Weybourne Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 7th January, 2015 at the Village Hall, Weybourne, commencing at 7.30pm
Present: Keith Morley (Chair), Walter Wood, Robin Woodhouse, Pat Floyd,
Janice Rose, Tony Baylis and the Clerk. Also present was David Young (NNDC).
1a. To receive and consider apologies
Apologies were received from M.Rayner, P.Gallally, and P.Taylor.
1b. To receive Declarations of Interest on Agenda items
No interests declared.
2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held 3/12/14.
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.
D.Young (NNDC) reported on the following :- (a) NNDCs fees and charges for services had increased by approx. 2.5% (excl. car parking, markets & beach huts).
(b) the relaxing of the affordable housing criteria had been extended for a further year (c) Cabinet had agreed in principle to transfer the Sheringham Information Centre and public toilets to the Nth Norfolk Railway (d) a range of powers had come into force regarding anti-social behaviour (e) council is considering ways to mark the centenary of the start of WW1 and have received a wrought iron sculpture which is to be installed on land at the front of the council offices. (f) the new engine sheds at Weybourne station did not need planning permission – see 6d.
3c. To receive Police Report & note the PCSO Partnership Scheme.
An e-mailed report stated that there had been no recorded crimes since the last meeting. The Clerk referred to the new PCSO.Partnership Scheme and after summarising the situation it was agreed to circulate the paperwork to members.
4. Finance:
1. To approve invoices for payment:-
P.Bullimore £286.20 (clerks salary), HMRC £15.00 (tax on clerks salary)
Weybourne V.Hall £14.00 (hire of hall), P.Bullimore £40.50 (clerks expenses)
Morston PC £49.00 (SLCC sub), Holt & Communities First Response £97.50 (defib)
The payments, scheduled on the agenda as above, were approved.
2. To note & consider Budget/Precept for 2015-16. ****
Members agreed to use the Clerks draft budget and notes as a basis for discussion. Referring to the notes the Clerk reminded members that capping or restricting parish and town councils budgets is always a possibility during the governments austerity measures. He also referred to the grant offered by NNDC in respect of the council tax support scheme. The projected bank balances for March 2015 looked good and therefore reasonable reserves would be in place for the next financial year. Members needed to bear in mind that a contested election in May, 2015 was a possibility and items such as a vehicle activated sign (already being discussed) and further tree work would need to be taken into account (the draft budget only reflected revenue expenses/general running costs). The Chair stated that he was happy with the Clerks estimates and thought it was worth considering a small reduction in the precept for 2015-16. PF thought it wiser to leave the precept as last year as did RW and WW.
TB thought it was worth considering a small reduction but after further discussion it was agreed to keep the precept at £15,000 and accept the grant from NNDC (£1053).
The Chair and two members duly signed the Precept Form which the clerk witnessed and would forward to NNDC.
5. Planning:
1. To note information/decisions received from NNDC since last meeting
The following was noted :- The Barn, Bolding Way – there is an appeal against NNDC refusal for the continued use of land as a camp site and retention of the amenity block.
2. To consider planning applications received since agenda was printed.
None received.
3. To receive update re the Marlpit
The Clerk was still waiting for written confirmation that the Marlpit is in the custodianship of NNDC.
4. PF/14/1578: Erectn of Extn with Balcony at Flat 6, Weybourne Hall (circ)
Members agreed to object to this application because of overdevelopment. They thought that the extension/balcony was out of keeping with the Hall and they had concerns with privacy issues.
6. Highways & Footpath matters:
1. To receive update re the pond in Beach Lane.
The Clerk and the Chair had still not received replies to their enquiries.
2. To receive update re vehicle activated sign
The Clerk informed members that a grant application had been submitted to NCC in the sum of £1600 (50% of estimated costs). Decisions would not be announced by NCC until March/April 2015.
3. To consider the maintenance of the bench seat on Station Rd
It was agreed to purchase a new bench seat from Glasdons UK Ltd. (Elwood bench seat in Dark Oak) at a cost of approx. £600.
4. To consider parking adjacent to steam railway station
D.Young (NNDC) had already informed members earlier that the new shed did not need planning permission and there seemed little that the planners could do in respect of the parking problems. The Chair agreed to follow up his email to the adjacent land owner regarding the use of his field.
7. Meetings & Conferences (to receive reports and announcements)
There would be a NNDC “Wider Engagement “ meeting on 4th Feb – noted.
8. Allotments:
1. To receive report re allotments. (RW)
RW had nothing to report.

9. Village Hall:
1. To receive report re Village Hall (PF)
PF informed members that they had welcomed a new committee member who would be dealing with grant aid for future projects.
10. Cemetery & Churchyard:
1. To consider re-planting of tree near west gate of churchyard.
The Clerk was instructed to contact the PCC to enquire whether leaving the space and not planting a new tree enhanced the view of the churchyard as you approached from the west. Members thought this to be the best option.
11. Harry Dawson Playing Field:
1. To receive report re HDPF (PT).
KM reported that the erection of the new equipment was progressing.
12. Weybourne Community Fund:
1. To receive report re WCF (KM)
A copy of the WCF accounts had been supplied to members and were acknowledged. KM reported that the childrens party had gone well and they were looking forward to the senior citizens event.
13. To receive update re new contract for the Clerk
Following the circulation of the draft contract various queries were settled and it was agreed that the Chair be authorised to sign the revised version on behalf of the PC.
14. To receive update re repairs/maintenance of the War Memorial
The Clerk hoped that further work (2nd spraying) would be carried out soon – noted.
15. To receive update & further consider car parking in the village.
It was reluctantly agreed to remove this item from the agenda.
16. To review/revisit the PC Website
Members pictures would be uploaded to the site soon.
17. To receive General Correspondence (not included in agenda items above)
The Clerk reported on the following which would be circulated :- Letter from Natural England re the Coastal Access Path, Dudgeon Newsletter, and various from NALC.
18. Public Participation (comments/other matters)
No public in attendance.
19. To confirm date of next meeting – future agenda items.
This was confirmed for Wednesday, 4th February, 2015. (7.30pm)