Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on
14th February 2011
7pm, The Village Centre, Dickleburgh
PRESENT: Terry Clarkson (Chair), Chris Davy, Julie Munnings, Trevor Leeder and John Adlam.
IN ATTENDANCE: Claire Sparkes (Clerk), Darren Watling (Resident), Jason Dack (PCSO), Jim Squires (PC), Bev Spratt (County Councillor) and Martin Wilby (District Councillor)
Darren Watling, came to tell us concerns he has about the play area. Local kids, aged 12-14 years, are already trying to pull the turf up and using the equipment for things it is not supposed to be used for. This was last Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Action – Clerk – to ask the local Police to keep an eye on the play areas over the weekends and to send a message to the kids through DYB. Another issue Darren brought up is the white line around the shop, which needs reinstating. Action – Clerk – contact Norfolk CC Highways with this comment.
PC Squires and PCSO Dack – Have had only 3 crimes reported in the parish since the start of the year. The young people who were causing trouble 1-2 years ago have grown up and moved on. PCSO Dack is the main contact for Dickleburgh where we need anything. There are now 6 PCSOs in the Diss area to enable support of the local parishes. PC Squires agreed to hold a Police surgery on 26 March at the Village Centre from 1-3pm. Action – Clerk – to book the VC meeting room for this purpose.
19.45 – Jason Dack and Jim Squires left the meeting.
203. To consider accepting apologies for absence
· Paula Mason has work commitments.
· Carl Roe is away in London.
· Richard Syrett has work commitments
· Apologies accepted.
204. To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on the 10th January 2011
· Approved.
205. To receive any declarations of personal or prejudicial interest from members on any item to be discussed
· None received.
206. To receive the reports of the District and County Councillors
· District Cllr Martin Wilby
o South Norfolk Play Rangers came to Dickleburgh VC last week.
o The play equipment is being used really well.
o The SNAP conference held in Dickleburgh was a good trial of the new format which will be rolled out across South Norfolk.
o South Norfolk are looking at shared services with Great Yarmouth BC.
o The leisure centres are doing really well, especially the swim school.
o Half term activities for children will be held around Norfolk.
o We are working on the new Link magazine with a good story about Paul Playford.
· County Councillor Bev Spratt
o Norfolk CC passed its £60m (2011/12) cuts today. It was broadly a positive meeting. All the libraries will be kept open, some Children’s Services facilities will be shut, including Shelfhanger Road Youth Centre. Rural transport will stay as it is, including rural school bus services.
o The roads budget hasn’t been affected as badly as was originally thought but will still experience budget reduction.
o Norfolk CC have just secured £1m for fire services for Norfolk.
20.15 Cllrs Spratt and Wilby left the meeting
207. To discuss matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting – for information purposes only – incl.
· Update on the Play Area development on the Playing Field (Clerk) – The first phase of the play area has nearly been completed. The turf under the zip wire, the tunnel surface, the play area sign, installation of logs, tree planting, risk assessment and safety inspection are the outstanding issues. Action – Clerk – to organise a launch/tree planting event. Action – Cllr Davy – to ensure the play equipment is listed on the asset register. Action – Clerk – to ensure the equipment is listed on the insurance schedule.
· Update on the Entry/Exit signs on the Village Centre Car Park (Cllr Adlam) – Hasn’t been done due to inappropriate weather.
· Progress on the Parish Development Group (Clerk) – A meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 23rd February. Action – Clerk – to check room booking.
· Update on finding sponsorship for grit bins (Cllr Clarkson) – postponed until next winter.
· Update on a number of Highways issues raised at the last meeting (Clerk) – The Quiet Lanes initiative is currently on hold. Waiting to hear back from Norfolk CC.
208. To receive and discuss the Clerk’s Report where appropriate
· It was agreed to try a different way of dealing with all the information received. The Clerk will forward all emails we receive onto Councillors as she gets them. She will provide a summary list of the emails received at each meeting, giving councillors the option to bring up any issues they would like to discuss.
· Received, included;
o Parish problems reported since the last meeting – none received.
o Email – 8 February 2011 – Norfolk ALC – Public Forest Consultation
o Email – 8 February 2011 – Impact China Ltd – Royal Wedding Commemorative Mugs
o Email – 7 February 2011 – BTCV (Via Norfolk ALC) – Community Biodiversity Directory
o Email – 4 February 2011 – SNC – Update on LDF Site Specific Policies and Allocations DPD
o Email – 3 February 2011 – Derrick Murphy - Norfolk CC – Future Ownership and Management of Government Owned Forests
o Email – 2 February 2011 – Steve Shaw – Sustainable Communities Act Update
o Email – 1 February 2011 – SNC – Local Council Elections
o Email – 1 February 2011 – Norfolk ALC – Norfolk Carers Strategy 2011 – 2014
o Email – 28 January 2011 – Norfolk ALC – Royal Wedding Street Parties and Road Closures
o Email – 27 January 2011 – Norfolk CC – Consultation; Norfolk’s 3rd Local Transport Plan, Connecting Norfolk
o Email – 25 January 2011 – Fields in Trust – The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge
o Email – 25 January 2011 – Norfolk ALC – Continuing Effective Engagement materials
o Email – 17 January 2011 – Ben Potterton – Development at Blacksmiths Cottage
o Letter – 1 February 2011 – Norfolk CC – Playbuilder
o Letter – 17 January 2011 – Dickleburgh PCC
o Parish Crime Statistics – December 2010 - 5 crimes – classified as ‘other’, ‘criminal damage’, ‘theft other’ (2) and ‘violence against person’.
o Dates for the Diary – Training Opportunities and Meetings for Clerk and Councillors
o January 2011 – Round Robin Contents;
· CPRE Fieldwork – December 2010
· CPRE – How to respond to planning applications
· CPRE Membership Pack – I have the DRPC Membership Card
· DIS No 750 – 14 Jan 2011
· DIS No 751 – 28 Jan 2011
· National ALC – Policy Consultation – P01-11 – The Public Forest Estate
· Nicholas Hancox Solicitors
· Norfolk ALC – LAIS 1312.1 – Local Council Audits Update
· Norfolk ALC – LAIS 1314 – Localism Bill
· Norfolk ALC – LAIS 1314.1 – Localism Bill Second Reading
· Norfolk ALC – LAIS 1315 – Public Forests
· Norfolk ALC – Norfolk Link Issue 181
· Norfolk Constabulary – Oil Theft Leaflet
· SLCC Branch Newsletter - February 2011
209. To receive the Monthly Financial Report from the RFO including notification of payments made over the last month
· Received and approved.
· Cllr Davy asked we aim to get all work paid for before the year end.
· After looking at investment options there is no better interest rate than we already have.
· Audit is booked for Monday 16 May 11 – the asset register needs to be reviewed by the end of March.
· The financial risk assessment also needs to be completed.
210. Planning Applications as received from South Norfolk Council, incl;
· Planning application 2010/0019 – 2 Church View, The Street, Dickleburgh – Re-opening of block up doorway in roof void above kitchen extension to corridor on first floor etc. – Approved.
· SNC have about 5 planning applications on their website that the Clerk has not yet been sent.
211. To receive consultees reports of planning decisions made by SNC
· None received.
212. To receive an update from the PC Village Centre Committee
· Received verbally from Cllr Davy and Cllr Clarkson.
· A new hire charge structure has been put together making it simpler & cheaper for people to use the VC.
· A list of routine maintenance works is being completed and storage space is being created.
· The small meeting room is going to be developed to enable meeting room hire for local businesses.
· Through Norfolk ProHelp we have been offered the services of an Architect and Quantity Surveyor to look at the further development of the hall.
· A meeting was held for local residents to ask them to get involved in the project. There was some interest but we need to develop this.
213. To approve a street light maintenance contractor
· Deferred until another quote has been submitted.
214. To approve an outline management plan for St Clements Common for the next year
· Approved with the following comments;
· Resulting action points to be organised by Cllr Adlam and Clerk;
o Incorporate field 1 and 3 grass cutting into general grass cutting contract.
o Set up Voluntary Working Party to meet quarterly.
o Monitor growth of stinging nettles, brambles and thistles. Spot treat appropriately with herbicide.
o Set up a grass cutting contract for the 2011/12 financial year for the pathways and field 2, including occasional cutting of field 1 and 3 if grazing is not an option.
o Improve pond access (field 1).
o Remove sheep fencing.
o Get the remaining scrub shredded – Costs approved to a maximum of £600.
o Utilise the Tree Warden Scheme to restock the internal hedges – Autumn.
o Review signage.
o Investigate further grant funding.
o Complete risk assessment for the site.
o Investigate listing with the Rural Land Registry.
o Wildlife survey work.
o Roadside hedge cutting – Cllr Adlam to talk to Mr Newby – Costs approved up to £100.
215. To approve a quote for a new notice board in Dickleburgh
· Not approved.
· Both quotes were considered too high.
· Action – Cllr Clarkson – to ask a local contact to quote for the notice board as well and to ask for sponsorship from local businesses.
216. To approve the move to apply to Norfolk CC for a flashing speed sign
· Approved.
· £250 to be sent to NCC to progress this speeding initiative. Action – Cllr Davy and Clerk.
· Additionally, we need to ask Norfolk CC if we can pay annually, or whether they need a one off payment.
· SNAP funding would be available to help with the costs. Action – Clerk – to contact Mikey Bently.
· 8 speed guns are available for a Community Speedwatch initiative. Action – Cllr Leeder – to investigate whether there is the local interest in volunteering for the Community Speedwatch.
21.15 Mr Watling left the meeting
217. To approve covering the tunnel mound on the play area with green astro turf
· Only one quote was taken due to the specialist nature of the work.
· A quote for £500 excl VAT from Adventure Playgrounds was approved.
· Action – Clerk – to ask Adventure Playgrounds to complete the work.
218. To approve the purchase of trees and shrubs for planting around the new play area
· District Councillor Martin Wilby has offered 2 hazel nut bushes and 2 silver birch trees for the play area. We will also purchase 2 Mountain Ash and 2 Cherry Trees.
· A tree planting event with DYB could be incorporated into an official opening event.
· Native trees and shrubs to a maximum value of £100 was approved.
· Action – Clerk – To organise a tree planting event.
219. To approve the Dickleburgh playing field grass cutting contract for the next 3 years
· Approved contractor was Norse at the following costs;
o 2011 - £632.73 + VAT
o 2012 - £648.54 + VAT
o 2013 - £664.75 + VAT
· Action – Clerk – to write to Norse and accept their specification.
220. To approve the play area inspection regime and play area safety officer
· Approved.
· Play Area Safety Officers – Claire Sparkes and Julie Munnings, both to attend training in early April.
· Routine inspections – to be carried out weekly April – September and in school holidays, every other week during the winter by Cllr Munnings.
· Operational inspection – to be carried out quarterly by Cllr Munnings and the Village Caretaker – March, June, September and December.
· Annual inspection – to be carried out by a RoSPA inspector in June.
· Action Points
o Clerk – to book RoSPA June inspection at a cost of approx. £129
o Clerk and Cllr Munnings - to complete draft risk assessment to be approved at the next meeting.