Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting Held on Tuesday 9th October 2012
at 8pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Peter Hill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Roger Gibson, Adrian Hipwell, Kerry Norfolk, Annie Whiteman, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Dr. Murray Gray (District Councillor).1. Apologies
Wayne Mayhew.
2. Declaration of Interest
None.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting and Planning Meeting.
The minutes were agreed as an accurate record, proposed by Terry Hanner, seconded by Roger Gibson, unanimously agreed. The minutes were signed and dated.
4. District and County Council Matters
Murray Gray reported that the Government had changed its mind about the way the precept would be handled.
The newt problem that was holding the affordable housing up in Alburgh has now been resolved.
Grove Farm; the Reinforcement Officers are aware that the six month period is now up and it is still occupied. Prosecution will take place.
SNC now has a SAM which can be borrowed. Peter will contact Mike Bentley.
5. Questions from the Public
None
6. Matters Arising:
a) Community Reference; Referring to bills from SNC to one resident of Upland Terrace for the pumping station maintenance, Peter Hill reported that the community reference form had been sent to SNC the previous week.
b) Allotments; The matter of an untidy allotment has been resolved.
c) Defective Vertical Climbing Wall; Geoff of Joy Playground had been contacted, he had visited the site and repairs will take place shortly.
d) Playing Field Signage; Wayne and Adrian had put them up. There have still been incidences of dogs on the playing field..
e) Compost Finance; Peter Hill had not yet spoken to Liz Cargill.
f) Ditch at Skinners' Meadow; Peter Hill had replied to Peter Ramsdale's letter and had received an acknowledgement. So far no further response. If nothing is heard in the next couple of weeks Peter Hill will contact Peter Ramsdale again
g) Any Other Matters Arising; Kerry Norfolk reported that she had chased up the community speed watch. The police wanted to know if Denton would be interested in changing with Alburgh, so that Alburgh would carry out the speed watch in Denton and vice versa.
It was agreed to fell the tree that is growing adjacent to No.8 Globe Close. Proposed by Terry Hanner, seconded by Annie Whiteman, unanimously agreed.
7. Chairman's Report
Peter Hill reported that he had attended the consultation on local planning at Harleston.
8. Playing Field Inspection
Peter Hill reported that the weeds had been sprayed. Dog faeces were found. See-saw still needs repairing. Terry will repair it. Roger Gibson will do the next report.
9. Preferred Sites/Development Boundary
Further to DPC's reaction and draft correction of the supporting text for the Denton section of the Site Specific Consultation Document, a revised amendment of the text for the pre-submission document has been received. The Councillors were happy with the wording of the text, except for paragraph four which should be titled Communications. It was proposed by Adrian Hipwell and seconded by Annie Whiteman that the text should be accepted. Unanimously agreed.
Peter Hill will have further discussion with SNC to ascertain what they propose for the boundaries. The Councillors were not happy that the map included Sawyers in Watts Hill and the garden of the bungalow at the corner in Trunch Hill. DPC wished to make it clear that they would like any development to be in the heart of the village.
10. Future Projects
Peter Hill suggested that residents should be encouraged to put forward their ideas of how the compost money should be spent. These could be discussed at the next Annual Parish Meeting or people could come along to the monthly meetings. Peter Hill will submit a piece for the Parish Magazine on this subject.
11. Vacant Properties at Skinners' Meadow
Murray was asked to investigate again the situation at one of the properties at Skinners' Meadow that is vacant for a lot of the time. DPC also asked Murray to investigate whether the rules for occupation were being correctly applied to any of the houses that became vacant.
12. Planning Applications
None.
13. Correspondence
J.Ellis; it was agreed that DPC would not write to the school.
NCC; Adrian reported that the information sets out the responsibilities for everyone, but does not include NCC's responsibility for keeping vegetation down on footpaths. The Clerk was asked to send copies of the information to all Councillors. Put on agenda for next month.
NALC AGM; Kerry and Peter to attend.
14. Finance
a. Accounts Summary – The accounts summary agreed, proposed by Peter Hill, seconded by Adrian Hipwell, unanimously agreed.
b. Pay the Clerk £89.19 for October.
c. Pay Norse £301.34 for half yearly grounds maintenance.
It was proposed that b and c be paid. Proposed by Adrian Hipwell, seconded by Annie Whiteman, unanimously agreed.
15. Establishment of Budget for 2013/2014 (Initial Meeting)
The Clerk had circulated a draft budget. It was agreed that the cost of repairing the playing field car park this year should be included in the precept expenditure. The budget will be on the next month's agenda.
Annie reported that the money for the signage from SNC would most likely not be forthcoming. Peter Hill said that he would write a letter to the Chief Executive. Peter was asked to make sure that the letter also mentioned that the staff at SNC had been extremely supportive.
16. Any Other Business
Terry Hanner; Back Lane is bad. Footpaths to be discussed next month.
The meeting finished at 9.50 pm.