Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting Held on Tuesday 8th March 2011
at 8pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Liz Cargill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Roger Gibson, Peter Hill, Adrian Hipwell, Annie Whiteman, Eddie Winter, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Murray Gray (District Councillor)
1. Apologies
Tony Tomkinson.
2. Declaration of Interest
None.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes were agreed and signed.
4. Matters Arising:
a) a) Playing Field; Terry Hanner reported that drainage holes had been drilled on the bridge to the fort. Peter said that Joy Playground had returned to the Play Area to do some work and had drilled the holes then. The Working Party had cut hedges back, but Malcolm was unable to do the car park because of bad weather. When he does the car park he will also finish lopping the trees. Terry was unsure whether the zip wire needed greasing. Peter said he would speak to Jeff. The grass on top of the mound will need cutting. Peter Hill will do the next report.
b) Play Area Project; Annie had spoken to SNC about signage and it is now no longer a requirement to put up a sign. However, it was agreed that a sign should be erected and Annie will get back to SNC to see if they will still fund it. Acknowledgements on the sign; NCC, DPC, Dentil, Calor and Woodland Trust. Name; Denton Play Area. Size; approximately 2' x 2'6". Discussion took place about the wigwam as to whether to ask the school or the art club to paint it or whether to completely remove it. Annie was concerned about the willow structure, who would take on the work and where would it be put? She had asked the Woodland Trust if they would allow the £100 for the willow to be used instead for a springy mushroom.
Proposal; take down the boards completely and put the willow structure there. Adrian Hipwell proposed, Six agreed, one did not agree.
Proposal; to make the final decision after the school has been approached about painting the wigwam. Peter Hill proposed. One agreed.
Liz and Annie will look into purchasing the willow and will try to put it up before the end of March. Wait to see what Woodland Trust say about the £100, but fund raising could be arranged for the springy mushroom.
Adrian, Terry and Eddie will take down the A frame on Monday 14th March.
c) Allotment Update; 4 plots are going to be ploughed. Liz Cargill is still looking into getting a grant.
d) Highways; Terry reported that Bob Edwards had visited Denton and looked at the problems. These will be repaired in time. Grups that are needed must be marked by DPC.
e) Parish Election; The Clerk reminded the Councillors of the timing of the submission of the nomination papers. The Clerk was asked to find electoral roll numbers.
d) Any Other Matters Arising; Peter Hill said that he had no need to write a letter regarding the sale of Government owned forests as the idea had been scrapped.
5. District Council Matters
Murray Gray reported that a joint committee meeting at Great Yarmouth was taking place to discuss the feasibility of sharing services. This is the early stage of discussions and the election may make a difference. If both Councils agree to go ahead it may take a year before it happens.
Thanks to the Land Registry the purchase of the former gypsy site in Middle Road has now been finalised.
Grove Farm; the enforcement action has now been confirmed. There is a prosecution action against the stables being converted to a dwelling.
6. Questions from the Public
None.
7. Affordable Housing
The concerns about the electricity have now been resolved. Power will be brought in two weeks after houses have been finished. The line will be under the road.
There was concern about the number of vehicles parked outside the site and how difficult it is for large vehicles to pass them. Liz Cargill will speak to John Whitelock about this.
The Clerk said that Saffron had agreed to litter pick and reinstate verges once the site is vacated.
8. Composting
CCN had asked if they could use the composting site for training and this was agreed. Liz did a presentation. CCN said that DPC would be paid £200 and an invoice has been sent to them. Liz said that she would like to see that money go towards the 'springy' for the play area. Denton Composting has been going for 7 years and Liz said she would like to see some new blood.
Proposal: £300 of composting money to go towards the play area. Proposed by Eddie, seconded by Liz. Unanimously agreed.
9. Agenda for Annual Parish Meeting
The Clerk had circulated a draft agenda for the annual parish meeting. Liz Cargill and Adrian Hipwell gave their apologies.
It was agreed to include The Royal Wedding and to delete Allotments, Election and Fundraising for the Play Area, as these topics will be included in the Parish Councils Report. A flyer will be sent out at the end of this week to all residents. The bar will be open so refreshments not necessary.
Because of the election this year it was decided to hold the annual parish meeting on Friday 18th March. Peter Hill explained that the Chapel was in dire need of maintenance in the region of £50,000. To improve the likelihood of funding the Chapel needs to improve its usage as a community building. It was agreed that this would be a suitable topic for the meeting. Peter Hill to ask David Gibson to attend. Other topics for the meeting; election, fund raising for the toddlers part of the play area; allotments.
10. Planning Applications
Application 2011/0113, The Old Rectory, Danacre Road, Denton – Provision of staircase within new extension; amendment to permission 2010/1831/LB.
Proposal: no views on this application. Liz Cargill proposed, Peter Hill seconded, unanimously agreed.
Application 2011/0265, Denton Village Hall, Norwich Road, Denton – Extension to existing village hall to provide multi-purpose function room with independent access plus improved storage and toilet facilities.
This item was not on the agenda as the application was received after the agenda went out. Five Councillors declared an interest. The two remaining Councillors approved the application as it would improve the existing facilities. The Clerk was asked to write on the consultation slip that only two Councillors were able to comment on this application.
11. Correspondence
Peter Hill said he would like to attend the Joint NRCC and Norfolk Rural Forum Meeting on 6th April.
12. Finance
a) Accounts Summary; no comments made.
b) Pay the Clerk £89.19 for March.
c) Pay NRCC £15 annual subscription
d) Pay CCN £25 annual subscription
e) Pay CPRE £29 annual subscription
f) Pay NPFA £20 annual subscription
Proposal: Proposal: Pay b,c,d,e, and f. Proposed by Annie Whiteman, seconded by Peter Hill, unanimously agreed.
The Clerk informed the Councillors that HMRC states that as from 6th April 2011 Clerks must be paid through the PAYE scheme and will no longer be able to be paid as self-employed. The Councillors were concerned about the extra work for the Clerk for so little money. Liz Cargill said that she would speak to NALC about it.
14. Any Other Business
Eddie Winter said that he would not be attending the next meeting and so, as he does not intend to stand again, this was his last parish council meeting after 35 years.
He had in his possession an old minute book that started in 1900. He read out pieces from it and it was interesting to hear that items discussed then are still being discussed now, such as speeding traffic. All the Councillors thanked Eddie for his long service as a parish councillor.