Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Tuesday 23rd April 2013.
at 7.30pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Peter Hill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Roger Gibson, Annie Whiteman, Wayne Mayhew, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Joel Crawley, Liz Cargill, David Godsmark, 24 members of the public.
1. Welcome by the Chairman
Peter Hill welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that by law the Parish Council must call a parish meeting once a year. There were no candidates for Chairman so Peter Hill chaired the meeting.
2. Apologies
Adrian Hipwell, Murray Gray, Kerry Norfolk.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting
Rosemary Gibson proposed that the minutes were correct, seconded by Annie Whiteman and unanimously agreed. The minutes were signed.
4. Matters Arising
None.
5. Chairman's Report
Report attached.
6. District Council Matters
Murray Gray’s report attached.
7. Alburgh with Denton CE VC Primary School
Mr. Joel Crawley, Head teacher, gave a brief history of the school. The school has gone from 18 pupils, when the school was in danger of closing, to just over 90 now and the expectation of almost 100 children on the roll this September. Although the school has undergone some difficult times, it is now a thriving school. Mr. Crawley said that the school had a special atmosphere and lots of potential. The reasons for its ‘specialness’ are; a) ethos, family atmosphere, b) links with the church, c) links with the community,
d) after school clubs and activities, e) close links with the pre school, f) close relationship with High Schools at Harleston and Bungay, g) close links with other schools in the cluster, h) supportive parents, giving their time and helping to raise funds. The school council is run by the pupils and has official elections and its own bank account. The school has four LCD top of the range screens. SATS have shown the pupils to be above the national average and the OFSTED report has gone from satisfactory to good.
Mr Crawley was asked about the car parking problem? He said that we know there is a problem and we can see the solution, but it is in the hands of the Highways and although they have visited the school they say that until there is an accident they will not do anything about it. He was asked if the Alburgh and Denton PCs should write to Highways and he replied that that would be helpful.
The Chairman said that NCC had £1million under the partnership scheme to give towards improving footpaths, highways etc. and that may be appropriate to help with the parking problem. The community would have to provide 25% of the cost.
Mr. Crawley was asked about non C of E pupils and whether other faiths are covered by the school. He replied that parents have the right to remove their child from RE lessons or school assemblies if they wish. The school covers other religions.
In an answer to a query about waiting lists, Mr Crawley explained that the school can take 105 pupils, but only around 50% are from the catchment area. This is a good thing as it means that people are choosing to send their children to the school, but should the reputation of the school change then the numbers could drop. It is unlikely that local children would not be able to get a place because of increasing numbers from other areas. Living in the local village is priority number one.
Mr. Crawley finished by saying that they welcome anybody from the community to visit the school.
8. Reports from Toddler Group and Pre-School
Report attached
9. Denton Communal Composting Scheme
Liz Cargill reported that it is the 10th year of the composting scheme. Waste is collected from an average of 60 houses and 15-16 tonnes of green garden waste are collected over a season. Approximately £5500 from the compost is in the bank account waiting for a worthwhile project.
Liz thanked all the volunteers and said that more volunteers would be useful.
10. Village Hall Extension
David Godsmark explained that this was the most ambitious project since the hall was built. The plan is relatively simple giving a multi-purpose room replacing the old bus shelter. There would be a separate entrance from the front. It has taken the committee quite a long time to get to the point that they are at now.
Planning permission was given in 2011 and building regs were approved in February 2013. They are waiting from quotes from building contractors. The cost will be around £100,000. The VH has some funds already but will be applying to the Big Lottery for the remainder. DPC had donated £250 to show their support of the project.
11. Suggestions for Future Projects
Suggestions so far are;
tennis court,
village pond,
pocket park,
community shop,
trod between DVH and Chapel.
One member of the public thought that the tennis court would be a waste of money as it would not be used. A suggestion was made that a bench be put in the village as a memorial to Sir Jeffrey Darrell.
12. Open Forum
Q. What is being done about the stolen post box?
A. It is on its way.
13. Any Other Business
None.
The meeting closed at 9.10 pm.