Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting Held on Tuesday 14th September 2010
at 8pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Liz Cargill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Roger Gibson, Peter Hill, Adrian Hipwell, Annie Whiteman, Eddie Winter, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Murray Gray (District Councillor), Superintendent Cooke (Norfolk Police), 11 members of the public.
1. Apologies
Tony Tomkinson.
2. Declaration of Interest
None.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting and Minutes of the Planning Meeting
The minutes of both meetings were agreed and signed.
4. Supt. Cooke – Re Unlawful Encampment on Private Land and the Law
Supt. Cooke had been invited to address the meeting following the encampment and eviction of travellers on the playing field. It was felt that very little help had been given by the police to help with the eviction process even though it was inappropriate and unsafe for travellers to move onto the playing field where children play.
Supt. Cooke said that any action taken is a group decision with the police, SNC, the Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Office and the Parish Council. A protocol meeting had been arranged, but the Travellers had moved off the site before the meeting took place. The Parish Council was not informed of the meeting.
Murray Gray said that the fact that the Travellers had already moved before the meeting took place showed a lack of urgency. Although the Police do have a power under Section 61 where they can consider action, there have to be unacceptable circumstances which are factored in before a decision is made and the police would link in with the group to decide the best way forward. Other factors have to be taken into consideration when forcefully evicting Travellers such as creating issues with highways and the need to find alternative sites or accommodation.
Supt. Cook said that there are lessons to be learnt from this situation which would help with similar situations in the future. Communication is the key factor, so that the Police have a full understanding of the situation. Supt. Cooke did not know about the litter or defecation problems until he received a letter that Liz Cargill had sent to Richard Bacon. Supt. Cooke said that should it happen again, the first thing the Parish Council needs to do is contact Sgt. Howell at Harleston.
Liz Cargill said that when she rang Wymondham Police Station and asked to speak to someone in charge for advice on what to do, she was completely blocked by the switchboard operator who was quite rude. The process of getting court orders to evict the Travellers was an expensive one, and had it not been for the help of a retired solicitor, would have cost the Parish Council quite a lot more. Supt Cooke was asked to take this back with him to consider.
Supt. Cooke apologized for the lack of information and help from the police and again emphasized the importance of communication.
5. Bus Service
Liz Cargill explained that the Parish Council had been working behind the scenes with NCC and a number of telephone calls had been made and emails sent. The outcome is that from Monday 27th September the 004 bus service from Harleston would be diverted into Denton village centre from Alburgh on Mondays to Fridays at 9.02am and return from Harleston at 14.40am. Once the bus picked up in Denton it would turn round and return to Alburgh. In addition to this a taxi bus would be operating on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11.30am from Harleston back to Denton. There will be no direct bus service into Bungay. Peter Hill said that it was appalling that Denton Parish Council had not been consulted about the change of bus service and DPC should insist that should bus services change in the future it should be consulted.
The members of the public and the Councillors felt that although they would have to make do with the 004 service at the moment, they would be far happier to see less buses, ie. 2 or 3 times a week, but with a direct service to Bungay and to that end they asked DPC to organize a meeting with NCC to discuss this matter.
Proposal: Organize a meeting with NCC. Proposed by Peter Hill, seconded by Terry Hanner, unanimously agreed.
It was agreed to ask Ann Carden to re-establish the local car rota for people who had a real problem getting into Bungay for dental or doctor appointments. Murray Gray said that it would be on the agenda for next week's meeting at SNC regarding the lack of consultation and information and it would be suggested that they ask NCC to consult with any parish when major changes to bus timetable is concerned.
6. Matters Arising:
a) Playing Field; Adrian reported that everything OK, although rabbit damage and concrete pipe still a problem. Bins OK. Should anyone need to use the gate or should there be an emergency the keys to the gate are available at a known place. Terry had already bought heavy duty padlocks for the gate. However, the gate could be lifted off its hinges. Terry and Adrian will fix this problem.
Malcolm was thanked for his work and he was asked if he could cover up the pipe in the mound and make it more secure. The Clerk reported that the SCOPE bin will be emptied shortly. Terry Hanner to do next report.
b) Play Area Project: Annie reported that due to Government cuts the £47,000 Playbuilder funding will not be forthcoming. Dentill money could be used for repair of chicken and see saw. Annie suggested a figure of £15000 for the fort.
Proposal: Annie to find out cost of repairing chicken and see saw and, if a reasonable price, to go ahead with repair using Dentill money. Proposed by Adrian Hipwell, seconded by Liz Cargill, unanimously agreed.
The Woodland Trust agreed that the £100 grant to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Millennium Wood could be used for a living willow structure in the play area. Some of the trees, also donated by the Woodland Trust, will be used as hedging along the road side of the play ground.
c) Millennium Wood Celebration; As above.
d) Donations for Playing Field Security: £615 had been received in donations.
e) Any Other Matters Arising: None.
7. District and County Council Matters
None.
8. Questions from the Public
None.
9. Affordable Housing
Building will start on 14th September. The problems with EDF have been solved. Plan of speed limit had been circulated in August to the Councillors and it has now been approved and will be implemented early next year.
10. Allotments
Two or three people have shown an interest in having an allotment. The Parish Council agreed to make available a piece of land for allotments. £5 a plot was suggested. Agreement should include that the allotment must be kept tidy.
11. Planning Applications/Decisions
Sites for Development at Denton Consultation; two sites suggested, Roundhouse Hill and Middle Road. To be discussed at next month's meeting.
Peter Hill said that there are concerns with the extension being built at The Rectory in that it seems a lot higher than the original plans. The Clerk was asked to write a letter to SNC to query whether it is in accordance with the plans.
12. Correspondence
A correspondence summary had been circulated. Peter Hill will attend that SNC Sustainable Communities Day on Saturday 2nd October.
13. Finance
a. Accounts summary: circulated.
b. Pay the Clerk £89.19 for September
c. Pay S.Scott for Playing Field Barrier £203.28
d. Pay Terry Hanner £166.69 for ballast, cement and padlocks
Proposal: Pay b, c, and d. Proposed by Liz Cargill, seconded by Adrian Hipwell, unanimously agreed.
Received £235.85 VAT repayment, £103.38 recycling credits £615 donations for playing field barrier and £200 mini recycling.
13. Any Other Business
Roger suggested that DPC should write to Johnnie Carslake to thank him for his time and effort as editor of the Parish Magazine now that he has retired and wish him well after his operation. All agreed. Clerk to action.
Mr. Lewis's hedge on Alburgh Road needs cutting – Eddie will speak to him.
Footpath bridges need attention. Clerk to contact footpath officer.
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