Weybourne Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday, 1st February, 2017 at the Village Hall, Weybourne. – 7.30pm.
Present: Janice Rose (Chair), Walter Wood, Ruth Gallally, Robin Woodhouse,
Pat Floyd, Andy Crawford, Penny Taylor, and the Clerk. Also present were D.Young (NNDC), and five members of the public.
1a. To receive and consider apologies
Apologies were received and accepted from P.Gallally. Apologies were also received from M.Baker (NCC).
1b. To receive Declarations of Interest on Agenda items
No declarations made.
1c. To receive update re vacancy
The statutory notice from NNDC Electoral Servs., was now being displayed advertising electors rights to an election. The Clerk would be informed by the next meeting whether the co-option procedure could be used to fill the vacancy.
2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held 4/1/17.
The minutes, which had already been circulated, were accepted as a true record.
3a. Public Participation (requests to speak on agenda items)
A parishioner (the applicant) stated that he was here to answer any questions re 5(f).
3b. To receive reports from County & District Councillors.
*** D.Young (NNDC) reported on the following :- (a) there had been no Cabinet or Full Council meetings in January (b) postal vote signatures were being “refreshed”
(c) Funding was being made available for the Blakeney Channel and Sheringham Town Centre (d) the paper format for the planning system was being terminated (e) the boreholes, both east and west of the NNDC car park and Beach Lane, were being made good and Dong Energy were having public consultation events commencing in March. (Weybourne Village Hall – 3/3/17)
3c. To receive Police Report.
The Clerk read a brief email report stating (a) one recorded crime during the past month (b) SNAP priorities remain the same (c) next SNAP meeting will be on 6/4/17.
4. Finance:
(a) To approve invoices for payment:-
P.Bullimore £246.20 (clerks salary), HMRC £61.60 (tax on clerks salary)
Weybourne V.Hall £15.00 (hire of hall), P.Bullimore £30.68 (clerks expenses)
E-on £48.54 (electricity – lights), E.Farrow £45.00 (VAS maintenance),
Anglian Water £31.79 (water; allotments).
*** The payments, as scheduled on the agenda, were approved.
(b) To consider future maintenance of PC Website.
The Clerk stated that transparency is now the in word and notice boards, and to some extent newsletters, are becoming things of the past as government requirements regarding the use of websites is introduced. Parish Councils are now legally obliged to display certain things on their websites (members names/contact details, agendas, minutes, and much relating to finance such as the annual return and external auditors report). Currently a retired teacher, who set up the WPC Website, is maintaining and posting the required information and the Clerk asked members to formalise the situation by paying a small remuneration of £50 p.a. plus £10 per hour for any extra work that may arise. This was agreed.
5. Planning:
(a) To note information/decisions received from NNDC since last meeting
The following were noted :-
PF/16/1690; Erectn of Extensions at The Beeches, Sheringham Rd – permission given
PF/16/1626; Development opposite The Maltings – 7 dwellings – permission given
PF/16/1371; Extn & increase in roof height, 25 Pine Walk – permission given
(b) To consider planning applications received since agenda was printed.
None received.
(c) To receive update re listing buildings.
Written confirmation that the Maltings Hotel had been added to NNDC’s Local List had been received, and as agreed, the Clerk would write informing the owners.
(d) To receive & consider update re 25 & 25a Pine Walk.
In spite of local protests and press coverage permission had been given for number 25. (see 5a). D.Young (NNDC) summarised the situation todate and anticipated more applications. The PC had written much trying to prevent the new build and subsequent additions.
(e) PF/16/1566; Change of use of outbuilding at Highfields, The Street.
It was agreed that there were no objections to this application.
(f) PF/16/1732; Alterations & Conversion of Cart Shed at Abbey Farm.
All papers had been re-circulated since the last meeting and members were familiar with the plans etc. The Chair invited the applicant to speak who stated that this project was a win/win situation which included improvements to the bus shelter which had a history of water running down its back wall from the adjoining building. He stated that they were always trying to enhance his farm and surrounding area, which extended to the whole village. The Chair invited questions from members and PF enquired of the standard of flint-work and the possibility of not matching the new with the old. The applicant gave assurances on this point. The Chair expressed concerns re overlooking neighbours, as did AC, and hoped that this would be resolved. RW queried who would carry out future roof repairs as the cart shed and bus shelter were being amalgamated. D.Young (NNDC) stated that this would be a planning gain and thought there was no real grounds for objection. Most members agreed with this statement and it was agreed to support the application subject to the planning officer being happy with the overlooking/shadowing.
6. Highways & Footpath matters:
(a) To further consider neglected gardens in the village.
D.Young (NNDC) was still awaiting a reply from the enquiry he made with Planning Enforcement. He pointed out that there were many untidy gardens in North Norfolk and sometimes it was not possible to act unless vermin had been spotted or other health hazards identified.
(b) To consider request for a window in the bus shelter (RG).
RG reported that a parishioner had pointed out that it was not possible to see buses approaching without standing outside the shelter. Members were reluctant to consider a window but instructed the Clerk to make enquiries re the cost of mirrors that were often used for spotting vehicles and road safety purposes.
7. Meetings & Conferences (to receive reports and announcements)
No new announcements or reports.
8. Allotments:
(a) To receive report re allotments (RW)
RW reported that tenants were now starting to work their plots and all appeared OK. There were still some vacant plots. AC reported that he had spoken to a dog owner whose dog was not on a lead. Following a brief discussion re water pipes freezing it was agreed to monitor the situation (supply to be turned off only if there was a prolonged very cold spell)
(b) To consider outstanding rents.
The Clerk reported that he had only one outstanding payment and RW agreed to follow this up with the tenant.
9. Village Hall:
(a) To receive report re Village Hall (PF)
PF reported that a grant application had been submitted regarding new LED lighting and work on the fire doors was now being considered. She had arranged meetings with various contractors for next week.
(b) To receive update re registration of village hall and land.
A letter, dated 11/1/17, had been received from Butcher Andrews Solicitors regarding a slight delay because the Land Registry were dealing with a dissolved company (Asta Properties) and subsequently the Governments Legal Department. – Noted.
10. Cemetery & Churchyard:
(a) To receive update re repair to step at eastern gate of churchyard (JR)
The Chair gave a brief report and it was agreed to carry this forward to the next agenda.
11. Harry Dawson Playing Field:
(a) To receive report re HDPF (PT).
PT reported that bingo sessions had started again and was well supported.
(b) To consider letter received re land adjacent to 36, Beck Close.
The Clerk handed out copies of a letter received from Harry Roper on behalf of his father Andrew Roper, stating that an easement exists on the tarmac area adjacent to 36, Beck Close. Members agreed to refer this matter to Emma Duncan (Solicitor at NNDC) requesting that she acts on behalf of the PC.
12. Weybourne Community Fund: To receive report re WCF (RW)
RW reported that the seniors citizens lunch had gone well and letters of thanks had been received. The Easter Egg Hunt would be next on the WCF’s agenda.
13. To receive General Correspondence (not included in agenda items above)
Brochure regarding phase 1 of the Hornsea Project 3 Windfarm.
14. Public Participation (comments/other matters)
A parishioner spoke on the following (a) queried the policies applied to PC planning decisions and (b) reported an official footpath (top of Temple Drive going through the Holiday Park) being blocked/shut and questioned whether the PC needed to take action.
15. To confirm date of next meeting – future agenda items.
This was confirmed for Wednesday, 1st March, 2017. (7.30pm)
