Minutes of the Meeting of Thornham Parish Council held on Wednesday 9 July 2014 at 7.00pm at the New Village Hall, Thornham.

Transcription

1 Minutes of the Meeting of held on Wednesday 9 July 2014 at 7.00pm at the New Village Hall, Thornham. Present: Cllr S Mocatta (Chair) Cllr C Venes (Vice) Cllr A Brown Cllr A Needham Cllr I Barrett Also present: The Clerk, Cllr R Bird, Tamsyn Ellway from the Environment Agency, Kevin Kent Emergency Planning Officer for King s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council and 12 Members of the Public. 1. To receive and consider apologies for absence: It was resolved to accept apologies from Cllr Brooks, and Cllr Warham. 2. To receive Declarations of Interest All Councillors gave a personal interest in anything concerning Thornham Charities. Cllrs Venes, & Barrett gave a personal interest in anything concerning Thornham Village Hall and Playing Field Ltd. Cllr Mocatta gave a personal interest in agenda item Talk and Presentation by Tamsyn Ellway from the Environment Agency, Kevin Kent Emergency Planning Officer for King s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council. Ms Ellway advised that she covers the area up from King s Lynn to Hunstanton and her colleague covers Thornham, but it was nearer for her to travel and she has tried to include aspects of Thornham within her presentation. Ms Ellway started her presentation explaining the role of the Environment Agency and advising part of her role is to help Parish Councils to put plans in place to try and restrict the about of damage that may occur with regards to flooding etc. Ms Ellway explained about the different patterns of flooding and how everything is being constantly monitored and asked for copies of any records or photographic evidence of the recent tidal surge etc as these are used to change plans/maps etc. Ms Ellway then explained the different warnings that are put up and sent out. Ms Ellway then went on to having local emergency plans and how to make up a emergency kit not only handy for flooding but other events eg power cuts etc. Mr Kent advised that the tidal surge that occurred in December was consistent with the area identified and covered roughly the same area. Mr Kent advised that around 9-10 properties in Thornham are at risk of sea flooding. Mr Kent advised that the Borough Council had a fund that households affected by the flooding could apply for personally and one or two households from Thornham had already applied. If anyone else wishes too then the form can be found on the Borough website. Cllr Venes asked what level in years was the recent tidal surge? Mr Kent advised that it was one in five hundred years level but it does not mean that it cannot happen again in the next few months. Ms Ellway explained that the Environment Agency look into climate change in the next twenty-five, fifty and one hundred years and worked on shoreline management and was to limit any impact. Mr Kent advised that the work around Thornham has recently been achieved.

2 Cllr Needham asked if he was giving out the correct information when asked about the new sea defense work. Cllr Needham has been advising that it is not for Thornham but cover the back end of Holme. Mr Kent advised that this was correct. Various leaflets were handed out with the current information. Cllr Mocatta thanked them both for coming and they left the meeting. 4. Adjournment of Meeting to allow for public questions It was resolved for the meeting to return to closed session. 5 Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 June It was resolved to approve the minutes and for the Chair to sign as a true record. Matters arising from the minutes. Drains Cllr Needham said that he had seen the from NCC Highways and was not very impressed with their comments and it had been the Highway Engineer who had suggested the Jet Clean. The Clerk advised that she had received replies from Henry Bellingham MP and he had forwarded the same letter, which the Council had already received. It is felt that the drains are blocked and any heavy rainfall and the drains will fail which might result in flooding. It was resolved for a letter to be written to Henry Bellingham explaining that we are concern and not happy about the situation and to see if he can take further for us. Action: Clerk 6 Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 June It was resolved to approve the minutes and for the Chair to sign as a true record. Cllr Mocatta explained that all the Audit paperwork had been signed and sent off to the Audit Committee. Matters arising from the minutes. No matters arising that are not an agenda item. 7. Playing Field Update Cllr Needham reported that he had not been able to attend the last meeting but could report that several volunteers had achieved various jobs on the field and he would like to thank them all for their continued hard work. The new Flymo has been in action and working well. Cllr Needham said that some work had been undertaken to re-furbish the Muga and they achieved a grand job and it looks good. Cllr Venes reported that Cllr Mocatta with the Playing Field Committee had applied for a grant from Sports England. Cllr Mocatta was pleased to report that had been awarded, this is to be used to provide wind breaks for the Muga, portable flood lights so that the field can be used in the darker nights and football training equipment.

3 8. Thornham Village Hall and Playing Field Trustees Update. Cllr Venes reported in Cllr Warham s absence. Cllr Venes reported that the air conditioning unit has been replaced the 40L has been replaced with a 22L model but in a blind test is just as noisy has the same cooling affect on the air but will not help the people who attend the village cinema events hear the film any easier. 9 Thornham Village Hall and Sports Pavilion Committee Report Cllr Venes gave the following report: Following the record breaking May footfall, June saw a slow- down in activities with 38 events and a footfall of 582. Plans for July see 40 events including Bryan Harford Art Exhibition 26 th 28 th, a Photographic exhibition on the 12 th, the Summer Strawberry Tea Party organised by Soup & Sandwich team on the 22nd, 12 Years a Slave at Village Cinema on 16 th, the Sausage Sizzle on 19 th phone to book, plus private bookings to celebrate Wedding Anniversaries and Christenings. Most of the regular activities continue though Art Class and Digital Photography are taking a summer break. Table Tennis every Monday from pm is growing in popularity and Zumba and Pilates continue. The Cricket Club still tops the table. Come and support on a Saturday afternoon. Two linked exciting new developments are the Kid s Club for children up to 8 years of age and the Summer Sports Club for 8-11 year olds. These will happen on Tuesday mornings from in the hall and on the field/muga, end of July/August. Wendelien Bellinger is organising the Kid s Club and Alison Chesterman the Summer Sports. Both activities have been funded by BagLadies of Thornham and are supported by the Trustees and Hall Committee. Details from wb@ianbellinger.co.uk or or phone Colin on There will be a small charge for these activities. Look for the posters and the web-site information. Music on the Field Saturday 2 nd August, pm. 9 bands booked, with something sure to appeal to everyone. Kids tent plus play area. Real ale bar, Pimms bar, BBQ, Refreshments. Free Parking on site if ground conditions allow. Dogs on lead allowed. Adults 10 at the gate, under 12 s free if accompanied by adult. Live by Satellite from the National Theatre Thursday 7 th August Skylight starring Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan. David Hare s play is directed by Stephen Daldry. Those four names should suffice to guarantee an excellent evening. On Thursday 4 th September we present the National Theatre s production of Medea a powerful and compelling drama. Tickets 10. Doors Open at 6.15pm, curtain up at 7.00pm. Remember these are Live performances. Phone to book.

4 Advertisements for a part-time caretaker appeared in Link and Town and Around. This has generated substantial interest and Trustees plan to make an appointment following interviews by the end of the month. 10 Possible New Streetlight Cllr Mocatta explained the background situation regarding the request for a new light. It was resolved to open the meeting to allow Parishioners to speak. The Clerk explained that she had received five phone calls and a letter from local residents that do not want a new light. Cllr Needham said that he did not feel a streetlight was needed but perhaps the edge of the pavement could be painted white or some other form of reflective material. It was resolved to return to closed session. Cllr Brown proposed that there is no new streetlight; a vote was taken three for, one against and one abstention. It was resolved the there would be no new streetlight. It was also resolved for the Clerk to check with NCC regarding pavement reflective material etc. Action: Clerk 11 Defibrillator- update The Clerk advised that the Anglian Regional Co-Op who is running the Every Second Counts Scheme had contacted her, and they have had agreement from the local ambulance service to place a defibrillator at the Village Hall. The Clerk advised that the information had been past on to the Technical Team and Location Team and they would be in touch shortly. 12 Grasscutting update Cllr Mocatta advised that Mr Greef had cut the grass and that they were looking good. It was resolved for the Parish Council to pay for his expenses regarding petrol etc. The Clerk advised that she had contacted NCC Highways to explain that the Parish Council wish to take over the cutting of these areas and they had informed her that the Parish Council must have cover within the Council s own insurance. It was resolved for the Clerk to make sure that this is covered in Council s insurance. Action: Clerk 13 Coal Barn update Cllr Mocatta explained that she had received around 40 s and 5 phone calls of support regarding the Coal Barn. Cllr Mocatta advised that there were a number of suggestions regarding the use of the building but all in favour of finding a way of purchasing and maintaining it for the village. Cllr Mocatta said that she had spoken with Sowerby s, Kate Lawty and John Lomax. Cllr Mocatta advised that the Clerk had received the formal letter regarding the appeal asking for further comments. Cllr Mocatta appealed to anyone who wanted to should write to The Planning Inspectorate with his or her comments. It was resolved for Cllr Mocatta and the Clerk to write a letter to send off to the appeal. Action: Cllr Mocatta/Clerk Cllr Mocatta advised that a Public Meeting would be called to discuss as and when necessary. 14 Common Land Registration The Clerk advised that she had received an regarding the registering of the common land and it was going to cost a lot of money for the Solicitor to read through all the documents received from County Hall and make sure that

5 everything was in place. Cllr Mocatta advised that there are no monies allotted within the current budget to cover this. It was resolved that a group of Councillors/Clerk would go through the paperwork and look for evidence within the archive paperwork within the next couple of months. Action: Cllrs/Clerk 15 Cul De Sac Sign for Shepherds Pightle. NCC Highways had advised the Clerk and this had been checked by Cllr Venes and there is already a sign in place. 16 Internal Auditor report. This item taken at the 19 th June Meeting. The report has been sent to Mazars within the correct time period requested. 17 Agreement/Signing of External Auditor Form. This had been achieved on the 19 th June Meeting. 18 Planning Applications and Determinations: Applications: 14/00906/F 14/00853/F 14/00833/F Application for New cart shed with loft annexe above and alterations to Grade II listed cottage at The Nutshell, High Street, Thornham. It was resolved to recommend approval. Application for Single storey extension to form new master bedroom with en-suite, also dining area and study at 27 Castle Cottages Thornham. It was resolved to recommend approval. Application for a Proposed development of three terrace properties at Land Adj Mulberry Cottage 2 Choseley Road Thornham. It was resolved to recommend refusal on the grounds of overdevelopment of site, height of the buildings and concerns regarding the proposed new entrance being near the junction and on a slope especially in winter. Determinations: None received Withdrawals: Two storey extension and conservatory at Ravens Court, Hall Lane withdrawn. 19 Correspondence: a. Letter from Henry Bellingham MP re drains. The Council are not happy with the comments made and feel that this work needs attention to prevent flooding. It was resolved for Cllr Mocatta to write to Henry Bellingham explaining the situation and how action is needed as promised. Action: Cllr Mocatta b. Letter from Natural England re meetings to explain improvements to public access along the Norfolk Coast.

6 The following list of correspondence can be viewed by arrangement with the Clerk. a. Norfolk RCC re NHS Complaints Advocacy Service. b. Proposed closure of King George VI Voluntary Controlled Primary School. c. Clerks and Councils Direct d. Leaflet Fenland Leisure Products Playground Equipment. 20 Accounts for payment E-On Energy Street Lighting- July Direct/Debit TT Jones Electrical Streetlight Maintenance TVHPF Ltd Room Hire April to August It was resolved for these payments to be paid. 21 Payment Received Cattlegate Holders Items For Next Agenda Parish Website Ploughman s Piece Drainage 23 Date, & Place of next meeting. 10 September 2014 at the Village Hall at 7.00pm With no further business the meeting closed at 8.10pm. Action List Cllr Mocatta Write Coal Barn Appeal letter with the Clerk Write to Henry Bellingham MP re Drains All Councillors Look through paperwork received from County Hall and search Archives for any evidence regarding registering Common Land. Clerk Speak with NCC re reflective material for curb. Check with insurance regarding volunteer cutting grass on greens. Look through paperwork received from County Hall and search Archives for any evidence regarding registering Common Land. Make Payments

7 POINTS RAISED BY THE PUBLIC Ploughman s Piece Tree Mr Rogers wanted to apologies for the state that UK Power Networks have left the mature oak tree in his garden. He has asked them to come back and balance the tree. Church Trees The trees on the other side of the Church have been cut and the contractor has made a very good job and it all looks lovely. Allotments A Parishioner asked if there were any allotments available and how to apply. The Clerk advised that if there is a proven need then the Parish Council should look for ways of providing. Cllr Bird advised that the situation with allotments is strange and in many places there is a large waiting list and in other places there is space. It all depends on the constitution and if people are prepared to travel. The Parishioner to try and establish if there is a need other than herself in the village.