COLTISHALL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held at the Village Hall 4th January 2010
Present
Chairman John Harding, Vice-Chairman Doreen Snelling, Robert Watson, Mike Warren, Michael Spinks, Keith Childerhouse, Peter Baker, Dave Smith, Mark Rischmiller, County Councillor James Carswell.
1. Apologies
Joe Chapman, Nigel Haines, Barbara Elvy clerk.
2 .Approve minutes of meeting 2nd November 2009
These were approved and signed as a true record
3. and 4. Meeting 23rd November 2009 to consider new councillor.
After clarification on procedures for co-option of new councillors, it was unanimously agreed to invite Mark Rischmiller from Ling Way to join the council, and he was duly co-opted. The minutes of that meeting were signed as a true record.
5. Matters arising from the minutes, not on the agenda.
Item 14 Highways. It was reported that the Hautbois Road was not on the agenda to grit this winter. There have been requests from the residents and the Governor of the HMP Bure for this road to be gritted as it was extremely slippery and several cars had slid off the road. James Carswell was asked to make representations on our behalf and Keith Childerhouse to bring up at the next prison meeting. There was also concern over the path down to the Post Office with several reports of falls.
6. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda.
Robert Watson, Peter Baker, John Harding and Doreen Snelling declared an interest in The Village Hall and Recreation Charity, Mike Watson, Doreen Snelling, Michael Spinks and Robert Watson in the Youth Forum. Peter Baker declared an interest in the grass cutting.
7. Police report, Speedwatch.
No Police report had been received and the Speedwatch checks were slightly down.
8 .Chairman's report.
The Chairman wished everyone a Happy New Year. There had been an incident of fly tipping on the large football field with builder’s rubble being a large proportion of items left. The Norfolk Probation Unpaid Work Unit had cleared this but the Charity had to pay £160.00 for the skip hire. It will be possible to prosecute if evidence of the person responsible for fly-tipping is found. It was hoped that with co-operation from the public the matter could be resolved. It would help if the waste site at Meyton would take more rubbish in one visit.
9. Correspondence received
A Letter from Stephen Heard was read out regarding the proposed Eco town asking for support for their objections. The parish council was aware that housing was needed as there was insufficient housing for local people but was concerned that the transport infrastructure was not adequate. We would have to be careful that the green land surrounding Norwich was not lost. Standing orders were suspended and James Carswell said that the key to the transport system was the NDR which was not likely to go ahead in the near future. With further development in Wroxham/North Walsham more traffic through the village would be likely. There would be an impact on health issues with the hospitals. Standing Orders were reinstated. The Chairman asked Robert Watson to draft a letter.
Guardian Garden: It had already been agreed previously to award a three-year contract. Garden Guardian had confirmed his agreement..
War memorial: Photographs had been taken and names listed for the Asset Register. Keith Childerhouse to source grants for renovation work. A quotation was being sourced for replacement cost in the event that the memorial is damaged.
HMP Bure: Keith Childerhouse to be the local representative on the Liaison Committee.
Wind Turbine: Keith Childerhouse will attend the meeting on January 20th 2010.
Boundary Committee: The Chairman had written a letter to the Eastern Daily Press regarding an item stating that all Parish Councils had agreed to the single authority. He explained that the Council reserved judgement but did not have the option to retain the status quo.
Police Budget meeting: The meeting on 21st January 2010 at Wymondham would be attended by Mike Warren.
Verge cutting: Garden Guardians’ contract to be extended for this season. Proposed by Robert Watson, seconded by Doreen Snelling, agreed unanimously.
Wherry Yacht Charitable Trust : Dave Smith will go to the meeting on Tuesday 5th January re the village fete, and forward details of events which the wherry could visit.
Street lighting: Highways were considering switching of street lights between midnight and 5am. There are two street lights in Coltishall at Hancock Close. Mark Rischmiller will ask residents for their opinion.
Post for new bin near church: Jeremy Hall is to fit a new post; Broadland DC will supply, fit and maintain a litter bin.
RAF Marham: The clerk has written to request a presence at the Remembrance service this year.
Norfolk County Council : A letter had been received from Norfolk County Council regarding the new bus stop signs in Rectory Road. A complaint had been received from a parishioner about the lack of visibility due to the pole being coloured black as it is in the Conservation area. Doreen Snelling will contact Norfolk County Council for clarification.
10 Play equipment, Section 106 monies
Mike Warren explained that the refurbishment of the two playground items at a cost of £1,600 could be paid for out of the Section 106 money. The equipment had been removed and would be re-installed when completed. It was hoped to extend the play area.
11 Audit check-list and financial risk management document for approval.
There were three documents – Parish Verifier checklist, Internal Auditor checklist, and Financial Risk Management. Councillors had received copies prior to the meeting, all were agreed unanimously by the council. Peter Baker reported that Barbara Elvy (clerk) had done a terrific job and was thanked by all.
| Payments since last meeting | |
| Paul Savory – calculator ribbons | 9.20 |
| Seriously Responsible Printing – Parish Plan | 558.90 |
| Coltishall British Legion – Remembrance Day wreath | 18.00 |
| Garden Guardian – grass verges | 972.90 |
| Garden Guardian – grass cutting | 3352.25 |
| Norfolk CC – refund of verge cutting surplus | 39.98 |
| Allotments Account | |
| Mr Beardsmore – timber for gate | 48.60 |
| Receipts since last meeting | |
| Broadland DC – Recycling April – September | 946.73 |
| Bank Account Balances as at 4th January 2010 | |
| Current Account | 1916.99 |
| Saving Account | 9806.61 |
| Total | 11723.60 |
| Payments due this meeting | |
| Ann Watson – Speedwatch | 7.00 |
| Computers in Crisis | 30.00 |
| JB Elvy – salary Nov-Dec, Expenses | 295.29 |
| Allotments Account Mr Yellop – gate installation | 346.15 |
The clerk’s expenses included £214.18 for books and training time on the CiLCA course. Applications had been made for grants to offset some training costs.
A printer/scanner had been purchased to replace the clerk’s own printer at a cost of £99.97. It was agreed to reimburse the clerk – the scanner will be recorded on the Asset Register as parish property. All payments approved, proposed John Harding, seconded Doreen Snelling.
Agree payments to be made in accordance with the Budget.
Peter Baker proposed that the Council pay Robert Watson's expenses, seconded by Doreen Snelling all agreed. It was explained that there needs to be a contingency budget with identification on costs incurred to become a Quality Council. The registration fees would be paid by the Council, proposed John Harding, seconded by David Smith all agreed.
13 Requests - EACH, Dial-a-ride, Norfolk Search and Rescue Donations.
This item to be deferred until the next meeting. Proposed Robert Watson seconded Keith Childerhouse all agreed.
14 Sub-Committee to review and appraise clerk annually.
It was decided that the Chairman, Vice-chairman and Robert Watson would form the committee. Proposed Keith Childerhouse, seconded Peter Baker. All agreed.
15 Planning report-Doreen Snelling
There were no objections to-
Outdoor Play equipment and wooden Shelter, Patteson Lodge, 14, Hautbois Road, Coltishall.
An application at 8, College Close, Coltishall for first Floor Side and Rear Extension has been withdrawn at applicant's request.
An application for a Lean-to Timber Building for Storage of Kayaks at Great Hautbois House, 5, Hautbois Road was in circulation.
16 Footpaths report-John Harding
A request had been requested from Anchor Street for a kerb to be installed as a resident's wall was being eroded by visitors parking too close. Highways refused a kerb but will build up the road to the wall.
17 Highways report-Nigel Haines
The chairman reported that several pot-holes had appeared during the bad weather and were being dealt with. There were concerns about overnight parking in the lay-by by the Lower Common however Highways have no plans to restrict this.
Residents of Rectory Road and Westbourne Road had received a questionnaire regarding the proposed one-way system, canvassing views.
Standing orders were suspended. Mr Burton from Ling Way said there was a need for street lighting around the village. Peter Baker pointed out that this item was on the Parish Plan questionnaire but any lighting would have to be paid for by the Parish with the precept rising considerably. Keith Childerhouse said the results from the Plan would determine further investigation but pointed out that in the past residents were against lighting. Mr Burton also requested bus stops and shelter for the Ling Way crossroads but this had already been refused by Highways on safety grounds. It was noted that the buses already pick/drop off there. A meeting with all interested parties could be the way forward.
18Youth matters- Doreen Snelling
The Youth Forum will re-start on 14th January 2010.
19 Any other business
Mike Warren reported that the week before Christmas car and wheelie bin stickers with a “Slow Down” message to drivers were delivered to households but was disappointed that the take up was minimal. The parish council would be grateful if the stickers were put on the bins to show that we care about speeding in our village.
20 Public participation pursuant to Standing Order 57 (a)
James Carswell wished everyone a happy New Year. He was not happy with Highway's decision not to grit the Hautbois Road and will take this up with the Cabinet member. He was also concerned about the paths being very slippery but appreciated the hard work that the Council had done in the bad weather. The Government has said that the Northern Distributor Road will go ahead. This would be a solution for Norwich rather than the rural areas. With the housing growth in Wroxham/North Walsham the need for public transport would become more important. It is likely that the Unitary plans would not go ahead but no decisions have yet been made. The County Council's budget would mean that non-essential spending would be curtailed for the next few years.
Mrs Savory thanked the Council for getting through a very long Agenda.
Meeting closed at 9.40 pm
Clerk’s Note : My thanks to Doreen Snelling for kindly taking the minutes of this meeting in my absence.