Minutes of the Meeting of the Welney Parish Council

held in the Parish Hall, Welney

on Tuesday1st July, 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

Present

Cllr.K.Goodger (Chairman)  Cllrs E.Allen, T.Bennett, M. Brown, S.Kerr (who arrived after the meeting had started), and G.Tomkins, and the Clerk. 

Also present were: Dist. Cllr.D.Pope and Mr. D.Mosrley

 1.  Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. S.Dobson, C.Freer and V.Pratley and D.Cllr.V.Spikings, C.Cllr.H,Humphrey.

2.  Declaration of Interest

     There were no declarations of interest.

.3.  Minutes

The minutes of the General Meeting held on the 3^rd June, 2008, having been circulated to all councillors, were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record of the meeting,

4.  Matters Arising.

1.   Post Office Services for Welney

The area plan decision booklet had been received from Post Office relating to the Network Change Programme for Post Offices in Norfolk  and West Suffolk, together with two posters confirming that the Outreach Post Office would be attending Welney each day from 13.15 to 14.30.  Following our representations to the consultation department that consideration be given to siting the Mobile Post Office at the Church, Post Office had confirmed that they considered this site would be unsuitable for a vehicle and had decided that the Mobile Office would be sited at the Lamb and Flag Car park.  Cllr.Bennett advised the meeting that he still felt the Post Office were loosing out on a great opportunity to site the unit at the Church, so that the Church could then proceed with their idea of opening a shop and tearoom, so that the community would once again have a central meeting point.  Cllr.Tomkins asked that his own opinion that the Mobile Post Office should not be sited at the Church should be minuted.

Following  discussion it was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Post Office Authorities confirming that we appreciate the Outreach Service being made available for Welney but we would like to know how the decision was arrived at that the Lamb and Flag would be the best site.  We would also like to know why the Church site was rejected, and ask if they would reconsider this site, particularly in view of the proposals for a Tea Room and Shop at the Church, and also to emphasise that this would be a lost opportunity for Village Services.

2.   Annual Fund Raising Event

This item would be included on the Agenda for the next meeting.

3.   Stock on the River Banks

This item was raised by Cllr.Pratly and as she was unble to attend this meeting it was agreed to include it on the Agenda for the August meeting.

4.   Downham Market Safer Neighbourhoods – Speed Guns.

Cllr.Allen confirmed that he had been trying to find out details of training for persons in the use of the mobile speed guns, but had been unsuccessful.  He then produced paperwork which he handed round to all councillors relating to traffic speeding and accidents, together with the SAM results for the A1101 at various locations (not Welney)  After discussion it was agreed that a request should be made for  SAM to revisit the village including Suspension Bridge especially during morning and evening rush hour periods.  It was also agreed to contact the Police to ascertain their criteria for speed checks on roadways as it was noted that several B and C class roads were being monitored, but that the main road through the Village was not monitored on a regular basis.  It was also agreed to make enquiries of the Norfolk County Council to see if there was any chance of getting a 30mph Flashing Sign for the Wisbech end of the Village.

5.   Provision of Litter Bins

The Clerk confirmed that she was still waiting to hear from the Borough Council regarding the provision and emptying of littler bins.  We already have one litter bin which is emptied free of charge., and it was understood that we would have to purchase any further bins and pay an annual charge for the emptying.  Hopefully full details would be available at the next meeting.

6.   Bus Services for the Village.

An article had been included in the last edition of the Welney News asking persons to contact the Council if they would be interested in additional services to March or Ely.  Only one parishioner had been in touch and a copy of his letter was circulated to all.  Mr.M.Rayburn rang with details of the F.A.C.T. bus service.  He has information packs relating to this and it was agreed that this information should be included in the next Welney News.

5.  Public Participation

The Chairman then adjourned the meeting for pubic participation.  Mr.D.Moseley of Kendrick Cottage, Suspension Bridge, addressed the meeting.  He thanked the Clerk for forwarding copies of the correspondence from the MP and NCC but he was disappointed with the results. He confirmed that the white lines had not yet been repainted on the A.1101 near his property and he also advised that some of the Police are still of the opinion that the Suspension Bridge side of the village is actually in Cambridgeshire.  He was thanked for his attendance and the information and councillors would discuss the matter further under Highway Matters.

6.  Meeting Reports

Cllr. Brown gave a brief report on the visit to Holkham in relation to the First time Sewage Scheme for Welney and Christchurch.  Cllrs.Goodger, Brown and Dobson had attended on behalf of Welney, 6 Councillors from Christchurch and 1 from Upwell together with 2 representatives of the Engineers and two representatives from Anglian Water.  He reported that the visit had been very successful – it was a warm evening and there was no smell at all from the Lagoons. It was agreed to contact Anglian Water to see if they had any idea of a timescale when the Lagoons would be constructed and when work would commence on the Sewage Scheme, following request from parishioners.

7.  Finance.

The following accounts had been received for payment, and on the proposition of Cllr. Allen, seconded by Cllr. Kerr and agreed, the cheques were signed:

MHB Services Limited

Street Lighting Maintenance 13./6.08 to 12.8.08

     Cheque No. 100984                                          104 . 55

Mrs.P.Copeman – Clerks Salary and Expenses:

Salary                          255 . 68

Postage                          12 . 84

Telephone                    21 . 56

Stationary etc.                   15 . 50

Cheque No. 100985                                             305 . 58

Anglian Water – Water to the Pavilion

22.12.07 to 23.6.08

Cheque No. 100986                                          30 . 05

Paid by Direct Debit – E-On –to Pavilion                        41 . 08

Anglian Water – Water to Parish Hall

22.12.07 to 23.6.08

     Cheque No. 100394                                          28 . 04

     Paid by Direct Devit – E-On – Parish Hall                       80 . 24

The Clerk confirmed that she had received a new contract from MHB Services for a further three years on the same terms as now, although the price has risen slightly.  The two monthly charge including V.A.T. wil be £107.96 wth effect from 13.8.08  The contract had been signed and returned to them.

Adoption of Annual Accounts to 31^st March, 2008

The Clerk also confirmed that the Parish Council Accounts had been delivered to Mr.I.Shirley to carry out the Internal Audit, and it was hoped that these would be returned soon.  The annual return has to be submitted to the Audit Office before 31^st July, 2008

8.  Parish Hall

1.   The electricity meters were checked and a total of £2.00 was removed.   The Clerk confirmed that she had spoken to E-on regarding the calibration of the coin meters in the Hall, and they advised that this calibration can be carried by a qualified electrician.  The Chairman and the Clerk agreed to have a look at the meters after the meeting and find out the situation.

2.   Cllr.Brown confirmed that there appeared to be a water leak from the Gent’s toilets.  Upon inspection it was found that the ballcock was sticking and this would be attended to as soon as possible..

9. Proposed New Community Centre

The Clerk confirmed that the following two e-mails had been received relating to the proposed new Community Centre and the Parish Hall Site.

1.   From Dennis Tuttle dated 18^th June, 2008

Environment Agency has confirmed that the site lies within a flood risk zone with a 1:1000 year risk so it is not as bad as the current pavilion which has a 1:100 year risk.   I am awaiting a reponse  from the Environment Agency as they will dictate what measures would need to be taken in mitigation to reduce risk from the effects of flooding.

It was agreed to contact Mr.Tuttle again in the hope that further information will be available for the next meeting.

2.   From George Shelton of the Environment Agency dated 4^th June, 2008

I have just returned to the office this morning so sorry I could not reply to your e-mail.  This matter is still with the lawyer and we have been defining the actual area leased to the parish council for the village hall.  You will be aware that this was a very old lease an used a plan that existed before the parish hall and we are just trying to make the area meet up with the footprint of the building, as we can only really sell what we own.

Again it was agreed that contact should be made so that an update is available for the next meeting.

10.  Playing Field

1.  Details of the Norfolk Playing Field Association Annual General meeting at Hempnall Village Hall on 17^th July.

2.  Re: Conifer Trees on the Playing Field boundary. Following the last meeting contact had been made with Mr. & Mrs. Willis and Mr. & Mrs. Carter to let them know that we are trying to arrange a site meeting.  Cllr. Brown agreed to give Mr. Duncan Hobbs (the person who would be carrying out the work) the Clerks telephone number so that a meeting could be arranged

3.   Glasdon Cata;ogues for Playing Field Equipment and Seating – to be kept on the file

4.  The Clerk  confirmed that the Fire Extinguishers at the Pavilion had been services on 27^th June and the invoice was awaited.

11   Correspondence

1.   Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk – Local Government Review Boundary Committee preferred options.  Details of meeting at King’s Lynn n 9^th July.  Cllrs.Goodger, Brown and Bennett confirmed they would like to attend.

2.   Friends of West Norfolk CAB Inaugural meeting on 22^nd July at Ramada, King’s Lynn

3.   Borough Council – Canvassers required for Register of Electors

4.   Norfolk Rural Community Council – Annual General Meting on 16^th July at Mileham Village Hall at 5 p.m.  Booking form to be returned by 2.7.08

5.   Borough Council Standards Committee – Agenda and Minutes

6.   Southern Area Road Safety Committee – Agenda for next meeting on 3.7.08 together with minutes of the last meeting and AGM

7.   Borough Council – Council meeting Agenda and Minutes

8.   Norfolk Matters – Handed out to Councillors

9.   Fieldwork – June 2008 magazine of the CPRE

10.           NCAPTC – Norfolk Link – Summer Conference Booking Form and 2 copies of the Annual Report

11.           NCC – Parish owned Grit Bins 2008/9 – Nil

12.           CPRE – Countryside Voice   - Summer 2008 – Handed to Cllr.Bennett

13.           Downham Area  Local Action Group – meeting on 11^th July 2008 at Downham Market Fire Station

14.           Crime Report No.23 for the period 20.5.08 to 26.6.08

15.           2 e-mails from Western Area Watch dated 26^th and 20^th June regarding Bogus Callers in the area and also advice regarding thefts and how the try and prevent them.

12.  Plans and Planning Matters

1.   Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Planning Department 9.6.08 letter

confirming that the planning application for installation of two mobile homes as holiday homes at land at Bedford Bank, Welney had been withdrawn.

2.   Borough Council letter dated 14^th June with details of the safety requirements and general information relating to the demolition of the derelict pub at The Three Tuns, Bedford Bank. Welney

13.  Highway Matters.

1.   A letter had been received from the Norfolk Constabulary dated 30^th May, 2008 regarding speeding traffic – particularly in the Suspension Bridge Area – and copies had been

circulated to all councillors.

2.   NCC Highways – Confirmation received that the footway around Sandgate Corner should be cut within the next four weeks.  The meeting was also advised that the field off Chestnut Avenue has again been cut, and that the hedges at Tipps End had also been dealt with.  The Chairman confirmed that he had spoken to the Highways Representative and had requested that a larger reflector should be put on the end of the flood gate of the Delph Bridge and he was looking into this.

3.   Environment Agency – Denver Complex  Open Days 16^th/17^th July, 2008  A letter dated 20^th June had been received from the E.A. together with Copies of the posters and the booklet Managing the Denver Complex.  These had been circulated to all councillors, and the poster had been displayed on the notice boards and other locations around the village.

Several councillors confirmed that they would be attending.

4.   A letter was received from Christopher Fraser MP and copies of this together with a copy of the letter sent to him had been circulated.   After discussion it was agreed to reply to Mr.Fraser with apologies if the wording of the letter had caused offence.  We are very grateful for the work he puts in.  It was also agreed to ask if he had heard anything from the Anglian Water or the Environment Agency following the various meetings.  Cllr.Bennett suggested that a meeting with Mr.Fraser during the Autumn Session would still be beneficial so that we can up date all information and explain to him the much larger picture regarding the flooding problems

5.   Council then considered the points raised by Mr. Moseley under Public Participation.  It  

       agreed to ask for the white lines to be repaired and also to ask for the speed of traffic to be           monitored along the stretch of the A.1101 from Suspension Bridge because of the concerns raised by the residents.  It was further suggested that we ask if SAM could attend and provide further details of the traffic along this stretch of road.  It was also agreed to inform the MP of these requests.

14.  Environmental Issues.

     Nothing to report at present.

15.  W.A.S.H. Committee

A meeting of the WASH Committee would be arranged for Friday 25^th July at 7.30 p.m. at the Parish Hall and all committee members would be notified.

16.   Parish Action Plan.

Cllr.Bennett confirmed that he was arranging to check that the complimentary copies of the Parish Action Plan had been distributed to the relevant parties.

17.  Items for next Agenda

1.   Police Issues – Security items for the elderly

.

There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for attending, and declared the meeting closed at 9.14 p.m. 

Signed… … K.Goodger………………………………… (Chairman.)         

Dated ……  5^th August, 2008………………………………….