HOCKWOLD-CUM-WILTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE METHODIST SCHOOLROOM ON TUESDAY 13th JUNE 2006 AT 7.30 pm
Present: Mrs P Raburn ) Chairman
Mr T Fothergill ) Hockwold Parish Council
Mrs I Adams )
Mr T Gossage )
Mrs M Eade )
Mr R Allsop )
Mr M Denney )
Mrs T Sismey )
Mrs L Arbour )
Squadron Leader Jo Daniel
Mr M. Storey District Councillor
Three members of the Public
Apologies had been received from PC Dave Jackson and Mr B Maddock of the Forestry Commission who were both expected to come and discuss the Hockwold Sandpit.
The Chairman Mrs Pat Raburn thanked Mr Denney for taking the May Meeting in her absence and also the Councillors for re-electing her as Chairman for the coming year.
1. MINUTES
Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 9th May 2006 previously circulated be approved and signed by the Chairman. This was proposed by Mrs Eade and seconded by Mr Gossage.
2. MATTERS ARISING AND CORRESPONDENCE
Feltwell Base: Squadron Leader Daniels reported that with regards to South Street, they have looked into the matter, but will do nothing at present as school finishes at the end of this week, they will look into the matter during the summer and get back to us regarding their findings.
July 4th celebrations will be held on Monday July 3rd everyone is welcome.
Gate One at Feltwell - the plans have been submitted to the Borough Council for the Tollbooth arrangement, and once passed work should start quickly.
Sadly Jo Daniel announced that she would will be moving on and this would be her penultimate meeting, her replacement will be Paul Harrison, who she hopes to bring to the next meeting.
Sandpit: Two letters have been received from Cornhill our Insurers regarding the Sandpit and Motor/Quad Bikes. Mr Fothergill has done a Risk Assessment for the Council as requested by Cornhill and the clerk will send this off. Mr Maddock who was unable to attend this meeting told the Chairman that he has been looking into the question as to when the deeds for the sandpit were drawn up but could find nothing. Mr Denney said the first date he knew about regarding the sandpit was 1877 when the original sandpit was changed to the present one following the finding of a Jewel Cross. The Forestry Commission have never been happy about the arrangement.
All the Councils papers are now in Norwich Archives but it should be possible to check up on the Internet.
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Planning Consultation Protocol: Copies of this draft protocol had been sent to councillors with their minutes. This would mean that eventually the Borough Council would like to sent out all plans by e-mail and post a list of planning applications weekly on the Internet. The question of getting the clerk on the Internet was discussed, but it was decided to wait to see if these plans go ahead. The clerk will reply to the consultation and give the Chairman’s e-mail address.
Victim Support Norfolk: Mrs. Eade declared an interest in this matter as she works for this organisation, and took no further part in the discussions. The question of giving a further donation to this charity was discussed and it was proposed by Mr Fothergill and seconded by Mrs Arbour that a cheque for £50.00 be sent, everyone agreed with two abstentions.
Citizens Advice Bureau: A letter has been received from this organisation thanking the Council for their recent donation.
Clerks Salary Increase 2006: The National Salary award for clerks is approximately 3%.
The clerk suggested she stay on the same scale as before but asked if her hours could be increased from 30 to 35 per month, as the amount of work has gradually been increasing. It was proposed by Mr Denney and seconded by Mr Allsop that this increase in hours be accepted.
The new hourly rate for the clerk would be £9.348 giving a monthly salary of £327.18 this was proposed by Mrs Arbour and seconded by Mrs Sismey.
Audit : The councils yearly audit is due to take place on 25 September 2006. The clerk has given out to councillors copies of the Bank Reconciliation, Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure for the year end March 2006 for them to read, and at the next meeting the form will be filled in by the councillors, as required by the Audit Commission, then the Internal Auditors can check all the figures, and fill in their part of the form.
Norfolk Constabulary: Notification has been received from the Norfolk Police that they will be holding meetings around the County regarding the Amalgamation of Forces – Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The Chairman and Clerk will attend the meeting on 26th June 2006 at King’s Lynn Assembly Rooms.
Village Hall – Waste Bin: A letter has been received from the Hall regarding the non-emptying of the waste bin in the car park. The clerk has been in touch with numerous people regarding this matter, and at present a Mr Andy Cook of Service Team has promised to sort the matter out once and for all!!. The clerk will let the Hall Secretary know what is happening.
Village Hall – Maintenance Work: A letter has been received from the Hall Committee asking if the Parish Council could help with funding for maintenance work which is urgently required. There are several leaks in the roof and the heating system has not been working at its best. The councillors feel that they require estimates or quotations for the work required before they can make any decision. The clerk will write to the Hall Secretary and ask for estimates to be obtained.
American Independence Day: An invitation has been received from Brigadier General Robert Steel of the USAF to their celebrations at Feltwell being held on the 3rd July. This includes all councillors and the community.
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New Bus Stops: A reply to the clerk’s letter regarding the sighting of the bus stop right outside the Garage. NCC apologies for not consulting the council, but said the original site was not suitable, and felt the best placing was outside the garage. They spoke to the occupants of No 87 Main Street and also the garage proprietor and there were no objections, so went ahead with the scheme.
Pearces Close: A letter has been received from Freebridge Community Housing who now is in charge of the council houses in Pearces Close. They have visited the property concerned and understand our concerns regarding the amount of vehicles on the property. Another visit to the property has been scheduled for June to monitor the situation. The clerk will ring and find out how this visit progressed.
Enforcement Office Queries: A letter has been received from the Enforcement Officer regarding the caravan in Moor Drove; he will be investigating this matter and will let us know the action he will be taking.
Regarding out letter about Jamie Wright, he would like us to mark on a map the site as he was unable to find the caravan mentioned.
Regarding the Stables in Cowles Drove the clerk was asked to inform Mr Smith that they were building inside sheds and then knocking the sheds down. The clerk will speak to Mr Smith about both matters.
3. PLANNING APPLICATIONS/PERMISSIONSREFUSALS
Ref: 06/01271/F Name: Mr Kenneth & Mrs Josephine Robertson
Location – 133 Main Street Hockwold Hockwold, Thetford
Details – Constr of dwelling following on from Norfolk IP26 4JE
demolition of existing dwelling.
The Parish Council rejected this application. They felt that knocking down an old building within the village and replacing it with a modern large building, takes away the character and history of the village. This was proposed by Mr Gossage and seconded by Mr Allsop – all agreed.
Ref: 06/01178/O Name: Mr J W Walters
23 Mill Lane
Location – 23 Mill Lane Hockwold Hockwold, Thetford
Details – Renewal of constr of dwelling & Garage Norfolk IP26 4LR
It was proposed by Mr Allsop & seconded by Mrs Arbour that no objections be raised against this application.
Ref: 06/01166/F Name: Mr & Mrs Birch
Location – 32 Main Street Hockwold Hockwold Thetford
Details – Conservatory extn. to dwelling Norfolk IP26 4LH
No objections were raised to this application.
Ref: 06/01130/F Name: A M & J S Brown
Location – Kens Corner Cowles Drove Hockwold, Thetford
Details – Constr. of Dwelling (amended design) Norfolk IP26 4JQ
No objections were raised against this application as before.,
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Ref: 06/01248/F Name: Mr & Mrs B Farebrother
10 Stanton Close
Location – Land West of 5 & 7 Nursery Lane Thetford
Details – 4 Bedroomed house & Detached garage Norfolk, IP24 3NG
The Parish Council rejected this application as before, the house was too large for the site and out of keeping with the surrounding area. A vote was taken one councillor voted for the application the rest voted against.
Ref: 06/01179/F Name: Mr G E Harrison
Norrisha, Northfield Farm
Location – Norrisha, Northfield Farm Mill Lane, Hockwold
Details – extn to dwelling to form residential Norfolk. IP26 4LR
The Parish Council raised no objection to this application.
Ref: 06/00638/CU Name: Masterman Park Homes
Change of use of land to site for holiday homes and nature reserve at Land at Weeting Road Hockwold Thetford Norfolk.
4. BILLS OF ACCOUNTS
Payments: 13.6.06 Mr M Moore – Bus Shelter £ 22.50
Pearce & Kemp – Lights Maintenance £102.60
Mrs G Taylor – Wages & increase & back pay £345.42
Victim Support – Norfolk; Donation £ 50.00
Methodist Church 6 x £10.00 £ 60.00
14.6.06 E-on Energy – Lighting – DD £105.62
Receipts: 06.6.06 HM Revenue & Customs VAT Repayment £438.42
It was proposed by Mr Denney and seconded by Mrs Sismey that these accounts are paid.
5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman reported that she had received a complaint against the proposal to give the shop an alcohol licence. The caller felt it would mean more glass on the playing field as the shop bordered the field. There is already glass found on the field which one child has already cut themselves on badly. Mr Allsop said if we refuse such progress we will loose the shops we have in the village.
Boundary Road: One of the residents who live in Boundary Road has asked who he should approach regarding getting his caravan into his garden through Reeves Lane. Reeves Lane is a private Road so he would have to approach the residents of this lane. The Chairman will ring and inform him of this.
Bus Shelter: The anti graffiti paint Mr Denney had hoped to purchase was not suitable as the paint never dries. After some discussion Mrs Eade said she would purchase some dark paint, give it to Mr Gossage and he will paint the Bus Shelter. The clerk will write and thank Mrs Watson for her very generous offer to do the painting herself.
Sandpit Gate: Mr Gossage said he had put two locks on the gate and they had both been cut off. He has now put a chain and lock, which they will not get off, and he has the key should anyone wish to go and get sand.
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Hastoe Housing: There are many rumours going round the village as to who has and has not got a property. It was agreed that the clerk should write to Hastoe and ask for an update on the situation and remind them that Section 106 does apply to these properties.
Parking – Main Street: It was reported that cars are parking in Main Street from the school to Cross Hill on the footpath, which means that people pushing prams and walking with small children have to go round the vehicles into the road. The clerk will contact the police about this matter.
Highways – Main Street: It was suggested that the council should ask Highways about the possibility of having yellow lines in Main Street especially near the school, if this is not possible could we have parking restrictions from 8.0 to 9.0 each morning and 3.0 to 4.0 every afternoon.
The Clerk will write to highways and see if this is possible.
Police: It was reported that a resident had found a man laying in their front garden late one night, They rang 999. Although the people knew who the man was the police were not interested.
Councillors felt that if a crime is committed against you, the police are just not interested.
Telephone Kiosk: The only telephone kiosk we have left in the village has had its glass broken and the phone pulled out. The clerk will report this matter to BT.
Narrow Road Sign: This sign has been left by the contractors who did the new bus stop kerbs. This has appeared in all different places within the village. It needs to be taken away.
In the Ten Minute Open Forum Mr Edwards of 75 Main Street asked who had complained about cars parking in the entrance to Boundary Road. His car is always parked there, he is disabled and that is the nearest point to his house, and he cannot walk any further. It was suggested that he put in for planning permission to get his car onto his property. The council said if he did this they would back his application.
6. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed by everyone that the next meeting be put back to 25th July 2006 at 7.30pm which means that there is no meeting in August and the meeting in September is back to the 2nd Tuesday in the month.
As there was no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.10 pm.
Distribution:
One copy to each member of the Council
One copy for Mr T. White 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.