North Elmham Parish Council Meeting – January – 4.1.2011
The monthly Parish Council Meeting took place on 4th January in the Sports Pavilion with 3 parishioners attending and John Labouchere in the Chair.
For the second month running there were no items raised by the public in public participation.
Apologies were received from Bill Borrett.
Vacancy on Parish Council.
It was announced that there was only one name received, that of Merryn Walters, for the vacancy on the Parish Council caused by the resignation of Colin Groom, and after a unanimous vote she was duly co-opted to the Council.
There were no declarations of interest and the previous meeting minutes were accepted.
Safe Route to School
Norman Lowe again reported that there had been an instance of glass being smashed on the path across the Green and asked that should anyone have information to please let the Parish Council know as broken glass is both dangerous to people on the Green and also time consuming to clear up.
Land Management
Cathedral Ruins – The sign for the gate has been ordered and should be in place shortly. Kevin Webb has spoken to Mr. Baker and English Heritage is hoping to do the work on the flints around Easter time. Most of the documentation regarding the hedge cutting is in place but there is still a question as to whether a chainsaw certificate is required as it is a public contract, this will be checked with the Council’s insurers and the instruction to proceed with the job will be given if no information to the contrary is received.
Millennium Wood – the margins need trimming and Mr. Allsop to be instructed to proceed on the same basis as last year. There is nothing significant in the lease, which will hold up proceedings, and it was confirmed that it is to be a 21-year lease with 5-year break points. A stock wire fence will need planting along the new boundary line and a quote of £850 has been received for trees although they may be sourced from the Woodland Trust which could save about £350. The newly planted trees will require tree guards to be placed around to stop protect then from Roe and Muntjac.
Bridleway – https://online.norfolk.gov.uk/prowproblem/ – it was reported that there is now a website which anyone can use to report problems if the footpaths becomes impassable at any time.
Street Lights
The broken light is now working but there still a couple to be reported for investigation. Letters have been sent to the underwriters who will reimburse the Council for the lamp that was damaged in Eastgate Street and they will pursue recovery of the debt from Mr. Bell.
Highway Matters
The phone box maintenance is on hold until the weather improves in the spring. BT has replied regarding the box in Station Road and has said they will provide a new door before transfer takes place. Eastgate Street was apparently salted in one of the recent frosts and some damage had been done to the road surface, the matter will be reported to Highways. The new Bus Time Table and holder should be installed shortly.
Playing Field
All is going smoothly at the moment, the Tennis Club is continuing with the Police to try and stop the problems they are having. The beech hedge will be trimmed shortly by Mr. Allsop. Mole catching is working well and will be extended shortly to the Village Green.
Village Sign
The brown sign to the Chapel will have to be moved by English Heritage to improve visibility of the Village Sign - only problem is the County Council apparently provides the sign.
Station Yard Development
It was confirmed that only someone directly affected by a problem could complain to the Ombudsman – a possible complainant was being investigated.
Precept and Budget
There had been a few minor amendments made to the budget and it had been submitted to Breckland. The new method of budget preparation and quarterly figures for review was accepted unanimously.
Severe Weather Arrangements
There had been 2 responses to the appeal for coordinator and it was now felt as though another appeal should be made to those potentially at risk to identify themselves so that arrangements could be put in hand. An appeal for names will appear in the next Elmham News.
New Trustee
With the resignation of Colin Groom there is a need for a new trustee for the Elmham Charities, Peter Braybrook had been proposed at the previous meeting and his appointment was duly ratified.
Village Green
There is now agreement to purchase the Village Green from the County Council for the sum of £88,500 plus legal fees (estimated to be about £500). There is a clawback clause for enhanced value, which needs checking before the final signature. It was proposed to put £20,000 from Council reserves towards the purchase the rest to be raised by gifts, grants and a loan from the Public Works Loan Board. The terms of the purchase are funds to be paid in full over 3 years. Peter Wade-Martins suggested that what was left after the £20,000 plus grants and gifts is applied for immediately from the Public Works Loan Board – this would be repaid at a low interest rate over 50 years. Proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Norman Lowe the decision was passed unanimously.
Parking in Breckland
The Clerk is to write a letter to Breckland giving the views of the Parish on this matter and expressing strongly their wishes to keep the current system.
Breckland Housing Report
The Clerk is to communicate with the Breckland Housing Report as they claim that there is a waiting list of some 300 people looking for housing within the Parish (notwithstanding the fact that they may well be on multiple lists) – at the moment there are at least 30 empty properties which could accommodate at least 1/3 of the apparent waiting list – some communication is obviously needed.
Planning Application
- (i)3PL/2011/1401/F
Mr. and Mrs. Woods, Willow Cottage, Broom Green, North Elmham
Proposed annexe and alterations/extension works
No objection
Correspondence
The Big Red Bus Project had offered its facilities to the Parish for informing the young on various health matters. The scheme had worked well in Fakenham, but it was thought that for Elmham it would be best to see if it was possible to have a trial visit to check response, this was best left until May when the weather was better – the Clerk to find out if this is possible.
Dog Bins – a letter had been received from Mrs. Wyatt drawing attention to the siting of the dog bins being difficult for wheelchair users and was it possible to resite them to avoid wheelchairs getting bogged down in mud. A reply is awaited from Breckland on the matter.
Environmental Stewardship – the current scheme ends on 2013 and the Parish Council has been asked if it would like to go onwards with a new scheme – the overwhelming feeling was yes and the necessary forms are being filled in and returned.
The next meeting will be on 1st February 2012 in the Pavilion at 7:30pm.