Minutes of Parish Council Meeting, 18 January 2012

In attendance: Mrs P.Clare (Chair), Mrs M.Button, Mr A. Ives, Mr P.Wright and Mr. B Ansell (Clerk).   Also attending Mr. A. Gunson (County Councillor), Mr D.Blake (District Councillor) & 3 parishioners.

12.01 Declarations of Interest –None

12.02 Minutes.
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 16th November 2011, which had been circulated, were approved and signed.

12.03  Matters arising
a, Land Registry – Village Hall and Site. The Clerk had prepared an application after taking professional advice from land agent, solicitor and the Land Registry. It was resolved that the application be submitted without waiting for the inclusion of the Pit Trust properties.

b, Skate Board at Rockland – await developments.

c, Recycling Centre at Bergh Apton – It was noted that an application from NCC to extend the life of the Centre at Bergh Apton would now be submitted in February 2012.

12.04 Parishioners Questions
None raised.

12.05 District Councillor’s Report
Derek Blake stated that he had recovered from his recent illness and noted that Council Tax in South Norfolk was again frozen, the structures and staffing had been slimmed down, and the Council were considering how to rent out empty parts of the building.

The LDF Site Specific applications were now being determined and applicants would be informed in 6 weeks time. A number of developers were still submitting large applications which were complicating the process. Planning Officers would be undertaking a larger share of the decision making leaving the possible “conflict” applications to the Planning Committees. Policies held by SNDC were also being reviewed to resolve anomalies in policies. The introduction of the “infrastructure levy” was unlikely to raise significant sums for Parish councils.

Grant funding was now available through Neighbourhood Boards; Training for councillors was being offered at SNDC; and applications for the “Keep Warm” Packs containing Snuggle blanket, thermos, bed socks, hat, thermometer,hot water bottle, fingerless gloves, and exercise from your chair DVD; was encouraged – the Council agreed to apply for 10 packs.

12.06 County Councillor’s Report
Adrian Gunson’s report – Preparatory work for the dualling of the A11 at Elveden had commenced; construction work would commence later. Government has also provided funding for the NDR around Norwich although not for the section from the Airport to the Fakenham Road for a 2015 start.

Other matters included the Broadband Campaign, the Council tax – frozen for a further year, and the Wherrymans Way footpath which was currently omitted from highways programmes. The potholes on Church Lane had reappeared and he would draw this to the attention of Highways.

12.07 Community policing
A report from Loddon was given by the Clerk noting the Police had no recorded crime in Claxton although they had attended incidents on 3 occasions. The non-emergency number is 101.

12.08 Correspondence
The Clerk tabled a short list of correspondence which had been circulated to Councillors or received prior to the meeting.  Items included

Clerks & Councils Direct
NALC  – Norfolk link
Broads Authority – New member – applications.
SNDC – Delegation of planning applications.
NRCC –   signpost
SNDC – Over 50s Facilities – survey by 7/03/12

12.09 Planning-
Consultation with Parish Council

2011/1808 Ms J Kennedy Marsh Barn Claxton Corner
Change of Use of Shed to food preparation Area  – Approve

BA 2011/0399/LBC Mr & Mrs Heathcote The Manor Claxton
Proposed Stove and Flue   – Approve

Decisions of SNDC – deferred.

2011/1645 (amended)  Mr J. Fiander No 1 Staines Farm Barns–Single storey extension –kitchen & living space
2011/1781 Mr G. Hopkins No 2 Staines Barns – conversion

12.10 Finance

a, Balance at 14/1/12- £2604-55
b, Receipts – None
c, Grants  – None
d, Payment

100204      B. Ansell   Clerks Sal/admin (Dec/Jan)       £329-64
100205      HM Land Registry   Registration                    £40-00

On a proposal from Pat Clare, seconded by Mary Button, the schedule was approved for payment.

12.11 Parish Land & Property
Trees at The Warren –the Claxton Green landscape plan – now in the hands of Tree Wardens Sarah Carter & Ian Cummings. To be invited to report on progress at future meetings.

Village Sign – The Chairman reported that a design had now been chosen by the working Party. It was a “chainsaw carving” and details would be provided for presentation to the Council at a future date.

Jubilee party – The possibility of holding a Summer Party had been  discussed with the Village Hall Committee and an open meeting had been arranged for 8th March at 8pm in the Village Hall.

Notice Boards – Some thoughts on the provision of Notice boards was again shared.

12.12      Resignation of Clerk
Brian Ansell has given notice that he wished to retire on 31st March 2012 after almost 10 years in the post.
The Council will appoint a successor to commence from 1st April.

Meeting closed at 21-23hrs

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