Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting Held on 10th October 2006 at 7.30 pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Eddie Winter (Chairman), Liz Cargill, Terry Hanner, Adrian Hipwell, Malcolm Skinner, Clare Valori, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Mr. Alan Burrell (County Councillor) and two members of the public.
1. Apologies:
Jo Wright, Murray Gray.
2. Declaration of Interest:
Clare Valori declared her interest in item 5.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting:
Agreed and signed.
4. Matters Arising:
a. Playing Field: Malcolm Skinner reported that he had not had time to repair the ‘chicken’ yet. He suggested that a working party should be formed to carry out essential repairs and maintenance. It was agreed to meet on the 21st October at 10am and the Clerk was asked to make a poster to put into the bar asking for volunteers to help.
The Clerk reported that the Playing Field Inspection was due, but as the Inspector had been ill for a while SNC would get a contractor to do it. The Clerk was asked to make sure that this would not be more expensive. The Clerk suggested that the 7-a-side goal could be bought.
Proposal: The goal posts should be bought before the next meeting as long as they are within the budget. Proposed by Clare Valori, seconded by Malcolm Skinner, unanimously agreed. Terry Hanner to speak to Jo Wright about this when she returns from holiday. Jo Wright to do the next playing field report.
b. Composting; Shredding has become a problem. Mow and Grow have been once and they charge £20. If they bring the shredder it could cost as much as £40. It was suggested that the recycling credits should be kept to one side for the cost of a new shredder. Volunteers are still needed to help spread the workload.
c. Village Sign; It had been decided at the last meeting to ask Dawn to go ahead with the repair of the village sign. Terry Hanner will tell her to go ahead. As a new piece of wood is needed for the top of the sign, Clare will ask Tim Barber if he can supply a piece once Terry has got the measurements from Dawn.
d. Street Name Plates; The Clerk reported that new plates have been put up. However, Clare Valori said that the Danacre Road sign had not been renewed. The Clerk to speak to SNC about this. Alan Burrell informed the Parish Council that the Highways are responsible for cutting around the name plates. Alan will remind Highways about this.
e. Highways – Road repairs; The Clerk read out a letter from Highways with the following comments:
The triangle at the end of Norwich Road will be removed and the junction relined.
The drainage problem at the bottom of Trunch Hill is currently in the programme for a scheme in the 2007-8 financial year.
f. Any Other Matters Arising; Presentation Evening - The Clerk will print flyers which Terry will put into the papers. The Clerk will deliver the rest. The Clerk will notify the other local parishes about this event.
5. Travellers:
Clare Valori reported that the High Court Judgement would be due the following week. Clare had also heard from the Planning Inspectorate that a proposed date for the Inquiry would be 21st and 22nd November 2006. However, Clare went on to say that the Travellers have the right to refuse the first date that they are offered.
There are still problems with dogs barking day and night and dogs roaming into neighbouring gardens. Although complaints have been made to South Norfolk Council, nothing has been done about this. The Clerk was asked to contact the dog warden concerning this matter. The Clerk read out a short response from Richard Bacon saying that he had written to the Planning Inspectorate and would inform the Parish Council when he received a reply.
6. District and County Council Matters:
Alan Burrell said that he had wanted to ask a question about speed limits through villages at the Area Forum but the Chairman would not accept it. He went on to explain that the policy regarding speed limits had not changed since 1994 and that the size and speed of vehicles had changed considerably since then. Alan said he would pass on to Eddie Winter a copy of the relevant page in the policy document so that he would have some background knowledge at the NCAPTC AGM. Clare Valori pointed out that in all other situations a risk assessment is carried out, but this does not seem to be the case when considering speed limits. The Councillors agreed that this was a very good point. Alan Burrell said that if the Parish Council felt, at any time, that they were not being listened to then they should contact Ian Lambert of the Democratic Services.
7 Questions from the Public:
None.
8 Shelter at Playing Field/Mural:
More work on the shelter will take place on the 21st October. After some discussion about the mural it was agreed to put this on hold until Spring 2007.
9. Denton Early Morning Bus Service:
The Clerk read out a letter from the Transport Dept of Norfolk County Council which stated that affected parishes were e-mailed regarding the withdrawal of the bus service. It went on to say that there were not enough people to justify a bus at that time in the morning and there was some concern about the suitability of the route. The Councillors agreed that this was not a satisfactory response and asked Clare Valori and the Clerk to liaise and write again to NCC. Alan Burrell said that the letter should be sent to Mrs Jessop.
10. Planning:
a. Application 2006/1970/1971 – The Forge, Globe House, Norwich Road, Denton, resubmission of application 2006/1133-proposed extension of existing building and conversion to residential use.
The plans had been circulated and it had been agreed that the application should be approved but that work should not start until classification from NCC Highways of the position of the roadside boundary to the east of the property.
b. Application 2006/2013 – Highlands, Trunch Hill, Denton, - proposed erection of single storey infill extension with open porch.
Proposal: Approve the application as this would be a useful extension to the property. Proposed by Adrian Hipwell, seconded by Liz Cargill, unanimously agreed.
c. Planning Decisions; The Clerk reported that planning applications 2006/1760, 1744 and 1823 had been approved by SNC.
11. Correspondence:
It was noted that in the crime stats for September there had been a theft in Low Road.
Buckingham Palace Garden Party - Clare Valori proposed putting Eddie’s name forward. All agreed.
Norfolk Link and The Review were circulated.
Newsletter entitled Black and White passed to Clare Valori.
Harleston Development Partnership – Ruth Brown wanted to come and discuss the Village Forum at one of the parish council meetings. It was decided to ask her to attend either the November or January meeting.
12. Finance:
a. Clerks salary for 2007 to be agreed: Proposal: Increase the Clerk’s salary from £8.147 per hour to £8.387 per hour in keeping with the agreed scale for 2007. Proposed by Eddie Winter, seconded by Malcolm Skinner, unanimously agreed.
b. Budget figures for 2007 to determine precept: The Clerk had circulated a summary of accounts with budget comparisons in order to set the precept for 2007/8.
Proposal: Increase the precept by £100 from £2700 to £2800. Proposed by Eddie Winter, seconded by Terry Hanner, unanimously agreed.
c. Pay the Clerk’s salary of £81.47 for October.
d. Pay £75 to Denton Village Hall for use of the hall for meetings.
Proposal: Pay c and d. Proposed by Clare Valori, seconded by Liz Cargill, unanimously agreed.
13. Any Other Business:
Clare Valori informed the Councillors that a new headmaster had started at the school. His name is Ben Moulton who is very keen to see the community involvement. Clare has been appointed as Chairman of the Governors and she reported that the school is thriving and it may be necessary to have to build another classroom.
Eddie Winter said that his neighbour was keen to start a football team. It was felt that this was not the responsibility of the parish council, but the Councillors suggested that something could be put in the parish magazine asking for people to help.
Clare Valori suggested an exercise walk in the Millennium Wood and she was prepared to put up the suggested exercises on cards to be pinned on trees. There was some concern that the cards should not be too obtrusive. It was felt that it would be better to do this in the Spring.
The meeting closed at 9.20 pm.