Denton Parish Council
< Minutes of the Meeting Held on Monday 8th September 2014
at 8pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Peter Hill (Chairman), Roger Gibson, Adrian Hipwell, Wayne Mayhew, Annie Whiteman, Pauline Sandell (Clerk). Also Present: Murray Gray (District Councillor), one member of the public.
1. Apologies
Terry Hanner, Kerry Norfolk, Margaret Somerville.
2. Declaration of Interest
None.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting and Minutes of the Planning Meeting on 04.08.14
The minutes of the Planning Meeting were agreed as an accurate record.
The minutes were agreed as an accurate record, proposed by Annie Whiteman, seconded by Roger Gibson, unanimously agreed.
4. District Matters and County Council Matters
Murray Gray; SNC are on course to introduce the new recycling scheme which should start on 1st October 2014.
Funding has been given to the Village Hall for a new lawn mower. Grove Farm hearing will be on 20th October.
5. Questions from the Public
None.
6. Matters Arising:
a) Footpath to Post Office; An alternative quote was obtained from The Wright Design of £1296 inclusive of VAT. This quote was accepted by Peter Hill and Terry Hanner. The Wright Design will start work on 12th September and will be finished by 18th September. Payment will be made on completion.
b) Ditch at Skinners’ Meadow; Work has been done at the Treatment Plant and the ditch has been pumped out and disinfected. However, the smell is still there. Peter Hill has spoken to Saffron and they confirm that there is a problem with the blower and they are waiting on a quote for a replacement.
No further news at the moment, but Peter Hill will chase it up.
c) Any Other Matter Arising; None.
7. Playing Field Inspection
a) Monthly inspection; No problems other than a few bottles lying on the ground around the recycling bins. Wayne will cut the hedge around the recycling area. Roger and Rosemary Gibson had given the willow structure a hard cut. Roger Gibson to do the next report.
b) Playground Matting; Peter Hill will check that the matting is of the required standard and covers the required area and will then proceed with the purchase.
c) Work to Swings; Nothing to report.
d) Dog Signs; The Clerk had received a quote of £25 + VAT for one sign. It was proposed that one sign be purchased. Proposed by Adrian Hipwell, seconded by Annie Whiteman, unanimously agreed. The Clerk to purchase the sign.
e) Annual Report; Three criticisms of the swings; the swing is too close to the uprights on the side, depth of the bark and gaps in the tiles. The last two problems will be solved when the matting is laid.
8. Projects
Defibrillator; Peter Hill had spoken to SNC before submitting the application form and it was suggested that he contact the British Heart Foundation. However, this could be long winded and can take up to 20 weeks. Meanwhile, Peter has spoken to a Chairman of a Parish Council in Lincolnshire who had problems with a British Heart Foundation Defibrillator and who is now supplying defibrillators himself at a cost of £1395. Annie proposed that DPC go back to SNC to ask for funding and if that is not available then DPC will fund it and also to seek medical advice as to which is the best model to purchase. Seconded by Adrian Hipwell, unanimously agreed.
Seats around Candlestick; The Clerk produced information about various recycled plastic seating at a cost of about £430. The Councillors were unsure whether it was a good idea to have a seat along the Candlestick and it was suggested that when the pond is cleared that would be a better place for a seat. It was therefore decided to put the purchase of a seat on hold for the time being.
Adult Exercise Equipment; Annie had found costs of various pieces of equipment – exercise bike £2000, Skier £3000, Space Walker £3250 and Rower £2500. The Councillors were unsure whether this equipment would be used and it was decided to put this idea on the back burner for now.
Items d and e were discussed under item 9.
9. ACE Team
Adrian Hipwell reported that the Steering Group plan to meet on October 9th when the pond, pocket park, allotments and hedge around the recycling centre will be discussed and he will be able to report back at the next meeting. In the meantime some trimming around the allotment area will be done.
10. Status of Back Lane
Files have been passed to Peter Hill dating back 10 or 12 years regarding the status of Back Lane. Peter Hill will speak to Alburgh PC and to NCC Footpath Officer to see if they know of the status of Back Lane.
11. Local Plans
Gypsies and Travellers; Peter Hill and Roger Gibson attended a meeting regarding this topic. To be discussed at the next meeting.
Long Stratton Area Plan; Murray said that the plan was to build 1200 houses on the east side and 600 on the west plus bypass. To be discussed at the next meeting.
12. Time of Future Meetings
Topcroft now have their meetings on the second Monday and Kerry Norfolk would no longer have a problem in attending meetings at 8pm on Tuesdays. It was therefore agreed to change the date of meetings back to the second Tuesday of the month starting next month.
13. Uncultivated Allotments
One of the allotments has not been cultivated for over a year and one further one is not being used. Adrian Hipwell will speak to those concerned. The Clerk was asked to put a piece in the Parish Magazine to tell people that if they would like an allotment they should put their name forward.
14. Planning Applications
2014/1694 Land West of East Hall, Middle Road, Denton – Conversion of Redundant Agricultural Building to Dwelling.
Permission had already been granted for conversion and the application was for a few changes to the plans. DPC decided not to comment on these changes.
15. Correspondence
Nothing to report.
16. Finance
a) Accounts Summary was approved, proposed by Annie Whiteman, seconded by Adrian Hipwell, unanimously agreed.
It was agreed that the cost of repairing the benches on the Playing Field will be taken from the precept.
b) Pay the Clerk £90.09 for September.
c) Approve the Quote and Pay The Wright Design £1296 for the Path to the Post Office.
A further invoice from Read Timber for £144.00 was passed to the Clerk for the slats for the benches at the Playing Field. The cheque to be made out to Terry Hanner as he had already paid the invoice.
Annie Whiteman proposed to pay b and c. Seconded by Adrian Hipwell, unanimously agreed.
17. Any Other Business
Peter Hill commented that the times of the buses to Harleston have changed and this has interfered with the connections to Bungay and Beccles. DPC asked the Clerk to write a letter of complaint.
The meeting closed at 9.28 pm.