Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Thursday 15th May 2014.
at 7.30pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Peter Hill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Roger Gibson, Adrian Hipwell, Annie Whiteman, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Margaret Sommerville (County Councillor), Murray Gray (District Councillor), 9 members of the public.
1. Welcome by the Chairman
Peter Hill welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies
Wayne Mayhew, Mr & Mrs Henderson, Eddie Winter.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes were agreed and signed.
4. Matters Arising
a) The school is going from strength to strength with almost 100 pupils attending. There are more applicants than spaces this September and some parents have been unable to achieve a place for their child.
b) Parking at the school is a major problem and during the winter the verges had been churned up by cars parking and children have been off-loaded into the middle of the road. Highways are not prepared to do anything unless a child is seriously injured. A voluntary one way system operates but not everyone knows about this and some pre school parents are not using it. Peter Hill is a member of the committee that has been set up to find a solution to the parking problem.
c) No other matters.
5. Chairman's Report
Peter Hill said that there are seven members of Denton Parish Council. One of the things that DPC does is to look after the Playing Field and arrange the grass cutting. A new contract for grass cutting has been negotiated this year as previously only the grass that could be cut by a gang mower was cut and this proved to be unsatisfactory. However, although the grass should have been cut five times so far this year this has not happened.
Peter explained that the Local Plan designated Denton as ‘other village’ meaning that only infill building was allowed. DPC considered that there were other central areas of Denton that could benefit from a small amount of development, especially family houses. Therefore DPC have appealed and Peter will attend the examination later this year. Peter explained the situation with Grove Farm and said that DPC is monitoring the situation.
DPC has a healthy bank balance. At the end of year accounts the balance was £9469.58. The precept is £3000 and has been static for three years, but depending on how much council tax benefit is paid to Denton residents the tax base does fluctuate by a small amount. The external auditor has commented that DPC is holding too much reserve and that it should be spent. This is the reason for the list of projects that will discussed later so that some of the money can be spent on the community, although a reserve of approximately £3000 should be kept for emergencies. Finally Peter explained that next year would be election year. Apart from Terry Hanner all members have been co-opted at one time or another and it is expected that at least two vacancies will occur next year. Peter said that he hoped that a number of people would stand so that an election takes place.
6. County & District Council Matters
Margaret Sommerville’s report attached.
There were health questions about recent maternity developments, care of stroke victims of all ages and the appointment system at local doctor’s surgeries and local transport issues. Margaret said that if anyone had any problems or queries about these matters they are welcome to contact her.
Murray Gray’s report attached.
Murray was thanked for being so active and always ready to help.
7. Proposed Denton Village Hall Extension
Terry Hanner explained that the proposed plan spoken about last year at the Parish Meeting had been difficult to fund and also, after a survey took place, it was decided that the extension did not need to be so big. A new plan that provides a good size function room and changing rooms was drawn up and has been approved by DPC and they are now awaiting approval from SNC. This new plan is more affordable and the committee hopes that the extension will be completed by next February.
Q. Is it possible that within that plan a secure cupboard could be provided for village records to be kept so that people could easily access them?
A. That is something that could possibly be provided.
8. Community Compost Scheme
Liz Cargill explained that there had already been three collections made this year. It is hoped that more people will volunteer to do the collections. The scheme has been going for ten years and the bins now need to be replaced.
£5,500 of recycling credits have been paid to us by NCC via DPC and this money is to be used to benefit the community and we are pleased to see that DPC have some suggested projects to use that money. There has been some discussion about buying a reasonably priced trailer and that is still being investigated.
9. Volunteer Conservation Group
Adrian Hipwell explained that he had the idea of setting up a group affiliated to DPC that would look at access, conservation and environment, making Denton a better place to live in, walk in, and better for wildlife.
The group would be headed by a Steering Group who would put forward the ideas and then call on volunteers to do the work, and, if appropriate, encourage some of the youngsters in the village to help as well. Adrian is looking for anyone who would like to come on the Steering Group.
10. Proposals for Future Projects
a) Footpath to Post Office in Chapel - Peter Hill explained that at the moment there is a gravel path which has become a trip hazard and DPC, with the authority of the Church Council, has decided to replace the path with non slip paving slabs.
b) Defibrillator – a member of the public explained the benefits of having a defibrillator in the village that can be easily accessed, that could be used before an ambulance or paramedic arrived and which could save lives. She explained that it is easy to use and training is not necessary. When 999 is dialled the person phoning would be told that a defibrillator is in the village, where it is positioned and the code number to release the machine. The cost of the defibrillator is about £2000. The position of it should be central and can be decided once the machine is purchased. DPC was asked to put this on the agenda for next month.
c) Seats Around the Candlestick – many people walk the Candlestick and it was suggested that inexpensive, possibly plastic, seats should be placed at opposite ends of the Candlestick.
d) Village Pond – The pond is along Norwich Road on the same side as the Playing Field. It was suggested that this could be an attractive spot once it is cleared. The land owner would need to give consent. This could be a project for the Conservation Group.
e) Hedge North Side of Playing Field – there is a gap between the hedges of about 100 metres and the Playing Field has become exposed to the prevailing winds. Could a new hedge be planted there to provide protection from the wind.
f) Land Between Playing Field and Wood – the wood is owned by the Woodland Trust but the land down to the wood is leased by DPC on a 50 year lease. Except for the four allotments the rest of the land has been neglected and looks very untidy. Suggestions for this land were wild flower meadow, although that would be a lot of work and ongoing costs involved, and a secure dog exercise area.
g) Pocket Park – there are a lot of nettles and Himalayan Balsam and the area is very untidy. A possible project for the Conservation Group.
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h) Adult Exercise Equipment – A number of people have requested this. However, this would be very expensive.
i) Footpath Norwich Road – it was suggested that walking along the road between the Chapel and the Village Hall was potentially hazardous with cars coming past and that constructing a footpath would eliminate the danger. However, the general feeling was that this not necessary, there is not enough width to have a path and it would take away the village feel.
j) Any Others – none.
11. Any Other Business
A member of the public asked DPC what could be done about the smelly ditch outside the affordable housing.
The meeting closed at 9.12 pm.