Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting Held on 8th July 2008 at 8pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Liz Cargill (Chairman), Roger Gibson, Peter Hill, Adrian Hipwell, Eddie Winter, Pauline Sandell (Clerk)
Also Present: Dr. Murray Gray (District Councillor), Abigail Dennington-Price (SNC), Peter Ramsdale (Saffron Housing Trust), Imogen Statham, One member of the public
1. Apologies:
Clare Valori, Terry Hanner and Tony Tomkinson. The Clerk explained that Tony had suffered a heart attack at the beginning of June and would be cutting down on his work load. He will only be attending meetings when topics are discussed that he would be able to help with. The Councillors asked the Clerk to send him their best wishes, but the Clerk had already done this on their behalf.
2. Declaration of Interest:
Roger Gibson declared an interest in item 9.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting:
The minutes were agreed and signed.
4. Affordable Housing Survey:
The Chairman introduced and welcomed Abi Dennington-Price from South Norfolk Council, Imogen Statham, who had been commissioned by Saffron Housing Trust to analyse the housing survey, and Peter Ramsdale from Saffron Housing Trust.
Imogen summarized the contents of the survey report. 41 out of 162 surveys were returned, 80% of those supported the concept of affordable housing in Denton. Six households required affordable housing and four of those showed interest in shared ownership. However, only one of those households could afford shared ownership but showed no savings that could pay for the deposit. Therefore, the scheme will be for social rented accommodation – 2 one bedroomed flats, 2 two bedroomed houses and 1 three bedroomed house.
It was suggested that although at the moment people may not be able to afford a deposit for shared ownership, they may be able to do so by the time the houses were built. Abi said that it was too big a risk for the housing trust to build shared ownership housing in the hope that someone might be able to afford it. Homes could stand empty or go to someone outside of the area that could afford the deposit.
It was thought that the criteria of a maximum of £25,000 income was too low and that some residents that earned more than that would not be able to afford open market renting and would also miss out on affordable housing as they did not meet the criteria. It would be very unsatisfactory if the houses were built but Denton residents did not qualify and the housing went to people outside of the village. Abigail thought that this was very unlikely to happen. A one bedroom property would cost around £47.03 per week, two bedroom £55.84 and three bedroom £63.77. People must be on the register for at least six months to be able to apply. The Councillors were reassured that if a householder receives a pay rise once they have moved into the affordable accommodation, which would take them above the criteria, they would be secure. Providing a suitable site is available planning should not be a problem. One of the suggested sites opposite the village hall would not be suitable, the site needs to be next to existing homes. No more than half an acre would be needed and the land would be bought at between £8-12,000 per plot.
It was decided that the Councillors needed more time to consider the scheme and therefore another meeting was arranged for the 22nd July at which the public would be invited to give their points of view and a final decision would be made.
5. Matters Arising:
a. Playing Field; The only problem reported was, as last month, the lamination on the spring chicken needing repair. Peter Hill to do July's report and Adrian Hipwell to do August report. Catalogues had been circulated regarding play equipment for under 5's, but not all Councillors had seen them and it was decided to leave this until the September meeting. The Clerk reported that it might be possible to get a grant of up to £5000 from the Norfolk Community Foundation. It was suggested, however, that if we add a grant to the donation, then the donation might lose its meaning. Car Park; no progress to report.
b. Highways: Some of the Councillors had met with Bob Edwards from Highways. A new pipe will be put in to alleviate the flooding at Misery Corner, Councillors were asked to mark with a spray those grups that needed to be filled in and Highways will try to solve the problem at Grove Farm. Speeding at Low Farm was discussed with Bob Edwards said that Highways would not be opposed to changing the priority at the junction if that was what the Parish Council wished. It was not thought that signs would have an effect. There was some concern that if it is not made crystal clear that the priority had changed it could cause an accident. The Clerk was asked to contact him again and ask how it could be made safe.
c. Pocket Park: To be discussed next month.
d. Low Road: Already discussed under Highways.
e. Any Other Matters Arising: None.
6. District and County Council Matters:
Harleston Car Park Charges; the sub committee has recommended that the car parks be leased at a cost of £15,000 per annum. Some of the cost will be taken care of from the precept and the remainder will be found by the local business community. It is possible that Denton Parish Council will be asked for a contribution.
Unitary Local Government; it has been proposed that the whole of Norfolk plus Lowestoft comes under one council. Murray does not support this proposal. Comments about this proposal can be put to the Boundary Committee up until 26th September. The Councillors decided it might be worth sending a letter and this topic will be on the next agenda.
Grove Farm; a prosecution was to take place, but as the Council's solicitor mistook the time of the session, the case was dismissed.
Sewage Treatment Plant; progressing, the track is now in.
7. Questions from the Public:
None.
8. No. 6 Chapelfield: Murray Gray informed the Councillors that an enforcement officer had visited the above address recently. He had looked at photos from previous visits and said that it looked better now than it did. It was noted that during the visit from Bob Edwards of Highways, he had commented that the stones around the verge are illegal and if the stones caused damage to anyone's vehicle, then the householder would be liable. The light could be an environmental problem and action would need to be taken under the environment act. After some discussion, however, it was decided that no action should be taken at the moment.
9. Application for 'First Time' Mains Drainage System: The form was passed to Eddie and Peter to fill in.
10. Planning: Grove Farm Appeal A letter has been sent to the Inspectorate but at the moment a date for the hearing has not been received. A member of the Parish Council should attend.
11. Correspondence: Eddie proposed and all agreed that the Chairmans name should be put forward for the Buckingham Palace Garden Party 2009. Local Works; asking the Parish Council to write to the local council to ask them to 'opt in' to the Sustainable Communities Act.
12. Finance:
a. Financial Monthly Summary: the summary was circulated and explained by the Clerk. No action taken.
b. Donations: £150 to St.Mary's Church
c. Invoices for food and drink for the Pride of Norfolk Competition Judges: £40 to Eddie Winter for turkeys, £16.46 to Peter Hill, £36.02 to Rosemary Gibson, £24.80 to Anne Carden
d. Pay the Clerk £85.95 for July and August 2008
e. Pay £25 for Community Composting Network Subscription
f. Pay £24 to Liz Frere-Smith for Internal Audit. This item was not on the agenda as the invoice was only received on the day of the meeting.
Proposal: Pay b,c,d,e and f. Proposed by Adrian Hipwell, seconded by Roger Gibson, unanimously agreed.
13. Any Other Business:
The Clerk was asked to remind NCC about the grass trimmings. Peter Hill; the footpath across from Doris's old house has become difficult to walk along because the hedges on either side have become overgrown. The Clerk was asked to contact the Footpaths Officer to check to see if the footpath should be maintained.
The meeting closed at 10.05pm.