- 843 - SAHAM TONEY PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON THE 3 rd APRIL 2017 These are draft Minutes which will not be approved by the Council until its next meeting on the 8 th May 2017 and are therefore subject to change. A meeting of the Parish Council was held on the 3 rd April 2017 at 7.30 p.m. at The Wells-Cole Community Centre. Present Mr. B. Hinkins in the Chair supported by Messrs M. Bohn, T. Bunce, N. Creek, R. Harrold, J. Laws and Ms. M. Baldwin. 1. Apologies for Absence: Apologies received and accepted from Mrs. T. Hewett due to a previous engagement agreed prior to being elected as District Councillor. 3. Declaration of Interest in Items on the Agenda: Mr. J. Laws said he wished to declare an interest in any matters regarding the Wells-Cole Community Centre. He would take part in any discussions but would not vote. 4. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on the were proposed by Mr. T. Bunce, seconded by Mr. R. Harrold and unanimously agreed. 5. Matters Arising from the Minutes and Action List: Coburg Lane To be on the May Agenda. Mrs. P. Grieff has not got the time to deal with this. WCCC Car Park Mr. J. Laws asked if the Council would get other quotes and they were now too busy to do this work. Clerk to obtain some quotes Foul smell in Richmond Road Clerk had written to Anglian Water but no reply received. However Clerk had reported a water leak on Richmond Road to Anglian Water who had attended and referred it to the Waste Water Team as they thought it was foul water. It had subsequently been referred back to Anglian Water who reported a burst pipe under the footpath which will be dealt with this week. Bridge from Warwick Farm to the WCCC on Agenda. Emergency Plan All documents had been sent to the lady who had volunteered to be the Emergency Co-ordinator. Flooding issues The Chairman had met Mark Ogden at a meeting with George Freeman in Watton on the 24 th March and he is not ready to report back to the parish yet. Clerk will contact again. Notice Board at the front of the Play Park needs attention ongoing. Community Car Clerk to contact Shipdham PC to see if Saham and Shipdham could set up a joint Car Scheme. FOI Request from WCCC fee received Clerk is working on this. Ownership of ditches on Agenda Speed limit on Cley Lane on Agenda BT Open Reach Clerk had written but no reply received. 6. Reports from District/County Councillor: Mr. C. Jordan said OFSTED had said that the children s services had been given a step improvement. He had brought in qualified people to improve the service where needed. Mr. T. Bunce thanked Mr. Jordan for all he had done for the parish.
- 844-7. Time Allocated for Members of the Public to Speak: A parishioner said that the foul smell on Richmond Road is still there and is almost a permanent smell. Another parishioner said it might be worth asking people to note which direction the wind is in when the smell is the most prevalent. Clerk to put this in Saga. A parishioner said he is still experiencing problems with standing water on Cressingham Road outside his land. Highways have done work but it has not solved the problem. Also in Threxton Road he had agreed to have a silt trap which Highways said they clean 3 or 4 times a year but they have not done this. Clerk will look back at correspondence re this and contact Highways and Mr. C. Jordan again. 8. Correspondence: FOI request from Wells Cole Community Centre (discussed at Extraordinary Meeting) Email from WCCC re kitchen (discussed at Extraordinary Meeting) Emails from WCCC re swing seat (discussed at Extraordinary Meeting) This item had now been removed by the owner. Email from Pre-School re insurance Pre-School said that the inside and outside pre school area is covered for public liability and employee liability when the staff are working and/or children are in session. Clerk to ask for copy of insurance policy as this could be a similar situation to the Playingfield. Email from Play Park Inspector re various parish items. There is a resident of Saham who is a ROSPA inspector who had expressed concern re the swing seat and bridge from the Warwick Farm development. The bridge could be a liability and a hazard for children as the resident had observed boys on motor bikes using the bridge as a short cut and several bicycle prints could be seen in the grass. Perhaps the Council might approach the ROSPA representative and ask for the bridge to be officially inspected. Dog walkers had also been asked to keep dogs off the play park though Saga. Saga distribution has increased to 750 houses and will rise further as people move into the new homes in the village. It is hoped that Saga might be published on the Council website or on Saga s own website enabling the younger generation to engage with the magazine online which would reduce the number of hard copies needed. Clerk to ask the lady who set up the Council s website if it would be possible to put on the Council s site. There is also no Fete Committee for 2017 but an ad has been put in Saga asking for volunteers to form a new committee. Two further letters from Wells-Cole Community Centre re FOI request one clarifying information required and the other enclosing cheque for 30. 9. To Approve Accounts for Payment: The following accounts are due for payment:- Royal Mail Group Limited - 2.34 returned mail under Licence Saham Hills Methodist Church - 20 donation for use of school room at the Chapel Saham Toney Fuel Allotment - 150 rent for allotment site Wells-Cole Community Centre - 155.00 Hire of Hall for NP Meetings Mr. Brian Mitchell - 140 ink and paper used in connection with printing of Neighbourhood Plan Mr. B. Mitchell - 188.40 Purchase of display boards for Neighbourhood Plan Consultation. NALC - 279.09 Subscription CGM - 441.95 February Grounds Maintenance Community Action Norfolk - 20 Subscription
- 845 - Mrs. J.S. Glenn 75.00 - refreshments and use of kitchen at WCCC Mrs. J. S. Glenn - 485.96 Salary The payment of the above accounts was proposed by Mr. J. Laws, seconded by Mr. N. Creek and unanimously agreed. 9. To arrange a date for an Internal Audit check: 10 a.m. on Friday the 7 th April at the clerk s house (subsequently changed to 2 p.m. on the 7 th ). 10. To consider any Planning Matters: Planning Permissions received to Plan 3PL/2017/0127/HOU erect one and a half storey side extension and front porch at 110 Hills Road. The following plans were discussed:- Plan 3PL/2017/0270/O residential development of five new dwellings at Richmond Hall, Richmond Road. Councillors felt that the original comments in relation to the development for 65 houses still applied to this plan. Mr. M. Bohn said only the number of houses had changed. It is still a green field site outside the settlement boundary. The developer is still working on a 3.3 year supply of development land - Breckland s 5 year supply has been challenged but the Parish Council believe this is still true. A parishioner said that the entrance has been made smaller. A parishioner also pointed out that the site notice has not yet been posted and closing date for comments will be 3 weeks from when it is posted so parishioners still have time to comment. It was agreed to object to this plan along the lines of the previous objection to the plan for 65 houses. Plan 3PL/2017/0252/LB 2 storey extension to the rear, new stand-alone double garage to the North of the site and altered entrance to site and replacement windows at Pages Place, Saham Toney. Mr. T. Bunce said that this is a large extension which virtually doubles the size of the property. English Heritage is involved as it is a listed building and if they are happy the Council should be as well. On a vote it was unanimously agreed to support this application. Plan 3PL/2017/0251/HOU as above for Pages Place no objection Plan 3PL/2017/0290/HOU rear extension at Peacehaven, 37 Richmond Road no objection Plan 3PL/2017/0313/HOU replace existing flat roofed porch with flat roofed extension at Curfew, 45 Richmond Road no objection 11. To discuss the Tender for St. George s Church supplied by the Vicar at the last meeting: This had been discussed at a Working Group Meeting and it had been agreed to recommend that the Council pays the annual cost of 1450 + VAT ( 290) for the mowing and strimming of the church yard. The Church will hold the contract with T.T.S.R. (Wil Smith) but the invoices will be addressed to and paid by the Council on a two monthly basis. The Chairman proposed that the Council proceed on this basis and this was unanimously agreed. 12. To discuss a permissive pathway through the land at the Community Centre And 14. To discuss a letter from Clayland re the bridge from Warwick Farm A permissive pathway would allow access through the Community Centre land and by notice would be closed for one day a year which would stop it becoming a right of way. In view of the concerns of motor bikes using the path it was agreed to ask Clayland if they would erect 2 x ½ barriers to allow pushchairs to pass but not motor bikes. The Chairman said we would review the bridge in 6 months.
- 846 - Mr. B. Hinkins said that a meeting had been held between a resident of this development and Janet Overton where it had been agreed that Speedwatch could operate in two new locations the entrance to Poppyfields and standing in someone s drive. The Speedwatch Team had taken advice from the Police Co-coordinator of Speedwatch and they have decided not to operate from any location in Cley Lane for safety reasons. The Speedwatch Team members are all volunteers and they already cover 13 locations where they are able to stand in a safe place. The resident said that she had been advised that if data was collected showing excessive speeding, the Police will do an official check. The Council asked Mr. C. Jordan to investigate the speeding issue on Cley Lane once again in the hope that with increased housing on the road, a 30 mph limit could be extended to the whole road. Mr. J. Laws asked how Speedwatch checked the speed of vehicles if a vehicle approached at a higher speed and then slowed was this registered. The Chairman said approaching vehicles are recorded as they pass the camera but receding vehicles can be checked from the rear if they speed up once they have gone past the camera. 13. To discuss a letter from a parishioner re Cley Lane: A letter had been received from the residents of Poppyfields complaining about speeding motorists in Cley Lane. The points in this letter had already been addressed and the outcome of Mr. Jordan s enquiries is awaited. 15. To discuss ditches in the parish with particular reference to the ditch in front of the Warwick Farm development: Highways Research has confirmed that all ditches are owned by the adjacent properties including those on the new development in Cley Lane. At the present time the ditch is a ransom strip (no-man s land) and would cause considerable difficulty if a property is sold. Property owners need to get the ditch included in the deeds of their property. The Chairman said there is also a high pressure gas main in the ditch and certain conditions have to be observed when doing maintenance work. Ms M. Baldwin suggested that the Council put this information in Saga and this was agreed. 16. To discuss the Bird Sanctuary This matter had been raised by Mr. R. Harrold at the Working Group Meeting. Storm Doris had uprooted several trees and as it is a public area it is important that the area is made safe. Agreed Mr. R. Harrold attends to this work with the help of a parishioner. 17. Update on the Neighbourhood Plan: The Chairman said the NP Committee is in the process of collecting information from businesses and organisations in the parish. There is a slight pause in the drafting of the Plan as Breckland has had its 5 year land supply challenged. We have been advised not to submit the Plan until after Breckland has completed their plan which will be the end of the year. An extract in the Wayland News re the NP Consultation Event and a letter had been handed to George Freeman on the 24 th May at the meeting in Watton. There is a new member of the NP Committee Chris Blow and the Committee looks forward to welcoming him to the next meeting on the 9 th May. 18. Update on Growing Together Project: Mr. T. Bunce said a walnut tree has been planted and the ground near the burnt area is to be rotovated and seeded with wild flowers. There is still some money in the kitty which needs to be spent by July. Bird boxes have also been put on the trees and it is hoped to purchase a rustic seat for the area. The co-coordinator of the project is holding an event for all volunteers on the 12 th July. 19. To agree items to be discussed by the Working Group: The Chairman said the purpose of this Group was to discuss any matters that need further discussion to save time at Council meetings.
- 847-20. To consider any applications to fill the vacancies on the Council: Mr. J. Laws said he might have someone who is interested. 21. To consider reports from outside organisations The Clerk read the Speedwatch report for March as follows:-. Date Location Speeding Vehicles Clicked Vehicles 1.3.17 33 Richmond Road 4 329 8.3.17 Chequers Lane 3 109 13.3.17 Bridge End Richmond Road 10 347 23.3.17 Layby - Pages Lane 1 111 29.3.17 33 Richmond Road 6 327 Totals 5 hours 24 1223 The Chairman asked Mr. J. Laws if he would ask the WCCC for a copy of their audited Accounts as he had not seen a copy since becoming Chairman. Mr. R. Harrold reported on the Wayland Development Partnership meeting. Watton have been unable to find anyone interested in taking over the old Budgens store in the town. A taxi driver had complained about the roads in Saham. The Chairman said the condition of the country s road had been mentioned in the national newspapers saying some would be unfit for purpose and closed within 5 years. Mrs. T. Hewett had attended the meeting and is trying to get to grips with all that is going on locally. Mr. M. Bohn said that there are two metal culverts jutting into the road at the start of Hills Road Clerk will report to Highways. 22. Items for the next agenda (not for discussion): The following items to be on the May Agenda: Coburg Lane footpath plus the usual items that are on the AGM Agenda. 23. To confirm the date and time of the next meeting of the Parish Council Monday the 8 th May 2017 at 7.30 p. m. in the Small Hall at the Wells-Cole Community Centre. This is the Annual General Meeting of the Council. The Chairman reminded councillors of the Annual Parish Meeting on the 24 th April at 7.30 p.m. The meeting closed at 9.15 p.m. Parish Matters Mr. M. Bohn thanked the Clerk for her comprehensive Minutes of Meetings. Mr. J. Laws said the hedge at 82 Richmond Road (in the layby) needs cutting back Clerk to report to Highways.
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