Minutes of Wiveton Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 30th March 2010

 

Present:   G Sayers Chairman, S Beal, G Woodhouse, P Adcock, J Ramm and M Wakelin

 

In attendance:   Councillor Marie Strong and the Clerk

 

Apologies:   R Allen and Councillor Lindsay Brettle

 

Declarations of Interest   There were no declarations of interest.

 

1          Minutes  

 

The Minutes of the last meeting held on the 23rd February 2010 having been distributed in advance

were approved and signed as a true record by the Chairman. 

 

2          Matters Arising

 

Village Green Surface Repairs  

The Parish Council agreed that the next phase of the work would commence in April.    

 

Bus Stop (provision of a ramp for disabled access)  The Chairman was pleased to report that a ramp for disabled access was progressing. A vote of thanks was also recorded to everyone hoe helped with the preparation work for this disabled access that had been carried out in the past few weeks.

 

3          Correspondence

 

Wells Safer Neighbourhood Team – March Newsletter

 

NNDC

v Invitation for the Chairman to attend a Civic Service on Wednesday 21st April.

v Pathfinder Newsletter Issue No 2

v Local Development Framework

v Sensor recruitment opportunities for 2011

 

NHS Norfolk – Introduction of summary care records across England during 2010

 

4          Finance No financial matters outstanding

 

5          Planning

 

 Jonelyn, The Street, Wiveton -  Erection of one and a half storey replacement dwelling.

 The Parish Council  was very pleased to see that these new plans no longer included a garage nearer to the road which would have been in conflict with the new LDF and also that the wall by the road has also not been included.  

 

The Councillors also noted that the new building appears not to sit exactly on the footprint of the old.  

 

The Parish CouncilÕs conclusion in respect of this was that unless this represents a serious impediment to permission being granted they fully support this application.

 

6          B N H S – Affordable Housing  Mary Wakelin informed the Councillors that suitable social housing land continues to be under investigation.

 

7          A O B

 

Wiveton Hall Cafe – Increased Traffic  -  John Ramm informed the Parish Council that he had spoken to Mr McCarthy to request a discreet notice to direct visitors to access the Cafe via the Blakeney Road.

 

County Report from Councillor Marie Strong

 

Environment Agency Flood Warning Direct:  The EAÕs automated system of issuing flood warnings – both saline and fluvial – is being scrutinised.  As the lead member on the scrutiny I need any comments, questions, praise or criticism, no later than 21 April.  The more detail you can give the better.  Everything you send will be formulated into questions and put to the EA to answer at 10.00 am on Tuesday 18 May at a meeting of the Fire & Community Scrutiny Panel.  Any member of the public can attend. 

 

Second Homes Council Tax

The parishes in our division account for more second homes council tax than any other division in the North Norfolk District, and conceivably in Norfolk.  25% of this tax is to be taken to fuel an Infrastructure Fund which will benefit urban rather than rural parishes.  It was my understanding that all parishes would receive full details of the proposal; since that has not happened I have now asked, and been promised, that hard copies of a background document and a letter asking for opinions will be sent to each of our parishes.  The deadline set for responses is Friday 23 April.  In the light of the delay in sending information I have asked for an extension but for now please note 23 April. 

 

Whilst your parish may not have major infrastructure needs I think it would be helpful to the County if you identified such needs as you visualise in the near/distant future.  Copies to me would be useful for any discussion in which I am engaged.    

 

Broadband and Mobile ÔPhone Reception: As promised we are gathering information as to problems/inadequacies and will then press the commercial providers not simply to improve current reception but invest in the next generation broadband structure for Norfolk – and I shall emphasise for our rural areas.  But it needs everyone who uses broadband to act now: register with Eastern Region and Broadband Uplift Scheme – www.erebusonline.org.uk You need only put your postcode and email address but as much information as possible will help the campaign.  The outcome will be a database pinpointing demand down to postcode level.  It would be useful if you would copy your information to me – or indeed if you have difficulty registering.  To check your speed go to: broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk 

 

Wells Field Study Centre:  You will have read that funding has been removed from the Centre, that closure has been recommended and school groups are being asked to transfer to Holt Centre .   However with support from many people my plea that consultation should take place prior to closure has been agreed.  A system for consultation is being compiled and information will be released once all the details are finalised.  However please note that 7.00 pm on Monday 24 May in the Maltings there will be a meeting for all members of the community as part of the consultation – the main downstairs room has been booked to allow for as many people who wish to attend.  Invitations will be sent to as many local groups as can be identified but in any case it is an open meeting. (There will be separate meetings for schools and environmentalists groups to which invitations will be sent.)     

 

Shoreline Management Plan (Old Hunstanton to Weybourne): Our last chance to see the revised plan, before it goes for ratification by the District Council and County Council, will be on Tuesday 25 May 2010 at the Maltings (time to be confirmed).  As stakeholders we are all invited and everyone with any interest should attend. 

 

 

Recycling Centre:

Whilst realising that cuts have to be made I am sorry to confirm that Wells recycling centre will become Ôpart-timeÕ from Tuesday 20 April.  The site will be closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and open Friday, Saturday Sunday and Monday.  Further information and opening times can be found at www.norfolk.gov.uk/recyclingcentres.

 

REMIANING PARISH COUNCIL MEETING DATES for 2010

 

Tuesday 25th May

Tuesday 28th June

No Meetings in July or August

Tuesday 28th September

Tuesday 26th October

Tuesday 30th November

No Meeting in December