Denton a village in South Norfolk, England

Denton Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 12th February 2008 at 8pm at Denton Village Hall

Present: Liz Cargill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Roger Gibson, Adrian Hipwell, Eddie Winter, Pauline Sandell (Clerk). Also Present: Murray Gray (District Councillor), ten members of the public.

1. Apologies:
Clare Valori, Tony Tomkinson.

2. Declaration of Interest:
None.

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

4. Affordable Housing
The Chairman welcomed Abigail Dennington-Price from South Norfolk District Council and Adam Ronaldson from Saffron Housing Trust to the meeting.
Abigail talked about the new project to build low cost social rent houses in villages. The previous housing survey done in Denton showed that there is a need for at least 4 2-bedroomed houses.
The Planning Department had looked at the previous sites and the only one that would not be suitable is the one opposite the village hall because the properties around that site are all bungalows and to build houses there would not be in keeping with the area. However, due to the fact that these sites have now been withdrawn, it would be necessary to try and find alternative sites as quickly as possible.
Some discussion took place regarding landowners gaining permission to build a dwelling for their family in return for selling land for affordable housing. Abigail thought that this would not be allowed, but she said that she would check with the Planning Department.
Just over ½ acre is needed to build 4 houses. It was explained that bungalows are more expensive to build and need more land. However, Adam Ronaldson said that Saffron would not be opposed to considering building bungalows instead of houses although there are grant and cost implications. Abigail said that the project was primarily for rented housing and not for shared ownership housing.
The Councillors were of the opinion that the local people would prefer shared ownership rather than rented accommodation as most young people wish to get onto the property ladder. Adam Ronaldson said that shared ownership could be considered as a separate exercise, but they would need to know the level of support for shared ownership rather than rented, which would mean that another housing need survey would have to be done to establish whether local people had sufficient income to afford the costs of shared ownership.
The housing would be just for local people, but it is essential that people should register as quickly as possible with South Norfolk Council.
The rented houses would remain rented and the residents would not have the right to buy. Applicants would be banded as to level of need and how long they had been on the register. Should there be more houses built than there are applicants in Denton, then a cascade system would operate. There was a query about whether too high an income level could disqualify someone from the housing register. Abigail said that she would get clarification on that point.
It was pointed out that the original plan was to build six houses and Abigail was asked that, if a site big enough for six was found, could six be built. She said that that would depend on whether there is a need for six and would depend on the site. Abigail was asked what price would be paid for land for the houses. She said that between £8000 and £12000 would be paid per plot, meaning per house. It was questioned whether by doing another survey this would affect the funding. Abigail said that there is a 3 year rolling programme in place and therefore the funding is there. With regard to the type of plot, it was explained that it needs to be adjacent to other dwellings because the environmental policy is to protect open spaces. Abigail reported that the rent for a 2 bedroom house would be about £75-80 per week.
After some discussion the following proposal was made.
Proposal: Arrange for a new survey to be done and to write to Abigail to ask how we should proceed. To look for alternative sites. The Clerk was asked to put a piece in the Parish Magazine asking for possible sites. All agreed.

5. Matters Arising

a. Playing Field; The report had been completed by Adrian Hipwell who said that mole hills were still a problem and that broken glass had been found on the basketball court. He had cleaned most of it up, but some still remained in the grass. Liz said that should would go and clear it up. A quote had been obtained from Steve Tricks of £120 per year to clear the mole problem. He will go to the field every day until they are all caught and then will check every so often after that. The SCOPE bin has not yet been removed. The Clerk will chase them up. It was agreed to book a playground inspection for September. There had been a request for a dog show to be held on the field on the 20th April. It was agreed on the understanding that no cars are to be allowed on the field and no dogs should be allowed in the play area. The donation was discussed and it was agreed that a new piece of equipment should be bought up to a price of £500 (the difference to be taken from the composting fund). To be put on the agenda next month. Terry Hanner to do the next report.

b. Composting; Liz Cargill had visited Wortwell parish council to give a talk on community composting.

c. Upgrade of Sewage System: An e-mail had been received from Zoe Whiting asking the parish council to help as she is having to pay double sewage charges, one to SNC and the other to Anglian Water. If Anglian Water adopt the pumping station they need to gain direct access to the pump and at the moment this problem has not been resolved. A resident from No.3 Upland Terrace said that sewage pipes from Nos.1 and 2 come across the garden of No.3 and frequently overflows by the back door.
Proposal: Write to SNC to ask them to inspect No.3 as it is not right that sewage comes up to the back door.

d. Cycle Racks: Nothing to report.

e. Highways: The Clerk had received an e-mail from Highways to say that they had asked Anglian Water to do a permanent repair on Roundhouse Hill. They refused to do this, so Highways will be repairing it themselves in the next few weeks. The Clerk had spoken to EDF regarding the trench by the village hall and was told that they would be contacting the contractors on the 11th February. However, the meeting was informed that this work had now been completed. Grass cuttings had been left at the junction of Norwich Road and Denton Road for a long time. The Clerk was asked to speak to Raz Woollacott about this. Roger reported that there is still a problem in Middle Road outside Grove Farm when heavy rain occurs the water is not draining away and the road floods.
The Clerk was asked to speak to Highways about this.

f. Sale of Middle Road Site: Roger Gibson declared a prejudicial interest in this item. An e-mail from Murray was read out. This land is not for sale yet as there is some dispute about ownership.

g. Any Other Matters Arising; Denton Directory – Johnny Carslake is happy to do this. If anybody has anything to add during the year it should be handed to Johnny. The Clerk was asked to mention it in the Parish Magazine. Items from this year’s Annual Parish Meeting should also be included.
The possibility of asking for a grant for the cost of producing the Directory was discussed. Liz Cargill will get an estimate of the cost and the item will be put on next month’s agenda.

6. District and County Council Matters:

Murray Gray had the following reports to make:
Neighbourhood Forum: Meets four times a year and the next meeting is on the 3rd April in Harleston.
Safe Neighbourhood Action Panel: The next meeting is to take place at Alburgh Village Hall at 7.30pm on 17th April. It would be a good opportunity to discuss speeding problems through villages.
Car Parking Charges: It seems quite likely that car parking charges will be implemented in Harleston, but the final decision will be made on 20th February.

7. Questions from the Public:
Pride in Norfolk competition. After some discussion it was proposed that Peter Hill should draft out the 400 words necessary for the competition and it would be put on the agenda next month.
A member of the public was very opposed to car parking charges and said that this is not something that the public want and the Council should work towards achieving no charges.

8. Homewatch
A coordinator is required to take over from the Clerk. Ken Ashton said that he would give it some consideration. It was suggested that the County Coordinator should be invited to the Annual Parish Meeting.

9. Annual Parish Meeting and AGM
It was agreed to arrange the Annual Parish Meeting for Friday 4th April at 7.30pm. Liz Cargill said that she would like to arrange a stand to exhibit the projects that the Council have undertaken over the last few years. It was important to ask people for ideas for the future. Liz Cargill said that she would like to discuss starting up the allotments again and another idea was community bulk oil buying. Ken Ashton said that he had already started to look at this idea. The Clerk was asked to distribute a leaflet with summaries from clubs and societies, as last year.
The AGM will be held at the beginning of the usual May meeting.

10. Councillor Vacancy
Two people had applied for the position. The two applications will be discussed in private after the meeting.

11. Planning:

Nothing to report.

10. Pride in Norfolk Competition:

Peter Hill had listed various things of interest and asked for comments. Playing Field, community oil buying, toilets at the Church, summer camp, another extension at the Village Hall, and the fete could also be mentioned. This could be discussed at the Annual Parish Meeting.

11. Correspondence:
Local Works: the Clerk explained that the Sustainable Communities Bill had become law and is now an Act of Parliament.
SNC: The future of Wingfield Arts Centre – no comments.
NRCC: Two session training event aimed at volunteer committees managing play areas and playing fields.
NRCC: Meeting on 26th March regarding post office closures.

12. Finance:

Pay the Clerk £83.87 for February 2008.
Proposal: pay a. proposed by Adrian Hipwell, seconded by Eddie Winter, unanimously agreed.

13. Any Other Business:

None.

The meeting closed at 09.55.

The applications for Councillor from Peter Hill and Rose Titchiner were discussed. A vote took place and Mr. Peter Hill was duly co-opted onto the Denton Parish Council.

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