Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting Held on Tuesday 10th May 2011
at 8pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Liz Cargill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Roger Gibson, Peter Hill, Adrian Hipwell, Annie Whiteman, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Murray Gray (District Councillor), 4 members of the public.
1. Apologies
None.
2. Declaration of Interest
Roger Gibson declared an interest in item 7b. The Chairman declared an interest in item 4d, Terry Hanner declared an interest in item 7a.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting and of the Extraordinary Meeting
Both minutes were agreed and signed.
4. Matters Arising:
a) Playing Field;
Roger Gibson reported that one of the swings had been tied up.
Peter Hill explained that he had done this as the swing needed new chains which he has now received from Jeff. The swing also needs a new cradle seat and it was agreed to purchase one. Annie will let the Clerk know which one to buy and the Clerk will order it. The Clerk said that she had renewed the sign for dog walkers on the gate, but had been unable to find a suitable place to put up a sign with the Clerks telephone number on for reporting accidents. The Clerk said that RoSPA have a particular month for each area, and June was the month for Denton. It was agreed not to have an inspection this year, but to wait until next year.
Liz Cargill will do the next report.
b) Play Area Project;
Annie has spoken to Gary at SNC about signage and asked him if she did a design could he pass it to SNC's Graphic Dept and he was happy to do that. Peter Hill thought that the Education Dept should be acknowledged on the sign, but Annie had asked and she was told that this was not necessary. Annie will put Clerk's telephone number on the bottom of the sign. With reference to the letter from Johnnie Carslake, Annie reported that she had spoken to Woodland Trust and they had confirmed that the oaks and rowans were suitable for hedging and that they would just need to be trimmed. The Councillors agreed to leave them in and to trim them back when necessary. The hedging will be checked in the Autumn and Woodland Trust will be contacted to replace any dead ones. Liz will ask Keith to water the hedge. Adrian will repair the boxes for the dog bags shortly and Terry will install the plaque. The Clerk was asked to write to Johnnie reporting the above. The willow will be done in the Autumn and it should be put on the agenda in September.
Peter has spoken to Jeff about the zip wire and he is adamant that it is quite safe.
c) Allotment Update;
Fencing will be bought shortly using the compost money. Clerk to advertise in the Parish Magazine to let people know that allotments are available.
Liz will confer with Peter regarding the tenancy agreement and the plots will be termed as 'garden plots', not allotments.
d) Affordable Housing;
The Chairman explained that she and Peter Hill had attended the Planning Meeting the previous week and the decision had been deferred until 25th May at 1.30pm. SNC wish to have more information about the capacity and how big the substation needs to be. Liz Cargill confirmed that SNC had discounted noise and safety problems.
Peter Hill was asked to attend the next meeting on 25th May to speak on behalf of the Parish Council.
e) Any Other Matters Arising; None.
5. District Council Matters
Murray Gray said that he had been elected for a further four years.
With regard to The Grove Farm prosecution, he said that Mr. Elliott had stripped the building internally and at Norwich Crown Court had been given a 3 year conditional discharge and ordered to pay the Council costs of £3,500 for failing to comply with the enforcement order. The judge said that he could have saved himself time and money by complying straight away and if he came before the judge again he would be dealt with very seriously.
6. Questions from the Public
Three members of the public were concerned about the Grove Farm appeal (on the agenda under 7b). It was pointed out that there were two separate letters from SNC regarding the inquiry. The public asked that Denton Parish Council write a letter to the Inspectorate objecting to the appeal. The Councillors agreed to write two letters, one for each DCLG reference, to the Inspectorate objecting to the appeal. All relevant papers will be handed to Peter Hill who, with the help of Liz Cargill, will write the letters. The letters should inform the Inspectorate that this situation has been dragging on for a number of years and needs to be resolved and also that the particulars of the appeal have been deliberately clouded and are obtuse so as to cause confusion.
The letters to the Inspectorate should be sent recorded delivery.
7. Planning Applications
a. 2011/0599 Trunch House, Trunch Hill, Denton; Reduction in size of cart lodge as approved in permission 2011/011/LB
The Councillors approved this application.
b. 2008/8155 Grove Farm, Middle Road, Denton; Appeal
This was dealt with under 6.
8. Correspondence
SNC has asked if Denton would like a Toy Recycling Bank. Toys will either be sent to charities or be recycled; The Councillors agreed to this in principle, but asked the Clerk to find out more details.
Harleston Police wish to come to the next parish meeting to discuss speedwatch; This was agreed. Put at top of agenda.
Abolishment of Standards Board Regime; No action.
Armed Forces Day flag; Councillors decided not to buy a flag but asked the Clerk to put a piece in the Parish Magazine to say that Denton Parish Council supports the Armed Forces Day.
Disbanding of the Audit Commission; Find out more information.
9. Finance
a) Insurance quotes from Aon and Came & Co.
The Clerk had asked Roger Gibson to look at both quotes and he reported to the Councillors that the quote from Came & Co. looked very good and was at the same cost as last year with Aon but with the addition of insuring the playground equipment. The Clerk was asked to remove the wigwam and the matting from the insurance, but to add the shelter at a value of £1000. The Clerk was asked to check with Came & Co, that if, for example, a child injured itself on an item in the play area which was not insured would DPC still be covered under the public liability clause and if someone injured themselves whilst working at the compost site or collecting compost would they be covered.
b) Pay the Clerk £89.19 for May.
10. Any Other Business
None.
The meeting closed at 9.45 pm.