Deliberations of Old Buckenham Parish Council

Parish Council March meeting
These notes have been produced by the blog editor using the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended at a later date.
There was one member of the public at the March meeting of Old Buckenham Parish Council. Apologies had been received from three parish councillors who were unable to attend (Paul Boggia, Jonathan Kemp and Sarah Dye).
There was a short public recess where the meeting was suspended to allow the member of the public to ask questions.
Minutes of February Parish Council meeting. There were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. Tom Johnson said that Mike Bartlett of the Village Hall had contacted the Charity Commission and was informed that the Parish Council are custodian trustees, not management trustees, of the Village Hall. Three trustees are required by the village hall and they should be residents of the village.
Shrublands development. Tim Ing said a public enquiry was being held regarding the proposed development and it would take place in Attleborough Town Hall on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 March following an appeal against Breckland Council by the developer. Tim Ing will attend on one of the days and Adrian Joel will attend as a District Councillor.
Planning applications. The Hermitage, Abbey Road. External and internal alterations. There were no objections from the parish council subject to a satisfactory archaeological survey.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. Abbey Farm, Abbey Road. Convert outbuildings to residential use. Permission granted.
Accounts payable. Steve Milner sought information on the four cheques payable to the play area and Adrian Joel sought clarification on the Parish Clerk’s salary. It was agreed unanimously that all the invoices due for payment on the cheque list be paid.
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing raised the matter of litter being left on the new BMX track and suggested that a litter bin should be provided on the Recreation Area. Also part of the fence on the area was down. A resident had raised the matter of the condition of the track in front of their house on Hargham Road down to the shop which was part of the safer route to school. Norfolk County Council have stated this is not their responsibility. Nor is it that of the Parish Council so the resident said they will deal with the problem. Tim Ing said draft minutes would be displayed along with last month’s minutes on the notice board. On the subject of village groups being asked to make reports at Annual Parish Meeting, it was agreed that parish councillors would supply contact names and telephone numbers to the Parish Clerk so they can be invited to give a report.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel reported that Breckland Council have agreed an increase of £4.98 per year on Band D properties, the first increase in four years. This would take a band D property to £69.03 per year. Breckland’s ‘switch and save’ campaign was launched at the beginning of March. Residents who were interested need to register their interest by Monday 8 April. Registration can be done via Breckland Council’s website or by telephoning 01352 656870. A Road Show describing the scheme will be held at Attleborough Library on Friday 15 March between 1pm and 5pm. The Breckland District Wide plan starts with a working party this month. Land owners who submitted an interest in developing land in the previous LDF will be written to and information regarding any additional application will be in the new Voice magazine.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Tom Johnson said the Village Hall would like to thank the Parish Council for extending car parking facilities at the Recreation Area. The question of the precept was also raised by them and they wanted the Parish Council to precept for a contingency fund for the Village Hall each year. The Parish Clerk said that this was not possible as the Village Hall would have to submit a grant application each year before the end of September for consideration for the following financial year. Also there would be changes to the precept setting in the financial year 2014/15 following changes by the government in funding for district councils. The Communities Minister had been quoted as saying he may introduce capping on precept increase levels. Tom Johnson then said that Village Hall was holding a quiz night on Friday 15 March. National Express coaches were no longer stopping at Attleborough and he suggested Breckland Council should make representation to the company to prevent this happening. It was reported that the swing in the play area needs the top bracket replacing and also the springs on both gates need mending. Carol Marshall reported that construction of the car park at Recreation Area was completed. The new BMX trail was being created by the youngsters. The Recreation Area has had an annual safety inspection carried out. The grant application to Norfolk Foundation had hit a last minute snag over possible planning permission but this had now been sorted and the grant application for £20,000 would be considered later this month and hopefully a decision will be available for the next Parish Council meeting. The Almshouses had been given a full survey and a priority list had been drawn up for houses number 1 to 6 for renovation work to be carried out. The whole project will take 4 years. Also the Fire Officer had paid a visit to all the properties. He gave residents advice on fire safety and checked fire alarms. An electrical inspection has also been done and appropriate work carried out. The driveway has had some repairs and is now in good condition. Two new trustees have been appointed, both of whom have worked in the field of property for many years and have knowledge of listed buildings. Tim Ing thanked both Carol Marshall and Jonathan Kemp for their work on the Recreation Area project. Derek Smalley had distributed the slow down speed signs for wheelie bins and has some spares. He also asked if anyone knew of new residents in village who would require a welcome pack. Derek Smalley will continue as Parish Council representative for the Attleborough Expansion. The Oil scheme runs out at the end of this month and needs a total of at least 15 people paying £1 each to renew it. The village newsletter is no longer being distributed with the national newspaper deliveries so maybe the Parish Council can help to ensure all residents receive a copy. John Frost reported that the Six Villages church newsletter needs new committee members. Akis Chrisovelides and Tim Ing arrived early before the meeting to be available to talk to young people about a possible youth council. Unfortunately no one turned up. More notices will be displayed in the village in the hope that interest will be generated and youngsters will come to a meeting. Adrian Joel said he was contacted by the owner of the village shop regarding people parking outside the shop and then walking their children to school. The Parish Council were unable to do anything as there are no parking restrictions in force there. Steve Milner said Speedwatch is continuing and a number of drivers have been reported for speeding. John Frost said that on Saturday 16 March a presentation would be made on the history of All Saints church. Villagers are welcome to attend the meeting at the church and refreshments will be available afterwards.
The Green. Parking on the Green is becoming a serious problem. Traffic is mounting the kerb outside the High School and damaging the soil surface. A replacement tree soon will be planted to make up for the one taken down when the play area was constructed. A tree by the War Memorial has been reported as dead and Tim Ing will deal with the matter. The bales of grass on the Green will be removed soon by the new contractor.
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Wednesday 20 March and the next Parish Council meeting on Thursday 4 April. Both meetings start at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.