Denton a village in South Norfolk, England

Denton Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 10th October 2017 at 7.30 pm in Denton Village Hall.

Present: Councillors: Kay Wiltshire (Chair), Terry Hanner (Vice Chair), Peter Grant, Zoe Brown, Kerry Norfolk.
Also present: Jackie Ellis (Clerk).

1. Welcome by the Chair.

2. To receive and accept apologies from members unable to attend:
Dr. M. Gray, Mr R. Gibson.

3. To receive any declarations of interest from members on any item to be discussed:
None.

4. To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting:
The minutes of the September 2017 meeting were approved and signed by Kay Wiltshire, Chair, as a correct record.

5. The meeting was not adjourned as no member of the public wished to make any comments.

6. Reports from County and District Councillors:
Dr. M. Gray, District Councillor, reported the following by email in his absence:

  • SNC is about to enter discussion with Broadland District Council about sharing services and officers. The aim is to save money. This is at an early stage and will take 4-6 months to produce a feasibility study.
  • Dr. Gray is working with Cllr Clayton Hudson (Pulhams and Starston) to call-in the issue of car parking in Harleston to the SNC Scrutiny Committee. The aim is to get a fair deal for Harleston Town Council in its campaign to retain free parking in the town, because they think the proposed SNC lease of £50k per annum is excessive.
  • It was confirmed that Earsham Parish Council found our parish boundary review changes acceptable.
  • Grove Farm Buildings Site has now been auctioned and successfully bought by a local resident.

7. To discuss matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting:
Kay Wiltshire and Roger Gibson met to formulate the parish council’s response to the enforcement appeal at Rainbows End. This was sent to both Helen Bowman, Planning Officer SNC and the Planning Inspectorate.
In Good Company – Kay Wiltshire has submitted an application for the Tuesday lunch scheme. She has received a confirmation email and this will be reviewed by the In Good Company Team. We should hear within a month confirmation as to whether we have been awarded the Quality Mark.

8. Playing Field Report from Terry Hannah and to discuss urgent play equipment repairs –
All was in good order.
Some trees need a few of their lower branches trimming. Terry Hanner will organise this.
Kay Wiltshire has contacted Action Play & Leisure for further clarification on their prices. We had tried to also get a second quote from NGF Play but they have not responded as yet. We will try to get a second quote from another company and report back at next meeting.

9. Norse Grounds Maintenance Contract:
Kay Wiltshire has spoken with Norse about the renewal of our contract next year and asked them if it is possible to put a weed killer around the posts in winter so that they do not need to strim around the posts causing damage to them.

10. Transparency Fund and Parish Partnership Fund application updates.
We have received £578.33 from the Transparency Fund to purchase a new laptop, printer and software. This is the net figure of VAT, making a total of £693.97 including VAT. The clerk would also like to purchase a mouse priced at £11.99 inc VAT and a USB Stick for backing up at £8.99 inc VAT. This are all to be obtained from Ulric. All councillors agreed to these purchases.
We have completed the application for the Parish Partnership Fund and have been told that we should hear whether we have been successful early next year.

11. Cardiac Arrest and Defibrillator Awareness Seminar
This was held last week and was well attended. Councillors felt that this was a very good evening. Martin Render (trainer), said that we could apply to the National Lottery to get an outside cabinet for our defibrillator, these bids are usually successful. It was agreed that we would apply for this.

12. Parish Councillor Vacancy
There have been a couple of people enquire but nobody has actually come forward as yet.

13. To discuss and comment on any planning applications received
Ref: 2017/2278 – Mr. Simon Winter, Darrow Green Farm, Denton, Norfolk. Proposal: Replace windows. All councillors consider this application should be approved.

14. Correspondence
Engagement Officers launch new project ‘Community SOS’ – A new project is being launched by Norfolk Constabulary’s seven Engagement Officers in a bid to build stronger links with local communities. They will as a group give up a day, when not on duty, to assist with a local project in their district. It was agreed that we would ask if they could come and tidy up Pocket Park.
Norfolk ALC AGM is to be held on 20th November at 6.00pm. Kerry Norfolk and Kay Wiltshire will attend.
Reminder of Joint parish council meeting to be held on 7th November at Alburgh Village Hall.

15. To approve payments to be made
Payments made:

  • J. Ells, Clerk Salary £76.80 and Expenses £22.50
  • HMRC Paye £48.40
  • Ulric Web Design £714.95
Payments received:
  • SNC Precept £1,697.32
  • NALC Transparency Fund £578.33

16. Any other items to be brought to the attention of the Parish Council and for the next agenda.
To confirm the date and time of the next parish council meeting as Tuesday, 14th November.

Kay Wiltshire is updating the letter for new residents to the village.
The 30mph sign near Trunch House has been knocked over. This has been reported.
For next agenda: Buses, Budget

17. The meeting was not adjourned for public participation as no member of the public was in attendance:

18. Close of Meeting:
Kay Wiltshire thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.37 pm.

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