Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting Held on Tuesday 14th October 2008 at 8pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Liz Cargill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Roger Gibson, Peter Hill, Adrian Hipwell, Clare Valori, Eddie Winter, Pauline Sandell (Clerk)
Also Present: Dr. Murray Gray (District Councillor), Three members of the public.
1. Apologies: None.
2. Declaration of Interest: None.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting
Item 13 page 578, line 4: should read Mr. Guyton, not Gunton. Item 5 page 577, line 2: Kirby Cane not Kane. The minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed.
4. Matters Arising:
a. Playing Field; Problems: The brass plaque that was donated by Denton USA has been removed and is lying in the hedge. Terry will put it back in. Clare Valori will do the next report.
Car Park; no progress to report.
b. Play Area Equipment: The Chairman had spoken to Mrs Frost and she is happy for the money to be spent in any way. The Chairman introduced Tanya and Andrew Knights. They said that they thought that most of the equipment was too old for young children and suggested the following ideas: Use the mound with perhaps a bridge and/or a small slide, roundabout, tractor tyres that could be made into a monster. To save money on grass cutting, put bark down and perhaps fence the area. A lick of brightly coloured paint would help. They will help to do the work and suggested asking in the Parish Magazine for helpers. Funding will come from the donation from Mr. Frost's funeral, grants, fund raising. Safety needs to be looked into. Murray Gray said that Pauline would be happy to advise. It was agreed to set up a Play Area Working Party, Liz Cargill and Peter Hill will be the Parish Council representatives. The Working Party will get costings, find out about grants and bring the information back to the Parish Council Meeting next month.
c. Highways: Bob Edwards had sent a plan of how a revised junction at Roundhouse Hill with Low Road would look. After some discussion it was agreed not to go ahead with this for the time being.
d. Pocket Park: Peter Hill had spoken to Ron (Garden Club) and he thought that it was too big a job at the moment. With regard to the nettles he thought it would be better to spray them, but would get advice about that. Peter Hill offered to donate his Garden Tractor to the village and this could be used on Pocket Park. The Chairman suggested contacting Norfolk Wild Life Trust and it was agreed that this would be a good idea. Adrian said that he would prefer to see it managed as a wild life area and not a garden, this was agreed.
With regard to the name, the Clerk reported that the original name was Pool Meadow and it was agreed that in future this is what it would be called. The Clerk to mention it in the Parish Magazine report.
e. Any Other Matters Arising: Mains Drainage Application; Gary Parson was unable to come to meetings on a Tuesday. It was agreed that a separate meeting should be held with members of the public invited and the Clerk was asked to contact Gary Parsons again to agree a date.
The Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting with the Footpath Officer to discuss the footpath behind the Village Hall. Clare Valori will speak to Tim regarding footpath leading to Middle Road.
5. District and County Council Matters
No.6 Chapelfield: the Environmental Officer has reported that it has been cleared sufficiently. The Councillors, however, said that it had been slightly tidied up, but only the minimum and depending on time of day the vehicles are still a problem. Murray said he would speak to the Environmental Officer again.
Gypsy and Traveller Allocation Policy: Earsham Parish Council, the Otter Trust and the two local companies will object. Kirby Cane also has objections to the proposed site there.
Allocation of Denton as 'Countryside': following a Council meeting the day before, the whole process is being reviewed.
Local Government Reorganization: results of the consultation received, a large majority favoured the status quo. They are considering holding a referendum in January. The Councils are going to judicial review regarding the process on 13th and 14th November.
The ombudsman challenge to the Council procedure on Middle Road site by Mr Elliot and Mr Jay has been dismissed by the ombudsman.
6. Questions from the Public: Denton Directory: John has heard nothing from anybody. The Clerk was asked to put a piece in the Parish Magazine asking people for any information. Clare Valori will do education, health and veterinaries. Liz Cargill will pass a copy of the old information to all Councillors. John has designed a cover for the directory.
7. Affordable Housing: The Clerk had spoken to Peter Ramsdale of Saffron Housing Trust and to Abigail Dennington-Price. Saffron has employed a firm of surveyors to look at both sites and so far they have not been out to look at the sites, but expect to do so shortly. The Clerk reported that Abigail has said that although Denton Parish Council would be consulted on the choice of site, it would probably be the Planning Department that would make the final decision. The Councillors, however, decided that it was important that they should write now to SNC to make them aware of their preference. After some discussion the following proposal was made: Proposal: the preferred site is the one next to Thanksgiving Cottage, because it is more central, closer to village activities. Proposed by Adrian Hipwell, seconded by Peter Hill, unanimously agreed. The Clerk reported that funding for the affordable housing is in place.
8. Pride of Norfolk Competition Prize Money: Suggestions for the prize money of £400: Suggestion box in the bar. Put it into play area fund. Use it for the bike racks. After some discussion it was agreed to split it between the play area and the bike racks.
9. Calor Village of the Year Competition: Peter Hill explained the intricacies of the application form. One of the themes is 'how will the village develop'. Some of the ideas; update the website – Peter Hill agreed to help with this by receiving and editing information that will be put onto the website. Wild life at Pool Meadow. Market Garden on the land between the playing field and the wood – the Clerk will find out about grants. Youth Council. Businesses in the village. Films in the Chapel and a cyber cafe in the Village Hall were ruled out.
10. Car Parking Charges in Harleston: After a meeting with local businesses and local parishes the Redenhall with Harleston Town Council have agreed to ask parish councils to share the financial burden of leasing the car parks from SNC and as a guide a charge of £1 per elector has been suggested. £1 per elector was thought to be too much, so a proposal of £100 donation was made. Proposed by Eddie Winter, seconded by Roger Gibson, unanimously agreed.
11. Planning:
Planning Application 2008/1800, 2008/1801 Street Farm, Norwich Road – the last planning application had been withdrawn and replaced by a new application. The changes (dormer windows instead of velux and the garage door changed) were thought to be a great improvement on the previous application and the Councillors had decided to approve the application.
Planning Application 2008/1783 Barn North of Walnut Tree Farm, Manor Farm Road – at the site meeting on Friday 10th October the Councillors in attendance agreed to approve the application with the following conditions:
1) We would like it to be a condition of approval that some of the mature trees, e.g. the Chestnut, Oak, and Poplar on the north side of the barn and the Ash on the roadside, preserved and hedges maintained.
2) We would like to see provision made for the bats and owl that were observed on our site visit.
3) We note that the plans mention a septic tank but it would be preferable to have a sewage treatment plant installed.
4) We are concerned about the gable end on the north side of the barn as it is different to the existing roof and we would prefer to see the barn maintain its outward appearance.
5) No.23 on the main plan, drawing no.6871, mentions the refurbishment of the old dairy. We could not see any remains of the old building, and believe that there has not been a building there for at least 11 years. We are also concerned that there are no specific plans for this building.
6) We have some concerns about the nearness of the south side of the barn to Walnut Tree Farm and would ask you to consider any problems that may be caused by new windows overlooking existing windows in Walnut Tree Farm.
12. Correspondence: Gypsy and Traveller Local Development Document – this document has so far only been seen by Roger and Clare. Both Councillors were very disappointed with it and thought that comments made at meetings held at SNC had been completely overlooked. It was agreed that Eddie, Clare, Roger and Liz will get together to agree the Parish Council's comments on the document.
13. Finance:
a. Budget for 2009-10. The Clerk circulated a proposed budget for 2009-10 showing the budget for last year and the expenditure so far this year. The budget was agreed. The Clerk had suggested increasing the precept by 2% as last year, but it was agreed that this should be higher. Proposal: Increase the precept by 3.5% (£100) to £2956. Proposed by Peter Hill, seconded by Eddie Winter, unanimously agreed.
b. Financial Monthly Summary: a running budget summary and financial summary was produced by the Clerk. It was noted that the bank balance is over £6000 which is due to a build up of the composting credits. Some of this money could be used to fund the new equipment for the play area.
c. Pay the Clerk £85.95 for October 2008
d. Pay £250.86 to Norfolk County Services for six monthly grounds maintenance
Proposal: Pay c and d. Proposed by Clare Valori, seconded by Terry Hanner, unanimously agreed.
13. Any Other Business: None.
The meeting closed at 10.15pm.