Held in Bodham and Beckham Village Hall
Present: Julia Dovey (Chair) Kathryn Lord (Secretary) David McNeight, Chris Wheeler, John Stibbons, Bob Lewis, Denise Lewis, Rosabelle Batt, Lorraine Marks, Simon Wakeford, Lynne Clarke, Andrew Clarke, Anthea Sweeney
The Meeting opened at 7pm
1. Apologies
- None
- Julia Dovey welcomed John Stibbons (Clerk to the Parish) as an additional regular attendee. John has a wealth of knowledge so will act as a consultant/advisor and general contributor.
2. Review Minutes of last meeting & any matters arising
- It was agreed the previous minutes were a fair reflection of the meeting.
3. Information Sheet Publication and Delivery
- The Information Sheet was mostly delivered
- It was noted that the refuse collection is the same for both West and East Beckham (Friday).
4. Father Phil Blamire meeting report
- The Meeting was held on 08/02/16 and minutes previously circulated.
- There was concern regarding the St Helens Church not being funded past 3 years. What would happen after this period is open to speculation.
- Gates at the Entrance to the Cemetery are to be dealt with by Warner Thompson Builders for the PPC, and a quote is required by SCFC. KL to Chase Fr Phil
5. Progress on action plan:
- SAFETY MIRRORS: JS advised Steve Wright from Highways advised that Safety Mirrors were not allowed on the verge. They may cause an accident by distraction, and create an obstacle for hedge cutting etc. If placed on private land there maybe legal issues if the mirror is cited as a cause of an accident. No further action and results to be communicated in the forthcoming newsletter.
- WAR MEMORIAL RESTORATION: No responses so far from 3 stonemasons who have been asked to quote for the WW1 Memorial. Chasing up required JD/SW
- DEFIBRILLATOR UPDATE:
- A quote is needed from Community Heartbeat Trust. Discuss at PC Meeting JD
- The Reading Room (when demolished) in East Beckham would be the best site.
- THE READING ROOM:
- The Church Registrar Stuart Jones had not been heard from regards their interest or otherwise. KL to chase Fr Phil
- It was generally agreed a professional builder should be employed to demolish the site.
- Wood or items from the building could be reused on the allotments for raised beds etc.
- PM Howell of Sheringham was suggested by CW, or Justin by RB or BL, or Russell
- TREE SURVEYS:
- The Tree Expert David Gillet had been called by KL but had not responded, too busy?
- The Churchyard will be reviewed by the Church Tree surgeon.
- The areas of concern were the Village Green and Footpaths.
- A walk through the Village Green to see if any dead or obviously dangerous trees could be identified was volunteered by CW and her husband Rex W. KL/JD to walk East Beckham Loke
- PARISH MAPS:
- JD reported NPS Graphics had quoted £250 for Artwork and £400 for a display box to put it in.
- Content needs to be decided and supplied
- The Parish Walk approx 8K long was suggested for 2 sites. (East Beckham Reading Room site & West Beckham Bus Shelter)
- It was reported that footpaths about the area had Finger Posts in disrepair – either knocked over or rotten. It is possible to report these on the NNDC Interactive Highway Map.
- WEBSITE:
- Since the last meeting which suggested using the Parish Councils site and amending for the use of the villages it had been determined there are limited Themes or Styles available so only limited changes were possible.
- JS reported there is no longer a Grant available for the creation of a website, although quotes had been received from 2 companies Amia Design (£750 + annual Hosting fee of £50) and Alysham Computers £420 + annual hosting £50)
- Amia Design had been singled out as the creator of Whissonsett Village website http://www.whissonsett.com. This was highlighted as preferred design style by KL/JD. Please review and feedback
- Content needs to be decided and gathered to enable any design to be put together. Send suggested content to KL
- A further meeting was to take place Saturday 7pm at the Wheatsheaf to discuss.
- ALLOTMENT UPDATE:
- BL reported a meeting had taken place earlier in the day at East Beckham allotment. All current East Beckham users had been invited.
- The Allotments had been staked out with posts.
- The sizes 30 feet (frontage) x 80 feet (deep),
- West Side 14 allotments. 5 sites are vacant on this side.
- The East side left 12 allotments free and one would be singled out for use as a carpark.
- It was agreed that the entrance and slope to the allotment needs levelling, hardcore laid with a drainage channel to one side. The car parking area could also be levelled and hardcore/gravelled at the same time. (Note Builder or person employed to demolish Reading Room could quote at the same time)
- A water supply was discussed and costs should be investigated
- West Beckham Allotments closure. Concern regarding the loss of the amenity of the allotment land was voiced if wildflower seed was sewn ‘on mass’ across the allotment. Suggestions such as a Dog walking area (securely fenced), a grassed field for Village events, site for Memorial Benches, plus the existing Village benefit of daffodils that can be picked for home use. Allotments are to be discussed at the next Parish Council Meeting.
- SHOP:
- CW advised that Danielle at the Wheatsheaf Pub envisaged a ‘Deli’ shop with some basics within the ‘Tea Room’, possible hours 9-6pm.
- Therefore there would be no set up costs but volunteers to help run it would be welcomed. JD to contact the interested Volunteers from the Questionnaire.
- POST BOX PAVING UPDATE: When the weather warms up this would be tackled. SW/LM & CW/RW
6. Items for the next Parish Council meeting
- Allotments
- Defibrillator Quote required
- Tidy up area around the Bus Shelter /Phone Box in readiness for Information Board and Defibrillator
- Village Entrance Gates – can this be explored? (Note Edgefield Village now have these in place)
- Memorial Benches – costs and suppliers (RB) (post mtg: Catalogue/supplier of various equipment including Village Gates with JD)
- Parish Maps
8. AOB
- As the solar farm was the reason for the Fund it was agreed we would referred to as the ‘SOLAR COMMUNITY FUND COMMITTEE’ (SCFC)
- The next newsletter will be put together and finalised in March for the next meeting.
- The next Lunch at the Wheatsheaf will be held on March 3rd
- Queen Elizabeth’s 90th Birthday (21st April or official day June 6th) was suggested as a Party in East Beckham / further Lunch celebration
- Is the meeting open to the Public? A constitution would be required. CW to investigate a possible constitution
- Minutes of the SCFC meetings should be posted onto the Parish Website. JS advised the Parish Plan tab was for this purpose. DM/KL
9. Date of next meeting
- Thursday 24th March 7PM, Bodham and Beckham Village Hall
Meeting closed at 8:40pm
