MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF WORSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON

TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2003 IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, WORSTEAD

PRESENT

K. Uglow (Chairman), C. Wilkins, J. Parker, G. Patterson, B. Nash.

APOLOGIES

R. Charman, L. Gray, V. Fairhurst.

ALSO PRESENT

4 Members of the public, P. Wilkins (District Councillor.

03/01	MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 25.02.2003: Minutes were accepted as a true record and signed by K. Uglow.	Action by
03/02 03/02 cont.	MATTERS ARISING. A member of the public asked whether it was possible to look into putting up a sign with width restriction for HGV (unless for access) before entering the village, which after discussion changed to weight restriction. This will be investigated. The same member informed the council about flooding at the end of Woodview, a pipe seems to be blocked. He agreed that the clerk could pass on his telephone number to Planning & Transportation in Aylsham, so the surveyor can liase with him directly to sort the problem. A member of the public from Meeting Hill informed the Council that signs were now in place to warn drivers about the dangers alongside the beck A member informed the councillors that dog faeces are still being left in the churchyard. The clerk had put on the three entrances warning people not to use the churchyard as a dog toilet; they were removed within 72 hours. The clerk has been in touch with Mrs. Hill (PCC), who promised to laminate the signs and put them back on again. A question was asked by this member about the churchgates and he was informed by the chairman that the Parochial Council had decided against new gates. A suggestion to put a can bank next to the bottle bank was accepted. Clerk to get on touch with NNDC to arrange this. 20 Mile speed limits: a letter from Planning and Transportation was read answering our queries: the buffer zone between 30 and 20 mile limits are so short because the built up area of the village is too small, surface work still has to be done (winter is not a good time); the oak posts will weather. To move the 30 mile speed limit on Withergate Road further back requires remaking of the Traffic Regulation Order, it would have been better if we had responded in the consultation period. They suggested a few months settling in period with reference to the timber posts, but if the parishioners are still unhappy, we should write again. Litter picking: postponed until next meeting, councillor who suggested this was not present. Benches, memory plaques: a member of the public felt, we might be setting a precedent by putting plaques on benches. Councillors did not agree. Clerk to ask Mrs. Watlow and Ms. Watson what should go on the plaques.	Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk
03/03	FINANCE MATTERS: Budget statement was agreed. - NCAPTC membership £129.74 was accepted for payment. - Invoice DIY Home Improvements £1,193.80 for Queen Elizabeth Hall was accepted for payment. This is the last invoice with respect to the grant. - Salary clerk Feb and March £217.21 and £61.27 (Tax) was accepted for payment. Quotation from T. Swann for grass cutting: 14.5 hours per week at £6.50 total cost per week £94.25, period 01.04 / 31.10 31 weeks was accepted. Clerk to write letter to confirm.	Clerk Clerk
03/04	PLANNING MATTERS Mrs. C. Wilkins declared an interest and left the room. Damson Cottage: change of use from annexe to holiday let unit. The application was supported with the proviso that the holiday unit should not be sold separately from the house. Notice of Decision: Cole Cottage Station Road: erection of two-storey extension Development Control Committee: Bengate Barns: conversion of barn to dwelling with annexe. Stated on diary they were still awaiting the Council’s comments. Clerk did return them, but will ring to confirm that support was given for this application.	Clerk
03/05	SALT DUMP Mr. Hird wrote to thank the chairman for the kind comments regarding Keys. He also expressed concern about the cost of negotiations if the Council were to go for higher rent increases than the market value or RPI. Another alternative would be to fix a set amount at each review (e.g. 10%), which might not be acceptable to County Council, preferring to rely on market values or RPI, which they can budget into their annual expenditure. Mr. J. Parker proposed to go with the best advice from Mr. Hird, this was seconded by Mr. G. Patterson. Letter to be sent. After an unsuccessful by the clerk to get a copy of the Head Lease, Mr. Hird informs the Council that there is an original lease dated 18.08.1994 and efforts are being made by Mr. S, Bowles of NNDC to find the relevant documents.	Clerk
03/06	CHURCHYARD Machinery will be hired to tidy the churchyard. The Prince’s Trust will be asked to clean the moss of the walls around the church. Many thanks to Mr. G. Patterson and Worstead Farms for letting the sheep graze for so many years. The sheep might be back for the Worstead Festival.
03/07	QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL Mr. Bowers informed the council that there was a shortfall of £13.46 with reference to the grant from the Parish Council. The Management Committee will receive a letter that the Council will reduce the grant by that amount. The Norfolk Rural Community Council are looking into the ownership of the Hall. They have received a copy of the conveyance, which clearly states that the Parish Council are “Custodians” of the Trust, not the owners. Ms. Savage of the Community Council did find an anomaly because she cannot find the name of the Trust, she has revered this to ACRE, Action with Communities in Rural England. Mrs. R. Rix informed the Council that as Custodians the Parish Council cannot have a representative on the Management Committee. Mr. J. Parker has now resigned as representative. The clerk to go back to Norfolk Rural Community Committee to find out who the owners are.	Clerk Clerk
03/08	CORRESPONDENCE - NNDC: - Alterations to Registers of electors and revised Register of Electors. - Budget 2003 / 04 and agenda council meeting 26.02.03. - North Norfolk Area Meeting 24.03.03. - Parish and Town council election 01.05.03 (in notice board). - Norfolk Matters - Planning delivery grant: changes to planning application system. - Poster: Make your house greener. - Norfolk County Council: - Household waste in Norfolk: consultation on options. - Periodic Electoral Review of NCC. - NCAPT : Norfolk Link and leaflets - Local Council Review magazine. - Clerks & Council Direct magazine - Bittern Line: AGM 18.03.2003 + partnership member. - R.A.F,: night flying. - Social Local Council of Clerks: review of clerk’s terms and conditions.

Meeting closed at.9.25pm