Bunwell Parish Council
Minutes of a Parish Council Meeting
Held at Bunwell Village Hall
ON 7th December 2009 at 7.30 P.M.
Present
|
Cllr W F. Easton (chairman) |
Cllr N C Crouch |
Cllr J W Pennell |
|
Cllr Mrs S Alderson |
Cllr Jarvis |
Clerk, Sarah Berwick |
|
2 Members of the public |
Tree Warden |
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1. To receive apologies: Cllrs Peacock, Kemp, Blackett and District/County Councillor Spratt sent their apologies.
2. To receive declarations of interest: No disclosures of interest were made.
3. To adopt the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd November 2009: The minutes were agreed and duly signed.
4. To discuss matters arising from the minutes: Cllr Crouch asked if the leaflet drop had taken place round Greenways and the new houses opposite yet regarding the positioning of the benches. Cllr Pennell confirmed this would be undertaken in the next few weeks and the outcome presented to the Council for consideration.
5. To adjourn the meeting for the public to raise issues of concern: A member of the public asked if the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was still operating. The Councillors confirmed that this scheme is running well in some parts of the village but not in others. Coordinators need to be found in other parts of the village.
6. To receive the District and County Councillor’s Report: No report.
7. To receive and discuss Correspondence: There was no correspondence that required discussing.
8. To receive a report on police and crime issues: PCSO Foreman reported that in Bunwell there were six Crimes in last month; Criminal damage to vehicle in Haylock Close, scratches on car paintwork. Believed domestic of nature. This case has been closed, as there is no proof to pin down a suspect. Criminal damage to Bunwell Church, lead has been bent back on roof. Probably attempted theft. No leads to follow so the file has been closed. Four thefts from vehicles on Bunwell Street this is linked in with another ten or so from other areas targeted the same night. No leads to follow so the case is closed. There were fourteen calls made to the control room in the last month: seven required police attendance. Five of those seven were relating to the above crimes. A few of the thefts from vehicles occurred because the owners do not lock them whilst unattended on their drives. A few admitted to not locking their garage or front door either. This is not helpful behaviour anywhere as it may bring the thieves back as Bunwell will appear an “easy target”. It may be worth to have some crime prevention advice included in the parish magazine. Clerk will organise this. Patrols were carried out in Bunwell on Friday when the police stopped quite a few youths with no lights on their bikes. With no streetlights either it’s a lethal combination but I am at a loss how to get the message across. It was agreed that this is bought to the attention of the school. Finally a black spaniel type dog wearing a red collar was out and about last week killing chickens over two days at a property on Hunts Green. I am concerned as people in Bunwell and Carleton Rode have in the past experienced having their pets killed by other stray dogs and it is somewhat a sore subject. I will continue enquiries to find the owner and have words. A resident confirmed that this dog has now been identified and details passed to the clerk of Carleton Rode. PCSO Foreman wished all the councillors a Merry Christmas and a Good New Year.
9. To receive the Tree Warden’s Report: John Pennell and the tree warden are to meet and discuss which trees in the village should have a Tree Preservation Order on them. The clerk will chase South Norfolk Council for a full list of the trees that already have a TPO on them.
10. To receive the children’s play area monthly inspection Report: Cllr Pennell will arrange for the Bunnies fence gravel board to be put in place in the next ten days. Cllr Easton will contact the mole man again as there are lots of molehills appearing in the play area. Cllr Crouch mentioned that the two bins at the play area are being emptied twice a week and still overflowing the clerk was asked to contact South Norfolk Council to enquire if they can provide a larger bin that they would empty on a regular basis.
a. Signage at the play area: Cllr Crouch circulated a proposed sign for the play area. All councillors agreed that this was sufficient with the addition of the play area address and postcode. Cllr Crouch will investigate the cost of getting these signs produced. It was also agreed that the ‘No Dogs Please’ sign be reinstated on the top of the swings. Cllr Pennell has materials that can be used to do this and Cllr Easton will contact the person who painted the old one to see if they would be willing to undertake this task again.
b. Play area maintenance budget for 2010/11: This has been included in the proposed budget that will be discussed under item 14 (c). The Clerk was asked to book the 2010 Play Area Inspection with SNDC.
11. To receive and adopt Committee and Working Party Reports & Minutes
a. Bunwell Goes Green: Working Party: Cllr Jarvis reported that he has been in touch with The Energy Trust and South Norfolk Council and has arranged a meeting for next week to discuss the way forward. It was agreed that The Energy Trust be invited to the next parish council meeting and ask the residents that expressed an interest in helping in the scheme to attend. Cllr Jarvis will arrange this.
b. Parish Design Statement: Working party: Cllr Nigel Crouch reported that other villages completed plans have been looked at and ideas are being taken from them. There has not yet been any volunteers come forward to help following the request in the village magazine. The next meeting will be on 18th January.
c. Playbuilder progress report: Cllr Pennell reported that a site meeting took place last week and the main piece of equipment the children would like is a zip wire. This scheme will provide the equipment and signage that will be needed for the area. Cllr Pennell confirmed that the basket ball hoop will be provided by the Playbuilder scheme however they have suggested the best place for this will be on the Sports Hall Car Park, this location has already been rejected by the Parish Council and Sports Hall Committee for safety reasons. It was agreed that the Parish Council and Sports Hall Committee see the proposed plans before the go ahead is given.
d. Planning Committee: Cllr Crouch stated he has spoken to Peter Ramsdale at Saffron Housing to confirm the current situation. He confirmed that landowners and Saffron’s solicitors are currently talking about the land purchase. The planning application is on the South Norfolk website but has not yet been received by the clerk. It was agreed to ask for a time extension to this application, as the closing date for comments is 25th December.
e. Youth Committee: Cllr Sue Alderson reported that there has not been a Youth Committee meeting since the last Parish Council meeting. Cllr. Pennell agreed to locate the adult volunteers CRB application documents and give to the Clerk.
f. Sports & Leisure Committee: Councillor Pennell reported that the work on the extension is underway. The floor is expected to be down by Christmas. Cllr Crouch raised a query from a resident who is concerned about asbestos in the building. It was agreed that the clerk writes to the Sports Hall Committee asking them to confirm the situation.
12. To receive an update on progress towards Quality Status: Cllr Easton ran through some of the sections of the scheme, which Bunwell can meet quite easily. There is a Bunwell Website now available for the Parish Council to use, the clerk will arrange for the minutes and agendas to be uploaded. It was also agreed that a ‘council surgery’ would be held at 7pm before each Parish Council meeting, Cllr Crouch agreed to hold the one in January.
13. To receive reports on meetings attended:
a. Clerks meeting: The clerk explained that the meeting was attended by 14 clerks and presentations were given on; Standards Issues and the process that South Norfolk Council takes when a complaint is received regarding a parish councillor; Intran explained the translation service that they offer which includes sign language; Monitoring 106 agreements; the next meeting will be in June next year.
14. Finance
a. The following cheques were agreed and signed;
· SJ Berwick (expenses) £59.67
· FH Easton Ltd (office rent, The Scout Hall lease, Playing field rent £146.50
c. To set the precept for 2010/11: After some discussion, Cllr Easton proposed the precept be set at £8107; this was seconded by Cllr Crouch and unanimously agreed. This will be an increase of approximately 25% per household however this only works out to approximately an additional £5 per year per household.
15. To consider the following planning applications
a. Double Banks Farm, Carleton Rode: construction of bio filter: This had been forwarded to Bunwell Parish Council by the chairperson of the Anti-Odour Group. It was agreed that Bunwell Parish Council would not comment on this.
16. To consider updating the Village Plan: It was agreed to complete the Parish Design Statement before looking at the Village Plan.
17. To receive an update on the bus shelter situation: Cllr Pennell is still monitoring the situation.
18. To receive matters of importance from councillors:
a. The councillors wished to congratulate the school on a successful St Nicks day.
b. The children’s party was a great success again and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended including around 100 children. Thanks were given to Carol Crouch and her team of volunteers.
c. The clerk was asked to check on the Highway Rangers situation with NCC Highways.
d. Cllr Alderson has spoken to the people who site the recycling bins and they have explained that the tree that overhangs the area prohibits the lorry to place the containers the other side of the area.
e. A resident has queried where the bulbs are that were purchased using the money received from the Pride of Norfolk. It was explained that the money was used to provide a picnic bench at the play area and bulbs have also been planted but they will not be seen until spring. Cllr Crouch will advise the resident.
f. The clerk was asked report that the Barhams Lane sign has been removed and dumped half way down the lane.
g. Contact is being maintained with SNDC and BT regarding the resident’s planned purchase of the Bunwell Hill telephone kiosk.
19. Agenda items for next meeting: Nothing at the moment.
20. Date of Next Meeting (4/1/10)
The meeting was closed at 9.10pm
