MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF WORSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY

24 JULY 2007 AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, WORSTEAD

 

PRESENT: Cllrs. S. Henderson (Chair), R. Barrett, G.Paterson, Cllr. West, Cllr. Lattimer

 

APOLOGIES: C. Wilkins (District Cllr.)

 

ALSO PRESENT: 7 members of the public, PCSO Wibberley

 

07/059

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Councillors agreed to change the agenda and bring Planning forward, suspending Standing Orders for members of the public to voice their views.

 

PUBLIC’S PARTICIPATION: 

Chairman Henderson opened the meeting by welcoming everybody and asked PCSO Wibberley to start.

 

PCSO Wibberley: no problems were reported this month. He informed the Council that a misunderstanding with District Cllr. Wilkins had arisen. He would prefer it if people got in touch with him directly if they had a problem  via the normal non-emergency number.

- Worstead Festival: he said there will be a big Police presence, but was informed that the need may be greater in the evening and at night. He would pass this on.

- Speeding: it remains an issue, PCSO Wibberley promised to get in touch with the Traffic Police again (they reprimanded 2 people during their last visit!) He told the Council about the opportunity to hire a speed gun for a refundable £700.00, suggesting to share it between three Councils, 6 volunteers would be trained up who then could go out in pairs.

 

ACTION BY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

07/060

 

060A

 

 

 

 

060B

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES  OF THE MEETING 25 JUNE 2007

 

Cllr. Barrett proposed to accept the minutes, seconded by Cllr. Lattimer, all agreed. The  minutes to be signed by the Chairman

 

DECLARATION OF INTEREST: Cllr. Paterson on items 063A1 ref. 20071014 and 2007 1147 (left the room during Council’s discussion and resolving stage), 07/066

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

07/061

MATTERS ARISING from these minutes (for information only):

None

 

 

 

 

07/062

062A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

07/062

(cont)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

062

A1a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

062A1a

(cont)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

062A1b

 

 

 

 

 

SUBCOMMITTEES: Standing Orders were suspended for 15 minutes per item.

Planning:

Chairman Henderson had asked to leave emotions out of the subject (they are not grounds for rejecting Planning Applications).

1 Member of the public felt that emotions could be put in writing by anybody, because the transformation of this village is on the fore front of his / her thinking

 

SUBCOMMITTEES: Planning:

Conversion of barn to two dwellings and erection of two two-storey dwelling, Laurels Farmyard, Front Street:

1 Member of the public informed everybody present that in the last 2 years 10 new houses were built in the village, with another 4 to be build at Manor Farm, probably SUBCOMMITTEES: Planning:

 

9 affordable houses on School Road, the Cow Shed being converted into a dwelling and 2 more at Laurels Farmyard. He had no problems with the Barn conversion, apart from the windows on the road side overlooking 3 cottages at Swanns Yard, his suggestion was to turn the plan around away from the road. The two new dwellings would look directly into the neighbours secluded garden and the top side window looks into the neighbour’s bath- and bedroom.

Another member emphasised the problem with the sewage, which seems to be adequate at present, but when one pump is not working, his and 2 neighbouring properties are flooded (as in the previous weekend). He felt Anglian Water should carry out more checks.

The neighbour felt that the new, high dwellings would take away the privacy from their lovely garden and especially the bed and bathroom.

A member living at Swanns Yard emphasised that she would be overlooked in her living- and bedroom, certainly with the imposing windows on the ground level, although she is in favour of the barn conversion.

Another member asked why there should be two new dwellings being built giving all properties just patios, adding to the numbers of cars, when the barn conversion would be enhanced by having gardens, creating open spaces.

 

Conversion of cowshed to residential dwellings and erection of car shelter,  Cowshed, Honing Row:
The neighbour had no problems with the conversion of this barn, but 4 windows are overlooking his garden. He was informed the walls would be retained.

Other members of the public were in favour of this conversion and agreed with the neighbour that the windows, which overlook the garden should be changed. They were worried about the influx of cars.

 

Cllr. Paterson said he appreciated the comments made tonight, explained how he was restricted to build houses in the past, but did not use the barns anymore for agricultural purposes. The barns are outdated and by converting them he was trying to retain Worstead Village. He made it clear that the conversions would be for residential use, not holiday let.

 

Standing Orders were resumed and Cllr. Paterson left the room.

 

Ref. 20071014 Conversion of barn to two dwellings and erection of two two-storey dwellings, Laurels Farmyard, Front Street:

Cllr. Barrett would support the conversion of the barn into two dwellings providing the windows were changed to protect the privacy of the residents at Swanns Yard.

He thought one dwelling in the middle would allow for creation of some open space.

Cllr. Barrett proposed to support the barn conversion, with the comment that the positioning of the windows should be reconsidered and to be used as residential dwellings. He objected to the two new dwellings, which would result in overdevelopment, loss of privacy and more problems with the sewage system. Cllr. West seconded his proposal, agreed by the two remaining Cllrs.

 

Ref. 20071147: Conversion of cowshed to residential dwellings and erection of car shelter. The Cowshed, Honing Row:

Cllr. West proposed to support this application, providing the windows would be changed to protect the neighbour’s privacy and that vehicular access should be assessed by Highways. This was seconded by Cllr. Lattimer. All agreed.

The official wording submitted to NNDC attached with these minutes.

SUBCOMMITTEES: Planning:

 

Ref. 20071122: Retention of field shelter, Land at Meeting Hill (retrospective)

Cllr. Barrett proposed not to object, providing it was used as stated, Cllr. West seconded this, agreed by other Cllrs.

 

Worstead Voluntary Controlled Primary School  - Footway Scheme, carried out by Mott MacDonald with Norfolk County Council: footpath to be continued from existing path towards junction continued along Westwick Road on right hand side to align with footpath on Ruin Road. The Councillors agreed to this plan (as it had already agreed to the School’s Travel Plan).

 

Permission:

Ref. 20070503: Manor Farm Buildings, School Road. Conversion of barns to four dwellings.

Ref.20070808: Brentony 5, Meeting Hill: erection of garage.

Ref. 20070850: The Beeches, Meeting Hill: erection of two-storey side extension and single storey rear extension and pitched roof replacement of flat roofs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

07/063

 

063A1

 

063B1

 

 

 

 

 

063C

 

063D

 

 

063E

 

 

 

 

 

063F

FINANCES:

 

Budget Statement was accepted as a true record.

 

Invoices to be paid: were all accepted for payment:

- SLK Home & Building maintenance: repairs playground        £340.00

- MBS Group: shield and engraving for I. Watts Award             £ 27.03 + VAT £4.73

- Worstead Lodge Community House: notice boards                  £156.58

- T. Swann: grass cutting graveyard, village sign, school green  £625.00

 

Remittance advice from The Forum Trust for 6 Worstead Woven £23.20

 

Transfer of £1,400.00 to go to Business Tracker Rate Account was agreed to and signed by all signatories.

 

Green at School: the Council resolved to keep up the maintenance to be carried out by T. Swann. Highways would only mow the green 3 times a year for visibility.

Chairman Henderson informed the Council that he had spoken to the Headteacher of the School to see whether they could turn part of the green into a wild life garden, maybe with some benches. The Headteacher promised to look into it.

 

Local Council Administration: costs £62.00, it was agreed that only 1 book would be purchased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

07/064

 

064A

064A1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

07/064A1 (cont)

 

 

 

 

064A2

 

 

 

064B

 

 

 

064C

 

 

 

SUBCOMMITTEES:

 

Leisure & Recreation:

LOTTERY GRANT FUNDING:

Cllr. Barrett has nearly completed the forms, a site appraisal was carried out by C. Alston, the plans are done, permission was granted by Cllr. Paterson. He will receive two more quotes for these play areas, he was very impressed with both companies. The toddler playground would be enclosed, but not the one for the older ones, a smooth path has to be created in order to comply with Disability Discrimination Act.

The School has written a letter of support, they could use the multi surface area for their P.E.

SUBCOMMITTEES: Leisure & Recreation:

 

The power point presentation created by A. Alston has been produced in print so it can be submitted.

A small obstacle is possible noise from the toddler playground, for the residents of Max Carter Close. A wall or greenery may alleviate this.

 

YOUTH SHELTER:

S. O’Hara will be asked to quote, the clerk will then ring around to inform the councillors, so it can be installed a.s.a.p.

 

Highways:

Lyngate and Pond near School: Carl Bird Limited has been approached  by Cllr. Paterson. He will try again after the Festival.

 

Queen Elizabeth Hall:

Chairman has not been informed about when meetings are taking place. This has been passed on to the Management Committee.

 

 

07/065

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

 

Cllr. Paterson declared an interest.

The letters with the answers to queries was distributed with the draft minutes.

Concerns were being raised about the segregation of people in need of affordable housing which would be created by this development, and not being able to have a say in the nomination of potential residents. The question was raised why Worstead would still need to cater for Tunstead residents, as plans are on the map for their own affordable housing.

It would be preferred by the Council if existing properties were bought by Flagship Housing Trust, thus integrating new residents.

Clerk to write letter voicing these concerns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

07/066

 

 

 

 

A: RESOLVE TO AMEND STANDING ORDER 69:

 

It was resolved to amend Standing Order 69 to include that Councillors with a prejudicial interest are allowed to make comments as a member of the public, but have to leave the room when discussion and voting takes place.

 

B. STREETNAMES MEETING HILL:

Mrs. Rix has promised to dig deeper into this matter

 

C: THANK YOU FOR RETIRED COUNCILLORS:

Cllr. Paterson has been asked to make a speech. Various items have been agreed upon, Clerk to visit M. Virden in North Walsham and put in the order.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

07/067

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROBATION SERVICE  AND CHURCH WALL

 

Most of the questions by the Probation Service were answered by Chairman Henderson, Cllr. Lattimer to create a Health & Safety Policy.

Clerk to look into the insurance. They asked for a project to last at least 3 days for eight people.

 

De-weeding of the church wall and possible repairs will be part of this project as will be clearing the curbs on School Road. Cllr. West agreed to attend the site visit.

 

 

 

LL

Clerk

 

 

07/068

DISTRICT / COUNTY COUNCILLOR:

 

District Cllr. Wilkins had to send her apologies, because her husband has been taken to hospital. The Council would like to wish her well, Clerk to send an email.

 

 

 

 

Clerk

07/069

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A: MATTER FOR DISCUSSION:

 

A letter from Mr. Walpole, 20 Woodview, was read. He informed the Council that he and both his neighbours had again experienced flooding of their gardens and he voiced his concerns about  more properties being built in the village, all using this system.

This letter will be copied and send to Anglian Water, Norfolk County Council and North Norfolk District Council, emphasising these concerns. Thank you letter to Mr. Walpole

 

B: ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: Tuesday 4 September 2007

 

- Progress Lottery Funding, playground

- Street names Meeting Hill.

- Probation Service

- Resolve to adopt new contract for Clerk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

 

- Norfolk County Council: North Walsham Community Archive Group; Adult

                 Education Directory

- North Norfolk District Council: Alterations to Electoral Register; Information about

              Pest Control; Fouling of Land by Dogs (NNDC) Order 2007; Area Forum Minutes.

- Local Council Review

- Broads Authority: Local Development Framework: Public Consultation

- Clerks and Councils Direct.

- Norfolk NHS: New online directory: www.hero.nks.uk/directories.asp.

- Griffon Area Partnership: minutes Safer Neighbourhood meeting 28.06.07.

- Street Skape: on outskirts of Norwich taken over by UAC Ltd.

- Rekk.

- Parker’s wholesale catalogue.

- Educational Centres Association: Every Actions Counts initiative

- North Norfolk Cummunity Partnership: Active Travel Project update.

- The Playing Field Association: newsletter and information.

- East of England Association of Parish & town councils: report.

- Glasdon: flyer

 

 

Charities:

- For Worstead Village Amenities Trust: Becoming a member of the National Council Voluntary Organisation? 2nd offer

- Charity Commission: end of Year Accounts to be submitted on line 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clerk.

Meeting closed at 21.43