There were three meetings of OULTON PARISH COUNCIL at the Oulton Community Centre on Monday 12th May 2014 at 7pm

Those in attendance were Cllrs Charles Swan, John Grist, George Hawes,Bill Robertson, Peter Collecott, DavidJefferson,Waveney District Cllr Allyson Baron, CountyCllrs Bert Poole & Len Jacklin, the clerk Frances Aspinall, PCSO Sue Kershaw and 6 members of the public. Apologies were received from Cllrs Brian Hunter, Carolyn Gosling and Capt. Paul McDonough.

The Annual Parish Meeting

  1. Welcome

The Vice Chairman Charles Swan gave information in case of emergency for safety, exit and exterior assembly & welcomed all to the meeting.

  1. Minutes 2012

The minutes were confirmed as a true record. Proposed by Cllr John Grisby and seconded by Cllr Peter Collecott.

  1. The Oulton Poors Trust – Report

The report was received and comments noted.

  1. Police and Community Speed Watch – Reports

The reports were received and comments noted.

  1. Annual Report – Chairman

The report was read out by the clerk in the absence of the Chairman. A copy is attached at the end of this document.

The Vice Chairman closed the Annual Parish Meeting

The Annual Parish Council Meeting

  1. The Election of The Chairman of Oulton Parish Council

Vice Chairman Cllr Charles Swan asked for nominations for the new Chairman. Cllr Brian Hunter was proposed by Cllr Grist and seconded by Cllr Collecott. Cllr Hunter will recite his election oath at the next full parish council meeting.

  1. The Election of the Vice Chairman

Proposed by Cllr Jefferson and seconded by Cllr Robertson, Cllr Charles Swan was re-elected as Vice Chair. Cllr Swan recited his election oath which was accepted by the council.

  1. Statement of the Composition of the Council

The composition of the council remains unchanged from the previous year, apart from Parkhill which now has a vacancy.

The wards are represented as follows: -

  • Oulton (Oulton Ward) – Cllrs Peter Collecott, John Grist, David Jefferson, William Robertson & Charles Swan
  • Parkhill (St Margaret’s Ward) – Cllrs Brian Hunter, Carolyn Gosling & George Hawes.
  • Camps Heath (Lothingland Ward) – Capt. Paul McDonough.
  1. The Election of Representatives and Scrutineer
  • Cllr Robertson was appointed as Scrutineer - proposed by Cllr Grist and seconded by Cllr Jefferson.
  • Cllr Swan was appointed as Footpath Officer- proposed by Cllr Grist and seconded by Cllr Collecott.
  • Cllr Grist was appointed as Education Officer and Vice Chair of planning – proposed by Cllr Collecott and seconded by Cllr Hawes.
  • Cllr Gosling was appointed as Planning Chair – proposed by Cllr Grist and seconded by Cllr Jefferson.
  • Cllr Collecott was appointed as Transport Officer – proposed by Cllr Robertson and seconded by Cllr Grist.
  • Cllr Paul McDonough was appointed to the post of Agricultural Officer – proposed by Cllr Robertson and seconded by Cllr Jefferson.
  • Ivan Levett would be invited to be Tree Consultant.
  1. The Election of Responsible Finance Officer

The Clerk Frances Aspinall was appointed – proposed by Cllr Swan and seconded by Cllr Hawes.

  1. Confirmation of the Internal Auditor

Mr Bryn Storeton-West was elected as Internal Auditor for the year 2014 – 2015. Proposed by Cllr Swan and seconded by Cllr Robertson.

The Vice Chairman closed the Annual Parish Meeting.

The Ordinary Meeting of Oulton Parish Council 12 May 2014

  1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllrs Brian Hunter, Carolyn Gosling and Capt. Paul McDonough.

  1. Declarations of Interest

Cllrs Peter Collecott and John Grist declared an interest as members of Oulton Community Association.

  1. Minutes of Last Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2014 were proposed as agreed and the Chairman authenticated each page.

  1. Progress Updates/Suffolk County Councillors and Waveney District Councillors Information

Suffolk County Council

Cllr Bert Poole reported:-

  • The construction of the northern spine road was on schedule.
  • Consideration is being given to the introduction of more 20mph speed limits. The area office will review suggestions on submission and Back Lane in Lound is currently being considered.
  • Suffolk Empowering Communities Fund has been created and it will run in parallel with the locality budget.

Cllr Swan asked County Cllr Len Jacklin if there was one telephone number that could be used for all county council enquiries to make it simpler for the public. He said he would take the matter to a meeting he is attending shortly.

Minutes Page Number Five Hundred and Forty One Authenticated by The Chairman

Waveney District Council

Cllr Collecott reported:-

  • The large traffic sign on the roundabout had been replaced.
  • The dead tree at the community centre had been cut down by Waveney Norse.
  • He had received information about putting solar panels on community centres and he will mention it to Barbara.

Cllr Allyson Barron, district counsellor for St Margarets Ward reiterated the recent correspondence regarding 20mph speed limits and speeding in general. She said she was also concerned about parking on grass verges in her ward as there appeared to be no policing.

Parish Council

Updates were as follows: -

  • The neighbourhood plan had been discussed at a separate meeting and a steering group formed. It was agreed that the clerk would liaise with Jo McCallum from WDC to arrange the next meeting.
  • Cllr Swan had been unable to obtain any further details for the replacement notice boards. The clerk said she would research prices etc. and report her findings at the next meeting.
  • The grass verges had been cut in the Sands Lane area.
  • The overgrown vegetation on the pathway behind Oulton Road North had been reported to SCC and will be cut back by contractors.
  • The blocked drains on Oulton Street had been re-reported to Highways and the gullies should be cleaned out shortly.
  • The missing Lowestoft Town Sign was discussed again and Cllr Collecott said he would follow the matter up with WDC.
  • The Adult Fitness Equipment is still ongoing with Waveney Norse.
  1. Police Report

PCSO Sue Kershaw reported the following 7 crimes for the month of April: -

Minutes Page Number Five Hundred and Forty Two Authenticated by The Chairman

Burglary dwelling, burglary other building, criminal damage to vehicle, criminal damage other, theft of a pedal cycle, theft other andtheft from a dwelling.

She reported fly tipping at the bottom of Mobbs Way. Also the sign post and double yellow lines at Camps Heath would be made good.

  1. Planning Matters

The following planning applications had been approved: -

  • DC/14/0494/FUL
  • DC/14/0431/FUL
  • DC/14/1103/TPO
  • BA/2014/0049/FUL
  • DC/14/0642/FUL

Application DC/14/1353/FUL for Plot 23 Wolseley Business Park was considered and it was decided to hold a site meeting to discuss the council’s response.

A letter had been received from Stephen Baker regarding the sale of land at Melrose Close. Cllr Collecott considered the letter contained facts that were incorrect and said he would follow this up and report back.

  1. The Open Forum

Mrs Moore, a parishioner, asked why money was being spent on Lowestoft Hospital when it was understood a new health centre, like the one in Kirkley would be built in north Lowestoft in the future. After much discussion it was agreed to write to Health East (Andy Evans) and Peter Aldous MP to find out what was happening.

Mrs Small, a parishioner, said she had been trying to find out what had happened to the town sign but was happy to leave the matter with Cllr Collecott. Since the last meeting she had found out that there will be a crossing on Millennium Way when road works commence there in June.

Minutes Page Number Five Hundred and Forty Three Authenticated by The Chairman

Mrs O’Callaghan, a parishioner, said that the drains had been cleared at the junction of Hall Lane and Oulton Street.

Mr Moore, a parishioner, said that over 350 letters had been sent to the planning department objecting to the Hall Lane development. He thanked Cllr Gosling for her comprehensive report. Cllr Collecott said the application is not on the May agenda.

  1. Clerks Report & Financial Matters (including donations)

Financial

  • The clerk’s salary had been paid by standing order.
  • 3 cheques to be drawn –100773 £40 for room hire at Parkhill, 100774 £70.97 for website registration and 100775 £41.52 for recalibration and batteries for speed gun.
  • The 2014 audit has been prepared & sent to internal auditor. It will now be signed off & sent to external auditor.
  • The financial statement for year ended 31 March 2014 has already been circulated.
  • The Chairman’s Allowance in the sumof £100 was agreed.

Correspondence

  • Railway crossing at Victoria Road will be closed from 23.30 Saturday 15 November to 07.00 Sunday 16 November.
  • Notification of submission of South Norfolk Local Plan documents was received.

Donations

The following amounts were proposed by Cllr Collecott and seconded by Cllr Grist and cheques drawn as follows: -

  • St Michaels Church £500 cheque no 100776
  • East Anglian Air Ambulance £250 cheque no 100777
  • Suffolk Accident Rescue £250 cheque no 100778

Minutes Page Number Five Hundred and Forty FourAuthenticated by The Chairman

  • Oulton CC £1,000 cheque no 100779
  • DIAL £250 cheque no 1007780
  • SWT £38 paid by standing order.
  1. Any Other Business
  • Cllr Jefferson reported that metal from a drain was exposed on the drain that had not yet been fixed on Oulton Road. Cllr Collecott agreed to follow the matter up.
  • Cllr Barron said that there would be a meeting at the community centre on 14 June at 11.30am for Bonds Meadow Association AGM.
  • Cllr Collecott asked if there had been any interest in the vacancy for a councillor. He was told there had been but no one had taken it up.

The next ordinary parish meeting will be held at Oulton Community Centre on Monday 9 June 2014 at 7pm.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.05pm.

Minutes Page Number Five Hundred and Forty Five Authenticated by The Chairman

Oulton Parish Council Annual Meeting May 12th 2014

Chairman’s Report

Good Evening, May I first of all apologise for not being at this Annual Meeting this evening. It is the first Annual Meeting I have missed since becoming a member of the Parish Council but this year an invitation to visit our family in Scotland was a clear duty and a priority.

This past year I believe we have seen this Parish Council continuing to represent and serve our local community to the best of our ability. In so doing may I thank Councillors and our Parish Clerk, Frances, for enabling us to be well placed to continue the stewardship of this Parish Council for another year. May I as well at this time thank Charles as Vice Chairman, Carolyn as Planning Chairman ably supported by John, and all Councillors for their support to our endeavours in Oulton. Certainly we have been to the forefront in commenting on planning applications representing the local view, combined with local knowledge. Indeed that factor has led to representations and endeavours to make our roads in the Parish safer for everyone.

There have been sad moments; I could not make this report without remembering former members of Oulton Parish Council who sadly passed away last year. The late Councillor John Grisby and former Councillors Hilda Burton and Patrick Finnigan, were all not only part of this Council but in their own way a part of the fabric of Oulton life. We will miss them all; their support for this Council will always be remembered.

Our challenges have been, and I guess will remain this coming year, attention to planning matters, road safety, supporting our local community, and yes even sometimes attention to grit and doggy bins. Every attempt is made to ensure transparency and keeping parishioners informed through our web site (thanks to Robbie) and through the local media, with appreciation to Carolyn for the Journal Column.

The traditional way of working with us does involve close liaison with the Community Council, Waveney District Council, Suffolk County Council and the Broads Authority. It has to be said that it is not always that this Parish Council agrees with either actions or decisions made at some of these ‘senior’ authorities, but this is democracy in action, our endeavour is to state and put forward views held by the people of Oulton, which we respectfully hope will be taken into consideration when decisions are taken.

Just lately we have been to the forefront in initiating discussions to activate Community Led Planning in Oulton. A number of parishioners have come forward to form a steering group to look in particular at the formation of either a Parish Plan or a Neighbourhood Plan for Oulton. Although in its early stages at this time, prospects are encouraging to achieve such a project in the future.

Problems surrounding the Oulton Pound area have been resolved and other aspirations are indeed ongoing, we are well on the way to discharging some reserve funds by providing a facility for people (perhaps more elderly than some) in our community to enjoy and keep fit at the same time. We look forward to the completion of the final phase of the Spine Road and continuing to support and work with our Community Centre.

Clearly work goes on, community led planning will enable the Parish Council to know and manage expectations in the Parish, and we look forward to this time next year in having a ‘work out on the fitness equipment before the meeting starts? Planning matters will again have to be addressed, especially with Woods Meadow coming on stream.

My personal thanks to Councillors for their support to me, may I offer, if Councillors desire, to continue to serve Oulton Parish Council as Chairman for the coming year.

Thank you

Brian Hunter