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.
The Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 1 March at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Those present were Andy Nicholl, (Vice-chairman in the chair), Gemma Frost, Phil Little and Steve Milner. Also attending were Andy Emms (temporary Parish Clerk) and one member of the public. It was announced that the Chairman of the parish council had received the resignation of Sarah Hornbrook as a parish councillor. He had asked that thanks be recorded to Sarah for what she had done for the village and the parish council during her time as a councillor. The vacancy would need to be advertised in the usual way. Apologies for absence had been received from Adrian Joel, Ben Devlin and Jon Hicks.
Minutes of last meeting. The minutes of the parish council meeting held on 1 February 2018 were agreed and there were no matters arising.
Public participation. No matters were raised.
Update on new Parish Clerk. Phil Little reported that interviews for the appointment of the new parish clerk would be arranged in March. The parish property, records and documentation had been collected from the former parish clerk. There was a significant amount of paperwork and the council may need to consider arranging for suitable secure storage. This will be considered at the next meeting.
Planning applications. The Priory, Abbey Road. Conversion of existing barn to provide one-bed annex. Agreed, unanimously, to support the application.
Rosendale, Fen Street. Single storey extension. Agreed, unanimously, to support the application.
Breckland Local Plan. The chairman reported that Adrian Joel had been informed that the council would have the opportunity to make its representations at the hearing at 2pm on Thursday 7 June. As discussed at the last meeting both Adrian Joel and Steve Milner would appear on the council’s behalf. A statement would be prepared with the assistance of Sarah Hornbrook which Adrian Joel would submit as chairman of the parish council.
Financial matters. The chairman reported that Breckland District Council had agreed to provide £900 as its one-third share of the community car scheme with the other two thirds being provided by the passengers themselves and the parish council. £100 had been received from Colin and Sarah Brown and £50 from Steve Hicks as donations towards the resurfacing or the track at Post Office Terrace. The council’s gratitude was recorded. The total of donations received so far was £250 reducing the total cost to the parish council to £810 from £1060 and it was hoped that further donations would be forthcoming. A further £80 had also been received from Steve Hicks as payment for his two allotments
Chairman’s report. The Chairman reported that Adrian Joel had volunteered to take on the position of Community Car Co-ordinator, a position that had been vacant since Mike Craven-Romain had ceased in the role. He would begin in May and would then be able to update the drivers’ records, send monthly mileage/trips information to Norfolk Community Foundation and increase the number of drivers. It was also reported that Adrian Joel had received confirmation from Norfolk County Council that it had set up a ‘sinking fund’ for Chapel Green School to take on the maintenance responsibility of the upgraded footpath to link the new school building with existing schools. He had confirmed that the parish council was content with this arrangement and agreed that contractors could cut back the hedgerow and trees before the nesting season commenced.
District Councillor’s report. On behalf of Adrian Joel, Andy Nicholls reported that Breckland District Council expected the revised version of the Attleborough Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) to be available for inspection in the following four to six weeks. There would be a four-week public consultation for those who commented on the original plan, including residents and the parish council, before it was considered by the Planning Committee.
Village Green Management Committee. A summary report of action completed and proposed had been circulated. The chairman said that he had inspected the parking space opposite the post office with John Fernihough of the village green management committee (VGMC). The parking space originally set out had been extended by encroachment and both the original and the unofficial parking spaces were in need of attention. As part of the consideration of what action could be undertaken, discussions would be held with the Lord of the Manor and the Green Rights Proprietors on the possibility of incorporating the encroachment as part of the formal parking space. The costs of extending and repairing the spaces was likely to be £750. Councillors accepted that it was sensible to incorporate the additional space subject to permissions and detailed costings. Phil Little suggested that an alternative to the wooden posts should be considered as these were vulnerable to damage by large lorries and tractors and trailers, etc. The VGMC had suggested that installing a drain at a cost of 'a few hundred pounds’ would address the problem of the large puddles forming between the Gamekeeper car park and Post Office Terrace. It was suggested that using tarmac to fill the hole might be a cheaper alternative and if work was undertaken on the parking space outside the post office as discussed earlier there would be economy of scale in asking the contractor to do both jobs at the same time. The VGMC was asked to consider these matters again at its March meeting and the parish council would include them as an agenda item for their next meeting.
Road safety. Steve Milner said that Norfolk County Council had set up equipment to monitor vehicle movements in the village. He suggested that the parish council continued to do its own monitoring when and where appropriate. Following the resignation as councillor of Rona Boggia, he would be happy to take on the lead on road safety issues and councillors welcomed and accepted that offer.
Councillors’ reports. Steve Milner said that several people had reported that the lights alongside the entrance road to the Chapel Green School had been on at various times late at night. The school had been informed and reminded of the planning restrictions which limited the time these lights should be on. He also showed pictures taken of lights being left on at the two other schools and the village hall and he would bring this to their attention. Steve Milner said he had been asked by residents if the parish council could do anything about the speed of large tractors with trailers which regularly used the road passing the entrance to Oaklands. This was also an issue on other roads through the village and as well as the danger, they often caused damage to the verges. It was suggested that if anyone saw such activity which was mainly by agricultural contractors and could record registration numbers and any livery information, then the council would contact the companies concerned. This subject would be considered further at the next meeting. Phil Little said he had been contacted by residents about the condition of the path past the old forge between the post office and Post Office Terrace which was often flooded. This too would be considered at the next meeting.
Village Sign. It was noted that the village sign had been taken down and sent for repair.
Annual Parish Meeting. This would be on Friday 13 April 2018 in the village hall starting at 7.30pm. A draft agenda for the annual parish meeting had been prepared by Adrian Joel and circulated. Karin Heap, Head of Chapel Green School, had been approached to be guest speaker and had indicated she was available.
The following agenda was agreed:
1. Welcome
2. Agree minutes of last Annual Parish Meeting held in March 2017
3. Matters arising
4. Chairman’s report
5. District Councillor’s report
6. Guest speaker – Karin Heap, Head of Chapel Green School
7. Village Green report
8. Issues raised by members of the public
Co-option of three councillors. The vacancies had been advertised on the parish notice board and in social media. The closing date for applications to be co-opted onto the parish council was Saturday 17 March. Interviews will be held at the next parish council meeting scheduled for Thursday 5 April.
Defibrillator. In the absence of a full time parish clerk, the Community Heartbeat Trust had not been contacted regarding the possibility of purchasing defibrillators for the village hall and the phone box. Phil Little said that he was happy to progress this.
Items for the next meeting. These would include storage of parish records/documentation, signatories on the bank account, possibility of fireworks/bonfire on the Green and speeding tractors/lorries.
The next parish council meeting will be held on Thursday 5 April commencing at 7.30pm at the village hall.
The Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 1 March at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Those present were Andy Nicholl, (Vice-chairman in the chair), Gemma Frost, Phil Little and Steve Milner. Also attending were Andy Emms (temporary Parish Clerk) and one member of the public. It was announced that the Chairman of the parish council had received the resignation of Sarah Hornbrook as a parish councillor. He had asked that thanks be recorded to Sarah for what she had done for the village and the parish council during her time as a councillor. The vacancy would need to be advertised in the usual way. Apologies for absence had been received from Adrian Joel, Ben Devlin and Jon Hicks.
Minutes of last meeting. The minutes of the parish council meeting held on 1 February 2018 were agreed and there were no matters arising.
Public participation. No matters were raised.
Update on new Parish Clerk. Phil Little reported that interviews for the appointment of the new parish clerk would be arranged in March. The parish property, records and documentation had been collected from the former parish clerk. There was a significant amount of paperwork and the council may need to consider arranging for suitable secure storage. This will be considered at the next meeting.
Planning applications. The Priory, Abbey Road. Conversion of existing barn to provide one-bed annex. Agreed, unanimously, to support the application.
Rosendale, Fen Street. Single storey extension. Agreed, unanimously, to support the application.
Breckland Local Plan. The chairman reported that Adrian Joel had been informed that the council would have the opportunity to make its representations at the hearing at 2pm on Thursday 7 June. As discussed at the last meeting both Adrian Joel and Steve Milner would appear on the council’s behalf. A statement would be prepared with the assistance of Sarah Hornbrook which Adrian Joel would submit as chairman of the parish council.
Financial matters. The chairman reported that Breckland District Council had agreed to provide £900 as its one-third share of the community car scheme with the other two thirds being provided by the passengers themselves and the parish council. £100 had been received from Colin and Sarah Brown and £50 from Steve Hicks as donations towards the resurfacing or the track at Post Office Terrace. The council’s gratitude was recorded. The total of donations received so far was £250 reducing the total cost to the parish council to £810 from £1060 and it was hoped that further donations would be forthcoming. A further £80 had also been received from Steve Hicks as payment for his two allotments
Chairman’s report. The Chairman reported that Adrian Joel had volunteered to take on the position of Community Car Co-ordinator, a position that had been vacant since Mike Craven-Romain had ceased in the role. He would begin in May and would then be able to update the drivers’ records, send monthly mileage/trips information to Norfolk Community Foundation and increase the number of drivers. It was also reported that Adrian Joel had received confirmation from Norfolk County Council that it had set up a ‘sinking fund’ for Chapel Green School to take on the maintenance responsibility of the upgraded footpath to link the new school building with existing schools. He had confirmed that the parish council was content with this arrangement and agreed that contractors could cut back the hedgerow and trees before the nesting season commenced.
District Councillor’s report. On behalf of Adrian Joel, Andy Nicholls reported that Breckland District Council expected the revised version of the Attleborough Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) to be available for inspection in the following four to six weeks. There would be a four-week public consultation for those who commented on the original plan, including residents and the parish council, before it was considered by the Planning Committee.
Village Green Management Committee. A summary report of action completed and proposed had been circulated. The chairman said that he had inspected the parking space opposite the post office with John Fernihough of the village green management committee (VGMC). The parking space originally set out had been extended by encroachment and both the original and the unofficial parking spaces were in need of attention. As part of the consideration of what action could be undertaken, discussions would be held with the Lord of the Manor and the Green Rights Proprietors on the possibility of incorporating the encroachment as part of the formal parking space. The costs of extending and repairing the spaces was likely to be £750. Councillors accepted that it was sensible to incorporate the additional space subject to permissions and detailed costings. Phil Little suggested that an alternative to the wooden posts should be considered as these were vulnerable to damage by large lorries and tractors and trailers, etc. The VGMC had suggested that installing a drain at a cost of 'a few hundred pounds’ would address the problem of the large puddles forming between the Gamekeeper car park and Post Office Terrace. It was suggested that using tarmac to fill the hole might be a cheaper alternative and if work was undertaken on the parking space outside the post office as discussed earlier there would be economy of scale in asking the contractor to do both jobs at the same time. The VGMC was asked to consider these matters again at its March meeting and the parish council would include them as an agenda item for their next meeting.
Road safety. Steve Milner said that Norfolk County Council had set up equipment to monitor vehicle movements in the village. He suggested that the parish council continued to do its own monitoring when and where appropriate. Following the resignation as councillor of Rona Boggia, he would be happy to take on the lead on road safety issues and councillors welcomed and accepted that offer.
Councillors’ reports. Steve Milner said that several people had reported that the lights alongside the entrance road to the Chapel Green School had been on at various times late at night. The school had been informed and reminded of the planning restrictions which limited the time these lights should be on. He also showed pictures taken of lights being left on at the two other schools and the village hall and he would bring this to their attention. Steve Milner said he had been asked by residents if the parish council could do anything about the speed of large tractors with trailers which regularly used the road passing the entrance to Oaklands. This was also an issue on other roads through the village and as well as the danger, they often caused damage to the verges. It was suggested that if anyone saw such activity which was mainly by agricultural contractors and could record registration numbers and any livery information, then the council would contact the companies concerned. This subject would be considered further at the next meeting. Phil Little said he had been contacted by residents about the condition of the path past the old forge between the post office and Post Office Terrace which was often flooded. This too would be considered at the next meeting.
Village Sign. It was noted that the village sign had been taken down and sent for repair.
Annual Parish Meeting. This would be on Friday 13 April 2018 in the village hall starting at 7.30pm. A draft agenda for the annual parish meeting had been prepared by Adrian Joel and circulated. Karin Heap, Head of Chapel Green School, had been approached to be guest speaker and had indicated she was available.
The following agenda was agreed:
1. Welcome
2. Agree minutes of last Annual Parish Meeting held in March 2017
3. Matters arising
4. Chairman’s report
5. District Councillor’s report
6. Guest speaker – Karin Heap, Head of Chapel Green School
7. Village Green report
8. Issues raised by members of the public
Co-option of three councillors. The vacancies had been advertised on the parish notice board and in social media. The closing date for applications to be co-opted onto the parish council was Saturday 17 March. Interviews will be held at the next parish council meeting scheduled for Thursday 5 April.
Defibrillator. In the absence of a full time parish clerk, the Community Heartbeat Trust had not been contacted regarding the possibility of purchasing defibrillators for the village hall and the phone box. Phil Little said that he was happy to progress this.
Items for the next meeting. These would include storage of parish records/documentation, signatories on the bank account, possibility of fireworks/bonfire on the Green and speeding tractors/lorries.
The next parish council meeting will be held on Thursday 5 April commencing at 7.30pm at the village hall.
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