Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 16^th September 2008 at 7.30pm in The Loft of the Village Hall.
	ACTION
Present Chairman Geoffrey Moulton, Vice Chairman David Hook, Debbie Ashford, Richard Delf, Hamish Rose, Peter Workman, and Clerk - Ian Nelson.
Members of the public present Mrs Amelia Florance, Mr Anthony Florance, Miss Lisa Mathieson, Mr Bruce Rumsby.
Apologies Apologies were received from County Councillor Stella Rice, District Councillor Michael Windridge, Liz Allen and Kevin Cunningham.
Minutes of the previous meeting The minutes of the meeting on 16^th July 2008 were approved and signed.
Public Participation Smithy Cottage Corner Mr Rumsby stated that he lived at Smithy Cottage, in Hempnall. The road and the pavement narrows around the bend on The Street, and the corner of his property which is literally on this bend. Yesterday a skip lorry smashed into the property causing quite a substantial amount of damage. He has lived in this house for just under 2 years and in that time it has been hit by vehicles on several occasions, although previous damage has been limited to broken drain pipes and smashed facia board. Mr Rumsby had great concerns about the safety of his home and that of pedestrians walking round the bend. Hempnall school is only a few yards away and many children walk to school using this route. He also understood that building work was due to start on the school to increase its size, which would be a great asset to the village and was welcomed. However he had two areas of concern; relating to the associated building work traffic and the increase to school size both of which would mean that more traffic and pedestrians would be coming and going around this bend. There is not a road sign warning that the road narrows nor that it is only suitable for single file traffic at the narrowest point (on the bend). The school warning sign which backs on to the front of his house is not securely concreted into the pavement and he questioned the positioning of this sign - Is it really in the best place? Mr Rumsby had raised all the above points with the Highways Department at Norfolk County Council - ref: 137944 and hoped that the parish council would support him in attending the dangers highlighted above. Dog Fouling – Mrs Florance Despite the parish council providing a new dog bin near her property, Mrs Florance highlighted that dog fouling continued to be a serious issue for her and her family, in particular outside her garage. She requested that the parish council help. All members of the public left the meeting. – The above matters were considered under correspondence below.
Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNAP) – Liz Ely Postponed until the November meeting.	IN
Wind Farm Mr Moulton and Mrs Ashford declared an interest in the next two items but remained in the meeting. Mr Hook took the chair.
Planning application result and appeal It was reported that Enertrag’s planning application had been unanimously rejected by SNC planning committee.	ACTION
Mr Hook reported that Enertrag had lodged appeal papers, requesting a public enquiry, and that these had been forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate. Assuming that the appeal papers are in order, the Planning Inspectorate will in due course, set a start date from which time the public enquiry must be held within 20 weeks and representations from consulting parties must be made within 6 weeks. Mr Hook informed the meeting that Saxlingham Nethergate PC had agreed to support the proposal to set up an advisory working group, with Roger (their Chairman) and William Goff as its representatives. The group would have no powers to make any decisions, its remit simply being to fact find, research and consider the issues and report back to the PCs with advice and recommendations. Shotesham PC had also agreed to support the above working group. The clerk stated that under s111 LGA 1972 a parish council may do anything which is calculated to facilitate or is conducive or incidental to the discharge of ay of its functions. As comment on a planning application is a function of a parish council then the preparation for such comments must be covered by at least s111 and can be carried out by an advisory working group. Two or more local authorities can also arrange that their functions are to be exercised jointly (s. 101(5)) and can ensure that any such joint functions are delegated to a joint committee or to an officer of one of the authorities.  To assist this power, s. 113 of the 1972 Act enables local authorities to place their staff ‘at the disposal’ of other authorities for the purpose of their functions but cannot do so without consulting the member of staff concerned.  Additionally, s. 136 of the 1972 Act allows ‘two or more local authorities to make arrangements for defraying any expenditure incurred by one of them in exercising any functions exercisable by both or all of them.’ This means that if two or more authorities have the power to exercise a function, they can arrange for one of the authorities to carry out that function on behalf of them both (or all) and both (or all) authorities can contribute towards the costs incurred by the authority actually carrying out that function.  District Councillor Windridge had expressed his strong support for such a group to be formed. Mr Hook proposed, Mr Workman seconded and it was unanimously agreed that Hempnall parish council should act as the lead parish in the formation of such a working group and that two councillors should be members of the group. In addition the other parishes in the locale, Geoff Moulton representing SHOWT and Mike Haslam should be invited to join the group Mr Workman proposed, Mr Delf seconded and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Rose represent the parish council on the said working group. Mr Workman proposed, Mr Rose seconded and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Hook also represent the parish council on the said working group. The clerk agreed to attend the meetings and deal with the minutes. Mr Hook to inform Mr Goff and make arrangements for the first meeting as soon as possible.	DH
Renewable Green Paper Consultation Mr Hook outlined the proposals for which the consultation period ends on 26 September 2008. Mr Hook proposed, Mr Workman seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the clerk responds to the effect that if the proposals contained in the green paper were to go ahead, the building of 7000 wind turbines and their associated pylon infrastructure, would impact on the British countryside in a totally unacceptable way and that the proposed powers to be given to central government would be an erosion of local democracy.	ACTION IN
Mr Moulton re-took the chair.
Planning Applications New application since the last meeting: Martin McColl Ltd, Hempnall Stores, The Street, Hempnall - Demolition of existing duplicated outbuilding to right flank elevation. Mr M Jones, The Fires, Silver Green, Hempnall - New garden cart store building – no recommendation made as application withdrawn. Martin McColl Ltd, Hempnall Stores, The Street, Hempnall - Replacement of dilapidated outbuilding with a new step configuration up to ground floor allowing access to ground floor, also new external doors to provide basement and ground floor access – Recommended approval. Mr M McKee, Martoni, Mill Rd, Hempnall - Retrospective application for retention of cedar shed in front garden – Recommended approval. Applications approved since the last meeting: Mrs J Franks, Beckford House, Bungay Rd, Hempnall - Single storey garden room extension. Mr N Stringer, Re Boyland Hall Site, Hempnall Road, Fritton - Minor amendments to application 2004/2469 to use brick facing to part of build. Mr & Mrs I Nelson, Karinya, Bungay Rd, Hempnall - Erection of conservatory. Pole House Nurseries, Spring Lane, Hempnall – Retention of mobile homes for seasonal workers. Martin McColl Ltd, Hempnall Stores, The Street, Hempnall - Demolition of existing duplicated outbuilding to right flank elevation.	IN IN
Hempnall School update Mr Hook stated that the work on the Hempnall school extension was due to start in mid October and that he had arranged to meet with engineers to mark out the entrance visibility splays to ensure that as many trees as possible were preserved.
Policies A policy document had been circulated to councillors prior to the meeting. Mr Hook explained the reasoning behind setting policies and after some debate Mr Hook proposed, Mrs Ashford seconded and it was unanimously agreed that councillors would consider which issues they wished to make. The policies would be formed and recorded at the November meeting.	ALL
Matters arising from previous parish council meetings	ACTION
Ex Councillor recognition The plaque had been attached to the bench.
Alburgh Rd speed limit The clerk had informed Mr Turner.
Car park litter bin Mr Delf had liaised with Mr Ellis who had repaired the bin The Clerk had liaised with SNC and established that, subject to a site visit they may be able to empty litter bins on parish council’s behalf FOC. The clerk to progress.	IN
Climbing Frame surfaces Mr Ellis has completed this task.
Summer Newsletter The clerk had drafted and issued.
Churchyard Risk Assessment Mrs Allen had liaised with Ian Smith and the branches will be cut back over time.
Hugmore Registration We await SNC. The clerk to continue to chase.	IN
Hugmore Pond Sale SNC wrote to Mrs Jones at the end of July to see if she will consider purchasing the pond. and reported that they had not had a response, they will follow up. The clerk to monitor.	IN
Climbing frame painting Mr. Medlar will progress	RD
Nobb’s Lane NCC wrote to advise that they had now had responses from all adjoining land owners and that they had completed their archive searches. They will now follow up any points they have with the evidence form submitters. We await NCC, the clerk to monitor.	IN
No dog fouling /golf” sign The new signs are still to be erected.	DA
Public Telephone Removal The clerk established that the cost of the phone box would be £1 and insurance would increase by £25pa based on a value of the box of £1,500. The parish council would also be responsible for all repairs and the phone would be removed. It was agreed that the clerk should register with BT the parish council’s interest in the box.	IN
Community Speed Watch As part of keeping neighbourhood roads safe Norfolk Constabulary is introducing Community Speed Watch. After a successful pilot in the eastern area of Norfolk, the scheme is now being rolled out county wide. Put simply, speed monitoring is carried out by trained volunteers from the community, with follow-up work on education and enforcement by Norfolk Police and your Local Authority. Initially, letters are sent to registered keepers of offending vehicles asking for their assistance in keeping speeds down in your community, with persistent offenders targeted for police enforcement. It was agreed to publish details of this in the parish council newsletter.	IN
Ex Recycling Centre Still having had no response after 2 years on this matter the clerk had engaged Mr Windridge’s assistance. The following day SNC had contacted the clerk to inform him that they were now reviewing the matter and would deal with Hempnall’s case as a matter of priority. The Clerk to continue to chase.	ACTION IN
Correspondence Information Packs The items placed in the information pack envelope circulated to all Councillors on 16^th September 2008 were: YCM – Youth in the community matters newssheet The future of waste in Norfolk Conference Green Buildings in Norfolk open days Norfolk Voice Magazine Clerks and Councils Direct issue 59 Norfolk Link issue 167 Police Authority Policing Plan 2008/11 CPRE Fieldwork Sept 08 The Playing Field magazine NPFA annual report Saffron News Autumn Issue No further matters were raised form the above.
Items given directly to Councillors or representatives since the last main meeting were: South Norfolk Council's Scrutiny Committee invitation Joy of Food re use of village hall – to Yvonne Davy SNA Your sustainable community strategy for South Norfolk Parish Crime Statistics - July 2008 New Speakers for the Inspire East Annual Conference Norfolk County Council News Release: Norfolk trials radical new approaches to rural road safety Local Government Review, Unitary Proposals - Open Council Meeting - September 10th CPRE - Green Buildings in Norfolk open day The Queens award for voluntary service 2009 Greater Norwich development partnership update summer 2008 – D Hook. Inspire East Newsletter - August 2008 Norfolk Matters Sept 08 Community Speed Watch The Inspire East Annual Conference 'Don't Re-invent the Wheel' - 29 September 2008 Meeting with parishes about LGR 040908 – PowerPoint presentation Update briefings: Community Empowerment for Councillors Consultation on phone box removal Parish Crime Statistics - August 2008 Dates for your diary - Inspire East No further matters were raised form the above.
Items placed directly onto the parish notice boards were: Notice/Agenda for 16^th September meeting. Pathway – drop in support for victims of domestic abuse Forest Quest event poster Hazardous household waste amnesty day poster Synergy poster Notice re dog fouling Mobile police station timetable Tas Valley SNAP Meeting notice No further matters were raised form the above.	ACTION
Website To date there have been 6742 hits on the site. Added Parish Council draft minutes of 16^th July 2008. Made Parish Council minutes of 4^th June 2008 final. Added Notice/Agenda for 16^th September 2008 parish council meeting. Updated next meeting date and venue. Summer newsletter No further matters were raised from the above.
Disclosed at Meeting Correspondence read out by the clerk at the meeting not covered elsewhere was as follows:
Smithy Cottage Corner Following the public representation as recorded above, Mr Moulton read the email received from Mr Rumsby. Mr Workman proposed, Mrs Ashford seconded and it was agreed with 5 votes for and 1 abstention that the clerk should write to Highways in support of Mr Rumsby’s case and request Highway’s recommendations and attendance at a site visit. The clerk to inform Mr Rumsby of this decision.	IN
Dog Fouling – Mrs Florance Following the public representation as recorded above and after careful consideration, it was agreed that there was nothing else that the parish council could do except, as previously advised, encourage Mrs Florance to report culprits to SNC so that action could be taken under the Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005. The clerk to write to Mrs Florance accordingly.	IN
County Councillor’s report Mr Moulton read this to the meeting.
Financial Statements Movements since last meeting The clerk presented the financial statement attached to these minutes showing the movements from 17^th July 2008 to 16^th September 2008. The statement was in line with the annual budget Mr Hook proposed, Mr Workman seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the statement be approved.
External Audit of accounts to 31/03/08 The clerk reported that a clean audit report had been received and the appropriate notices displayed on the parish council notice board.
Playing field Users Association Report Mr Delf reported that Mr Youngman had enquired as to the insurance situation if he damaged anything whilst carrying out duties for the football club on the playing field. The clerk is to write and explain. Mr Youngman had also asked if the trees around the floodlights could be cut back, together with an oak tree that overhangs the football pitch. Mr Delf proposed, Mr Workman seconded and it was unanimously agreed that a site meeting be held at 6.30pm on 18 September to consider the request and that those councillors so meeting have power to respond to Mr Youngman. The football club also requested that permission be given to site another 20ft temporary container on the playing field. Mr Delf proposed, Mr Hook seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the clerk should write to SNC to establish the planning permission requirements.	IN ALL ACTION IN
Play Area Report Mr Delf reported that Mr Ellis had recently inspect the equipment and all was in a safe condition but that some of the wood on the small slide will need replacing in the medium term. SNC play area inspection SNC had carried out the inspection in June. The report highlighted various issues. Although it was noted that compliance with BS EN 1176, BS EN 15312 and BS EN 14974 is not mandatory or retrospective it was agreed to consider the items marked as medium risk. (There were no high risk items). It was agreed that the clerk should liaise with Mr Ellis and supply a copy of the report to him for his comment/costings on the medium risk items.	IN
Autumn Newsletter Items suggested for inclusion are: Community Speed Watch Hempnall School extension Telephone Box The clerk to draft and issue.	IN
Boundary Commission Consultation Mr Moulton gave a report following his attendance at the meeting held at SN House on this subject and Mr Hook gave a report following his meeting attendance in Norwich. The clerk previously circulated the slides to all councillors by email. Mr Hook proposed, Mr Delf seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the clerk should respond to the consultation document by letter stating that Hempnall parish council supports the status quo and that in councillor’s opinion none of the 5 tests required to be passed to justify one unitary authority could be sufficiently satisfied. In addition, if government think there is support to make Norfolk the second largest authority in the country, it should hold a referendum of the 900,000 people affected.	IN
Housing Core Strategy Consultation Mr Hook outlined the proposals including the now doubled new build allocation to Norfolk. Mr Workman proposed, Mrs Ashford seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the clerk should respond to the consultation that the plans were totally unacceptable for rural Norfolk. Reference is to be made to the parish council’s previous consultation feedback.	IN
Public Notice Board Restoration Mr Delf reported on behalf of Mrs Allen that the public notice board was in a poor state of repair. Mr Delf proposed, Mr Hook seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the clerk obtains a price from Mr Medlar to repair/replace it.	IN
River Clearance Mr Delf reported on behalf of Mrs Allen that the river, downstream of the ford on Bungay Rd and near the bridge on The Street needed clearing. Mr Workman proposed, Mr Rose seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the clerk should contact the Rivers Authority to ensure this was done as soon as possible before winter.	IN
Back Lane Willow Trees & Fencing Mr Delf reported on behalf of Mrs Allen that the fencing surrounding the pit on Back Lane needed repair. Also the Willow trees need cutting back. It was agreed to look at the situation on site on Thursday night.	ACTION ALL
Items for next main meeting agenda Precept 2009/10	IN
Next Meeting The next main meeting will be held on Wednesday 19^th November 2008 at 7.30pm in The Nelson Suite of the Village Hall.
There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 10:30 pm
Signed ____________________________________________Date 19^th November 2008

FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Presented to meeting on 16th September 2008
Current Account
(Payments)/Receipts since last meeting :
17/07/2008	Tr BPA to c/a	1,700.00
17/07/2008	Earth Anchors Ltd - Dog Bin	(155.34)
17/07/2008	A J Medlar - No smoking sign in bus shelter	(30.00)
17/07/2008	SNC - play area inspection	(74.03)
17/07/2008	Ian Smith grass cutting	(194.48)
31/07/2008	MHB Services Ltd - Streetlight Maintenance	(12.11)
17/07/2008	Ennstone Johnston - Car park repairs	(1,199.68)
28/07/2008	Village Hall re car park repairs	510.50
28/07/2008	Information Commissioners - DPA	(35.00)
31/08/2008	Eon - Streetlight electricity	(23.21)
15/08/2008	MHB Services Ltd - Streetlight Maintenance	(12.11)
		474.54
Closing Balance		659.37
Business Premium Account
(Payments)/Receipts since last meeting :
17/07/2008	Tr BPA to c/a	(1,700.00)
05/08/2008	Interest NSIB	49.00
05/08/2008	Interest NSIB	48.99
08/09/2008	Tr BPA to c/a	19.29
		(1,582.72)
Closing Balance		6,426.14