BAWBURGH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the 122nd Annual Parish Meeting held on Thursday, 19th May 2016.
Present: David Goodman Brenda Bell Pam Hedge Philip Quinn
Chris Lacey (Clerk) Darrin Sore (PCSO)
3 members of the public.
1. APOLOGIES. Received from Peter Markham, Judith Virgo (Cty Cllr), Christopher Kemp (Dist Cllr), Garry Wheatley (Dist Cllr).
2. MINUTES The minutes of the 121st Parish meeting held on 21st May 2015 were approved and signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING None.
4. ANNUAL REPORTS
a) Chairman’s Report. The PC has undertaken a routine set of tasks and duties, as reported widely in PC minutes, Bawburgh News, the village website, and most recently online as a consequence of the Transparency Code regulations. Those most important, I will now report to you.
1. Planning Applications. Throughout the year, several planning applications were considered and PC comments have been duly offered within tight timescales. Subsequently however, a mixed set of results have either agreed or opposed our views. Whether our local opinions are taken into account by South Norfolk’s (SN) Development Management Committee (DMC) (planning authority) is a matter of conjecture, as decisions are not always based on agreed long-term plans (such as the Joint Core Strategy). The totally unacceptable absence of a 5-year plan for housing supply for SN (and more importantly the Norwich Planning Area) further frustrates principled procedures to be followed. SN DMC seems particularly reluctant to challenge applications from developers and therefore appears powerless to invoke local opinions. Therefore it is imperative that the district council - without any delay - instigates an up-to-date, and moreover, valid 5-year plan.
Ongoing matters include the solar farm to the east of Bawburgh on New Road – work has been temporarily suspended - and John Innes have recently proposed an alternative site for a Field Trials Station on ex-Church Farm land.
2. Gypsy & Traveller short-stay site – adjacent to Park & Ride. Bawburgh’s residents concerns regarding the untidiness of this site and regularly reported fires, cause doubts that SNC authorities are adequately monitoring the site. Despite the site being recently locked and secured after eviction of occupants, so that long overdue damage repair and clearance of discarded rubbish in the immediate surrounds, it seems the site has now been broken into and re-occupied by evicted tenants. The site is a complete eyesore, a Health & Safety hazard and will continue to be so until rules and regulations are strictly enforced.
3. Village Amenities. Routine maintenance work has been carried out through the village, and I am pleased to say that Highways Agency and Highway Rangers have been dealing with issues more promptly than previously noted. Mr Mervyn Buck is still contracted to maintain the village greens and other sites around the village.
4. South Norfolk Community Awards 2015. Betty Martins was nominated for a Lifetime Community Hero award – mainly for her exploits as Editor for 25tyears of the monthly Bawburgh News. The PC was extremely pleased that she was able to attend the annual awards ceremony as a short-listed nominee, and Betty achieved a very deserved and commendable runner-up place.
5. Precept. The annual precept has remained at £6000 and has proved ample for the year. Council Tax (parish) contributions are again slightly reduced for Bawburgh village residents due to more occupiers in the Hampdens estate.
6. Vacancies on Parish Council. Two vacancies on the PC have existed most of the year. BPC strives to co-opt suitable candidates for this not too onerous, yet responsible, duty to the parish. Many challenges lay ahead so volunteers please step forward.
I wish to thank my fellow councillors, for their unwavering commitment in attending meetings, briefings and conferences on behalf of Bawburgh this last year. Special mention must go to our Parish Clerk, Chris Lacey, for his diligence and continued efficiency in dealing with all parish matters in a judicious manner. My thanks are extended to our County and District Councillors and Norfolk Constabulary for their support and advice. Finally I wish Cllr Garry Wheatley an inspiring year as Chairman of South Norfolk Council.
b) County Councillor Report. The most pressing debate which will affect everyone in Norfolk and Cringleford is that of devolution. Local leaders in Norfolk Suffolk Cambridgeshire and Peterborough had agreed a deal with the government to devolve significant powers to a local level. This now seems not to include Cambridge shire. Talks are still being held with leaders of the councils to decide on further details and members of each county council have the opportunity to discuss devolution-we will debate this draft agreement at our Norfolk full council meeting in June. The main point causing discussion is the directly elected mayor for the whole authority. Devolution as an issue will go out to public consultation on July 4th and everyone should be urged to participate.
On the plus side of devolution are suggested powers over infrastructure in this proposed authority which could benefit the A11/A47 junction and Thickthorn roundabout as a consolidated and devolved transport budget is offered under devolution.
In the February budget vital services were saved in the budget- those effecting Bawburgh are highways maintenance standards (with an extra £1.5 million available for repair of potholes), restoring bank holiday opening at recycling centres.
The proposal that all schools should become academies by 2020 would appear to still be under discussion as to how some trusts are formed and in fact whether just failing schools should become academies.
The new Customer Relations manager is in post at County Hall since April for all highways enquiries plus a new website is already proving its worth as the new system provides a reference number for enquiries and provides progress updates on enquiries and complaints.
The election of a Police and Crime commissioner Lorne Green will hopefully enable Bawburgh to have adequate police cover without any further cuts to the time of officers’ patrols or to PCSO presence.
Council tax has been increased by 3.99% this year including 2% specifically for adult social care services –this is an increase of £45.72 a year for a band D household
The increase in traffic generated by building in Cringleford, Hethersett, Costessey and Easton with developments at Norwich Research Park and Norwich Rugby ground will bring more pressure on an inadequate road infrastructure with possibilities of increased traffic through Bawburgh.
At the May AGM the Conservative group took control of Norfolk County Council for the next year from the alliance of all the other parties.
I continue to serve on Children’s Services committee, Pensions Fund Committee and as a permanent substitute on Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
c) District Councillors. ns. We have represented the parish for 13 years and in that time we have experienced considerable changes in the development of the Ward. We have been proud to have helped both the Parish Council and individual residents where it has been necessary to represent their views on development. We have both been involved in matters of governance and finance and have worked to promote and protect the interests of the parish.
This year has been characterised more than ever before by major developments with issues affecting several parishes. The Lodge Farm development has major implications for Bawburgh. The pending application for the Yare Valley and the Hethersett development will have considerable impact on the environment and infrastructure of all of the parishes within the ward and further afield, even to the City. All parishes in the ward have been affected by developments proposed outside the local plan.
There will be some changes to our roles in the coming civic year, but at this point they still have to be approved by Council and will be reported to you at a later meeting.
During the year Christopher has been a member of the Development Management Committee (DMC). He has been Vice-chairman of the Police & Crime Panel for Norfolk, Vice-Chairman of the Standards Committee and Chairman of the Norfolk Records Committee. He represents South Norfolk Council on the Employers’ Panel of the East of England Regional Joint Committee. Garry is Vice-chairman of South Norfolk Council, Chairman of the Finance, Resources and Governance Committee, Vice-chairman of the Joint Consultative Committee, representative on the Board of NP Law and a reserve member of the DMC. We wish all members of your Council a successful new year and renew our pledge to work with you for the benefit of all residents of the parish.
d) PCSO. There was one crime in the village during the period 17th March to 18 May 2016; criminal damage to a vehicle. There were 16 crimes during the period 21st May 2014 to 18th May 2015 and 14 crimes during the period 21st May2015 to 18th May 2016 ( 5 thefts from motor vehicles, 4 criminal damage to motor vehicles, 2 burglary other than dwelling, 1 burglary, 1 arson, 1 attempted theft).
e) Village Hall. May 2015/16 started well, with 12 Trustees on the Committee, and a further 2 co-opted later in the year. Of matter arising from the previous year, our application for funding for the acquisition and installation of a defibrillator had been presented, and now awaited a response. Arrangements were in hand for the St Walstan’s Day event, and the annual Fete & Duck Race, and sub-committees would be formed for these. The committee had also been asked to review the equipment in the Playground with a possible additional installation.
In June, it was noted that we had agreement in principle for the defibrillator acquisition, and a sub-committee had met with suppliers of playground equipment which might be eligible for a grant. It was also noted that an area of fencing to the right of the Village Hall had rotted and would need replacing.
In July, the bank Mandate for cheque signatories was updated. Defibrillator and additional playground equipment still on going.
At the August meeting, the annual Fete & Duck Race organiser reported a successful event. £1600 was raised, and it was agreed to donate £500 towards the 3-day St Walstan Millennium celebrations, the balance to Village Hall funds. The Chairman reported a satisfactory RoSPA Playground Safety Inspection. There were some minor criticisms, which would be attended to later in the year. The drainage ditch to the front of the Hall flooded on six successive days. To be investigated.
At the September meeting it was reported there had been an attempted break-in to the storage shed on 14th August 2015. There was considerable damage to the doors, but it appeared nothing had been stolen. The matter was reported to the Police.
In September, all other matters reported above were ongoing. With regard to the flooding, John Innes had been contacted and it seemed may have been responsible for the flooding, due to extraordinary irrigation of some trial crops. A Macmillan Coffee Morning will be hosted on 5th September 2016.
In September 2016,the repainting of fences, etc., outside, and the kitchen, had been completed. The rest of the interior needed repainting, and a Trustee volunteered to find someone to undertake this. Also awaiting an estimate for work in the Playground.
In October the Committee had received a letter from South Norfolk Council asking for views regarding an application to build 10 dwellings on open agricultural land immediately next to the Hall.
It was reported at the November meeting that a nearby developer had volunteered two painters to complete the interior work at no cost to the VH. It was also agreed that the Village Hall would fund a free Christmas Lunch on 5th December 2016, for all who attended the December Coffee Morning. The committee’s response to the Planning Application 2015/2082, detailed strong reservations to South Norfolk Council concerning access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale
In December there was another break-in through the rear double doors, triggering the alarm. As soon as the “master blaster” alarm was set off the intruders left, just before the Police arrived. It was agreed that the doors were very insecure and easily opened, and the possibility of replacing all the doors would be investigated. The work recommended by RoSPA in the playground had been completed. It was also agreed that Hire Charges would remain the same for 2016/17.
In January 2016 the Treasurer reported that the costs for the Christmas Lunch and Christmas Social Evening were within budget. Discussions began on the possibility of installing an awning over part of the rear patio. A Trustee agreed to make enquiries about possible cost.
In February several dates were agreed for future events: Quiz and Chips, 20th February, and Bawburgh’s Got Talent 11th March. The Secretary had prepared and circulated a draft Trustees Handbook, which was agreed and would be issued at the next AGM. A Village Booklet would also be prepared in time for the St Walstan’s Millennium weekend (28th-30th May 2016). South Norfolk Planning meeting regarding the application for 10 dwellings would be heard on 2nd March 2016. The role of the Bookings Secretary was discussed, and following discussions with the Charity Commission, it was agreed that the post holder could receive an honorarium of £1,000 per annum with effect from 1st April 2016, to be paid quarterly in arrears. It was strongly felt that the time, effort and commitment required to administer bookings for our busy Village Hall merited this payment. Permission was sought from and agreed by the Charity Commission.