Beckham East and West Parish Council

  • Parish Council Agenda 14th July 2016

    East and West Beckham Parish Council

    Parish Council Meeting

    To all members of the Council

    Your presence is requested at a Meeting of E. & W. Beckham Parish Council on

    Thursday 14th July  2016 at 7.30 pm at the Bodham Village Hall.

    J. Stibbons   Clerk to the Council

    6th July 2016

    The Public are invited to attend the above meeting

    AGENDA

    1.    Apologies

    2.    Co-option of candidate to fill the casual vacancy.

    3.   Defibrillator   Presentation by Mr. Martin Render

    (chairman of the Community Heartbeat Trust)

    4.    To receive declarations of interest.

    5.    To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 

           Tuesday 24th May 2016

    6.    Matters arising from the Minutes.

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

    8.     Community Fund.  Committee report

    9.   Financial matters.

    Bank Balances at 14/7/2016 Community a/c £2410.50  Premium a/c £22464.10

    Invoices for approval and signing:-

    R. HarrodAllotment roadway£1080 (incl. VAT)

    Aylsham ComputersSupply laptop and printer£494.80 (paid by grant)

    10. Planning :-

    Ref PO/16/07771  Site for erection of two, two-storey detached dwellings Land off Sheringham Road, West Beckham.   

    11.    Correspondence

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

  • Minutes of the Meeting E&WB SCFC 30th June 2016

    Held in Bodham and Beckham Village Hall
    Present: Julia Dovey (Chair) Kathryn Lord (Secretary) David McNeight, Bob Lewis, Lorraine Marks, Simon Wakeford,  Anthea Sweeney, John Stibbons
    The Meeting opened at 7pm
    1. Apologies
    • Rosabelle Batt
    • Denise Lewis
    • Andrew & Lynne Clark
    2. Review Minutes of last meeting
    It was agreed the previous minutes were a fair reflection of the meeting.
    3. Progress on action plan:
     
    Note: Prior to the meeting JD had emailed a document ‘Action Plan Sept 2015’ summarising the Questionnaire results, with an updated status ‘June 2016’ to highlight progress made. This will be used as a summary report for the next Parish Council meeting.
     
    • BUS STOP TIDY:
      • JD reported the Bus Stop Shelter had been worked on and soil ingress removed from around the building and in the phone box! In doing so 5 unknown bike stands were uncovered. It was felt by all that railway sleepers could be used to make a retaining wall by the phone box where currently the old wall is no longer strong enough. Richard to be asked to return and do this work.
      • KL volunteered to paint the inside of the shelter in a masonry paint (which will need to be bought or acquired)
      • JD had a product that could be used on outside brickwork to remove any algae called ‘wet and forget’, or a power washer could be used – although is water needed.
      • It was felt after the painting and cleaning, measurements should be taken to assess layouts for notice boards/parish map etc.
      • SW offered to review current condition of noticeboards with a view to replacement or refurbishment.
    • WAR MEMORIAL RESTORATION:
      • Await PCC
    • TREE SURVEYS, WB Village Green, EB Common: 
      • JD had used the report by Mark Webster from The Conservation Volunteering Charity to place the bid for Tesco’s Bag of Help fund. Decisions are made end August.
      • PCC to deal with Churchyard.
    • THE READING ROOM:
      • Await PCC
    • COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS RECRUITED:
      • Despite requests for Volunteers (environmental and social) no further volunteers have come forward. It was felt that specific dates may need to be given – project specific
    • IMPROVEMENTS TO CHURCHYARD ENTRANCE:
      • Await PCC
    • IMPROVEMENTS BY POST BOXES & NOTICEBOARDS:
      • Outside Chestnut Farm the Post Box now has a step access instead of a steep bank.
      • Discussion regards the Sheringham Road site ensued. Possibility the PO to move the Post Box to a less dangerous spot, not on a bend?
    • DEFIBRILLATOR UPDATE:
      • JS advised the Parish Council meeting is on 14th July and the Heartbeat Charity presentation will be held at the start of the meeting. All welcome.
      • BL suggested a new possible site for EB. A barn wall which is at the centre of EB.
    • SHOP:
      • It was felt that we should wait some months to discuss again with the Wheatsheaf. The PC had written a letter to help the Wheatsheaf initiate a grant assisting them to establish the Pub as a ‘Local Hub’  – which includes in the plans a shop.
    • ALLOTMENT UPDATE: 
      • EB Allotment had been made more accessible. The track had been scraped and a carpark formed.
      • It was agreed this may need ‘on going maintenance’ or further work to improve the track/entrance.
      • No allotment committee had been set up, but so far this does not seem to be needed.
      • West Beckham allotment space was not discussed.
      • WB Allotment – not discussed. Cultivation, weeding, finally establishing a pollen and nectar seed mix. Paths to be mowed once established.
    • VILLAGE GATES & TRAFFIC CALMING:
      • Not discussed – await NCC Highways to confirm site date to visit.
      • KL mentioned the safety mirrors, which seem to be popping up around the area. The Parish Council however had been given a definitive NO from the Highways department.
      • Bid for match funding from NCC (December 2016) for any safety projects.
    • GRIT BINS:
      • BL advised the Grit Bin installed is still empty but Highways promise this will be filled before winter. This would be the priority before attempting another installation.
    • BUS SERVICE:
      • Not discussed, but C Sanders advised a personalised West Beckham Bus Timetable would be prepared. The School Bus can also be used.
      • Dial and Ride and Mediride information included in the Summer Bulletin.
    • OIL BUYING SYNDICATE:
      • A Gresham Oil Syndicate and Anglian Farmers Buying Group had been advised but no particular interest had been expressed in either Village.
    • PROGRAMME OF SOCIAL EVENTS:
      • Although the Committee had not been active in initiating this, it was felt the Monthly Lunches at the Wheatsheaf launched by Martyn and Ann Waring, and the Queens Birthday Tea Party had fulfilled this request.
    • CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA:
      • AC & LC were unable to come to the meeting, so we did not discuss their progress to date.
      • The Big Society Fund (grant up to £15,000) from NNDC is available for funding. Applications needed by 8th August 2016
    • WEBSITE: 
      • DM advised the domain name is eastandwestbeckham.org for access to the website which is now set up.
      • KL & DM advised further work is still to be done (not much time had been spent due to other commitments, which includes producing The Bulletin etc.)
      • Contributions from Parishioners would be very welcome – e.g. oral memories and photographic. If any of the committee have content or can speak to others who they think may have connections with the villages (or close by) this would be very helpful.
      • The History of the Villages is still outstanding.
      • JD volunteered to write an introduction piece for the Villages
    • QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER & INFO SHEET:
      • The Bulletin is now up and running – issue 3 about to be released. The Household Information sheet issued and available on the Website.
    • MEMORIAL BENCHES:
      • These are being ordered and it was suggested memorial name plaques are added. It was felt the Dark Brown colour recycled plastic benches shown where good looking and hopefully long lasting.
    • BROADBAND SURVEY:
      • It was discussed, and decided that a request be placed in the next ‘Bulletin’ for people with NO Broadband or Poor Broadband get in touch with DM so we can assess.
    • PARISH MAPS:
      • JD has found suppliers and awaits decisions on locations/contents before ordering.
    • BODHAM & BECKHAM VILLAGE HALL:
      • A Broadband supply for the Village Hall was suggested and DMwould investigate viability/costs via ‘Thinking Wisp’ as this doesn’t require a telephone line (which the VH does not have)
    • WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION:
      • Await PCC and Tesco Bid results.
      • Not discussed. Bird, Bat & Owl boxes could be bought or made.
    • EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND:
      • JD raised the idea of the above, and if approved could be created and Trustees appointed. The fund would enable young people and anyone who needed help with educational funding from the Villages. The rules of which would need to be agreed.
    • IMPROVEMENT TO GRASS TRIANGLE 
      •  Near Chestnut Farm WB Village Sign and grass area to be protected from being run over. Oak posts and removable chains could be installed to improve matters.
    4. Date of next meeting
     
    • 23rd September 2016, at B&B Village Hall, 7.30pm

    Meeting closed at 8:50 pm

  • Minutes of the Meeting E&WB SCFC 26th May 2016

    Solar Fund Committee  Meeting Minutes 26th May 2016

    Present
    Julia Dovey
    Rosabelle Batt
    Denise Lewis
    Simon Wakeford
    Lorraine Marks

    Apologies
    Bob Lewis
    Kathryn Lord
    David  McNeight
    Anthea Sweeney
    Mike Baker

    It was announced that Chris Wheeler  had decided to step down from the committee. The committee thanked her for all her hard work and noted that she would still like to be involved in a more informal way in future.

    Minutes of last meeting agreed. 

    List of current possible projects taken to the recent Parish Council meeting.

    Possible proposed expenditure by Solar Fund Committee May 24th 2016

    Parish Council response in blue

    VAS sign for Lodge Hill Junction

    Approx £3000 ( sum to be confirmed)  Funds already committed  This is to be paid out of PC funds not Solar Farm

    East Beckham Allotments

    Allotment driveway/car park £900 ( I estimate received) Expenditure approved work to start asap

    Village gates for East and West Beckham

    Village Gate pairs x 5 for WB  + 3 pairs for E B  (Costs to be shared with NCC Highways Dept. We are waiting for a site visit and quote to be able to make an application by December 2016)  This is to go ahead but no date as yet

    Other traffic calming /road safety measures

    West Beckham Green and East Beckham Common

    Village Green & Loke work £ ?

    Management plan for Beckham Green and east Beckham Common (TCV) £300

    Tesco Bags of Help for Green Spaces Grant (£8000+)  applied for.  Management plan to be obtained if we are not successful. Julia meeting Dr Leech (Environmental) to see if he will have a look at it.

    Benches x 5? £2,000 We discussed where to put the. The suggested areas are

    1. Valley Farm EB
    2. Allotment field EB
    3. Village Green WB
    4. Sheringham Road WB

    Bus stop transformation

    Parish Maps/Boards £2,000

    Defibrillator in W Beckham phonebox  £3000?  Presentation to E and WB Parish Council at July meeting by supplier. Please attend if you can.

    Children’s Play Area

    Children Play equipment £10,000?

    Proposals for a global sum of  £21,200 so far.

    To be decided after decisions by PCC

    *Possible Reading Room demolition  £2,000 This is on hold following message from Father Phil regarding the sale of the site.  The Chairman requested that the PC declare an interest to purchase

    *Roll of Honour ?  (Replacement now stopped by Diocese – alternative to be discussed) The Chairman considered we should go ahead with a replacement and put elsewhere – cemetery would be suitable. The old one can remain outside the church.  To be discussed at meeting with Fr Phil in early June

    Other potential future expenditure could include:

    • work to clear invasive bracken and bramble in our woodlands
    • provision of interpretation boards for conservation areas
    • bird and bat boxes for conservation areas
    • village walk leaflet
    • completion of bus stop transformation ie possible repairs,painting, refurbishment and repositioning of noticeboard or purchase of new ones
    • oak posts to stop encroachment on the village sign triangle by large vehicles
    • publication of newsletters
    • running cost of website   –  is £72 inc VAT pa
    • improvements to Broadband speed

    Costs incurred so far – Household information sheet £90 and 2 Bulletins  £130 + fees for hall.

    Expenditure on the list above approved.  Next payment into Solar Fund due in October.

    Finance for village projects

    • We are having trouble completing one of the more straightforward projects, for example the allotment track, because of the difficulty in getting 3 tradesmen to give formal quotes.  This is also likely to affect other building work such as the cemetery gates. How can we move forward?  As long as we show that serious attempts have been made  to get quotes we can proceed without three.
    • What happens when there is only one supplier of services or goods such as The Conservation Volunteers or the Norfolk parish maps?  How do we get around the 3 quote principle here?   We can go ahead and order.

    The Chairman expressed that he did not want the committee to lose momentum – John is to arrange the accounts so that specific payments out on the solar projects can be made more easily

    AOB

    Flashing speed sign/other calming measure to be looked at in October when the next Solar payment is due.

    Shop – Julia to speak to Tracy to see if she’s still interested.

    Bus stop revival ‘to do’ list

    • Find out who owns the area around the bus stop JD
    • Remove lower branches of trees that overhang the bus stop and dig out to find out the condition of the retaining wall.   Rosabelle suggests contacting Richard Hudson (07748) 380634  JD to follow up
    • Rebuild retaining wall where necessary if needed
    • Power wash outside of bus stop
    • Re-paint outside where necessary
    • Paint inside white
    • Remove bin
    • Plant bank with effective low maintenance ground cover eg ivy? Grass? (needs strimming)
    • Relocate refurbished noticeboard – inside? Outside on side wall?
    • Consider planters, hanging baskets etc when complete and defibrillator installed

    Solar Panel Committee Fund Holiday

    May I suggest that we keep to the June meeting as already in the diary (this will give an opportunity for feedback from the meeting with Fr Phil, to decide which projects to work on through the summer and sort out the June newsletter if necessary) but then have July and August off, reconvening in September after the PC meeting. I will sort out a date with Anne and send round an email.

  • Minutes of the Meeting E&WB SCFC 28th April 2016

    Held in Bodham and Beckham Village Hall
    Present: Julia Dovey (Chair) Kathryn Lord (Secretary) David McNeight, Chris Wheeler, Rex Wheeler, Bob Lewis, Lorraine Marks, Simon Wakeford,  Andrew Clark, Anthea Sweeney, John Stibbons
    The Meeting opened at 7pm
    1. Apologies
    • Rosabelle Batt
    • Denise Lewis
    • Mike Baker
    • Lynne Clark
    2. Review Minutes of last meeting
    It was agreed the previous minutes were a fair reflection of the meeting.
    3. Progress on action plan:
    • WAR MEMORIAL RESTORATION:
      • Apart from the one firm quote, SW reported that other companies (5 in total) had failed to visit or make quotes despite several chasing calls and promises that they really were interested in the work. (Note post Meeting: Fr Phil Blamire has reported that no additional or new stones can be laid, the suggestion is an addition of a metal plaque. Also the Churchyard work would have a ceiling of £1500 prior to 3 quotes being sought.)
    • TREE SURVEYS: 
      • JD had supplied the report by Mark Webster from The Conservation Volunteering Charity prior to the meeting. The report outlined a selection of menu options with guide prices. Generally it was felt these volunteers were expensive but it was agreed a Conservation Management Plan would be worthwhile for both the WB Village Green and EB Loke.  Mark Webster highlighted valuable assets within the ancient woodlands at both East and West Beckham.
      • CW & RW had received unofficial expert advise and an offer of free assistance, if needed, for work in the Village Green, focusing on walker safety. Work had not started.
      • JS advised the PC had used Community Payback labour in the past and this is available. It was felt this labour could be used to clear brambles and bracken along the pathways
    • THE READING ROOM:
      • KL had tried to contact Fr Phil Blamire prior to the meeting but would send an email to find out if any progress had been made or meetings set up with the DFB Ltd. (Note post meeting – Fr Blamire had supplied the Trust Deed for the PC and the PCC would need to discuss what was the next step)
    • DEFIBRILLATOR UPDATE:
      • JS advised the Charity had estimated £1500-2000 per defibrillator. If vandalism is unlikely a coded lock would not be needed and would reduce costs. The Company would come and make a presentation to the Parish Council in July which would explain a lot of the details which the committee were asking. KL advised that she had been contacted after the latest BULLETIN by a couple of volunteers keen to be trained.
    • SHOP:
      • No news.
    • ALLOTMENT UPDATE: 
      • BL advised a total of 10 allotments were left available in EB.
      •  Urgent attention to the Entrance and track into the Allotment was required along with the Parking area. 2 Further quotes are required unless this situation can be resolved. JS advised he was waiting for another contractor to come back to him. JD to discuss with PC
      • BL advised the daffodils in EB had been partly picked by a couple of Eastern European pickers. When challenged by BL they did not return. BL reported this to Cromer police.
      • JS has issued the new contacts for the Allotments for year 2016-17
      • West Beckham allotment space was not discussed.
    • PARISH MAPS: Not discussed
    • VILLAGE GATES:
      • JS supplied an email from Highways (Steve White) which advised white gates could be part funded. The round of funding would be applied for late in 2016.
      • Highways would need to agree suitable wide verge sites for the gates. Steve White would visit to discuss suitability
      • KL/DM had looked at locations as had LM/SW who had also measured verge widths.
      • Would locations be where the 30 mph signs were already placed? No 30 mph signs in EB
    • BUS STOP TIDY:
      • JD reported she had tidied up in the bus stop but the bin inside had been used as a dog waste bin. KL thought painting the inside brickwork would improve the appearance.
      • Ideas to be fed back to JD by ALL prior to the next meeting.
    • BUS SERVICE:
      • JD reported the meeting with Charles Sanders took place and there would be a personalised West Beckham bus program written by CS which would be included in the next BULLETIN (June) There is a service 3 days a week currently and the School Bus can also be used, although this will need to be paid for prior to 9.30am
      • JD also gave details of Dial a Ride and other options which we will be include in the next BULLETIN.
    • POST BOX PAVING UPDATE: SW provided a photograph of the completed pavers in situ at the Church Farm Postbox. The committee expressed their gratitude and praise.
    • CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA:
    • A&LC had visited the Play area and reported back that is was very tidy and well maintained at the point of the visit.
    • JS advised ROSPA will make the annual inspection to ensure all equipment is meeting safety standards etc.
    • There was plenty of space (size 30m x11m) that could take extra equipment and AC had approached some specialist companies.
    • Examples of Slides had been provided – various prices from £6k to others from Costco Cash and Carry were shown.
    • The Area is owned by NNDC and the PC need to fund regular grass cutting. It was muted that NNDC may wish to pass the land over to the PC.
    • KL though the fencing could be improved to make it less uninviting, although it was functional to keep dogs out and children in.
    • BL had a contact with a Weybourne committee who have recently set up a children’s play area and would pass this on.
    • LM and KL both remarked on the quality of play areas at Blakeney Village.
    • WEBSITE: 
      • DM advised that the domain name eastandwestbeckham.org had been purchased.
      • KL DM & DL had spent an afternoon going through possible content and architecture. A basic format for the website was now up. (Albeit a ‘work in progress’)
      • Content offers from some parishioners had been forthcoming and also old photographs from RAF West Beckham have been allowed to be used.
      • KL/DM asked for the committee to look at what is on the site so far and offer feedback.
    • MEMORIAL BENCHES:
      • RB had not been able to attend the meeting but would report back next meeting regards bench costings and designs.
    4. Parish Council Meeting
     
    • 3 Quotes and difficulty in progression
     
    5. AOB 
    • SW asked that the grass triangle in front of Chestnut Farm with the WB Village Sign be protected from being run over. Oak posts and removable chains could be installed to  improve matters.
    6. Date of next meeting
     
    • 26th MAY,  7PM, Bodham and Beckham Village Hall (2 days after the Parish Council Meeting 24th May when ALL are invited)
    • 30th JUNE being the following meeting date

    Meeting closed at 9:00 pm

Cookies For Comments Image