Minutes 10th March 2016

DRAFT Minutes of East and West Beckham Parish Council

Meeting Held on Thursday 10th March 2016

The chairman opened the meeting at 7.32pm

Present.  Cllrs. R. Wilson, (chairman),  J. Dovey.  G. Place,  R. Lewis, R. Moreton   A. Sweeney

County Cllr. M. Baker  and one member of the public       J. Stibbons (clerk)

1. Apologies  Cllr. B. Powell, Dist.Cllr M. Knowles   PCSO Guy Slade

2. Declarations of Interest.

Cllrs. Dovey, Lewis and Sweeney declared at interest in item 8 on the agenda.  (Community Fund)

Cllr. R. Wilson declared and interest in item 7 (Allotments)

3. Minutes.

The Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 28th January 2016, having been previously circulated, it was proposed by Cllr. Dovey that they be accepted as correct. This was seconded by Cllr. Sweeney and approved by the members present. The chairman then signed the minutes.

4. Matters arising from the Minutes.  None

5. Any reports from the Police, County or District Councillors

County Cllr. M. Baker  There have now been “No Parking” markers placed at the improved splay on the A148 at Lodge Corner.  It has also been requested that a speed limit survey should be carried out on the A148.

A new “Trod” is now in place with crossing points on the A148.  Highways are to be contacted with a request to have signs put in place warning of Pedestrians.

Highways have been notified about pot-holes and overgrowing hedges in Gibbet Lane.

6. A148 Lodge Corner.

Cllrs. Place and Dovey attended the meeting of Upper Sheringham Parish Council where the Vehicle Activated Sighs (VAS) at Lodge Corner were discussed. It was finally agreed that the triggers should be installed with the VAS as requested by E&W Beckham PC. The initial reason for Upper Sheringham PC suggesting that the signs should be activated at all times was that there is no sign warning of pedestrians crossing.

A bid is now in place for a VAS.

7. Allotments.

It was felt that it should be made clear that part of the West Beckham allotment site was on top  of a former tip and with a view to the information on the Environment Agency’s site “What’s in your backyard?”,  the parish has a duty of care responsibility not to encourage the growing of food crops on the site due to possible chemical contamination.

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Testing would be expensive as it would have to be tested for every toxic chemical known – and then, if any were found they would have to be removed.

As there is an alternative site at East Beckham, food production should be concentrated there. It was suggested that allotment holders re-locating from West to East Beckham should have a rent free allotment for five.

An email from Mrs Powell was read to the meeting in which she hoped that public

access to the West Beckham allotment site  would not be restricted when the Nectar Mix is established.

8. Solar Community Fund Committee.

(Minutes of Committee meetings can be viewed on the Website at (BECKHAMEWPC)

 

The committee is to be known as the SOLAR COMMUNITY FUND COMMITTEE (SCFC).

This committee is not limited in numbers and consists of volunteers with an interest in village improvements. There will also be a minimum of two parish councillors. A list of names of committee members will appear on the Parish Council web site. The object of this committee is to ascertain the wishes of the majority of residents regarding improvements to the community and prepair suggestions and costings for consideration by the Parish Council.

Inspection of tree at the Village Green and the East Beckham common has found no unsafe

branches that could be a hazard to the general public.

The provision of safety mirrors at Long Lane and Allotment Lane was not approved by NCC Highways.

The SCFC proposed the following projects for consideration by the Parish Council.

a. A quotation for grading the track and car park clearance at E. Beckham allotments was presented to the meeting.

The Parish Council needs to have three quotations before agreeing to this work.

b. To go ahead with a quote from Community Heartbeat for a defibrillator in the redundant telephone box in W Beckham. Approved.

c. To tidy up around the bus shelter – cut off some of the lower branches of the trees and ready the area for the relocation of the noticeboard and the installation of the defibrillator. Cost to be met from the Solar community Fund.

The Parish Council agreed. Mr. Place was asked if he would approach Stuart Thurtle to see if he would undertake this work.

d.  It was decided to leave discussion of village entrance signs and parish maps to the next meeting.

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9. Financial Matters.

Community account balances at 28/1/2016  £1430.41

Transfer of  £2908.73 from  Scottish Widows to Barclays Business account. to close account.

To approve payments and sign cheques for the following–

 

NNDC Election costs £38.32

Cheverton and Son Printing £67.20

J. Stibbons Salary and expenses £456.24

HMRC Clerks PAYE £92

Zurich Insurance £353.93

Mr. L. Watson was appointed internal auditor for the year 2015-2016

10. Correspondence

  • HM Queen 90th Birthday commemorative medals  It was decided not to purchase medals.
  • North Norfolk Bid Society Fund –  Noted

11. Matters for information only or for the next agenda.

The meeting was informed that there has been severe flooding near the Electricity Sub-station. Highways to be contacted.

There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9.26pm

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 24th May 2016

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