided an update around the potential Litter Warden. It was reported that the BCKLWN have advised the Parish Council against employing a Litter Warden directly, due to the cost of debt recovery through the courts. The Clerk reported that conversations are taking place with the Police to determine if there are any cost implications of further patrols from PCSO’s to issue fixed penalties.
JUN 11/17 CHARITABLE DONATIONS
It was proposed by Cllr Golding and seconded by Cllr Pike and agreed by Council that the following donations be made: -
- £100 UK Dementia
- £100 Macmillan Cancer Support
- £50 CPRE
JUN 11/18 VILLAGE REVIEW
It was proposed by Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr. Leedell and agreed by Council that a full review of the terms and conditions of leases and supplier contracts are reviewed in a working group, with Village partners, such as the Football Clubs, Sports and Social Club and Village Hall.
Also to be included in the review is Village assets, such as bins (litter and dog waste) and notice boards to ensure that they are in good condition and in the correct location.
It was agreed that the Village Hall car park re-surfacing and football pitch lighting would also fall under this review.
Cllr Scully requested that the accounts of the Village Hall be made available. Cllr Pike reported that these had been passed to the Clerk. The Clerk highlighted that these accounts can be viewed online at the Charity Commission.
On proposal from the Chairman and agreed by Council, this was deferred to the next meeting.
JUN 11/19 GRANTS & DONATIONS
On proposal from the Chairman, the Millennium Green Trust Income and Expenditure report is to be shared with Councillors with this item being deferred to the next meeting.
On proposal from Cllr Golding seconded by Cllr Leedell and passed by Council, it was agreed that the Grant / Donation would be made to the Parochial Church Council for £478.
On proposal from the Chairman, it was agreed that the request for funding from the Football Club would be covered under the village review.
JUN 11/20 CORRESPONDANCE
- A letter of thanks from the WatlingtonPreSchool was read:It was agreed that Cllr Lacey would attend the PreSchool opening event.
- An overview of the response from Defra (on behalf of Caroline Spelman) was read. A copy to be made available to Councillors.
JUN 11/21 SKATEPARK ON RECREATION GROUND
It was reported that an addition to the SkateboardPark had been made by a member of the Public. It was proposed by Cllr Pike, seconded by Cllr Golding and agreed by Council that the additional ramp be removed by the Handyman immediately.
JUN 11/22 meetings
It was proposed by the Chairman that Parish Council meetings revert to a Tuesday. The Clerk is to write to the Village Hall Management Committee.
This being all, Council rose at 22:30.
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SIGNED
Chairman:Clerk:
Date:Date:
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