Denton a village in South Norfolk, England

Denton Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 9th October 2007 at 7.30pm at Denton Village Hall

Present: Liz Cargill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Roger Gibson, Adrian Hipwell, Martin Sida-Page, Clare Valori, Eddie Winter, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Malcolm Skinner.

1. Apologies:
Murray Gray, Tony Tomkinson.

2. Declaration of Interest:
Roger Gibson, Clare Valori and Martin Sida-Page declared a prejudicial interest in item 10.

3. Minutes of the Last Meeting:
The minutes were agreed and signed.

4. Matters Arising

a. Playing Field; The report had not been completed for September due to a misunderstanding. The Clerk reported that a new supply of dog bags were needed. It was agreed to do this. Proposed by Liz Cargill, seconded by Clark Valori, unanimously agreed. The SCOPE bin was proving to be a problem to get emptied. The Clerk had telephoned a number of times, and left messages, but the bin had still not been emptied. Liz Cargill will speak to them directly. Terry Hanner had spoken to James Godsmark regarding the piece of ‘no mans land’ that needed cutting, but this has not been done. Liz said that Keith will be doing the final cut in the wood and he could be asked to do that piece as well. Martin Sida-Page to complete the next report.

b. Composting; Liz Cargill reported that two more collections were scheduled before the end of the season. However, she said that if people still had green waste for collection after that date she would be willing to collect it personally. So far 15½ tonnes have been collected and all shredded. There had been an article in the Diss Express regarding Denton Community Composting and this had resulting in a visit from someone who studies beetles. He was very interested in the compost and would like to return in the Spring to lay beetle traps, as the beetles will give a very good indicator of what is happening in the environment. There had been a site visit from 4 community composters from Trunch and there were pleased with what they saw. Liz and Ann Carden will attend a workshop run by the CCN in London to exchange experiences with other composters, subject to the Parish Council agreeing to this. All agreed.

c. Village Sign: The sign is still being worked on and it is thought that it might be Spring 2008 before it is finished. The Clerk was asked to mention it in the Parish Magazine report as people are asking where it is.

d. Cycle Racks: Awaiting for the pipes to be bent. Terry will mention it to Keith.

e. Highways: With regard to Chapel Corner, the Chairman reported that although Highways had not done exactly what was discussed at the meeting, placing poles there has made the verge firmer and there are not so many cars parking there now. It was not thought that this had caused problems with Post Office or Chapel users. Clare Valori reported that Highways had tried very hard to improve Middle Road, but because the road is very high in the middle this is causing problems with some motorists and also results in puddling. Roger Gibson reported that out of four drains only one was taking water. The Clerk was asked to write to Highways about this. The Clerk reported that BT has contacted her and said that, with regard to the branches on the line at Pocket Park, the work was in hand. With regard to the erosion of the bank at Pocket Park, it was felt that the flow of the water is the responsibility of the Environment Agency, the Agency had visited the site about four years ago and had agreed to do work there. The Clerk was asked to contact the Agency and Highways again to arrange a meeting between them so that this problem can be sorted out. The hole by the Post Box in Norwich Road is still to be repaired.

f. Postboxes: The Clerk said that she had made a mistake at the last meeting and that the postbox at Chapel Corner is emptied once a day in the afternoon.

g. Middle Road Site: Clare Valori reported that the site is now green and grassy and that normal activities that one would expect in a quite country lane, like dog walking, cycling and walking along with children, has resumed. SNC have taken charge over the land and is counting the cost of the clearance which will be passed on to the registered owners.

h. Any Other Matters Arising;
With regard to charging at car parks in Harleston, it was proposed that a letter of objection should be sent to SNC. Proposed by Clare Valori, seconded by Eddie Winter, unanimously agreed.

5. District and County Council Matters:
The Clerk read out an e-mail from Murray Gray. He said that the Gypsy and Traveller Group at SNC had decided on a short list of 8 sites in the Waveney Valley and after contacting the landowners will make a shorter list of preferred sites that will be made public in the Autumn. With regard to affordable housing, he suggested waiting until after the visit from John Fuller. He mentioned car park charges and said that he was trying to ensure that local communities would be consulted as early as possible.

6. Questions from the Public:
With regard to car parking, it was noted that Wymondham and Diss are more industrial and also have railway stations.
With regard to the Postbox at Norwich Road, Malcolm said that he would be trimming around there shortly and he will fill in the hole while he was there.

7. Affordable Housing.
It was thought that a needs survey would not be necessary, as one was completed before. Malcolm Skinner would still be willing to consider providing land for the affordable housing. It was felt however, that it would be advisable to contact other landowners to see if they had land that they would be willing to sell. It was felt that the housing would be better placed in the centre of the village.
Malcolm had received a letter from SNC regarding plans to upgrade its sewage treatment system with the intention of it being adopted by Anglian Water. The letter specifically mentions Norwich Road, Denton. Malcolm suggested that Denton Parish Council write to SNC to suggest that if the system is to be upgraded, it should include other houses in Denton and to extend the capacity to include future housing, such as affordable housing. The Clerk was asked to do this.
Liz Cargill, Eddie Winter and Roger Gibson will be attending a meeting at SNC regarding Local Development Framework and hope to get some more information about affordable housing then.

8. Neighbourhood Car Scheme
Terry had spoken to Ann Carden. She is on holiday at the moment but will deal with it on her return.

9. Pocket Park.
The Chairman asked Malcolm Skinner what had happened to the spring flowers planted last year. He replied that some had come up, but that others had not. The nettles are still a problem. It was suggested that we should get some of the Denton youngsters interested in Pocket Park so that they could help with any work that is needed. It was agreed that it is picking up the nettles after they have been cut that is the main problem. The Clerk was asked to get in touch with Mark Hammond for a quote for cutting twice a year.

10. Planning:
Planning Appeal 2006/2057 – Valley View, Grove Farm, Middle Road, Denton; retention of existing dwelling.
After some discussion between those Councillors that had not declared an interest, the following was agreed: The application should be refused. This has never been a residential site and therefore it cannot be retained. We believe it to have an agricultural status and not a domestic status. Previous applications have been refused.

11. Track by Beck Farm/Vale Farm
Eddie Winter had visited Beck Farm and was told that the track is owned by the Wells family at Vale Farm, and they give permission for Beck Farm to use it on the condition that it is kept cut. Eddie was told that there never has been a vehicle access to the field. The Clerk was asked to speak to Sharon Bland, Footpaths Officer, again.

12. Correspondence:
SNC – A letter had been received regarding post office closure in the area. The Councillors thought that it might help if Denton post office is used more and the Clerk was asked to mention it in the parish magazine report asking people that if they need to buy stamps or send parcels they should use Denton post office.
Defra – Asking for nominations from the rural sector for inclusion in the Birthday Honours for 2008. Clare Valori proposed Eddie Winter, seconded by Roger Gibson, unanimously agreed.
Southwatch – A Safer Neighbourhood Team has been set up in Harleston to address local community concerns at a local level. This team will cover parishes such as Denton.

13. Finance:
a. Budget for 2008/9. The Clerk had circulated figures for the budget. There was some discussion as to whether donations should be included within the precept budget, or should go under other income such as mini-recycling or composting. The Chairman felt that the precept money should be used for ‘housekeeping’ items and that donations should not considered as housekeeping. However, the Councillors felt differently and it was agreed to keep donations within the precept budget. It was decided that money would be needed for Pocket Park (£140) and this should be in the budget.
b. Agree precept figure. Proposal: Raise the precept by 2%, £2856.00. Proposed by Clare Valori, seconded by Eddie Winter, unanimously agreed.
c. Pay the Clerk £83.87 for October 2007.
d. Pay the Village Hall £100 for hire of the hall.
e. Withdraw £100 cash for petty cash.
Pay Norfolk County Services £242.61 for half year grounds fee. (Although this was not on the agenda it was felt that this should be paid before the next meeting).
Proposal: Pay c,d,e and Norfolk County Services. Proposed by Liz Cargill, seconded by Clare Valori, unanimously agreed.
Liz Cargill said that she had purchased some small tools for the composting scheme out of the cash that she had received from compost sales.

13. Any Other Business:
The Grove Farm site will be put on next month’s agenda.

The meeting closed at 09.40 pm.

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