Denton a village in South Norfolk, England

Denton Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting Held on Tuesday 10th September 2013

at 8pm at Denton Village Hall

Present: Peter Hill (Chairman), Terry Hanner (Vice Chairman), Adrian Hipwell, Wayne Mayhew, Kerry Norfolk, Annie Whiteman, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Murray Gray (District Councillor)

1. Apologies
Roger Gibson.

2. Declaration of Interest
None.

3. Minutes of the Last Meeting and Planning Meetings
The minutes were agreed as an accurate record, proposed by Annie Whiteman seconded by Adrian Hipwell, unanimously agreed. The planning minutes of the 13th August and the planning minutes of the 28th August were agreed as an accurate record, proposed by Annie Whiteman, seconded by Peter Hill . The minutes were signed and dated.

4. District Matters and County Council Matters
Murray Gray reported that a number of documents for the Local Development Framework would be considered by the Cabinet on the 23rd September, including the site specific allocations. If it goes through there will be a period of time between end of October and December when DPC can put in a submission so that it will be able to appear at the examination in public. To be discussed in November.
SNC will be taking on a new contract for recycling with Norse and this contract will allow more material to be recycled in the green bin, such as glass, envelopes and plastic food containers.
SNC has £150,000 to spend on up to three capital projects.
Peter Hill reported that he had spoken to Margaret Summerville, the County Councillor, who was unable to attend this meeting but hopes to attend the next meeting. She did report to Peter Hill that NCC has a deficit of £189 million at the moment and that Broadband is progressing.

5. Questions from the Public
None.

6. Matters Arising:
a) Ditch at Skinners’ Meadow; Terry Hanner reported that no progress has been made at the moment. Terry will chase it up.
b) Upstairs Flat at Skinners’ Meadow; Discuss under item 9.
c) Digital Heritage Project; Annie Whiteman reported that she had received an email to say that they had submitted a project proposal in July and are awaiting to hear the result in mid September. Once it is known that they have been successful, we can organize something for the village.
d) Uncultivated Allotment; Peter Hill will take a look.
e) Any Other Matter Arising; None.

7. Playing Field Inspection
a) Kerry Norfolk reported that there are old tyres and a metal grill in the recycling area. Benches need cleaning. There is a vehicle parked permanently in the car park. The front of the shelter roof needs repairing. The seat of the small childs swing is worn. Annie Whiteman will trim and weave the willow in the next month. Wayne Mayhew will trim the hedge. Annie Whiteman to do the next report.
b) The annual RoSPA report had been received and the shelter roof was mentioned in that. Terry Hanner will take a look. The platform on the top of the slope, this has been done now. Gaps between the tiles under the swings, these gaps should be closed. Terry will do. The thickness of the bark should be increased to 300mm. The basket swing could get fingers entrapped.
c) Peter Hill had discussed a new contract with Norse to include cutting around the equipment, trimming the mound, cutting the track and cutting the area under the trees twice a year. The price quoted at the moment is £633.47 + VAT this year and £879.90 + VAT next year. However, Peter Hill has suggested a few alterations to the contract and the price may change.
d) Peter Hill had received a letter from the daughter of Dennis Warren who had been a resident of Denton for more than 50 years. She said that they would like to put a bench on the playing field as a memorial to Dennis which would be paid for by money received from an annual pool match. Peter Hill suggested placing it between the swings and the end of the trim trail. It was agreed that this should go ahead but it needs to be installed correctly with a concrete slab.
e) Somebody has been leaving rubbish in the recycling area. The Clerk to put up a notice to say that this area is for recyclable rubbish only. Terry will remove the rubbish.

8. Date of Parish Council Meetings
The proposal to change the date of the meetings to the third Monday of the month from January 2014 has to be cancelled as this would clash with Topcroft who had also recently changed the date of their meetings. Peter Hill suggested that DPC changed its meetings to the second Monday of the month, starting in January 2014. Proposed by Terry Hanner, seconded by Annie Whiteman, unanimously agreed.

9. Empty Properties
Peter Hill had heard that Saffron will be taking over No.1 Globe Close from 7th October for refurbishment. The Clerk to write to SNC regarding properties that do not appear to be lived in and Peter Hill will write to Richard Bacon.

10. Projects Suggested at Parish Meeting
The Clerk was asked to explain 17a before going on to item 10. The Clerk explained that the external auditor Mazars was concerned about the high level of reserve kept by DPC, pointing out that Parish Councils do not have the legal power to hold large reserves. It was agreed that the reserve, which had been kept for a particular project, should be targeted for something specific within the next six months. This topic will be an ongoing agenda item.

11. Joint Parish Meeting
It was agreed that a popular topic for the meeting would be faster broadband. Peter Hill will speak to a Denton resident who is involved with the faster broadband project.

12. Highways
Following the meeting with Highways it would seem that some of the problems mentioned had still not been rectified. Terry will speak to Bob Edwards.

13. Report on Standards and Governance Meeting
Peter Hill had attended a meeting regarding the above. It was pointed out that the Clerk should have a contract. Put on the agenda for the AGM.

14. Obstruction of the Bus and Ensuing Complaints
It has been brought to the notice of DPC that whenever the pupils from Alburgh & Denton School attend a service at the Church parking causes a problem with the bus not being able to get through and therefore cannot collect people to take them to Harleston. Peter Hill will speak to Alburgh PC and to the Head of the School to try and work out some practical solution.

15. Planning Application; 2013/1232- Northside Cottage, Middle Road, Denton Proposed Rebuild of Chimney Stack to the Original Design
DPC approved the application subject to the materials for the chimney being satisfactory. All agreed.
No objections.

16. Correspondence
A new book called 'Local Councils Explained' would be available in October at a cost of £49.99. Peter Hill will ask the library to get a copy.

17. Finance
a. Discussed under item 10.
b. Accounts summary was approved, proposed by Annie Whiteman, seconded by Kerry Norfolk, unanimously agreed.
c. Pay the Clerk £89.19 for September
d. Pay £99.60 to Playsafety for RoSPA Report
It was proposed to pay c and d by Annie Whiteman, seconded by Kerry Norfolk, unanimously agreed.

18. Any Other Business
Terry Hanner; It was agreed to mention in the Parish Magazine that trees and hedges hanging over roads should be trimmed.
Peter Hill; Peter handed round notes from Liz Cargill regarding a review of the Compost Scheme to date and thoughts on its future. She would like to attend a meeting to discuss.

The meeting closed at 9.40pm.

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