Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 18^th November 2009 at 7.30pm in The Nelson Suite of the Village Hall.

Present

Chairman Geoffrey Moulton, Vice Chairman David Hook, Debbie Ashford, Liz Allen, Kevin Cunningham (to end of village cleaning item), Richard Delf and the Clerk - Ian Nelson.

Members of the public present

County Councillor Alison Thomas (to end of correspondence)

Apologies

Apologies were received from District Councillor Michael Windridge, Peter Workman and Hamish Rose.

Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting on 22nd September 2009 were approved and signed.

Public Participation

Mrs Thomas gave the background to the recent publicity regarding the future of the Mill Centre. See below under the heading “Mill Centre” for more detail on the current position. Mrs Thomas indicated that she fully supported the Mill Centre and the trustee’s position and that she would be actively monitoring the progress with the officers concerned.

Mrs Thomas indicated that Long Stratton does not have a sixth form and thus pupils have to travel and pay approx £360 pa bus pass costs – a motion to increase this by 50% had been stopped.

Planning Applications

New application since the last meeting:

Mr Moulton disclosed an interest in the next application as the applicant is a relation.

Mr & Mrs Luke Parfitt, 15 Roland Drive, Hempnall - Proposed single storey rear extension with associated internal alterations – Recommended approval.

Mr M Burns, White Cottage, Bungay Rd, Hempnall - Retention of cart lodge for residential parking – Recommended approval.

Applications approved since the last meeting:

Mr J Hollis, Springwood, Spring, Hempnall - Retention of two temporary residential units for on-site forestry worker and family.

Mrs E Allen, The Willows, Bungay Rd, Hempnall - Proposed rebuilding of garage.

Miss Price, 9 Mill Rd, Hempnall - New conservatory.

Ms Paula Wolfe, 1 Pevensey House, The Street, Hempnall - Proposed internal & external alterations to include replacement of windows, insertion of doors, replacement of roof, flue to be lined for wood burning stove, removal of brickwork and insertion of steps.

Applications refused since the last meeting:

Ms Paula Wolfe, 1 Pevensey House, The Street, Hempnall - Retrospective application for replacement of timber & plastic covering of passage way.

Tree Preservation Order

A new order has been granted (2009 No 2) on 2 trees on land adjacent to Queen’s Head PH, Mill Rd Hempnall.

ACTION

Claim for public rights over Back Lane

Mr Rose is holding the application forms for action.

Volunteers for the application so far are ; Janette Franks, Ian Nelson, David Hook, Geoffrey Moulton, Richard Delf, Liz Allen, A further 6 volunteers are needed , support to be sought by all councillors ready for next meeting.

ALL

Change of use of Queens Head

Mr Rose being absent had requested this be carried forward to the next meeting.

Greater Norwich Development Partnership Consultation

The joint core strategy has now been published and is open for consultation until 14 December 2009. Mr Hook proposed, Mrs Ashford seconded and it was unanimously agreed that Hempnall’s existing policy on this matter be communicated.

DH/IN

Matters arising from previous parish council meetings

Tennis court lights

The clerk had informed the tennis club of the parish council’s support. Mr Hook said that SNC had requested more detail on the lighting from the tennis club thus the matter was slightly delayed.

Wild flower seeds

Mr Moulton will arrange for planting of such seeds in the old churchyard.

Public Telephone Removal

BT had painted the kiosk and the contract was completed.

East of England Plan >2031

The council’s position had been restated.

Hugmore Registration

Mr Windridge had made contact with the solicitor at SNC and a statutory declaration has been sent to the Land Registry to start the process. The clerk to monitor progress.

Back Lane Willow Trees & Fencing

Awaiting possible adoption of Back Lane.

Playing Field sign

Mr Delf has the sign, a quote is required to erect it and its final position is to be agreed. Mr Moulton proposed, Mr Allen seconded and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Glanfield be contacted in this regard.

Nobb’s Lane

NCC had written to state that they had agreed to uphold the application and will be making an order adding to the Definitive Map and Statement Nobb’s Lane as a restricted byway.

Access to Playing Field

The matter had been referred to the village hall committee. It had been agreed that the existing gate should have a combination lock and this was in place. It had not been possible to block the pedestrian gate as access is needed for wheel chairs/pushchairs etc.

Hempnall Charities

The clerk had produced and circulated a simple summary of the criteria or remit of the various charities. Information on the charities can also be found on the website www.hempnallpc.org.

ACTION

Moles

The clerk had not been able to find a mole catcher who was willing to trap on the playing field for fear of the traps being stolen. The clerk had therefore arranged that Mr Youngman purchase a few traps on behalf of the parish council and for him to carry out the trapping in this area.

The Clerk had obtained alternate quotes for the Mill and the Old Churchyard but it was agreed that Mrs Allen would also obtain a quote from her contact. Following the decision below re the grass cutting no longer being arranged for the Mill Centre a quote is now only needed for the Old Churchyard.

Date of parish council meetings 2010

The proposed dates are as follows:

Date	Time	Event
06/01	7.30pm	Parish Council Meeting
03/03	7.00pm	Parish Meeting
03/03	8.00pm	Parish Council Meeting
26/05	7.30pm	Annual Parish Council Meeting
21/07	7.30pm	Parish Council Meeting
15/09	7.30pm	Parish Council Meeting
10/11	7.30pm	Parish Council Meeting

The aim is to ensure that HPC meetings take place on a Wednesday 7 to 10 days prior to SNC South West planning meetings which are to take place on :

18/01, 15/02, 15/03, 12/04, 11/05, 07/06, 05/07, 02/08, 31/08, 27/09, 25/10, 22/11, 20/12

Further HPC meetings will be called as required in order to deal effectively with planning matters.

The clerk to publish the above dates.

Correspondence

Information Packs

The items placed in the information pack envelope circulated to all Councillors on 18^th November 2009 were:

NRCC summary business plan

NRCC score card

NRCC various leaflets

SNC Neighbourhood Fund

NRCC summary of changes to Articles of Association

Norfolk Link issue 173

The Norfolk Older People’s Strategy 2009-11

The Playing Field Autumn 2009

Tasburgh PC magazine

Norfolk Voice magazine Autumn 2009

Countryside Voice magazine

Clerks and Councils Direct

No further matters were raised form the above.

ACTION

Items given directly to Councillors or representatives since the last main meeting were:

Various Southwatch alerts

Parish Crime Statistics for August 2009

Open Day at Ketteringham and Watton Highway's Depots

Rural Services Network - State of Rural Services in England

Rural Services Network – Public service delivery in rural England

Rural Services Network – Places available at market towns conference

Climate Change Tools Training: 19th October 2009

Community Development Network gathering 15th October 2009

Joint Norfolk Rural Forum and Norfolk Rural Community Council Meeting Tuesday 13 October 2009

Larger Councils Meeting - 29th October

Charity Workshop

Norfolk ALC - Coffee and a Chat events - Wheatacre and Attleborough

Inspire East Newsletter - September 2009

Tas Valley SNAP Meeting

Parish Crime Statistics for September 2009

Paul Edwards- Neighbourhood Officer- Tas Valley

Free NALC Quality Council Seminars

Regional Strategies Policy & Leaders' Boards Guidance

Climate Change Tools Training - 19th October 2009

NALC Charity Workshop

IDeA: Community of Practice - Better Engagement and Empowerment

Inspire East Newsletter - October 2009

BT phone box adoption

CDX annual conference, 5 Nov09 in London

Communities Survey – For Parish and Town Council Clerks and Councillors - Survey for The State of Rural Services Report.

'Virtual' Empowerment Champions Network

Diversity Game & Empowerment Toolkit Training - 26th November 2009

2009/10 Recycling and Rubbish Collection Calendars info

No further matters were raised form the above.

Items placed directly onto the parish notice boards were:

Notice/Agenda for 22^nd September 2009 meeting.

Notice/Agenda for 18^th November 2009 meeting.

NCC School admissions dept poster

Wild walks poster

Notice of conclusion of audit

No further matters were raised form the above.

Website

To date there have been 8238 hits on the site.

Made Parish Meeting minutes of 8^th July 2009 final.

Added Parish Council draft minutes of 4th Sept 2009.

Added Notice/Agenda for 22^nd September 2009 meeting.

Added Notice/Agenda for 18^th November 2009 meeting.

Added Trustee advert for The Hempnall Trust

No further matters were raised from the above.

ACTION

BT phone box adoption

SNC had written to ask if HPC were interested in adopting the phone box at the Three Horseshoes. There had only been 13 calls from it in the last 12 months and the area was served by 4 mobile networks. Mr Moulton proposed, Mrs Ashford seconded and it was agreed with 5 votes for, 1 vote against to adopt the box for £1 provided it was disconnected from the electricity supply and in good repair prior to adoption

Financial Statements

Movements since last meeting

The clerk presented the financial statement attached to these minutes showing the movements from 5^th September to 18^th November 2009. The statement was in line with the annual budget. Mr Delf proposed, Mr Hook seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the statement be approved.

External Audit of accounts to 31/03/09

The clerk reported that a clean audit report had been received and the appropriate notices displayed on the parish council notice board.

Village cleaning

Mr Moulton proposed, Mrs Ashford seconded and it was agreed unanimously that Mr Cracknell be offered £525 in recognition of his contribution to the cleanliness of the village over the last year, The Clerk to write a letter of thanks to him accordingly.

Budget/Precept 2010/11

Mr Hook indicated that the precept may be affected by costs relating to the wind turbine issues for a second year. Mrs Allen declared a pecuniary interest in this aspect and it was agreed to deal with this by setting the precept subject to any increase required re the wind turbines. Mrs Allen would then leave for the later point to be discussed and agreed.

The Clerk presented the budget for 2010/11 as previously circulated to Councillors and various adjustments were made to reflect anticipated financial commitments.

Mrs Allen proposed, Mr Delf seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the precept be set at £14,000 subject to later debate re the proposed wind turbine issues.

The Clerk to inform SNC of the required precept.

The clerk to comment on the size of the precept in the next newsletter.

Grass Cutting Contract

Mr Moulton proposed, Mr Delf seconded and it was unanimously agreed that Hempnall Parish Council should no longer fund the grass cutting at the Mill Centre. For many years HPC has supported the trust by incorporating the grass cutting in its contract. With rising costs it was felt that HPC can no longer undertake this support within the precept. The clerk is to inform Mrs Rosalind Jones of the above.

The clerk was instructed to seek quotes for a further 3 year period as the previous contract had now expired. Councillors agreed the wording of the invitation to tender be drafted by the clerk.

Playing field Users Association Report

Mr Delf reported that the wire fence along the top of the field had been broken and motorcycles were accessing the field from this point. Mr Hook indicated that the same applied to the side of the field. Mr Delf proposed, Mr Hook seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the fence be repaired. Mr Delf to obtain a quote after checking the exact requirements for the repair with Mrs Allen.

The clerk is to write a letter to the chairman of the football club re the damaged caused by the goalposts being pushed into the new hedge.

ACTION

LA/RD

Play Area Report

There were no issues to report other than consideration of the latest ROSPA report. Mr Delf to consider with Mr Ellis and report back with recommendations.

Mr Ellis’ quote of £100 for installing the see-saw was accepted. Mr Delf to liaise with Mr Ellis.

Parking on Old Market Way

Mrs Ashford reported that residents were parking on the road instead of in their driveways. Parking is taking place too near junctions and in other inconsiderate locations. It was felt this was a danger to residents. Mr Moulton proposed, Mrs Ashford seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the police should be informed.

Norfolk Minerals & Waste Development Framework

It was noted that the above consulting documentation had already determined that the Morningthorpe site was not suitable for further development for either mineral extraction or waste fill.

Mill Centre

The clerk stated that it had been reported that Social Services were considering ceasing day care at the Mill Centre and highlighted the concerned being expressed by users of this service.

Since the above report the clerk had received an email from Jean Griffiths, Vice chair of the Hempnall Trust which in summary stated that :

“Rosalind Jones, Michael Kingston and I had a meeting with Harold Bodmer, Director of Adult Social Services and Alison Thomas our County Councillor last Thursday. The outcome of this meeting was very positive and the trustees intend to move forward with direct consultation with Social Services on maintaining their days in the future. Meanwhile we have been given assurance that our contract with them will be renewed in April 2010 for another year - it is always reviewed annually. I've attached the letter we received from them. It is important that we reassure the village that the Mill Centre isn't closing - hence the letters delivered this weekend. This was funded by Social Services who have apologised for referring to the Mill Centre as if it belonged to them!”

Mr Moulton emphasised the negative impact the episode had had on parishioners, users of the centre and its employees. He also thanked Mrs Thomas for her support on this issue.

Mrs Thomas said that the above message had now been given to all closely concerned with the Mill Centre and that the officers had apologised for the manner in which the matter had originally been dealt with.

As the matter was in hand no further action/support is required from the parish council.

Autumn Newsletter

The clerk to draft and issue the newsletter with articles on the following matters:

2010 meeting dates
Parking in Old Market Way
Dog Bin use
Precept

ACTION

Items for next main meeting agenda

Dog Bins

Wind Turbines

Mrs Allen declared a pecuniary interest in the next item and left the meeting.

Mr Hook reported that the public inquiry was now completed and that the report from the inspector was expected to be issued in January 2010.

Depending on the outcome of the inquiry further funds may be needed for advice on the way forward. If the money was not needed it would be used to reduce future precepts. Mr Delf proposed, Mr Hook seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the precept be increased by £2,000 to take account of the above possible expenditure.

Mr Moulton to liaise with Saxlingham Nethergate PC to encourage them to make suitable financial provision as well.

There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 10:03pm.

Signed ____________________________________________Date 6 January 2010

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Presented to meeting on 19th November 2009

Current Account

(Payments)/Receipts since last meeting :

04/09/2009	Ian Smith Grass cutting	(244.20)
08/09/2009	Transfer BPA to C/a	1,000.00
08/09/2009	D Hook JAWG expenses	(860.87)
08/09/2009	H Battye JAWG expenses	(42.51)
08/09/2009	T Shurmer JAWG expenses	(43.20)
08/09/2009	JAWG donations	100.00
08/09/2009	E-on Streetlight Electricity	(11.60)
21/09/2009	bank charges	(1.00)
22/09/2009	JAWG donations - Saxlingham	4,931.53
26/09/2009	Norse - 1/2 year grass cutting	(573.00)
26/09/2009	M&JF Ltd - internal audit	(57.50)
26/09/2009	J Franks - cancel cheque 100971	50.00
26/09/2009	JAWG donations - SHOWT	4,000.00
27/09/2009	Battye - JAWG Expenses	(6.70)
30/09/2009	Transfer BPA to C/a	850.00
30/09/2009	Ian Nelson Salary	(828.54)
01/10/2009	MHB Services Ltd - Sept	(12.11)
01/10/2009	Precept	9,050.00
02/10/2009	VAT refund	901.27
02/10/2009	VAT refund	1,088.89
05/10/2009	Interest NSB	18.16
09/10/2009	Liz Lake re Michele Boulger - JAWG	(666.08)
09/10/2009	PUA grass cutting contribution	249.13
15/10/2009	E-on Streetlight Electricity	(11.60)
25/10/2009	CPRE subscription	(29.00)
31/10/2009	MHB Services Ltd - Oct	(12.11)
03/11/2009	SNC - Recycling - Queens Head	200.00
03/11/2009	SNC - Recycling - Three Horseshoes	200.00
15/11/2009	E-on Streetlight Electricity	(11.60)
16/11/2009	Tr from NSB	8,000.00
16/11/2009	Mazars - external audit	(155.25)
16/11/2009	Delfs - paint for bus shelter	(23.98)
16/11/2009	Ian Smith Grass cutting	(339.20)
16/11/2009	SNC - play area inspection	(72.45)
16/11/2009	Hempnall group of parishes - advert	(35.00)
16/11/2009	MAS Environmental - JAWG Noise expert	(8,469.75)
16/11/2009	R Youngman - Mole traps	(23.52)
16/11/2009	G M Douglass - JAWG Counsel	(12,650.00)
16/11/2009	Bartlett Signs - playing field	(135.70)

		5,322.51

Closing Balance		5,913.65


Business Premium Account

(Payments)/Receipts since last meeting :

06/04/2009	Interest NSB	10.05
05/05/2009	Interest NSB	7.48
05/06/2009	Interest NSB	13.42
06/07/2009	Interest NSB	18.17
05/08/2009	Interest NSB	18.77
31/08/2009	Interest BPA	0.25
08/09/2009	Transfer BPA to C/a	(1,000.00)
30/09/2009	Transfer BPA to C/a	(850.00)
31/10/2009	Interest BPA	0.06

		(1,781.80)

Closing Balance		1,445.66