Weybourne Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 3rd September, 2014 at the Village Hall, Weybourne, commencing at 7.00pm
Prior to the meeting there was a presentation by the NNDC Monitoring Officer re Declaring Interests & the Code of Conduct
Present: Keith Morley (Chair), Walter Wood, Peter Gallally, Mike Rayner,
Robin Woodhouse, Pat Floyd, Janice Rose, Tony Baylis and the Clerk. Also present were D.Young (NNDC), M.Baker (NCC), and six representatives from NNDC regarding the presentation on Interests and the Code of Conduct (D.Johnson, Monitoring Officer, Hilary Cox, Chair of the NNDC Standards Committee, Emma Denny, NNDC Democratic Servs., and three Standards Committee members) – all six representatives left before the Chair opened the meeting at 1a.
1a. To receive and consider apologies
Apologies were received from Penny Taylor and PCSO.Seabrook.
1b. To receive Declarations of Interest on Agenda items
No interests declared.
2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held 6/8/14.
The minutes, which had already been circulated, were accepted as a true record.
3a. Public Participation (requests to speak on agenda items)
No members of the public present.
3b. To receive reports from County & District Councillors.
M.Baker (NCC) reported on the following :- (a) NCC had started work in September on their budget and further government reductions had already been announced. – it was hoped to produce a draft budget in late November/ early December with full council discussions in January, 2015. (b) MB noted that signage had been moved nearer the steam railway bridge and road “slow” markings were soon to be carried out.
D.Young (NNDC) reported on the following :- (a) changes to the new individual electoral registration (b) Planning meeting at Cley (open to all councillors) re modern designs in traditional/old areas. – he hoped WPC would be well represented.
D.Young left the meeting at this point.
3c. To receive Police Report
PCSO. Seabrook submitted a report via e-mail which would be circulated.
4. Finance:
(a) To approve invoices for payment:-
P.Bullimore £286.20 (clerks salary), Anglian Water £37.65 (allotment water),
Weybourne V.Hall £14.00 (hire of hall), P.Bullimore £37.80 (clerks expenses)
Secret Gardens £114.00 (grass cutting), HMRC £14.40 (tax on clerks salary)
** The payments, scheduled on the agenda, were approved.
5. Planning:
(a) To note information/decisions received from NNDC since last meeting
There had been a “prior notification” re an extension to an agricultural building at Home Farm, Holt Road. – noted by members.
(b) To consider planning applications received since agenda was printed.
None received.
(c) PF/14/1004; Installation of Biomass boiler etc at The Ship, The Street.
The Chair summarised what was proposed at The Ship and it was agreed to support this application.
6. Highways & Footpath matters:
(a) To receive update re the pond in Beach Lane.
The Clerk reported that Norfolk Rivers Trust were due to visit the site tomorrow. Money to cover the management costs of the project needed to be found and another communication had been sent to Dudgeon Windfarms hoping that they will give financial assistance as well as instructing their contractors to carry out the work.
(b) To receive update/consider road safety nr.steam railway station and bridge.
A negative reply had been received from NCC Highways regarding any major works being carried out following the site meeting on 14/8/14. However work on signage as well as changes in road markings were in the process of being completed. The Chair summarised NCC Highways reply, but members agreed to keep this matter on the agenda with the Clerk being instructed to investigate costs of vehicle activated speed signs (VAS) following a suggestion from PF. Other areas that might be investigated in the future included “sleeping policemen” as suggested by MR.
(c) To receive update re trees on west boundary of the Marlpit
M.Sadler had been instructed to carry out the work a.s.a.p.
(d) To consider parking on verges in the village (JR)
It was agreed that parking on the verges was tolerated by the agencies involved unless excessive damage was caused, or highway visibility problems arose (these were dealt with by NCC Highways and the Police respectively). Following discussion councillors agreed to observe what was going on in the village and consider the matter further at the next meeting.
(e) To consider the maintenance of the bench seat on Station Rd (KM)
Speaking from past experiences the Clerk informed members that parish councils usually took on the long term maintenance of gifted bench seats. KM would speak with members of the donor family and report back to members.
(f) To consider future use and maintenance of the Marlpit.
The Clerk informed members that grant monies were usually for specific projects and not for day to day maintenance of land. It was agreed to bring this matter back to the agenda in three months time following a suggestion from TB.
7. Meetings & Conferences (to receive reports and announcements)
The AGM of the Mid-Norfolk CAB would be on 17/9/14 at Swaffham – noted.
8. Allotments:
(a) To receive report re allotments. (RW)
RW reported that all was well and he had two people on the waiting list which he hoped would be solved with a possible termination in the near future. A brief discussion followed re future tenants being parishioners (on the electoral roll).
9. Village Hall:
(a) To receive report re Village Hall (PF)
PF reported her concerns regarding the building in general as the village hall was now many years old and needed work carried out in many areas. She referred to a complete overhaul of the electrics, repairs to the floor and re-decoration as examples of what faced the village hall committee. Financial assistance/grant aid was required as fund raising in the usual manner would not cover the projected future expenditure. She was looking for new committee members and in particular a person who might take on the job of applying for grants etc…
10. Cemetery & Churchyard:
(a) To consider sign in C’Yard re PC’s financial responsibilities re the C’Yard.
Members agreed that a sign in the churchyard and at the cemetery were appropriate and the Clerk was instructed to approach the PCC for their views and obtain ideas for the materials to be used as well as the wording on the signs.
11. Harry Dawson Playing Field:
(a) To receive report re HDPF (PT).
PT had offered her apologies.
(b) To receive update re damage to fence on playing field.
The Clerk read the letters sent to A.Roper from Eastlaw regarding (a) his Freedom of Information Act request, and (b) the position of the PC re the ownership/rights of the land in the corner of the HDPF. The Chair summarised the situation and hoped the matter was now resolved.
KM referred to twitchers using binoculars/cameras at the HDPF which had involved the Police.- noted.
KM read a letter from the secretary of the HDPF re the position regarding installation of the new equipment – noted.
12. Weybourne Community Fund:
(a) To receive report re WCF (KM)
KM reported that the Fun Day on the 24th August had been very successful.
PF congratulated members of the WCF on the appearance of the field.
13. To note position re new contract for the Clerk
A draft contract was nearing completion.
14. To receive update re repairs/maintenance of the War Memorial
The contractors would be returning soon. The scaffolding, queried by members, was to be used at the latter stages of the work.
15. To receive update & further consider car parking in the village.
It was agreed to keep this matter on the agenda and members would, in the meantime, have a look at the Marlpit.
16. To receive update/consider submitting a request to NNDC for residents free parking on the Beach Lane car park
A second letter had been sent to NNDC and a reply was awaited.
17. To receive General Correspondence (not included in agenda items above)
The Clerk reported on the following which would be circulated :-
Information re “Kickstart” – a moped loan scheme.
E-mail from D.Young re CAB opening times in Sheringham.
Electoral registration changes letter and poster.
18. Public Participation (comments/other matters)
No members of the public in attendance.
19. To confirm date of next meeting – future agenda items.
This was confirmed for Wed. 1st October, 2014 (7.30pm)
