MINUTES OF BUXTON WITH LAMAS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held in BUXTON VILLAGE HALL on MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2009 at 7.30pm

PRESENT
COUNCILLORS:
Mrs B. Rix (Vice-Chairman)
Mr G. Breeze
Mrs P. Goodman
Mr E. Nichols
Miss S. Partridge
Mrs C. Pearce
Mrs Y. Powell
Mr C. Shaw
District Councillor Rix (also Parish Councillor)
County Councillor D. Harrison (later)
PC Bailey
PC Squires
CLERK: Mrs R. Rose
Five members of the public

The Vice-Chairman took the Chair and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. APOLOGIES were accepted from Mr C. Tomlinson (Chairman), Mr G. Forster and Mrs M. Wickham

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Nichols, Powell and Rix declared a prejudicial interest in Item 7.1 (payment for work to Buxton Village Hall)

3. THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING held on 27 July 2009 had been previously circulated; proposed by Councillor Nichols, seconded by Councillor Shaw, these were AGREED, and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

4. MATTERS ARISING

4.1 Power of Well Bring
The Clerk reported that she had chieved the necessary module qualification to be appended to her Certificate in Local Council Administration. Should the Council wish to adopt the Power, all Councillors would have to be trained and the Council pass a resolution to adopt the power. The Clerk explained how this differed from Section 137 expenditure.

5. POLICE MATTERS

5.1 Crime Statistics
The Chairman welcomed PCs Bailey and Squires.
The figures for August had been received and circulated; 1 crime had been logged, which was an attempt to gain entry to the changing rooms on the BALAY Park by damaging the glass in the door.

PC Bailey referred to reports of other burglaries in the area over the recent bank holiday weekend. He gave advice about security during warm weather and the necessity to make sure windows and doors were locked where access could be easy. The Clerk would place an article in The Round for parishioners’ advice.

5.2 Matters for the Safer Neighbourhood Team
Councillor Wickham had asked for Police to monitor the parking situation at the junction of Crown Road/Church Close, which was particularly congested when the fish & chip shop was open. PCSO Frost had emailed the Clerk with the Highway Code guidelines and the law relating to parking close to junctions. PC Bailey would attend on Friday evenings when possible and give advice to drivers to park safely. He was reluctant to adopt more punitive measures (such as Fixed Penalty Notices) in the first instance; however, persistent offenders may receive these. He was also reluctant to deter business from a thriving village concern.

County Councillor Harrison entered the meeting at this point.

5.3 Feedback from SNAP meeting
This had been held on 1 September 2009 in Coltishall, and several parishioners from the parish had attended to bring forward their concerns about speeding.

With the Council’s agreement, the Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow members of the public to speak.

Mr Tinsley from Lamas reported that the Police had listened to concerns about speeding through Lamas and Sgt Beeson had promised further speed checks, the results of which could be passed to Highways. Mr Tinsley was awaiting contact from the sergeant, which PC Bailey would pursue. He was also awaiting details of the site in Lamas at which a recent speed check had been carried out. The newly-appointed sergeant in charge of Speedwatch teams had also yet to contact him about training for a new group for Buxton and Lamas.
Mr Tinsley had also checked with North Norfolk District Council on the planning permission for the prison and ascertained that HGVs servicing the site should follow a prescribed route north toward the B1150. These vehicles occasionally used the Hautbois Road, and though not travelling through Buxton or Lamas, they were using an unsuitable route. This should also be monitored.

PCs Bailey and Squires were thanked for attending and they left the meeting.

6. PLANNING MATTERS

6.1 Applications
6.1.1 20090986: The Gables, Lamas: Erection of a polytunnel
The applicant’s agent had confirmed that the applicant intended to use the polytunnel for growing fruit and vegetables in set beds for his own use and not for any commercial reasons.
DECISION: Supported, subject to it being for private use only.

6.1.2 Application to vary premises licence at Black Lion PH
1) To provide films Monday – Sunday 10.00 to 24.00
DECISION: Supported
2) Add entertainment on a Monday and Sunday indoors and outdoors from 14.00 to 24.00
DECISION: Objected to the outdoors element
3) Extend existing provision for late night refreshment to the beer garden
DECISION: Objected

6.2 Permissions and Enforcement Matters
6.2.1 There were no new enforcement cases to report.

6.2.2 Application for farm manager’s bungalow, Lion Farm
The application was due to be heard again by Broadland District Council Planning Committee on 9 September 2009, which would consider the evidence of functional need for a dwelling on site. The officer’s recommendation was to refuse. Councillor Rix would speak at the meeting as District Councillor.

6.3 Site allocation for mineral extraction / inert waste landfill
A site adjacent to Mayton Wood landfill site had not been found suitable for this purpose.

7. FINANCE

7.1 Payments
Payment for the following was APPROVED:

Barnwell Print Ltd: Printing August/September Round 235.00
Michael Powell: Storage boxes for short mat bowls, Buxton Village Hall 816.00
Neptune Outdoor Furniture Ltd: Bench for Lamas Hill 253.00
British Gas: Power, BALAY Park 3.20
Clerk’s September salary by STO: 448.68
Norfolk Pension Fund: August & September return 227.46
R.A. Rose: Expenses & Stationery 45.29

7.2 Application for Financial Assistance
A donation of £100 was AGREED to North Walsham & District CAB.

7.3 Repairs to Church Clock
The meeting AGREED the expenditure of £185 for replacement of the con rod.

8. CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED

8.1 Correspondence List
A list of the correspondence received had been circulated, and was updated at the meeting; all items were available from the Clerk. A list is attached to the signed copy of these minutes.

8.1.1 The meeting AGREED the expense of £24.50 (half fee) for the Clerk to attend the SLCC Regional Conference (cost shared with Spixworth Parish Council).

8.1.2 Councillor Rix would attend a session of Sustainable Communities training given by Broadland District Council.

8.1.3 Norfolk ALC AGM: The Council’s motion had not been accepted for debate, but further area training on the subject of planning was being prepared.

8.2 RAF Coltishall Workshop Meeting
The Clerk’s report of the meeting on future uses of the remainder of the site had been circulated. Councillor Nichols expressed a wish to visit the site, which the Clerk would try to arrange.

9. VILLAGE MAINTENANCE & HIGHWAYS MATTERS

9.1 Request for 20mph Speed Limit in Lamas and Weight Limit at Buxton Mill
The Clerk had written to the Director of Planning & Transportation setting out the case for the restrictions. The reply sent on his behalf indicated that it had been agreed to add an item to the programme for investigation of a possible reduction in speed limit and/or other treatments, which should take place in 2010-2011 as the current programme was full.

The meeting welcomed this as a positive response.

9.2 Petition for 20mph speed limit in Brook Street / Norwich Road
As advised by County Councillor Harrison, a petition had been raised by residents of Brook Street and Norwich Road for a 20mph speed limit on those roads.

The meeting supported this, and the Clerk would forward it to Highways in the hopes that it could be added to the investigation programme reported in 9.1 above.

9.3 Request for yellow lines near Buxton Mill
This had been refused by Highways. Yellow lining was more appropriate for urban town centres with Conservation status and the County Council did not normally provide them for village routes or rural areas. Waiting restrictions might be considered if there was a specific issue to address, normally indicated by a personal injury or accident record in the vicinity. Also, as the site fell within an area adjacent to a Listed Building, the yellow lining and accompanying signage would be detrimental to the amenity value of the area.

9.4 Any Other Highways Matters
The Clerk would place an item on the agenda for the next meeting regarding possible white lining in Sewell Road.

The Clerk would pursue replacement of the road name sign in Stratton Road.

The Clerk would seek installation of a ‘Passing Place – No Parking’ sign in Lamas Street.

10. BALAY PARK

10.1 Recreational Facilities Update
The Clerk reported that the hard surfacing should be completed on the following day, and the equipment should be installed on 10 & 11 September.
An opening ceremony would be planned as soon as possible.

10.2 Committee Meeting
A meeting date was agreed for 5 October 2009 at 7.00pm.

11. REPORTS FROM DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCILLORS

11.1 District Councillor Rix reported on her involvement with both the Design and Enhancement Awards, and her attendance at a reception for the Design Award. The winners of the Enhancement Award would be decided on the following day.

She had received training and attended a hearing for the Licensing and Gaming Act, and she was a substitute for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

11.2 County Councillor Harrison reported on the latest situation with regard to the Local Government Review. The Boundary Committee was awaiting the result of a legal hearing in October before presenting its advice on unitary options to the Secretary of State.

Broadland District Council enforcement department was succeeding in clearing a backlog of cases.

He reported on the arrangements for respite care in the area following the closure of Aylsham Hospital, and the criteria for payment. Norfolk County Council had recently announced that 28 care homes run by the County Council were to be privatised.

He was a member of the Health Review and Scrutiny Committee of the County Council, which ratified policies made by the NHS in Norfolk. This would include recent changes in guidelines on the treatment of children with diabetes.

Both Councillors were thanked for their reports.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.25pm