MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF WORSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY
25 JUNE 2007 AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, WORSTEAD
PRESENT: Cllrs. S. Henderson (Chair), R. Barrett, G.Paterson, Cllr. West, Cllr. Lattimer
APOLOGIES: None
ALSO PRESENT: C. Wilkins (District Cllr.), Ms. Faith Davies, Enabling Officer North Norfolk District
Council, 4 members of the public.
|
07/050
07/050 (cont.)
|
PUBLIC’S PARTICIPATION:
Chairman Henderson opened the meeting by welcoming everybody and asked Ms. Davies to take the floor.
Affordable Housing: Ms. Davies thanked everybody who attended the Open Meeting on 29 May 2007. Comments about the plans, designs etc. had been taken away and amendments had been made: - Design: villagers did not like the modern design, this has now been revised to be more traditional and inkeeping with the surroundings. - 2 Bedroomed flats have been changed to 2 bedroomed houses. - 4 Bedroomed house: parking was too far away from the house, this has been altered and overall parking has been increased to 2 cars per dwelling, making it 18 spaces instead of the allocated 13. The overall design will give a courtyard feel, the creation of cartsheds will enhance that, parking on School Road will be less, the intention is the retain the wall, thus preventing parking.
The questions: Policy 57 states that there is evidence of genuine local need: when the Parish Council carried out the survey in 2004, only 2 houses were needed. Why is Worstead have 9?
- The housing waiting list confirms there is a need for 9 houses for people with high local connection in the parish and adjoining parishes Tunstead, Sloley, Westwick and Dilham. The Local Lettings Agreement, adopted in February 2007, sets out the criteria.
Why does the Housing Association not buy existing houses and why are the affordable houses not built around the village rather than on one private dwelling? - Ms. Davies will take this back to North Norfolk District Council.
Do we really need a 4 bedroomed house and how many children would you need to have to get that size bedroom?
Does the Parish Council get an insight as to who will be allocated an affordable house? Or should at least the Chairman consulted?. - No, at present the Parish Council would not be involved, but Ms. Davies will investigate this, but sees problems with Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.
What about shared ownership? - Two 2bedroomed houses will be for shared ownership, but the local connection will remain important when sold on. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
It was pointed out again, that there are no amenities in Worstead and apart from the Railway, no public transport. With further developments in the farm yard on School Road the amount of traffic will increase greatly, certainly at drop off and collecting time at School. A suggestion was made for Highways to look into creating roundabouts and looking at road safety. Concerns were raised about accidents waiting to happen around the School, certainly with the bad visibility. - Ms. Davies pointed out that comments made at the Open Meeting and on the feedback sheets the location for affordable housing was thought the best. She is unable to comment on issues with regards to traffic.
District Cllr. Wilkins made it clear that the Planning is neutral until an application is submitted, but as the houses are in the Conservation Area, they should be inkeeping with the rest.
Worstead Parish Council made it clear that more parking spaces are needed.
Ms. Davies will take all the comments made back to her office and see what can be done.
She was thanked by Chairman Henderson.
PCSO Wibberley: he was unable to attend, but had left information: 15 telephone calls: one of gravity being sprayed and one about handmade signs. Four speed checks were carried out: one person was warned about his speeding. District Cllr. Wilkins pointed out that one incident, about which she received a telephone call was not included in the system.
BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS: Comments were made by parishioners about speeding by this schoolbus. It was agreed that the Clerk will write to Blue Bird.
|
ACTION BY
Clerk
|
|
07/051
051A
051B |
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING 29 MAY 2007
Cllr. Barrett proposed to accept both sets of minutes, seconded by Cllr. Paterson, all agreed The minutes were signed by the Chairman
DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.
|
|
|
07/052 |
MATTERS ARISING from these minutes (for information only):
None
|
|
|
07/053
053A
053B
07/053 (cont) 053C
053D |
FINANCES:
Budget Statement: All agreed to accept this as a true record
END OF YEAR ACCOUNTS: An explanation for the increase in Staff costs and decrease in expenditure of more than 15% was set out in a letter to the Audit Commission: Staff costs increase: due to pay increase and unpaid tax in 2006 was paid and included in 2007. Mr. A. Jackson of Tunstead has agreed to carry out the Internal Audit. FINANCES:
Invoices: - Norfolk County Services: Grounds maintenance £476.20 + VAT £83.34 - Queen Elizabeth Hall: Hire for Youth Club April, May £102.60 - Salary Clerk April / June £457.26 + Tax £128.97 - T. Swann: grass cutting green at Worstead School £115.00 - CilCA Training for Clerk (with Tunstead P.C.) £110.00 were all accepted for payment.
Local Council Administration: it was agreed that all Councillors will have one. Clerk to investigate discount price.
|
Clerk
|
|
07/054
054A1
054A2
054B
054B1
054B2
07/054 (cont) 054C
054C1
054C2
054C3
054C4
054C5
054D
|
SUBCOMMITTEES:
Planning. Received after last meeting: Ref. 20070850: Erection of two storey extension, The Beeches, Meeting Hill: no objections or comments submitted by Cllrs. Barrett, Henderson and West.
Cart sheds behind Laburnum Cottage: a parishioner had asked about these, because garage doors have been installed. Clerk to look at drawings and amendments and find out
Leisure and Recreation:.
SAFE RISK PLAY ZONE: A meeting between Cllrs. Barrett and Paterson and S. Rix has taken place Mr. Rix works for a Play Zone Company who get the children involved in the design of the area. He has worked in inner London areas where play zones still exist after 2 years because of the youngsters’ involvement and them taking ownership. The Lottery Funding has worked with his company before and Mr. Rix would be the Project Manager. His advice is to try and get the grant before involving Parent & Toddlers, young children and teenagers and opening it to the village, thus avoiding disappointment. The existing playground is only for children under 10 which may cause resentment for the older ones, because there is nothing for them. - Issues to be sorted to complete the grant application: -- The lease: the owner needs to agree to a lease for 10 to 15 years. -- Costings: a difficult issue: estimates come to £70,000.00 for the adventure playground, to be moved more towards the playing field, but still behind the hall The multi purpose play zone is in the region of about £120,000.00, and would go in the far corner of the playing field. -- Closing date for the application: 22 August 2007. The grant would be for Capital and Revenue.
A meeting is set for Monday 2 July 2007 7.00pm at Cllr. Barrett to move forward on the application form. Everybody welcome.
YOUTH SHELTER: A meeting with Worstead Farms Ltd, Worstead Festival Committee, Queen Elizabeth Hall and councillors available to look at a temporary place for the shelter will be arranged a.s.a.p. The Council would like to see the shelter up before the School Holidays. SUBCOMMITTEES:
Highways:
Lyngate and Pond near School: Carl Bird Limited has agreed to carry out the work free of charge, but the Council has to dispose of the dredgings. He asked for a site meeting. Cllr. Paterson to arrange this
Green at the School: Planning and Transportation will only cut the green 3 times a year to create good visibility. Chairman Henderson will talk to T. Swann, how much will be involved to keep it tidy.
Letter Heinz: re. lorries cutting through the village. Heinz will not deal with companies who do not take Heinz’ advice not to use the village as a short cut. Any vehicles using the village can be checked by their records and they will take action. This letter will be scanned and put on the Web and in the Parish Magazine to advise parishioners.
Pot holes, mud: Clerk to advise Planning and Transportation about potholes on Sloley Road and mud not being cleared on the curb on Station Road and Holley Grove
Hedges: Worstead Farms Ltd will supply the Clerk with information about overgrown hedges where lorries will not get through without being damaged. It was agreed that she will write to the owners to make them aware of the problem.
Queen Elizabeth Hall:
The official Financial Statement was scrutinized and the Councillors were pleased with the result. Chairman Henderson to write a Congratulations letter |
Clerk
Clerk
GP
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
SH/Clerk |
|
07/055
|
A: STREETNAMES MEETING HILL: A letter inviting residents to name their street has not had the expected responses. Mrs. Rix has offered to dig a bit deeper as to the correct name (if any). It was agreed to leave this until the next meeting.
B: THANK YOU FOR RETIRED COUNCILLORS: This will be postponed until September’s meeting because of one Councillor being away until then. Clerk to inform other Councillors.
|
Clerk
Clerk |
|
07/056
07/057
|
CODE OF CONDUCT:
The only major chance in the revised Code of Conduct: when a Councillor has a prejudicial interest and has declared it, he must leave the room, but he can return as a member of the public to give relevant information, once Standing Orders have been suspended. He will have to leave the room before voting takes place. The Councillors agreed to adopt the revised Code of Conduct Order 2007.
The acceptance of the Code of Conduct has to be advertised and North Norfolk District Council has offered to have a combined advert, thus reducing the costs for Parish Councils. It was agreed to go with this.
DISTRICT / COUNTY COUNCILLOR:
District Cllr. Wilkins was not happy the way Affordable Housing was going as part of the new Local Development Framework. Initially most Affordable Housing was in the west and a few in the east. It turns out that 3 developments are in her ward about which she is very unhappy. She will keep her ears to the ground and asked the Council to be vigilant
|
|
|
07/058
|
A: MATTER FOR DISCUSSION:
Probation Services: Chairman Henderson had been approached by a magistrate whether Worstead Parish Council would consider using the Probation Service by setting up a project. All agreed this was a good a idea, this will return to next month’s agenda.
B: ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: Tuesday 24 JULY 2007
- Progress Lottery Funding. - Street names Meeting Hill. - Probation Service - Church wall - Resolve to adopt new contract for Clerk.
|
SH
|
|
|
CORRESPONDENCE:
- North Norfolk District Council: Local Development Framework Bulletin; Public Consultation on Core Strategy Submission Document 18 – 30 June 2007; Area Forum Meeting 20.06.07 7.00 – 9.00pm Bacton Village Hall; Print Room Services: Alteration to Electoral Register; Statement - Norfolk County Council: Power point presentation Parish and Town Council Key stakeholder consultation; No smoking legislation; Finding your way: guide to information services for mentally ill. - Broads Authority: Planning Policies in the Broads. - Norfolk Rural Community Council: Invitation for AGM 16.07.06 Bawburgh Village Hall 7.00pm + signing up to UEA Cred Programme for 21st Century Village, seeking new members. - NCAPTC: Invitation North Norfolk Area Meeting 25.06.07 7.00 – 9.00 Southrepps Village Hall: subject Revised Code of Conduct. - CountrySide Alliance: Fly Tipping Scrap It campaign - Standards Board for England: Code of Conduct: guide for members and pocket guide. - SMP: playground flyer. - Barclays Bank: new mandate. - Norfolk Fire Authority: questionnaire. - Nth Walsham Citizen’s Advice Bureau: AGM 09.07.2007, Cllr Henderson will go. - Nth Walsham Area Community Transport Area: invite AGM 25.06.2007 and Financial Report.
Charities: For Worstead Village Amenities Trust: Becoming a member of the national Council Voluntary Organisation?
|
|
Meeting closed at 21.43