Old Buckenham Parish Council

Notes of October meeting
These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended at a later date.
Parish councillors Adrian Joel (Chairman), Rona Boggia, Susan Brown, Ben Devlin, Jon Hicks, Jonathan Kemp, Phil Little, Steve Milner and Andy Nicholls attended along with parish clerk Hilary Clutten and three members of the public. Apologies had been received from Sarah Hornbrook and Paul Phillips.
The minutes of the September meeting were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting. Arising from the minutes, Steve Milner reported that the lighting at the new Chapel Green School will go off at 10pm if evening activities are taking place at the school but otherwise the lights will go off at 7pm.
Public participation on agenda items. Steve Milner will enquire if stickers about cold calling are available from SNAP.
It has now been agreed that a defibrillator can be installed at the Village Hall. A resident did not think that the telephone kiosk was a suitable location for a defibrillator.
It was agreed to discuss dogs on leads on common land and the possibility of separate dog signs at next meeting.
Would it be possible to record which items in the minutes have been done or not done? This will be discussed at next Parish Council Meeting.
Sarah Hornbrook had been asked to look into drawing up a document to enable the Parish Council to comment upon planning applications in a consistent way.
Planning application consultations. Land on north side of Hargham Road. Change of use from agricultural field to horse field and erection of stable. The Parish Council agreed to approve this application with seven votes in favour and two abstentions subject to the stable not being changed in the future to a dwelling and any highway safety issues being addressed.
Planning decisions made by Breckland Council. Appletrees, Harlingwood Lane. Front, side and rear extensions. This planning application has now been approved by Breckland Council.
1 Prosperous Row. Two storey extension and front porch. Planning permission has been granted by Breckland.
Beckwood, Stacksford. Construction of one and a half storey dwelling and garage – planning permission has been refused by Breckland Council.
Land adjoining Innishowen. New dwelling and cart lodge. Planning permission has been refused by Breckland Council.
Sunnyside House. New dwelling with cart lodge. Planning permission has been refused by Breckland Council.
Financial matters. The Clerk had distributed her Financial Report to councillor prior to the meeting. The second half of the precept and grant for 2017/18 has been received; the bank balance stands at £34,609.68 including reserves.
Chairman’s report. The Chairman thanked Sarah Hornbrook for framing the Parish Council’s responses to the Attleborough SUE and Local Plan consultations. The Old Buckenham Cricket Club would like to apply for a Precept Grant for 2018/19. The deadline for applications has passed; the council agreed that the Clerk could send the club an application form.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel reported that Breckland Council had agreed to accept and release £167,123 funding made available from the Government’s Homelessness Support Grant to improve the support offered to those at risk of homelessness. It is anticipated that this will help families stay in their homes. Two specialist support workers will be recruited to provide tailored and intensive support to households within Breckland who are at risk of homelessness.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Steve Milner reported that he had four new volunteers for Speed Watch. Ben Devlin handed over a cheque for the use of the Green for a wedding. He also said that would be leaving the Ox and Plough on Monday 6 November but he would remain on the Parish Council. Jon Hicks reported that he had visited the High School to discuss the inappropriate use of the Play Area by some of the children. The Headteacher offered his apologies and will speak to the pupils. The High School children would like to design and build some item for the Recreation Field themselves; Browns have offered to supply some timber free of charge. Jon Hicks will meet with the High School Council next week so that a design for the bus shelter can be discussed. He has cut the Play Area and carried out further inspections. Adrian Joel reported that Raggs Lane footpath needed cutting; agreed to write to NCC and to copy in County Councillor Stephen Askew and Terry Cracknell. There was a discussion again about the path in front of the cottages on the Green. The hogging may be too deep and Jon Hicks said that he would rake some off.
Road Safety Working Party. Rona Boggia reported that the Working Party had carried out a traffic survey at the crossroads on Friday 29 September between 8.15am and 9am then again between 2.30pm and 3.30pm. It was noticed that some school children were being dropped off by the Ox & Plough and the Church Rooms and walked along the path on the Green. They then had to cross Abbey Road where the bend in the road makes crossing the road dangerous. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to NCC (and copy to County Councillor Stephen Askew) to enquire about reducing the speed limit on the roads close to the schools and to send a copy of the traffic survey. There was also interest in the Parish Council replacing the ‘Lollipop person’ at its expense if this was possible.
Play Area. Jon Hicks reported that the tractor would be repainted.
Recreation Area. The Clerk had provided quotations for a number of different litter bins and the Council decided to purchase a green wire litter bin from Bins-and-Benches for £75 plus VAT and carriage.
Chapel Green School. The transfer of children to the new school will start in January 2018 and an open day is to take place this December.
The Green. A written report had been provided from the Green Management Working Party meeting. No money had been needed for grass cutting and no other spending was anticipated in the near future. The Working Party will be arranging to obtain quotes for grass cutting next year. The Chairman thanked John Fernihough for his work in helping to manage the Green. It was noted that the Parish Council had achieved a lot in the last year. Thanks were given to Jon Hicks for his work on the Play Area and to Steve Milner for the film of the Green that he had made for the Annual Parish Meeting.
Review of Standing Orders. A copy of the proposed revisions had been circulated to councillors which indicated the reasons for the changes. The Council resolved to adopt the revised Standing Orders with immediate effect.
Allotments. On the recommendation of the Allotments Working Party the Council to adopt the revised allotment agreement, to set a rent for the allotments for residents of £40 per full plot and £20 per half plot for 2017/18 and to set a rent for the allotments for non-residents of £50 per full plot and £25 per half plot for 2017/18. There are some vacant allotments and the Chairman agreed to advertise these in the village newsletter.
Footpath and fence at the Village Hall. NCC are arranging to have the upgrading work done and have offered to pay the Parish Council a sum of £5,000 for future maintenance which is not likely to be required for ten years. The Council agreed that the Clerk should write to Isobel Horner (NCC) to advise them that it should be its responsibility to look after the ongoing maintenance of the footpath as it is needed for the use of school children.
Telephone kiosk. The Council resolved, should lottery funding be available, to put a defibrillator in the telephone kiosk and then a second defibrillator should be purchased. The Parish Council agreed to organise a clean-up of the kiosk and the Clerk was asked to contact BT about the electricity supply.
Highways issues. The Clerk was asked to report various highways issues to NCC including a missing manhole cover and potholes in front of the Laurel Tree Centre on the Green.
Village sign refurbishment. The Chairman reported that it would cost a total of £815 to refurbish the village sign and that free transportation to the sandblaster had been offered. It is possible to put in an application for a ‘Pride of Norfolk’ grant which could be done by Kerry Talbot. The WI, which had erected the original sign, has given their approval to the project. Ben Devlin preferred to see the Parish Council raise funds locally rather than apply for grants. However the Council agreed to proceed with an application for a ‘Pride of Norfolk’ grant.
Village shop. The Council agreed to ask Breckland Council to add the Village Shop to the Register of Community Assets thereby ensuring that the community would have the prior right to bid if the business was put up for sale.
Welcome Pack for newcomers. Susan Brown showed the Council a copy of the booklet that had been produced by New Buckenham Parish Council but said that a lot of the information in it was already available in the village’s current regular publications. She thought that two-page insert put into existing publications and a section on the Parish Council’s website would be more suitable. Paul Phillips is helping with this project and Susan Brown agreed to produce a draft document for the next Parish Council meeting.
Parish Council Handyman. The Council decided to retain this project but to offer the work on a job by job basis rather than appointing one person. Andy Nicholls offered to co-ordinate a list of jobs and bring it to the next Parish Council meeting.
November Parish Council meeting. Subjects to be discussed would include the Handyman‘s job list, dog fouling on the Green/dogs on leads, Christmas tree near the Ox & Plough and events such as a village picnic.
The next Parish Council meeting is on Thursday 2 November and will be held in the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.