HOCKWOLD-CUM-WILTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE METHODIST SCHOOLROOM ON TUESDAY 11th JANUARY 2005 AT 7.30 pm
Present: Mr Dave Owens ) Chairman
Mrs Pat Raburn ) Vice Chairman
Mrs I Adams ) Hockwold Parish Council
Mr T Gossage )
Mrs K Stratford )
Mr R Allsop )
Mr M Denney )
Mrs T Sismey )
Mrs L Arbour )
Squadron Leader Jo Daniel
Two members of the public
Apologies for absence had been received from Martin Storey, District Councillor.
1. MINUTES
Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 14th December 2004 previously circulated be amended so that it reads Mr M Denney not Dr M Denney as stated, and then signed by the Chairman. This was proposed by Mr Gossage and seconded by Mrs P Raburn.
2. MATTERS ARISING AND CORRESPONDENCE
RAF Feltwell – Base Entrance: Squadron Leader Jo Daniels who was present at the meeting
Stated that a draft consultation document has been formulated, and for the interim period three options have been drafted, and hopes to have details of both projects by the next meeting of the Council. No date has been arranged for a meeting with the NCC.
The Chairman attended Feltwell Parish Council meeting last night, and suggested putting pressure on Highways to do something in the interim period, and the question of calling an extraordinary meeting with NCC in attendance was discussed.
Mr Allsop suggested that the base gate be closed at night as the guards sit and do nothing, this would not be possible, as the gate must be manned 24hours a day. Mr Denney said that moving the guard post further down the roadway would help the situation.
Sdr. Leader Daniel said that the base is as concerned as everyone else regarding the situation, and hopes to have further information regarding interim plans by the next meeting.
Playing Field: It was agreed that the balance of the largest invoice be paid, and that the rest of the invoices paid well before the end of March 2005 for accounting purposes. It was noted that a Pushbike has been left on the playing field over the Christmas period!
West Norfolk M.E. Support: A letter has been received asking for a donation to enable them to continue support for sufferers. It was proposed by Mr Allsop and seconded by Mrs Sismey that £25.00 be sent.
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King’s Lynn CAB: This organisation has also written asking for a donation. In the past we have supported Brandon & Mildenhall CAB and will continue to do so when approached. In the circumstances it was not felt possible to support the King’s Lynn Branch as well. The clerk will write and inform them of this decision as we had done before.
The Local Channel – Freedom of Information Act (FOI):
The Chairman felt that if anyone was approached for information regarding the Parish Council, they should be told to contact either the Chairman or Clerk, or preferably put their question in writing to the Clerk.
Norfolk Matters: Copies of this publication has been handed out to Councillors.
Main Street – No 16: Mr Denney declared an interest in this item as his daughter lives next door to the writer.
A copy of a letter sent to the Highways by Mr & Mrs Clark regarding the state of the roadway outside their house and the damage rainwater is doing to their property. Mrs Clark has rung the chairman about the matter, and he has informed Mr Martin Edmunds of Highways about the problem and he will look into the matter and see what can be done. The Chairman will ring Mrs Clark tomorrow.
Improved Consultation: When the recommendation to the Development Control Board differs from the views of the Parish Council a copy of the report on planning application is sent to the Council, this has been done so in the case Ref: No 04/02257/F Mr M Harrison of Norrisha,
Mill Lane, Construction of Commercial Dog Boarding Kennels. The Parish Council was against this application because they had already started boarding. Planning approved the application with conditions.
Ref: No 04/02650/F Name: Mr D Garner
Garner Blast, Cowles Drove
Location – Garner Blast Cowles Drove Hockwold, Thetford
Details – Construction of Dwelling Norfolk. IP26 4JQ
In the past this application has always be refused. It was proposed by Mr Denney and seconded by Mr Gossage that this application by approved.
Ref. No 04/02480/F Name: Mr & Mrs F O’Malley
9 Kemps Lane
Location – 9 Kemps Lane Hockwold Thetford
Details – Constr. of extn. to create new entrance & shower room. Norfolk IP26 4LG
It was proposed by Mr Allsop and seconded by Mrs Raburn that this application be approved.
Ref. No 04/02723/CU Name: Mr B J Rutterford
Blackdyke Farm
Location – Blackdyke Farm, Blackdyke Road Blackdyke Road
Details – Alteration to pit to create fishing facility & irrigation Hockwold, Thetford
Reservoir Norfolk
It was proposed by Mr Gossage and seconded by Mr Denney that this application be approved.
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Mr & Mrs L Westbrook 5 Pearces Close Hockwold – Two-storey extension to dwelling – Permission recorded.
4. BILLS OF ACCOUNTS
Payments: 11.1.05 Wickstead Leisure – Playing Field - £17945.78
Mrs G Taylor - Wages, Postage & Telephone £ 283.39
McAlpine Government Services – Lights Maint. £ 91.71
Mr M Moore – Bus Shelter £ 18.00
Receipts:
06.12.04 Business Base Rate Tracker Acc. Interest £ 86.16
It was proposed by Mr Denney and seconded by Mrs Sismey that these accounts are paid.
5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mill Drift: It has been reported to the Council that waste has been dumped by Mill Drift by ? Americans thought to be leaving the country. It was agreed that the clerk should write to the Public Affairs Office RAF Lakenheath about this matter.
Barking Dog: Complaints have been received regarding a dog living in 9 Main Street who keeps barking all day, wandering loose and fouling the grass near by. It was agreed that the clerk should write to the Dog Warden in King’s Lynn regarding this matter.
Carol Singing: Four Young Boys from the village went round Carol Singing at Christmas Time, after hearing about the disaster on Boxing Day they sent the money they collected to the disaster fund. It was agreed that this be Minuted and mentioned in the Village Magazine Parish Council report.
Highways: The street sign in Station Road is now laying on the ground. The general untidiness of the village, we seem to get no support from King’s Lynn. It was also reported that there are potholes at Crossroads. The Chairman will pass on our feelings to Mr Edmunds of Highways.
Waste Bin: Mr Denney has sorted out the waste bin at the end of the alleyway in Main Street and the rubbish has been collected, so there is no need for a new bin.
Precepts – Cleaning the Village: Mr T Smith had written to the Parish Council regarding the report of employing someone in the village to clean up. Mr Smith is against this, why should the parishioners pay for this in their council tax, when we already pay Highways and the Borough Council to look after the village. Mr Smith spoke to the council at the beginning of the meeting, but did not stay for the rest of the meeting.
Village Hall: The Village Hall Management Committee is considering banning Smoking completely in the hall; this matter will be discussed at the next Village Hall Meeting. As the Council are Trustees of the Hall it was wondered what their view was. This really is a matter for the Hall Committee to decide. Perhaps it should be left to the Hirer of the function to decide. Smokers could always go outside.
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Litter: Mrs Sismey reported that on 3rd January (Bank Holiday) someone was picking up litter in Mill Lane. Their base was a Blue Land rover with the sign ‘Borough Council’ on the side. No one has ever seen anyone doing this before, is this a sign of things to come!! The clerk will write to the Borough Council and ask.
Parish Magazine: Mrs. Sismey did not appreciate the comment made by the Chairman in the Parish Magazine last month, regarding her laying the Poppy Wreath on behalf of the Parish Council. Mr Owens apologised to her for his remark.
South Street: It was noted that part of the wall in South Street had fallen over. This has now been cleared up.
6. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the date for the next meeting of the Council be Tuesday 8th February 2005 at 7.30pm.
As there was no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.55pm.
Distribution:
One copy to each member of the Council
One copy for Dr J Norris Norfolk County Councillor
One copy to Mrs C Sharp District Councillor
One copy to Mr M Peake District Councillor
One copy to Mr M Storey District Councillor
One copy to Downham Market Police Station
Two copies for display within the village
One copy for Hockwold Website
One copy for the Minute Book.