Minutes of Oulton Parish Council Meeting – 4 July2017
Cllr Hunter, Chair, opened the meeting at 19.02 and welcomed newly-appointed co-opted Councillor Len Jacklin to the meeting.
1Attendance
Present:
Parish Cllrs Peter Collecott, John Grist, George Hawes, Lindsey Hook, Brian Hunter – Chair, Len Jacklin, David Jefferson, Bill Robertson, Valerie Small, Charles Swan
County Cllr James Reeder
District Cllr Jane Murray
Lynne Ward – Parish Clerk
Ann O’Callaghan – Chair, Oulton Neighbourhood Plan
4 members of the public
Apologies received:
County Cllr Keith Robinson
Absent:
District Cllrs Ed Back and Malcolm Cherry
2Third Crossing Project Presentation
A presentation on the Third Crossing Project was delivered by Warren Hoskins-Davies, Major Project Engineer, deputising for Jon Barnard. (This item was taken after point 7 on the Agenda.)
3Declarations of Interest
Cllrs Collecott, Grist, Murray and Hunter declared an interest as members of Oulton Community Council.
4Minutes of Last Meeting
Subject to an amendment raised by Cllr Robertson to clarify that the field where dog waste was found (Minute 11, bullet point 3) was next to Houghton Drive, it was proposed by Cllr Small and seconded by Cllr Collecott that the minutes of the last meeting held on 6 June 2017 be adopted as a true record.
APPROVED
5Appointment of Casual Parish Councillor
Cllr Jacklin signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. This was witnessed by Parish Clerk, Lynne Ward. Cllr Jacklin will complete the online Register of Interests.
6Clerk’s Report
6.1Cllrs Hunter, Swan and Grist and the Parish Clerk, met with Warren Hoskins-Davies, Major Project Engineer, at Riverside for a briefing on the Third Crossing project. The Clerk circulated notes of the meeting, which also accompany these minutes.
6.2Regarding the walkabout at Oulton Marshes, Matt Gooch could not do any of the June dates offered by the parish councillors. Councillors asked that Matt provide some dates which they will select from.
6.3The Clerk sent the notes of the meeting with Phil Perkin and Chris Sperrin to Phil Perkin with the Councillors’ requested addition and amendment suggested at the last meeting. Phil Perkin responded that he did not consider the amendments relating to the 50 acres and the highway survey to be an accurate account of what was agreed at the meeting, and that Richard Alexander had confirmed this. Councillors acknowledged the discrepancies between the reports relating to these two points but hoped a resolution to the long-standing uncertainty of the area of the country park would soon be achieved.
6.4Concerns were raised by local historian, Ivan Bunn, about the development of land once belonging to the Oulton Workhouse. In particular, Ivan is concerned that the burial ground, where around 900 Oulton folk are buried, appears to be an area not very well recognised. Ivan’s letter and photos have been passed to Cllrs Hunter, Grist and Robertson. This item is discussed under Item 10 for Parishioners.
6.5The Clerk has still not received advice from Chris Bing, Legal Services Manager, about enforcement of the by-law relating to parking on grass verges. The Clerk has followed this up with Louise Sayer.
6.6A parishioner, Donna Stubbs, has raised concerns regarding cars parked in the bus stop area outside the One Stop shop in Sands Lane. This appears to have increased since the new housing development. It is difficult for drivers exiting Lime Avenue to see past the vehicles. It is also dangerous for pedestrians to cross Lime Avenue and Sands Lane because of poor visibility due to these parked vehicles. The Clerk will forward the parishioner’s complaint to Cllr Reeder to take forward.
7Matters Arising
7.1Tony Wright thanked those who delivered the Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire but reported that, in his experience, there was a disappointing 12-15% return. The next step is to input the data over the next 2 to 3 weeks and volunteers were requested for this task. Following data input, a meeting will be held towards the end of July/beginning of August to examine the results.
Tony thanked Ann O’Callaghan for her work in co-ordinating this, which was echoed by Cllr Hunter. The team had received a request from Somerleyton Parish Council for Oulton’s questionnaire and, as a result, would be adopting the same questions.
8Reports
Cllr Reeder
8.1Cllr Reeder reported, on behalf of Cllr Robinson, that Suffolk County Council had visited the site in Union Lane but that the issue was not a high priority. This item is related to the concerns regarding the Oulton Workhouse burial site, discussed under item 10.
8.2Cllr Reeder discussed concerns relating to the blood testing service with Michael Ladd, Chair of the Suffolk County Council Health Scrutiny Committee and a report will be presented to the next Health Scrutiny Committee meeting. Cllr Reeder will report back.
8.3It was acknowledged that the fly-posting signs which were reported as a concern at the last parish council meeting had been significantly reduced in number from 17 to 4. Cllr Reeder will follow up on the few that remain.
8.4Cllrs Reeder and Robinson met with Joy Stoddart regarding the Woods Meadow development. Construction of the school will start imminently to meet the September 2018 intake. Cllr Reeder repeated concerns about the drop-off points and reassured Council that he and Cllr Robinson will keep an overview on developments in relation to the health centre.
8.5Cllr Reeder sits on the Lothingland Stakeholders Group. He reported his confidence that this was a good team and would keep a close overview on developments. Cllr Reeder confirmed the need for close engagement and a strong community voice.
Cllr Murray
Cllr Murray’s written report accompanies these minutes.
9Open Forum
9.1Neighbourhood Plan
Ann O’Callaghan had nothing to add to the previous report on the Neighbourhood Plan recorded under point 7 Matters Arising.
9.2Parishioners
i)Local historian, Ivan Bunn, reported that during the course of his work in the Records Office he had helped a visitor to the office in tracing the burial place of her great-grandfather. Ivan discovered that this man had died a pauper in the 1890s and was buried in the burial ground of the old Oulton Workhouse. Ivan reported to Council his concerns about the current status of the burial ground and confirmed that he will prepare, free of charge, a full historical report plus accurate location in order that the parish council can progress this issue.
Cllr Hunter had contacted Suffolk County Council archaeology staff, who confirmed that the burial ground must be considered in any planning application. It was the view of Councillors that they had a duty to ensure that the burial ground is properly marked, that the planning authorities are made aware of the exact location and that a plaque or monument is provided in remembrance of the people that are buried on the site. The Clerk was asked to write initially to Suffolk County Council, to be followed by Ivan Bunn’s report.
Ivan thanked councillors for their interest and action on this issue and confirmed that he would report back to his visitor to the Records Office.
ii)It was reported to the meeting that media reports suggest that the existing doctor’s surgery will become a therapy centre for those with disabilities and learning difficulties. Concerns were expressed about whether consideration has been given to parking for the type and number of vehicles that would visit the centre. Councillors confirmed that this would be the responsibility of the new private owners.
10Planning
10.1DC/172415/PN3 – Barn Conversion at Camps Heath: Council is not qualified to judge if the application meets the criteria but has no grounds to recommend refusal
10.2SCC\0095\17 - Oulton Broad Primary School: concerns were raised over the delay of development of the classroom areas until funds are available
10.3DC/17/2178/FUL – Bluebell Cottage: No objections, subject to party wall requirements
10.4DC/17/2654/FUL – Gorleston Road: No objections, subject to party wall requirements
10.5DC/17/2754/FUL – 24a Union Lane: No objections
10.6DC/17/2635FUL – 37 new dwellings: No objections at this time
11To receive Clerk’s Finance Report
11.1The Clerk reminded Council of the S111 money available for improvement of open spaces in Oulton with varying deadlines in this calendar year.
i)The Clerk has had confirmation from Lorraine Francis, WDC Section 106 Officer, that S111 funds can be provided to the Bonds Meadow Residents’ Association to cover the balance of purchasing a lock-up, as this will help to secure the future of the Meadow for Oulton residents. £500 has been donated from another source towards this purchase.
Councillors were asked to consider and approve the balance required to purchase the lock-up – approximately £1,000+.
Approved
ii)Other suggestions had been received as follows:
- Bench seating for the country park
- Fencing and gate for the village sign area
- Fencing for the gym area
- Oulton Welcome sign
- Signage for Woods Meadow
Some suggestions would not be possible within the 2017 deadlines but can be considered for future deadlines. Councillors to consider further and email any suggestions to the Clerk.
11.2The Clerk reported that the Annual Return had been submitted by the deadline of 20 June 2017. The Council was still in the Period of Exercise of Public Rights until 19 July 2017.
11.3Following the annual donations made by Oulton Parish Council, letters of thanks have been received from the Rev Pritchard on behalf of St Michael’s Church, Barbara Naisbitt on behalf of Oulton Community Council, David Savill, Service Manager of Lowestoft & Waveney DIAL and Sue Groom on behalf of SARS.
11.4The Clerk asked Council to consider and approve the following payments:
Item / Date / Payment Method / Amount / PowerClerk’s June Salary / 4.7.17 / Cheque No 100854 / £281.68 / S137
Room Hire / 4.7.17 / Cheque No 100855 / £54.00 / S137
Approved
12Other Business
- Volunteers were requested to assist with daily watering of the hanging baskets
- An incident of fly-tipping was reported in Fisher Row which had involved a fire risk. This had been cleared by a conscientious member of the public.
- In October a new vicar will replace the Rev Pritchard, who is retiring
The meeting closed at 21.41
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