Denton a village in South Norfolk, England

Denton Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting Held on Tuesday 12th February 2013

at 8pm at Denton Village Hall

NB. These are draft minutes and subject to amendment at the next council meeting.

Present: Peter Hill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Adrian Hipwell, Wayne Mayhew, Kerry Norfolk, Annie Whiteman, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Two members of the public.

1. Apologies
Roger Gibson.

2. Declaration of Interest
Adrian Hipwell, Terry Hanner and Annie Whiteman declared an interest in item 9.

  1. It was agreed that the dispensation allowed for discussion of the precept would extend until the next election time, i.e. May 2015. The Clerk had received a dispensation form regarding precept from Roger Gibson and it was agreed to allow the dispensation also until May 2015.
  2. Dispensation for Village Hall Committee Members. This item was dealt with under item 9.

3. Minutes of the Last Meeting.
The minutes were agreed as an accurate record, proposed by Adrian Hipwell, seconded by Wayne Mayhew, unanimously agreed. The minutes were signed and dated.

4. District and County Council Matters
Murray Gray was not at the meeting but had emailed the Clerk with a report on the following items;
1) Grove Farm – SNC had now received legal advice and are currently formulating their next steps. They expect this to be implemented within the next two months. They stressed that they will not 'quietly let this drop'.
2) SNC and the Broads Authority are meeting with the National Grid next week to discuss the route for a line of pylons that will be coming from Lowestoft and will possibly be routed near the Waveney Valley. SNC is trying to take a proactive role at this early stage.

5. Questions from the Public
This will be dealt with under item 10.

6. Matters Arising:
a) Ditch at Skinners’ Meadow; Terry Hanner reported that he had left a message for Mick Loftus (Saffron) to ring him, but had heard nothing so far.
b) Speedwatch; Forms for the SAM had been received and are to be completed by the volunteers. Risk assessment was completed on 14th January and agreed sites for the positioning of the SAM. Next step is to get the forms completed.
c) Footpaths; Peter Hill had not contacted Bob Flatt yet. Too wet to clear paths now, but will be done as soon as possible in March.
d) Parish Meeting; Peter had asked Jane Marlow to attend, but as she was unable to do so, the Head Teacher has agreed to come.
e) Any Other Matter Arising;
1) Drains at Church Hill, Marshalls Hill and Danacre Road have been reported by the Clerk
2) Upland Terrace ditch has been reported by the Clerk
3) Blocked culvert at Mr. Lambert’s gateway in Marshalls Hill causing water in the road. Terry Hanner to have a look and contact Mr. Lambert.

7. Chairman's Report
The Chairman thanked Wayne, Terry and Adrian for removing the tree adjacent to No.8 Globe Close. On the 5th February attended a meeting with Wayne regarding the Green Deal (to be dealt with under item 11).

8. Playing Field Inspection
Annie Whiteman reported that everything was OK. Wayne Mayhew to do the next report. It was agreed to request an annual inspection of the play area by RoSPA at £65 and to ask for automatic inspection each year. Proposed by Terry Hanner, seconded by Annie Whiteman, unanimously agreed.

9. Village Hall Extension
As four members of the Parish Council were also members of the Village Hall Committee and therefore unable to discuss the Village Hall Extension as they had a disclosable pecuniary interest, they submitted dispensation forms to the Clerk. Peter Hill proposed that Roger Gibson, Annie Whiteman, Adrian Hipwell and Terry Hanner were given dispensation to discuss and vote on the Village Hall extension. Seconded by Terry Hanner, unanimously agreed. These dispensations will extend to May 2015.
Adrian Hipwell showed the plans for the new extension and said that the next step for the Village Hall Committee was to apply for a Lottery grant. Denton Parish Council was asked to support the application for the grant by providing a letter of support and a small donation as evidence of their support. Annie Whiteman proposed that a letter should be written, seconded by Kerry Norfolk, unanimously agreed. As for the donation, Wayne Mayhew proposed that £250 should be donated, seconded by Kerry Norfolk, unanimously agreed.

10. Grove Farm
The members of the public present explained that the building was rented out to a marquee company and there was still someone living there. The problem of the building being lived in and being used for purposes other than agricultural has been going on for many years. Despite a public enquiry which said that the building should not be continued as a residence and many telephone calls by the public and letters being written no further action has been taken. It was agreed that Peter Hill would contact Murray Gray to set up a meeting with the Chief Executive at SNC to try and get something done as a matter of urgency, proposed by Wayne Mayhew, seconded by Terry Hanner, unanimously agreed.

11. Green Deal
Peter Hill explained that this was a Government scheme designed to improve energy efficiency in properties. Money has been given to district councils to promote the green deal scheme. SNC have asked parish councils to promote this scheme to their parishioners and the first 10 properties taking part in each parish would be able to have an assessment carried out and paid for by the Green Deal Scheme. For each property put forward for the scheme the parish council would receive £50.
It was agreed that Denton Parish Council would advertise this scheme on Denton Talk and in the Parish Magazine but they would not put any pressure on the parishioners to take part. Proposed by Terry Hanner, seconded by Annie Whiteman, unanimously agreed.

12. Planning Applications
None.

13. Correspondence
One other crime reported during January. This was thought to be the theft of the post box. The Clerk was asked to contact the Post Office in Harleston to find out how this could be replaced.
The invitation to the NCC Achievements in Recycling Event to be passed to Liz Cargill.

14. Finance
a. Accounts Summary – The accounts summary agreed, proposed by Adrian Hipwell, seconded by Annie Whiteman, unanimously agreed.
b. Pay the Clerk £89.19 for February. It was proposed that the Clerk be paid. Proposed by Annie Whiteman, seconded by Terry Hanner, unanimously agreed.
£141.32 composting credits had been received.

15. Any Other Business
Complaint had been received about the bonfire on the waste ground between the allotments and the wood. This will be dealt with shortly.
Flooding in Alburgh Road, Terry will speak to Highways.
Request for a salt box on Chapel Hill. Terry Hanner to find out price and if someone would spread the salt.

The meeting finished at 9.45 pm.

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