828 Minutes of the Buxton with Lamas Parish Council Meeting held in Buxton Village Hall on Monday 12 January 2015 at 7.30pm PRESENT Councillors: Mr A Shaw (Chairman) The Rev P Goodman Mr J Howat Mrs K Kammoun Mrs S Partridge Mrs C Pearce Mrs V Nichols Also in attendance: 47 Members of the public Mr D Harrison, County Councillor Mrs L Apps-Green, Clerk designate R Calvert, Clerk to the Council 14/105 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllrs Mr B Betts Mrs Y Powell Mr S Riley Mrs B Rix 14/106 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST there were none 14/107 MINUTES The minutes of the Council meeting held on 24 th November 2014 and the extraordinary Council meeting held on 8 th December 2014 had been previously circulated, they were taken as read AGREED and signed by the Chairman as a true record. 14/108 MATTERS ARISING - There were none 14/109 ADJOURNMENT It was agreed to adjourn the meeting to take comments from members of the public and councillors with prejudicial interests. Comments were received about the detrimental impact on residents, caused by increased use of Mill Street, Buxton and The Street, Lamas by tractors and trailers for the transportation of materials through the villages to Oak Grove Renewables, Scottow and to other destinations outside this parish. These roads were covered by the Norfolk County Council (Buxton with Lamas, Various Roads) (Weight Restriction) Order 2014. It was noted that the order did not prohibit use of these roads by agricultural vehicles requiring access to the locality. It was remarked that the meaning of the word locality was not clear and it was understood that companies using large agricultural tractors and trailers had been contracted to supply the commercial industrial company at Scottow. Residents had been fighting for a weight restriction along this route since 2009 and had been encouraged by the reduction in HGV s since the Order came in to operation in July 204. This had changed recently as agricultural HGV s were choosing to use this as a through route for the transportation of goods to and from areas outside the parish. It was noted that there were alternative routes which had been used previously and which were of a similar length and would affect a much smaller number of residences.
829 Comments were also received on the impact of large vehicles on residents on Coltishall Road where the speed restriction was often not observed making it unsafe for use by pedestrians. Cllr P Goodman arrived 20:00 hrs 14/110 PLANNING Applications NNDC PF/14/1496 : Variation of condition 4 of planning permission ref: 11/1426 to permit an additional 2 hours per day for a maximum of 30 days per year (harvest period) for deliveries, unloading of feedstock and filling of silage clamps (07:00 to 21:00 hrs) and reduction in the times the feed hopper can be filled to between 7:00 to 16:00 per day at land at Oak Grove, Scottow Road, Scottow, Norwich NR10 5GD for Oak Grove Renewables It was noted that crop was transported through Mill Street, Buxton and The Street Lamas, both narrow and congested residential roads, to Oak Grove Renewables an industrial and commercial enterprise. The Speedwatch Team reported that it had monitored local road usage to ensure that the Buxton & Lamas 7.5t Weight Restriction Order which came into effect in July 2014 was observed. It was disappointment that traffic associated with Oak Grove Renewables at Scottow had recently been choosing to interpret the wording of Traffic Order to use this route rather than the alternative routes used previously to and from Scottow. It was resolved to OBJECT this application. The impact of the traffic associated with this industry, the noise, vibration and disruption was having an immediate effect on local residents, pedestrians and other road users. People were afraid of the huge tractors and trailers which were noisy, took up a huge amount of road space and appeared bouncy and difficult to control. To extend the times during which deliveries would be made by these vehicles to and from Oak Grove Renewables and through the villages by 2 hours, in the evening a time when residents were at home, for 30 days a year during harvest would be detrimental to the local amenity. Other Planning Matters Applications 20141677 Solar Park, Scottow Enterprise Park BDC and NNDC Approval 20141826 - The Barn The Heath, Buxton BDC Full Approval 20141843 land adj White House, Mill Road, Buxton - BDC Full Refusal 14/111 HIGHWAY, RIVER & VILLAGE MAINTENANCE MATTERS Highways 1. Agricultural traffic through the 7.5 tonne weight restriction at Buxton and Lamas. Following discussion it was clear that the definition of the work locality in the Norfolk County Council (Buxton with Lamas, Various Roads) (Weight Restriction) Order 2014 needed clarification as agricultural vehicles were using the roads identified in the Order for the transport of goods by large tractors and trailers as a through route between Aylsham/Marsham and Scottow, Aylsham and Tunstead and other destinations. This traffic appeared to be on the increase following the
830 introduction of the Order in July 2014. Members considered this to be against the intention and spirit of the restriction. District Councillor David Harrison said that NCC Highways must get it right, he would support the Council in its endeavours to reduce the HGV traffic through these residential areas. PC Greig Shepherd explained that Norfolk Constabulary could not stop agricultural HGVs using the restricted route whilst the wording of the Order was unclear. Aylsham Growers Renewables, a company that both supplied feedstock to and removed waste product from Oak Groves Renewables had received an invitation to send a representative to this meeting. Roger Crane, director of Aylsham Growers and Aylsham Growers Renewables spoke to the Clerk before the meeting. He offered to talk with the Council at a later date; he did not stay for the meeting. IT WAS AGREED that a meeting should be arranged at NCC with its Highways Department, Legal Department, residents and the Parish Council to resolve the issue, to define or reword the Order as necessary to prevent the residential roads identified in the Order being used by Heavy Goods Vehicles as a through route to destinations outside the parish. 2. Parish Partnership Scheme 2015 No schemes were put forward for funding in 2015. It was noted that work on the trod at Lamas was scheduled for this financial year and would be done when weather allowed. 3. Highway Reports A style of Footpath 4 Buxton was reported broken. The Parish Footpath wardens offered to inspect the style. 4. River and Flood Drainage, Lamas Correspondence had been received concerning the drainage of the meadows at Lamas which were flooded. It was noted that an old drain that used to run under the highway from the water meadows to the pond at the Anchor of Hope did not work. A site meeting had been arranged for the representatives of the Water Management Alliance, landowners, residents and the Council on Thursday 15 th January. 5. War Memorials IT WAS AGREED to have both memorials cleaned at a cost of 1,378 for the two and to then consider future repairs. The Clerk would find out about possible grant funding. 6. Lamas Village Hall The Village Hall Management Committee reported that all the repairs were in hand with exception of the replacement window. Broadland DC said they'd accept a plastic window however the Committee recommended that whilst a hardwood window would cost about 3,000 to make and fit they would much
831 prefer to aim for this as it is it was what the heritage of the building needed and they may be able to apply for grant aid. The Council expressed it appreciation to the Committee for completing so much work which was paid for from its fund raising activities. IT WAS AGREED to support the Committee and to contribute to the installation of the hardwood replacement window from allocated reserves and budgets following receipt and approval of written quotations. 14/112 BALAY PARK 1. Park Roadside Hedge The cost for the reduction of the parish part of the hedge alongside the main road to shoulder height, to allow for re growth to provide a final hedge of around 6ft. and the removal of all brushwood would be around 900. It was remarked that work had commenced on the hedge belonging to the Scout Association. It was agreed to talk to the Buxton Scout Association and to refer this to the next meeting. 2. Repairs to Changing Rooms A quotation was received: 1. To cut off locks on the sliding steel panel covering the glazed window at the front of the kitchen so that it works as it should and to remove the glazing from the window and fabricate a removable lightweight panel with handles and locking clips that could be taken out and replaced so that the kitchen could be used as a serving hatch for refreshments. It would be then be made secure by replacing the internal panel securely, sliding down the outer siding steel panel and locking with locks supplied for this purpose 2. To replace the wooden temporary cover over the broken glass on the kitchen door with a secure permanent one Following a site inspection it was proposed that the project to replace the window needed to be reviewed. The window was high to reach from the outside and it might not work as a serving hatch as the sink could be in the way. It was suggested that this was a much bigger project than it appeared initially and it needed some more thought. IT WAS AGREED to ask the contractor to repair the kitchen door and to look at the development of the kitchen in greater detail. It was suggested that this project could cost over 1,000 to get it right. 3. Litter Bin - A replacement litter bin had been ordered for outside youth shelter 4. Boundary Encroachment - Temporary fencing had been removed and placed by the entrance. No further action had been taken to secure the boundary and the encroachment continued. It was reported that there would be an executive meeting of Buxton Scouts and that this matter was on its agenda. IT WAS AGREED to refer this matter to the next meeting when legal assistance may have to be considered. 5. Dog signs - It was agreed to put up additional No Dogs notices at pedestrian gate to the site to reinforce the prohibition of dogs on the recreation ground.
832 14/113 CORRESPONDENCE 1. It was agreed to grant Cllr Howat six months leave of absence on health grounds. He would retire as a cheque signatory and as the Council s representative on the HMP Bure Liaison Committee. 2. Quality Council A new Local Councils Award Scheme had been approved with two levels - Foundation and Quality Gold. Buxton had been registered and approved for free Foundation Level until January 2016. Council would receive a new logo and the new schemes would be available to it during 2015 at reduced rates. 3. Church Clock - Smiths of Derby Ltd had been notified of the appointment of Derek Barber as the Council s volunteer clock keeper. Council expressed its gratitude to Ron Colman for looking after the clock in the interim. 14/114 POLICE REPORT PC Greig Shepherd circulated to Councillors copies of the Buxton Crime Report for December and gave some background details on the crimes reported. He encouraged members of the public to report antisocial behaviour to him at the Safer Neighbourhood Team at Aylsham. Early intervention was effective in reducing crime and the names of complainants would remain anonymous. He also reported that Aylsham Safer Neighbourhood Area Partnership (SNAP) had processed over 700 speeding complaints, with a disproportionately large number from Buxton Speedwatch. Most first offenders were offered, accepted and paid for a rehabilitation course rather than accept points on their licences. It was understood that attending a speed awareness course would not affect offenders motor insurance premiums. 14/115 FINANCE 1. The bank reconciliation at 30 th December 2014 was received, checked and signed by Cllr Shaw. There was 39,984.94 in the current A/c, 7,626.47 in the Savings A/c and 10.68 in cash 2. The Quarterly Financial Report and list of allocated reserves to 31 December 2014 were received. There was one query regarding - 25 expenditure on BALAY Lettings. Post meeting note: this was accounted for on Chq: 22357 for 75 paid on 8 September to Buxton Cricket Club being 100 refund of key deposit less Invoice of 25 for hire of pitch. This was a quirk of the accounts package that had occurred prior to the external audit on to September 2014. The auditor s report was received and approved on 24 November 2014 (Minute 2014/159-2). I 3. Cheque Signatories - It was agreed to appoint Cllr V Nichols as the fourth cheque signatory replacing Cllr J Howat (cheques were signed by any two signatories) and to appoint Laura Apps-Green (Clerk designate) as administrator with read only access to the online bank account and holder of the cash deposit card. 4. Pay Scales - It was agreed to approve NJC pay scales for 2014-2016 with effect from 1 st January 2015. 5. It was agreed to approve payment of the following: Postage 2.67 (Cash 7) Barnwell Print 2252.00 (Chq: 22386) BT Payphones 360.00 (Chq: 22387) Steve White Homes 216.00 (Chq: 22388)
833 Norfolk Pension Fund 200.19 (Chq: 22389) Salaries 819.88 (Standing Order & Chq: 22390) Post Office 26.23 (Chq: 22391) British Gas 102.00 (Chq: 22392 Norfolk County Council 30.00 (Chq 22393) Viking 107.99 (Chq: 22394) Buxton Village Hall 120.00 (Chq: 22395) Purdy Woodgate Farms 75.00 (Chq: 22396) Information Commissioner 35.00 (Chq: 22397) Anglian Water 15.55 (Chq: 22398) 6. Recycling income - 355.11 has been received for glass recycled from bottle banks at the Station car park and the Black Lion PH and 52.79 from the textiles recycling bank at the Station car park. It was noted that Council had indicated to Broadland District Council its intention to take responsibility for the banks when BDC recycling contract terminated. This would be reviewed at the next meeting. 14/116 BUDGET 2015-16 It was agreed to adopt the budget circulated subject to the following amendments 1. To include staff training as a separate heading with a budget of 1,200 2. To increase expenditure on grounds maintenance at BALAY by 920 14/117 PRECEPT It was agreed to set the precept at 33,920 for 2015-16. 14/118 REPORTS A report on her attendance at the Aylsham Cittaslow Committee was circulated by District Councillor Rix. 14/119 NEXT MEETING & LATE CORRESPONDENCE To consider provision of local faster broadband. The next meeting would be held on Monday 9 th February 2015 at Buxton Village Hall 14/120 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC It was agreed that the press and public be excluded from the meeting as staffing matters were to be discussed. 14/121 STAFFING The Clerk s report was received. Three training sessions were approved and following the handover, Laura Apps-Green would be in post as Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer from 16 th February 2015. It was agreed to order copies of the Local Councils Administration and the Clerk s Manual ( 119.50) and to book training sessions for the Clerk as required. 14/122 CLOSURE OF THE MEETING There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.30 pm