PULHAM ST MARY PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk to the Council:
Gillian M Childs
“Kenegie”
Mill Green
Colegate End Road
Pulham Market
Norfolk, IP21 4XG

(    : 01379 676699

(    Fax: 01379 608876

e mail: kenegie@globalnet.co.uk

[Note: these are draft minutes and are subject to ratification by the Council at its September meeting]

Minutes of the Meeting held in the Village Hall, Pulham St Mary on

Tuesday, 11th July 2000 at 7.30 pm

1:        Apologies:  Mrs J P Chapman    

                Present:  Cllrs:  Mr M Worden (Chairman), Mr M Ashpole (Vice Chairman), Mrs H Clutten, Mr J Colby Clarke, Mrs V J Pegnall,  Mr A M Mills, Mr C Burridge, Mr J Halliday (District Councillor).   Mr Ron Johnson (County Councillor) and Clerk, were in attendance.
                Members of the Public: None

                Magazine Report to be written by Mr Ashpole.

2:        Minutes of last meeting of 13th June 2000 had previously been circulated.  After the following amendments they were approved and signed by the Chairman.
3c)       Now to read "The Chairman proposed that an increase in payment be made due to concrete having been dumped on the allotment.  The new total cost of £45 was therefore agreed"
15)       Now to read "The Councillors felt they were not in a position to take part in the running of the charity as presently constituted"
            The Chairman thanked Cllr Ashpole for having recorded the minutes in the absence of the Clerk.

3:        Matters arising: 

a)         Appointment of School Governor Representative following resignation of Mrs Gloria Gray
            Clerk has received confirmation from Mr Graham Lange that he is happy to fulfil this post and will report back to the Parish Councils when he has attended his first meeting.

b)         Proposal to offer opportunity for parish to donate gifts to charities in village.
            The proposal made by Mr Colby Clarke that the Parish Council proceed with this was approved with 1 abstention.  Following discussion on the way to proceed, the draft letter and attachments were approved after amendment and additions widening the scope of the objectives of each charity.  Methods of distribution were discussed and after being advised of costing for prepaid post, the necessary licence and printing, through the Post Office, it was agreed distribution should be via Councillors with a 19p pre-stamped envelope included.  Clerk will now reproduce the revised letter and attachments together with proposed distribution list for approval at next meeting.

4:        Correspondence:  The following items were on circulation to Councillors:

a)         SNC - July meeting Dates
b)         Bruno Peek - Nelson celebrations 5/6 November 2000
c)         SNC - Diss, Harleston & Area Transport Use Questionnaire - to be completed by Clerk

Additional items received:

            Old Fashioned House of Publishers - article on Parish Council (Clerk to ask for more information)
            SNC - Area Forum - 4th Oct - Brockdish and Clerks Mtg on 21 September
            NRCC - AGM, Mon 31 July - Clerk to attend
            NALC National Conference Information (including Best Value documents)

5:        Public Forum: 

The meeting did not adjourn as no members of the public were present.

6:        Chairman’s Report:  

The Chairman reported that County Council have completed the work in Church Close.  However, the question of the footpath behind the Old Rectory was been raised and investigations as to ownership will be undertaken by NCC and SNC.  Chairman is still awaiting instructions from PCC as to where they would like the Dog Bin to be erected in the Churchyard.  It also needs to be ascertained if any special wayleave etc. may be required for the Churchyard and it must also be accessible for SNC to empty. 

At this point, Mr Colby Clarke requested approval for a Birthday Card to be sent on behalf of the Parish Council to the Queen Mother on the occasion of her 100th Birthday.  This approval was given.  Mr Colby Clarke will obtain and send.

7a:      Sports & Recreation Report:  

a)         Spraying at South Green has been carried out and appears to have been successful.
b)            7 tenders were received for the new pavilion.  As 2 were received outside the deadline, only 5 were currently being evaluated.  Mr Mills has a meeting with the Community Funding Officer from SNC on Monday next. 
In reply to a question from Mr. Colby Clarke, Mr Mills confirmed that until the improved facilities are available at South Green, it is not possible to pursue use of the field by other activities, such as Cricket. 

7b:      Tree & Footpath Warden: 

Mrs Pegnall reported that most of the footpaths were overgrown and virtually impassable due to the recent weather conditions.  Mrs Pegnall will contact Andy Williams at NCC to see what action can be taken to rectify this.  Mr Halliday was also asked about the time frame for supply of the Community Sign for circular walks.  Hopefully these should be available shortly.  It has been reported that a self set tree is causing damage to the Pennoyers school fencing and footpath in Station Road.  It is understood the Trustees are aware of the problem.

8:        Accounts:

a)         End of year Audit had been carried out by Mr J Doggett and everything was found to be in order.
b)         The Clerk had previously distributed 1999/2000 audit figures and these were approved for signature by the Chairman.  Vice Chairman, Cllr Ashpole will undertake the final validation with the Clerk as required by auditors.  Audit Notice is now being posted on the notice boards. 
c)         The Clerk had previously distributed notification of suggested Local Government salary increases and Councillors agreed to increased payment at Spinal Points 16 to Clerk with effect from 1st April 2000. 
d)         Clerk had prepared a schedule showing last increase in payments to Mr Musk had taken place in 1977.  The proposal by Mr Colby Clarke to increase payments to £7.50 per week were approved. 
e)         Adoption of the income and expenditure account for the month of July was approved by the Council as follows:

INCOME:

EXPENDITURE :

BALANCE after presentation of the above will be  £28,535.00.  Clerk reported that invoice had just been presented by Mr Clutten for spraying work at the cost of £102.22.  Payment of this was also approved and cheque duly drawn.  The balance in Barclays account will therefore stand at £68.96 after presentation of this.  Approval was therefore given for Clerk to transfer an amount from the Investec Account.

9a)      County Councillor:

Mr Johnson informed Councillors that County Council have plans to relaunch Childrens homes in the County as at present, they are not supplying enough places for children who are in need of them.  They are also re-looking at Meals on Wheels service and mileage rates paid etc.  A survey (at a cost of £13,000) will shortly be undertaken on the road weights on the B1134 and there may be a 20mph restriction through the centre of Starston.   Mr Johnson advised Councillors of a deficit in Council spending of £485,000 which is being investigated by external auditors.  The Norwich library is now planned to be reopened in August 2001 and it is planned to extend the opening hours of libraries outside of Norwich.  Consultation on Waste Management is being arranged with a choice of 4 possible scenarios for handling of waste.

9b)      District Councillor:

Mr Halliday continued on from his comments last month and updated Councillors on the Inspectors report on the Local Plan.  The Working Group has been reconvened to study the 1000 page report and it is possible a revised plan will be placed on deposit in the Autumn.  Depending on whether further objections are received, it may necessitate a further public enquiry.  In the meantime, if Councillors had any comments to make regarding the Inspectors report, they should direct them to Mr Alan Gomm at SNC.  During a recent consultation meeting with Parish Councils held at Sth Norfolk House, Joan Jenkins had drawn Councillors attention to Best Value and how, whilst it is not statutory for Councils under £500,000 at present, it will eventually have an effect on all Parish Councils and Councillors should be constantly aware of this fact.  (Councillors agreed to discuss this in more depth at the next meeting)  From recent discussions with the Economic Development Officer regarding bidding for European Money, it is evident that out of the 18 District wards in the Yare to Waveney Valley area, Beckvale is one of the most deprived when looking at statistics such as the Crime Rate and Unemployment.  It is possible the District could be introducing more IT for Parish Councils, in association with Central Government.

10:      Planning:   

a)         P Gibson, April Cottage, North Green Road - erection of conservatory to dwelling - approved
b)         S P Mayes - Air Station Farm, Air Station Lane, Rushall - Change of use of redundant agricultural building to storage of motor racing car components. - generally approved.
c)         Poringland Properties, Land adj Church Terrace, The Street.- erection of dwelling and garage - amended plans - generally approved with comment regarding boundary and driveway materials.  Single gable hipped roof also approved.
d)         Mr D Betts, Byline, Doctors lane - Erection of conservatory and 2 dormer windows to dwelling - approved.

11:      Standing Order for Delegation of Planning Matters to Clerk.

Clerk had previously distributed copies of the 4 standing orders currently in existence. Mr Colby Clarke agreed to draw up a draft Standing Order on Planning Applications for discussion at the next meeting.

12:      Parishioners request to change location of Grit Bin:

The relocation of the grit bin had been requested by the new residents of the property in Station Road, but following discussion Councillors could not see any other suitable location for the bin.  A similar discussion had taken place several years before when the bin was originally being installed.  Clerk will advise the residents concerned.

Due to time constraints it was not possible to discuss the remaining 2 items on the agenda.

13:      Comments on NCC Performance Plan 2000/01 (By 31 July)

14:      Progress on costing for New Finger post

15:      Date of Next Meeting: Councillors agreed not to have a meeting in August.  Next meeting will therefore take place on  Tuesday, 12th September 2000

There being no further business, the meeting then closed at  9.33 pm.